The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1889-05-02
w. G. r. u. Convention mt Crys-
tai Springs.

w.
To at least two of the Brookhaven
delegates the State W. C. T. U. in
assembled" was like
Christmas to little folks or vacation to
school girls. 1t was indeed the birth
of new life to the uninitiated; a re-
Taxation from the plodding way of a
small local Union into a busy, earnest,
combination of all the
white ribboned armies Of Mississippi.
After the incoming trains had ar
rived at the Crystal City bearing Miss
Willard her Secretary Miss Gordon, and
over seventy delegates from all over
the State, the hospitable local COM
mittee assigned pleasant homes to all;
and when night Of repOse had pass
ed right in the midst of the straw
berry realm, the bright faced, earnest
hearted delegates assembled in the
early hours of the new day, at the
Hall reserved for that pupose. Mrs.
Harper, of Fayette, sister of Mrs.
II. b. Kells, was the first to read
scripture and lead in prayer and sing
in her beautiful voice the songs of
Zion. Miss Willard, looking as neat
and charming and beautiful as only
Miss Willard can, was introduced to
the convention and her gracious
presence and the musical, mellow
tones of her wonderful voice at once
captivated the fortunate ones present.
Anna Gordon, our National Presidents
private Secretary, was also introduced
and real Boston girl sweetly greeted
her Southern sisters. Business was
begun in earnest after the introduce
ton of several gentlemen present,
prominent IN the Temperate cause
and in their loyalty to the w. c. T.
t., whose names were added to the
roll of honorary members.
Our State President, Mrs. Mount, of
Greenville, bore the trials of her
most trying position with great forti-
tude and grace. Her address was ad-
mirable and one thousand extra copies
of the White Ribboner containing it
were ordered published so that all
Unions and others could have the
benefit of this paper. The Brook
haven delegates bid for twenty five
copies for their Union, and also for
ten copies of the minutes of the Con-
yentiOn.
Mrs. Kells, one of the frailest, love.
Hest of little women, with an
intellect many men might envy, made
a report of our State paper, of which
she is the gifted editress. The White
Ribboner, of which we are all so just
ly proud is on the high road to the
grandest achievements and develop
ment; but, like the cause of Christ, it
needs our loyal support, our labor for
its welfare and extended circulation,
and we, of the convention, felt that we
were not true to the cause did not our
hearts and pocket books go out to the
dear little woman, whose hands are SO
small and little body so weak, as she
onward steers our great "Ship of
State" upon the journalistic sea. The
name of our paper was changed to the
"White Ribboner;" ''Mississippi' was
stricken from the title page for the
white ribbon girdles the world; and
because a"White Ribbon" is published
we named our healthy,
thriving infant paper
the "White RibbOner." The impor-
lance of the Union Signal, published
in Chicago, was emphasized and we
that no Union was COM
plete without both the above papers.
Mrs. Adelia NJ. Hillman, President
of the Central Committee of the Bap-
State Mission Board, was chosen
and did arduous duty during
the sitting of the convention.
Mrs. Patton, of Shubuta, who with
her husband, our Mr.. Patton, was
the most prominent members
present, reported that but little liter
AZURE had been ordered during the
year. She urged that children be
trained in temperance text books
obtainable from her at any time.
She stated no funds had been raised
for free distribution of literature. 1t
was decided that branch literature
house be established at Meridian in
connection with the White Ribboner,
where also is the WOman's Exchange,
to which any one may become a
member by paying a fee of $500.
The Plan of Work committee decided
that a Union may hold memberships
for the benefit of one or more of it's
members. This committee also rec
commended special readings, ETC., for
local Unions, which are easily obtain
able.
The report on unfermented wine
said it was steadily growing in favor
and Mr.. Patton told us the home made
n