National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-26
THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.
THE LADIES OF SOUTH WASHINGTON
IN THE PIRTn

Southern district Of the Temperance Union, .
large assemblags was present last night IN the
Presbyterian church, corner Of Sixth and
streets, South Washington.
The Rev. DR.. Noble, pastor Of the church, pre-
sided and introduced the several speakers. The
proceedings were opened with prayer and the
singing Of. the hymn "Rock Of Ages" At appro-
pirate intervals the congregation joined in singing
pertinent hymns, with melodeon accompaniment
hrs Roach, Of the Northern district, was first
introduced. She said this was Gods work-not
women's He had pushed them every step Of the
way He had guided and helped them. She
wanted those present to help the ladies In the
great work. Their object was to save souls, and
thers was nothing that drew more hearts from
God than the evil Of intemperancs. The women
Of the west-s few poor, feeble women-relying
upon divine help had started this movement, and
heaven had thus far blessed it. The women OF
Washington had been bat few weeks engaged
in this cause, and they had been 50 much con-
soled that they felt willing to go anyrhere to
protect Il. Many OF the nrst ladies Of the city
wore engaged in the noble work. Several Of
them had visited restaurants, and had BY prayer
rescued poor. degraded drunkards from the GRIM
soned vice. She related notable instance-that
of young man found in bsastly state Of In
toxlcatIon In tavern In this city during the past
week. -.
were surprised that ladies would thus put them
selves forward, but those who werO engaged in
the cause felt tho burden upon their hearts, and
they wore determined to encounter any obstacle,
conscious thatthsy had great work to do.
Tho speaker thon made an earnest appeal to
Christian mothers, to daughters and sisters, to
young men, and to the little children to aid in TIE
good work. The children could do much by
prayer, and had done q great deal in that way to
a..
the vice OF intemperance.
Mrs Rico was next called upon, and remarked
that she no doubt stood before On audience Of all
shades Of opinion. There were no doubt some
who thought that women unsexed themselves in
appearing thus publicly to advocate the cause Of
temperance. She related instances Of those who
had come to womens temperance meetings to
sneer, but had changed their opinions after hear
ing and seeing. Some said there was q better
way than this to promote the cause. Ifso, let It
be tried; but in the name Of God lett go until
something better could be done. Prayer was
their weapon-ths most powerful one that could
be used. Laws might be passed, but SO long as
liquor was sold 1t would be drunk. Those only
were safe who were placed in the Lords keeping.
Women could not stand by, with folded arms,
and see so many souls going to perdition without
IN effort to save them.
This was Gods work, and she called upon every
Christian woman to aid In the work. The Chris.
tian woman had done much throughout the coun-
try but little had been done in the Southern dis
trict Christian women should willingly and
earnestly enlist in the cause. This was theil
great opportunity. They could not diyest them
selves Of responsibility. They should awake from
sleep, and obey the call Of the Lord. Who among
the women present would be sorry at the end Of
life for what abe haddone In this good cause? II
had been asked, what were the women doing
They were doing much. They vero praying, and
prayer was the greatest weapon that could b
used. The tsysrn-keepers were in trepIdation
they were realizing the truth that since the
women commenced praying customers had dimin
| ished and their Golfers were not so full. y-r
The speaker then referred to the wonderful
achievements Of the women Of the West ant
North. Even In this city two saloons had already
| been closed, and others were about to do so. Sew
ersl drinking men had been converted, and wert
now working with the ladies to promote temper
snoe. 90 -- -
This was not . spasmodio movement, but wa
destined to 60 on until the great work had beel
accomplished. The speaker then alluded to tn,
poisonous quality Of liquors, and argued that w
were our brothers keepers when they were to-
weak to protect themselves In temperance, o
In religious reEivsls It might be that after the eI
element had died away there would be . reac
|
side. Already Christian ministers, the press ant
leading citizens were calling upon Legislature
for the protection Of law. This great evil wa
stalking abroad through the landi It had inya de-
even the Senate and the House.
| r The women should come forward and fill tn
vacant places In the Temperance prayer circle
They knew q great work was before them; 1
might take years to accomplish It. Men did no
like to have women on the same platform will
them. Let the women make . new platform TO
themselves-total abstinence from all intoxicating
drinks.
The speaker closed with an earnest appeal t
Christian men, and claimed that with consolidate
effort victory could be achieved through prayer
young lady present then recited, at the re
quest Of Rev. DR.. Noble, the welLknown ten
perance poem go fesfwhat have felt"
Mrs. Linville was the next speaker. She sal
the ladies had not entered this field from choice
but God had called them and they dared not dis
obey. For weeks they had been praying at tn
foot Of the cross. There was no prescribee plan
work. They waited and listened for God to dlrec
the way. He had done so, and willing heart
and feet had entered. They did not fear persecr
tion; they had nothing to do with the future, Blu
left It In Gods hands. They did not dread pei
secution; for, as sister said the other day whe
elected from an Avenue saloon, she had never ha
anything to encourage her so much. They love
to be prosecuted for Jesus sake. Their mott
was "Go forward" and they felt that with Go
they could not help being victorious. The pat
Of duty was alone the path OF safety. ..
The speaker then referred to the great evil {
intemperanee, and remarked that God was mo-
solving the problem Of crushing 1t out. II tn
women saved but one soul they would be con
penssted for all their trislL sunsrings and psrss
cutions.
It was said that woman's work was In he
home. So It vas, but 1t should not stop Their,
God had given the women q work to do In thl
cause, and we should be willing instruments
his hands, going forth In his name. Some sal
this was an excitement. Not q bit of 1t; tho ",
men we're never % calm. 1t began, was continue
and would end in prayer. The women uer
deeply in esrnest. They would continue to worl
assured that the time Of rest would soon CONS.
Mrs.-Underhill was the next speaker. She sal
that they were not called out by the desperat
circumstances that had called forth the wome
ofths West. But there wersthose who had precior
sons to save, while saloons were all around then
Parents were calling upon Us to rescue their chi
dren. There was danger In every drop Of llquo
She then related O touching incident Of . lad
in 0 Northern home, who became addicted
habits of intemperance through taking the FIR
drop Of brandy by advice Of q friend, while travs
ing, and who for twenty years had continued in
The speaker was surprised that some ladies o
posed the movement, although It was natur
that there should be some opposition from me
She closed by earnestly appealing to Christia
mothers to give their infiusnce to the cause, f
there were many fathers, sons and daughters
save.
} An elderly lady In the congregation (Mr
TIlley) referred to the appearance Of the "Island
ffty years ago, and compared IL with its preset
condition. Then there were but two taverns {
the Island; now they were almost countless. 81
thanked God for the good work the ladies we
doing. She never was so much inspired
when she attended the women's prayer-meeting
She urged the people to rally to the beautifl
standard OF temperance. Their sons ought TO
taught to vote, when they grow up, for tempe
ancs men. Tavern-keepers said their buslne
was lawful; II 50, why did they try to hide 1t b
hind screens9 The work was sstined to go o
and would be successful.
Mr.. F. NJ. Bradley was next called ont, and 7
ferrsd TO the earnest words uttered by the wom'
that night. II OF the "earth, earthly" then CO
denim them; II heayen-inspired, as they wer
then approve them. These good ladies were
work in every section Of the city. The assembly,
had heard their appeals. Let them awake fro
their slumber. There were many Christian wom'
that had work to do. n their fathers, mother
brothers and sisters were not suffering, there We
others who were. These good women had 50
nothing tonight OF which any one need
ashamed. They went about doing good, % q
, Master did. They could not have worked IS tn