St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-10-08
VOL. LXI---NO. 3141
w. G. T. u. STATE CONVENTION.
A Most Successful neeting Of Temperance
Workers at Essex Junction. Special Re-
port for the Caedonian.

A Most Successful rleeting Of Temperance
Workers at Essex junction. Special Re-
port for the Californian.
One Of the most successful state con-
ventions of the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance union ever held was that held at
Essex Junction last week, Sept 28, 20
and 80. Officers and delegates assem-
bled in the Union church Tuesday. Morn
ing and afternoon were occupied with
executive committee meetings. The even
ing service was an extremely interesting
one. Miss Helen Wellman OF Burlington
gave history of the White Ribbon
hymns, which were sung by the White
Ribbon quartette as the history of each
was given. Addresses of welcome were
given by representatives of the churches
and other organizations Of the town and
the responses made by the county presi-
dents. Mrs. A. F. Smith in her response
for Bennington county, invited the con-
vention to hold their next annual meet
ing with them at Manchester Center in
September, '9S. Rev. Mary E. Norton
of Newfane, formerly Home missiona y
on the frontier gave an address on
"Iowa's Prohibition as saw It." Her
experience in prohibition was that tenn
perance prohibition prohibited as we'll
and even better than prohibition of
other things, as theft, immortality and
murder.
Wednesday morning was full OF busi-
ness matters. A few excellent papers
were read by superintendents OF DEPART
ments. Wednesday afternoon the presi-
dent, instead of giving her full annual
address which would be printed in the
Minutes, reviewed very briefly the work
OF t he past year, and thanked her White
Ribbon sisters for the love and sympathy
ana help which they had given her and
which had made it possible for her to
accomplish her work. Miss Ethelynd
Gould OF Randolph delighted her audi
ences with her readings throughout the
convention, as did also Mrs. Mixer of
Brattleboro.
Thursday morning at eleven O'Clock
election Of officers took place. Mrs.
|
enthusiastically received. Mrs. Drew
spoke very tenderly and beautifully of
those who had done faithful work for
the Master here and had been called to
higher service above. Mrs. Read and
others spoke oil the noble character OF
Mr.. Davidson the husband OF our be-
loved state secretary and cashier OF the
bank at Newiane, who died suddenly a
few weeks ago. Mrs. Davidson, nobly
putting aside her own sorrow, came to
the convention and devoted herself to
her work as secretary, giving rs a
wonderful example of the sustaining
power OF Gods grace in time of sore
trial Mrs. Bracket spoke Of John
Marshall, the husband oI Mrs. Marshall,
the efficient superintendent of the Loyal
Temperance Legion OF st. Johnsbury.
Mr.. Marshall was in close sympathy not
only with the work of the w. {. T. u,
but all other lines OF Christian work, and
a man OF rare sweetness OF character
: and much beloved by all who knew him.
Others who knew them spoke for those
who had passed away during the year.
A members hour was held near the close
of the afternoon in which many helpful
: and encouraging words were spoken. A
short but very interesting Y service was
held in the early part of the evening, con-
Quoted by Miss Carrie Drew of St. Johns
bury.
The most important feature Of the
evening was the address by Mrs. Helen
Barker, treasurer OF the national w. {.
T. U. OF Chicago. Mrs. Barker had just
arrived from Portland. Me-, where she
had been to attend the state convention
of the W. c. T. U. She brought the sad
news that Hon. Neal Dow, the grand old
man OF America, the great champion Of
.. temperance reform, was lying at the
point OF death. This news cast shade
; of sadness over the assembly. Mrs.
: Barker's address was a powerful and
convincing argument in praise of the
noble work OF the Woman's Christian
Temperance union in trying to overcome
: the power OF the saloon and liquor traf-
; fic all over the civilized world.
; The music throughout the convention
: was excellent several soloists, who had
kindly consented to give their services,
; gave pleasing selections, Mrs. Kinney,
theevangelist, with her autoharp touched
all hearts with her sweet music. A fine
: male quartette from Essex Junction sang
each evening, and Mrs. Barker at the
close of her address Thursday evening
said that she had attended good many
state VIC. T. U. conventions where she
, had heard good music, but that this
: music was the finest of any that she ever
heard at any state convention and
that the memory OF it would long remain
with her. Many able papers on impor-
: tant subjects were read and discussed
and many pleasing incidents transpired
which we would be glad to give if time
E and space permitted. The papers will be
, printed in the Minutes of the convention.
Mrs Read had planned great treat
for the convention on Friday, which was
, an excursion on lake Champain Re-
, duced rates had been secured from the
: transportation company and large
party enjoyed the excursion which was
voted TO be one OF the most delightful
ever held. M. A. BRAcKErT.
e Millinery Openings. - Our milliners