The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-06-17
Washington County WOman's Chris
tian Temperance Union.

The annual meeting of the Washington
County Woman's Christian Temperance
Union was held at the Baptist church in
Montpelier on June IL and II. The Unions
motto is first " For God; !" and, fittingly, each
session of the convention was opened by
devotional services. Much credit is due to
the singers, especially to the little girls,
who frightened the meetings with their
songs On the first afternoon welcome to
the convention was given by Mrs. Durant
of Montpelier, and responded to by Mrs.
DIR. Nichols of Barre. Interesting papers
were read by Mrs. E. NJ. Putnam on u Prison.
Jail and Almshouse Work" and by Mrs.
A. B.Truax on " Heredity." In the discus
sion upon the latter subject, many interest
ing facts were elected with regard to the
evil effects, moral and physical upon the
children of those who use alcohol and to-
bacco. One fact related was of a child that
grew puny and weak, and at the doctors
recommendation was taken to the country
by its mother, where, in short time, it be-
came rosy and robust. The delighted father
joined the family at the country home, and,
with his cigar in his mouth, petted and
played with the child, which at once began
to droop again. They discovered before it
was too late that what allied the little one was
nicotine poison, and we are glad to say that
the father gave up the injurious habit. The
question, Can we do best work for our
cause-at public gatherings or society meet
ings?" was discussed, and the conclusion
reached that we need both. The workers
need to meet by themselves sometimes for
prayer and consultation, but they must also
bring the subject of temperance before the
public by gospel meetings, lectures, con
certs, medal contests etc. The question also
arose with regard to duty when a hostess
puts before her guests at a social gathering
Intoxicating drink hidden in innOcent-look-
ing lemonade. Should we simply refuse
and keep silent, or make a protest? One
said we ought to care more for principle
than for little etiquette and this seemed to
voice the feeling of most of those present.
Mrs. j. O. Sherburne of Cabot, in a paper
on Temperance and Missions" brought
out wildly the terrible evil for which Chris
tian nations are responsible in sending to
the heather more rum than gospel.
In the evening a very effective recitation
was given by Mrs Richardson of Mont
pelier describing how the Dutchman be-
came a prohibitionist, and an able address
was delivered by Mrs. Housh, the state
president of the Union. Her theme was
Sowing and Reaping" Every sentence
contained gem of thought, and those who
heard the whole could not fail to be inn
pressed with the deep meaning and RESPONSE
bility of life. We SOW thoughts" she said,
and reap actions; we sow actions and reap
habits we SOW habits and reap character,
and character makes eternal destiny. Our
nation, for the love of gain, sows the brewery
and distillery, and reaps the saloon. From the
saloon comes the harvest of drunkards, and
again the still-multiplying harvests of crime,
misery and woe. Whatsoever man SOW
eth that shall he also reap. The pessimist
says that our country is going to destruction
that the liquor power is gaining ground and
will soon triumph over everything. The
optimist says the cause of temperance is
gaining ground and will be victorious; and
the optimist is right. In the history of the
world, although it seems as if Right was
on no Wrong
the throne, yet it is the scatfold that sways
the destiny of after generations. In the
days when slavery ruled the land book
was written by woman, God guiding
the pen; and although we give all honor
to the noble army who fought freedom s
battles, il was " Uncle Toms Cabin " that
broke the chains of the slave. In ages to
| come it shall be said In 1873 the women OF
America went forth to sow, and the harvest
of that misunderstanding shall yet ripen all
over the earth. If we would enter upon
| this work of seed-sowing, what preparation
do we need for the work? First, we need
| love fer God and humanity willingness to
! sacrifice personal ease. What makes us to
differ from the lowly and degraded? Is it
anything we have done, or what has been
| done for us? Why are We called Christians,
if we have not the spirit of Christ-love
sent the Christ from the bosom of the
Father to our earth? Added to love there
must be knowledge. Do we know what the
| Bible says about temperance? People are
finding out more and more that the Bible is
the strongest textbook for total abstinence
and prohibition. Do we know what science
says? 1t shows us that using alcohol is sin.
| 1t is a mistake to make too much OF the
economic side of the question What a
man needs is to see his responsibility before
God and TO reform from the inside. What
a little atom of time is this lifel Can any
one afford to spend it in serving self? Peo-
pie choose happiness, which is temporary,
instead Of blessedness, which is eter-
nal Love and knowledge, however i'm
portant. are not all that is needed