The record-union., 1899-05-24
A DAY OF WHITE RIBBONS.
WORKERS HAVE
MANY SESSIONS.
The Local w. c. T. u. Welcome
Their Visiting National OFF,
GERS, Who Make Speeches.

perance Union The day was given
over to question boxes, speeches in the
Congregational Church and at the rail-
road shops, and a grand reception to the
visiting officers of the national asso-
citation.
The first meeting convened at 10 a. m.
and after the devotional exercises were
concluded the National President, Mrs.
L. M n. Stevens, opened the question
box, which proved an interesting fea-
ture, diversified as twas by wide
range of discussions, answers and side
observations. Mrs. Clara Wood, Presl-
dent of the local union, presided at all
of the meetings.
Mrs. E. N. Law and some of the local
union people visited the railroad shops
and delivered brief addresses from II
to l, and from to 3 the local union,
assisted by pastors wives and others,
gave reception to the national officers
at the Congregational Church. In the
evening Mrs Stevens spoke ON the gen
eral question of temperance and the
work of the association The following
is summary of the work done at the
various services Of the day:
THE QUESTION BOX.
About 10:30 a. m. the question box
was upset, the audience was hushed in
silence, and Mrs. Stevens began to an
swer the queries. Her style was quiet
easy gait, and whenever she hesitated
as to the correctness of her answers
she asked for light from the audience.
The following were some of the ques-
tions:
ir-cf ArA danArI-
ments in our work?"
II hardly think so.'' replied the Ma
tional President, "for they were all
carefully arranged, with reference to
the call of duty in various parts of the
country. Some departments are fit
only for certain locations; miners
department would be useless in Maine,
coast seaman's in Kansas-but see
how important the soldiers and sailors
department has become all of sud
den and this illustrates the method
throughout"
Second-"Shall we elect officers from
the ranks of those not Christians?"
las 1 understand it, the word Christ
ian is used in broad sense with US;
one who has the spirit of Christ should,
therefore, be counted Christian fit to
be banded with US in this work. The
ribbon and the pledge are the text for
membership and each local union
should settle the officer question itself.
People have often been led to the
church through this work.
Third-"What is the best financial
method for union?'
Answer-''To get all the members pos
sible among women, and then get
large honorary or contributing member
ship of men, even if they do not sign
the pledge There are many who will
help US anyhow"
Fourth-''Did Neal Dow ever say that
prohibition had failed, and that the true
way to reform was through individual
effort?''
''Emphatically, no." said Mrs. Stew
ems, without hesitation. HE died re-
joicing over the victories and prospects
of prohibition; and I saw him not long
before his demise, so I know what am
saying is true
Fifth-"How can we convince church
members that they ought to join our
urions?"
Answer-''That is a big problem; but
I hold that the best way is to teach
them that our work is a part of the
church in motion; that temperance is
the great enemy of the church and of
civilization"
Sixth-"What departments are the
most important for young unions?"
Answer-"Literature is certainly first,
but the Jail, Police Court and aims
house departments are very great"
Seventh-"Are petitions effective?"
Answer-'I find them even more di-
rect than literature, for they certainly
make public opinion very fast"
Eighth-"What is the best substitute
for the saloon?"
r-"Experience shows the great
Importance of the reading room and
coffee house. The reading-room has
been a great success and small eX-
pense at places like Phoenix"
Ninth-"What is the status of the
temple building in Chicago?"
This question brought forth an elab-
crate review Of the causes that led to
the practical bankruptcy of the temple
fund, and the final reply that the ma
tional society owns nothing but frac-
ton of stock of little value. 1t was
bad enterprise and was abandoned as a
failure.
MISS GORDON'S SPEECH.
After the reception, which was largely
attended, Miss Anna Adams Gordon,
National Vice President and formerly
Secretary to Miss Frances E. Willard,
spoke to the children. The meeting
opened by the singing Of America by
the congregation, after which Miss Cor
don showed herself to be fine story
teller. She measured the capacity of
childhood so well that the juvenile part
of the audience laughed and cried al
te1nately, as she recited humorous or
pathetic anecdotes In part she said:
Il want you little folks to put on the
temperance glove, for it is white and
beautiful; it never wears out, and it
will fit anybodys hand. Do you want
to know about it? Well, pull the glove
on with me! Over the thumb it's I'll
never cheat the forefnger, I'll never
lie,' the middle finger, III never steal
the third finger, III never swear and
the little finger, I'll never disobey.'
Then we come to the other hand, with
something TO fit each finger and the
thumb: I'll meyer smoke, I'll never
chew, I'll never drink, I'll love God, I'll
love everybody And now don't ever
let this glove slip off, and you'll be
happy and become good men and
women"
The speaker urged the little folks to
do all in their power when they grow
up, and now, to overthrow the saloons.
which, she said, ruin many of the
homes of the country.
THE NIGHT SESSION.
The night meeting was interesting