The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-10-25

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union
of Illinois recently had "A state gathering at
Decatur and ask It's to publish the following
account of it,
The bright autumn tints which welcomed
the delegates 10 visions Of glory rs they came
from all sections OF our rOhle state were hard
~ less cheering than the welcome OF the thrlv-
ing city of Decatur. The town, with It's ten or
twelve Thousand inhabitants, i provided with
horse cars for convenient transfer, and two
years since temperance enthusiasm erected u
tabernacle beautiful in construction, provided
with three thousand sitting, and ahple room
for more, and having platform accommodate
ing over one hundred guests. There are also
rooms FOR business and office purposes. This
spacious hall was decorated with notices in
evergreens. The Home Protection petition,
one nile in length, gracefully garland,d the
entire room and hung in ftst0ons from the cen
trail arch At the rear OF the platform were
portraits of reno" ned temperance workers and
an inscription, For God, and Home, and Ma
tive Land, )" and the Home Protection petition
with $4,000 names-90000 voters. The EN-.
bodiment OF womanly grace and wisdom
Miss Erancls h. Willard-presided with her
rare skill. Religious tervor at once character
IZed the sessions of the convention, and the
eighty-siX delegates representing forty-three
unions felt the presence of God, receiving an
inspiration thai can but deepen the religious
work throughout the state In the report of
the delegates the president WAS quick to seize
upon every feature that could be adopted to
general good. All desired the especial bap.
tism OF the Holy Spirit for the new year.
On the second day the empty chair, for the
eX-prcsident, (Mrs. Waite, who had been 50
suddenly called to convention with the redeem.
ed. WAS dressed in white and covered with flor
al emblems. Miss Willard, in tender words
paid n touching tribute of respect to one who
bears the Savior's memorial "She hath done
what she could" Mr.. WOodford fraternal
delegate from Il. Il. G., made an admirable
address on Home Protection, the second even
ing, Mrs. Wells, of Springfield identified
with all the legislative interests of our petit
ton, also gave n soul-stiring address.
During the third day Mrs. Kimball gave
one of her delightful talks to the children, the
little folks showing their appreciation by gifts
Of flowers The young ladies OF Decatur also
sent beautiful basket of flowers to Miss Will
lard, who received the gift with grace rs sweet
as the blossoms.
Resolutions were offered emphasizing the
necessity of work for the children, and great
desire was manifested to enlist the young Ia
dies in this and other temperance work Miss
klmball was appointed chairman of CON-
mittee to enlist the young ladies of the state,
and she named as her aids residing in this dis.
trio, Mrs. j. J. Taylor of Strcator, and Miss
Abrams, Of Peru. Mrs. s. Plumb, of Streator,
was appointed president of the Seventh DIS
trict and was elected delegate to the National
convention Of W. G. II. L., at indianapolis,
also fraternal delegate to Reform Grub conven-
tion.
AS a result of District convention in Strea.
tor, $50 were forwarded to the treasurer of the
state society. 1t was resolved to observe Fri.
day, October 18th, as day of fasting and
prayer tor the National convention at Indiana
polls, and TO recommend to the State unions to
unite with the National Unions IN spending
ten minutes each day from 10 NJ. throughout
the entire year, for Gods blessing on the TEN.
perance work-the prayers of all christian wo.
men ten minutes each day against the eleven
millions barrels of beer and all other sources of
internal revenue from intoxicating drink!!