Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-06-04
Speeches and Reports at W. O. T. U. Con-
ventiOn.

welcome you To our city and our homes
IL Is now sixteen years since the women of
this county organized for the defence of
our homes against the saloons. With
breaking hearts and earnest prayers we
nave appealed TO heaven for help and our
prayers have been answered in the mar
veious growth of our organization and in
the faith and strength of the members to
endure to the end. We have sent thous-
anus ol petitions TO Congress and to our
State legislatures and hundreds of our no.
oiest women have appealed in our behalf
Tor better protection for our children and
our homes; but our petitions have been
scorned and our appeals derided. The
church and state cringe and tremble before
the hosts of king alcohol. The contest il
an unequal one for we are con,ending
against the power of our government and
the wealth OF the nation, but be not dis
couraged for our cause is just. We have
ciothed ourselves with the armor of right
eousness and have gone forth to meet the
Philistines like David of old. and we shall
conquer, not by power, not by might, but
by His spirit for the Lord of hosts is our
Leader. And so, my sisters. in spite of re-
verses or seeming defeat let US press for
ward and enlist under our banner all who
Will work for God and home and native
land; for the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union recognizes no sect In religion,
no sectionalism in politics and no sex in
citizenship.
Response by Mrs. X. +. GrindIe of Blu.hiIl
Mrs. President and Members qf the ". c.
4. T. 9f EEslcorth
At first we wish to express our thanks
to the ladies Of Ellsworth Union for in
viting Us TO meet with them on this occa-
sion. The cordial reception which YOU
have given US has caused us to feel glad
that we are here to-day and what we have
already seen and heard has given us the
assurance that we may get many good
things from the meetings that will aid us
IN carrying on the work in our different
Unions.
For several weeks we have looked for
ward to this meeting with much interest.
hoping and expecting that it would be
OF such character a. to revive our inter
est ana awaken in US stronger desires to do
more anu better work in the future. that in
our feeble way we may in a small degree
aid in carrying on this very important
work of temperance
The excellent address of welcome which
we have listened to and the warm rccep
Ion rendered Us has impressed us with the
it:ea that we shall not be disappointed in
our expectations, Again We wish TO saw
that We are glad that it is our happy priv
lege to come to your beautiful city on this
occasion and to meet in this attractive
place To listen to eloquent addresses and
remarks, also to listen to the reports of
different Unions on the work done by them
the past year, and To talk and exchange
Ideas In regard to the different ways of
carrying on the work for the year to come
We hope and have faith To believe that
TINS gathering to-day will be the means of
giving Us new courage and zeal for the
WORK anu when this convention adiourns
ana We 60 10 our homes may We 90 with
determination 10 work earnestly in the
cause while the day lasts, and to stand for
the right; and while we work let Us not
forget TO pray to God for help and
strength, feeling assured that He il abupd-
antly able and willing To help in eyerv
good cause With His help we NAV feel
sure that We shall win the victory.
Though the struggle ha l4nr AMI bard ,h..
members of the Ellsworth Union, in be-
half of the members of other Unions pres
cnt that we appreciate your kindness in en-
tertaining US so well and feel that you have
done much to make the convention sue
ce>sful one; and while We feel confident
in meeting with you on this occasion that
we shall gain help and an inspiration for
the work. We hope you will share with
us in receiving help and many good things
from convention like this.
Report of Jail work. from Way. 1890 to
May, 1891.
In reviewing the years work in this de-
partment, your superintendent finds much
encouragement 1t has trengtheneu her
faith in the power of Kindness to touch
the wayward and has proved the truth of
the words we have often sung:
Down in the human heart,
Crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore.
Touched by loving heart,
Wahened BY Kindness,
Chords that were broken will yibrate once
more"
During the year forty visits have been
made to the Jail on Sunday, aud services
held for those found within its walls
Thirty nine have found a home there at
different times most of whom have attend
ed the service and listened respectfully to
those who have come to speak to them.
One of these was a Catholic, who at first
remained in his room during the service.
one Sunday he was the only man In the
Jail. and after chat with him, we told
him we came expecting to hold a service,
but we would not intrude upon him If he
did not care for it. He replied, YOU'D
better stay now you have taken the trouble
to come" We sang one of the gospel
hymns, read from Matthew ), repeated the
Lords Prayer and the Apostles Creed, all
of which we knew We're familiar to him in
his Catholic service. He thanked US for
coming, and every Sunday afterwards he
came out TO the service as long as he re-
NAMED in the jail.
Eight have signed the pledge during the
year. One was a case of much interest.
He was native of this city, but had not
been here for twenty one years. Had fol
lowed the sea and was on his way TO see
his mother who lives in East Bluehll. He
met many old companions here who invit-
ed him to take a social glass. When the
rum.ellers got hold of him they did not
let him 90 until they had stripped him of
his money, his clothes and his liberty. Our
lesson that day was about the man who
went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and
fell among thieves. and seemed most ap-
plicable to his case. He was completely
broken down as we told him of Christ, the
good Samaritan, Who came to save him
When the pledge was presented to him, he
hesitated at first, but at length said "Ill
sign it and I'll keep it too, If it kills me-"
He asked US to pray for him, which we did,
and he prayed for himself, asking that
God would have mercy upon him and
make him clean all through. He said
he had christian mother and a christian
wife, to whom he promised on her death
bed that he would be a good man and meet
her in heaven. We heard of him several
times after he was set at liberty, and as
long as he remained in the city he was
faithful to his pledge in spite of the solicit
tations of his old companions.
Flower day was observed by sending
flowers and cards to the jail, but no SER
vice was held, your superintendent being
away and unable to make arrangements.
No service was held at Christmas, the Jail
being empty at that time, but at Easter,
cards and flowers were carried, and spec
ial Easter service held.
One young man has been sent from
our jail to Thomaston during the year, and
two were taken to Bangor few weeks
ago. Intercourse with "our boys" in
Thomaston is maintained by letter. There
are six there at present, and the letters
from them are most encouraging. Twice
during last summer box of flowers was
sent to them, and small remembrance at
Christmas. Warden Allen has written
three letters during the year, in each of
which he says, can your boys are doing
we'll" In one letter he adds, kindness is
never lost even on prison convict" One
OF the last letters received touched me
deeply. 1t was from young man who
has been there several years. He enclos-