The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-12-18
THE NATIONAL W. G. T. U.

The National Convention of the
Women's Christian Temperance Union
held in fremont Temple, Boston, Nov.
Ills, was the largest and most inspiring
in the history of that great organization.
There were delegates from every State
and Territory except Alaska and Utah.
fremont Temple, with a seating capa-
city of 3,OOO was packed, and overflow
meetings were held each day in Park and
Bromfield street churches.
The decorations were great object
lesson on temperance. In front of the
great organ hung banner-the world
encircled by white ribbon-below in a
circle of the same size the words "Christ
for the World" On each side were
gracefully draped the intertwined flags
of America and England.
The front of the platform was bank
of white and yellow chrysanthemums,
against which at the center rested
shield bearing the letters W. c. T. U. in
white immortelles, underneath the
motto Love One Another"
The front of the lower gallery was fes-
TONED with patriotic bunting which
afforded a fine background for a score of
lovely banners. Across the upper gallery
flags and banners were interspersed with
notices: High license for the State is
high treason against the decalogue;"
1--WE wage our peaceful war for God and
every land"
The convention opened by singing
Dr. Rankln's beautiful hymn of welcome,
written for the occasion, followed by
reading of the Crusade Psalm, Miss Will
lard, Mother Thompson and Mrs. Leavitt
reading from the platform, the audience
responding. Mrs. Mary Grant Cramer,
sister of Gen. Grant, led in prayer.
Delegates to The Worlds Convention
(which held it's sessions in Fanueil hall
two days previous to the nationaD occu-
pied seats on the platform. Thirty four
nations were represented. Canada, Eng
land, France, Italy, Australia China,
Japan, Syria, &c. Neal Dow, in the
glory of his SOth year, with many other
distinguished guests, added to the inter-
est of the occasion. When Miss Willard
called Lady Henry Somerset to the chair
and proceeded to give her annual address
the whole vast audience by one spOn-
taneous movement rose and gave the
Chautauqua salute. Cold type can never
give the wonderful inspiration of that
hour.
The address was a review of the years
work, showing increase in membership,
with growth and progress in every de-
partment. Miss Willard, among other
things, said:
1.-THE white ribbon includes all re-
forms. Whatever touches humanity
touches us. Where there's drink there's
danger. We have been wont to speak of
the liquor traffic and the drink habit. 1t
is time we said the poison traffic and the
poison habit"
She commended the kindergarten
work, urged the importance of having
the scientific temperance instruction law
faithfully enforced, spoke of the power
of the press and the Importance of send
ing temperance items for publication,
spoke of the great good being accom-
plished by the Demorest Medal Con-
tests, 10000 medals already having been
awarded. Under the lead of our Nation
al Superintendent of Narcotic 80 States
and the District of Columbia have passed
laws forbidding the sale of cigarettes and
tobacco to minors under certain ages.
Speaking of Evangelistic work, she said:
"One of the most cheering signs is the
focking of women into Evangelistic
work. White Ribbon eYangelists multi
piled means revivals, in which drink and
tobacco are denounced and put aside.
We should create fund for this specific
use."
One hour of each day of the conven-
ton all business was laid aside and evan
gelistic services held seeking deeper
spirituality and more earnest cOnsecra-
ton in our work.
Speaking of the Union Signal, she said
we ought to make it the very best, the
most breezy, the most incisiVe, the larg-
est-hearted paper in Christendom.
Some of us think it falls but little short
of that already.
The question, SIS the drunkard sick or
sinful - was discussed. "a purpose in
the mind to drink liquor is a sin. The
appetite thus formed and forced is dis
ease" The address was received with
hearty applause. When Lady Henry
Somerset responded to Miss Wizards
kind mention of her she said: 81 feel
that the words which Miss Willard has
Just uttered are those of a true, loving
and tender heart, who sees only in an
other the reflection of what she herself
is. / take back from this meeting the
noblest inspiration have ever had. 1t
has been the messenger of God to my
soul"
On Sunday forty churches in Boston