The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-07-13
From Freedom.
FREEDOM, His, Ju

Every one who knows anything of this town
knows that it would be very hard to find bet.
ter farms anywhere than those which greet
the eve of the person who may pass from time
to time along its highways. There are every
where evidences of thrift and plenty plainly
showing that the occupants are men who I'M
1derstand their business. The corn crop which
some time since, owing to almost continuous
rain and, for the season, quite cold weather,
was not in a satisfactory condition, thanks to
a good providence is now in a promising
state, the weather having been Tor some time
all that could be desired to bring it forward.
Some weeks since Rev j. G. Stoughton gave
us, in the Harding NJ. +. Church, most eX.
cellent temperance address. The result of this
was the organization of a Red Ribbon Club
which has now about one hundred and thirty
members The pastor of the NJ. f. Church
was chosen president. Mr.. r. c. Lucas, sccre-
tary, and Mr.. John W. Hall, treasurer. This
society holds regular meetings on every alter
nate Tuesday evening" and are quite interest
ing The addresses are the expression of home
talent, so that while the club is engaged in do
ing what it can for the advancement of the
temperance cause, it is also contributing to the
development of whatever literary ability there
may be IN its members. Owing to the deter
mlnation of the Red Ribbon Societies in La
Sale county to have grand celebration at La
Sale on the 4th of July, we who were so far
away could not conveniently attend, but we,
were not to be deprived of the celebration and
so determined to have picnic under the au-
spices of the club. The work to be done was
entrusted to Il committee of six ladies and six
gentlemen who not only did their work but
Presbyterian minister of your city, was invited
to deliver the address His speech was inter,
woven with independence and Temperance,
and such was the favor with which it was re-
ceived that at the close, on motion Of the Rev.
w, Batcheller, a vote Of thanks was rendered
to the Rev. Speaker for his interesting and in.
structve address. The singing, under the
charge of Mr.. L. Sampson, gave additional.
interest 10 the occasion.
ANY communication from Freedom that did
not make reference to church matters would
be by so much deficient On the charge known
by this name there are two or three churches,
each of which is represented by board of
trustees, who see that the buildings, which
are very fine, are kept in good order. The writ
er, who has had opportunities of judging in
the premises, will venture the opinion that
there are hut very few places where the church
officials are as near "up to the times" as they
are in this And then as to the way in which
the ladies do their part of the work Why,
nothing can exceed it. | am almost tempted
to give you some names of "redl ptde dndke"
ladies, but really while there may be an ex-
ception or two, yet they are so few that will
forbear In Harding there is service morning
an evening every Sabbath, and at the Bend
Church every Sunday afternoon, and if you
want to know how things in this department
are moving, | will say to you in the language
of the Good Book, Come and see" and the
pastor, Rev. Thos. l.. Heliwell, as well as
everyone else, will bid you welcome.
Robert Lucas, Esq, has been quite i'll for
some days, the greater portion Of the time be
ing confined to his bed but ! am happy to say
that everybody is justified, and especially so
everyone interested in church matters, to know
that he is now under DR.. Orr's care and getting
better May the day be very far distant when
the genial and large-hearted man, and his no
no less excellent wife, shall depart to that far
off land whence bourne no traveller has ever
yet returned"
Perhaps, Mr. Editor this is quite lengthy
enough for the first time for your valuable
space, but if agreeable you shall have more
from ALPHA.