The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-02-19


me- sell 10 be woman largely endowed
with the rare gift of common sense. You
never once thought of her office as big
ger imam the woman. She controlled the
convention without being arbitrary and
airosaht-ponts IN which men so often
Itii- l wonder if 1 shall be misunder-
stood II l say she was not dignified II
seemed to me she was drawn so close
10 the hearts of the women there off
GERS and delegates. there was no room
Tor the stiff formalfty we call dignity.
she often called her officers by her own
pet names for them. Mrs. Stevens was
Stevle' They all seemed like girls to-
gether. Miss Willard was cheerful. bright
ana even merry at times. Perhaps be-
cause OF the strength of her faith, the
bright, hopeful side of everything appeal
ed TO her
She seemed to feel no sense OF dis
couragement or of defeat in her work
Victory might be delayed. but in the end
II would surely come, seemed her spirit
to me- 1t was entirely evident that she
had the hearts of the women of the
convention. L think she could have man
ipulated that body if she had so chosen,
because every delegate loved her so.
Against their own opinions and princi-
pies? o, no, There was no question
discussed and voted on involving princi-
pie 1t was at this convention that the
ONCE OF vice president at large was Gre
ated and filled, and it seemed TO me each
delegate sought to know what Miss Will
lard wanted, and when they found out,
voted in the way to give it TO her.
She was queen. But she was very
simple. There was one little lady pres
ent who gave the most watchful care to
Miss Willard. Miss Anna Gordon her
secretary. Miss Willard was not strong
and Miss Gordons anxiety saw every
sign of approaching fatigue and antfci-
pated by tea and some little refreshment
sent to Miss Wizards table and which
was taken while some delegate talked.
During the convention a telegram was
received announcing the death of Mrs.
Woodbury., National Corresponding Sec
rotary. A memorial service for her was
arranged. 1t was held just at dusk.
From the busy stir and noise of business
the convention settled itself into a SOL
emn silence, and a tender spirit of re-
membrance and holy peace seemed to
enter and fill the place. large picture
Of Mrs. Woodbury., heavily draped in
black, stood on an easel on the platform
There were several speeches, justly
eulogistic, a fine solo, and then Miss
Willard made a prayer, and such a pray
er! The center of the convention during
every moment of its time, every thought
now seemed specially to turn toward
Miss Willard, though the loss of her
faithful helper and friend would be a
special grief to her; but she behaved
like Weaned child. She led the way
to the Mount of Vision, and there for
herself and us who heard her, looked in
to the face of God. Only when she pray
ed did one get any idea-could anyone
guess-that the work she was engaged in
and so loved had been so heavy a bur-
den upon her, and that sometimes the
end and rest were joyfully anticipated
that to depart and be with Christ was
better than the conflict. 1t seemed as
though in her sense of Gods presence
and her forgetfulness of those about her
as she prayed she unconsciously betray-
ed the secret that sometimes she longed
for rest. There was no mourning for the
departure of the friend who had gone
and no complaining.
AT the end of one of the meetings when
| had sat on the platform for two hours
Dr. more dreading a presentation to the
which Mrs. Stevens wanted, |
[ was introduced to Miss Willard by Mrs. |
Stevens and spoke of the Hawaiian |
Union as the eldest daughter of the !
American mother. She was very tired, |
and while Miss Gordon was saying low |
ngly, urgently, Dear Miss Willard. do |
come home,'' Miss Willard gave me her |
hand and said YEARLY: God bless the |
eldest daughter"
1 left the convention charmed by the
sweet personality of this rare woman. I /
was strengthened by her entire consecra-
ion and devotion to an unpopular cause. |
saw how more enticing fields of work
had been passed by for this hard faith
trying work. and I could see how great |
the danger was that the women of the |
world would forget that the temperance
,ause was not Miss Wizards, but Gods.
It was for this reason, perhaps, the