Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-04-20
A LETTER FROM CHICAGO.
THE woMAN's CRUSADE.

Ed. moNiToR Nnlie pursuing oul
usual avocations, and even while about
entering the house of God, we are inter.
rupted by novel invitation it is, to
enlist in the Woman's Temperance Ar
my-to enroll our names and lend our
influence to the mighty band, which is
each day swelling Its rank, until it num-
bers many thousand.
The power of woman's influence, for
good or for evil, has been acknowledged
since the world began, and it has never
had greater scope for demonstration, or
been exerted in nobler cause than that
which agitates the public at the present
time-the crusade against intemperance
For years have tie various temperance
organizations, both secret and open,
worked Oh, each in their own way, and
without doubt all have been instrument
al of great good. But this was not suf-
ficient; something was needed out of the
common course general awakening
a CONFUSION of the whole country, ris-
ing in rebellion to put away this terri
BILE evil. And now the desire to accom-
plish this seems, to spread far and wide,
and may it increase till the atmosphere
of country and town, hills, wales and
prairies, shall become pure from the
contamination of liquor. 1t is indeed a
strange sight to see the bands of earnest
women visiting saloons, praying, singing
hymns and entreating. Are they women
of the Woodruff stamp? Are they seek
ing for admission to the ballot, or wish
ing to get power into their own hands ?
or, are they merely wishing to make
themselves notorious ? No hundred
times, no ! They consist of those who
are actuated by high sense of duty,
and never went forth Drawer hearts to
do battle in any cause. In many cases
they are the wives of our ministers, COL
lege professors and others in high stand
ing, morally and socially, who go forth
as if impelled by a higher power-tim-
id, shrinking women, talking, praying
as if inspired, and forcing tears from
many eyes unused to weeping, and in
some cases causing the rumseller to pour
forth his liquid fire by the barrel. Yet,
where they only meet with SCOTS and re-
bluffs, they do not seem disheartened,
but feeling that as only part expert
enced by all reformers-press on.
Their faith is having mighty inhu-
ence, and as week after week passes,
prayer-meetings are held in all the
churches and prayer efforts are put forth,
and the enemy may we'll tremble, cler-
gymen use all their influence. And now
when we see a number gathered togeth-
er to pray for the blessing of Heaven on
this great interchangeable Methodist,
Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Bishops
of the Episcopal church, Congregational,
Universalist and Unitarian elergymen,
side by side, all supplicating one common
Father, might we not almost think the
Millennium was come ?
Throughout the great West, onward
through the Middle States, the cry of
Temperance resounds, and the pray
ers and tears are doing a great work.
Women of the noble Green Mountain
State-you will not be behind your sis
ters-you, who are steadfast for right
rise to help put away this terrible evil.
If you do not feel you are called to form
a praying band, suggest some other way
OF reaching and overcoming the fearful
scourge of our country. You, who have
seen noble men, possessing talents beft-
ting any station in the land, fall to the
lowest depths-no longer his own mas
ter, but the slave of his appetite you
have heard of the fends who love to
minister to this appetite, who glory in
the fall of an upright man to a level
with themselves you. who know the
sorrows Of wives and mothers, whose
tears, perhaps, are long since dry, but
whose hearts can never cease to ween
and mourn over the terrible blight fall
en- on their dear ones-cap you say, how
does all this concern me, and 60 on mid
your own pleasures Do not say, ewhat
can do alone" but remember the tinv
rlll far up yon mountain-side, laughing,
dancing hither and yon, joining Its lit
tie neighbor in merry glee, prattling on
ward together, mingling here and there
with other little cascades, till down they
60 through the valley with rush and a
roar and then is when the voice of the
little rill is heard, and her power is felt
COO, as she Is made to serve in the inter-
est of mankind And in this same wav.
my sisters, will your influence be felt.
JOIN hands, have faith and 60 forward,
never waVering, and this is the way YOU
will help to put down intemperance.
FAITH.
S(IENTIEIC ANN @ .,x.