The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-05
THE W. |. I. J. MEETSAT OPEL|KA
White Ribbons Convene in
 Annual Session
SPLENDID PROGRAMME
Sessions Among Largest Ever Held. A Birmingham Woman Makes Strong Appeals-Kentuc
 Tells of w. c. T. U. Work

or the hospitable Gate City of east Ala hama are wide open extending a cordial welcome to a noble band of Christian workers, the Alabama Women's Christian Temperance union, assembled here for the twenty-eighth annual convention.
 The officers of the Opelika union, the hosts of the convention, are: President, Mrs. w. H. Melton: corresponding secre- tary. Mrs. P. P. Brooks: treasurer, Mrs. T. D. Sanford. The state officers are: Mrs. Annie K weisel of Birmingham: vice president, Mrs. Mary K Jeffries of Birmingham; corresponding secretary, Mrs J. D. Wyker of Decatur; recording secretary, Mrs. Chappell Cory of Birming- ham; treasurer, Mrs. Alice S. wooley ot Guntersville; secretary. L. T. L., Mrs. W. B. Loftin of Carrollton, secretary Y. P. B., Mrs. R. W. Reynolds of Clio; ed- itor Alabama White Ribbon. Mrs. c. B. Spencer of Birmingham; associate editor, Mrs. M. T. Jeffries of Birmingham; state organizer. Mrs. E. l.. Groenendkye of New Decatur.
 The sessions of the convention were held at the First Methodist church. which was beautifully decorated for the oc- casion. The twenty-eighth annual session was opened Wednesday night. the presi- dent, Mrs. Annie Weisel, presiding. The officers assembled on the rostrum. A beautiful anthem was rendered by a se- lected choir from all the churches, after which Dr. H. H. McNeill, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, read the scripture lesson. and opened with prayer pr. W. P. Hurt. pastor of Trim ity Methodist Episcopal church of opelika, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the churches. Mrs. T. D. Power of opelika welcomed the convention on behalf of the local Womans Christian Temperance union. Mrs. A. L. Dowell on behalf of the local chapter, Robert F. Lee, United Daughters of the Confederacy. The presi- dent introduced Mrs. Chappell Cory of Birmingham, president of the state United Daughters of the Confectionery, and also a state officer of the state Woman's Chris tian Temperance union. The response to those cordial welcoming addresses was made by Mrs. Mary T. Jeffries, vice president of the Alabama Woman's Chris tian Temperance union. She plead earn estly for the women of the state to be- come members of the Woman's Christian Temperance union, and spoke beautifully of the love and strong ties that bound the faithful members. Mrs. w. B. smead of Boaz rendered magnificent reading on the temperance subject. Mrs. Alice s. -Noolcy of Guntersville gave a Timely Talk for the benefit of the union work. The opening session was brought to d close with a dPliRbfftIl ton.
 The work of the state Woman's Chris tian Temperance union convention was opened with prayer meeting Thursday at s:S0 a. m., led by Mrs. R. l.. Ezelle of Birmingham. The convention was called to order and the business formal ly opened by singing the crusade hymn Give to the Winds Thy Fears. The crusade psalm 146 was read responsively. led by the officers. The local unions over the state were well represented, mak- ing a splendid convention. The reports of the various officers showed the ex- cellent work which has been done by the faithful, untiring officers, and loyal unions over the state. The treasurer's re- port was replete with interest, showing the economical manner in which the work had been carried on. and the live interest of the unions. Mrs. A. Jeffres made an interesting talk on the magnificent work being done by the Mercy Industrial School Tor Girls, state institution. annex to the Mercy Home at Birmingham She made strong, forcerul plea for this school, doing such splendid work for the girls. She impressed the fact that this work belonged to every county and should claim the interest of every woman. Two splendid crusaders were introduced to the convention and gave greetings. Mrs. Hofr- ner of Bessemer and Mrs. John D. Wyker of Decatur, former president of the state Federation of Woman's clubs
 Mrs. Frances Beauchamp, president of the Kentucky Womans Temperance union, arrived on the morning train and was introduced to the convention. She made a brief speech, but replete with in- teresting truth of greatest value to the work. She spoke of the missionary work being done by the Womans Christian Temperance union and impressed the in- diyidual with her part in this great work.
 J. B. Greene of OpelIKa was introduced by the president for his splendid work in the greatest Sunday school in the south, and one deeply interested in help ing forward the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance union. Mr. Mo- Creary was introduced and gave greet ings to the convention. The annual ad- dress of the president, Mrs. Welsei, was masterpiece, filled with great interest, anu Pt Csciitcu III n IHOSL IfIpIeSSlFe man ner. She spoke of the 94 dry counvles in Kentucky and with gratitude for the 59 ory counties in Alabama, and the hope for greater work in adding other counties to this list. She called attention to the fact that Alabama was the only state com polling the observance of temperance day in the public schools of the state Mrs. Weisel paid high tribute to Rich- mond Pearson Hobson, who is working hravQly for fba. An also called attention to the date, Decem- Der IS, 1912 which time has been set apart when Congress would consider the Shep- herd-Kenyon bill, and placed this work of interesting our representatives as a duty.
 The programme for Thursday night was: Platform night, 7:45. Music. Scrip ture reading. Prayer. Hymn. Convention address by Mrs. Frances Beauchamp. president of the Kentucky Woman's Christian Temperance union. Victory song by Mrs. W. C. Giles of opelika. Of ferings. Announcements. Benediction.
 The state Woman's Christian Temper ance union adjourned this even Ing, all the old officers .being re- elected as follows: Mrs. Annie K. Weisel, Birmingham, president Mrs. Mary Thomas Jeffries. Birmingham. vice president; Mrs. John D. wyker, De- catur. corresponding secretary; Mrs Chapel Cory, Birmingham: recording Iecretary. Delegates to the national Wom- in's Christian Temperance union conven- ion. Mrs John Lusk. Guntersville; Mrs. l Julia Pratt, Prattville. Collection Of over | so was subscribed last night for the | Alabama Woman's Christian Temperance | Anion work. The banner for the greatest 1 ger cent increase in membership for the I rear went to the carrollton union.