Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1893-10-31
Report from the Iuka Union.

Report from the Iuha Union.
We read with increasing interest the
reports published week after week in
the LEADER. We realize how helpful
and inspiring it is to read of the great
work being done in Mississippi by the
w. G. T. L. So we write you of our
Iuka union. We want you to know
that we too are at work; that we stand
on guard, with ready hands and will
ing hearts to do what we can in the
glorious cause For God and Home and
Every Land"
We have the departments of Sab
bath Observance. Prison and Jail work,
Unfermented Wine. Mothers meetings,
Sunday Temperance School, Press
Work, Demorest Contest Clubs and
Scientific Temperance Instruction
well represented.
Through our Sabbath observance
work our forces were much strength
ened and much enthusiasm aroused;
but l think probably our Mothers
meetings have aroused more interest
than any other line of work. Oh!
mother love! mother love! We face
any condemnation and dare undertake
any task in the hope of securing safer
paths for our boys to walk in. What a
wise thought that mothers band them
selves together to search for and study
ways and means of training
Our contests have been largely at
tended, much enjoyed, highly instruc-
tive and have proved a financial sue
cess, being a source of regular income,
Besides, many teachers and pupils
from various parts of the state attend
ing the Iuka Normal and seeing the
good resulting from the contests, have
after returning home, written back for
plan of contest work and organized.
Thus good seeds were sown and the
work broadens-ou cords are length
ened We have had quite a number of
silver contests, three gold, and will
have another gold contest in Novem-
Der or December.
Unfermented wine was one of the
first departments adopted by our I'M
ion and l believe unfermented wine is
used in all of the churches here. For
several years | have knelt at the sac
ramental altar where only unferment-
ed wine was offered; except once when
away from home, and oh! how my
heart did ache when the cork was ia
ken from the bottle and the fumes of
alcohol filled the church. All undeci-
ded, all in tumult, knelt with the
knot of white ribbon on my breast.
By my side young man knelt, also
with the knot of ribbon white, the
pledge of purity and sobriety, on his
lapel. When the goblet of sparkling
adder and biteth like a serpent" was
put in my hands my decision was
quickly made. Only the rim of that
goblet touched my lips, | dared not
quaf that liquid. fiery poison which,
though offered as the symbol of life,
brings death, moral death, eternal
death to 50 many.
The Scientific Temperance lnstruc
ton, our last adopted department, is
to us now our most important. And |
am glad to report that it is taught in
the primary and preparatory depart
ments as we'll as the higher ones of the
Iuka Normal Institute.
Now, that we have local option in so
many towns and so many counties
have gone dry, there may be feeling
of security, "a tendency to fold the
arms and rejoice over past victories.
But ali! mothers, we know not where
our boys may wander some day. "Where
there's drink there's danger" Rejoice
after local option, rejoice in dry coun-
ties, yes, but reach out after larger re-
sults-state prohibition, national pro-
hibition. Go forward, encouraged by
the mighty forces you have gathered
and attempt greater things. Work,
watch, pray; never rest while the LID
uor traffic exists any where in Gods
whole universe. Push forward the
Scientific Temperance Instruction.
See that it is taught in your schools.
Educate the last vestige of the evil
out of existence. Sow seeds of per-
petual sobriety in the hearts of the
children, the fruits of which will be
''peace on earth, good will to all men"
God speed the day!
MRS. S. r. DEAN.