The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-28
THE W. O. 7. U. IN ST. LOUIS.

perance Union was held this year In 81.
Louis, beginning Friday, November ID,
and continued five daye. Miss Frances
Willard, President of the Union. who
has been in England for some time, re-
turned in time for the Convention and
presided with her usual tact and ability.
The Convention was held in the Music
Hall of the Exposition Building and
was one Of the largest In attendance in re-
cent years. Friday evening, November 13,
was Welcome Night" Mayor Walbridge
of st. Louis delivering the welcome ad-
dress on behalf of the city. and Mr..
Boyd. President of st. Louis Exposition,
Rev. Mr.. Sargent. President of the Evan
gelical Alliance. welcoming the temper
ance workers to the fair Southern City
in behalf respectively of the exposition
authorities. the churches and the bust
ness men of the city. Miss Frances E.
Willard responding in behalf of the W..
G. T. U.
Saturday night was "Y" night and was
devoted to the interest of the Young
Women's societies. Mrs. Frances j..
Barnes, of New York City, presiding.
Among the speakers of the evening were
Miss Belle Kearney, of Mississippi, the
eloquent young lady orator Of that State,
and number of others making this ses-
sion one OF the most pleasant and inter
esting of the entire Convention. The SER
mon of Rev. Elizabeth w. Greenwood re-
ported on our inside page, was delivered
Sunday morning. A great Armenian
mass meeting of citizens and members
of the Convention was held Sunday
afternoon, the great hall being draped in
black and the exercises being something
in the nature of memorial service for
the martyred Armenians. Among those
who we're to address the meeting was
Miss Clara Barton, President of the
Red Cross League. who was expected to
narrate scenes and incidents from her
own experience in Armenia in ministering
to the unfortunates and caring for those
who we're left homeless and destitute by
the rapacity and brutality of the Turk.
Miss Barton was unable to be present.
but there was no lack of speakers on
this topic.
Monday morning was devoted to the
usual memorial service in memory of
heroes of the cause who had fallen dur
ing the year. This service is always
beautiful and impress We one. 1t was
followed by addresses on Christian
citizenship, the two topics OF the even
ing being closely allied.
Tuesday evening was State benefit
night, on which reports were heard from
presidents of States, having gained 500
in their membership during the year.
Ga Tuesday Miss Willard was again
elected President of the Union. and one
Of the interesting events Of the day 9
the adoption OF resolution disclaiming
any connection of the Union with what
is called the Woman's Bible. The reso-
luton, which was adopted without dis.
cussion, re ads as follows:
RESOLVED, That, while we recognize the
right of women to make commentaries on
the Bible, as men have done from the be-
ginning until now, we regret that TIE
name "Woman's Bible' has been given to
any volume, and we further deplore tt e
a1ooY, cio of bo n
religious, in styling this commentary on
those pal is of the Bible only relating to
women as "a new version of the Script
ures'
We further disclaim any connection
whatever of our society or of our national
president with this work
The officers elected for the ensuing
year are as follows:
President. -Frances E. Willard, Illinois
Corresponding Secretary. RATHER
inc Lente tevenson, Massachusetts.
Recording Secretary Mrs Clara c.
Hoffman, Missouri.
Treasurer. Mrs Helen NJ Barker, nli-
nois
Forty-ive States we're represented
with 395.delegates and officers. The de-
partment superintendent were also
chosen at the afternoon session.
The Convention closed Wednesday
night with perhaps the most popular Of
all the sessions, demonstration night.
The marching of State delegates to
spirited music. the various emblematic
figures. the banners and general dis.
play, together with the other exercises
of the evening being brilliant and inn
pressive and closing the session in a
pleasant i'd inspiring manner.