The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-07-11
Notes BY the Way-The Temperance
celebration

With the faithfulness, and perhaps with
equal precision, of a signal service officer
did the w. c. T. I. women watch the
forecast of the weather during the day
preceding and the morning of tue Fourth
of July. When we contemplate how much
risk there is connected with a celebration
or a public meeting similar to the one held
in the Academy yard last week, we ques-
ton whether any other cause than this
most prominent of all national questions
temperance-would have given a number
of individuals sufficient faith in themselves
Cor rather in a higher power) to have
pushed their well-calculated plans for
ward without having previously canvassed
for the means to cover all expenses which
such meetings necessarily incur. You
may reply: But you did take previous
pTecaution, inasmlch as You solicited the
w~herewithal whereby hunger might be
appeased." That we admit. but suppose
these women had questioned as to what
the state of the weather would be, whether
the people would turn out if it rained, etc.
Such questioning would have caused their
planning to be unaccomplished. This they
left to Him who is the Father of the
spirit of religious liberty-for the posses
sion of which so many of our ancestors
suffered. But these are a praying band of
N They ask Him h rules over
land and sea alike that all may be accord
ing to His own will, then push the plans
given as they are revealed to them. That
their plans were duly weighed and vigor-
ously pushed forward, we all admit, and
that the success of the days meeting was
all based on a religious faith, we cannot
deny. This faith, which is so often
laughed at by those who have never rec
4,a;11l oIt1o,-l +14- has-, 49,,
~stantly benefited by its power, is one of
the strongest characteristics of the Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Union, and
without it, with a great deal of individual
effort, no good work can be accomplished,
for the old aphorism, .Godhelps those who
help themselves, - is as true now as in the
days gone by.
How is it thou vast not present at the
meeting, friend? Yes, o yes, We know
thou vast there, but this other friend here,
why didst thou not give us encourage
ment by thy presence, that we, as we'll as
thyself, might have been benefited?
Dost thou not know that these meetings
are planned and worked out for the benefit
and edification of the people and the COM
munity? Art thou not one who desires to
be alive to whatever movement benefits
the people most largely? Just suppose for
a moment there were no organizations at
work for the moral, the Christian side of
our people in a few months what would
be the state of society in such a commu-
nifty? We leave the picture for each to
draw to his own personal conclusion.
Yes, it was too bad the weather looked
quite so threatening, that it was so or
pressivcly warm, that the harvest was
not quite gathered, that that little bit of
sewing must be finished, that thou couldst
not postpone that extended visit a few
days longer, or some other preposterous
reason. All, yes; thee has our sympathy
for being thus detained by matters that
were imperative. But listen; these friends
here are honest enough to confess they
didn't want 10 come. Well, we like that;
an honest confession is good for the soul.
But do you have any idea how much you
missed? 1t was remarkable how fine the
day turned out, after all, and it paid us to
90 Just to see the Academy grounds
where we have spent so many happy school
days-decorated with the national colors.
The speakers stand was literally rooted
and walled with the stars and stripes,
showing much thought for pleasant effect