The Monitor., 1885-07-17
A TEMPERANCE ROMANCE.

| 1t takes one of more than ordinary abil-
ity at the present time to keep pace with
the work of the white ribbon army, and it
is a subject that involves so much thought
that it is embarrassing to the writer to M
dertake to give even a minute sketch of
our grand and noble workers
| An inspiring writer has said. that every
pause between noble thought and action
involves loss of power. Beautiful ideas
evaporate during the night watches. Holy
resolutions go before the tasks and tribula-
tions of the day. We have moods when
the world is under our feet, and the sense
of power is something almost unearthly
The flying ideal is always just before us,
and we only catch the radiance of its fair
garments and shining face, when we follow
hard after its beckoning hand, fulfilling
opportunity by the ways we are led.
Who can estimate the amount of good
done during the last eleven years, since
our brave and noble women knelt in the
ashes of humility in that old church in
Hillsborough, Ohio, and there consecrated
themselves to God and asked His holy
guidance in the work of tearing down the
saloon and building up the home; who can
doubt that God did not hear the prayers of
those women; for their efforts were crown
ed with success. There was God in it.
He was the Rock on which they built their
house, and the winds blew, and the storms
beat, but the house stood, and still stands,
and crest assured, the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it.
In that house a ''child was born, a
daughter given, and like her Master,
''meek and lowly," chad not where to lay
her head" The question came up, how
shall the means be obtained to sustain the
child ? but soon answered. The neighbors
| were invited to call and contribute fifty
cents year. She grew and waxed strong,
and has reached immense proportions.
She is strict observer and her education
has not been neglected having gained a
wealth of knowledge by her extensive
travel. She has joumeyed from Maine to
California, from Canada to Florida, all
over the western territories, down in the
southern states, and always leaves her
footprints in the sand, travels in all kinds
of conveyances-in the coach over the
mountains, where she was obliged to be
strapped to the seat to be sure she was
there when they reached the valley and on
the train when the Iron horse went
plunging and plowing through the muddy
waters, leaving the rail invisible, besides
making long journeys on foot-all with
out murmur.
She goes to legislative halls and pleads
for scientific instruction, and has lived to
see that law passed in fourteen states, and
in Washington territory the right of suf-
frage has been extended to her sex, in Da-
kota the same bill was passed, after years
of hard work, and vetoed by the governor,
who is foreigner sent to rule over them,
not a citizen of Dakota, but Imported
from another state and holds power by
virtue of his appointment.
She goes to the White House, makes
social call on the mistress, goes to Con
gress and there lays her heart open before
that intelligent body, and prays that this
great nation shall be relieved from the
curse that causes so much sorrow and is
such stigma on our land, etc, and ap-
peals to them for help, no response.
She is visiting all the towns and villages
of our country with the message OF white
| ribbon, singing, praying, Bible in hand,
out the olive branch bringing her utmost
strength to bear against a great evil; fill
ing positions of power and responsibility,
her teaching and example correspond, in
trying to save souls, and bring happiness
| to homes; she often becomes discouraged
but amid her discouragements and perse-
cutions returns to the old home and con-
suits with the Father, VIII though not
seen, is always present with her to counsel
and lead her; then she moves humbly
along, as il nothing had happened, while
the world looks on, and wonders why she
is so brave when there is so little to en-
courage her, but they little know from
whence those promptings come.
She helps to build institutions to elevate
those who have fallen, and goes in the home
of the tirunkard, takes him by the hand
and points him to the 'Iamb of God that
takes away the sins Of the world" clothes
him, finds employment for him, helps his
family; when she leaves it is with ''God
bless you"
She has gone to Europe with the white
ribbon on her breast, pushed her way
through the western states and territories,
thoroughly canvassing the Pacific slope,
decorating the highways and hedges with
the white ribbon. She went to the Sand
wich Islands, with only thirty dollars in
her pocket, but strong faith in God;'
from there she expects to go to China and
Japan, and her great heart claims the whole
round earth.
Now / would not have you think this
fair maiden has lived all these years and
not had an idea of matrimony, for such is
not the case She had been very popular,
and yet very unpopular. She has had a
lover for some years, but was always too
ha shfuI to saw much about him. He was