The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-06

my people; they have nothing left f"T
church work" has caused me to wonder,
whether in reality or in seeming, the
work of the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union stands as opposed to church
work" If 1t does so III reality 1t is
most serious charge against our organlza-
ton, and an argument not easily met why
1t should no lsnger exist For, whatever
may be our individual opinion as to the
manner in which the church has fulfilled
Its mission in the past, or is fulfilling 1t
today, there can be no question that TO
the church belongs the highest and holiest
of missions therefore whatever binders
her in its performances, whether by in"
terposing direct Obstacles or weakening
her force, should meet with Reproduction
rather than encouragement and support
/ from all true friends OF the church of
1 Christ. But, if this opposition exists in
seeming only, then it Is time the apparent
antagonism was removed, and the real re-
lation between the church and the Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Union nude
/ manifest.
1t is undoubtedly true that the multi
plicaton of societies is thing to be
/ deprecated. II is undoubtedly true that
there are many societies which hinder the
church in its highest workings-so societies
organized for an obviously trivial end.
but it is also true that there are socie-
ties which prove the most powerful allies
! TO the church In all its aggressive movc-
ments, without the cooperation of which
the church of today feels it could not do
Its best and highest work. In proof OF this
assertion witness the cordial welcome the
church is according to missionary socle-
ties, to the Young Peoples Society OF
Christian Endeavor, the Epworth League,
Kings Daughters, etc.
But is the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union such an ally Most heartily
do We OF the white ribbon army believe
that 1t is So far from its existence in
any community jeopardzng the work OF
the church, We believe that 1t is neces-
sary factor to the highest efficiency OF
any church. So far from being a some
thing apart from the church. opposed in
the church, it is the vital principle of the
church itself, brought to its highest po-
tentiality.
And this brings us to two questions:
l. What Is the work of the church?
z. What is the work of the Woman's
christian Temperance Union?
What is church work." The Master,
the great founder OF the church, said 10
His disciples: THE works that do shall
we do also" What were those ,Snrks I
the angel who foretold His birth declared:
/ ihou shalt call His name Jesus, for He
shall save His people from their sins. :
When He began His public ministry anl
decHlred in that synagogue of Nazareth
( Ioday hath this Scripture been fulfszlA
In your ears" what were the words "a
which He referred? What, indeed. hui
those clarion-like utterances of Isaiah
The spirit of the Lord is upon me. be
cause lie hath anointed me to preach the
gospel TO the poor; He hath sent me @
heal the broken hearted. 10 preach deliy-
erance 10 the captives and recovering Of
signt to the blind, to set at liberty them
that are bruised. to preach the acceptable
year OF the Lord" Whatever affects I'M.
mAnity for veal or for woe is the work OF
tae christian church Whatever hinders
tne coming OF that day when 'the earth
snali be hlled with the knowledge of the
LoFd as the waters cover the sea- Is ihe
work of the church to remove. Whatever
heips any human being toward GOODNESS
toward purity, toward uprightness. toward
napplness, that Is the work of the church
N3'nlhR is 100 trivial for its work Moth
lus can be too great There is no avenue
lhronRh which II must not work. 1t car
NOT elalm a monopoly OF the PRAYER meet
nE 20 the exclusion Of the ballot box
lts mission IS not alone TO sing God,
praises, nor to raise the individual soul Il
an ecstasy of devotion and introspection
put 70 bring about such life condition,
as saall make IL possible for uniyersa
humanity to live Gods praises in upright
Happy lives. It's ideal accomplishment /,
hothlng less than absolute conformity il
inward spirit and IN outward life 10 IN,
Image ~ the Son.
NOW what Is thn work OF the Woman's
christian Temperance Union? lis name in
Part answers the question, but it's record
gives fuller revelation. II is the iden
tleai work which Christ left to His church
seeing the world prisoner In the bonds
OF sin. 1t seeks to break the chain; rec
oghizing that there are everywhere blind
yves u seeks to carry them sight. will
bruised by sin. Il hastsns 90 carry to than
inesling. II Fees that tho beauty Of hoIy
living can alone replace the ashes OF ths