There are, at least, a few earnest Christian women in every community who are thoroughly convinced of the great benefit such a society would be to the place in which they live. In many of the counties of Ontario and Quebec, a vice-president or superintendent is appointed for county work. It would be advisable to correspond with her on this subject, and an invitation given her to meet the ladies with a view to organization. In some counties no vice-president has been appointed, but, because it has not yet been done, let not ladies be deterred from having a W.C.T.U. Send to the Provincial Corresponding Secretary for constitutions and plans of work, and then ask your pastors to announce that a meeting for the organization of a W.C.T.U. will be held at time and place designated. It is well to see the pastors of different churches, and solicit their aid in this undertaking. And it is also wise to spend some time in interviewing ladies of the different congregations so that there may be a general interest. A notice similar to the following may be inserted in the daily paper, as well as announced from the pulpit, a week previous to the meeting.
"A meeting of ladies in favour of the temperance cause will be held in —— on —— at —— o'clock, when the advisability of organizing a "Woman's Christian Temperance Union" will be considered. Nearly 5,000 Christian women of Canada are banded together in W.C.T. Unions, for the protection of their homes, and for the good of society. The influence and help of the ladies of —— is needed. Mrs. —— of —— authorized by the Prov. W.C.T.U. will address the meeting, on the history, aims and methods of this work. The presence of pastors is cordially invited, and all ladies are earnestly requested to attend." If no such speaker is expected this part will, of course, be omitted. One of our strongest Unions was organized by a Christian lady of the town, who had heard and read and thought much of the work of Women's Christian Temperance Unions. Before the time arrives ask your pastors to share with each other in the opening exercises, but if none are to be present arrange with one of your number accustomed to such exercises, to open the meeting. Have some one ready to lead the singing, let a suitable portion of Scripture be read, Crusade, Psalm 1461(1), Parable of the "Good Samaritan," or other fitting selection, prayer offered, asking the ladies to repeat the Lord's Prayer, with the leader at the close. One of the ladies will then move that Mrs. —— be chairman of this meeting. This will be seconded and put to vote, and the chairman will take her place. A temporary secretary will be elected in a similar manner, who will keep the minutes of the meeting. In the event of no speaker from a distance being present, the chairman or some lady who has prepared it will state the object of the W.C.T.U. its history and its work, giving an outline of the different departments with their work. Items may be given from recent issues of the newspapers showing the alarming prevalence of intemperance and the necessity for all to use their influence and talent in opposing it.
After this has been done, a few minutes may be given to answering any questions that may be asked, in order that all may see clearly what they are doing. In this way the doleful experience may be avoided, "Yes, we were organized, but we do not know what to do."
Some one will then offer a resolution that a W.C.T.U. be organized. This motion will be seconded and put to vote by the chairman. We have been accustomed to vote by the uplifted hand, while our American sisters vote "Yea" and "No." The sound of the human voice is helpful, and voting in this way may be more satisfactory. Then read the constitution, by-laws, and pledge. Explain fully the membership fee of 50 cents per year or 12 1/2 cents per quarter, half of which goes to the Provincial Union. Explain that the committees of Provincial Union being all at work, money is needed to pay necessary expenses of these and of the general officers, some of whom give the most of their time, without remuneration, to this work. Explain, too, that an organizer is needed to whom we can pay a salary, who will organize new unions, and visit all unions regularly. If 6 1/4 cents per member is sent quarterly to our Provincial Unions, it will provide the means for thus enlarging the work.
Take time to answer all questions on these points. Some may object to taking the pledge, as their physicians sometimes prescribe it as medicine. We pledge ourselves not to use it as a "beverage" only. Some may be obliged to administer it to others as medicine. This does not violate the pledge. Other objections may be stated and met.
When constitution, etc., have been adopted by the meeting, send out ladies, previously requested so to act, and provided with pencils and paper, to solicit members. Should any be unprepared, the fee may be paid another time, and may be made payable quarterly or yearly.
The election of permanent officers is next in order. If it is thought best, a committee on nominations may be appointed by the chair, said committee to represent the different churches, and who shall report at some near day fixed by the meeting. It may be desirable, however, to proceed at once to ballot for officers, and by this method a truer expression of opinion is generally reached.
The president duly elected then takes the chair, and vice-presidents are elected. These should be one from each church in the place.
Then the secretaries, recording and corresponding, and treasurer are elected, also superintendents or committees of the different departments which may be thought advisable. It has been found to work well where the vice-presidents, one from each church, are made conveners of these committees, or superintendents. These conveners of committees or superintendents of departments with the general officers constitute the executive. In a small place it may be as well to transact all business in an open meeting of the union. Our ladies are supposed to be loyal to the W.C.T.U., and will not make public matters intendedonly for the Union.
The place of next meeting will now be determined and announced. A meeting of the executive committee will also be appointed by the president, to confer upon the details of the work. A very good quorum for the executive and for the union, consists of such members as shall be present at any regular or special meeting, due notice having been given of such meeting. A motion will now be made to adjourn, and carried. The President says, "The meeting is adjourned to meet"— naming time and place.
The doxology may be sung or a short prayer offered at the close.
Executive Committee will plan the general work of the Union, and attend to any special business that may be brought before them by the corresponding secretary. This committee will meet weekly, and report through their chairman to the Union.
Committee on Finance may be composed of ladies and gentlemen, who will devise ways and means for raising funds for the general work. The finance card and envelope is one of the best methods by which to educate the people tosystematicgiving.
Dear Friend.—The evils of intemperance are sufficiently startling to cause every good man and woman to seek for their removal. Many homes are ruined by it; many children robbed; many men and women reduced to drunkenness and death; even those not yet touched by it are not sure that they shall remain exempt. It threatens every child, every home, every youth, every man.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union, mothers and sisters, to whom home means so much, have banded themselves together to do what they can to oppose it. We do our work among the children, by teaching, distributing temperance literature, etc. We seek out the intemperate and ask them to reform, assisting them with pecuniary aid when necessary. We use our influence to purify the homes and to put away social drinking customs.
We are willing to work. Will you not help us with your means?
Please mark with an X upon the sum you will give EACH month of the coming year. Be it little or much, it will aid us. And we do wish, that every woman to whom this appeal is made, would become a member of our W.C.T.U., and encourage us by coming into our meetings.
Please write your name.
Residence.
As the months come round, take the envelope bearing the name of that month, put in the amount pledged, and deposit it as directed by the person circulating these cards.
If you have neglected any month the empty envelope will remind you of it. Don't destroy it—use it—put in the money and deposit it.
The LORD loveth a cheerful giver.
Committee on Literature will secure suitable temperance literature, and distribute it in hotels, cars, reading-rooms, depots, stores, restaurants, at public meetings, from house to house, etc.
Committee on Juvenile work should be composed largely of young ladies enthusiastic in their work. There should be a representative secured, if possible, from every Sabbath and day school. They will organize Bands of Hope and circulate the pledges (triple, if possible), in the Sunday Schools. They will also see to the introduction of temperance books into Sunday School Libraries.
Committee on Public Meetings and Entertainments will arrange for lectures, readings, concerts, temperance mass meetings and gospel temperance meetings on Sabbath afternoons, mothers' meetings, cottage prayer meetings, etc. At very many of these meetings it is desirable to have the pledge circulated.
Committee on New Members will endeavor to secure new members for the Union, and will also visit those who may have been absent for some time.
Committee on Benevolent work will look after the poor of the town, especially after those families suffering from the effects of intemperance. Where there are purely benevolent societies in the town, the work of this committee will be only supplementary.
Press Committee will select extracts from temperance books and papers, to be published regularly in the columns of the local papers, also to specially report the work of the W.C.T.U. both local and general. If the committee cannot itself reach the newspaper, perhaps it can through the aid of some influentialhonorary member.
Committee on Scientific Instruction in Temperance will visit school directors, and authorities in public and private schools, and urge the introduction of Dr. Richardson's lesson book, or the new temperance lesson book to be issued by the Education Department of Ontario. Suitable literature on the subject might be judiciously used on these visits. An informal social reception of teachers in the town might be held or arranged for by this committee where the subject might be discussed.
Committee to secure the unfermented juice of the grape at the Lord's Table will visit not only the pastors, but influential leading members of the different churches, not to argue the matter, but to ask, as the N.W.C.T.U. does, that "in deference to the Golden Rule, and the Pauline doctrine of regard for the weaker brother, the fermented wine be no longer used." Suitable literature on this subject, as on all others, may be had from our Literature Department.
Committee on Coffee and Reading Rooms will, if desirable, provide a place of this kind, putting it in charge of a suitable person.
Other committees may be added as the work demands. Let each committee read up and thoroughly understand their subject, the convener especially should knowjust what she wants,as she goes about this branch of the work, and be able to telljust why it is needed.This will, in the first place, be a gain. Politicians, potentates, and preachers will not be able to put us off or confuse us by asking many questions in connection with the work that we are unable to give.
Q.—Why should our Union be auxiliary to the Provincial Union?
A.—We are convinced that the affiliation fee and the reasons for requiring it have not been properly understood by our Unions. They have said, Why should we pay 6-1/4 cents per member, quarterly, into the Provincial Union fund. We answer, Because without it the Provincial Union could not exist.
Q.—Why should it exist?
A.—Because there is strength in united effort. If local Unions here and there in isolated places exert an influence for good, a large band of workers sending their representatives to a central place to consult together and devise method? for the extension of the work throughout the Province will certainly wield a greater power, and do more good. All our church organizations, our various charitable and reform associations are based on this principle, and the wisest politicians assure us that system and organization is worth more to their party than argument or brilliant speeches. Union is strength. As the delegates from local Unions come together to discuss matters of interest pertaining to the work, to devise plans and to compare notes, a new confidence is gained, a more enlarged view is had of the temperance field, and a more intelligent understanding of the general need. Then, too, it is impossible for the workers thus to come together without realizing the benefit that results from the interchange of thought and ideas, and from the influence of mind on mind, and the inspiration thus received is imparted by them to the home Unions, and all are helped.
Q.—What is done with the money?
A.—In 1883, $95 were paid into the Provincial Treasury of Ontario Unions, by local Unions, as affiliation fees, which sum covered merely the postage account of general officers and expenses of committees. All other expenses of travel and of the convention, about $200, were met by collections at the convention, and by special contributions, Mr. Gordon of Ottawa sending a cheque for $50.
We need also anorganizer,who shall be able to give her whole time and thought to Union work, who shall organize new Unions, and visit all regularly. These needs cannot be met without money, but if our thousands of temperance women in Canada will make this a personal matter to see that 6-1/4 cents are sent each quarter to the Provincial Union, we shall soon be in a position to employ an organizer, and thus do better work.
Q.—How shall we distribute Literature?
A.—Divide the place into districts, each lady or two ladies taking a district. Have these districts as small as possible. The visitors will visit every house in their district regularly, leaving suitable literature, as they will soon ascertain something of the tastes and needs of those whom they visit. Sometimes the pledge book may be presented and members solicited for the Union. A book from the Loan Library of the Union may often be lent where a leaflet might not be appreciated.
Another way is to send through the post office to those whom you wish to reach.
Sometimes, our ladies have stood at the entrance to factories, foundries and large establishments giving a leaflet to each man as he came out. "Advantages of Temperance" is a very good small leaflet to be given in this way.
On all our fair grounds there should be a stand of temperance literature.
In hospitals much of this work should be done. Many have leisure there, recovering from illness, that they never find outside its walls, the heart is softened and ready for the dropping of the seed, and the door stands open for the entrance of right influences and loving sympathy. In gaols, in depots, barbers' shops, post offices, steamboats, anywhere we may obtain permission let it be done, if possible, by our ladies themselves.
In Sabbath School Libraries ask permission for the Union to send a few good temperance stories, or, better still, let a suggestion be offered to the librarian or committee on new books to purchase some temperance books as additions.
Q—How shall we raise money for our work?
A.—First with the "Finance Card." Take a Union of 20 members, their membership fee brings them in $10, of this $5 goes to the Provincial Union, so they have only $5 left. They will want more. Now let each member take ten finance cards, and from among her friends and acquaintances ask ten to contribute something monthly to the funds of the Union, suppose it be only 5 cents each per month, that will be from ten persons 50 cents per month, or $6 per year. If each one of the twenty members should get no more than this, they have then $120.00 per year coming in for their work. It needs a little thought and attention, but it pays.
Apron socials are popular and generally help to increase the funds, as there is always a demand for useful aprons.
Pound socials have been successful also. To this each person contributes a pound of something useful, all of which is sold by auction during the evening, causing a good deal of amusement.
An evening with a celebrated author is very much in vogue now, and is helpful in many ways. For instance, an evening with Dickens is observed in the following way: A number will personate the leading characters in any of Dickens' works, talking only in language and tone suited to the character, the invited guests ascertaining from his acquaintance with Dickens just where they belong. This can be done with or without costumes. Light refreshments are served by the Dickensites during the evening. The usual fee taken at the door. New England Kitchens may be made to bring in something to the funds. Here you will need several old-fashioned dressers, the shelves furnished with rows of plates, the more old-fashioned the better, and everything to make it look like a real New England Kitchen. Refreshments will be doughnuts, pumpkin pie, brown bread, pork and beans, and such like. It would pay to have it in a city for two or three days, open at the dinner hour.
Floral Festivals pay very well in the early spring, before people generally are supplied with plants. Let the room be nicely decorated with evergreens, flags and bunting, small booths arranged similarly trimmed, in which the flowers and plants shall be placed, some music furnished, 10 cents admission charged, refreshments and plants extra. The plants can be bought by the 100 at a very cheap rate.
If at all possible, let all our social entertainments be opened with prayer.
Q.—How shall we help in Scott Act work?
A.—Most of all by the faithful distribution of temperance literature, and by providing funds for its purchase. By educating the children in regard to it, giving them at their Band of Hope meetings, in simple language, the reasons why every one should work and vote against it. Many a father has been won by his child.
By selecting articles on the subject, and having them inserted in the daily papers.
By praying for its success in your church prayer meetings, and encouraging others to do the same. By prayer as a Union, and by private prayer. By looking after every branch of the temperance work more closely, so that every influence may be brought to bear on all classes and conditions of society.
Q.—Can ladies be received into our society without signing the pledge?
A.—The suggestion has been made that such be received as "associate members" or "well-wishers" having every privilege except the vote.
Q.—When scientific temperance instruction is introduced into the public schools, what remains for the committee on that subject to do?
A.—To see that thelawisenforced.The schools should be visited at the hour when this study is on the programme. Conscientious teachers will welcome your presence.
Q.—Should the executive of a local Union arrange and finally decide matters without consulting the Union?
A.—The report of the meetings of the executive should be read at each regular meeting of the Union. Every member has a right to object, or to ask for explanations and the report will be amended, received or rejected as the Union shall determine.
Q.—Shall accounts be paid without the sanction of the Union?
A.—Certainly not.
It is very important that the interest and sympathy and active help of our young ladies be secured in this work.
There is in the heart of every human being a yearning for something higher and better. Coupled with this yearning in the heart of woman is the desire to do for others. Ever since the days when a woman washed the feet of the Holy One with her tears, when the fever healed patient arose and "ministered to them," when the Marys prepared sweet spices and ointment for Him they loved, ever since that time have women delighted in service for others, and thus, in the highest, broadest forms of Christian philanthroxphy, they may come to be more like the loving Christ who went about doing good. We covet for humanity the influence of our young ladies, for in the home and in society this influence is needed on the side of all that is good and pure. Then, we would for their own sakes, enlist them in temperance work, because, engaged in this or similar service they gain for themselves a breadth, an expansion of views, and a truer thought of life. Many have not given the subject a serious thought: they graduate from our seminaries and colleges where every hour has brought its work and every power has been in action, they come back into quiet homes, and "What shall I do now?" is the question presented to their minds. Society soon fills in their time with imperious but frivolous demands, and while the mothers enter into this Christian work, young ladies soon come to think it is not for them. In time they drift into wifehood and into positions of responsibility of training bodies and souls, with no decided principles in relation to this question, and no intelligence as to the evil effects of this great scourge of intemperance. How sad it is to hear such an expression as this, "Oh, I rather like a man when he has had just enough liquor to be jolly." Yet, that was the remark of a fashionable young lady not long ago. Her listener was a young man who took strong drink, and for whom his friends were anxious, but in his heart there was no respect for this foolish, thoughtless speech, and his dry "Ah, do you?" savored just a little of contempt for her, and pity for himself.
Take a different scene. Recently, I spent a day with a few Christian women, most of whom were young ladies, members of the Y.W.C.T.U. It was delightful afterwards to remember that on that occasion no word of faultfinding or of gossip was spoken, no frivolous orfashionabletalk, but the hours sped by on wings as they talked of earnest work done, narrated incidents and planned for the future. These were young ladiesin society,bright and happy in their experience, not those to whom disappointment has come in some form or other, and to whom the world offers no attractions. I recall the words of one who was talking earnestly of a scheme to raise money for their work. "But the best of all is," said she, "in this way we can get Mr. —— to work with us, and if he will only sign the pledge it will be worth more than all the money we make" Is not this a lesson to us older workers, who are disappointed sometimes when what we call large results do not follow our undertakings?
A young lady in the city of —— joined the Y.W.C.T.U. during the winter of 1881. At a sleighing party shortly after wine was offered her. "I cannot take it," she said. "I am a member of the Y.W.C.T.U." Many were the exclamations, for she was a favorite and an acknowledged leader among her companions, but she had thought it all over, and had her reasons ready. "If you won't take winewewon't," said one. "If the ladies don't take it, we won t," said one of the gentleman, so coffee and hot lemonade were served instead, and to-day most of that company are taking the safe path, and the gentlemen are honorary members of the W.C.T.U. When young men come to see that young ladies expect them to be total abstainers, they will lift themselves up to a higher plane and to a purer manhood.
Dear, young ladies, will you not give to the temperance cause a little of the time which sometimes hangs heavily on your hands? Will you not consecrate to its service a portion of the talent with which God has endowed you? Will you not join the band of sister-workers, who are endeavoring to bless and uplift humanity, and by voice, pen, and influence help to make earth a little more like heaven?
There are, at present, three Y.W.C.T. Unions in the Province of Ontario, and one in Quebec Province. Hamilton Y.W.C.T.U., the first organized, is now two years old, and has 50 members besides 65 honorary members. Their work is, first, night schools for boys employed during the day time; second, sewing schools for poor girls; third, band of hope; fourth, flower mission. These branches of work withoccasionalsocial entertainments keep them very busy. To these socials, honorary members and others are invited, papers on the temperance question are read and discussed, the pledge album presented, refreshments served, and the result is an increase in numbers and in interest.
Ottawa Y.W.C.T.U. was organised in October 1884, has 50 members and 30 honorary members. The work of this Union is similar to that of the Hamilton Union, in addition to that, however, the members of this Union meet twice in the month in a reading circle for the purpose of gaining information on the many phases of the temperance question.
Essex Centre Y.W.C.T.U. has been in existence only a few months, but is doing a fine work among the children.
Point St. Charles Y.W.C.T.U. is in connection with a Young Ladies' Mission Band of that place. This united society is engaged in active work, and will be found to be a social power whose weight and influence for good cannot well be estimated.
These Unions report that boys under 12 years of age attending the Night Schools and Bands of Hope in connection with these Unions in some instances have come to the meetings under the influence of liquor, and nine out of ten attending the Night School, smoke their cigarettes or chew their tobacco up to the last moment before entering the room. Our young ladies, however, seem to have had a magnetism over these boys, their obedience and affection have been secured, and an interest also in better things, a result which older hands have tried in vain to accomplish. This is shown in the marked improvement in manner, cleanliness of person, and the giving up of tobacco and signing the pledge. The Flower Mission has brought a glow of pleasure to many a sick face as the little bouquet has been offered by the young ladies in the hospital wards, in the sick room of many homes, and sometimes in the jails. Into all these places the beautiful gifts of God have been taken, each cluster of flowers bearing with it a floral text of scripture, and the earnest prayer of glad young hearts, that God would speak through their offering, to forgive, to comfort, and to save.
Miss Scott, 26 Albert street, Ottawa, is Superintendent of thisDepartment.
No. 1.
I went to the regular meeting of a W.C.T.U., called for 3 P.M. I entered as the clock struck. The room was full of chairs and benches, a large room with few windows and dark corners. There were three hymn books on the table, and a dusty Bible. The clock ticked on, five minutes passed, ten minutes, and one timid woman entered, took no notice of me, but sat with her eyes fixed on the floor, a sad faced woman I saw as I looked more closely, a tired, hopeless expression in the droop of her figure. Five minutes more and two busy women came in with a rush. "What!nobodyhere? I wish people would be punctual," said one, "I can only stay half an hour," "I have another meeting," said the other. The sad faced woman and I wereinvisible,it seemed, as neither by look nor act did they acknowledge our presence. Then three more strolled in leisurely, one saying, "Oh, Mrs. A., is this meeting at three or half past? I really forget the hour." Afterwards a few young ladies came in, and seated themselves in a row, keeping up a whispered conversation in which the pronouns he, she, and I, were often heard. At half-past three the President came in, saying, "I am afraid I am a little late, my watch does not seem to be quite right." Taking a hymn book, she asked, "What had we better sing, Mrs. B., have you any choice?" No choice being signified, the leaves were turned over and over, and "Plunged in a gulf of dark despair" selected and read. "Will some one start the tune? Mrs. C. will you?" Mrs. C. looked around, waited a minute, and then asked, "Is it common or long meter?" Another pause. The little timid woman began a familiar tune, and had the privilege of singing the first two lines alone. The hymn finished, the President said, "As it is so late, we will dispense with the reading of the Scriptures. I will ask Mrs. A. to lead in prayer," at which Mrs. A. shook her head. "Mrs. C. then will you?" "Excuse me," said Mrs. C., so to the back of her chair the president prayed in a very subdued tone, and I knewjust whenshe was through by the little rustle and moving of the chair as she arose. The secretary now read the minutes, after which the president said, "Those in favor of the minutes will signify it." Two or three hands went up. The treasurer's report was then presented, but no action taken on it. Although this was a large town there seemed to be no committees at work, but each member had been furnished with a pledge book, in which to obtain signatures. No one had any success to report, had quite forgotten it, except the little woman mentioned. She produced her book where the names of half-a-dozen were scrawled with a good thick pen and plenty of ink. Her report was received in silence. The president, secretary, and treasurer talked across the table in very low tones, the rest of the company whispered a little, finally Mrs. —— said, looking at her watch, "My half-hour is more than up, I must go." She walked out, followed by the young ladies. The low tones at the table ceased, the books were closed, the ladies put on their extra wrappings and went home. The little woman and I were left alone. "Will you let me see your book?" I asked. "Oh yes," said she. "I got some of the young men boarding with me to sign, and I hope they'll keep it. I pray they may. Ithoughtthe sisters would be glad. I wish I could do more, but it does not seem worth while formeto come to the meetings. I cannot talk much, and I have so much to do at home. I can work quietly there and among my acquaintances." As I passed the young ladies on the way home, I overheard one say, "I am not going to the Union meetings any more. Two or three do all the talking, and we can't hear what they say." That evening, as I heard in my dream, the president said to her husband, "I think once in two months is often enough to hold our Union meetings. There seems to be nothing to do." Then I thought, in my dream, that another year had passed, and I came again to the same town, and wended my way to the place of meeting where I had been aforetime. Meeting a gentleman near the door I asked him if the Union still met there. "Oh," said he, "the W.C.T.U. That died out months ago. Women don't know very much about business, you see, it is hard for them to keep together."
Was it all a dream?
No. 2.
A bright spring day I thought it was and I walked to the room of the Y.M.C.A., where a Union meeting was to be held. It was not quite three o'clock, but I met three or four ladies going in, who asked me if I was coming to the meeting, and upon my answering "Yes, if I may," she said, "Oh, certainly, come right in." One of them placed a seat for me as I went in, and brought me a hymn book, asking if I was a stranger in town and if I was a member of any Union. As I said I was a member of —— Union, she said, "Oh! then, you must tell us of the work there." Then moving away, and coming back with a lady, she introduced her as the president of the Union, and the president expressed her pleasure at meeting another sister interested in the work. Looking around the room, I saw a bouquet of flowers on the table, writing materials and reports. Just then the clock struck three, the president took her chair, gave out the hymn, "Work for the Night is Coming,' read the 146th Psalm, and engaged in prayer. The secretary then read the minutes. As the president asked, "Is there any objection to the minutes?" one lady said that the first resolution at last meeting was moved by Mrs. B., instead of Mrs. A. This was corrected and the minutes approved, no other objection being offered. The treasurer's reports and reports of different committees were read and adopted. The pledge books produced, and many signatures had been obtained. The president said, "Let us sing the doxology over this," and it was sung very heartily. I noticed that all the members spoke to "Mrs. President," not to each other, and there was no whispering. The officers at the table spoke so that all could hear. A short paper was then read on "How we may best help in Scott Act work." At the invitation of the writer this paper was discussed, some points objected to, additional methods proposed, and every body was interested and had learned something. The chairman of the Literature Committee said she would exchange books in the loan library at the close of the meeting. Miss S. was asked to prepare a paper for the next monthly meeting, and after a few words of earnest prayer offered by a young lady at the request of the president, the meeting adjourned. The president walked quickly to the door and shook hands heartily with each member as she passed out, asking kindly after sick ones and erring ones of the families. "You must come and see me to- morrow morning, and tell me all about it," I heard her say to a troubled sister. It was now ten minutes past four o'clock. As I walked along I overtook the troubled one, and said to her, "You had a good meeting to-day." Her face brightened as she replied, "Oh, we always have. I would not like to miss one of our meetings. It always helps me to go there and hear of the good work being done, and it makes me stronger to do my share of it. These meetings make you feel as if somebody cared for you." A group of young ladies were chatting with some gentlemen at the opposite corner, and I heard a clear, sweet voice say "We want you both as honorary members of our W.C.T.U. We are going to have some readings from Dickens and we need your help; you will join, won't you?" To which the gentlemen replied they "would be delighted," etc. Then my dream took me to a cozy home where a young man, just out of his teens, was saying to a lady I had seen before, "Mother, now the warm weather is coming, and you are not very strong, you had better give up your meetings." "Oh, no, my son," the lady said, "there is so much to be done, and it is such a pleasure to work with our ladies, we must keep right on." In my dream I came again. This time the Union met in a beautiful room of their own, furnished as a bright, pleasant parlor, with flowers and pictures and piano. Their numbers had increased, for the ladies came in groups till the room was nearly filled. I saw some of the old faces, the president was the same, a little older in appearance, her walk a little slower. As she took her place, the sun shone out full in my face and I awoke.
Was this, too, only a dream?
To every child of God there comes a time, sooner or later, when a light from heaven having shone round about him, and seeing the great need of the world, he stands. Paul-like, before God, and asks: "Lord, what wilt Thou havemeto do?" As the answer came in the olden time, "I will shew him what things he mustsuffer,"so the answer comes in these later days, and many of God's dear children have come to this Christian temperance work through suffering.
As Christian women, we have come down from the mount of consecration, where we have talked with Jesus, and at its base, have been met by the demon of Intemperance in every form. Friends have brought their loved ones to us, beseeching us to cast out the evil spirit, or, it may be, the monster has come into our homes, and household treasures here and there lie prostrate and helpless in the dust before God. With sad, shrinking hearts we look for a moment, then, with a twofold incentive, we take up our work. For the sake of our dear Saviour who did so much for us, whose face, sometimes, in our holiest hours, by faith we see, and whose voice we still hear, "Lo! I am with you always," and for the sake of the loved and the lost, or, more happily, the loved and reclaimed, we come to our work.
This work is intensely practical, and brings into requisition all the forces which go to make up Christian character. It means patient, persevering, persistent, self-denying labor; it means an intelligent consecration of time, money and ability which God may have given us, to be used in the carrying out of the good at which we aim; it means entering into fellowship with Christ, (in a very feeble sense, it is true,) in His broad sympathy with humanity, in His sacrificing love; it means, many times, to have our names cast out as evil, to brave the sneer and ridicule of fashionable society, to be willing to be misunderstood by those nearest and dearest to us; to some it means all this and more; still, with a firm conviction of duty, of being called of God, we come to this work. Itmayextend no further than our own homes, our own circle of friends; but if each build over against his own house, how strong the walls would be, how quickly they would rise!
We look out into the night and see here and there a star glimmering in the darkness, and we say, "How dark the night is; how few stars are to be seen!" We wait and watch, and soon the clouds are rolled away; we see the stars one by one coming out from the blackness, until the blue vault above us is covered with heavenly diamond dust, and we rejoice in its brilliancy.
So in our work. We see here and there a star coming out of the darkness; only a few to be seen after all the working and watching. By-and-by, God, in answer to our prayers, and giving the reward to faithful toil, shall roll away the clouds and mists that gather so thickly about our work here. We shall see not only here and there a star glimmering, but a host of shining ones, that God hath brought out of the darkness and covered over with an arch of His promises, where He has written, "They shall be mine in that day when I make up my jewels.' In that day, when we shall be permitted to see the polished gems in the keeping of the Holy One, we shall realize that no work for the Master has been done in vain. Here we toil amid the damp and fog and darkness, often underground, with no lamp save the promise of God, which is "a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path;" there we shall be with Him and behold His glory. Here, the sadness, the weariness, the discouragement, the "Why, Lord?" and "How?" there, the "Well done!" "Enter thou!" questions answered, longings satisfied, eternal rest and peace.
Shall we not, for this joy set before us, consecrate ourselves anew to this Christian work, that, at the last, as Paul stood in his later days, we may stand and say, "I have finished my course?" and, following closely in the footsteps of Jesus, our great Teacher, giving all the praise and all the glory to Him who is our strength and our righteousness, we may be able to say, reverently and with deep humility, "I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do."
This Association shall be known as the Woman's Christian TemperanceUnion of ——, auxiliary to the W.C.T.U. of the Province of ——.
The objects of the Union shall be to meet together for prayer and conference, to educate public sentiment up to the standard of total abstinence, train the young, save the inebriate, and secure the legal prohibition and complete banishment of the liquor traffic.
Any woman may become a member of this Association by signing the Pledge and Constitution, and by the payment of fifty cents per year into the Treasury.
Any woman, practically a total abstainer, but having an objection to signing the Pledge, may become an "associate member" of this Association, by the payment of the regular fee.
Gentlemen may become honorary members of this Association by signing the pledge and by the payment of the regular fee.
Honorary and Associate members are entitled to all the privileges of members, except the vote.
I hereby promise, God helping me, to abstain from all distilled, fermented and malt liquors, including wine and cider, as a beverage, and to employ all proper means to discourage the use of and traffic in the same.
The officers of this Association shall be a President, Vice- Presidents, one from each church, when practicable, a Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor. These officers (excepting the Auditor), with the Superintendents of the different departments, shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Each Local Union shall pay to the funds of Provincial Union a sum equal to six and a quarter cents per member, quarterly, this amount to be taken from the fifty cents membership fee.
An Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of September of each year, at which reports of Secretary and Treasurer shall be presented, which, if possible, shall be published afterwards in the daily newspapers. At this meeting, officers and committees and superintendents shall be elected for the ensuing year, and such services held as may tend to promote the objects of the Association.
The Corresponding Secretary shall also prepare a short report for the Provincial Convention in October (first submitting it to the local Union), and sending it with the delegate to the Annual Meeting, or forwarding it to the Provincial Secretary two weeks before the date of meeting.
The officers shall be elected by nomination and ballot. Nominations may be made either by a committee appointed for that purpose, or on motion of any member.
If there be more than one person nominated for any office, a ballot shall be taken, tellers having been appointed for that purpose. The one having a full majority of all the ballots cast shall be declared elected.
[If there be more than two persons balloted for, and the one having the highest number of votes, has not a majority of all the votes given, then the one having the lowest number of votes shall be struck off before proceeding to the next ballot. More than one name may be struck off, provided that the sum of all the vote—so struck off is not equal to, or greater than, the number of votes given to the lowest remaining one.]
If the demands of the work justify it there shall be the following departments of work: Juvenile Work, Temperance Literature, Influencing the Press, Evangelistic Work, Parlor Meetings, Heredity and Hygiene, Scientific Temperance Instruction, Kitchen Garden, Flower Mission, Unfermented Wine, Inducing Physicians not to Prescribe Alcoholic Stimulants, Relation of Intemperance to Capital and Labor, Prison and Gaol Work, Young Woman's Work, Work among Railroad Employees, Work among Soldiers and Sailors, Legislation and Petitions and such others as the needs of the locality seem to call for and recommended by the Provincial Union.
The regular meeting of the Union shall be held weekly, fortnightly or monthly, as the Union may decide. The first meeting in the month shall be a devotional meeting. If possible, mass meetings shall be held quarterly.
The Executive and other Committees shall meet as often as may be deemed advisable.
A quorum shall consist of such members as shall be present at a regular or special meeting, due notice of such meeting being given to the members.
Delegates to the Provincial Union are received on the following basis: Two for each Union, and one additional delegate for every ten paying members of each Union. The expenses of general officers for postage, stationery, etc., shall be borne by the Union. Travelling expenses of delegates to Annual Convention, shall, where at all practicable, be borne by the Union sending those delegates.
Devotional Exercises.
Reading Minutes of Last Meeting.
Treasurer's Report.
Unfinished Business.
Reception of Communications.
Reports of Committees.
Reading of Paper on Temperance Question
Discussion.
Regular Course of Reading.
Discussion.
Miscellaneous Business.
Adjournment.
[Transcriber's Note: The spelling "philanthrophy" occurs in the original. Also, in the list of numbered items in chapter 6, the numbering skips from 3 to 5, but no content seems to be missing. We have left these as they were in our print copy.]