Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-02-15
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Beneficent Work OF the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union
Organized Mother Love.
To the Editor of the Free Press:

To the Editor of the Free Press:
The Woman's Christian Temperance
union has been termed "Organized Moth
err Love-" THE Champion of Fair Play"
journal devoted to the interests OF the
liquor trade, says THE most beautiful
creed Of the heart is love of home" In
the purity of the home is the hope of the
nation" 1t is this beautiful creed which
urges the home keepers of the w. G. I.
L. 20 do every thing that organized Moth
or love can do to aid in destroying the
destroyer" The mother sees that the sa-
loon is the greatest enemy to the home
and the church, both of which she loves,
and she is aroused when she realizes that
her children are in danger. The curse of
strong drink has been pictured before you
many times but the mothers who have
peacefully battled against this foe have
learned to realize how insidously it Is
working. Many things are given to the
boys and girls to create the appetite in
the form Of branded candies, cigarettes
and even free drinks. Its insidous power
is also seen in drawing on its side many
good people who cannot be reckoned
among the drinking classes. The Woman $
Christian Temperance Union believes that
this is largely the result of lack of hnowl-
edge of the truth.
In an article in Scribners Maya zine. Jo-
scph kirkland gave the result of his re-
search among the poor of Chicago, COM
ing 10 the conclusion that Chicagos drink
bill, Of much more than a million a week.
accounts practically for all the poverty
of that city. Mrs. Margaret Adams late
of our Adams Mission, testified to a SIM
liar truth in regard to our city. DO you
ask what is the work of your local union?
a great deal of systematic work has been
done along religious and educa tional lines.
Drunkards have been reclaimed by the
power of divine grace. The total abstin-
erce pledge has been circulated. This
was largely the work of the organzati ion
in its first years. Petitions have been cir
culated for the better enforcement of law.
Letters and petitions have been sent our
congressman at various times fdVoring z
some measure looking to the bcttermcnt
OF our people. or protesting against SOME
menaced evil Thousands Of pages of lit
erature on the different phases of the
temperance question, have been circulate
ed Essays and oratoriCal contests upon
the evil effects have. in past years, we
believe, made n lasting impression upon
the mind of the young. Law enforcement
has had its champions among our moni-
bers and some effort has been made in
this direction.
Scientific temperance investigation has
asGcrtained that alcohol even in small
doses, is poison to be ranked with other
poisonous drug. These truths have reach
ed the people through tho public meeting
and the printed page. The school house
door has opened to the benign touch of
science and our youth have learned the
danger OF alcoholic beverages and other
narcotics. They have learned that tobac-
co Is also an enemy to the human system,
and that the cigarette especially is a
biGhtin6 deadly evil.
cur Loyal Temperance Legions have
sung "We'll turn our glasses upside down
and the teachers have been gratified to
learn in after years that their pupils have
turned their glasses upside down and that
in admiration of the brave act others
have been led to do likewise. While much
has been accomplished there is a vast
field stll before us requiring persistent,
aggressive labor and we cordially invite
all Christian women to Join our member
snip, thus lending their influence to a
cause most holy and helping to carry out
the principles herein set forth
our Temple stands for Righteousness
and purity in this fair city. Who will
lend a hand to help clear it from debt
and perpetuate its mission?
/ For God and Home and Humanity"