The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-03
TEMPERANCE W0MEN
An EifOrito Interest Railroad Men In itolr
Noble Temperance Work.
THE RECEPTION AT FESTIVAL HALL
To BE Held Tonight Under the Aus.
picos orthe w. c. II. q. OF Norfolk
A Del ghtfal Programme and
Choice Rcfreshncnts TO no served
40 All Who Attend.

Norfolk's Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union is trying to establish q
new department of work-that among
railroad employees. Such variety Of
Misunderstanding of this work exist.
that an explanation of 1t seems in order
at this time. In her latest book. DO
Everything" Frances Willard says this
department includes work among rail-
road men, telegraph operators. street-car
men. express and cab men, and train and
news agents, with their respective faml-
lies, and aims to carry the Gospel and
temperance pledge to them all, and or
ganize among them Gospel and temper
ance clubs, and railroad unions. Cottage
meetings. noon shop meetings, and per-
sonal work in connection with the mass
meetings, is the line followed. with
the distribution OF literature. &C."
The special form of work to be d me
Is suggested Ito the worker by the needs
OF the hour. among the people for whom
she is working. There Is total abst;-
the time. 1t Is often necessary to
provide some attractive places for the
men to rest. 1t is read!ng-room, Il
possible, with newspapers and books for
their benefit. Sometimes there is a
coffee-r2om attached. The good super
lntendent Of this work is also an evan
gelist. She holds Bible meetings as Of
families of the men. If times are good
with them, her work Is to gain an in
huence which she can use for their good
If poverty Is In the house, she helps
provide food, and clothing. Her list Of
necessar!es for the year would show a
variety of things.
Railroad officials usually do all they
can to help the w. c. II. L. worker
among their employees. No man who Is
known by them to drink while on train
duty Is employed by railway au.hort-
ties. They know that II Is possible for
an emDloye to be drunk without their
knowledge If he wishes. They rarely
put anything in the way of temperance
work among their men, th.uga they
may not be temperate themselves. Every
employe who signs the pledge and
keeps Il, adds to his value In their esti-
nation. He Is worth more, because he
Is less liable to make mistakes
Drunken trainmen are 4 menace to
the lives and property entrusted to their
care. She who helps TO get and keep a
trainman sober has conferred a benefit
upon the travelling public
1t Is good for the men, too 1t Is we'll
known that trainman is more or less
likely to become defiled with a sort of
CRIME which soap and water won't re-
move. The direct effort of the w c. Il.
u. missionary Is to put him IN the way
OF becoming 4 better man, by pcrsua ding
him TO cease 10 do evil and leave tuePn
MIN II cease to do evil and learn 10 do
well. The work does no: Eorl:Lst IN
almsgiving--it is largely evangellst!c. a
beginning must always be made BY
way of ATTRACTING the attention of rail
road men in Norfolk the Union has invit-
ell them this evening to a reception at
FESTIVAL Hall, Brambieton. Substantial
reires hments will be served by the w. G.
In JN,n,, II
will present the foil wing programme: