The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-06-20
TEMPERANCE.
Washington County Convention of
Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union,

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The eleventh annual convention of
Washington County Woman's Chris
tian Temperance Union met al North
field in the Methodist church, June 7
and 8. Devotional exercises led by
Mrs. Barnes of Barre opened t. G SEES
sion, followed by organization, Bertha
e. Chamberlain, president, in the
chair. Mrs. Richmond Of Mortified
made an address of welcome, 10 which
response prepared by Mrs. Daven-
port OF Barre in the form of poem was
delivered by little Be sic Jones of
Barre. The minutes of the last con-
vention were read and approved. The
sixteen different departments worked
by the county were ably reported and
represented by the respective superin-
tendents, giving suggestions which
must result in more enthusiastic work.
Revs. Jat kson, Donaldson and Hitch
cock spoke of the help the union has
been and can be to pastors in their work.
Among special papers and essays
were the following: Am l my Broth
er's Keeper" Mrs. Atkins of Cabot;
"Systematic Benevolence," Mrs.
George Boyce of Barre; Physical
Culture" Miss Flora Camp of Plain
field; Education" Mrs. Mary Davis
of Waterbury; Ceremony and Admis-
sion of New Members" Mrs. E. NJ.
Denny of Montpelier; "A Call to the
Work." Mrs. Emma Nichols of Barre,
Willard Hall, Mrs. E. J. Colby of
Plainfeld; "Signs of the Times" Mrs.
Abbie Pierce of Barre; " Bending the
Twig," Miss Amy B. Fisk of Mont
pelier Miss Irene Hubbard delighted
the convention with recitation. Re-
marks by Mrs. Beeman were listened
to with intense interest. Franchise"
the subject of her remarks, was placed
so earnestly before the convention that
all must have been impressed. 1.-TWO
Open Letters " were prepared and read
| by Mrs. L. B. Durham and Mrs. E. G..
Osgood ofMontpelier-onef from drunk
ard to the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union, and theother the reply from
the Women's Christian Temperance
Union. Miss Leonora Stevens read a
paper written by Mrs. Vesta Allen of
Chelsea, entitled Younger Sisters"
Mrs. j. X. Barney of Providence, r. L.,
in a pleasant manner addressed the
convention, briefly but earnestly urging
the wearing of the white ribbon on all
occasions.
Unions were reported by the diff
erent local secretaries, showing good
work done. Mrs. Alice NJ. Rich
ardson, county secretary, reported
total membership of 1874 active and
twenty-five honorary members. This
was followed by the report of county
treasurer, Miss Irene Hubbard, show
ing debts all paid, and a balance
in the treasury. Remarks by the
county president, Miss Bertha E.
Cham berlain, went to the hearts of all
her listeners, and further demonstrated
the fact of which all members were
well aware, how thoroughly she gives
herself, her time, and energies to the
work of the county organization. Let
tiers, It's in number, written within the
year for the good of the cause, is only
one of the many things she has been
doing for our benefit. A letter was
read from Mrs. Read, state president,
and a message in the form of poem
from Mrs. Kelly of Worcester; also a
touching letter from Mrs. S. j. Wiswell
of Cabot, who has been great sufferer
during the past winter.
The chief feature of Thursday even
ing. was the Demorest Gold Medal Con-
test. Contest speakers we're: Maud
Paine, Berlin; Lizzie Nelson, Plymouth,
N. H.; Mamie Brown, Berlin; Blanche
Lucas, Marshfeld; Josie Perkins, Ber-
lin; Mabel Stuart, Berlin. Although
every speaker merited commentator,
the medal was unanimously awarded by
the judges to Blanche Lucas of Marsh
field, to the satisfaction of the entire
audience.
An essay was given at the close of
| thaa h., LatL Ill
principal of Green Mountain Seminary,
which was highly appreciated by all as
a most scholarly, interesting and pro-
found production. By request, little
Bessie Jones repeated the poem recited
by her in the afternoon. Mrs. j. K.
Barney of Providence, r. l., world su-
perintendent of prison work, was the
speaker of Friday evening. Mrs.
Barney fully illustrated her powers as a
temperance speaker: by giving many
vivid incidents of her own experience
in this great reform work. She is
of the platform.
Music was furnished by the choir of
the Methodist church. Excellent solos
were given by Mrs. Shepherd, Rev. F.
E. Farrar, Miss Grace Mead and Mrs.
MIMIC MdIsn, fOI WHICH, tuo COuNtullon
gave hearty thanks.
Devotional exercises preceded each
service of the convention, which we've
an uplift and inspiration to the work.
Resolutions embodying determine
ton to push the work in every line were
unanimously adopted.
One of the pleasing episodes of the
convention was the presentation by the
secretary, in behalf of the ladies of the
convention, of a handsome Mortified
souvenir spoon to little Bessie Jones, as
slight token of their appreciation Of
her delightful contribution to the en-
joyment of the convention. Benedic-
tions were p ronoupced respectively by
Rev. Villa m S. Hazen and Rev, 5.
Donaldson.