The Press., 1896-12-10
w. C. T. U.
TN. B.-Second Friday of the month local meet
 ing of the w. c. T. U.l
National Gleanings.

At the rapping of an historic gavel in the hand of the worlds and national presi- dent, Frances E. Willard, s. $. D., the 23d annual convention of the National w. c. T. U. was opened for it's five days sessions in the great and beautifully de- corated Music Hall of the St. Louis Ex- position Building, on the morning of Nov. 13
 -;, Music Hall is 800 ft. long, 12O it. wide and 80 it. high, and seats 4 1000 people, while the stage seats 1,50O. The stage was closed leaving only necessary room until the last night, when it was opened for the grand demonstration. There is also small hall seating 1,5OO and innum- erable small rooms for committes and other purposes.
 The two balconies were decorated with bunting, flags and banners, presenting a brilliant panorama of rich and varied colors and designs as strange to many be- holders as the figures and legends of an- eient tapestry. Over the great platform hung two American flags on either side el the English colors, and pendent from this last was the flag of Armenia. It is formed of three blocks, of equal size, of red, pale green and blue. Crossing the line of the blue and green is a red Latin cross, and upon that the picture of the face of Christ, as upon the celebrated Handkerchief of Saint Veronica. Cross ing the line of the green and red is a fig it is. A lady in the audience, gazing up on it, recalled the story of the legend and seemed to hear the words, "This is my cross. In the sufferings of these, my brethren, suffer again." and she longed to minister to the needs of the Arme1ians. Taking off 8 ring which was the most precious thing she had she sent it to Miss Willard saying she hoped the dear Lord would estimate it's value by what it cost her to give it. Many beautiful and ele- gant banners contrasted with the deep green foliage of ferns and palms upon the great platform. Among them were Michigan, my Michigan" New York, Ohio, The National, South Australian and the Worlds.
 Two new ones are particularly worthy of note. One from Ohio was presented to the convention by Mrs. Hammond, the editor of the Ohio Messenger. It is of white silk, upon which is painted a saloon with women kneeling before it. Above the picture are words, "Ohio, the Crusade state; ;" below, the letters, w. c. T. U. It is trimmed with fringe of buckeyes. The back of it is yellow (suffrage), upon which is printed bunch of nasturtiums.
 The other was presented by the rail- road men of the Pittsburg x Lake Erie road, represented by thirty men, each wearing the white ribbon, to the railroad department of Pennsylvania at the last annual convention of tbat state. It cost $15O. Upon it is painted an engine and tender. The letters, w. c. T. U., are upon the tender, and below are the words, "Blessed art thou when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out" Both banners are handsome ly mounted.
 With fifty original Crusaders upon the platform, no grander concourse of women ever assembled in America - "women leaders in whom the hearts of the people may safety rest" In their midst was seated the pre-eminent leader among women, whose phenomenal talents and winsome ways are so dominated by her oonsecrated spirit that she has remained, without question, the chosen "chieftain" for fifteen years. Elegantly but simply gowned, her face lighted with satisfaction over the "biggest'' convention that the Union has yet held. All the world knows of Frances E. Willard and her work. Founder of the Worlds w. c. T. U., she the magnet, alone was source ofinspira- tion to the benevolent women who affec- tionately listened to her words of cheer, and the human voice marking the turning point in the hearts ofscores of women and men in the great audiences, which packed the vast auditorium and applauded the high sentiments of the W. c. T. U. as they were expressed in unmistakable and unique ways to both eye and ear. As Miss Willard rose, promptly at 9.3O o'clock, the convention rose also, and with hand-clapping and the waving of handkerchiefs she was given an enthusi- astic salute.
 An earnest prayer from the lips of Mrs. Henriette Monroe, the venerable presi- dent of the Crusade state, was an index of the devotional spirit, always empha- sizing and upholding the Christ-spirit in their every movement. In the annual sermon on the convention Sabbath, Miss Greenwood struck the prevailing key note, "Only as we embody the Christ life, can we be leaders for these times, wise women t.. observe the times, women in whom the hearts of the people may rest.
 Miss Willard's annual pointe1 address had not been prepared previous to the convention as is her usual custom, for her time had been entirely occupied witt | PAoAS AO1 Lu0 L0luS00 AlhOAA0Ilo' HI IOo place she gave "a familiar talk" which SC I pleased the convention that they asked for another!
 She never gave more magnetic ad dress. A dark blue dress with jacket Things and vest of white satin well be- came her face and figure, and gave g somewhat auntV air which fitted wei the quaint conceits with which she gem med the more weighty matters of her ad dress. It was received with the old-tim enthusiasm, tears and laughter followe' in quick succession.
 I A convention has never assembled tha excels our national in picturesqueness tone and homeIikeness we have nev 9l seen it's equal.
 ITO ha continued