Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-09-27
WOmen's Temperance Union.


FOURTH ANNUAL CONVENTION.
Tho fourth annual convention of the Wo'
mons Christian Temperance Union of Yer
mont, assembled in the chapel OF tho Wi
nooski avenue Congregational church, in
Burlington, September 25.
The chapel was tastefully decorated fol
the occasion with evergreen wreaths and
flowers. Palms, ferns and other ornamental
plants in pots adorned the platform and in
memory Of the lately deceased president OF
the society a vacant chair tastefully draped
in mourning, was placed near the desk
and above is floral tablet bearing in
white immortelles on dark green back
ground the words Entered into rest Sept.
is, 1873"
Some fifty delegates were in attendance.
The convention was preceded by deyo-
tional meeting, conducted by Mrs. N. D..
Twitchel. of Mddlebury.
AT 10 O'Clock a. m. the convention was
called to order by the secretary, Mrs. f. G..
Greene, who referred to the loss sustained
| BY the society in the death of its beloved
president, Mrs. J. NJ. Haven. Of Rutland.
Miss Emma C. Park, of Bennington. was
appointed president pro TEN Of the conven-
ton. and took the chair.
! Miss Kate Woodwork. Of Burlington. was
| appointed assistant secretary.
The committee on credentials reported
the roll OF delegates present.
The reports of the recording and CORES
ponding secretaries were then read.
REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY.
Mrs. President and Mmbers Of The STATE
Union:
Through the kind Providence Of God, to
whom We owe honor and reverence, We are
permitted again to assemble in annual Con-
vention, and in this the fourth session of
our State Union, may We reconsecrate our
hearts to this work. and as the hours VIC
spend here together are few may they be
crowded with earnest. devoted. harmonious
work. Let us look over the work of the
past year and see if we, as Union, have
carried out all the noble purposes and re-
yOires We made at that time | trust that
the varied reports as they come to US, will
show that We are gaining strength and
have accomplished more than We had hoped,
and that We may take courage from the
progress in the past of this work, to hope
for greater progress in the future. 10 ac-
cOrdsnce with vote taken ut the last Con-
vention your Secretary wrote the leading
papers in the State, asking them to insert
report OF Convention. to which request they
cheerfullv responded, some of them giving
condensed report, Others printing it in
full. including essays. OF the officers elect
ed at the last convention not then present
none of them declined. The executive com
mittee were enabled to issue the reports of
the convention in the neat and attractive
form in which you received them through
the kindness Of Hon. Bradley Barlow, of
St. Albans, who was solicited by two la
dies OF the st. Adams MON, who presented
the merits Of the report and also
their desire to have St. Albars express
in some substantial manner its respect for
ard interest in the work. Mr.. Barlow had
said previous TO this when solicited for sub
scriptions to the temperance work, that
sometime he would perhaps do something.
This promise, together with the fact that
few years before be had assisted the Dairy
mems Associations in printing their report,
made it seem possible that he would assist
in this work. lie WAS therefore solicited and
to him We are indebted for 1000 copies.
This assistance was given on conditions that
his name should not be made public save to
the Executive Committee fthe State Union;
hut as it has since been made so. it is but
just that it should be given to the conven-
ton. We are also indebted to Hon. Albert
Clarke for 800 copies, which were printed
BY mistake OF his business agent, and which
Mr.. Clarke kindly presented to the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union OF Vermont.
This very unexpected though greatly covet-
ed opportunity of circulating such a worthy
report and such excellent temperance litera-
ture presenting itself, your secretary
drew up tie following letter which was
duly approved and signed by the Executive
Committee. to be sent to the pastors OF
churches in places where there were no
unions. hoping out OF the seed sown to reap
some little harvest. If We do not find the
harvest all that We had hoped let US not
forget that VIC shall gather after many days.
The following is copy OF the letter
DBAR SR:-In view OF the increasing Interest
Womsn's Christian Temperance Union, We deem it
of vital importance at this time that the several
churches in the land should Cooperate with and
lend all their influence to the iurtherance OF the
temperance cause Believing that one OF the most
necessary steps In Its progress among the people Is
the approval and concurrence Of the church. we 10
moat heartily suggest and urge That this subject be
taken into consideration, and that in places in Yer
mont where there are no unions, q committee OF
ladies from the different churches be appointedb by
feasibility OF forming one and that they confer with
the Vice President OF the State Union for their
county.
Very Respectfully,
MAS Mas e. G Gaxns f ke E1scqtize Com.
MRs.w.h JoHssoS. CSrsec.' ofVermont.
MRS. A. B.NA IESIISE. Treas, W '4''
Observing as We have that the church |
and Sabbath-sehool conventions have uni |
formly passed resolutions recognizing tho |
work OF temperance and expressing hopes
of its ultimate success. We take great cour-
age, for the next step to seeing ones own
duty lies in seeing that os our neighbors.
And We have full faith that not many more
will come together, without
making room in the church, for the work.
and making place in the work for the
church. Large numbers OF the reports to-
gether with copies of the letter. also copies
OF Miss Parks essay which was printed in
lea fiet form, vera s2nt to the VicePresident
Of each county for distribution.
Copies of blanks for their annual report
10 tho Corresponding Secretary were also
sent to each Vice President.
As far as your Secretary is able to judge
she considers the strength of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union of Vermont
greater than one year ago. The society is
gaining in the respect and estimation OF the
Its legitimate place IL the
work il everywhere accorded to it, m fact
y hen a temperance lecturer enters town,
me Of the first questions he asks is Is
here Union here? If 80 he expects re-
liable aid. The question has arisen in the
mind of your Secretary. whether it would
rot be we'll if some Plan of work for the
Iear were decided upon by the State Union.
ome plan in which each auxiliary should
70 interested to assist in carrying out. 1t
5 q question OF vital Importance to the life
4 the Union that it have good healthy
circulation of temperance work flowing
trough its various channels. 1t needs such
italizing energy, that tho weakest and
mallest of our number may glow with the
magnetism they receive from tho stronger.
n looking over the various questions to be
answered in the annual report OF the State
Jnion to the National Woman Christian
temperance Union. they seem very sugges-
i've of work to be done, for instance State
lumber of Young Woman's leagues? What
york is done in Sunday schools What petit
ions circulated ? What means have been
dopted to arouse public sentiment ana to
influence legislation Before what Confer
nee, Sunday school association. medical
r teachers convention, or other assembly.
as our cause been presented {
lention work attempted or accom- I
lished during the past year
- another year passes in our work, may
DO influence of the Womsn's Christian
temperance Union be felt throughout the S
tate and the land as never before.
A generous interchange Of visits between !,
,cieties does much to encourage each 80
ety. q
A feeling Of encouragement sometimes q
resents itself to societies, because there is 4
OF more active work to be done; and yet, ,
hen something comes up to be done. how [
ten We hear it said, "Oh ! can not do
rat :" Would it not not be well for us to h
,nsider our Unions a. schools of prepare
on and would it not be well to look over y
10 field OF work. learn its necessities. and [
repare to engage in it to purpose ? L
ring more of thoughtful. prayertul work
ito our meetings ?-be less defensive. more =,
ygressiye ?-be va tisied with Just the work y