Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-03-18
A Ladies' Temperance League.
BY MRS, SARAH KNOWLES BOLTON.


are unable to work."
A Ladies' Temperance League.
| -
| BY MRS. SARAH KNOWLES BOLTON.
|
In the early part Of the temperance work in
Cleveland when godly women were visiting the
saloons and ssking the proprietors to turn from
their wrong doing to Christ and the right, scores
Of young ladies were asking what can We do to
help on this good cause" Unfortunately, social
| life, made and sustained very largely by the
daughters Of the wealthy, was not what 1t ought
to 10 on the temperance question. Many rich
stronger, and the use OF those usually led to the
other. Thcre was much querying among older
heads, whether young ladies', reared In luxury.
would dare say " their gentleman friends: II
stand on no uncertain ground in this matter. Ny
aim, my work, my influence, Whatever have,
shAll be on the side OF total abstinence"
league WAS organized, with an efficient young
married lady, ~ President, Mrs. y. G. Lows, and
six hundred members joined it, signing the fol-
lowing excellent plcdge
The subscribers, believing the use Of intoxi.
eating drinks as q beverage, to be injurious to
the best interests OF society, and that the mod
crate and social use OF "WINEs and LIdH ER
DRINKs' tends to create aud strengthen the
coarser appetite for strong liquors, and often in
wolves disastrous results, Do PLEDGE OURSELVES
| to discourage their use by personal influence, in
all proper ways and to strengthen our influence,
we will not ourselves USE ANY WINE, BEER, or
| distilled liquors, as BEVERAGE, or furnish them
Tor social entertainments.
A constitution was adopted giving the object
| Of the society, ~ follows:
| Its object shall be to unite and direct the ef-
forts of the young ladies Of this city against the
| use Of Intoxicating liquors to aid by the prac-
tice and influence Of lts members. in creating an
enlightened Christian public sentiment on the
| subject OF Temperance, and to win back the er-
| ring to self-control and right living.
Standing committees were chosen from every
church. Young ladies' whose fathers counted
| their wealth by millions, who were acknowledged
| leaders in social position, became energetic and
earnest workers. Prayer meetings we held by
them in the various churches, and . life full OF
| desire to work for the Master came in place Of
desire to serve the world. Mass Meetings were
| held, and young people crowded the churches to
| talk of the evils OF intoxicating drinks. Every
young lady brought her friends, male and female,
to sign the pledge, forgetting whether it was
| popular-or uupopular-so long az it was right.
Temperance work soon led them to know that
| there was more Of poverty and sorrow III the
world chan they had ever supposed. Their own
! beautiful homes were strangely in contrast to
| some they found, where liquor had done its ter
| rible work. Their hearts Immediately turned to-
ward those of their own sex less favored than
| themselves.
| room in one OF our handsomest blocks was
rented One young lady pledged herself to see
:
other the chandelier; another tho curtains |;
another, books for library another, mag.
azines, Of which they have twelve, etc
The President brought her own piano, so
| that music might lend its charm. The room ID
all that culture, liberaty and taste can mako it.
| Lovely pictures adorn the walls; a writing-desk
stands III corner full Of stationery, fol the use
of the young women who come there after their
| days work ls done y center table with DOCKS
and stereoscopic views. fancy chairs and sofa,
| all make a placB where Any come and bo the
| better for the coming. On sde-tabe, stand
some exquisite wax flowers made by consump-
| tive and brought here to be sold to exc out II
scanty livelihood,
Every afternoon, one young lady belonging to
The Leagu2 comes here from three to four
clock, to receive application from any person
desiring place to work, as servant, clerk dress.
maker, etc. More especially from the latter
ing, young women, with little perhaps TO make
home or boarding house attractive, are invited
here to read, or play, or meet each other eooally
| aud many come. Eyery tWo weei1s me Alss9e~
meets for . sowing school, to make Dresses, un-
derwesr, etc., for those who come to item need.
ing aid, and many are made happy by the It's
Sociables are held once q month. vt which oys.
ters, cake etc.. are furnished, and muse AMI
resding make the evenings most enjoyable.
While We were at the room, sad-faced girl
stole in among the applicants. Her family had
been wealthy. The mother married second
time, man whose dissipation brought poverty
and wretchedneas. She was out Of Work, could
not got sewing even. pair OF new shoes put
into her hands by the President with encoursg-
ing words brought glad thankful smile to the
young face, as she went back to her desolatt
home, A wife and child whose husband and
father had deserted them came to the League
The world had no shelter and the mother needed
one They cared for her tenderly, and many
hands that were perhaps unused to much sewing
for themselves, wrought pretty garments FOL
another little one that came into existence
,ala and ftlun fat
Such an institution is All honor and a blessing
to city The good accomplished is not counted
by the number Of cases relieved. To the young
ladies' interested in the league it is an incalcula
bic benefit A life that has its early days train
cd in giving and doing, will develop into q noble
womahhood, that must leave its impression upon
society. When young women learn that the
world is full Of work for humanity, outside Of
sslf, young men will learn it too, aud be glad tt
help in II.
The league is now considering the plan o
making temperate young men honorary mem
, bers, with some suitable membership fec, hv'
dollars, perhaps, and tho suggestion is excellent
These young people must soon stand wher'
those In middle life now do, and the temperate,
, cause in its grand growth, must be carried for
ward by young men ~ well az women. By sucl
Leagues social life will be toned down or tone,
up to Christianity's level. The rich will fee
grateful, but not proud, and learn that much o
, culture and of soul is found where rrosperit
has has not smiled the poor, that the rich ar
not hard and cold, and both together that no
money but merit is the only true distinction tina
/ Will stand the test OF eternity.
strong force is thus developed on the sid
Of Temperance. Young ladies' have parties with
out wine, New Years calls without wine, and ar
careful in choosing tho companions to seek thos
+ whose breath is AZ free from the odor OF wine q
4 their own. They make no secret Of stating thei
/ position-the lines are being drawn even anon
a the young people-those who drink aud thos
r who sell feel the restriction.
4 As yet the work of the League, say it- mem
: bers, has only begun. Discussions aud essay
v upon whiskey, wine, and bear, their inli1enc
r upon body, brain, and soul, the misery and po'
: erty they have wrought thus far i'll the world
l. history, what a foe we have to meet, ETC., l
It which all will be more thoroughly educated
give reason for their total abstinence faith,
h hope will come in time. So long as the oppos
n ton work so constantly through press aud pol
e tics, there Will be need OF untirng effort on OF
+. part. Drunkatds' wives and children will
o helped, dr,inkards reformed sometimes, but Il
', hope Of the world ontside OF the church,
!, largely in organizations Just like this describt
d aboye. When young men feel that to drink d
"a bars them from the title Of gentleman or Il
AZ respect of noble young ladies', they will not Tor
n the habit We must work one step further dow
even, among the boys and the girls. We wish
d, Young Ladies' Temperance League might
re formed in every town and city in the land.