The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-09-23
REPORT or THE FoRTf.flRsT
ANNUAL CONVENTION
OF the woman's Christian Temper.
anee Union Held in Barton, Sept. .,
A IN talr


9 and 10. 1915.
"lt's long, long way" TO Barton,
and then some In this 4lsi conven-
ton Bennington county was represent
ed by Mrs. A. Y. Smith Of Manchester
Center. county president, and your
correspondent. Leaving Manchester
Tuesday noon, Barton was reached the
next morning. We were met and con-
Quoted TO the Crystal Lake House
nearby, where we rested until 2:30 p.
81, at which time we were conveyed
% the Methodist Church where the
convention opened at o'clock.
The interior Of this large and beau
tiful church had been tastefully dec
GRATED for the occasion; every feature
suggested peace and purityr-in per-
feet harmony with the sentiment of the
body TO assemble there. A picture Of
Frances Willard placed before the
speakers platform was framed in a
profusion Of white flowers and their
green foliage Green and white pre-
dominated in the decorative color
scheme, with now and then introduc-
tion Of pale, pink flowers; overhead,
broad, white ribbons, Of crepe paper,
carried from different parts of the
large auditorium TO a central point
were in constant motion and added TO
the feeling Of restfulness that per-
yaded this house Of worship and felt
as soon as one entered its doors.
But small number of delegates
were present at the opening session;
members of the executive came to-
gether in the auditorium and at the
same time superintendents Of depart
ments and delegates held confer
ence in the large parlor. Many dele
gates and visitors were escorted to the
Congregational church vestry, where
meals were served during the three
DAYS Of the convention, and later to
rooms assigned them.
Reception Well Attended
The day had been hot, and evening
brought rain with fireworks and big
guns, la Nature; our welcome was
later referred to as "a warm one and
also as "a laundering one The re-
ception at 1880 was well attended in
spite Of warning elements. At $50
convention called to order; program
opened with song service followed by
scripture reading and prayer by Rev.
l. A. Ranney, pastor Of the church.
An address was given by Miss Anna
A. Gordon, national president Of the
w. c. r. U. Music, followed by re-
freshments, closed the program of the
evening.
Thursday morning ne '.oirm'tee
went into executive sese Oh
o'clock. At $50 devoticrsl se.- Ises
led by Mrs. D. J. Huse, y'hC gf'7- as
the keynote for the day. 81 an
mighty enough for all thir2s thi.agh
Him who empowers me-" AT g.dF
convention opened by state pre-" cent.
Mrs. NJ. l.. Pearson. The 146th sal'n
was read in unison, followed h. sire
ing of the Crusade Hymn; prayer W.?
then offered by Mrs. L. NJ. Denny. o.
Montpelier, after which routine bu-'a
ness was taken up. At IL the presi.
dent, who full message will be prin,-
ed in the yearbook, gave a shot,
talk.
Symposium of department superin
tendents followed physical culture,
hygiene and heredity were discussed
by Mrs. NJ. X. Fairbanks, who made
plain the fact that the child well-born, ;
nurtured under hygienic laws and
strengthened by proper exercise, will '
never surrender his birthright to the {
liquor habit, That "to deny the pos {
sibility of race betterment is the worst
form of infdelity; 1t means to be I
without faith in self, in fellow men, S
and in the Creator" y
Miss Helen Martindale Of Swanton, G
followed with a short talk on medi- !
cal temperance. This department en- t
deavors TO gain the cooperation of :
physicians and nurses in educating the !
public against the common views Of c
the beneficial effects Of alcoholic liq- q
uors. This department is closely al I
lied with the one preceding it,-in c
fact, both departments declare that |
"For the supposed stimulating effect |
of alcohol there is no better substitute
than fresh air. sunshine, light exer-
else, and cold baths" Noontide y
prayer was offered by Miss Gordon n
and the convention adjourned. !
A, 1880 devotional service was led d
by Miss Juna Sleeper. While no one v
believes that prayer changes the will "
OF God, we know that prayer is a {
channel through which Gods will be- c
comes more effective, or in other 5
oppue the uay for the G