The Republican journal., 1892-11-10
The National w. c. L. L. Convention.
CORRESPONDENCE of The Journal,

the privilege of attending the National
Convention of the W. c. I. U. | thought
perhaps your readers might like to hear
something concerning it from a personal
observation, thinking likewise it would
obviate the necessity of writing several
letters to home friends who read the jour
nal. My sister and left the pleasant ranch
home for a visit among friends in Denver
and to attend the w. c. T. L. Convention.
We reached the city on the early morning
train and went directly to the Trinity
Methodist Church. which had opened its
doors to his great gathering of earnest
broad land We arrived more than an
hour before the time appointed for Miss
Frances f. Willard $ opening address, but
could not set foot inside, for the crowd
had already taken possession of every
seat and every available standing space.
This church is the largest and finest in
the city with a seating capacity of 1,5Oo.
1t has one OF the finest organs in the coun-
try, presented to the society by a member
of the church who is also the leader of the
choir. There are seats for $50 singers,
ranged in front of the organ and in the
rear of the pulpit. The body of the
house was reserved for delegates, which
had gathered from all parts Of our coun-
try. and there wer, also representatives
from other countries, the most notable
lady Henry Nomer set, of England. Many
of your readers, of course. have read of her,
but some may not nave read the articles
concerning her which appeared in print
when she attended the last National Con-
vention of the W. c. 7. U. held in Boston,
! Will venture. therefore. to repeat few
items concerning her and her work which
have come to my notice in the papers
here as We'll as in the Chautauqua Maya
zine Her father was peer OF England,
and she his only child and heress, and at
his death she came into possession of land
ed estate one hundred and thirty miles in
extent beside large property in the city OF
London upon which there are nearly 100,
600 inhabitants. In her care for her peo-
pie and her work among them. the awful
curse and degradation of drunkenness
made such an impression upon her mind
that She retired to her home in the coen-
try. and Tlere with her boy. her only child.
and her Bible gave herself up to the task
of solving. if possible. the problem OF stay
inc the mighty tide OF intemperance. The
result 0f her deliberations was to give her
self ~ the work among women in England
as Frances +. Willard and her great army
of American women have done here.
Lady Henry Somerset came to this
country last year to learn of the methods
followed in this coultly by the W. {. L.
[. A great friendship grew up between
herself and Miss Willard. and after the
death of Miss Wizards mother 4 few
months ago, Lady Henry invited her to
her English home for a brief visit-b1ief
because she must return to be present at
this convention, and accordingly she came
accompanied by Lady Henry. In person.
Lady Somerset is of medium height. of
full figure. has fine head crowned with
abundant hair, a very pleasing and attrac-
tive face and above all voice OF marvel
Gus sweetness vet so strong and full as
to be able to fill the large church in which
she speaks.
ON arriving at the church Friday morn
mo we again found no standing room. but
meeting one OF the workers we were told
to 90 over to the Unitarian Church.
short distance away. and We should hear
LADY Henry Somerset. We did so, and
soon that church also was filled to over
flowing. We found excellent seats well
forward and could both see and hear this
wonderful woman Although She was not
expecting to speak so early in the pro
c.cdings she filled every one with admi
ration. Her earnest words We're so well
clo~tn and delivered in so sweet a
manner as to captivate every heart
All too soon she ceased, but was
followed by the Rev Anna Shaw, who
had led the meeting and introduced the
distinguished speaker from abroad. | do
not remember ever hearing of her while
at home in the east. but the westerners
are acquainted with her. TO begin with
let me say she is just immense, not in
size. for she is of fair proportions, but
great in ability. | had only a few days
before read an article in the October num-
Der of the Chautauquan concerning her,
and was greatly interested in it; not ex-
Meeting however that should see her, es-
peciallv so soon. but | knew her at once
by the very excellent pen picture | had
read. SO when a lady behind me asked
ii | could tell her who the speaker was, |
replied. 1T is the Rev Anna Shaw not
without slight fear. however, that | was
a little too positive in my statement. How
ever. it proved to be correct She told us
that she studied CATER graduating at col
lepe) in a theological school, where she
was the only female in a class of forty
Students She was treated with respect
by all excepting one young sprig, who re-
marked that the Lord never made a wo-
man brain capable of understanding and