Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-08-17
A Message 10 the Women OF the Land.
BY MRS. NELLIE II. BRADLEY,

Sstersi the message bring and the an.
peal make to you to day come from the
inmost depths Of a heart most profoundly
impressed with the deep significance of
the solemn admonition of Holy Writ:
" Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do il
with thy might; for there is no work, nor
device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the
grave whittier thou goest."
Never before in the history of this ma
ton, has the voice of God sounded call
so imperative and unmistakable in it's
nature rs that which is now arouSing the
women of our land, bidding them con-
secrate heart AMI hands, time, talents, and
wealth, for the rescue of suffering sim
cursed humanity. How many of goa. my
sisters, are Obeying this divine call and
are doing the Masters work to tho bcst of
your abilityP Many Of you WI, say that
while your sympathies and prayers are
for the Cause, your domestic cares and
duties prevent you from aiding il in any
other way; but in this you are greatly
mistaken.
Can you not sign the total-abstinence
pledge, and speak warning word to the
tempted and erring whenever an occasion
is presented?
Can you not Danish alcoholic havoring
from your desserts as we'll as wine from
your sdeboardP
Can you not transfer your patronage
from the liquor selling grocer to the man
who is struggling to establish his business
without building it up on the wrecked
fortunes and ruined lives of his fellow
creaturesp
Can you not utterly repudiate alcoholic
medication in all its forms, from the vile,
whisky soaked compounds called bitters"
and "tonics " down to the milk-punch
and home made cordalsP
Some of my dear readers may say, IL
do not wish to sign the pledge; can work
rs well for the temperance cause without
doing So" But this question arises How
can you consistently ask others to do this
if you are unwilling to do it yourselfP Do
YOU not realize that your example is of in
finite value, and that you NUT be openly
identified with those who are battling
against the great destroyer, or subject
yourself to the risk of being reckoned
among his adherents or at least his apol-
ogists.
Many will say ii is impossible to prepare
certain articles of food without wine or
brandy; then. in the name of humanity
and for the safety of yourself and loved
ones, Danish them from your table!
know that the number of those whose taste
is SO fearfully perverted is countlessly;
even little children, in many families, will
reject the pie or pudding made on temper
ance principles. | warn you solemnly to
beware how you thus cultivate in your
loved ones an appetite which may prove
their eternal ruin.
There are others among you who do
not realize the fact, that while you patron
ize liquor-selling grocers you are directly
sustaining and perpetuating the liquor
traffic, for two.thirds of them are vile
grog-shops. Do you not see what fear
full responsibility is resting upon your soul
every hour that you continue thus to aid
in rolling on the car of our great national
Ijuggernaut, whose wheels are crimson
with the life blood of crushed and murder
ed millions? | beseech you to think of
this. And, dear sisters, if you will be
radical and earnest in regard to the points
| have presented, your influence will be
felt to a wonderful extent, and it will be
spoken of you in the great day of recon-
pence, She hath done what she could"
And you, who are blessed with ample
time and opportunity, who offer neither
prayers nor sympathy, but criticise and
condemn the faithful ones who are battling
with the powers of darkness-how can
your womanly hearts fail to be stirred to
their very depths as you view the dark
and bloody drama that is ever passing be-
fore you, with its countless tragedies and
crimes for every hour; with its wall of
anguish and river Of tears for every mo-
ment; its one hundred thousand wrecked
souls rushing into eternity annually, whose
only epitaph is that awful and unchange-
able decree of divine utterance,
"No drunkard shall enter the kingdom
of heavenP"
do beseech you, in the name of Jesus:
ARISE! for the day is passing
While you lie dreaming on;
Your sisters have girded their armor,
And forth to the battle have gone
You know there are lonely hearts brea ng,
| In homes that Swallowed with gloom,
From which the red hand of the tempter
Has stolen all brightness and bloom.
You know there are perishing.fathers
And brothers and husbands, to save
From the hend that is Turing them downward
To fill the inebriate's grave.
Withhold not your prayers.aud your abors
The chains of the captive to break:
Obey the commander your Master,
!, And icork for hundRitv's sake"