Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-10-06
Christian Temperance Union.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union OF
Vermont held It's annual convention in Montpe-
lier, September 29th and Both. The reception OF
delegates at the parors of Mrs d. L. Fuller, on
Tuesday evening, was an enjoyable occasion at
tended by about seventy ladies'
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS SESSION.
As the large congregation Of ladies assembled
in the Unitarian church Wednesday morning, the
first thing that greeted the eye upon entering was
the floral decorations which were beautiful and
appropriate The devotional meeting led by Mrs.
j. Kinsman of Fast Alburgh was filled with fer
vent prayers interpreted with singing, tho voices
Of ladies alone making clear melody, quite in
spring The president, Miss Anna c. Park Of
Bennington, then called the convention to order,
and an address Of welcome was given by Mrs.
Durant Of Montpelier. Her words Of cheerful
greeting fell pleasantly upon the ears Of those
present. The response by Mrs. U. d. Twtchell
of Middlebury was sprightly and witty in her
own nmtabe style The presidents address
followed. 1t was rich in suggestion and so com
prehensive as to be of value to the society. The
committee on credentials was appointed and i'm
mediately proceeded to It's duties. In accordance
with the usage OF the National Union, the con-
vention was formally seated, drawing their seats
vergennes, Barre, Montpelier Mortified, Ar
lington, Dorset, Randolph, West Randolph Bar
net, Barnet District No. l, Ryegate, St Johns
bury st. Adams, Fairfax, Alburgh, Johnson,
Hyde Park, Cambridge, Lunenburgh, Burling-
ton, Essex, Ilinesburgh, Brattleboro, Morrisvlle,
Morristown, Milton, Williamstown, Mortified.
The session was crowded full of business and
closed at twelve o'clock.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
The afternoon session preceded by a de-
votional meeting led by Mrs. X. J. Hyde of Fair
fax The business meeting opened at two o'clock
Miss Park, president, in the chair. The minutes
of the morning we're read and approved. The
roll OF deegates was called and there were seventy
delegates present The youngest union not hav-
ing paid auxiliary fees, the subject Of the basis Of
| representation was brought up. lively discus
sion ensued, participated In by Miss Park, Mrs
Bartlett Mrs Braley, Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Stur.
tevant, Mrs Cole and others. Miss Morgan said
that it great privilege for ladies to vote; but,
as that was not in order, 1t was decided that the
matter remain as heretofore trusting that when
| the constitution Is amended all will be made
| clear. The discussion was animated and inter-
spersed with applause The convention voted to
| send a message of sympathy to Mrs. Lucia Of
Vergennes and gave the matter into the hands Of
a committee The report OF the recording secre-
tary for the past year WAS read and accepted.
The report Of the corresponding secretary was
comprehensive; no union was omitted. The
| amount of labor undertaken and accomplished, as
shown by the statistics, was acknowledgement in
the item but large in the aggregate. The report
of the treasurer, Mrs. Cole OF Burlington, fol-
| NIT . N Tod
and the convention adjourned till the evening
session.
| WEDNESDAY EVENING.
The meeting in the evening was held in the
Methodist church, and was opened with music
and an appropriate anthem. Prayer by Rev. Mr.
Fellows. Then followed Rotations by several Of
the youth, both boys and girls and report of the
literature committee. Miss Park was particu-
larry happy in her remarks.
THURSDAY MORNING
The devotional meeting of Thursday morning
was led by Mrs. Sweet of st. Adams At ten
o'clock the convention was called to order by the
president, Miss Park Miss Willard (the presi-
dent of the National Woman's Christian Union,
an organization Of sixty thousand) was intro
duced She was greeted with enthusiasm and
her few clear words Of encouragement were
deeply felt. The recording secretary read the
minutes Of the last session, which were accepted
without change The roll Of delegates was called
aud six new delegates were present. Mrs Greene
read an account of the last national convention
held in indianapolis which she attended. She
spoke Of the coming national convention to be
held in Boston the 9th of October. The report
on juvenile work by Miss Nina Morgan followed.
Remarks being now in order, Mrs. Lund Of Bur-
lington, Miss Park, Miss Greene, Mrs Brooks,
of Hinesburgh, Mrs. Smith OF Middlebury spoke,
followed by Miss Willard, whose suggestions and
plans were inspiring. Tobacco and cigarettes were
talked about SO roughly that il they had ears
they would burn Miss Greene spoke in behalf
Of Sunday -school work, and read letters from Mrs.
S. NJ, Perkins and Miss Lucia Kimball. Mrs. S. G.
Cole Of Burlington spoke upon prison and Jail
work, also Miss Willard who promised plan
of work from the national organization. Mrs.
Ames of Dorset spoke upon communion wine,
followed by Miss Park and Miss willard, who
said that the Methodist church had taken the
right stand. At the general conference they had
acceded to the request Of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union, and made it incumbent upon
every official board to use unfermented wine
The amendment of the constitution now engaged
the attention OF the convention.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
The afternoon session began with a. memorial
service to the memory Of Mrs. Blanche johnson
and Mrs. Emily Harrington, both deceased last
| March. Encomiums were pronounced, prayer
, offered and poem read.
THURSDAY EVENING.
) The last session of the convention opened in thu
7 usual way. The constitution was amended ant
} various reports submitted. Mrs. Greene read thu
telegram OF sympathy to Mrs. Lucia Of vergennes
, 1t is found in ILL., John /: H. Miss Willard pre-
: scented the topic of Mrs. Hayes memorial Mis-
} Annie Gordon of Illinois addressed the conven
, tion upon young womans work. The resolutions
were submitted and Miss Willard made most
, instructive address to large and appreciativ'
, audience. After singing Rock of Ages the con
vention was dismissed with the benedction by
: Rev j. II. Hincks OF Montpelier.