The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-02-24

Outside cathedral the visitor sees its
noble proportions, its turrets, towers and
mullioDed windows, and stands lost in
wonder at the possibility Ct so harmoni.
Gus pile. Once within it, Of a discern
ing mind, he sees thai this frozen harmony
embodes thought and intelligent purpose
Through the richly stained window the
sunshine iIuminates trauscept, choir, arch
aud dome he hears music that seems as
the sounds Of angels, sees devout wor-
shippers and listens to the voice Of hum
BILE prayer.
Now the conception Of the glory and
true beauty OF il all is borne in upon him.
1t was not reared to satisfy mere arch
itectural within, it was chosen to be a holy
place where the Divine One might taber-
nace.
Something like this there is in the i'm
pressions received by those who stand as
outsiders or insiders in our w. c. T. L.
work.
The outside knows vaguely, perhaps,
OF such an organization. She has dim
memory OF crusade time, long ago,
when the watchAres were lighted, watch
fires which still burn on the hillside,
sending up great tongues of fire, to arouse
| the slumberers from inaction to service.
She meets occasionally with women en-
thusiastic, consecrated, their lives count
ing for something amid SO much that is
vapor and soulless, and feeling the force
of such lives, she questions and learns a
little of the work to which they are de.
voted.
She is impressed with the wonderful
organization, with the administrative
ability exhibited, with the results already
accomplished, and she wonders and ad
mlres. Only, however, when she steps
within aud looks at the work from the
workers standpoint, can she have any
real conception of its scope. remember
distinctly my outside look, hearing OF or
occasionally meeting the aggressive force
which was found in all departments of
reform work, and which at least seemed
inclined to commit suicide by linking itself
Indissolubly with that hated word Prohi-
bition. thought OF 1t as movement
too far in a right direction, as an injudi
cious means to accomplish worthy ends,
aud felt at times "a If would like to cry
halt
preferred it to be stately palace,
beautiful in its repose and quiet, rather
than the triumphant car which should roll
under its 0od.driven wheels the mighty
forces of evil. But stepped within the
circle OF workers, donned the simple
badge. which changes one from a unit,
standing alone, into mighty force of
aggressive units battling on the Lords side
against the cohorts OF satan, and how
then became my view
Now was visible the unity, simplicity
and adaptability OF this organization,
glrdling the globe and finding a place OF
organized work for all who would stem
the tide Of evil, all who would act as well
as think, uniting them in consecrated, in
teligent effort, Like the brave little fell
low who seeing a comrade drowning said,
boys let's clasp hands and go in an d save
him. SO saw the members Of this or
ganzatlon clasp hands over the dark
abyss Of sin and misery and go in to save
counl,s 80 souls. Things which had seem
ed, when seen from without, as side is
sues weakening the power Of concentrated
effort, seen from within as the branches
of one great tree. contributing to and
sustaining the life at the center.