Temperance > Autobiography and personal recollections of John B. Gough

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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN B. GOUGH.
my home by Rev. H. W. Dexter, at the head of a depu¬
tation:—
John B. Gough,—Bear Sir: The undersigned ministers of the
gospel, of different denominations, in Massachusetts, having
learned that you intend returning home in the month of August
next, desire to welcome you, with your family, to our shores, and
to reassure you of our cordial esteem and love, as a fellow-labourer
in the common cause.
Should you be inclined to gratify our wishes, we beg of you to
name a day, at such time after your arrival in the country, as
may be convenient to yourself, when we, with other friends of
temperance, may hope to welcome you at a public meeting in the
city of Boston.
With great respect, we have the honour to be
Very truly your friends.
[Signed by four hundred and eighty-nine ministers of the gospel.]
In reply to this I appointed Monday, September 17th,
for the meeting. Arrangements were made, and as it was
deemed advisable not to postpone, I went down that day,
and was greeted by a large number of friends. In the
evening an audience filled every part of Tremont Temple.
A book, finely bound, containing the autographs of those
who had signed the invitation, with an inscription,—“The
Welcome of the Ministers of Massachusetts to John B.
Gough, on his return from England in August, 1860,”—
was presented to me; and the whole proceedings were of
the most deeply interesting character to me.
A reception was given me at the Mechanics’ Hall, Wor¬
cester, at which the Hon. Judge Barton presided. All
this was very gratifying and encouraging to me.
On the 25th I commenced work in earnest, and con¬
tinued till December 1st. I then left for the West, re-