Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-06
Social and Otherwise.
IAll items of social interest will be gladly noted in this column if sent to Mrs. George c. Ball, 21sl Highland avenue.

noted in this column if sent to Mrs. George
 c. Ball, 21s1 Highland ayenue.l
 We have in our midst today gathering of notable women. The state convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance union brings to our city many of the most intelligent, cultivated and useful women of Alabama. These women are not only active in the good work which has brought them hither, but their inhu- ence has been felt in every cause within their reach which is for the betterment of humanity. They are active, helpful women, whose lives deny that our climate deprives us of energy and health. They have struggled for years for the elevation of our race, and they have done wonders in onr own and many other countries for the cause of temperance. And, while they have labored ''in season and out of sea son'' for the principles they have espoused, their work has been quietly ac- complished, and their home duties have not been neglected or forgotten. we cannot realize fully how much good has been accomplished until we rememb Der of what comparatively recent origin the Woman's Christian Temperance union IS. Only on the 23rd of December, 1873, did this great crusade begin, in the small town U Os der. It was a town where the prominent men became sadly addicted to drink for several generations, and the women were greatly distressed and hopeless con cerning the condition of things. At this juncture Dr. bio Lewis of Boston, man of influence and wonderfully up- right life and firm believer in the power of women, went to Hillsboro 10 lecture. His subject was "Our Girls, and his lec- ture gave such satisfaction that he was pre- vailed upon to remain longer In the little city and to speak upon temperance. rms he did on tho evening of December 23, 1873, and in the history of the organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance union this night is known as the 'Crusade date.'
 The woman selected by the aroused peo- pie of Hillsboro to lead this movement was Mrs. Eliza Trimble Thompson, gentle. charitable woman, loving and beloved, devoted wife and mother, and one of the highest social surroundings. She was de- scended from a Virginia family, and her father, Governor Trimble, had been gov- ernor of Ohio. She had been for many years interested in the temperance ques- tion, and at the age of 10 attended With her father one of the first national temperance conventions held at Saratoga, N. Y. The agitation freshly begun by the women of Hilsbero spread over the country with re- markable rapidity. It reached the other side and the women of England formed speedily the "Briti5h Womau's Temper, ance league, with John Brights sis- ter, Mrs. Margaret Lewis, as president. It was felt in China, Australia, Japan and India and reading rooms were established for sailors and ether English speaking people in those foreign lands. This cru-i sade resulted in great good, and was the cause of a national temperance convention of women being called. This convention; was held in November, 1874, in Cleveland, O. in the Second Presbyterian church of that city. Eighteen states were repre- sented in the conyocation, and then 1t was that the Woman's Christian Temperance union became permanent and powerful organization. Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer of Philadelphia was the first president of the order.
 The work has spread to Canada, and there the women have their Dominion Woman s Christian Temperance union. In the United States there are more than 10, 900 local unions, with more than 150, ,000 members. The work is divided into departments, each of which is made the care of national superintendent, who has in each state a coadjutor, and she has also one in each local union.
 The organization has hourishing news- paper called the Union Signal, sixteen page weekly, conducted by women and published in Chicago.
 Frances E. Willard, the president of the National Woman's Christian Temperance
 
 manded without money or price the brain, heart and hand power of more women, Christians and patriots than were ever before dedicated in unity of spirit and out side of denominational lines to the cause of God and humanity. 1t knows no north, no south; its aims include all creeds and races; it follows the white banner of pro- hibition wherever that sacred ensign IS d1s- played, and has always been loyal to its motto, For God and Home and Native Land.' '
 The officers of the Alabama Woman's Christian Temperance union, which is now in session at the First Pres byterian ch urch, are as folows President, Mrs. Martha L. Spencer; vice. president, Mrs. Annie T. Brooks; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Julia Ii. McBryde; recording secretary, Miss Ida Peacock; treasurer, Mrs. Annie k. Searcy. The meetings being held during the days and evenings have been unusually interesting, and the reports, papers and talks from the members have been instruct i've and eloquent.
 There have been a number of distin- guished women from other states in attend ance upon the Woman's Christian Tenn perance union convention, and they have made friends and admirers among our peo- pie.
 Miss Alma Lane is now in Chattanooga visiting her cousin, Miss Annie Watkins, who is so pleasantly remembered by many friends in Birmingham. These two lovely girls are deservedly popular wherever they are, at home or abroad.
 Miss Lane has recently returned from a delightful visit to Atlanta, where she re- ceived much social attention.
 The Tuesday Afternoon Whist club met with Mrs. Harry Jones, and notwithstand- ing it was election day and the women would express occasional views concerning the political situation they played we'll, i, and Mrs. Joseph R. Smith, Jr., won the prize, a lunch cloth done in beautiful drawn work.
 Miss Ollie Evans of Augusta, who has recently been one of our most attractive and popular visitors, is now in Knoxville with friends.
 The Book club was entertained by Miss Maggie Adams on Tuesday afternoon.
 MT. and Mrs. R. L. Houston are the guests of MT. and Mrs. Louis T. Bradfeld. Mrs. Houston goes shortly to her old home, Roseland, to visit her mother's family. 2