The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1888-12-23
. Valuable Xmas Present,

s9s w 1StHGF III Wae =tH0 1QI6CLlOl OF
expectancy-er whatever the cause,
the company assembled in the lee
ture room of the First Methodist
Church on Friday afternoon was
larger than usually attends the
monthly meeting ofthe w. c. T. u
So blessed were the privileges en-
joyed, so hallowed was the expert
ence, that ones thoughts reverted
involuntarily to that other, upper
chamber" Of long ago, to which the
little band of disciples, stole away
from the crowded streets OF Jerusa-
lem, 10 meet the Master. During
this season of mysterious and deli~
cious influence permeating man.
kind and even touching the heart
Of the misanthrope, while the
Christmas spirit is abroad, We
thought that all felt doubtless in
the mood to rejoice with those that
do rejoice, hence decided to give all
readers of the CITIZEN, the benefit
fthe red letter page, in the calen-
dar of Asheville w. C. T. U. In
the first place the meeting of Friday
nj 5ht only licked three days of be-
ing held on the anniversary of the
Crusade" for Sit Was on Dec. 23d,
1873, that the Woman's Crusade
began in Hillsboro, Ohio. Prelimi-
nary to opening of regular exercises
at meeting on Friday, the president
of AshevilIe's Union briefly narra-
ted the incidents of that era in
Americas history, when the daugh-
ter of Gov. Trimble, and wife of
Judge Thompson-Mrs. E. J.
Thompson Cor EMother Thompson
as she is now aff-ationat3ly styled. J
of H1llsboro, Oaio, led the little
praying banda band which bad
heavens sanction, and which has
resulted in the crvatalizad o5-~t~-
matte, permanent form of the No-
mans Christian Temperance Union,
National, State, Territorial, District,
County and Local, with following
of between two or three hundred
thousand, of all denominations;
host of christian mothers, wives,
sisters and daughters. and in I'D l.
ton, the Bands of Hope and die
Loyal Legions, who are all solid on
the subject of prohibition for the
State and total abstinence for each
individual.
But to return to fridays meeting
in AshevilIe; although there were
several matters of much Importance
and communications of great inter
est (among the latter a letter from
Mexico containing a thanks giving
offering of $500 for The Anchor,
vet in our space, small idea can be
given of the scope and drift of the
proceedings, and no conception of
the spirit of earnestness and Chris
tian love and trust that prevailed
the session. The feast spread was
beauteous in the extreme, and re,
gret the necessity of omiLting sever.
al most interesting features, but will
hasten to the crowning feature, or
| The 'sChristmss greeting to Ashe-
ville's VIC. T. u" which was pre-
sented in the form of a most valua>
ble donation, viz. the corner lot on
Patton avenue and Grove street, for
the erection of w. G. T. 7. head
quarters! Plans for securing funds
and for the construction of the
building will be submitted to the
Board of Managers after the holi
Edays. In the meantime, bright
visions OF their local habitation are
fitting thr ugh the minds of the
members If the w. C. T. U. ano
/ they have confidence, and entertain
faith sufficient to believe that err
the expiration of halt decade
Asheville will point with pride to ar
edifiee of handsome design as tht
eW.. G. T. u. Headquarters II
scores of ftoWns has the achievement
!. already been wrought by thes'
faithful bands, who ever rely, upor
the promises which never fail
: Gideon's host has become reaht.
: to many enlisted In the Warfar,
q against the saloon power, and 81
grt atty has the faith of hundred
been increased by allegiance in tn
} w. G. /. q. that the country is be
ginning to realize that those VIC
) mel" are sure to succeed. Hayln
: given an account of our most i'm
portant and interesting meeting, W
: now close, wishing one and all
9 tmerry Xmas and a happy Ne1
Year. A NJ. G i. u.