Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-04-15
Temperance Work by Montpelier Women.

papers. and to invitations given at every house.
Women, old and young, and Misses, met on
Friday last, at three o'clock, in Trinity Hall,
in the interest Of temperance. The weather
was most unfavorabe, and the friends were
greatly surprised at the large attendance
Mrs. W. II. Lord presided, and Mrs. q. W.
Bailey acted as Secretary.
Mrs. Lord, by presentation of the necessity
for woman's work, and a clear showing Of her
responsibility, infused new zeal in the luke
warm and aroused the Indifferent
The Secretary encouraged all present by n
full report, not only Of the efforts made, and
their results, but Of the spirit in which they
were made. The report was as follows
REPORT OF LABOR.
On the evening Of the sth Of March, IN this village
a committee was chosen, which met the NEXT day at
Trinity vestry TO devise ways aud for the sup
preston Of intemperance. This was not new enter
prise Twenty months before few earnest women
had felt the pressing need OF Temperance reforma-
tOn, and since that time had devoted themselves In
most cotnmendahe manner 10 effect this result That
their ab0rs have been fruitful Of great good all know
and most acknowledge, and this phase Is but an of
spring Of their work. Atthis meeting i was decided
that prayer-meetinga should DO held the next day
the ladies 10 meet at Bethany chapel, and the gentle
men At Trinity yestry. These meetings continued
those present at these gatherings understand the
spirit that pervaded them. Who Of these can doubt
that God has been with u.s. and that with especial
nearness DO we not thank Him for these Of
united prayer Occasionally Union and MAss-moet-
ngs were held, In which the enthusiasm and faith
pressed by gentlemen at home aud from abroad
cheered and strengthened Us.
The first week Of these meeting special subjects Tor
prayer were given First, ourselves, that we light be
purified and fitted 10 work for God and humanity &
second, the dealers In and drinkers Of intoxicating
Liquors. then our influential wealthy citizens, that
mtg fa and n va
their and our tempted brothers
As intelligence was brought US that Mr. strattOn
had closed his bar Mr.. CLARK had Voluntarily opened
a strictly temperance house. and Mr.. Wilson had ex
pressed determination that liquor should not be sold
by him beverage, committees Of two sent to
each Of these gentlemen 10 bear the thanks and sym
pathes Of the ladies. These demonstrations
seiysd With APP, 6IatSeatilo5n, We were in.
property In this town, stipulated In every lease given
By him that no intoxicating liquors should be sold
his premises and this resolve had caused sacrifice Of
one hundred dollars the first year. Of congrat
uaton sent him by the ladies, which be answered
by expressing his pleasure that his views had coin
cided with theirs, aud wshlng them success In their
work.
soon it was thought best draw up pledges for cir
culation. These carefully formed We could
not ask for less than that men should do what was
right In the sight Of Gsd We felt that In
our prayers lie would lead us In a plain path, and
make as strong and willing 70 plead with them IN be
half Of fellow men. 10 this spirit committee Of
hye ladies' visited the fe9l estate owners asking for
promise that they would not rent property belonging
10 them 10 those who would sell liquors unlawfilly
They found some who gladly gave their names. One,
Mr. y. y. Smith-a man who has proved by his past
course that he Is sincere,-and Mr. James r. Lang
don, beside giving his name 10 the pledge requested
that whenever any knew Of bis property being used
him. Although were told that no good business
man would make the promise We asked or keep II II
he gave IT, do not, cannot, doubt the ability
sincerity Of these who have taken this noble stand
Who IS strong or great, or rich enough 10 bear the
responsibility Of aiding in the destruction Of fellow
creaturel In most instances this committee met with
gentlemanly treatment from those who were unwilling
~ grant their request. The reasons given were mum
efous and varied. One, perhaps, represented most
property owners when he said the dealers and drink
crs were alone resposible for drunkenness Another
wealthy mAn's excuse was, I'm poor, and de.
pend upon my rents for support. AnOther-I will
pledge myself II all other owners will. One gentle
man, who received the ladies with less kindness and
courtesy than any Of the Others said he didn't know
that liquor sold on his premises, but he would
agree with the ladies that after the present lease ex-
pred be would rent his cellar TO be used for such
purposes lie also said that when the ladies had fin
ished their present abors be hoped they would take
hold Of some Christian work.
pledge was next circulated among the botel-ke
ert 10y committee Of four. These ladies were
ceived with the utmost kindness. They found the
propfotors total abstaners in almost every instance
ana interested In the suppression VI intemperRnce
Three OF them promised TO sign the pledge presented
70 the fourth would, but that one, though sensby
feeling the misery which nquOr-seling and drinking
caused did not believe that he could keep public
house whout the article for travellers. IL not
account Of the profit for he gave more than he
but FOR the accommodation. This one cheered US by
saying before we lett that he had serious intentions
Of taking, cut license for beer. hereafter.
Another assured US he had reduced his sales 10 a
tenth Of what they were few years ago. He never
he ped customer to liquor that he did not oathe the
business, and would be heartily glad II there
within fifty miles u here, but he needed the money
and the custom II brought him. Especial interest
was felt In this man, for he bad suffered from the ef
fects Of intemperance In his family. His feelings
the subject were deep, his words honest and the Wis
itors felt that he mus, later yield 10 what
he undoubtedly knew to be bis duty. All the hotel
keepers said they did not sell to citizens Of this town
Twenty OF more ladies went by twos and threes 70
| visit the dealers in alcohol, with pledge. Mr..
Daley, who has sold cider and beer did not hesitate
| TO pledge himself that he would do 90 no more.
Another would not deny but that selling to boys was
dangerous, and said he certainly never would do If
he should begin business anew. When one OF the la
dies expressed belief that he would within month
refuse to sell cider beer 10 any one, he an
swered PerhapsI shall 50 decide within two week
Most OF the other dealers denied selling liquor but
had seruples about signing pledge. The;r WORD
was good and they had given that. Sir. Gravlin held
these principles aud made these statements Wednes
day, and the next Monday man taken TO Jail FOL
drunkenness swOre TO having procured his liquor Of
this same Mr.. Gravin. Several refused TO MAKE any
promises 10 abstain from dealing In liquor long
the druggists and those in high places continued their
sales
ings and expressions. They had already signed a
pledge that they would sell only for medicinal and
mechanical purposes, and then only when in their
judgment Il would be used for these purposes. Some
Of these gentlemen gave facts 10 show their position
which certainly were TO their credit.
This has been the work Of nearly five weeks. Doe,
il ms significant Perhaps 50 II we look only on
the visible results, but how many hearts have been
made stronger ny the united prayer aud song offered
during these weeks How many inspired to Chris
tian zeal by the example and exhortatons Of those
living In such close communion with Godl How have
our sympathies and affections been enlarged None
can estimate. Christian fellowship, which never
thought possible, has been established and doubles;
the moral obstacles 10 the way OF the rum-seler and
drinker have been greatly increased. Though much
strength and time have been used IN the interests OIL
temperance and religion, We believe none has beer
| wasted, for we are more Inclined and stronger 4
serve God in any and all ways. Our confidence in h
willingness and power to help is hrmer than ever be
fore surely these things ought 10 compensate fol
the effort already made, and stimulate labor ou
trhoi, hus, through for God and humanity.
Mrs Brown was called upon, and presented
the following preamble and resolutions, which