The Brookhaven leader., 1890-04-24
THE w. G.. T. U.
OF THEIR FIFTH AN
NIvERsARY.
An Interesting PrOgram--Music
and Addresses.
The Editor of the Leader Asked to SIT
Down.

The w. &. Il. U. held an enjoyable pub.
lIc meeting in the Presbyterian church on
last Friday evening, the occasion being
the celebration Of their 5th anniversary
The audience was led in prayer 10y Rev
G. G. Woodbridge. The program was in
teislcrsed with music by choir consist
ing of Mesdames Belle Piker, May Butter
field, Hattie DAWN, Miss Kate Mikell and
Messrs w Woodbridge, Gabriel, and Denton,
Mrs Piker and Mr.. Gabriel each favored
the audience with vocal solo. Miss
| Wessie Martin, who had prepared the
music, as unable to officiate. on account
of illness, and her place rs OrgaDist was
kindly filed by Mrs. L. Fl. Crutcher.
Miss Lily Buie effectuaIly recited, THE
Station Agents Story" while Rev. w. ii.
Huntley delighted his hearers with u
scholarly aud entertaining address.
Mrs. j. II. eambrell, the President OF
the Union, who has been highly cOmpli-
mented upon the graceful manner in
which she presided ut the meeting, then
read an interesting parer touching the
organization and history of the Union,
which is published below:
MRS. GAMBRELLs ADDRESS.
Tonight the w. c. T. U. of Brookha
ven closes the fifth chapter in its history.
Organized in 1885 by Mrs. Wells, of Indi-
ana, with Mrs. l.. NJ. Hobbs President !,
and Miss Addie Marshall Secretary, its
young life began amid rather adverse
circunistances-of discouragements from
without and tinidIty and ignorance of
ways aud means within the organization,
if it could be termed such. Even the cry
of "Woman's suffrage" was hurled at its
young head, but only the wall of wOm-
ans suffering, caused by intoxicating
drink, was needed by those Christian wo-
men, and guided by Gods own hand, they
bravely entered the ranks of the peaceful
army to wage war upon the saloon.
"Ifll die-just as all other societies in
Brookhaven have died before"-''Pshaw
1t won't amount to much Just a few
cranky women wrought up by Mrs. Wells
lecture to organize, but the excitement
will soou die out and the organization
with it," Those prophecies were, howev-
or, incorrect. The w. G. I. U. lives yet.
In fact, it has determined not to die--to
live Oh until in Gods good time its labors
shall he finished.
1t is hardly necessary that l state to
this prohibition audience in this prohibit
ton town the object of our organization,
Though it will do no harm for those who
know to hear again, and possibly there
are some here who know it not. The OBJ
iect of the w. e. L. U. is to educate pub
lie sentiment up to the standard of total
absi inence, train the young, save the
inebriate and secure the legal prohibition
of the liquor traffic. In some OF these
departments we see aud enjoy the RESULTS
| of our labors-i II others Ouly God knows
to-day what has been done. Surely ours
| is worthy cause-one in which every
woman should feel an interest, for every
one has felt OF will feel directly or Indirect
| ly, the effects of the saloon upon the HON.
| Any woman can become u member of the
organization by simply signing pledge
to abstain from the Use of intoxicants as
a beverage, and paying into the treasury
of the Union, the small sum OF so cents per
year. If it is not convenient for her to
attend tho meetings, she can still be n
member aud do what she eau for the cause
i'm her own home, Our National Presi-
dent, Francis +. Willard, has issued a
call for u membership crusade, and it is
| hoped that every Christian woman III the
| land will come into this organization
whose foundation stone Is christianity it.
self. While we feel that our Union has
added much to the social pleasures of our
town, having given within the past five
years about twenty -four entertainments
in the way of public lectures and concerts,
we believe great good has come to our
selves. We have had stirred within us,
nobler aspratiOns-more far reaching
desires to do our Masters bidding. We
.,,l 40 ~ hnr
| In this organization Christian women of
all denominations are brought together
| to work for one common cause. And
more than this, in trying our strength
and placing ourselves in u position to
give and receive aid, we have found
| what one of old searched for with lighted
| torch in open day-a man. Not Only u
! man, but MEN in our town. We OF the
w. G. T. U. believe that BrOOkhaven has
Just the incest men. They've been SO 10y
al and helpful to us,-and haven't been
"manish" about it either. They have &C
tually made us believe they felt it an hon
or to be called upon for help in our under
takings.
While we fully appreciate themanliness
OF all our manly friends, there is one whom
| we feel free to single out as having done
more for our local Union and the cause
we represent than any other This may
be to some OK tent attributed to the posi-.
ton he occupies. Possibly others in a
like position would have done like
wise. Be that as it may, he has done
IL and to him aud to God who gave him
the grace, be the honor.
speak of our Mr.. Hobbs who bears the
distinction of editing the first secular pa
per in Mississippi to espouse the cause OF
Prohibition. Since the organization OF
our Union his columns have ever been
open to us, and we have received from
him aid in many FERNS.
Tonight we feel that we must at least
tell him of our love and appreciation OF
him and his efforts. May he 60 steadily
upward and onward in his life work sup.
ported ever by the prayers and material
aid of all who should uphold him. Know
| ing that in ailife so busy there must come
times of weariness-timeso of needed rest
we women have provided for our friend,
a love-token which we trust may afford
comfort. So now, Mr.. Hobbs, in behalf
of the w. C. T. U. of Brookhaven, l take
great pleaure in presenting to You this
rocking chair.
Shifting the action to the word Mrs
Gambrell lifted the cover from q
large, handsome willow rocking chaiI
and invited the thoroughly surprised
editor of the LEADER to the front to re
seive it.
1t is needless to add here that such a
gift was appreciated-no merely becaus ST