The Portland daily press., 1883-12-31
CHELDREN's TEMPERANCE MEET
ING.
The Significance of the Unisn Temper
nnce Meeting of Sunday SchOoIs-Nr.
Whittier's Commendation of the WOm-
en's Christinn Temperance Union-PrO-
gramnae for this Afternoon.
To the Editor Of the Press.

| To the Editor of the Press:
The question has been pertinently asked,
what is the significance of the union temper.
ance meeting of the Sabbath schools to be held
| in the City Hall this afternoon, under the aus
pices OF the Woman's Christian Temperance
Onion.
Dscenaher 23d. (ss has already been stated }
is memorable date for this organization, and
request from the president Of the National
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was
sent to every State, city and village wherever
a local union existed, that there should be an
appropriate celebration of the day, and that a
an especial feature there should be union
meeting of the Sabbath schools. One of the
characteristics OF this organization, is that
there are no sectarian lines, all denominations
uuiting in their efforts of formation, and in
reformation, in dealing with the great question
Of temperance. The 23d OF December marked
this year the Christmas Sunday, bat through
out this country special sermons were preached
or special sllusion made to the work OF the
Womaa's Christian Temperance Union. AS so
many Christmas festivals were to be held In
this city last week, it was deemed unwise to
arrange for this meeting at an earlier date.
As ''the boys and girls of today will be the
men and women of tomorrow" it seems i'm
portant that they should know something of
what this organization has already accomplish
sd, and is still doing, that they may be ready
70 actively engage in the work, when the elder
ones can labor no longer. 1t is to be hoped
that this meeting will De q large and enthus-
iastic one, that the Sabbath schools will be
wall ntad nd hot he
teachers will testify by their presence, that
they are in full sympathy with the movement.
The exercises will commence promptly at half
past two o'clock, and the public generally are
invited to attend.
John G. Whittier has written the following
letter in approval of the aims and organization
OF the Woman's Christian Union:
DANyERs, Mass, 18th Mo. 7, 1888.
Dear Friend-I cannot let the decennial OF
the ''Womans National Christian Temperance
Union" pass without expressing my hearty
sympathy with its object, and my approval OF
its methods. Its beneficial infuance has been
felt in every section OF the country 1t has
baffisd the schemes Of politicians and parties
by appealing directly to the moral souls OF the
people, and infused fresh life into churches
and sects by the practical application of the
precepts Of the Gospel OF Christ. When I re-
fleet upon the awful magnitude of the evil, the
crime the pauperism, the wreck OF home and
the unspeakable debasement of humanity,
everywhere apparent, 1 am appalled, and some-
times almost hopeless. But, when think of
your organization, and what it has done dur
ing the lsst ten years, take new courage. The
women OF the country will yet save the men
OF 1t. Give them what they are now unjustly
deprived Of, the right OF suffrage, and the close
OF the next decade would see the liquor traffic
abolished in every state in the Union Enclos-
cd find So in aid OF the "Union" which ought
to number its readers by hundreds of thous-
ands Thine truly,
JOHN G. WHITTIER
The following will be the order of exercises
of the meeting this afternoon.
SingDg-America.
Scripture lesson by Rev. DR.. Hill, 146th Psalm.
The Lords Prayer recsed by the children, led by
heV L. A. King.
Address by Rev. Mr. Bayley.
address by Rev. Mr.. Small.
Singiug-Yieid not to Temptation.
Collection.
Address by Rev. Mr. Blanchard.
Address by Rev. Mr.. McKeown.
Address by Rev. Mr. Lowden.
Singing-Jewels.
Brief addresses by prom inent citizens.
Singing-Temperance Doxoiogy
prayer and Benediction by Rev. Mr.. Dalton.