The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-05


silver anniversary of the Massachu-
sets State Women's Christian Temp
erance Union convened yesterday in
the auditorium OF Plymouth Church for
a session of three days. Nearly the on
tire number of delegates expected were
present at the opening, each county be-
ing assigned to certain section of the
auditorium, which seats will be re-
tanned throughout the convention. The
church has been decorated in the ma
tional colors, with streamers of white
around the gallery and over the organ.
A large picture Of Miss Willard draped
in white ribbon and surmounted by a
white dove, had place over the chair
mans head, while the platform was
covered with potted plants and flowers.
The first meeting was called to order
at 10 o'clock by Mrs Katherine Lente
Stevenson, and the exercises were be-
gun by the singing of the W. c. T. u.
hymn, Give to the wind thy fears. :"
A responsive reading of the crusade
hymn followed. and a few Introductory
remarks were made by the president
Mrs. Susan S. Clifford, the first presid-
emit of the Massa chusetts state w. c.
i. u. was introduced and received q
round of cheers from the audience. She
led in prayer and then the business of
the day was taken up.
The reports of various officers were
made, the report of the state corre-
spending secretary, Mrs. Charlotte D.
Walker, coming first. She said in part:
The work of the year opened under pc.
culiar circumstances. 1t has been dis
couraging at times, but we have looked
up and have seen the CLEAN of light
shining through the darkness. AT the
first meeting of the executive board
this year, it was decided to take up new
headquarters, as the rental and ex-
penses in the place then used were too
great. This entailed a great deal of
search and hard work. In subscrip-
tions to "Our message and in legisla-
tive work the union has been blessed,
but it is with regret that the organiza-
ton must report decrease in mem
bership. The work of the union for the
coming year will be just what the
members choose to make it.
The report was adopted, and Mrs.
Helen G. Rice, state recording secre-
tary, was introduced, who read the re-
port for the executive committee. Ac-
acknowledgement was made for letter
and check for $3.50 from Mrs. Cornelia
Dow of Maine. A letter from H. H.
Faxon was read in the report of the
committee, donating the sum of $50 to
the union. This was accepted. The
following finance committee was ap-
pointed Mrs. l.. G. burlington, Mrs. j.
L. Nor tgomery, Mrs. A. c. Furguson,
Mrs. II. E. Sawyer and Miss l. A.
Peters.S,. The editor of Our message"
will be the corresponding secretary
and the paper will be conducted under
the management of the executive COM
mittee.
The report of the treasurer, Mrs.
Amelia H. Wood, showed the total ex-
total receipts of $750759, leaving ball
ance of $651.12.
Mrs c. E. Wilmington of Jamaica
Plain reported on Homes for homeless
children" and Miss M. M. Holland of
Brockton read a report on parlor meet
ings.
The next business taken up was the
appointing of committees with the fol-
lowing results: Committee on creden-
tials, Mrs. H. D. Walker of Boston, Mrs
Harrub of Taunton and Miss l. A. Pc
terson of Roxbury; committee on cour-
tesy, Mrs. Knight of Worcester and
Mrs Harrington of Leicester; commit
tee on business, Mrs. Mary G. Stuck
enburg of Cambridge and Mrs. Wexel
oil AILlGUOTOy COikllIllle6 OIL lGl6RTaInS,
Mrs Mabel r. Makepeace of Indian
Orchard and Mrs. c. E Wilmington Of
Jamaica Plain
In order to break the monotony a
number of the older officers were intro
duced. who spoke for a few moments
each on the work. A memorial service,
in which a number of the delegates
took part, followed. and Miss Inez Buss
Knowles rendered Lead, kindly light"
and Mrs. E. r. Cummings sang a solo,
son the heights of power Noontide
prayer then followed, after which an
adjournment was made for dinner,
served in the basement of the church by
the ladies OF Worcester county The
lunch was in charge of Mrs r. G.
Gould of Leicester, assisted by num-
Der of volunteer walters. Today the
lunch department will be in charge of
the ladies of Worcester local union and
win be served in the same place.
The afternoon session was convened
at 2 o'clock, and after short devotional
service, the program was turned over
to the Crusaders of IA for IAN hour
with the past" Mrs. Myra j. Churchill
of worcester presided and introduced
as the first speaker Mrs. Susan S. Gift
ford of Princeton, known to Crusaders
as Mother Clifford She was the first
president OF the union and was the or
~anizer Of the crusade movement in
massachusetts,. She told of the first
convention and of the organization,
and made a strong appeal for the wear
ing of the white bow. the badge of the
order.
Mrs. Helen DeCamp and Mrs. Hink-
lev OF Worcester were asked to stand
ns the first two women who had taken
ur the work among saloons in Wor-