The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-20
Origin and Aims of the W. c. T. o.


To the Editor OF the Indianapolis journal:
On Dec, %, 1873 at HIllsboro, o., that "whirl-
wind of the Lord" known as the "Woman's Cru
SADIE, began. In a few weeks it swept over the
whole com try, banished the saloons from $50
towns, reduced the number In thousands OF
others, led TO the reformation Of tens of thou
sands of drinking men, aud then, this
"woman's whim" seemed TO be over.
They who thought so had no
understanding of the real character
of that mex tinguishable fire which was kindled
In their hearts, and must need flame out in low
In the following August 1874 number of
the crusaders were at Chautauqua at the first
SHnday-sehoGl assembly. The thought of perma-
nent organization was suggested to one woman
while praying. 1t was communicated to others,
q meeting was called at which Mrs. Jennie F.
Willing presided and Mrs. Emily Huntington
Miller acted secretary.
They were authorized TO issue a call for ma
tfonal organizing convention TO he held at Cieve-
land in November. The call duly appeared,
States held conventions and elected delegates
and the convention assembled Nov. 18, 1874.
Delegates from twenty-five States were pres
ent.
the National woman's Christian Temperance
work work" adopted which was meant to
reach every village and hamlet in
the land. From these beginnings it has grown
until today there is an organization in every
State and Territory. There are over 5000 local
auxiliarIes, with paying membership of 1885,
600 women, and five times that many working
OF the character and mission of this largest
organization of women the world
has ever seen, Miss willard says:
'.Your purpose would confederate all
sections, unite all parties and unity all creeds
for the destruction OF humanty's most ancient
and most accnrsed foe. Your relationships are
to Christ's Church thar Of defender; TO the home
that of protection. to the nation that of purl-
fer The brOaduess OF It's mission has led
to evolutions in the plan of work.
which at first looked mainly to cure,
until there are now over twenty five. These pro-
vide for the education of the children in kinder
gsrtens, kitchen-gardens, temperance schools,
Sunday-schOOls and public schools; for the edu-
cation of rhe masses, through circulation of
temperance literature, carefully prepared sta
tistics, the press and influential bodies; for
evangelisiic work among railroad en-
3loyes soldiers and sailors, intemper-
ate women, prisoners and other classes;
or social work through young mems temper
:.uce nnions. parlor meetings, flower missions,
and State and county fairs; for securing prohi-
hition, and for the organization of the cOlored
people and all foreigners.
cago is the official medium through which this
lnany-sided work is carried on, and is
- paper of such literary merit as
70 make it worthy a place in every
family. Besides this, the Union aids in sus-
tanning the German paper "Der Baimbrecher."
The spirit and ultimate aim of the women en-
gaged In this work is best described in Miss
Wizards injunction: GIN all this wondrous
hattie let our motto be 'womanlness first; after
ward, what you will Let us follow
with unchanged devotion the gleam-
ing cross of Him who is hottest
among the mighty and mightIest among the
hoiy.' even that loving Christ, whose gospel
i@iises women up, and with her nfts toward
heaven the world"
The things thus briefly stated. seem sufficient
reason why all Christian people should unite
with the unions in celebrating Dec. % the tenth
anniversary of this latter-day crusade, which
has done so much and promises 40 much more
FOR God and home and native land. L. e. r.