The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-09-20
W. c. 7. U. COLUMN.

i. u. organization?
1t would seem that an indispensable
requisite to the efficiency ofany under
taking, and temperance is no excep-
ton to the rule, is interest, an abiding
interest in the success of our cause.
If it means but little to us, if it sell
dom rests upon our hearts and is soon
forgotten, we will do but little for it.
We shall inspire but little interest in
others for the cause which we repre-
sent.
My sisters, may ask each per-
sonal question? Why did you join
the w. G. r. u? Was it love for
all which this organization stands for?
An interest in the welfare of every
other human life? Surely tEen your
fervor is still telling inyour life, maxi
ing you an efficient laborer.
Was it to stand well in the commun-
ity on this question? If so, | fear
that your aim will not be reached.
That motive alone will not lead you
to attend the meetings, or to fight
many battles for temperance. And
the fact of your name being on the
roll of the Union will be forgotten
if indeed it was ever known to the
world.
Perhaps it was with the hope that
you might be the brave possessor of a
Ratchet with which you could smash
all the bottles and demolisn the casks
of spurious liquors in your town.
Mrs. Nations Ratchet gave fine inn
p ,tus to the work and wakened many
a dreamer from slumber, but it bore
the same relation to the main struggle,
that the first gun fired by the enemy
in war bears to the subsequent cam
paign. That step fires patriotic hearts
all over the whole land, but there
must be something deeper and more
lasting to carry the men through the
monotonous drill, the tiresome march
and the dangers of the battlefield. AS
the waiting and watching is the most
severe test of the soldiers patriotism,
so with the temperance worker when
sometimes there seems to be nothing
that can be accomplished by all the
praying and best laid plans and eff
forts, then it is that unflaggiug inter-
the true hearts. But in the army the
ranks are not allowed to thin out by
the scattering of the soldiers in the
timo of quiet. Every one must answer
to his name at roll call, must report
daily for service if any is needed. Are
we doing this? Do we not make the
plea that it is hardly worth While to
attend the meetings as there is nothing
being done? And is this the way to
keep up spirit loyal to the organi
cation, to the temperance cause and to
the Master we serve? The apostles
command "Forsake not the assemb-
ling of yourselves together" was no
doubt intended primarily for strictly
religious services, but it seems that
it would not be sacrilege if we use it
exhorting one another to attendance at
our regular w. C. Y. U. meetings.
There are undoubtedly sometimes
good reasons why you and | cannot be
at the meetings of the Union. But
can we truthfully assert that we never
allow an excuse to detain us which
would not keep us at home if it were a
social gathering? There are so many
duties which wait for some of us, so
many calls upon our time and
strength that we must choose between
them and possibly it is but seldom that
some in frail health can attend.
Let me ask another question. Do
you get an account of the meeting and
the latest news of the work from the
first one which you meet who was
there? Are we keeping sufficiently in
touch with the work to keep our sym
pathies alive? Else how can we hope
to take it to the Lord in prayer with
any fervency, with any earnestness
which he who knows the heart could
see fit to answer. | beg to remind my
sisters of the Moran Union that we
have twice been nigh unto death. And
was it not largely through failure to
attend the meetings of the Union that
we lost vitality?
AS to the work that needs to be
done by our Unions, whose business
is that? Does it all rest upon the
officers? Granted that they are to be
the leaders, but where are their fol-
lowers. A teacher is supposed to have
eyes all around and to be able to take
in all that goes on in the school-room,
But the president OF Union, the
superintendent of departments, or the
chairman of a committee, has a larger
field to watch and needs help to see
and know all that might be done.
While it would cause confusion il
every member should attempt to direct
the work would IL not be helpful il