The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-05-05
W. c. I. u.
Cumberland County White Ribboners
Meet in Convention at South Bridgton-
Report of the Proceedings.

The W. @. T. U. County Convention
ment at the Congregational church at
South Bridgton on Wednesday,
May 3rd. The meeting was
opened at $50 by devotional exercises,
led by Lucy A. Snow of Windham.
The convention was called to order by
the county president, Miss Cornelia NJ.
Dow in her usual gracious manner. The
corresponding secretary, Mrs. Sarah W.
McLellen of Windham, then called the
roll OF officers and ex-officio members to
which most responded.
By the vote of the convention the
chair appointed committee on creden-
tials and committee on courtesies.
The corresponding secretary then read
report of all the unions in the county
which showed gain in membership of
III, four new unions, and general i'm
provement all along the line.
The treasurer being absent Mrs. Fer
nald of Portland read her report. which
showed balance in the treasury.
Mrs. Duran of Westbrook was then
called to the chair and the president,
Miss Dow, gave an address. She urged
systematic work, and that each county
superintendent should be in touch with
each local superintendent. She also rec
commended a county directory and urged
the claims Of the w. G. T. u. state paper
''Star in the East" also the "Union Sig
nal.''
Mrs. Fernald of Portland, then read
the report of Scientific Temperance In
struction from Mrs. Berry of Portland.
She deemed the teacher of more i'm
portance than books and spoke very
kindly of essays on this work which have
been written by the school children for
some unions.
Miss Ellen Winslow of Westbrook was
reported as very much interested in the
work.
Mrs. Duran of Westbrook reported for
the department of narcotics. She felt
her department was gaining ground. She
reported two young men who had been
persuaded to stop smoking.
Miss Dow spoke strongly against the
cigarette. North Gorham Union has Civ
en- prizes for series of essays on
narcotics.
Mrs. Wheatley Of Peaks island, report
ed for evangelistic work. Many valua-
BILE testimonials of noble Christian
work were given which must throughout
the county tell for the elevation of the
people. The state superintendent of the
work spoke very earnestly of the many
ways in which these county and local
superintendent ought to work.
Miss Lucia E. F. Kimball then gave
Bible reading from Samuel.
The noon recess was given up to a
bountiful dinner served by the South
Bridgton Union. s,4
The afternoon session opened with
prayer by Mrs. Violet Wheatley of Peaks
island.
The executive committee then re-
ported
Tie superintendent of Sabbath school
work reported small returns from the
unions.
Various unions reported work done
which had failed to come to the county
superintendent.
Miss Kimball, national and worlds
superintendent of Sunday school work,
then spoke of the great Importance of
local superintendent She said she had
offered banner to the state using the
largest number of pledge cards. She
thought Maine would win the banner.
Mrs. johnson, at this time president of
the South Bridgton Union, extended
very hearty greeting, which had been
deferred from the morning.
Mrs. Lucy A. Snow, superintendent of
Sabbath Observance, reported few re-
turns from local unions, but these few
were good.
Mr.. Smith of Bridgton was then intro
duced and gave some very interesting
"reminiscences Of his early life con-
trasting the immense amount of liquor
then used with the small amount now
used.
Mrs. Brackett of Peaks Island, super
intendent of purity and literature and
art, reported some work done in various
parts of the county.
Miss Parker of North Gorham then
read bright paper arguing that God
looked alike upon men and women and
demanded equal purity of life in each.
Mrs. Mcclellan of South Windharn re-
ported the work among lumbermen as
excellently carried on. With this report
much work was reported among the
feeble and poor near home.
MI. Baller, the pastor of the church,
was presented and gave most cor
dial welcome and spoke beautifully of
all the work.
Mrs. Fernald of Portland read the re-
port on the department Of franchise,
congratulating the members on advance
on that line.
Mrs. Grant of South Windham, super
intendent of petitions, reported thirteen
petitions circulated by the unions.
Miss Dow of Portland, superintendent
of homes for homeless children, reported
many needy little ones cared for and
placed in good homes.
Mrs. Grant reported nine Demorest
medal contests in the county during the
past year.
The Westbrook US reported an i'm
mense amount of work.
Miss Dow then called Mrs. Grant of
South Windham to the chair, and bal
lot was taken for county president, which
was unanimous for Miss Dow, and she
was escorted to the chair and kindly in
troduced by Mrs. Snow of Windhaln
Centre.
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