Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-10
temperance
Hints for Ladies' Temperance Societies.

Hints for Ladies' Temperance Societies.
The English Temperance Journal gives
the following 'hints," which, though not
quite so applicable, in all particulars. 70
American as 10 Esglish life, nevertheless
contain many valuable suggestions for
work. The chief difficulty ~ ladies find.
in banding themselves together for tenn
perance work, is the want of some rrouud
that is not already occupied By an exist
ing temperance agency; therefore. these
few hints have been compiled, in the
hopes that they may in some small meas.
ure supply this need.
Drawing room and other semi-public
meetings are well suited for ladies' socie.
tics, as ladies who shrink from speaking
at public meetings will often be wllin"
to say few words, or read short PAPER.
Ht more private gatherings. Perhaps the
most Important work any lsdies' tenn
perance society can engags in ID the hold
ing OF drawing room meetings for the
upper classes OF society. The afternoon
is generally the best time for holding
them, though occasionally one might be
held in the evening. These meetings
should not as rule last longer than about
on hour and half and it is hes. if i. eau
be arranged, to have TIVE or three speak
ers, each to take different phase of the
subject, and towards the close the tacei.
ing might be thrown open for discussion.
When one of these meetings Is about to
be held, perhaps some ladies might under
take 10 call personally on the principals
of the various schools and colleges in the
neighborhood with an invitation. None
should be discouraged from holdings these
meetings because they cannot accomme.
date many; u small meeting often bears as
much fruit rs a large one.
At aN meetings. pledge books should be
at hand; it is also well TO have good
supply OF literature. either to be sold .er
given away according to circumstances.
Another effort is the holding Of drawing
reom meetings for young women en-
gagged in shops-the meeting being preced-
ed by 4 stand up tea, and conducted in the
same way as the aftFnoen meetings.
These meetings have to be hold late in the
evenings clock, or even later Il
would hardly be possible IN any private
house TO find room euough to acconmo.
date the young men engaged in shops Ms
well as the young women; but at times
room might be hired for mseting, when
both young women and youug men could
be asked, Possibly two or three ladies
would undertake the management of the
tea.
Kitchen meetings are useful for reach.
ing most important clssS-Cur domestic
servants. The lady at vho4e huSse The
meeting is held could either invite the SER
wants Of her friends or allow her servants
TO invite their friends TO tea. and the
meeting might be enliyenai with some
singing.
Meetings Of It more pu6ie character.
for woman Of the various congregations,
in some districts, are found useful. 1t is
well if they can be held in some school or
lecture room belonging TO the various
churches or chapcs.
IT will be well if conferences can b, ho!l
with Sunday school teachers, as, if they
can only be induced to take an interest hk
the subject, they will not fail to find means
to bring it before their scholars.
Meetings for the working class mex
claim attention. A good plan for holding
these is to hiie n room, and FOR the meet.
ing 10 be preceded by tea. It i. well, If
u II eau De SO dtIdnSou, lOt lue InSSllbHS
for the men and their wives 10 be held
separately frem those for boys and girls
Notices of these meetings nIght be .>yen
through district visitors, and by means ut
placards.
In bringing this paper to 4 conclusion
my principal object has been to suggsst
few plans adapted for ladies' societies
where they are Just commeadsg work.
Il is also hoped that these few hints may
induce ladies to form themselves into soci-
etirs, in districts where they have mo-
already done so, aS thsy will have it in
their power, by means Of tho various
IN eetings which have been suggested, TO
reach almost every class of society, and
to bring the subject before those who
} | o wise would not have much oppe r,ihitY
of hearing about it.