St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-06-01
THE COUNTY W. C. T U.
Proceedings of the Annual Meeting a
Daaoboru


Peacham for its annual institute May
% and "a.
On Tuesday in this lovely hill town
there gathered a company OF women
with home faces and womanly ways,
women with hearts earnest and true,
and eyes full of the light Of steadiast
purpose. They wore simple badge OF
white ribbon, and whenever they met
they knew each other and joined hands
and counseled together.
1t was for the children, and the world
grown gray in sin, that they left busy
homes and gathered together. They are
the mothers and sisters and daughters
seeking to save that which is lost.
Around and above them was a host OF
invisible helpers, and about them a circle
whereon was written, mot by might
nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the
Lord OF Hosts"
Devotional exercises were conducted
by Mrs. Waterman, the theme being
Abiding in Christ"
The convention then organized with
Mrs. J. II. Drew as president; Mrs.
Lima George, secretary. The treasurer
Mrs. Huse was absent.
Miss Laura Bailey of Peacham gave
cordial welcome to members and visitors.
She gave an illustration of strength in
union by comparing one union to hne
thread, but a cord of many such means
strength. Mrs. Clara Bailey then fol-
lowed with a greeting in behalf of the
missionary societies. She said the W.
CT. U. went hand in hand with the
missionary societies in carrying the
gospel to foreign lands; she spoke of
the bell cast from discarded tobacco
pipes for a memorial of Mary Allen
West, the w. c. T. U. missionary who
died in Japan.
Miss Shields of Barnet followed with
unique response, which was heartily en-
joyed. She spoke Of the Peacham
Academy as being the oldest in the state,
and mentioned some of the graduates of
that Academy who have since become
noted men. She told of the large num-
Der of distillers that were here in the
early days and how it was said that the
devil had one OF those beautiful hills all
to himself. The famous "ox Sermon"
Eek. xxi:2S,2 20. "If the OK were wont to
push with its horns" etc., by Rev. Mr..
Merrill, was referred tot being a re-
markable temperance sermon at that
time when it was considered the proper
thing to drink.
Mrs. Drew, the president, then gave
review of the work of the past year.
She said as the mountains were high, so
was our purpose, and urged all to bet
ter work in the coming year. The state
president, Mrs. Read, was introduced
and spoke upon the pleasure of willing
workers. Mrs. Cochran of Groton. one
Of the commissioners to the Woman's
Congress, spoke interestingly of her
three weeks stay at the Fair, and spoke
OF many things we do not see in the pub.
lie print; one little item regarding the
century plant that is in bloom, the stem
having grown ffty-fve inches in the
month of April also referred to very
beautiful landscape picture made entirely
of grasses and grains.
Mrs. Jesse Gage of st. Johnsbury
Center read valuable paper on Socia
Purity She said that evil thoughts are
the root of all evil acts.
Mrs. Elliot of st. Johnsbury reported
the work done at almshouse and iai
reported fourteen arrests for drunkenness
and one for selling liquor.
Miss Ina Bridgman of Hardwick the
read most excellent paper on Phys
Culture This paper showed muc
thought and study. If its teachings ar
followed we shall have better way {
breathing, healthier way of living an
a nobltr womanhood.
The evening exercises consisted of m,
sic, and an interesting lecture by Re,
G. w. Gallagher of Montpelier,
On Wednesday morning came report
from the unions-al showing goo
work done in some Of the various d
partments.
A summary prepared and read by II
secretary gave brief review of the o
ganization and work of the county {,
the past ten years, and then showed Il
present standing. From five unions az
membership OF TO- it has increas
to thirteen unions and a membership
more than $50.
The election of officers followed,
sulting thus: Mrs, ], H. Drew of Ilar
wick, president Mrs, ]. II. McLoud
Hardwick, secretary; Mrs. Huse of
Iohnsbury Centre treasurer.
Mrs. Zlla Rodlif reported 100 childr
pledged in the county, and showed tn
the children had pleasant times in tn
meetings, as well as profitable instr
ton.
A valuable paper on Scientific Temp
ance Instruction was presented by NJ
l. II. McLoud of Hardwick. Her pal
began with the thought that tempera,
......,,,, ,,C ,La child ,nrct cp,n,,e