The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-03-20
SOME QUOTATIONS.

SOME O0GIFATI0RS.
We We're much interested at the
prayer meeting in the Presbyterian
church on last Friday evening, the
last occasion upon which we had OPP
portunity to be present at these meet
ings before the sailing of the steamer.
A very large and deeply attentive con-
gregation was present. Rev. DR.. Atkin-
son, whose dignified yet humble bearing
inspires every behOlder with respect and
confidence, made a few very sensible
and earnest remarks. Rev. Mr.. Medbury
offered fervent petition, and Rev. Mr..
Izer read a collection of Bible texts upon
the efficacy Of prayer. Several other
gentlemen also spoke and prayed, and
the congregational singing was es-
pecially stirring and appropriate.
Knowing well the timidity with
which many of our brethren in the
ministry regard the acknowledgements of
woman or the most indefinite allusion
thereto, il was not without some trepi-
datiOn that we stood before the people
and exhOrted the women to systematic
their work by beseiging the lawmakers
with singing and prayer. We showed
that the foundation for the immense
traffic in ardent spirits rests upon Iegis-
lation, and the way to make this reform
lasting is TO begin with the City Coun-
ell and carry our work from there
through all the various notifications of
government.
The young ministers were very much
perturbed at this. They thought we
had enough Of laws, and good enough
ones; that it was religion we needed
just as if religion would prosper undel
laws that protect the terrible curse o.
drunkenness. These ministers mus
learn that the women TO whom they arr
so frantically appealing to go forth and
destroy the effects of man-made law,
must have opportunity to attack this evil
Ly The root, and that all the prayers OF
men and angels will avail us nothing
without a change in law.
Mr.. Izer read, with much emphasis,
an account, clipped from some eastern
newspaper, wherein it was related that
the women Of a certain town, by prayer
alone, had dried up every rum hole.
Let our brother visit this town a year
hence, our laws remaining as they are,
with women having no opportunity to
make them better, aud he will see that
1.-THE dog has returned to vOmit again
and the sow TO her wallowing in the
mire."
God works by plans, and His plans,
which man would so often thwart by
over-righteousness, are the embodiment
Of palmer practical common sense. We
10y no means impugn the motives
Of our young brethren in the min
istry. Their lives are wholly ideal.
They subsist upon salaries earned by tie
people, who are compelled by their bus
mess interests to take a practical view
oi lille, and so they employ their minis
ters TO look after spiritual things for
them, and We will do our brethren the
justice to say and believe that they dc
their best to earn and render full
equivalent for their earthly support
But while their doctrine is splendid fol
preachers, and while it is very crafty
ing 10 them 10 have the sisters always
ready TO follow their dietation, we, with
all due Difference to their calling, mus
emphatically declare that the womeI
have their own work to do in their owI
way. God sOpening up that way, and i
pains us exceedingly when these mel
try to keep women tied hand and foo
under the licensed, rum-protecting laws
Of the land, while sending them forth
tettered, TO pray in the purlieus of vice
to remove the effects Of mans unjus
legislation. But, while they may hin
der, they cannot prevent the onward
march Of wOman's power The finge
oI 0od has written the fiat of her des
tiny in the progress of the age, and tn,
Nl-perVading light of Heavens exalted
uuIn Is permeating her superstition-be
blinded understanding; and the uItimat,
result oi this temperance crusade will n,
that she will. stand side by side viii
man at the ballot-box to unmake IN,
laws that have led the people to max
of the purlieus OF our cities ana vil,aoo
vast charnel-house of prostitution an,
drunkenness.