TEMPERANCE MEETING IN DEVIZES.—On Thursday evening last, a public meeting was held at the Town-hall, at which the Rev. J. Duthie, of Petersfield, delivered an address on temperance. The attendance was an average one, and Mr. J. J. Fox was called upon to preside, who having made a few preliminary observations, introduced the lecturer. The Rev. Mr. Duthie then delivered an able address on the temperance question, and having commented on the evils of intemperance, observed that he was present on that occasion to show that he was on the side of those who were determined, if this evil were to be allowed to go on, that so far as they were concerned, their hands should be clean (applause). The question was—how could the requirements of the present age, with reference to a check to intemperance, be met? He believed it was only to be effected through the medium of the total abstinence movement, and that this movement would eventually be the sling of David to destroy this mighty Goliah (cheers). Men had suggested schemes and plans, but in what had they resulted? There had been no permanent influence brought to bear on intemperance, apart from that movement which they had met that evening to advocate. The rev. lecturer then at considerable length adverted to some of the arguments which were used by the opponents of total abstinence— viz., that because an article was abused, that was no ground for its not being used; that if the use of everything which was abused were discontinued, the temperance advocates ought to leave off eating roast beef, as men often ate too much; that social customs required that wine should be drunk, &c.—and the rev. gentleman contended that these arguments were groundless, and were unworthy of regard. They had been often refuted before, but like the American, who (as the Irishman said) would not fall down when he was shot, the advocates of strong drink were unwilling to admit that they had been shot (laughter and hear, hear). Teetotallers did not mean to say that their system was perfect; but if any man had a better plan, they should be glad to attend to him. Total abstinence was not a ladder long enough to reach to heaven, but it had often been the means of bringing a man to the foot of the ladder, and they believed there was no movement which had been so conducive to the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom as that of temperance. The rev. gentleman then urged the meeting not to be discouraged, because they were only able as individually to do a little, and alluded to the giving of a tract to a poor pedlar, to Richard Baxter, which terminated not only in Baxter’s own conversion, but in that conversion being succeeded by that of Doddridge, Wilberforce, and Leigh Richmond. He would urge upon all present, to consider the vast amount of intemperance that prevailed in the country, to look at the temperance movement, to go home and pray over it, when he had no doubt that they would then join in advocating the cause, and after labouring to promote its interests, he believed that they would pass from time into eternity with the consciousness that they had not lived in vain.—At the close of the address, Mr. Church moved a vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr. Duthie, which was seconded by Mr. E. Simpson, who observed that he saw a number of young men present, and as they might possess much influence by their associations with other young men, he would commend the temperance cause to their consideration.—The proceedings were then brought to a close, a collection being made at the doors on behalf of the Devizes Temperance Society.