National Republican., 1885-10-03

The following is the full text of the adj
dress Of Mrs. Clera L. Roach, the retiring
president Of the Woman's Christian TEN
perance Union of the District, delivered at
the annual convention held in Wesley
Chapel last Wednesday, Sept. 30:
DEAR SISTERS OF the CoSvENrioS ASp KIND
FRIENDS Standing here to-day midst the
blessed associations of the past, "Remembranco
wakes with all her busy train" For IL was
than eleven yenrs. ago, I first met with the
Christian women Of this city, whom Col had
called 10 the gospel tcmpcranco work. Teams
into ono Of those wonderful meetings not be-
cause was specially interested, but having
heard of the great tidal wave of power that
had touched the hearts and lives Of the women
of the west; and Learning that you had gath
cred here for similar work, cnme TO see, and
can truly say with one Of old, ~ had not
thought to sec this grent sight" THIS lnrgc
lecture room WINS filed with women. Truly
and was not consumed" for at once felt
and we have all realized so many times since
"God Is here" and was convinced that this
was Ills work. f.t..'.
There were some other things that character.
lied that meeting-a great suppression OF grief
some of those gathered there could say. "All
thy waves and thy pillows have gone over
me" for their homes had been blasted by the
curse Of strong drink, but those broken hearted
wives and mothers seemed tn feel that day
that they had found "a refuge from the storm
As i listened TO tho Requests for prayers
for sons and other loved ones who had
been taken captive by the devil at his will, -
bcthought myself OF the little boys had
and realized, as never before, how
great how many, the dangers that
clustered about their feet, and that IL |
be mp and doing. Then and there, for the sake
of my own children, determined to take an
active Interest In temperance work.
My elder son has almost reached manhood,
aud his convictions arc doubtless such az they
would not have been II his mother had not
thus decided that day. The younger still
yS whom chrs Said % Shso IS s%GSng DO aMSys
behold behold the fall of my Father which is In
interested and ready 70 do all tho Master''s
will. Our dear Sister Burris-Gods Deborah
here in that blessed rising ofthe women-was
| In charge of the service, aud when, at rs
| close, SHE requested me TO lead the next day, i
| could only obey, for had heard Gods call in
my soul, and listened moro to His Holy Spirit
than to my own heart or nesh. And when, q
few days altetyard The WORK had So enlarged
in different sections Of the city, she requested
me to take charge In the northern section. l felt
i could not refuse.
Then followed those grand mass meetings
Who that was therecan forget the first one held
in my own church (IIamline). Pardon me, II,
This is my final address, II say am proud o.
beauty having only been dedicated to Gods
| service few months previous. Her doors had
been thrown open for our daily gatherings, aud
that we should hold this mass meeting the
pastor and trustees of the church gave their
| glad consent.
'fully aware of the advance step we had taken
| and that our reputation rs Christian women
working for the Master was IN greut danger.
The night came. The church was crowded
| W. hn mn IN In
| has ever gathered within her walls-mlnisters
| from the different churches and prominent
laymen. Hundreds went away unable to gair
At the appointed hour few women will
| difficulty wended their way to the platform
| We were almost unconscious of the sea of face
| that were turned toward us, for we had been ir
much prayer all day, and had Just come from
| the parsonage where we had once more com
| mitted the evening service to God, and im
plored His presence and help. He came dowr
| In mighty power as we brought our simple
| messages TO the people, some words falling
from the lips of mothers whose sons had gone
astray, some from those whose sons werc still
innocent little ones In the home. The ecry of the
motherand the cry of tho homo reached tho
hearts ofthe people, and awonderful tide of feel
| ing swept over thut audience. a great baptism
tion. i think they MI forgot through whom
the message came. God had spoken from
| trembling lips OF clay-even woman's lips
Those who were there ever spoke of thai
meeting as one in which Gods power was won
fully manifested. What was the .result2 All
present were convinced that this was Gods
work. The Congregational, Baptist, and Pres
byterian churches, as we'll as the Methodist
were thrown open to us, and we held many
blessed services,
Who can forget the gospel meetings of those
first years2 The pledge and the cross brought
together as never before, thousands signing
the pledge, and many learned to sing with US
"IIe breaks the power of Cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner. free;
His blood can make the fonlest clean;
His blood ayailed for me-"
seem to see those faces to-day so long dark
ened by the power Of sin shining with heay
emily Light. seem TO hear again those thrill
ing testimonies OF Gods saving grace. tell
eHts s Joy there s'fyen Y I
hearts equal to that of leading soul to the
We soon realized that there was no place
| young men of our city could, go and get even O
cup Of coffee without being brought In con
tact with spirtuous liquors.
| temperance lunch room. What hard work
| II was we were told we could notsucceed.
Many-even Christians-were against the whole
matter. II was desirable, they said, but wholly
| inexpedlent, When "woman wills she will"
| and we felt 1t was not only our will, but Gods
| will that this should be done. Some true
| with funds, and we wended the streets Of this
| city collecting money. Some of those whose
| weary feet travelled with us, and who bore the
| burden and heat Of the day, are now with
| those who have passed through the pearly
| gates, aud are forever with the Lord.
| The enterprise was established, and We
christened our lunch room "Holly Tree" So
| successful were we that many such places are
now TO be found In our city, and do not need
the efforts and time OF q Christian organization
| to conduct them.
| opinion among iis. At one time in the mids
| OF the business Interests the contention was sc
sharp 1--WE departed asunder one from the
other, but God brought US together again.
am glad We have with us today our dear
| Sister Linville, who was for so long n time oui
| leader, and who was so gentle and wise in oui
councils. From tho hrst she was identified
| with the work and did much OF the seed sow
| ing Now she felt that she must sever hel
| official connection with u.s. the interests o
church. work demanding her first attention
| Missionary Society of the Methodist church.
| We loved her tenderly, and great was the grie
at losing our elect sister nom the head of the
In a little meeting held In odeon Hall there
was that day an election long TO remembered
by those who were present. TWO sisters Wert
balloted for, each receiving at first the saut
president OF the work by one majority, Siste
| Kelley casting the deciding vote that elect9C
| your speaker. 1t was under such circum
| stances that assumed charge of the work. i
was already well established Miss Frances L
| willard bad been elected president OF tho Ma
| tional Union, and Immediately following ou
annual meetiugth National Woman's Christian
Temperance Union held its convention II
| Boston.
Miss willard brought b9fore the meeting
thoroughly organized plan Of the work, ant
states. We felt the impress of her hand and
following the national plan as adopted by tina
convention, our work began TO widen and u
Bands hope were formed among the child
| ren; temperance societies were organized In th'