Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-10-03
THE ". G. r. U.
Tenth Annual Meeting of the Depart
ment Of vermont at MIddIebury.

Tho convention met lu the town hall at Middle
bury Wednesday morning Sept II, and was promptly
called to order by the president, Mrs f. q. Greene,
who presided throughout the three days meetings,
during the election Of president for the coming
year. Mrs. Greene is quite a marvel as presiding
officer combining the qualities Of clear under
standing Of parliamentary rules, with necessary ARM
ness and pleasant manner, that while it encourages
the tmid, forbids familiarity. The forenoon session
Of the first day mostly occupied with roll call Of
the officers aud members, appointment Of committees
and addresses Of welcome on behalf Of Mddlebury
union and the clergy, with the responses behalf Of
the state and unions 1t would be but O grateful
knOwedgement Of all these appropriate and able ad-
dressest review them ct length but will only take
space TO mention the address Of welcome by Mrs. j.
@. Houghton, as being of unusual merit aud seeming
almost prophetic in its summons to women to climb
higher than tue mere meeting together for discussion,
anl accept the sublime opportunities revealed to them.
Rev s. L. B. speare Of Mddebury, Justly praised the
beauty and elOquence Of this welcome when on be-
half Of the clergy he arose and began his reply with
the following Words at has been said, who shall fol-
low the king?and add who shall follow the QueenTp
Some Of the superintendents Of departments report
ed during the remaining hour Of the forenuOns
sion and more in the afternoon. The secretary's re-
port for the year was most encouraging record Of
work accomplished, hty new unions having been or
ganlzed IN the state aud the outlook FOR the future OF
the W. c. I. u in Vermont never brighter, and
thil year was httngly called by the secretary the
Wednesday evening set apart for anniversary
exercises, which consisted in singing the "Crusade
HYMN and devotional services conducted bv Miss
Anna Park Of Bennington, and the singing Of the
National anthem, "FOf God, and Home, aud Native
Land" Mrs j. L. Perkins Of 81 Jobusburv read an
historical sketch embodyng the underlying causes Of
ancient and modern revolutions aud reformatOus and
dwelling upon the issues Of the last struggle in
this country, she brought but the thought that tre
mendous financial interests wore at stake then in
holding slaves as property, aud now In this fight
against rum the same powerful euemy, money inter-
ests is met Sac reviewed some VI the incidents Of
the first organization Of women In Vermont into tenn
perauce societies, and came down to present condi-
tiOns Of the alcoholic traffic, and the large and aug
mentng organizations of both men aud women array
ed against the evil.
Mrs Perkins followed by several ladies' from St.
Adams, Burlington, Rutland, Middlebury, Benuiug-
ton and Yergennes, respectively who gave personal
"reminiscences Of Vermont crusade days, each and all
giving great prominence TO the devotion and inspiring
labors Of the pioneer Of W. G. T. U. work in this
state Mrs. j. NJ Haven Of Rutland who 'itho' dead
yet speaketh," aud to whose faithful efforts much Of
the success Of the earlier work Of the organization is
due.
Mrs Greene's annual address was full Of wise sug-
gestons and practical points, and breathed in every
sentence loyal conservation to the temperance work
There tone Of eIultaOn about this address that
somehow bad martial ring in it, and the closing
lines Of J. @. Holland,
God give us meui time like this demands
Strong minds great hearts, true faith and ready
hands"
only emphasized the high character Of the address,
The tSo remaining days were full Of work and in
strucoD Tor those who spoke and those who listened.
Mrs. Mclaughlin Of Boston ecturcd Thursday
ing, and held the profound attention Of q crowded
house. The address able defense Of temper
principles and the outlining Of the work for the
coming years based upon the righteousness Of the
cause and the al-potent ally women had brought into
the struggle-prayer. She said this was indeed "WO-
mans Century and the future historian would have
to record a wonderful uprising Of women a little past
the middle Of the nineteenth century-that COM
sciences were touched d-au inspiration Of thought de-
sceuded from above crystallzing into organized
tion to overthrow the enemy Of her home. Mrs.
Mclaughlin paid sweet tribute to the memory OF
Wendell Phillips aud his workers in the ant-slav
cry struggle keuiug that time to the present strife
against rum. She emphasized the thought that God
meant better things yet for this land ana referring to
the significance OF the interest the South has with the
North in this struggle, she said, 1--WE have Joined
hands across the bloody fields with Southern sis
| ters to their sons and ours
Friday the last day of the convention and the
election Of officers took place in the forenoon, result
ing the recollection Of Mrs. Greene and most OF the
old oflcere. Tue superintendents' reports
Of them worthy Of writing ont in fun, but space for
bids. That intelligent graspng Of the different
lines of work obtained by them evident from
| their reports Of what had been accomplished.
| Miss Anna O. Park Of Bennington, whose depart.
| pushed forward caused much rnerriment during the
| reading of her report. She had received ll6 re-
sponse to her circulars sent to ministers in the state
| asking whether fermented wine used in their
churches or not. Sinety-hye churches used unfer-
mented, water, and IL fermenied, and one poor min
| lister took alarm because women were attempting to
precede the Bible and church. and said he had poor
opinion Of those who did not comport themselves al
ter his conception OF proprety closing his sage ad
vice by referring the lady to Titus H., 3, where the
| aged women admonshed to abstain from the use
Of much wine, etc.
| Rev. Mr.. Jump Of Burlington delivered the closing
address Friday evening" treating the subject Of tenn
perance in his own original and energetic manner,
| making many strong points during his argument.
He brought out the absurdes of the enforcement Of
laws, such the against the adulteraton Of
milk, while agrant disregard Of the law in other
spects Of every day occurrence. He spared not
those whose positions and professions make them
moral guide posts, yet whose influence scarcely
felt upon side more than the other.
The faculty Of the college and officers Of the state
W G. T. U. with local presidents filled the platform,
and the evenings program closed with collection
md t f a IN