Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-04-23

s65I NOf1hy OF our lo'e anu our en-
til confidence by signing the pledge
official abstinence.
n you are weak, let our affection
and sympathy weave around you a
network of strength which the ene-
my will find impenetlable. If strong
within yourself, then by your brave
acts, bend your strength to your
struggling brothers. Dear friends,
you who have given your best ener-
eies to the cause, what can say to
chSer and encourage you, what can
l do to aid you in your noble work ?
Tie great evil of intemperance
looms up before us like some terrible
phantom and we ask ourselves how
it may be exercised. What shall we
doto save our loved ones from the
seductive arts of this smiling siren
who charms but to DESTROY? How
can we hold ourselves innocent
of:our brothers. blood if we stand by
anil see him go down to the depths
ofs6espair and hear his prayer for
hep when he is no longer able to
help himself? ? Ho,r shall we enrich
eafth's cold and barren soil SO that
the precious human plants, dropping
by the wayside may DC wcoed to
life and beauty again? What shall
we do to prevent the withering
blight of intemperance from enter
ihg into the inner portals of that ex-
quisite bud, the human soul, destroy
its beauty and perfume before it has
matured into full bloom ! Since the
"past is in the eternal past" and
wAcannot 60 back to the cradle of
our first-born, cannot recall from
the silent tomb the broken hearted
WIFE or mother, what shall we do to
meet the enemy and conquer him ?
What is the most effective weapon
and when can it best be used Shall
we accomplish any real good by sit.
ting quietly at home with folded
hands, breathing silent prayer for
the cause ? No! no! Prayer is
sweet privilege, but it alone will not
feed the drunkarls child. We must
,corh while we pray; prayer acithoM
work is like the farmer who has sown
seed but neglects the harvest. We
cannot measure truth and virtue by
the standard of human law; none but
the Great First cause, the teacher Of
all hearts can measure them correct
ly or mete out justice to earth's
children whose seeds of life have
been sown sometimes i'll darkness
and sometimes in light. Often in
weakness but seldom in might.
Then dear friends, try to work
together in loving prayerful SYM
pathy. Heed not the scornful
smiles of the outside world whose
hearts have not yet awakened to the
danger of Inte,nperance, heed not
the sneers of those who daily sell
this home-de desolotins, heart breaking
beverage. Rather lift up your
hearts to the great Infinite Power Of
Goodness, asking lovingly, prayer
fully that ell may be made strong,
and none weak enough to fall by the
wayside, and with that hea,tfelt,
earnest prayer trembling on youl
lips, let your hand, the open door
way of the soul, grasp fervently that
of Your weaker brother. Let youl
eve in which Your heart is mirrored
light up with u look of faith and en-
couraSement, and though you may
not redeem him at once, YOU will
have sown the good seed which, Wa
tered 10y the dews Of Heavens Di'
vine love aud warmed by the sun
light of confidence and trust, will
bring forth perfect fruit when the
harvest time comes.
Dear members OF this League,
scarcely know what to say to you to
day: Ny hear; = f,' full for out,
ward expression wnon | look upon
your dear faces and rad there the
story Of the loving work to which
you have cousecra:el your best oE
deayors. Ihrow how some of you
have labored a.d now your effort.
have been crowned with success.
know how like a halo ot hight {
mothers blessing from that " Ever