Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-06-13
w. C. T. q. of Rhode Island.

Inc nlntn annual meeting oil the WON
ans Christian temperance union of Rhod
Island was held May Oath and 25th, a
Bristol. in the Congregational church.
At eleven o'clock prayer and prais,
service was held, which was marked b,
he manifest presence of the Holy Spirit.
The morning exercises were followed BY
a pleasant and ample collation. free to all
In the afternoon the church was thronge'
with ladies from all over the state. Mrs
j. X. Barney called the convention t.
order; hymns were sung, and a very
lovely, venerable lady led in earnest pray
| er.
After scripture reading by Mrs. Barney
the president of the Bristol union gave al
address of welcome.
After the usual committees had beer
appointed, the corresponding secretary
read very interesting report, which no
only gave abundant proof of vigorous
growth of the unions which had long
existed, but the thirteen new ones form ed
during the year were carrying on our diff
ferent lines of work with great acceptance
The general secretary followed with ar
interesting paper. giving history of the
progress made, with a hopeful outlook fol
the future, and expressing confidence thai
the special work of the year-the secur
ing of signatures to the petitions for con.
stitutional amendment-though not accom-.
plishing all DESIRED had not chilled the
ardor of our workers, but rather increased
their determination to continue the cam
paign until victory should be theirs.
The report of the treasurer showed
receipts, $25l5.6s; expenses, ,$2477.76 bal
ance on hand. S37.92.
The President. Mrs. Barney, gave her
annual address which was listened to with
the closest attention and deepest interest.
"She said that since the establishment of
the VIC. L. u. of Rhode Island, there had
never been year when so much had been
accomplished for temperance in the state
as the one closing that day. The general
outlook was encouraging, our enemies
themselves being judges and Mrs. Barney
read an extract from the report of the
liquor dealers and manufacturers state
protective association, which met at Rock
Island, ILL.,, not long since, in evidence of
the alarm with which liquor dealers
regarded the prohibtory agitation. The
extract set forth tnat the people of the
north seemed to be maddened by
frenzy of drunken fanaticism, forgetfui oi
all principles of democratic government.
In the east the tidal wave of social tyranny
threatened to overthrow our fair states,
and legislatures bid fair to welcome the
subservient tools of Puritanism. The wes
opened to view perspective still more
sombre and gloomy, and states bid fair to
be engulfed in the wild maelstrom of
prohibition fury. South of us the symp.
toms are alarming in the highest degree
Wherever we look, therefore, north, south,
east or west we find ourselves fairly
encircled by the triumphant and madden
ed armies of our foes.' Mrs. Barney
earnestly urged that the Christian women
OF Rhode Island should redouble their
efforts, Eand make this the banner state ir
the proud galaxy of the national union.
They had not entered upon the effort to
accomplished constitutional prohibition
without prayer and thorough delberation
and counting the cost and the effort
Many signed the petitions this year who
declared they could not have done SO al
an earlier date. No one should think
the work was lost this year because the
prayer of over $4,000 petitioners received
no answer. The work for the year had
been educational to them as workers and
also to the petitioners. They should be
wise to take advantage of the experience
gained and add increased power and effec
,iveness to their efforts in the coming |
year. Meanwhile the members of the |
lnion should take advantage of every !!
restriction provided by the law rs i'll
existed to restrain the traffic, and every |
,ffort should be made to compel the
authorities to enforce the law where
neglected. Mrs. Barney called attention
o the important subjects of heredity and
lygiene of natal and parental influences
n connection with the use of alcohol, and
If the laws of health, including their
citations to food, dress, cleanness, exer.
Use, ventilation, and the entire physical
conduct of life. Women should also be
wake in regard to the compulsory educa-
ion law and the question of temperance
ducation in the schools. Juvenile and
oung peoples work should be pushed in
very town in the state. Mrs. Barney
ealt at length with the subject of temper
nee literature, of relations with the press,
nd of evangelism. She advised the local
Mons to press what local talent thev
ould into their service, to arrange for {
arlor meetings, for readings and for
and to secure as many Il
entleman as possible for honorary S
lembers. She closed with an expression t
f gratitude for the kind feeling displayed a
,ward her during her recent dangerous t
lncss."
Friday morning the very impressive
raise and promise service which opened
10 days exercises, gave assurance that
le Holy Spirit was present in power.
onstant expressions of profound gratitude =
our loving Heavenly Father for giving Ii
.ck from the grave our dear president n
ere made not only in this meeting, but
: almost every one who took any part in =
e convention, showing forcibly the "
'ong tie binding the leader and workers
gether. Mrs. Barney's own words were a
,gularly touching and impressive as she e
oke of the peace of God which filed her D
ul through the days of her illness, and n
minded her dear women of the vows II
ade when they offered such tender ~
eading in her behalf calling upon them n,
"pay their vows unto the Lord in tho lsc
esence of his people," After the opening lu
the convention reports from the super - |.
endents of the several departments were v,
order. w ... ......- ca
The ono on unfermented wine at the
rd's table, made the remarkable returns p
m l64 churches heard from in the state, fri
use unfermented wine. All of the bl
,thodist, Free Baptist, Adventist, Uni tn
rsalist, Baptist with the exception of W W
and Congregationalst of 3, reported =
using of unfermented wine. ,.rr, ma
Reports were given from every depart to
mt, full of encouragement showing ne