The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1883-05-04
q cmprrantc Goluma.
CoSpUCrED BY THE w. &. L. U.
PUBLISHED ny REQUEST
REPORT OF Mrs. JOHN l.. YOUNG

Presjarntcr crMe w. C. T. Ucf Union, s. c.. at tie
.H'st anniversary, on hs 12th Of Aprit, 1883
Just one year year ago it was announced that
Mrs Chnpin would deliver a lecture in Union
on the subject of Temperance. woman lecture
IN Union The thought was distasteful to oil
and to some it was repulsive. All felt that the
aew departure was anything but congenial
But when she came, our people. true to their
n'b!e nature, gave her n hearing somo promp.
ted by the desire to show justice to good woman,
but many from curiosity Few indeed were led
there simply from an interest in the subject ; for
Mt that time Temperance was a most unpopular
theme in Union
As the modest woman stepped upon the plat.
form, clad in'the deepest mourning, her Grape
veil almost sweeping the floor, she at once excl.
ted sympathy, all feeling, at least, that she had
suffered, and that she was modest and sincere
AS her tones fell upon the listening ear and
she depicted scene after scene of the su ering and
misery of delicate women and children in her
sunny home in Charleston, an interest was
aroused that deepened rs she continued until, at
the close of her lecture, all were convinced that
woman had right TO plead for her suffering
sex, and lose none of her modesty in so doing
10 her call toorganizc Woman's Christian Tenn
Perance Union thirty women responded and there
solemnly resolved, by the help of God to work TO-
the sacred cause against oil opposition 1t is use
less to speak of the result of that resolution.
The change in our community speaks, more elo-
quently than words, of this wonIrous work Blu,
10 not think for moment we boast of what has
been accomplished. We rejoice in the work
and In thanksgiving raise our voices aud
acknowledge the Gland that did it is sdivine."
Many temperance societies in the last fifty
years have been formed have flourish ed and
fallen bat all were established and dcpended
on the work of their own hands. The Woman,
Christian Temperance Union Is founded on
prayer each member on being initiated pleJg
Ing herself "by the help of God" Our meetirss
are opened by devotional exercises; h.mby con.
icsslng our weakness nah gaining strength in
tne Urtici that it is not all poetry that .prayer
moves the hand that moves the universe"
We oil remember well, in our greatest trials,
when we were so often told that ours was the
"rcoh side, > and that we could never elect n
"dry ticket" how each in her humble petition
sought hore in the precious promise that "wherc
two or three are gathered together in my name
there am in tho midst Of them And when
we were advised to 60 to the polls during
'he voting. as the only way of securing
tho election-adviseI by honorary mem.
bers of our Union, by we'll wishers, and by men
not identified with our cause-instead of taking
their advice, we called o meeting of prayer, and
around this altar little band of women, weak,
humble and almost despairing, raised our voices
IN supplication to Him from whom cometh help.
AS long rs | live will | believe the result was
direct answer to prayer! What else put it
into the minds of the saloon keepers to withdraw
their ticket ? and what prompted some Of them
TO vote for "no license -
We were told it would be better for the town,
not 20 have dry ticket and it was argued
there was more drunkenness in n town with
dry than wet ticket In some places it may be
so, but that depends upon the men who com.
poses the council, as has been proved by the
present town council of Union
Theirs has been no easy task and yet they have
shrunk not from the performance of their duty,
and we now enjoy the happy quiet they have
given us. To them, we again we return our
sincere thanks.
To you, my sisters. let me express my graft
tude for your assistance and the confidence YOU
have ever shown in your presiding officer.
Your belief in my ability to fill the responsible
position gave me courage to attempt what my
judgment prompted me to decline, while your
generous confidence and affection have encour-
aged me day by day Poor, indeed, would have
been the officer who had failed, while being borne
up in the hands of members so confding and true
n =.
der Divine guidance, has this wonderful success
been achieved
We have had a most delightful Union
Hearts have been drawn to hearts and '.ties
have been spun that will not, cannot be un-
DONE: May God bless you