Middletown transcript., 1883-11-23

with overfowing hearts. Efforts hav
been made to advance the interests o
scientific instruction in our schools
Correspondence has been had with thc
State Superintendent and others moth
ing very definite has, however, as yet
been secured. More activity has beer
manifested in the city Of Wilmington
than elsewhere, under the skillful lea
dership of our earnest ladies there,
We are rapidly impressing the con.
sciences and enlisting the sympathy Of
the people, and the various depart
ments of effort have been more fully
developed than in other places. The
Wilmington Y. W. G. 7. Union is the
only one in the State, but in several
towns, especially in Smyrna and Laurel,
the young ladies connected with the
older unions are doing excellent work
among the children. The Wilmington
union numbers fifty-six members
During the year it has established a
free reading room for young men,
which every evening is thronged and
where gospel temperance meetings are
held once in two weeks. Gratifying
testimonies come to us Of the blessing
the room has already been to those who
frequent it, not among the least Of
which we count our autograph pledge
book, which, without solicitation, en-
rolls the names of fifty-seven men
pledged to total abstinence. At New
Castle our sisters have been very earn
estly pushing petitions to the court not
to grant licenses for that city. Other
unions have taken up such local work
as has presented itself from time to
time. We are gratiied at the financial
showing of the past year. While it
may not seem like great matter to
larger States, yet for US it is matter
for congratulation. One of our good
helpers in the ministry stated at the
recent meeting of the Delaware State
Temperance Alliance that "we were
good financiers and that we had more
money at that time in the treasury than
any temperance organization he had
known in the State. A large number
of our sisters we're present at the above
named meeting and pledged co-opera-
tion with them in carrying forward the
plans they had adopted. Weare greatly
encouraged at the statements made at
that meeting-that about one thousand
citizens were pledged to vote for tenn
perance candidates, without regard to
party. The attitude of the press has
been increasingly favorable and gen
erous. While many temperance edi-
torials have betrayed the poor logic of |
the politician, we are pleased that |
many brave, stirring words for the
cause have been spoken, and general
kindness has been shown in the gratui-
5ous publishing Of our notices and
articles. Among the prominent re-
igious bodies which have recognized us
and spoken encouraging words, special
attention is called to the Wilmington
Conference Of the NJ. E. Church and
It's report in temperance adopted at its
ast session. Onr indebtedness to the
Christian ministry of the State is very
great. Most of these men of God
nave been belpful to us in our labors.
We have had welcome access to their
churches and many kindly expressions
If encouragement to gladden. our
hearts. The Ohio German saloon
keepers called our workers there g Them
Rock of Ages wcmen," and here we
AXE our stand, with the Rock under
our feet, and hold out hand of help
10 the poor victims of the rum curse.
And now with the experience which
5he past has brought us, and the inspi-
ration of the present outlook, we are
here at this time to ask, "What further
shall be done to promote the work
here ?' It would seem that the prob
em in this State is much more simple
0ne than in many others, where decided
progress has been made. Our limited
territory ought to be reason for thor
0ugh and rapid work. We should be
able, without difficulty, to touch, effect
Ively, every point, and to secure the
power of concentration because the
are so near the centre. If
Iowa with her nineUy-nine counties
could be so organized and thrilled
through its entire extent by one COM
mon impulse, how much more readily
might it be done in our three counties.
as our field is small, let US
be the more ambitious to be thorough
in the cultivation of it. Very much
more is needed to be done in our juve-
nile department, for, without doubt,
The hope of the future is in the chill
1ren. We have few Bands of Hope,
and they are doing a grand work. The
children like them and are readily led
10 take enthusiastic interest in them.
We must push this department in every
,own. Various orders of bands to
meet the wants of different localities
ought to be formed. Find out in every
place the interested ones and enlist
hem. Bring the matter before every
Sunday school and urge, persuade and,
f need be, hold it there until the chill
lren are committed. The task is easier
5han it will be twenty years hence.
Dur reward will soon begin to return
% us. We also most urgently request
5he speedy foundation Of Y. W. G. T.
Unions; these can be made an arm Of
power in the work. Not less impor-
5ant is the circulation Of temperance
literature. We cannot hope at this day
70 advance our cause by sentimental
appeals only. The people must have
broad and accurate, in
every phase Of this issue, and there is