Sketch of the Life and Labours of John Guest, with Selections from His Poems and Letters

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881. Excerpt: ... MR. ALDERMAN JOHN GUEST. Part I. Me. Guest's early life and connexion with the Temperance Movement. On the 22nd day of July, 1880, the remains of Mr. Alderman John Guest were laid in the Cemetery, in the immediate neighbourhood of his residence. It was a memorable occasion, as the whole community of his native town testified their sorrow at the bereavement, and all classes felt that they had lost a friend by the death of one of their worthiest and most useful citizens. All the shops and places of business were closed during the hours of the mournful ceremony, and, although Mr. Guest was known as an uncompromising teetotaler, the public-houses adopted this method of shewing respect to the memory of the deceased. It will be seen by the newspaper reports, which are reprinted in the Appendix, how the inhabitants, and many others from a distance, united in the demonstration. Associations with which he had been connected, attended by deputation or in a body. The Temperance cause was well represented, and several of his old friends and colleagues were present--men who had grown grey in the good work to which Mr. Guest, for nearly half a century, had devoted much of his time and means. lb will not be considered invidious to name the veterans Dr. P. R. Lees, Edward Grubb, and Thomas Whittaker. These men were among the foremost of the pioneers who advocated the principle of total abstinence from intoxicating drinks, when such advocacy was met by violent opposition, and coarse and ribald ridicule. These were among a large number who claimed Mr. Guest as a friend, and who repaid that friendship by a loyal veneration. Many at a distance who had never heard the voice, nor seen the figure of the living man, have felt the loss most keenly; for although from diffidence of...