Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-12-07
CfmpFranfe.
Address of Welcome,

Address of Welcome,
AT rTHE CONVENTION OF THE w.N. C. T. u.
DELIVERED BY Mrs. CLARA l. Roach. WASHINGTON.
Miss president, dear sisters of the con.
vention, and kind friends assembled here
tonight, we corue to bring you greeting.
How different, alas from what we tbouoht
It could be-. As you from YOUR far-off
homes. entered the precints of our nations
capital, you doubtless felt the hush there
was in the very air, and sad memories of
the past few months crowded in upon YOU
Our beloved james A. Garfield has fallen.
Our hearts have been as one. We have
wept' prayed and hoped together. There
mas been no north, no south, no east, no
west. Somehow we have been remindes
in faintest type of the blessed time COMING
when we shall all sit down together in
our Fathers kingdom. Yet there il a
welcome in our hearts, even thouuh If il
bedewed with tears. Gods love has al
ready shone on them and ranbaw of
promise is written there. Yes welcome
welcome to YOU sisters of the New En-
gland hills. Maine first to have a prohib-
itory law. When we think of the six
sisters we remember the Maufower, Ply
mouth Rock, and the open Bible. Ever
dear ones. be true to conscience, true to
God. And you, sisters of the Middle
States. whose work for the Master is as
grand and glorious as that of our workers
from more remote sections-welcome
welcome, sisters of the far west. nd
Vanclng' leading us so swiftly forward I;
sometimes we have to stop and take reck
onlng, but we have always found YOU as
prophetesses of God. We forget not from
the west came inspiration to our work,
The west-lllinois gave us also our oen
tie president-the blessed evangel ooino
through the land touching all hearts wei,
come TO thee, beloved alike by north,
south, east and west
And you of the sunny south, MANY with
US Tor the first time in national convention,
welcome, thrice welcome. There has been
music in your coming. We listened once
ior your footsteps rs those of an ADVANCING
enemy, but tonight we clasp hands loving
Your cause, our country is one. We
welcome you all to the nations capital
yours and ours; to her beautiful avenues
TO her magnificent public buildings: to
her historical associations. For all our
best and bravest from all the states have
dwelt here. '''
welcome to this temple of God, where
sweet Lucy Webb Hayes sat Sabbath after
sabbath, and was strengthened to do
Gods WILL and stand firm for the right
The example of her pure life has heon
such that many shall rise up and call har
blessed in this and other lands.
Welcome to our hearts and homes We
nave prayed for your coming; we feel
sure blessing has come and will 90 with
you; that an influence shall 90 out from
thls body OF consecrated women which
shall be felt through the nation-yea.
throughout the wide, wide world.
Forget not. as you stay with us, beloved
guests. that you are at the nations fonnt.
ain head. As you look with pride ON all
her greatness and grandeur, remember
the pail OF sin that hangs over US. Think
from whence comes much of her atf1uence
we blush with shame and grief when we
remember that of her great revenues so
vast sum Is from the sale of intoxicating
liquors,
Nearly fifty years ago, at an anniversary
OF the congressional temperance society.
held In yonder capitol, the Hon. Theodore
frelinghuysen, senator from New JERSEY,
offered the following resolution, which he
most eloquently sustained:
Resolved, That the influence of woman
is essential to the triumph of every great
ana good cause and should that influence
which God has graciously given her be
universally and perseveringly exerted in
favor OF the temperance reformation, lis
triumph would be certain and complete,
and It's blessings, while richly enjoyed by
herself and those whom she loves, would
be extended to all people and perpetuated
to all ages.
How prophetic! Fulfilled are his words
in our day and generation. Behold to.
night, almost under the shadow of wonder
dome, this great gathering of Christian
women, coming from all the states. one
purpose within their souls-the crushing
out of the liquor traffic.
When, few years ago, the women of the
west baptized with the Holy Spirit, enter
ed upon this crusade against sin, MANY
said it was but the thing of a dav-soor
would pass away; but we began a warfare
which has never ended nor will not till
victory is ours. AS l look down the wears
| see company of Christian women
small it is, but they have been with God
They step out from their homes and their
church walking with steady purpose
pictured in the tear stained faces that are
lifted upward. Lines of sorrow and care
are there, yet Hevenly ligh' shines
through all. Hark! hear them singing
- Rock Of Ages. cleft for me,
Let me hide myself In Thee"