Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-04
REMAIN IN THE FOLD
s YIELD GnAcEruLLY TO De-.
FEAT m THE CONVENTION.

FEAT m THE CONVENTION.
INTENSELY DRAMATIC SCENE.
At the Afternoon Session the jun
| Tors Filed into the Church In 9
Body aPraise God from Whom
All Blessings Flow" browns All
Discord.
The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union convention came to a close yester-
day afternoon in blaze of glory. II
remained for the closing session to FUR
nish the prettiest scene that had been
enacted during the conventions entire
sitting, and it was the contingent that
gave this happy denouement to tn elong-
drawn-out battle and the after specula-
| ton as to the result Of the admin1stra-
tons meeting.
The US had been in conference dur1ne
! the early afternoon and it was known
!
future action. Rumors were rife that
they might secede from the organiza-
ton, and when they marched in the
church, during the afternoons session,
| every eye was riveted upon them and
the situation was one of suppressed ex-
element and deep interest.
Presently Miss Eva Johnakin, OF Anna
IGordon Y, of Norfolk, the third largest
Y in the United States, and yet only four
| 30 No 7o6 hv fSles
| president.
.'Miss Johnakin, Of Anna Gordon 7,
Norfolk" said the president, and then
this bright, little woman performed the
trying task that had been committed to
her in most handsome manner. Every
| syllable and every accent Of her melo-
dious voice gave evidence of deep earn,
estness and sincerity.
The situation was tense. Would She
announce the withdrawal of the defeated
| faction? In measured tones the brave,
| little Y announced that she was the
| spokesman of the conference. The de-
| feated Us had seen no reason to change
| their convictions and of course, hau
! naught to apologize for. They had been
actuated by honest and honorable mo-
| tives, and their convictions mad under
gone no change, But they had been de-
| feated and acknowledged 1t, and mas
much as it had been rumored that they
would secede-a thing they had never
once threatened-she wished to announce
| to the convention that their love for
| the principles of Frances E. Willard and
| the great organization she had Joined.
| would constrain them to remain in the
great Woman's Christian Temperance
Union organization and strive for the
advancement of the common cause.
Then the WIS wept and the convention
applauded, sobbed, and then sang, with
spirit, Praise God from Whom All Bless
| ings Flow"
1t was pretty scene. Mrs. Wells turned
to Miss Gordon and, In tears, said: Goo
| bless 'em; their hearts are right" 1t
| was a handsome act on the part of the
US, and goes far to prove the entire
conscientiousness of their contention.
ooh, I am SO happy!" said w. and 7
| am, too," replied a radiant Y, and all
said it was so much better and what n
grand time we will have!" It was
great time and gave new impetus to
the work in the old Commonwealth.
The afternoon session was taken up
with the presentation and discussion of
| the various department superintendent
| reports They were full and comprehen-
sive and proved the cause to be In first
rate condition throughout the State
Many interesting addresses were made.
Mrs. G. M. Smithdeal sang a solo In
| charming manner Mrs. Lee, of East.
| End w, Richmond closed the conyen-
tons session with an earnest prayer TO,
Gods blessing upon the work.
Another large and brilliant assemblage
filled Seventh-Street Christian church at
night. Mrs. Hoge presided. There were
songs, a fervent prayer by DR.. J. 3.
| Hawthorne charming recitations by Mrs.
Yeamans, which delighted the cultured
audience; addresses by Rev. G. II. CraW-
ford, president of the Anti-Saloon
League, and Mrs. Wells, Of the Nationaf
Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Other pleasing exercises were the presen-
tation to the president, Mrs. Hoge, of a
handsome bouquet from East-End Union
of Richmond, the presentation being
made by Miss Julia Bickers, daughter
of the president of the East-End Union.
Mrs. Hoge responded in feeling and
fitting manner. The president was also
presented with very handsome jewelled
brooch pin, by the WIS and she received
this token of esteem In short little
speech in which she evinced her sincere
appreciation Mr.. w. NJ. Bickers, on be-
half of the US presented to Mrs. Jobson
magnificent case of gold and silver
spoons. He paid her high tribute as a
Christian lady, who is ever watchful
FOR opportunities to do good. Mrs. Job
son received the testimonial in neat
speech of sincere thanks.
The banners were then presented, Han
non Y getting that for the largest in
crease in active members, and Harmon
and Golden Rule tying each other for six
months possession each of the banner
for largest increase in honorary members.
Harmon Y deferred to Golden Rule 7
for first possession amidst applause, as
this struck the audience as exempli-
flying the Golden Rule.
Mr.. Bickers made the presentation to
the Harmon Y and Miss Bessie Heckler
responded gracefully. Mrs. Newton pre-
scented the Golden Rule banner and Miss
Lima Burgess gracefully responded.
Mrs. Hoge made a splendid convention
valedictory address in which she heartily
thanked the Richmond White Ribboners
and their friends generally for the hano-
some entertainment accorded the visitors
and then, after the doxology, DR.. John
Harmon pronounced the benediction ana
the great convention Of 1902 was at an
end.
NOTES OF THE CONVENTION.
Many of the visitors left last night and
the others will leave to-day with pleas
ant memories of old Richmond. The local
committees certainly deserve credit for
their uncea sing efforts to make the stay
of their visitors pleasant and in every
way enjoyable, in which efforts they were
most successful. The provision of a hand
some lunch at a nearby restaurant every
day at noon was very thoughtful act