Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-28

prepared report of our local or State Unlor
without realizing how impossible it is to put
on paper just record Of our work. To vou
Who have prayed and hoped and toiIed il
left the filing in of the outlines gave
The annual meeting OF our W. C. T. U.
for lo6l-S2 was held N our old rooms. Sep
TENDER 18Th, 1881. AT this time the officers
OF our Union were elected, and dele gates chosen
to the annual meeting OF the State Union in
Lewiston, September 2lst, 22d and 23d
First among our acts tor the year were the
steps taken to introduce temperance text
books into our city schools. The directors OF
the village district having the matter brought
before them by a committee from our society.
unanimously voted that the books should be
placed and used in the schools, provided
We furnished them for such use. The gift Of
SO from friend was taken for this purpose
and 100 copies OF ''AieOhol and Hygiene
we're purchased, the balance of cost being
taken from our bank deposit. Ninety-six
copies were placed in the Grammar school
building. one copy each was given To the
teachers OF Grove and Kendall streets Sub
sequentiy, receiving another gilt of s45 so.
which had been raised in the city for temper
ance use, We bought A additional COPIES and
placed the required number in the schools OF
the east side, under the supervision of Prof
III VI.
and was suitably acknowledged. We suppose
Of this last supply one copy as given to each of
our outly ing district schools according to his
proposition. The satisfactory use of these
books, the public examinations with regard
to their contents, the overcoming of feelings
OF uncertainty as to the ACCESSIBILITY of this
action on the part OF some of our friends, the
speedy acknow ledgment Of teachers and pu-
pills to the excellency OF the text books,
have too often been dwelt upon to be nen-
TONED at this time. We count as the greatest
good accomplished by our Union during the
past year the introduction Of these books 10
our schools.
We need not check all feelings of pride in
this matter, for l have vet tn find as State
Superintendent of the f EDUCATIONAL Depart
ment, in all the records OF this OF other States,
q city which has, in proportion to its size,
done such efficient work in the educational
line. lady OF a large city in New York
State, who Is county superintendent of
scientific temperance instruction, asked me
few weeks ago, do you get the books into
schools as read.rs?" Yes" / said, land
more than that they are thoroughly studied
and examinations are had in their contents. "
"Oh, that is something we haven't yet been
able to bring about was her answer. We
feel that great credit is due our city teachers
for their faithful work with the books.
Though we have met with obstacles in our
general work, though apathy or Indifference
have depleted our numbers, though our
meetings have not been enthusiastic or even
held throughout the summer, yet our
organization has not been in vain. These
IA temperance text books have sown good
seed in the minds of the young. which may
spring up aud bear fruit a hundred fold in
their lives.
committee from our Union waited upon
the teachers meeting in this city in October
to see what further steps could be taken in
the educational line. We found the study of
alcohol and Hygiene" in the printed course
of study to be adopted in the State. We were
sorry to see it in the department of Morals
instead of Science under the head of Phys-
ology and II, gene, bat glad to find it ibcor
porated anywhere. No other action seemed
advisable than private conversations with the
teachers on the matter.
Miss Frances Willard was present at our
meeting, Sept. -. She gave an address of
much power in the Universalist church on
that evening.
The Cor. Sec. of the Union, at the meet
ing Of Nov. 10, 1881. gave an account of III"
meetings of the National Convention at
W ashington, ID. G.. in October. A pleasant
sociable and picnic supper was enjoyed after
the business session.
On March eth. 1852, we occupied our new
room in Hotel North After the trials tn our
patience and the taxing to the utmost of our
powers in the pndeavor to find the course
most proper to take. we found comfort in our
pleasant room. and did not ste in the future
any prophecy of an early day when we should
be again almost without local habitatiOn. AT
this time we felt we had q new lease OF life,
and independent of other temperance organ
izations set about making our own plans of
| work. The President and Cor Secretary
gave an account of the mass meeting at
BuckspOrt. At later meetings when We
were glad to meet some we had long missed,
committees were appointed to cooperate
ith the State Union III different departments
of its work Mrs. Church was chosen chair
man of committee 10 look after incorporate
and unfortunate women. Mrs. Brooks was
appointed superintendent of temperance lit
erature Miss Lizzie Avery of Sabbath school
work, etc. At the meeting of April 4th, a
committe from the Y. NJ. c. A. visited us.
saving their organic alton desired to hire our
room IT We would willingly relinquish it
vote to the contrary was taken April llth,but
those present May 2d, thinking 1t best to
grant the request of the Association, recon
sidered this vote, and on May 10th regular
meeting WAS ntlu III piSstht ioo"'- -
new and inspiring presence seemed with US
! at this time, in the picture of our beloved
Lucy HAYES. This engraving is a copy OF
the large portrait recently hung in the green
room Of the White House. At the next
business session during May, the Union ad
| journed to September. as many OF our MEM
bers are absent from the city through the
summer months.
| There are many details of work, which
have given us busy meetings through the year,
many experiences bright and perplexing,
which will not mention, but which will re-
cur 10 the minds of the members.
! Neither the books of the Recording Secre-
tary. OF any one attending our meetings and
carefully noting our endeavors. can tell the
| energy put forth or the sacrifices made.
None can tell the efforts of the faithful few
who have sustained the meetings at the jail
| each Sabbath. Only One who reads the
| thoughts of men can see the harvest that shall
spring from the seed sown on the hard soil OF
sinful hearts He only has the reward
| in reserve for those who so toll on
| in the spirit of self forgetfulness.
Our President for months was burdened with
the care OF the sunday meetings al our rooms,
and only gave them up when it seemed 1t was
no longer practicable TO continue them There
l..