American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-02-28
The Praying Temperance Crusade.

As a sample of the m0dus 0pera7sdt of
the ladies who are engaged in the active
war against the rum traffic, we copy the
following from the Oxford (Ohio) CORE
spondence of the st. Louis DemOcrat:
The temperance work is marvellous in
the sight of men. What influences have
been at work or what agencies have been
employed in other villages l know not.
But as for Oxford, l believe that there is
no accounting for it any other princi-
pie than as an answer to the prayers of
Christian women. No speakers from
abroad have visited us, and our clergy
men are our only speakers, and their forte
is not in arousing public enthusiasm. On
the other hand, one of the most prominent
of them is provokingly slow, SO slow that
we have sometimes feared he would hold
in check the entire work. The last week
was observed by Christians as week of
prayer and organization. Mass meetings
were held on Wednesday and Saturday
evenings, at the latter of which the great
number present and the expression of
public sentiment showed an astonishing
advance in moral tone and Christian cour-
age.
On Monday the sun shone brightly and
the streets were covered with snow and
ice. After an hour of prayer IA band of
fifty noble women, inspired with a COM
mon faith, a common purpose, moved
quietly and with dignity, and in modest
apparel and demeanor, and called at the
rum-hole known as "Hell's Kitchen"
where, one week before, its proprietor
had beaten lad well known in the vii
lage. The ladies were politely received
by the proprietor, and as soon as they had
all entered he closed the door, to exclude a
number of curious and idle boys and young
men that were assembling to witness this
novel spectacle. Among the men and
women beholding the approach and en-
trance of their mothers, their wives, their
sisters, and their daughters to the saloon,
there was a quiet, calm, prayertul bear
ing; not Il word of derision of the women,
nor "a harsh word against the saloon-kecp-
ers. And in all this movement | have
mingled freely with all classes, and must
bear witness to the power of devoted
woman in securing order among the dis
orderly, and commanding the respectful
hearing of men whom the public consider
destitute of manliness and refinement.
The ladies asked the proprietor and his
wife and his customers present to take the
pledge, which WAS declined. The ladies
pleaded with them, and besought them
only Christian women can, and asked if
they might pray and sing and read some
Scripture there, which request was cheer
fully granted. After these exercises the
he inviting them to call again
The toughest sOaker of the village, an
old dram-seller, once the proprietor the
only drinking place in Oxford, but now
too besottcd and poor to run one, was
found there, and says: 81 thought
would braze it out; but began to feel
mighty shaky when them nicc-looking
ladies sang the first time. | sidlcu up to
the wall so they would not see me shake.
Purity soon white haired old woman be-
gan to poke up prayer for Old Bark Uhe
pet name of the saloon keeper, and his
wife and us fellers, and you bet | had to
git up and dust"
The reception here encouraged the
ladies. The ice was broken and they were
fully committed to the work You may
say the war has actually BEGUN" They
visited i'll turn the next three saloons on the
north side of the public square. One OF
these the proprietor had closed and taken
refuge in the bosom of his family to avoid
this meeting. At the third saloon the
proprietor and his wife were melted to
tears when the ladies besought them for
the sake of their children, of whom they
have three, to abandon their business.
The man said he knew his business vas
not an honorable ore, aud lis wife had
entreated him 10 quit it. But what was he