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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77878 ***
+
+[Illustration: MRS. ANNIE WITTENMYER,
+
+First President Woman’s National Christian Temperance Union.]
+
+
+
+
+ HISTORY
+
+ OF THE
+
+ WOMAN’S TEMPERANCE
+
+ CRUSADE.
+
+ A Complete Official History of the Wonderful Uprising of the Christian
+ Women of the United States against the Liquor Traffic, which
+ culminated in the Gospel Temperance Movement.
+
+ BY MRS. ANNIE WITTENMYER.
+
+ AUTHOR OF “WOMAN’S WORK FOR JESUS,” “A JEWELED
+ MINISTRY,” ETC.
+
+ INTRODUCTION
+ BY MISS FRANCES E. WILLARD.
+
+ [Illustration]
+
+ PUBLISHED BY
+ JAMES H. EARLE,
+ 178 WASHINGTON STREET,
+ BOSTON, MASS.
+
+
+
+
+ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by
+ MRS. ANNIE WITTENMYER,
+ In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
+
+ BOSTON
+ W. F. BROWN AND COMPANY, PRINTERS
+ 218 FRANKLIN STREET
+
+
+
+
+ TO
+
+ THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN,
+
+ _Who counted not their lives dear unto themselves, but followed
+ the Master into the Saloons, and Gambling Dens, and
+ homes of sin, and sorrow, and went joyfully
+ to prison for Christ’s sake_,
+
+ AND TO
+
+ THE WOMAN’S NATIONAL CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION,
+
+ THIS VOLUME
+
+ _IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY_
+
+ THE AUTHOR.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+This book is a carefully-prepared official history, of the wonderful
+movement known as the Woman’s Temperance Crusade.
+
+There has been no effort at literary excellence; yet many of the
+thrilling experiences narrated in these pages in simple words, will
+live in song and story as long as God and Truth are honored among the
+children of men.
+
+The women who walked with God in the fiery furnace of the Crusade have
+been allowed as far as possible to tell of their work in their own
+words, and they should be accorded a gracious hearing.
+
+In this record there are glimpses of home life, “like apples of gold
+in pictures of silver,” for these women are true home-makers; there
+are scenes in churches where the awful solemnity is broken only by
+the sobs of strong men, as women with lofty, heaven-born heroism, go
+out as God’s chosen leaders in this holy war; there are scenes in the
+streets, where bands of pure, true women, surrounded by a howling mob,
+kneel in the snow, and with the light of the excellent glory on their
+faces, pray as did their Master for just such another blaspheming,
+mocking mob: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do,” and
+then out of the jaws of death, out of the mouth of hell, guided by an
+invisible hand, sheltered by unseen wings, pass through the jeering,
+filth-reeking, angry crowd, unharmed.
+
+There are many things in this book that will tax the credulity of the
+reader, but _the statements it contains are well-authenticated, and
+must be accepted as facts_. Nothing, perhaps, could be more incredible
+than the accounts, oft-repeated, of the base and cowardly indignities
+heaped upon American women, in their own land, by foreigners, who were
+protected in their outrages by the stars and stripes, for which many of
+these women had given their husbands, sons and brothers.
+
+The liquor traffic of this country is mainly in the hands of a low
+class of foreigners, and they are responsible for all the mobs, and
+nearly all the insults offered to the Christian women engaged in the
+Crusade.
+
+These pages have been prayerfully written, and the facts they contain
+are earnestly commended to all who love God, and Truth, and Justice.
+
+ ANNIE WITTENMYER.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+
+
+ Page
+
+INTRODUCTION 13
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+The Outlook at the Beginning of the Crusade 25
+
+The Nation Living on her own Vitals 28
+
+A Calcium Light turned on the Liquor Traffic 32
+
+
+OHIO.
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+The Beginning of the Crusade in Ohio 34
+
+Response to Dr. Lewis’ Appeal 36
+
+Mrs. Thompson’s Story 37
+
+The First Saloon Prayer-Meeting 40
+
+A Saloon-Keeper in Tears 41
+
+Battle with Dunn, the Druggist 42
+
+A Lawyer Confounded by Prayer 43
+
+Prayer answered after Fifty Years 48
+
+Baptized in Whiskey 50
+
+Victory at Washington Court-House 51
+
+Kneeling in the Snow 52
+
+A Furious Dutchman 56
+
+Facing the Dealer and his Lawyer 59
+
+Surrender of every Saloon 61
+
+Wine banished from State Dinners in Ohio 63
+
+The Work in Wilmington 64
+
+A General Surrender 72
+
+New Vienna 79
+
+Kenton, Gallipolis, and Greenfield 84
+
+Franklin 86
+
+Morrow 87
+
+Oxford 94
+
+McArthur 95
+
+Georgetown 96
+
+Logan 98
+
+McConnelsville 102
+
+Marysville 103
+
+Findley 105
+
+Jamestown 111
+
+Mount Vernon 112
+
+Warren 115
+
+Steubenville 118
+
+Youngstown 119
+
+Alliance 125
+
+New Philadelphia 149
+
+
+OHIO.
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+Cleveland 152
+
+Ladies Beaten by a Mob 154
+
+A Mock Prayer-Meeting 156
+
+Fierce Dogs subdued by Prayer 156
+
+Millersburg 167
+
+Zanesville 168
+
+Painesville 170
+
+Ladies Imprisoned in a Saloon 171
+
+Ashland 175
+
+Bellevue 176
+
+Bucyrus 177
+
+A Drunken Mob 190
+
+Brutal Treatment of the Ladies by the Police 196
+
+Arrest of the Ladies 203
+
+Tried and Condemned 204
+
+Elyria 206
+
+Athens 215
+
+Columbus 220
+
+Indignities offered to the Ladies 221
+
+Meeting in the State House 224
+
+Van Wert 225
+
+Cincinnati 228
+
+A Crusade Dog 230
+
+Meeting at the Esplanade 232
+
+Cannon brought out 235
+
+The Mayor knocked down by the Mob 238
+
+Forty-three Ladies Arrested 240
+
+The Story of the White Shoes and White Dresses 244
+
+What a Picture did 248
+
+Clyde 251
+
+Cedarville 252
+
+Marietta 255
+
+Xenia 258
+
+Waynesville 263
+
+New Concord 267
+
+Ravenna and Marion 273
+
+West Union and Felicity 278
+
+Lebanon 279
+
+Grandville 280
+
+Leesburg and Blanchester 282
+
+Goshen, Zaleski, and Troy 282
+
+Mansfield 283
+
+Ripley 294
+
+Tiffin 296
+
+Bellefontaine 298
+
+Springfield 301
+
+Newark 310
+
+Urbana 318
+
+Dayton 323
+
+Piqua 329
+
+Circleville 330
+
+Madisonville and Delaware 332
+
+Portsmouth 334
+
+Stryker 337
+
+Chillicothe 339
+
+
+INDIANA.
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+Shelbyville 341
+
+Jeffersonville 348
+
+Chestertown 356
+
+Thorntown 363
+
+Crawfordsville 366
+
+Evansville 368
+
+Madison 377
+
+Indianapolis 391
+
+Richmond 396
+
+
+ILLINOIS.
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+Chicago 399
+
+Visit to the City Council 401
+
+A Mob of Five or Six Thousand 402
+
+Origin of the Daily Temperance Prayer-Meeting 405
+
+Jacksonville 412
+
+Rockford 417
+
+Bloomington 421
+
+Moline 424
+
+
+WEST VIRGINIA.
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+Wheeling 442
+
+Visit to Laramie’s Variety Theatre 444
+
+Laramie’s Harangue 445
+
+Visit to the Dancing Girls 447
+
+Laramie’s Den Closed 448
+
+Savegaut’s Brutal Treatment of the Ladies 449
+
+A Dealer Checkmated 450
+
+Captain Jack and Temperance 451
+
+
+DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 452
+
+A Saloon closed by the Judgments of God 455
+
+Forgeries in obtaining Licenses 457
+
+Securing the President’s Veto 458
+
+Distinguished Paupers in the Poor-House 459
+
+
+PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+Pittsburgh 465
+
+First Arrest of the Ladies 469
+
+Their Acquittal 470
+
+Rearrested and taken to Jail 471
+
+A Mob--The Ladies Arrested the Third Time 472
+
+Carried to the Court of Common Pleas 473
+
+Acquitted--Singing and Praying not Unlawful 475
+
+The Acting Mayor in the Penitentiary 476
+
+Allegheny 478
+
+Williamsport 482
+
+Judgments meted out 484
+
+Blossburg 487
+
+Warren 488
+
+Philadelphia 491
+
+A Graduate of Yale Redeemed 498
+
+God can Save a Tramp 499
+
+A Marvellous Answer to Prayer 500
+
+Montrose 504
+
+Susquehanna and Troy 505
+
+Ashley 506
+
+
+NEW YORK.
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+Fredonia 507
+
+First Visit to Saloons 509
+
+Auburn 511
+
+Plattsburg 512
+
+Albany 514
+
+Syracuse 516
+
+Rochester 518
+
+Oswego 520
+
+Hornellsville 525
+
+Utica 527
+
+Rome 531
+
+New York City 533
+
+A Scene to melt the hardest Heart 538
+
+Meetings in a Dance-House 540
+
+The Walls about New York City 543
+
+Brooklyn 544
+
+A Strange Telegram 546
+
+A Man Redeemed 548
+
+Every Saloon closed where they held Prayer-Meetings 551
+
+Captain Oliver Cotter’s Conversion 553
+
+The Wonderful Saloon Prayer-Meeting 554
+
+Binghampton 557
+
+Poughkeepsie 559
+
+Geneva 563
+
+Peekskill 565
+
+
+VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND R. ISLAND.
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+VERMONT. 569
+
+No Saloons in St. Johnsbury 570
+
+Mechanics growing Rich 571
+
+Schemes to evade the Law 572
+
+St. Albans 573
+
+
+NEW HAMPSHIRE.
+
+Concord 575
+
+Portsmouth 578
+
+Presentation of Flags to Sailors 580
+
+
+RHODE ISLAND. 581
+
+Visiting the Saloons in Pawtucket 583
+
+A Visit to the Legislature 585
+
+The Ladies Victorious 586
+
+Reform Club Movement 588
+
+
+MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+Convention at Worcester 591
+
+The Results of Work 592
+
+Protest against Wine-Drinking at Public Dinners 594
+
+Interview with the Mayor 595
+
+Memorial of W. C. T. U. 596
+
+The Response of the Mayor 598
+
+Action of the City Council 604
+
+
+MAINE.
+
+Bangor 605
+
+Petition to the City Council 606
+
+Establishment of a Club and Reading-Room 607
+
+Reformation of Dr. Henry A. Reynolds 608
+
+Augusta 609
+
+Stroudwater 611
+
+Portland 614
+
+Opening of a Friendly Inn 616
+
+Flower and Diet Missions 617
+
+Old Orchard 618
+
+
+MICHIGAN.
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+Adrian 619
+
+Lansing 625
+
+Jackson 627
+
+Grand Rapids 631
+
+Cold Water and Eaton Rapids 633
+
+New Boston 635
+
+Portland 641
+
+Howell 642
+
+Allegan 643
+
+Ionia 645
+
+Hudson 647
+
+Morenci 649
+
+Flint 650
+
+Leslie 651
+
+Dowagiac 653
+
+Colon 655
+
+
+WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI.
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+WISCONSIN.
+
+Ripon 657
+
+Invitation to a Saloon 658
+
+Praying in Underground Rooms 660
+
+A Druggist driven away 662
+
+Josh and the Election 663
+
+Indignities offered 665
+
+
+MINNESOTA 667
+
+
+IOWA 668
+
+Manchester 670
+
+Wilton Junction 674
+
+Villisca 677
+
+Vinton 678
+
+Clinton 680
+
+
+MISSOURI 683
+
+Carthage 684
+
+
+CALIFORNIA AND OREGON.
+
+
+CALIFORNIA 687
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+Victory at Oakland 688
+
+Mob at Alameda 689
+
+A Reign of Terror 690
+
+Sallie Hart Assailed 690
+
+An Old Lady Insulted 691
+
+Effigy of Sallie Hart Buried 692
+
+German Liquor-Dealers Responsible 693
+
+Statement of Rev. O. Gibson 695
+
+Affidavit of Officer Krauth 697
+
+
+OREGON 698
+
+Visit to Moffett’s Saloon 699
+
+An Irate German 700
+
+Brutality of the Police 702
+
+Mob at Moffett’s 703
+
+Pistols, Knives, and Gongs 704
+
+The Ladies Arrested 705
+
+The Trial 706
+
+Convicted 708
+
+The Ladies Protest 709
+
+Sent to Prison 710
+
+Driven from the Jail 711
+
+Encouraging Words 712
+
+Murder in a Saloon 713
+
+
+NEW JERSEY.
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+Newark 716
+
+The Drunken Engineer Saved 717
+
+A Drunken Tailor Redeemed 718
+
+A Miracle of Grace 719
+
+Giving up Rum and Tobacco 720
+
+Reform Club Organized 721
+
+Delirium Tremens Cured 724
+
+A Drunken Husband Reached 725
+
+Roseville 727
+
+Lambertville and Rahway 731
+
+Jersey City 732
+
+Mt. Holly and New Brunswick 733
+
+Hackettstown 733
+
+Trenton 734
+
+
+MARYLAND 736
+
+The Wail of Women and Children 737
+
+Organization 738
+
+State Convention 739
+
+The English Sailor-Boy 740
+
+Farewell Meeting for Mrs. Parker 741
+
+Smallest of the Polished Stones 742
+
+The Tryst of Maryland 743
+
+
+CONNECTICUT.
+
+New Milford 745
+
+The Battle--License or No License 746
+
+Eastford 748
+
+Plainville 750
+
+New Haven 754
+
+Stafford 755
+
+Ministers Stoned 756
+
+Bridgeport 756
+
+Hartford 758
+
+
+DELAWARE 760
+
+Visit to the Legislature 761
+
+I made him what he was 762
+
+A Dealer Confounded 763
+
+Mass-Meetings at Wilmington 763
+
+
+OUTLOOK AFTER THE CRUSADE.
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+The Watchword 764
+
+The Pulpit 765
+
+Sunday-Schools 765
+
+International Medical Congress 766
+
+Correspondence of W. C. T. U. 766
+
+Views of Drs. Mussey and Rush 767
+
+Answer of International Congress 768
+
+Alcohol Ruled out of its cherished Place 769
+
+Important Advancement 770
+
+What the Crusade was 771
+
+Relation of Foreign Emigration to the Liquor Traffic 771
+
+Nationality of Dealers in Philadelphia 772
+
+Nationality of Prisoners and Paupers 773
+
+Outrages that stir Patriotic Blood 774
+
+Political Corruption 775
+
+The Bartender to Manage Election Matters 776
+
+Sabbath Desecration 777
+
+President Hayes’ View of the Bible 778
+
+Personal Liberty 779
+
+Hedged about by Law 780
+
+Work, and Pray, and Wait 781
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+Ours is a famous country for protection. There is the tariff to protect
+industry, while the patent laws are a safeguard to invention. There
+are the land grants for railroads, subsidies for steamship companies,
+charters for corporations. In many of the States we have societies for
+the prevention of cruelty to animals, and in nearly all, laws for the
+protection of game. Busy with all these gentle, wise, and patriotic
+measures, there is one place our brothers have forgotten adequately to
+protect, and that is--Home. The Women’s Temperance Crusade, embalmed
+in the pages that follow, was a protest against this forgetfulness and
+this neglect. It was the wild cry of the defenceless and despairing,
+whose echo rose to Heaven and still resounds in every ear that is not
+deaf. At the height of that wonderful uprising, a sweet-voiced Quaker
+woman led her band to the chief saloon in an Ohio village. “What
+business have you to come here?” roared the affrighted dealer. Going to
+the bar she laid her Bible down and said: “Thee knows I had five sons
+and twenty grandsons, and thee knows that many of them learned to drink
+right in this place, and one went forth from here maddened with wine
+and blew his brains out with a pistol ball; and can’t thee let his
+mother lay her Bible on the counter whence her boy took up the glass,
+and read thee what God says: ‘_Woe unto him that puts the bottle to his
+neighbor’s lips?_’”
+
+The saloon-keeper had but to point to the wall behind him, where hung
+his “License to sell,” bearing the names of prominent citizens of the
+village, and emblazoned with the escutcheon of the Commonwealth. They
+all met in that little scene--Gospel and Law, man’s failure, woman’s
+grief; while the reason why, and the place in which they met, gave
+ample answer to the question heard so often: _What did the Crusade
+mean?_
+
+There is another question quite as often asked: _What did the Crusade
+do?_ One of its leaders made this reply to the Temperance Sojourner,
+who writes these lines: “Well, let me answer from my own experience.
+Until it swept over our place, though I had lived there twenty years,
+I knew so little about this drinking business that I couldn’t have
+pointed out a saloon in the whole town. I thought the queer-looking
+places with blinds and screens were barber-shops. Since then I
+have found out that they are shops where men get shaved--not of
+their beards, but of their honor. Since then, too, I took my little
+four-year-old boy to market with me one morning, and feeling his clasp
+of my hand tighten, I looked down and saw his head turned backward
+apprehensively. ‘Why, Willie, what’s the matter?’ I exclaimed. There
+were volumes of meaning in the reproachful roll of his solemn blue eyes
+as he whispered: ‘Didn’t mamma know that her little boy was a-passin’
+a saloon?’ Surely it was the crowning achievement of the Crusade that
+it opened the eyes of millions of women and children in this land to
+the existence and the dangers of the rum-shop. In consequence of this
+the public finger points to-day with imperious gesture at the saloon,
+and woman’s voice in tones of irresistible persuasion cries, ‘Look
+there!’”
+
+What did the Crusade do? Take another illustration. In front of a
+saloon that had refused them entrance, knelt a crusading group. Their
+leader was also the most prominent Methodist lady of the community.
+Her head was crowned with the glory of gray hairs; her hands were
+clasped, her sweet and gentle voice was lifted up in prayer. Around her
+knelt the flower of all the churches of that city--Congregationalists,
+Baptists, Presbyterians--many of whom had never worked outside their
+own denominations until now. At the close, an Episcopal lady offered
+the Lord’s prayer, in which joined Unitarians, Swedenborgians, and
+Universalists; and when they had finished, a dear old lady in the
+dove-colored garb of the Friends’ Society was moved to pray, while all
+the time below them on the curbstone’s edge knelt Bridget with her
+beads and her Ave Marie.
+
+“Going out on the street” signified a good deal when one comes to think
+about it. First of all, it meant stepping outside the denominational
+fence, which, properly enough, surrounds one’s home. The Crusaders felt
+that “unity of the Spirit” was the one essential, nor feared to join
+hands with any who had the Bible and the temperance pledge for the two
+articles in their “Confession of Faith”--who rallied to the tune of
+“Rock of Ages cleft for me,” or had for their watchword: “Not willing
+that any should perish.”
+
+Best of all, “going out on the street” brought women face to face
+with the world’s misery and sin. And here I may be pardoned a bit of
+personal reminiscence. Never can I forget the day I met the great
+unwashed, untaught, ungospelled multitude for the first time. Need I
+say it was the Crusade that opened before me, as before ten thousand
+other women, this wide, “effectual door?” It was in Pittsburgh, the
+summer after the Crusade. Greatly had I wished to have a part in it,
+but this one experience was my first and last of “going out with a
+band.” A young teacher from the public schools, whose custom it was
+to give an hour twice each week to crusading, walked arm-in-arm with
+me. Two school-ma’ms together, we fell into the procession behind the
+experienced campaigners. On Market street we entered a saloon the
+proprietor of which, pointing to several men who were fighting in the
+next room, begged us to leave, and we did so at once, amid the curses
+of the bacchanalian group. Forming in line on the curbstone’s edge in
+front of this saloon, we knelt, while an old lady, to whose son that
+place had proved the gate of death, offered a prayer full of tenderness
+and faith, asking God to open the eyes of those who, just behind that
+screen, were selling liquid fire and breathing curses on his name. We
+rose, and what a scene was there! The sidewalk was lined by men with
+faces written all over and interlined with the record of their sin and
+shame. Soiled with “the slime from the muddy banks of time,” tattered,
+dishevelled, there was not a sneering look or a rude word or action
+from any one of them. Most of them had their hats off; many looked
+sorrowful; some were in tears; and standing there in the roar and
+tumult of that dingy street, with that strange crowd looking into our
+faces--with a heart stirred as never until now by human sin and shame,
+I joined in the sweet gospel song:
+
+ “Jesus the water of life will give
+ Freely, freely, freely!”
+
+Just such an epoch as that was in my life, has the Crusade proved to
+a mighty army of women all over this land. Does anybody think that,
+having learned the blessedness of carrying Christ’s gospel to those
+who never come to church to hear the messages we are all commanded
+to “Go, tell,” we shall ever lay down this work? Not until the genie
+of the Arabian Nights crowds himself back into the fabulous kettle
+whence he escaped by expanding his pinions in nebulous bars--not
+until then! To-day and every day they go forth on their beautiful
+errands--the “Protestant nuns” who a few years ago were among the
+“anxious and aimless” of our crowded population, or who belonged to
+trades and professions overfull--and with them go the women fresh from
+the sacred home-hearth and cradle-side, wearing the halo of these
+loving ministries. If you would find them, go not alone to the costly
+churches which now welcome their voices, while to those who are “at
+ease in Zion” they gently speak of the great, whitened harvest. But
+go to blacksmith shop and billiard hall, to public reading-room and
+depot waiting-room, to the North End in Boston, Water street, New
+York, the Bailey coffee-houses of Philadelphia, the Friendly Inns of
+Cleveland, the Woman’s Temperance Room of Cincinnati, and Lower Farwell
+Hall, Chicago, and you will find the glad tidings declared by the new
+“apostolic succession,” dating from the Pentecost of the Crusade.
+
+There is another question often asked, to which this thought of woman’s
+temperance work conducts us, viz.: _What is the Crusade doing now?_
+
+Those who ask it with supercilious glance furnish an added illustration
+of the immense power of the human mind to resist knowledge.
+
+ “John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave,
+ But his soul is marching on.”
+
+Just so with the Crusade. It has come and it has gone--that whirlwind
+of the Lord--but it has set forces in motion which each day become more
+potent, and will sweep on until the rum power in America is overthrown.
+There was but one Pentecost; doubtless history will record but one
+Crusade.
+
+A phenomenon no less remarkable, though certainly much less remarked,
+has succeeded that wonderful uprising--indeed, is aptly termed its
+sober, second thought. This is the phenomenon of _organization_. The
+women who went forth by an impulse sudden, irresistible, divine, to
+pray in the saloons, became convinced, as weeks and months passed by,
+theirs was to be no easily-won victory. The enemy was rich beyond
+their power to comprehend. He had upon his side the majesty of law,
+the trickery of politics, and the leagued strength of that almost
+invincible pair--Appetite, Avarice. He was persistent, too, as Fate.
+He had determined to fight it out on that line to the last dollar of
+his enormous treasure-house, and the last ounce of his power. But these
+women of the Crusade believed in God, and in themselves as among his
+appointed instruments for the destruction of the rum power. They loved
+Christ’s cause; they loved the native land that had been so mindful of
+them; they loved their sweet and sacred homes. And so it came about
+that, though they had gone forth only as skirmishers, they soon fell
+into line of battle; though they had innocently hoped to overcome the
+enemy by a sudden assault, they buckled on the armor for the long
+campaign. The Women’s Praying Bands, earnest, impetuous, inspired,
+became the Women’s Temperance Unions, firm, patient, persevering.
+The Praying Bands were without leadership save that which inevitably
+results from the survival of the fittest; the Women’s Unions are
+regularly officered. The first wrought their grand pioneer work in
+sublime indifference to prescribed forms of procedure; “So say we,
+all of us,” being the spirit of “motions” often “made, seconded and
+carried” by the Chair, while the assembled women nodded their earnest
+acquiescence; the second are possessed of good strong “Constitutions”
+(with By-Laws annexed), and follow their “Order of Business” with a
+dutiful regard to parliamentary usage. The Praying Bands, looking for
+immediate deliverance, pressed their numbers into incessant service;
+the Women’s Unions, aware that the battle is to be a long one, ask
+their members only for such help as can be given consistently with
+other duties. Enthusiasm--“a God in us”--enabled the Praying Bands
+to accomplish prodigies; patient purpose, with the same faith that
+inspired the Crusade, is conducting the Unions to victory--distant, but
+sure. To-day twenty-three States are organized, with thousands of local
+auxiliaries, and all confederated in a National Union.
+
+It is safe to say that never did any form of philanthropic work afford
+scope for so great diversity of talent and of method as this branch
+of the temperance reform “of the women, by the women.” In the days of
+the Crusade a dear old grandmother said: “I’m of no use except to go
+along and cry,” and in the same spirit a negro servant said to the
+lady for whom she worked: “I be’ant good for much, but I kin hold the
+ole ombereller over you;” and even the family dog sometimes walked
+with stately step beside his mistress as she lead her “Band.” So, in
+these blessed days that have succeeded, and which have brought such
+inspiration to our lives that “I’m glad I’m alive!” is a frequent
+exclamation, there is a place that seems “just made on purpose” for
+every honest heart and helpful hand. Some feel a special call to the
+gospel work, and others to the execution of the law; some give their
+time to organizing Unions, others to canvassing for subscribers to our
+paper; some raise money, others raise the tone of public sentiment;
+some work among the children, others labor for the men who drink and
+sell, and all are warmly welcomed and find abundant “elbow-room.”
+
+It was the great Iconoclast, that wonderful Crusade! It broke down
+sectarian barriers; it taught women their power to transact business,
+to mould public opinion by public utterance, to influence the decisions
+of voters, and opened the eyes of scores and hundreds to the need of
+the Republic for the suffrages of women, and made them willing to take
+up for their homes and country’s sake the burdens of that citizenship
+they would never have sought for their own.
+
+But best of all, it revealed to the mothers and daughters in our Israel
+their opportunity and duty to employ the growing leisure which our
+advancing civilization and multiplied mechanical contrivances afford
+them, in building up Christ’s empire on the earth. It is a very plain,
+practical matter to help organize the kingdom of heaven in a human
+breast. It is a business enterprise based on an eminently practical
+treatise known as the New Testament. Replace the brandy flask in the
+pocket of a drinking man by the Bible--get him to read with sincere
+wish to understand the words that are spirit and life, and you have
+set in motion the forces of a new dispensation in his heart. You have
+built him up within instead of propping him from without. To give him
+a loaf of bread, if hungry, would be a good thing, but to put him on
+track of getting one for himself by feeding him with heavenly bread,
+is better. To put a broken arm in a sling is a kind act, but if one
+could by an electric touch make that arm whole, that were the supreme
+benefaction, and analogous to that is the loving “gospel work” by which
+we help to enthrone conscience and enshrine Christ in a man’s soul. The
+process is plain and simple as the Rule of Three. The geometric formula
+that “all the angles of a triangle equal two right angles” is not
+more demonstrable upon the blackboard than this rule is demonstrable
+in a life, namely: Prayer will cause a man to cease from sinning,
+as sin will cause a man to cease from prayer. The whole problem of
+“how to do it” was wrought out over and over again by the women of
+the Crusade. They proved anew to the great church militant that its
+solution involves, and ever must, the individualism of Christ’s own
+way of working; that “the masses” are to be lifted up one by one, and
+not otherwise. It is a question of contact. It is “elbow heathen” the
+Crusaders reached, just because they found them at their elbows. They
+acted on the principle that the man and woman in the next alley to us
+are a part of our parish in the geographical nature of things. Some
+people spend a lifetime chasing after “the masses,” and are in such hot
+pursuit they cannot stop to capture the unit of the mass--and that’s
+the nearest and the neediest man. The masses elude us; the next door
+neighbor couldn’t if he would, and wouldn’t if he could. The masses
+are a glittering generality; the man, poor, needy, wicked, sad, is a
+most unglittering fact. It is the way an army is recruited--one by one;
+it is the way commerce marches across a continent and captures it for
+civilization--one by one; it is the way Christ’s church adds to its
+members, and heaven to its souls--one by one. And first, best, and
+most sacred of the lessons taught by the Crusade, was _this lesson of
+individual work for Christ_, which must be learned by every disciple
+before Christ comes as King in government, in society and individual
+life.
+
+Travelling through Ohio two years ago, and resting for a night in some
+dear temperance woman’s home, how many times I said: “Now talk to me
+of the Crusade,” and how significantly uniform was the reply: “O, that
+was something only to be felt and lived; to be wept and prayed over--it
+wasn’t to be told.”
+
+But as you, dear sisters of Ohio, Indiana, and other States both
+east and west, were helped to do a work so wonderful, even so, as I
+believe, has our dear President of the National Union, which grew out
+of the Crusade, been helped to be its faithful Chronicler. We, who
+can but claim to be eleventh-hour laborers at best, may never see the
+passion flower that burst into such splendid bloom before your eyes,
+but evermore we shall be grateful to her whose patient hands gathered
+up its scattered petals and preserved them for the herbarium of our
+memory. Nay, not for ours alone. Posterity will listen to the story
+and place its heroines in the Pantheon of undying fame. And yet how
+well I know you have not wrought for this; nor is it a regret to you
+that, as in this History our friend has written, so in later times the
+record shall embalm your deeds, but not your names. One human life and
+work signifies little to the world. But O, if we have tried to bless
+the lives about us, whether in the sweet evangelism of our homes or in
+the grand philanthropies by which society becomes the foster-parent
+of thousands who are worse than motherless, we shall not have lived
+in vain. Wherever in the nobler future of the land we love, there are
+safe and happy homes, they will be safer and more happy because we have
+lived and toiled. Wherever little children grow to maturity with less
+to lure them into sin, and tempted manhood finds more helpful hands
+outstretched to save, there we shall still be blessing, there we shall
+still be blessed, though our names may be forgotten. O, “may we join
+the choir invisible,” whose voices, sounding onward through the ages,
+shall speak to sad humanity of Him who yesterday, to-day, forever,
+abides the same!
+
+ “In the cross of Christ I glory,
+ Towering o’er the wreck of time;
+ All that’s bright in human story
+ Radiates from its form divine!”
+
+ FRANCES E. WILLARD.
+
+ CHICAGO,
+
+[Illustration: MISS FRANCES E. WILLARD,
+
+First Corresponding Secretary Woman’s National Christian Temperance
+Union.
+
+Elected President in 1879.]
+
+
+
+
+HISTORY
+
+OF THE
+
+WOMEN’S TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE OUTLOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CRUSADE.
+
+
+We are a nation of God’s own right-hand planting. The Lord has given
+us a goodly heritage--a land literally flowing with milk and honey. It
+is estimated that our grain fields are broad and rich enough to supply
+the people of all nations with bread. We have mineral wealth in rich
+abundance; and cotton, and flax, and wool, and silks and furs with
+which to clothe ourselves in royal apparel. Our scheme of government
+is wise, and just, and humane--the best that was ever vouchsafed to
+any people. And God has been with us in his providence in a marked and
+wonderful manner; so that all our enemies have been subdued before
+us by the breath of his power. At his word steam has lent her wings,
+and the lightnings their voice, and heaven spread the wires of her
+whispering gallery, like a network, over the continent, to help on the
+cause of liberty and human progress.
+
+Under these favorable circumstances, we might have been the strongest
+and richest nation in the world had not our rulers in their unwisdom
+encouraged the liquor traffic, and adopted a scheme of raising public
+revenue in connection therewith which has been destructive to our
+moral, industrial, and financial interests.
+
+To avoid imposing a direct tax for the support of the government,
+Congress in 1794 recognized and taxed the liquor traffic as a branch of
+commerce. State legislatures soon followed the same unwise and suicidal
+course. From that time on, protected and encouraged by the government,
+which shared in its spoils, the traffic in intoxicating drinks
+increased rapidly. In 1873, the beginning of the crusade, according
+to the estimate of Dr. Young, Chief of the Bureau of Statistics, our
+annual drink bill reached the enormous sum of $600,000,000! This was
+an annual tax of over $15 per capita for every man, woman, and child
+in the country. If the government had levied a direct tax to secure
+the amount she realized from this business, the cost to the people
+per capita would have been less than $1.80 instead of $15. And then
+the government would have saved the immense sum expended annually in
+sustaining a standing army of revenue officers, detectives, and gaugers
+required in connection with the liquor business.
+
+This enormous tax, which reached all grades of society, fell heaviest
+on the laboring classes--upon those who could not afford to pay it;
+and poverty and ruin came to millions. The whole land was filled
+with beggary and crime, and a bitter wail of want and woe without
+surcease went up to God. Millions who ought to have been producers and
+bread-winners, became consumers, tramps and criminals. Men, mad with
+strong drink, reeled through the streets; women, grown old before their
+time, toiled in their comfortless homes in dumb despair, and little
+half-starved children hid away in fear from their brutal fathers. It
+was with us as it was with the Egyptians--there was one dead in almost
+every house.
+
+But the liquor-dealers were so intrenched behind law, so sheltered
+in politics, so guarded and sustained by the government, that they
+were an oligarchy that could dictate to statesmen, and control
+legislatures, and defy public sentiment. Restrictive laws in most
+of the states were weak and inoperative, and the demand for “free
+rum” and a “free Sabbath” was fierce and loud, and many of the old
+barriers against drunkenness and lewdness and crime were being broken
+down. The government of our large cities was largely in the hands of
+liquor-dealers or the creatures of their choice, and the police force
+under their control; many of the courts were overawed or corrupted;
+Justice was perverted, and Right and Truth trampled under foot. There
+was no redress anywhere for those who had been wronged and ruined by
+the liquor traffic; for the liquor oligarchy, which was largely made up
+of foreigners, had the government by the throat, and compelled her “to
+drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
+
+Spies were in the secret chambers of the government; men high in
+places of trust guarded the liquor interests; enormous frauds were
+planned and carried forward year after year; men who ought to have been
+in the penitentiary were lobbying their schemes for plunder through
+legislative bodies; the air of the national council chamber was reeking
+with alcohol and tobacco. There seemed no hope for us or our country.
+Congress was so much under the influence of the rum power that they
+refused even to look into the matter when “a commission of inquiry” was
+asked for by _hundreds of thousands of the best people in the land_,
+lest they should give offence to the liquor oligarchy. Party managers
+were careful to lay down their platforms so that liquor-dealers could
+stand securely on every plank, no matter how many honest, worthy
+citizens were crowded off.
+
+_The nation was living on her own vitals._ For every thousand dollars
+received from the liquor oligarchy, the government sacrificed one of
+her own citizens. Sixty millions of dollars received--sixty thousand
+men sacrificed annually on this putrid altar of sin.
+
+This was asserted over and over again till the whole land rang with it,
+but the government was too much under the control of liquor-dealers,
+who counselled silence and secrecy, to investigate the charge.
+Legislatures cowering before the liquor power spent their time making
+laws for the protection of the beasts of the field, and the birds of
+the air, and the fishes of the sea, while thousands of men and women
+who were “of more value than many sparrows” were going down to death.
+Men were fined for allowing Canada thistles to grow on their land,
+but saloons were allowed to scatter the thistle-down of profanity,
+lewdness, theft, robbery and murder broadcast. And any attempt to stop
+the ruinous work was branded by liquor-dealers as a gross usurpation of
+authority.
+
+So the people were intimidated, and the drink curse fitted down into
+every fold of society, and rested like a heavy, crushing weight on
+every heart and home. The darkness was intense. None but the angels of
+God, whose wings of light parted the clouds of gloom as they came down
+on errands of mercy--none but the white-robed saints, who went with
+weary feet bearing the lamp of truth into the habitations of cruelty,
+into the saloons, and brothels and jails--knew, or guessed half of the
+sin and sorrow curtained away behind the black folds of the liquor
+traffic.
+
+The slaves of appetite were not the only ones who writhed beneath the
+iron heel of rum, and felt its hellish, fiery breath. The innocent
+suffered with the guilty. This black, fathomless gulf of death swept
+right alongside of Christian homes, and children trained in the lessons
+of truth with loving care, consecrated at family altars and in the
+church, were swept away from purity, home, mother and heaven, and
+cursing God, went down, down with the mighty throng into the dark abyss
+of a drunkard’s grave and a drunkard’s hell.
+
+The church, in the presence of these evils she was commissioned to
+overthrow, was criminally silent and inactive, and many of the watchmen
+on the walls of Zion were dumb, and gave no warning voice when they saw
+the approach of the enemy.
+
+Temperance was not popular. Many who were abstainers said: “It is folly
+to war against the drink system; men will sell as long as men will
+drink, and no power can stop men from drinking.” Temperance societies
+that had labored heroically for nearly a half century were holding
+their own against fearful odds--fighting the battle single-handed.
+
+The women were hopeless. Oh, the agony, the tears, the sleepless
+nights, the heart-breaking anguish that wives and mothers suffered
+during those long, bitter years of sorrow and silence, when few seemed
+to care that the demon had come into their houses and was doing his
+bloody work. When their hearts were breaking, if they cried out in
+their agony or ventured a protest in the saloon or court, the liquor
+oligarchy howled them down with the “mad dog cry” of “Strong-minded,”
+“Unwomanly,” “Go home, old woman, and mend your husband’s breeches,”
+“Go home and darn your stockings;” and the world joined in the
+laugh of scorn, and the church made no defence of the wronged and
+broken-hearted. And so the money that ought to have come to them to
+buy new clothing, went into the tills of the liquor-dealers, and they
+stayed at home till the home was gone, and mended garments till there
+were no garments to mend. No pen can portray the utter hopelessness of
+the women into whose homes the drink curse had come. The men who had
+sworn at the altar to protect and honor them had become demons from
+whom they fled in fear; the white-souled children they had nurtured
+with tenderest care, and cradled with prayer and Christian song, had
+become loathsome sots, too low and brutish for companionship. They
+had been robbed of all--property, social position, brothers, husbands,
+sons, love and hope.
+
+Nor were their more fortunate sisters free from care. The gulf of ruin
+was near each door, and an undefined dread, an awful foreboding, was in
+the heart of every thoughtful wife and mother lest all she loved should
+be swallowed up in its black depths.
+
+Countless unspoken prayers went up to God. Women weeping and praying
+through the long night-watches appealed their cause, lost in so many of
+the courts of earth, to the _Supreme Court_ of Heaven.
+
+Suddenly the world was startled by a flash of heavenly light. Hands of
+faith had touched the hem of power, and a mighty spiritual swirl came
+down upon the people. Christian women, many of whom had never spoken or
+prayed in their own churches, under this Pentecostal baptism went into
+the streets and saloons preaching the gospel of Christ, and the people
+gathered by thousands to listen to the truths that fell from their lips.
+
+The air seemed surcharged with spiritual forces. The angel of the Lord
+that John the Revelator saw was before the altar, “and there was given
+him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all
+saints upon the altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the
+incense which came with the prayers of all saints ascended up before
+God out of the angel’s hand.
+
+“And the angel took the censer and filled it with fire of the altar,
+and cast it into the earth, and there were voices and thunderings and
+lightnings and an earthquake.”
+
+The whole nation was stirred. Never before had men so trembled under
+the power of prayer, or stood in such awe of the fierce lightnings
+of God’s wrath. Never before had society been so shaken by a moral
+earthquake.
+
+The women who kept step with God in his grand onward marching were
+calm and serene. To them the thunder and lightning was but the roll
+and rumble of God’s artillery turned against their enemies, and the
+earthquake the tread of their Captain and his mighty hosts. Inspired
+by a heaven-born heroism, they went into the saloons, and facing the
+liquor-dealers in the midst of their deadly work, entreated them in
+God’s name to give up their business and seek pardon and salvation in
+Christ.
+
+Delicately nurtured women, who had not felt the awful evil in their
+own homes, and who had passed by on the other side and hardly ventured
+to look toward the dens where their neighbors’ children were being
+murdered by the slow tortures that kill soul and body, marched boldly
+into the saloons and on into the back rooms where the awful secrets of
+sin and debauchery are hid away, and preached to the spirits in prison
+there. Men who walked among the tombs heard through them the voice of
+the Master and were delivered.
+
+Public attention was directed to the liquor traffic as never before. A
+calcium light had been turned upon it, and the mass of the people were
+horrified at what they saw and heard.
+
+Liquor-dealers writhed under this close scrutiny--under this blaze
+of light--like serpents in the fire, spitting forth their venom and
+stinging themselves in their fury. But when Mrs. Thompson and the
+seventy women who followed her went out of the Presbyterian Church at
+Hillsboro’, Ohio, singing,
+
+ “Give to the winds your fears;
+ Hope and be undismayed:
+ God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears:
+ God will lift up thy head--”
+
+they heralded a new dispensation in the temperance work--a
+union of the moral forces of earth with the invincible forces of
+heaven, and victory was assured.
+
+The Crusade, then, was God’s method of arousing public sentiment and
+consolidating the moral forces of the land, and women His chosen
+instruments for this important and unusual work.
+
+
+
+
+OHIO.
+
+THE BEGINNING OF THE CRUSADE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+HILLSBORO’, OHIO.
+
+ I am indebted to Mrs. Dean K. Fenner for this able report; I have
+ added but little to it.
+
+On the evening of the 23d December, 1873, there might have been seen in
+the streets of Hillsboro’, Ohio, persons singly or in groups wending
+their way to Music Hall, where a lecture on temperance was to be
+delivered by Dr. Dio Lewis, of Boston, Massachusetts.
+
+Some account of the town and people of Hillsboro’ is necessary in
+this connection. It is a small place, containing something more than
+3,000 people, and situated in a beautiful part of southern Ohio. Owing
+to the educational advantages of the place--there being two colleges
+for young ladies there and a large public school--the inhabitants are
+rather better educated than is usually the case in small towns, and its
+society is indeed noted in that part of the country for its quietude,
+culture, and refinement.
+
+But Hillsboro’ was by no means exempt from the prevailing scourge
+of intemperance. The early settlers of Hillsboro’ were mostly
+from Virginia, and brought with them the old-fashioned ideas of
+hospitality. No sideboard was considered properly furnished unless the
+usual supply of decanters and glasses was there. The habit of drinking
+was almost the rule. For many years previous to the crusade the
+professional men, and especially of the bar, were nearly all habitual
+drinkers, and many of them very dissipated. Of course the influence of
+their example was felt everywhere about them, and extended to the next
+generation. When a few earnest temperance men, among whom was Governor
+Allen Trimble, initiated a total abstinence movement in or about the
+year 1830, the pulpit took up arms against them, and a condemnatory
+sermon was preached in one of the churches.
+
+Thus it was that although from time to time men, good and true,
+banded themselves together in efforts to break up this dreadful state
+of things and reform society, all endeavors seemed to fail of any
+permanent effect. Outside appearances were indeed better. The farmers
+could get their harvests in without a keg of whiskey, and the family
+grocers no longer sold it with their tea and sugar. But in many homes
+the light of hope was gone out. Mothers were heart-broken and wives
+worse than widowed. Sighs and tears were continually poured out from
+sorrowing souls, who saw no hand stretched out for their deliverance.
+
+The plan laid down by Dr. Lewis challenged attention by its novelty at
+least. He believed and argued that the work of temperance reform might
+be successfully carried on by women if they would set about it in the
+right manner--going to the saloon-keeper in a spirit of Christian
+love, and persuading him for the sake of humanity and his own eternal
+welfare to quit the hateful, soul-destroying business. The doctor spoke
+with enthusiasm; and, seeing him so full of faith, the hearts of the
+women seized the hope--a forlorn one, ’tis true, but still a hope--and
+when Dr. Lewis asked if they were willing to undertake the task, scores
+of women rose to their feet, and there was no lack of good men who
+pledged themselves to encourage and sustain the women in their work.
+
+A meeting for the further development of the plan was agreed upon,
+to be held in the Presbyterian Church at ten o’clock next morning,
+Wednesday, December 24th, and at the time appointed there was gathered
+a solemn assembly. A strange work was to be done, and by unaccustomed
+hands.
+
+On bended knee, and with uplifted hearts, they invoked the blessing
+and guidance of Him “who knoweth the end from the beginning,” and then
+proceeded to the business of the hour.
+
+Rev. W. J. McSurely, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, was called to
+the chair. A committee was appointed to prepare an appeal which was
+to be presented to the liquor-sellers; also a druggist’s pledge and a
+dealer’s pledge.
+
+[Illustration: MRS. ELIZA J. THOMPSON,
+
+Leader of the First Crusade Band.]
+
+Officers were then elected: Mrs. Eliza J. Thompson, President; Mrs.
+Sally McDowell, Vice-President; Mrs. Mary B. Fenner, Secretary.
+
+Mrs. Thompson is the daughter of ex-Governor Trimble, of Ohio. She is
+a lady of culture, about sixty years of age, of modest and pleasant
+appearance and very agreeable manners. She speaks with great
+simplicity, in a conversational style, and with a quaintness that is
+peculiarly attractive. Whenever she addresses an audience she is sure
+of an attentive hearing.
+
+Her recital of
+
+ “THE FIRST CRUSADE”
+
+is somewhat on this wise: “On the 22d of last December Dr.
+Dio Lewis lectured before our lyceum. It was a literary lecture,
+and the subject was ‘Our Girls.’ I wasn’t there. My boy came home
+and said, ‘Ma, they’ve got you into business;’ and went on to tell
+that Dio Lewis had incidentally related the successful effort of his
+mother, by prayer and persuasion, to close the saloon in a town where
+he lived when a boy, and that he had exhorted the women of Hillsboro’
+to do the same, and fifty had risen up to signify their willingness,
+and that they looked to me to help them to carry out their promise.
+As I’m talking to you here familiarly, I’ll go on to say that my
+husband, who had retired, and was in an adjoining room, raised up on
+his elbow and called out, ‘Oh! that’s all tomfoolery!’ I remember I
+answered something like this: ‘Well, husband, the men have been in the
+tomfoolery business a long time; perhaps the Lord is going to call
+us into partnership with them.’ I said no more. The next morning my
+brother-in-law, Colonel ----, came in and told me about the meeting,
+and said, ‘Now, you must be sure to go to the women’s meeting at the
+church this morning; they look to see you there.’ Our folks talked it
+all over, and my husband said, ‘Well, we all know where your mother’ll
+take this case for counsel,’ and then he pointed to the Bible and left
+the room.
+
+“I went into the corner of my room, and knelt down and opened my Bible
+to see what God would say to me. Just at that moment there was a tap on
+the door and my daughter entered. She was in tears; she held her Bible
+in her hand, open to the 146th Psalm. She said, ‘Ma, I just opened to
+this, and I think it is for you,’ and then she went away, and I sat
+down and read
+
+ THIS WONDERFUL MESSAGE FROM GOD.
+
+“‘Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there
+is no help. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
+whose hope is in the Lord his God; which keepeth truth forever; which
+executeth judgment for the oppressed; the Lord looseth the prisoners;
+the Lord openeth the eyes of the blind; the Lord raiseth them that
+are bowed down; the Lord loveth the righteous; the Lord relieveth the
+fatherless and the widow--_but the way of the wicked he turneth upside
+down_. The Lord shall reign forever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all
+generations. Praise ye the Lord!’
+
+“I knew that was for me, and I got up, put on my shoes, and started. I
+went to the church, in this town where I was born. I sat down quietly
+in the back part of the audience-room, by the stove. A hundred ladies
+were assembled. I heard my name--heard the whisper pass through the
+company, ‘Here she is!’ ‘She’s come!’ and before I could get to the
+pulpit, they had put me ‘in office’--I was their leader.
+
+“Many of our citizens were there, and our ministers also. They stayed
+a few minutes, and then rose and went out, saying, ‘This is your
+work--we leave it with the women and the Lord.’ When they had gone, I
+just opened the big pulpit Bible and read that 146th Psalm, and told
+them the circumstance of my selecting it. The women sobbed so I could
+hardly go on. When I had finished, I felt inspired to call on a dear
+Presbyterian lady to pray. She did so without the least hesitation,
+though it was the first audible prayer in her life. I can’t tell you
+anything about that prayer, only that the words were like fire.
+
+“When she had prayed, I said--and it all came to me just at the moment--
+
+ ‘NOW, LADIES, LET US FILE OUT, TWO BY TWO,
+
+the smallest first, and let us sing as we go,
+
+ “Give to the winds thy fears.”’
+
+“We went first to John ----’s saloon. Now, John was a German, and his
+sister had lived in my family thirteen years, and she was very mild and
+gentle, and I hoped it might prove a family trait, but I found out it
+wasn’t. He fumed about dreadfully and said, ‘It’s awful; it’s a sin and
+a shame to pray in a saloon!’ But we prayed right on just the same.”
+
+That the choice was dictated by God we must believe, for in all
+the trials and discouragements which have beset us, and they have
+been many, her trust in God has never failed. She had tested his
+faithfulness through many years of heavy and sore trouble, and had
+proved that his promises are “Yea and amen, to them that believe.”
+And no other woman could have kept up such a spirit of courage and
+hopefulness in the little band of devoted women, who have met week
+after week, all these years, to pray for God’s blessing on the work.
+
+After the election of officers, came the plan for work. It was decided
+to go to the drug stores first, so that the saloonists might not plead
+their example as an excuse for themselves.
+
+Mrs. J. M. Boyd was chosen to present the appeal on that visit. All the
+druggists signed the pledge except Mr. Dunn, of whom more hereafter.
+
+Next day the ladies held another meeting, but decided not to make
+any visitations, it being Christmas-day, and the hotel-keepers more
+than usually busy and not likely to listen very attentively to our
+proposition.
+
+On the 26th, the hotels and saloons were visited; Mrs. Thompson
+presenting the appeal. And it was on this morning, and at the saloon
+of Robert Ward, that there came a break in the established routine.
+“Bob” was a social, jolly sort of fellow, and his saloon was a favorite
+resort, and there were many women in the company that morning whose
+hearts were aching in consequence of his wrong-doing. Mrs. Thompson
+presented the appeal, another lady read a selection in the Bible,
+and then Mrs. Thompson began to talk to him; and she did it with
+her heart all stirred up by the memory of the wrongs the man had
+done to many whose weakness he had taken advantage of, dragging them
+down to disgrace and ruin. Ward was evidently touched. He confessed
+that it was a “bad business,” said if he could only “afford to quit
+it he would,” and then tears began to flow from his eyes. Many of
+the ladies were weeping, and at length, as if by inspiration, Mrs.
+Thompson kneeled on the floor of the saloon, all kneeling with her,
+even the saloonist, and prayed, pleading with indescribable pathos
+and earnestness for the conversion and salvation of this and all
+saloon-keepers. When the amen was sobbed rather than spoken, Mrs.
+Washington Doggett’s sweet voice began, “There is a fountain,” etc.,
+in which all joined; the effect was most solemn, and when the hymn was
+finished the ladies went quietly away, and that was the first saloon
+prayer-meeting.
+
+This is a fair specimen of the saloon visiting as carried on in
+Hillsboro’ for more than three months. Then the doors were locked and
+the prayer-meetings were held on the pavements; extreme care was taken
+not to obstruct the passage-way.
+
+Mr. W. H. H. Dunn, the druggist, who refused to sign the druggist’s
+pledge, and who was known to be selling whiskey for drinking, and to
+minors, too, in disobedience of the law, became very much incensed at
+the continuous effort on the part of the women to persuade him to sign
+the pledge, and I may say here that not the women alone plead with him;
+a petition signed by a large number of the leading men of the place
+was presented to him by two of the oldest and most respected citizens,
+without the least effect. Let it be said as some excuse for him that
+he had bad advisers, and that large sums of money were sent him by the
+Whiskey Ring, that he might be able to fight the Crusaders in the
+courts.
+
+The first thing done was the issuing of a “pronunciamento,” forbidding
+the women to sing and pray on his store steps, or on the sidewalk in
+front of his store. This was printed on slips of paper, and copies
+scattered over the town, and about the front of the drug store in
+question. This was early in the morning of the 31st January, 1874, and
+when the hour came for the usual prayer-meeting, there was a great
+questioning as to what was to be done; finally, some of the gentlemen
+said the ladies should go on the street as usual, and that by the time
+they had gone the round of the saloons, a place would be ready in front
+of Mr. Dunn’s.
+
+Accordingly, in an hour or two, there was erected in front of the drug
+store a covered structure, made of boards and canvas, enclosed on
+three sides, and open on the side next the store. The ladies soon took
+possession and held a prayer-meeting.
+
+Mr. Dunn could not stand that, so he applied to Judge Safford, then
+presiding at court in Hillsboro’, for an injunction against this
+“tabernacle.” The injunction was granted, and a notice served on Mr.
+Sayler, a very active temperance man, after he had gone to bed. It was
+Saturday night, and in order that he might obey the law and still keep
+the Sabbath, he dressed himself, procured some help, and had everything
+removed by twelve o’clock. An appeal was made at once by the temperance
+people for dissolution of the injunction; the case was heard by Judge
+Steele, at the February term of court, and the injunction dissolved on
+the finding of a legal flaw in the application of the plaintiff. But
+Mr. Dunn was not to be quieted. He now brought a suit for “trespass”
+against the Crusaders, and asked $10,000 damages.
+
+This suit was heard before Judge Gray, at the May term of court, 1875.
+Able counsel was employed on both sides. The question was felt to be a
+vital one, and the court-room was crowded to overflowing for _seventeen
+days_. The examination of witnesses occupied thirteen or fourteen days,
+though not nearly all of the two hundred were called to the stand.
+
+One incident of this trial must be told. It happened during Judge
+Safford’s speech, one of Mr. Dunn’s counsel. There was in the
+court-room a dear old lady, Mrs. Margaret Foreaker, a genuine mother
+in Israel, who, full of faith, prayed much during the trial, and
+while Judge Safford was speaking, prayed especially that he might be
+“confounded.” He had been going along swimmingly, and entirely to the
+satisfaction of his friends, when suddenly he seemed to lose the thread
+of his argument, dropped his eye-glasses two or three times, could not
+find his references, made quotations not bearing on the points he was
+trying to establish, and his embarrassment was so obvious that Mrs.
+F. said afterward she did not know but she had “prayed too hard.” The
+judge did not recover himself, and one of Dunn’s friends went over
+to the hotel and reported the case as “lost,” that Judge Safford had
+ruined it.
+
+The jury were compelled by the ruling of the court to bring a verdict
+against the defendants, and laid the costs on them, with $5 damages.
+Counsel for the defence made a bill of exceptions to the rulings of
+Judge Gray, and the case was carried to the Supreme Court of the State.
+It is still pending, but will probably be dismissed, as Mr. W. H. H.
+Dunn is now a _bankrupt_. _Mr. Sayler owns_ the store, and Mr. Dunn’s
+assignee will not defend the suit in Supreme Court.
+
+The “street work” was not resumed after the Dunn suits began. It was
+thought best not to defy the law even in appearance until the decision
+of the courts should be known. But there was plenty to do. The new
+constitution was about to be presented to the people of Ohio, and
+“License” or “No License” was the great question. The women girded
+themselves for the strife. Into the school districts and smaller
+towns they went in little parties, held meetings, organized leagues,
+circulated petitions, and kept on praying. The license clause was
+defeated.
+
+A few miles north of Hillsboro’ is the little village of L----. It
+is quite a pleasant little place; the people are intelligent; there
+are two churches, good schools, and a few stores, etc. But there
+was one drawback to the peace of the community, and that was the
+drinking-saloon attached to the hotel. The proprietor was one of the
+oldest citizens, and when the Crusade began it was hoped that he would
+at once come over on the temperance side. But as he did not, there was
+a meeting called in the little white church to consider what should be
+done. The meeting was large, and after a prayer, a visiting committee
+of ladies went down to Mr. ----’s saloon. He met them at the door, and
+very kindly invited them into the parlor with his amiable wife and
+daughter. There they talked the matter over, but he refused to sign
+the pledge. The next day they called again, and he was very angry and
+locked the door; but on the third day, seeing that the whole community
+was roused, he grew calm, and said, “Ladies, I will not sign your
+pledge; but I will promise you in the presence of God that I will never
+sell another drop of liquor in this town after the 20th of this month,
+and if I violate my word you may have every cent I am worth. I will
+walk out and you may walk in.” He kept his word for a while, but the
+temptation to put a few more dimes in his pocket was too strong, and he
+secretly bought another barrel of whiskey. Just at this time several
+of the leading temperance women were sick and could not visit him, but
+“God met him.” The quiet village was alarmed by the cry of “fire!” It
+was the _hotel_. It caught from a segar thrown into a sawdust spittoon
+in the _saloon_. While it was burning, a lady said, “O, dear! our town
+is built so compactly, it will all burn.” “Never thee fear,” said a
+good Quaker sister, “not a building will burn but that one. Don’t thee
+see? not a leaf is moving; the flames go straight up, and the sparks
+fall back on the house.” She was right. The hotel, store, saloon, and
+all belonging to it were entirely burned, while not another house
+caught fire. Unappalled by this judgment, Mr. ---- built a room on the
+same lot in which to sell whiskey, but became paralyzed, and in a short
+time died a miserable death. There is no whiskey now sold in L----.
+
+I want to relate one or two little incidents that show the hardening
+effect of liquor-selling on the dealer.
+
+There was a saloon-keeper brought from Greenfield to H---- to be tried
+under the Adair law. The poor mother who brought the suit had besought
+him not to sell to her son--“her only son.” He replied roughly that
+he would sell to him “as long as he had a dime.” Another mother, an
+old lady, made the same request, “lest,” she said, “he may some day
+fill a drunkard’s grave.” “Madam,” he replied, “your son has as good
+a right to fill a drunkard’s grave as any other mother’s son.” And in
+one of the Hillsboro’ saloons a lady saw her nephew. “O, Mr. B----,”
+said she, “don’t sell whiskey to that boy: if he has one drink he will
+want another, and he may die a drunkard.” “Madam, I will sell to him
+if it sends his soul to hell,” was the awful reply. The last man is
+a peculiarly hard, stony sort of man; his lips look as if chiselled
+out of flint, a man to be afraid of. One morning, when the visiting
+band reached his door, they found him in a very bad humor. He locked
+his door and seated himself on the horse-block in front in a perfect
+rage, clenched his fist, swore furiously, and ordered us to go home.
+Some gentlemen, on the opposite side of the street, afterwards said
+that they were watching the scene, ready to rush over and defend the
+ladies from an attack, and they were sure it would come; but one of the
+ladies, a sweet-souled woman, gentle and placid, kneeled just at his
+feet, and poured out such a tender, earnest prayer for him, that he
+quieted down entirely, and when she rose and offered him her hand in
+token of kind feeling, he could not refuse to take it.
+
+But it was not always stormy; sometimes it was summer-sunshine, as
+witness: One bright Saturday afternoon, while we were singing the sweet
+songs of Zion and offering prayer, an old gentleman, a stranger to us
+all, stood at a little distance from our band, and while listening
+to us was led by the Spirit to give his heart to God. He went to his
+home bearing the glad tidings to his friends. He told it in church the
+following Sabbath, and a revival began then which resulted in many
+conversions.
+
+As I go over these facts of a time so full of interest, I recall the
+figure of a venerable, dignified old gentleman, full of vigor and
+enthusiasm, though the frosts of seventy-five winters had whitened
+his head; this was General Jos. J. McDowell, the husband of our
+vice-president. His interest kept pace with the work, he was at nearly
+all the meetings, and had ever a word of counsel or encouragement for
+the women. But there was one thing lacking. He was not a professing
+Christian, and his many friends grew sad when they saw that he was
+drawing so near the close of life without the only hope that can
+lighten the pathway to the tomb. The time came, however, for the Spirit
+to do its work. The ladies had been holding a series of religious
+meetings in their consecrated league room, morning after morning, for
+two months (January and February, 1876). The presence of the One Mighty
+to save and strong to deliver was gloriously manifesting himself,
+and on one of these mornings General McDowell came in and took his
+seat. Mrs. Thompson, who was leading the meeting on that occasion,
+after a very touching hymn had been sung, Scripture read, and prayer
+offered, proposed spending a short time in testimony. One and another
+had spoken, when Mrs. T---- said, in a kind, familiar way, “General
+McDowell, we are most happy to have you with us this morning, and as
+you have so often encouraged our hearts in our temperance work, we
+should love to hear _you speak_.”
+
+He arose slowly, and in a very solemn manner said, “I do not feel
+worthy to speak on sacred subjects before you good women.” After some
+hesitation he resumed, “I have been a great sinner; for many years,
+especially during the war, I had almost come to the conclusion that
+there was no such thing as religion, but seeing the spirit of divine
+love displayed by the crusading ladies of our town, as they have knelt
+_on snow_ even, in front of the barred doors of these worse than
+murderers, to pray for their souls; and as in the churches I have
+watched the tears stream down their cheeks as they have prayed the
+divine blessing upon them and their families, I have felt my heart
+soften. _Now_ I feel that I can say _I love the Saviour_.” The scene
+that followed can be better imagined than described, as that devoted
+wife, who had prayed for her noble husband for more than fifty years,
+received him a new creature in Christ Jesus. All were baptized afresh
+by the Holy Spirit, and we grasped with firmer hold the hand of our
+Almighty Friend who had bidden us walk upon the untried waves, December
+23d, 1873.
+
+Since the departure of this dear friend of the Crusade to the “Home
+of the Soul,” for which home he was _rapidly matured_, wonderful
+developments of divine mercy have been displayed in our highly-favored
+town, Hillsboro’. Last spring a gracious revival resulted from the
+“union services” of the Quaker Evangelists, Nathan and Esther Frame.
+Scores of young men were converted during these meetings who had been
+the objects of our _earnest_ and special prayers. Many a mother’s heart
+was made glad, and the churches all received their dead raised to life
+again.
+
+Thus God prepared our community for the glorious dawn of the Murphy
+movement, and wonderfully qualified by _reformation based upon
+conversion_, our Congressman elect, Hon. Henry Dickey, for its
+inauguration. The first Murphy meeting was held on the evening of May
+15th, 1877, and the first men to sign the pledge were some of our
+prominent citizens in every profession; but pre-eminently the lawyers,
+men of talent and influence, but whose habit of intemperance had long
+been a source of grief and anxiety to their friends. Three hundred
+signed the pledge upon the first evening; within two weeks over two
+thousand names were upon the roll; some of the most energetic workers
+in the movement were men who were foremost in opposing the Crusade,
+unsparing and bitter in their invectives against all concerned. That
+which fills us with astonishment and devout thanksgiving is the desire
+evinced by these men, that old scores be wiped out, and Christian women
+come to the front and help in the cause by their presence and sympathy.
+
+
+BAPTIZED IN WHISKEY.
+
+Among the many interesting incidents of work reported at the Woman’s
+Temperance Camp-Meeting at Ocean Grove was the following, related by
+Mrs. E. J. Thompson, of Hillsboro’:
+
+“During the Crusade, a saloon-keeper consented to close his business.
+There was a great deal of enthusiasm and interest, and we women decided
+to compensate the man for his whiskey and make a bonfire of it in the
+street. A great crowd gathered about the saloon, and the barrels of
+whiskey were rolled out to the public square where we were to have our
+bonfire. Myself and two other little women, who had been chosen to
+knock in the heads, and had come to the place with axes concealed under
+our shawls, went to our work with a will.
+
+“I didn’t know I was so strong, but I lifted that axe like a woodman
+and brought it down with such force that the first blow stove in the
+head of a barrel and splashed the whiskey in every direction. I was
+literally baptized with the noxious stuff. The intention was to set it
+on fire, and we had brought matches for that purpose, _but it would not
+burn_! It was a villanous compound of some sort, but we had set out
+to have a fire, and were determined by some means or other to make it
+burn, so we sent for some coal oil and poured it on and we soon had a
+blaze. The man who could sell such liquors would not be likely to keep
+the pledge. He is selling liquors again.”
+
+
+VICTORY AT WASHINGTON C. H.
+
+Most of the facts in the following history of the work at Washington C.
+H. have been gleaned from the official report of the secretary, Mrs. M.
+V. Ustick.
+
+It will be seen that the Crusade began in this town only two days later
+than at Hillsboro’. And Washington C. H. was the first place where the
+Crusade was made prominent and successful.
+
+On Friday morning, Dec. 26th, 1873, after an hour of prayer in the M.
+E. Church, forty-four women filed slowly and solemnly down the aisle,
+and started forth upon their strange mission with fear and trembling,
+while the male portion of the audience remained at the church to pray
+for the success of this new undertaking; the tolling of the church-bell
+keeping time to the solemn march of the women, as they wended their way
+to the first drug store on the list. (The number of places within the
+city limits where intoxicating drinks were sold was fourteen--eleven
+saloons and three drug stores.) Here, as in every place, they entered
+singing, every woman taking up the sacred strain as she crossed the
+threshold. This was followed by the reading of the appeal and prayer;
+then earnest pleading to desist from their soul-destroying traffic and
+sign the dealer’s pledge.
+
+Thus, all the day long, they went from place to place, without stopping
+even for dinner or lunch, till five o’clock, meeting with no marked
+success; but invariably courtesy was extended to them; not even their
+reiterated promise, “We will call again,” seeming to offend.
+
+No woman who has ever entered one of these dens of iniquity on such an
+errand needs to be told of the heart-sickness that almost overcame them
+as they, for the first time, saw behind those painted windows or green
+blinds, or entered the little stifling “back room,” or found their
+way down winding steps into the damp, dark cellars, and realized that
+into _such places_ those they loved best were being landed, through
+the allurements of the brilliantly lighted drug store, the fascinating
+billiard-table, or the enticing beer-gardens, with their syren
+attractions. A crowded house at night, to hear the report of the day’s
+work, betrayed the rapidly increasing interest in this mission.
+
+On the 27th the contest really began, and, at the first place, the
+doors were found locked. With hearts full of compassion, the women
+knelt in the snow upon the pavement, to plead for the divine influence
+upon the heart of the liquor-dealer, and there held their first street
+prayer-meeting.
+
+At night the weary but zealous workers reported at a mass-meeting of
+the various rebuffs, and the success in having two druggists sign the
+pledge not to sell, except upon the written prescription of a physician.
+
+The Sabbath was devoted to union mass-meeting, with direct reference to
+the work in hand; and on Monday the number of ladies had increased to
+near one hundred. That day, December 29th, is one long to be remembered
+in Washington, as the day upon which occurred the first surrender ever
+made by a liquor-dealer, of his stock of liquors of every kind and
+variety, to the women, in answer to their prayers and entreaties,
+and by them poured into the street. Nearly a thousand men, women, and
+children witnessed the mingling of beer, ale, wine, and whiskey, as
+they filled the gutters and were drank up by the earth, while the bells
+were ringing, men and boys shouting, and women singing and praying to
+God who had given the victory. But on the fourth day, “stock sale-day,”
+the campaign had reached its height, the town being filled with
+visitors from all parts of the county and adjoining villages. Another
+public surrender, and another pouring into the street of a larger stock
+of liquors than on the previous day, and more intense excitement and
+enthusiasm.
+
+Mass-meetings were held nightly, with new victories reported
+constantly, until on Friday, January 2d, one week from the beginning of
+the work, at the public meeting held in the evening, the secretary’s
+report announced the unconditional surrender of every liquor-dealer,
+some having shipped their liquors back to wholesale dealers, others
+having poured them into the gutters, and the druggists as all having
+signed the pledge. Thus a campaign of prayer and song, had, in eight
+days, closed eleven saloons, and pledged three drug stores to sell only
+on prescription. At first men had wondered, scoffed, and laughed, then
+criticised, respected and yielded.
+
+Morning prayer and evening mass-meetings continued daily, and the
+personal pledge was circulated till over one thousand signatures were
+obtained. Physicians were called upon to sign a pledge not to prescribe
+ardent spirits when any other substitute could be found, and in no case
+without a personal examination of the patient.
+
+Early in the third week the discouraging intelligence came that a
+new man had taken out license to sell liquor in one of the deserted
+saloons, and that he was backed by a whiskey house in Cincinnati, to
+the amount of $5,000, to break down this movement. On Wednesday, the
+14th, the whiskey was unloaded at his room. About forty women were
+on the ground and followed the liquor in, and remained holding an
+uninterrupted prayer-meeting all day and until eleven o’clock at night.
+The next day, bitterly cold, was spent in the same place and manner,
+without fire or chairs, two hours of that time the women being locked
+in, while the proprietor was off attending a trial. On the following
+day, the coldest of all the winter of 1874, the women were locked out,
+and stood on the street holding religious services all day long.
+
+Next morning a tabernacle was built in the street, just in front of the
+house, and was occupied for the double purpose of _watching_ and prayer
+through the day; but before night the sheriff closed the saloon, and
+the proprietor surrendered; thus ended the third week.
+
+A short time after, on a dying bed, this four days’ liquor-dealer sent
+for some of these women, telling them their songs and prayers had
+never ceased to ring in his ears, and urging them to pray again in his
+behalf; so he passed away.
+
+ Early in the work Mrs. George Carpenter, Mrs. A. C. Hirst, Mrs. A.
+ E. Pine and Mrs. Ogle, who were appointed to draw up an appeal,
+ presented the following
+
+ APPEAL.
+
+ Knowing, as you do, the fearful effects of intoxicating drinks, we,
+ the women of Washington, after earnest prayer and deliberation,
+ have decided to appeal to you to desist from this ruinous traffic,
+ that our husbands, brothers, and especially our sons, be no longer
+ exposed to this terrible temptation, and that we may no longer see
+ them led into those paths which go down to sin, and bring both
+ body and soul to destruction. We appeal to the better instincts of
+ your own hearts, in the name of desolated homes, blasted hopes,
+ ruined lives, widowed hearts, for the honor of our community, for
+ our happiness; for our good name, as a town; in the name of the
+ God who will judge you, as well as ourselves; for the sake of your
+ own souls, which are to be saved or lost, we beg, we implore you,
+ to cleanse yourselves from this heinous sin, and place yourselves
+ in the ranks of those who are striving to elevate and ennoble
+ themselves and their fellow-men; and to this we ask you to pledge
+ yourselves.
+
+ This appeal was adopted, and was afterwards extensively used in other
+ parts of the State, and in other States.
+
+ A property-holders’ pledge was also circulated--pledging men not to
+ rent, or lease property, to be used as saloons, nor to allow any
+ dealings of the liquor traffic to be carried on upon any premises
+ belonging to them. This pledge was generally signed by holders of
+ real estate.
+
+ During this week came a plea for help from Hillsborough. In answer to
+ that call, on Monday, January 12th, a committee, consisting of Profs.
+ Morehouse and Dean, and Mrs. M. G. Carpenter, Mrs. Judge McLean, Mrs.
+ Judge Priddy, and Miss Annie Ustick, went to Hillsborough, spent the
+ evening in attendance upon a mass-meeting there, and next forenoon in
+ prayer and conference with the workers, returning in time to attend
+ the mass-meeting at home, bringing with them encouraging words.
+
+ By this time the new method of fighting whiskey began to attract the
+ attention of the press and people in surrounding places; and meetings
+ were announced to be held in every village and school district in the
+ county. Committees of ladies and gentlemen were sent out to assist
+ in these meetings. Committees were also sent, by request, into all
+ adjoining counties, the meetings being constantly kept up at home,
+ and all the while gaining in interest.
+
+ About this time came word from Columbus, that the Adair Liquor Law
+ was in great danger of being repealed; consequently the following
+ communication was sent to every known Temperance organization
+ throughout the State, by the Washington League:
+
+ “_To the Secretary of Women’s Temperance League, at ----_:
+
+ “DEAR SISTER--By order of the entire body of our Temperance League,
+ we send you an urgent request that you immediately appoint a
+ committee of not less than six, of the most earnest and effective
+ workers, who shall be ready at an hour’s notice, to respond to the
+ call embodied in the following resolution:
+
+ “‘_Resolved_, That the secretary of this meeting be requested to
+ correspond with the ladies in all places where the Temperance
+ movement is now, or may be progressing, asking the same to appoint
+ a delegation to appear at Columbus, when called, if any action of
+ the legislature, threatening the safety of the Adair Liquor Law,
+ may be contemplated.’
+
+ “Please notify us of your decision in the matter, forwarding us
+ one name to whom we may telegraph if necessary.”--[Signed by the
+ secretary.]
+
+ Responses poured in from all Leagues addressed--the word “_Ready_.”
+ But the law remained undisturbed that winter.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ The names of the following women, chosen by God and men to inaugurate
+ this great work and carry it forward to success, appeared in the
+ columns of the _Fayette County Herald_ at the time:
+
+ Mrs. George Carpenter; Miss Annie Ustick; Mrs. A. C. Hirst; Mrs. A.
+ E. Pine; Mrs. B. Ogle; Mrs. P. E. Morehouse; Miss M. A. Love; Mrs.
+ Wm. Stevens; Mrs. O. Grubbs; Mrs. J. Van Deman; Mrs. E. Milliken;
+ Mrs. A. Blakemore; Mrs. Wm. Smith; Mrs. P. T. Light; Mrs. H. L.
+ Hadley; Mrs. F. Nitterhouse; Mrs. D. McLean; Mrs. Allen Hegler; Mrs.
+ T. N. Ustick; Miss A. E. Robinson; Miss Julia Wood; Miss Anna Cherry;
+ Mrs. S. Lydy; Miss Brightie Ogle; Miss Flora Ogle; Mrs. Barnett;
+ Mrs. Farmer; Mrs. Geo. Dahl; Mrs. M. Gardner; Miss Kate Foster; Mrs.
+ Col. Maynard; Mrs. Dr. Dennis; Mrs. Dr. Coffman; Miss Belle Stuckey;
+ Mrs. H. P. Cherry; Mrs. J. B. Priddy; Mrs. M. Blackmore; Mrs. A. E.
+ Silcott; Miss L. Milliken; Miss Emma Wilcox; Mrs. H. P. Ustick; Miss
+ Ida Dean; Mrs. J. Hopkins; Mrs. C. L. Getz; Mrs. T. Gardner; Mrs. Wm.
+ Gordon; Miss A. Kephart.
+
+But there still remained the beer hall of Charlie Beck, about half a
+mile out. Carriages were furnished the ladies, free of charge, from the
+temperance livery-stable of Collins & Bitzer, and in these the band
+made daily visits to Beck’s.
+
+At this time the Cincinnati _Commercial_ sent a reporter to view the
+land, from whose graphic pen we quote the following:
+
+“I reached Washington at noon of January 20th, and seeking Mr. Beck’s
+beer garden, found him in a state of terrible nervousness, as the
+ladies had spent the forenoon in front of this place. He evidently
+regarded me as a spy, but was much mollified when assured that I was
+only a journalist, and made voluminous complaint in ‘high Dutch’ and
+‘low English.’
+
+“‘I got no vitnesses. Dem vimens dey set up a shob on me. But you don’t
+bin a ’bitual drunkard, eh? No, you don’t look like him. Vell, coom in,
+coom in. Vat you vant, beer or vine? I dells you, dem vimens is shust
+awful. By shinks, dey build a house right in the shreet, and stay mit a
+man all day a singin’ and oder foolishness. But dey don’t get in here
+once agin already.’
+
+“In obedience to this invitation, I had entered by the side door--the
+front was locked and barred--to find four customers indulging in
+liquor, beer and pigs’ feet.
+
+“Mr. Beck kept open house nearly all that night; the sounds of revelry
+were plainly heard in town, and in the morning several drunken men came
+into town, one of whom tumbled down into a livery-stable, and went
+to sleep on a manure pile, from which he was carried to the lock-up.
+Matters were evidently coming to a crisis, and I went out early; but
+the ladies reached there in force just before me. I met Mr. Beck
+hurrying into town to consult his lawyer, or, as he phrased it, ‘to see
+mein gounsel ven I no got a right to my own broberty.’
+
+“The main body of the ladies soon arrived, and took up a position with
+right centre on the doorstep, the wings extending each way beyond the
+corners of the house, and a rearward column along the walk to the gate.
+In ludicrous contrast the routed revellers, who had been scared out of
+the saloon, stood in a little knot fifty feet away, still gnawing at
+the pigs’ feet they had held on to in their hurried flight, while I
+took a convenient seat on the fence. The ladies then sang--
+
+ ‘Oh, do not be discouraged, for Jesus is your friend;
+ He will give you grace to conquer, and keep you to the end.’
+
+“As the twenty or more clear, sweet voices mingled in the enlivening
+chorus--
+
+ ‘I’m glad I’m in this army,’ etc.--
+
+the effect was inspiring. I felt all the enthusiasm of
+the occasion, while pigs’ feet party, if they did not feel guilty,
+certainly looked so.
+
+“The singing was followed by a prayer from Mrs. Mills Gardner. She
+prayed for the blessing of God on the temperance cause generally, and
+in this place particularly; then for Mr. Beck, his family and friends,
+his house, and all that loved him, and closed with an eloquent plea for
+guidance in the difficult and delicate task they had undertaken. In one
+respect the prayer was unsurpassed; it was eminently fitting to the
+place and the occasion. As the concluding sentences were being uttered,
+Mr. Beck and his ‘gounsel’ arrived. The ladies paid no attention to
+either, but broke forth in loud strains,
+
+ ‘Must Jesus bear the cross alone?
+ No, there’s a cross for me,’
+
+when the lawyer borrowed some of my paper, whispering at
+the same time, ‘I must take down their names. Guess I shall have to
+prosecute some of them before we stop this thing.’
+
+“I should need the pen of an Irving and pencil of a Darley to give any
+adequate idea of the scene. On one side, a score of elegant ladies,
+singing with all the earnestness of impassioned natures; a few yards
+away a knot of disturbed revellers, uncertain whether to stand or
+fly; half way between, the nervous Beck, bobbing around like a case of
+fiddle-strings with a hundred pounds of lager beer fat hung on them;
+and on the fence by the ladies, a cold-blooded lawyer and excited
+reporter scribbling away as if their lives depended on it. It was
+painful from its very intensity.
+
+“The song ended, the presiding lady called upon Mrs. Wendels, and again
+arose the voice of prayer--so clear, so sweet, so full of pleading
+tenderness, that it seemed she would, by strength of womanly love,
+compel the very heavens to open and send down in answer a spark of
+divine grace that would turn the saloon-keeper from his purpose. The
+sky, which had been overcast all the morning, began to clear, the
+occasional drops of rain ceased to fall, and a gentle south wind made
+the air soft and balmy. It almost seemed that nature joined in the
+prayer.
+
+“Again the ladies sang--
+
+ ‘Are there no foes for me to face,’
+
+with the camp-meeting chorus,
+
+ ‘Oh, how I love Jesus,
+ Because he first loved me.’
+
+“As the song concluded, the lawyer suddenly stepped forward, and said:
+
+“‘Now, ladies, I have a word to say before this performance goes any
+further. Mr. Beck has employed me as his attorney. He cannot speak
+good English, and I speak for him here. He is engaged in a legitimate
+business, and you are trespassers on his property and rights. If this
+thing is carried any further, you will be called to account in the
+court, and I can assure you the court will sustain the man. He has
+talked with you all he desires to. He does not want to put you out
+forcibly; that would be unmanly, and he does not wish to act rudely.
+But he tells you to go. As his attorney, I now warn you to desist from
+any further annoyance.’
+
+“Again the ladies sang--
+
+ ‘My soul, be on thy guard,
+ Ten thousand foes arise.’
+
+And Miss Annie Ustick followed with a fervent prayer for the
+lawyer and his client; but they had fled the scene, leaving the house
+locked up. After consultation, the ladies decided to leave Mr. Beck’s
+premises and take a position on the adjoining lot. They sent for the
+‘tabernacle,’ a rude frame building they had used in front of Slater’s
+saloon. This they erected on the adjoining lot, put up immense lights
+to illuminate the entrance to the beer garden, and kept up a guard from
+early morning till midnight.
+
+“For two weeks religious services were held in the tabernacle day and
+night, and the women were constantly on duty; at the end of which time
+an injunction was granted Mr. Beck and the tabernacle was taken down.
+
+“Temperance was still the pulpit theme on the Sabbath, and on Monday
+morning, February 9th, all the business houses were closed from 8 to 9
+to attend the business men’s prayer-meeting. Large delegations were
+present from adjoining villages at that early hour. At the meeting
+there came a messenger from this man stating that he would give up his
+business, which announcement was received with cheers. It was then
+decided that all who were not enjoined from so doing should march out
+to Mr. Beck’s beer garden, where the proprietor met them at the gate,
+and after a brief consultation with a committee appointed for that
+purpose, he publicly announced: ‘You comes so many, I quits. I will
+never sell any more beer or whiskey.’ Again the crowd gave vent to
+their feelings in cheers. Messengers were despatched to the women who
+remained praying in the church, to join them. All the bells commenced
+ringing, and the procession, numbering two hundred strong, started
+out to Sullivan’s beer house, now the only remaining saloon in the
+township. Marching up Court street, the numbers increased, and amid the
+most profound silence the men and women pursued their journey. About
+half way there the man in question was met and interviewed. He asked
+two days to consider, which were granted. The procession then returned,
+the bells all the time ringing out their chimes upon the crisp morning
+air. Meetings, morning and evening, continued with unabated interest,
+and at each came to us the cry from other points, ‘Come and help us.’
+
+“On Wednesday morning, February 11th, at mass-meeting in the
+Presbyterian Church, Mr. Sullivan came in and publicly pledged himself
+to ‘quit _forever_ the liquor business.’ A general rejoicing and
+thanksgiving followed this surrender of the ‘last man.’
+
+“Thus, through most of the winter of 1874 no alcoholic drinks were
+publicly sold as a beverage in the county.
+
+“The summer was given up to the defeat of the license clause in the new
+constitution which was to come before the people on the 18th of August.
+
+“Mass temperance picnics were a prominent feature of the season, and
+the untiring zeal of the workers was crowned with success on election
+day.
+
+“During the two intervening years weekly temperance league-meetings
+have been kept up by the faithful few, while frequent union
+mass-meetings have been held, thus keeping the subject always before
+the people.
+
+“To-day the disgraceful and humiliating fact exists that there are more
+places where liquors are sold than before the Crusade. Does any one
+ask the result of all this labor, and if the movement was a failure?
+We answer to the first question of results: The idea that _women_ are
+to take an active part in the great conflict between religion and the
+rum power, was evolved by this very Crusade. None saw quicker than
+the women themselves the weak and strong points of the movement, and
+these praying bands have become thoroughly organized _Women’s Christian
+Temperance Unions_; and reform clubs, reading-rooms, coffee-houses, and
+friendly inns are the outgrowth of these ‘unions.’ Other countries have
+felt the impulse, and the best women of Europe and Canada are being
+organized into ‘leagues’ and ‘unions.’
+
+“Was this movement, then, a failure? No! No! The long list of reformed
+lives; the restored happiness and prosperity of once desolated homes;
+the still longer list of our noble young men, who were arrested in
+their first downward steps in the path of intemperance and ruin, and
+whose upright and useful lives will be standing monuments of good for
+years to come. Who dares to compute such results? The improved public
+sentiment, banishing the wine cup from the social circle, from the
+sideboards and cellars of respectable homes--the awakening and uniting
+of all Christian hearts in one grand work for God and humanity. All
+these are the outgrowth of a reformation which has since belted the
+world--the most far-seeing being utterly unable to grasp its results.
+
+“An incident recently under the observation of the writer is in point.
+During the winter of 1876 a grand banquet was given the Ohio General
+Assembly, judiciary, and military officers by some of the prominent
+citizens of our capital city. No labor or expense was spared in
+ministering to the comfort or pleasure of the guests, yet no wine was
+to be found in all that banquet hall. One of the hosts of the evening
+remarked that ‘before the “Women’s Crusade” the giving of such an
+entertainment without wine would have been impossible.’
+
+“A failure? No! Eternity alone will unfold the glorious success of
+that work. To have banished liquor from the land, as at first the
+movement seemed to promise, would have been a miracle, and God does
+not now work in such manner; and the work we feel he meant to do in
+this Crusade was to rouse up his people to a sense of their duty; to
+awaken his church, which seemed to be strangely indifferent and asleep
+to this terrible evil. Thus He crowned the movement with success; and
+while His followers believe and trust Him, the good work will go on to
+completion, for
+
+ “‘Right is right, as God is God,
+ And right the day will win;
+ To doubt would be disloyalty,
+ To falter would be sin.’”
+
+
+WILMINGTON, OHIO.
+
+We are indebted to Rhoda Worthington and Mary Hadley for the following
+history of the work in Wilmington:
+
+In pursuance to the call of the pastors of the different churches of
+Wilmington, a large and earnest assemblage of citizens gathered at the
+M. E. Church, on Saturday evening, January 3d, to devise some plan of
+procedure, by which all lovers of the race might be brought to work in
+harmony for the suppression of the sale of intoxicating drinks within
+the limits of the corporation of Wilmington.
+
+The meeting was called to order by the Rev. William Runyan, pastor of
+the M. E. Church. After the singing of the hymn, “All hail the power
+of Jesus’ name,” the audience were led in prayer by the Rev. S. H.
+Bingman, pastor of the Christian Church. The meeting was then addressed
+in a stirring and thrilling appeal in behalf of the movement, by the
+Rev. A. C. Hirst, of Washington C. H., Ohio. Mr. Hirst, in the course
+of his remarks, set forth the main features of the plan pursued by the
+people of Washington, but thought that, if the people of Wilmington
+would take hold of the matter with the one object in view, viz., to
+suppress the liquor traffic in our midst, some plan suited to the local
+requirements of the case would develop itself. At the close of Mr.
+Hirst’s address, remarks on the duties of the hour were made by W. E.
+Prichard and others. A temporary organization was then effected. Mr.
+William H. Cole, superintendent of public schools, was called to the
+chair, and J. H. Grove was nominated as secretary.
+
+A committee of five, consisting of Messrs. Hildebrant, Zeigler,
+Albright, Gaskill, and Outcalt, was appointed to secure the names of
+such men as were willing to pledge themselves to support the ladies in
+efforts to suppress the sale of intoxicating drinks within the limits
+of Wilmington.
+
+On the suggestion of Mrs. Mary N. Hadley, a minister in the Society
+of Friends, it was moved, that all women interested in the cause of
+temperance be requested to meet in the Friends’ Church, Sunday, January
+4th, at four o’clock P. M., and that all men willing to aid the ladies
+in this movement be requested to meet in the Baptist Church, at the
+same hour, for prayer and consultation.
+
+At the women’s meeting at four o’clock, Sabbath evening, there was a
+good attendance. Rhoda C. Worthington was called to act as president
+of the meeting. She came forward and said, “As the children of Israel
+did not see the Red Sea open before they came to it, nor the prophets
+see the waters of Jordan roll back until the soles of their feet
+touched the brim of the water, so it seems we must go forward in this
+work, trusting that a way will be made for us.” Rachel MacGregor and
+Lizzie C. Runyan were then called on to act as secretaries. Huldah C.
+Estes was elected leader, and Sarah S. Walker secretary of the field
+of labor, who was to make the report of our proceedings to the public
+mass-meetings at night.
+
+At 10 A. M., sixty-three ladies, some of them the tearful wives of
+dissipated husbands, solemnly marched forth amid the peals of all
+the church-bells of the town, to visit the places where liquors were
+sold in Wilmington, and pray for and with the dealers, and implore
+them to desist from this work of destruction. Most of the men of the
+congregation remained, and engaged in prayer and supplication to God,
+that the great mission of the mothers, wives, and sisters of Wilmington
+might be successful.
+
+One young man told his mother that he placed himself on a corner to
+see the fun as the women passed along, “but,” said he, “they all came
+weeping, and I wept, too.”
+
+In the congregation, as we passed out, aged men bowed their heads,
+tears were seen to drop to the floor; none seemed to notice, or
+scarcely know, that others were weeping. The first place we entered was
+Brown Bro.’s drug store. A hymn was sung, three prayers were offered,
+and the pledge presented and signed, the druggist shedding tears while
+he signed. “Glory, hallelujah, our God is marching on,” was sung, and
+we passed out.
+
+We made many visits before we obtained all the signatures of the
+dealers, continuing eight days in the work, our numbers increasing to
+more than one hundred women.
+
+We then had four drug stores and nine saloons. During all the
+preliminary meetings, a number of persons who manifested a deep
+interest in all proceedings--men and women, too--were persons whose
+faces had not often been seen inside of church walls. But they tarried,
+not seeming to tire at the most lengthy exercises. There was a greater
+unanimity on the part of the different societies than had ever before
+been observable in any movement looking to the good of the general
+community. The feeling as the women filed out of the church, two by
+two, was of the intensest kind. It was no common errand on which they
+started, and their appearance on the streets awed to silence those
+whose hearts beat no responsive thrill.
+
+From drug store to drug store, and from dram shop to dram shop, these
+brave women went during four hours and a half, daily, pleading,
+singing, and praying, in behalf of those who were engaged in the unholy
+traffic of rum-selling.
+
+The meetings were continued in the church until the return of the women
+at half-past three in the afternoon, when, after a short time spent in
+consultation and devotional exercises, the meeting closed. At night the
+church was packed in every part. Extra seats had been procured, and
+the aisles and vestibule were filled to such an extent that egress was
+an impossibility. After a season spent in devotional exercises, the
+report of the work done by the women during the day was read by Sarah
+S. Walker, and was listened to with breathless attention.
+
+The remainder of the evening was occupied in the transaction of
+business, speaking, singing, and prayer, and securing signatures to
+the total abstinence pledge. Some of these meetings were the most
+remarkable ever held in Wilmington, and their influence cannot be
+computed or gainsaid.
+
+On other days the same procession of earnest, devoted women filed
+out of the church amid the ringing of bells, and the supplication
+and prayers of their fathers, husbands, and brothers, through snow
+and sleet; and when the procession returned to the church there
+was awaiting them a large meeting of men, to give them a prayerful
+reception.
+
+The rain, sleet, and snow in an unusual degree kept on falling, but the
+meeting at the Friends’ meeting-house showed the indomitable purpose
+of the good people who were engaged in this work. At one of the many
+meetings the following appeal, having been prepared by the women
+engaged in the work of visitation, was read and adopted:
+
+“Sisters--Feeling greatly encouraged at the results of yesterday’s
+work, and thanking God our Father, who giveth us the victory through
+Christ, our crucified but risen and glorified Redeemer, and feeling
+that, from the character of the men engaged in the liquor traffic, the
+amount of capital and financial interest employed in the same, and
+the silent yet powerful influence of many members of our community
+in backing up these men in their unholy calling, that we may have a
+long siege--therefore, let us call upon all our Christian brothers and
+sisters in the country surrounding Wilmington, to at once earnestly
+identify themselves with this great _Christian temperance movement_, by
+organizing, and placing themselves in communication with us, and thus
+be ready to help us in carrying forward the work.”
+
+The Crusaders, as they went out on their mission of love, were urged
+forward by the prayers and tears of the active Christian community, and
+aided by the moral sentiment of very many who made no pretensions of
+religion. The unity of effort, fixedness of purpose, and hearty support
+given to the work procured entire success.
+
+As the women were engaged all day in their work, arrangements were made
+for them to have lunch every day during this protracted effort.
+
+Superintendent William Cole and Sheriff Hackny took the lead in this
+matter. It was announced each night, at the mass-meeting, where lunch
+would be given, and who would pay for it. A correspondent says: The
+saloon-keepers weakened in their efforts to stem the tide of public
+opinion. Several were ready to sell out and quit the business, but the
+women were not willing to buy. J. R. Hawley, a colored saloon-keeper,
+announced in the meeting that he was resolved to quit.
+
+The ringing of all the bells in the town announced to the people that
+the lines were broken, and victory was only a question of time. The
+women were vigilant, and regardless of the weather, went bravely on
+with the work.
+
+Half-way promises were made, but they desired a complete surrender.
+Thomas Young, a colored man, who had a saloon in Clarktown (a part of
+Wilmington, over the railroad), signed the pledge, amid the ringing
+of bells, and singing of songs of praise, that the outposts were
+surrendering.
+
+It was resolved at this meeting, “That the business men be requested to
+close their houses between the hours of nine o’clock A. M., and three
+o’clock P. M., of the following day.” This was generally done, and the
+meeting held in the Friends’ meeting-house was largely attended during
+the day. The procession was larger than ever, and their influence
+correspondingly increased. Whenever they found a saloon closed against
+them, praying and singing was carried on in the street. From Main to
+South, and up and down South street, the procession moved as the ladies
+thought best for the accomplishment of the good work in which they were
+engaged. Mr. J. J. Stagg, of the Gates House, generously entertained
+the women in the procession; that day one hundred and thirty took
+dinner there. That day the last place we visited before dinner was the
+court-house, court being in session. We spent some time in religious
+service there, but some of the members of the bar made it convenient to
+be absent.
+
+One day before that, just after we had taken lunch, we came out and
+stopped on the court-house steps, and Lizzie C. Runyan led in prayer.
+We afterward heard that a liquor case was just then being tried, that
+the court became demoralized for a time until we went away, and the
+lawyer who lost his suit accused his opponent of making an arrangement
+with us to go there; but we knew nothing of what was going on, and
+acted only under the impression of the moment, many of us not knowing
+we were going there until the one leading stopped.
+
+At night the meeting was densely packed. At this meeting a plan of work
+was arranged for Saturday, somewhat different from the previous days;
+we divided into as many companies as there were saloons, having a few
+who could sing and some who would pray in each company.
+
+Saturday’s meeting was held in the Baptist Church, and the procession,
+large and formidable in appearance, started out, and a regular detail
+went to each of the saloons to watch and pray. It was arranged that
+every fifteen minutes the church-bell would be rung, and each company
+would then pass on to the next saloon; that day our enemy became
+exasperated. Before they were rid of one company another would be
+seen coming. We soon became too earnest to hear the bell, but went
+on from place to place. When any one of the unfortunate fellows was
+discovered on the street, a delegation of earnest, devoted women would
+surround him, and escape seemed hopeless. Never before had our town
+witnessed such a scene. Men dry for drinks, who had come in expecting
+no trouble, wandered disconsolately about the streets, and went home
+at night-fall in a different condition from what had been their habit
+on previous Saturdays, and the bowls of egg-nog already mixed up for
+their use were still standing unmolested. They would see a company of
+us at one place and think these were the Crusaders, and they would
+go on hurriedly to another shop, perhaps enter the door before they
+perceived women were there, too; then some would very unconcernedly ask
+for a half-dozen apples or something else, and pass out. Through the
+vigilance of the women but little liquor was sold during the day, and
+at night all of the saloons were temporarily closed, and the chances
+were much against any open purchase of liquor. The week had been one of
+intense excitement and active work, and such an up-building of public
+sentiment as had never been manifested here before.
+
+Union service was held at the Friends’ Church on Sabbath morning and
+evening. At the morning hour Rev. James Kendall preached one of his
+characteristic sermons, which was listened to attentively by as large
+an audience as could be packed into the house. The evening service was
+very good, made up of singing, praying, and general speaking.
+
+Monday meetings were held at the M. E. Church. The attendance was
+prompt and the procession moved early, and took possession of the
+saloons. Men who had been brave all the week before, gave in and
+surrendered. Thomas Norton, Fred. Hineman, George Lauber, Henry Getz,
+Washington Champ, and Patrick Egan, gave up the business, and while
+they did not all sign the pledge, they all promised to quit. Norton and
+Hineman emptied their saloons.
+
+As an episode of the day’s work, the capture of the Xenia ale-wagon
+and the frightened driver will long be remembered. He entered town and
+was replenishing saloons, while the attention of all were taken up by
+the pouring out of a half-barrel of gin, given up for that purpose.
+
+G. Thomas Young had signed the pledge, and his liquors were poured into
+the gutter from the court-house pavement; some poor fellows drank from
+the gutter, taking it up with their hands; one ran up and caught some
+in his hat and drank it, although his hat was not a new one. The crowd
+dispersed: some went home, but most of the temperance women and men
+went to the M. E. Church.
+
+When it was announced that the ale-wagon was in town and M. N. Hadley
+was beside it, it was soon overtaken by a vast crowd. A colored boy
+caught hold of the horses; the wagon was soon surrounded by the women;
+earnest prayer was offered, and just as we had a pledge written, to
+present to him, to sign, not to enter our place again on such an
+errand by day or by night, the city marshal told the boy to quit his
+hold of the bridle, and the driver lay whip to the horses and fled. We
+telegraphed to Salina, and they were ready to receive him by the time
+he arrived there.
+
+The meeting that night was a joyful one, and the work was reported in a
+much more forward condition than any one could have expected. Thursday
+found all ready for work, and there being a suspicion that the saloon
+of Conners had been open during the night, a delegation met early and
+was ready to take possession, as soon as it was opened for business.
+The meeting was held in the Baptist Church, and the procession came
+out promptly. During the day Edward Conners and Alice Bourke signed the
+pledge, thus closing all the drinking-saloons or places in the town.
+The men engaged in the work not feeling entirely satisfied with the
+fulfilment of some of the pledges, kept a watch.
+
+All the saloon-keepers signed the pledge except Norton and Getz, and
+they both closed under the promise not to sell again. Norton finally
+sold out at auction, and poured out his beer and turned himself into
+the street.
+
+Many individuals who worked without ceasing during this effort we would
+gladly mention by name, but not having room for all, we do not desire
+to discriminate. The work encouraged all good citizens, and a brotherly
+feeling has been wonderfully developed among the different churches.
+
+It was estimated from freight books, that during the six months
+beginning with July 1st, and ending December 31st, 1873, that the sum
+of twenty-five thousand dollars was spent in this place for liquors.
+
+The above will give our readers some idea of the immense injury which
+our town has suffered from the sale of intoxicating liquors; over one
+hundred and forty dollars a day.
+
+After the closing up of the saloons, the people on the streets were
+universally sober, and in marked contrast to former times. We are
+informed by one whose duty it is to extinguish the street-lamps, that
+there is a wonderful change in the order on the streets since the
+closing of the saloons. Previously, disorder and drunkenness was the
+rule night after night, but now he will go around the town without any
+sign of disturbance.
+
+The Lebanon _Star_ says, “In Wilmington, Clinton county, there were, a
+week ago, we are told, twelve saloons. On last Monday night there was
+but one remaining. The women did it. No suits were brought; but as we
+understand it, they just talked and sung and prayed, and the hearts of
+the liquor-sellers (many of them have hearts) gave way, and they quit
+the business. As the walls of Jericho fell at the sound of rams’ horns,
+so will the liquor traffic vanish in the presence of a healthy public
+sentiment properly manifested.”
+
+
+RESOLUTION OF THANKS.
+
+The following resolution was unanimously adopted by the women, at the
+last meeting held by them at the close of their arduous labors in
+putting down the liquor traffic in our town. It is a resolution which
+fully explains itself, and we give it without further comment:
+
+_Resolved_, That we return our sincere thanks to our Heavenly Father
+for putting kindness into the hearts of the pastors, and so many of the
+brethren of all denominations amongst us, together with our friend,
+M. Rombach, and those who claim alliance with no church organization,
+to so cordially co-operate with, and encourage us in the performance
+of the duties of the last few days by their prayers and sympathy;
+also, kind attention in the bountiful provision for the sustenance
+of our bodies, and care for our comfort and convenience by improving
+street-crossings, etc. And again we will thank him for the silent
+breathing of “God speed the work,” which we felt was with many of
+our citizens and neighbors who had no opportunity to manifest their
+interest and co-operation therein, and in humility we desire to thank
+and praise his holy name for causing the saloon-keepers with whom we
+have labored, to treat us with such profound respect and gentility. And
+last, but not least, we most devoutly thank him that he has enabled us
+to work thus lovingly together, until the language of our hearts is,
+“Truly is it the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes.”
+
+On behalf of the women of Wilmington and vicinity.
+
+ R. C. WORTHINGTON, President.
+
+There were many women who attended our league-meetings regularly, who
+never went on the street as Crusaders. When we would start out they
+would go home, or remain at the prayer-meeting.
+
+These were led by ministers: W. E. Prichard, S. H. Bingham, Wm. Runyan,
+and Friends.
+
+A relief committee was appointed, consisting of both men and women,
+which did much to relieve the poor of our town. The children of the
+public schools were invited to come out.
+
+We taught them the following pledge:
+
+ A pledge we make, no Wine to take,
+ Or Brandy red, to turn the head;
+ Or Whiskey hot, to make the sot;
+ Or fiery Rum, that ruins home;
+ Nor will we sin, by drinking Gin;
+ Hard Cider, too, will never do;
+ Or brewers’ Beer, the heart to cheer.
+ To quench our thirst, we’ll always bring
+ Cold Water, from the well, or spring.
+ Also, from Tobacco’s use we plead excuse;
+ The filth and scent thus we prevent,
+ That does accrue from Snuff and Chew;
+ And Smoke, we abhor, from Pipe or Cigar.
+ To this Pledge we live, for the joy it will give
+ To Fathers and Mothers, our neighbors, and others.
+
+ Wilmington, Clinton county, Ohio.
+
+Some of the saloons were open, but claimed to be selling cider only.
+One had protested that he did not sell whiskey, and tried hard to
+convince us of the fact. His door opened into an alley. The children
+stopped before his front window, and began repeating the pledge; he
+raised the window, put his head out, and said, in an impatient voice,
+and with an Irish brogue, “What are ye all a doing here?” The children
+all turned their sober little faces toward him, repeating on. What he
+heard was just the line,
+
+ “Or Whiskey hot, to make the sot;”
+
+when down went the window. It was very amusing, but none
+laughed at the time.
+
+One place we visited was a livery-stable, where many had been seen
+drinking and drunk. The keeper was greatly incensed to think we had
+stopped on his pavement--talked rather roughly; said, “If we came there
+just once more, he would sell out, and set up in the liquor business,
+and would show us he could sell if he wanted too.” This was all the
+rough language we had spoken to us, except by one druggist, who was so
+thrown off his dignity to think we dared go to him; he asked us to
+sign a pledge that we would not steal anymore, then he would sign ours;
+many of them answered him they would, but he did not present any: but
+we found afterward that John Deck, the livery-man, perhaps would have
+been elected our marshal had it not been for the way he talked to us.
+How glad we were then that we suffered, that the right man might be
+elected; some men said they expected to have voted for him, but would
+not because he talked so roughly to us.
+
+Mary N. Hadley, a minister in the Society of Friends, may be said to
+have been one of our most indefatigable private, as well as public,
+laborers at home and abroad; while we have many whose faith and
+untiring zeal and energy are worthy of a record, although their share
+of the work was done in so quiet a way, that eternity alone will
+recognize it all, and give it its due reward of honor and praise.
+
+Lizzie C. Runyan, wife of the minister of the M. E. Church, was, after
+she fully entered the work, most gifted in prayer and public speaking.
+
+Some time after we had quit all visiting of the dealers, either by
+committees or otherwise, on the day of the spring election we met in
+the M. E. Church, and continued most of the day in the capacity of
+a prayer-meeting. The mayor, marshal and councilmen we desired were
+elected, and served their time out faithfully.
+
+In the beginning we felt ourselves, as it were, thrust into the work
+by our Allwise Father, for we were allowed no time to consult as to
+qualifications, or convenience, or scarcely of how to proceed until
+we found ourselves in the work. Truly can we say: “This is the Lord’s
+doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” One of the most striking
+features of it to us, and one which plainly shows the hand of Deity,
+is, that it is not those who have suffered most directly, or are most
+likely to suffer thus, from the evils of strong drink, who are first
+to enter the field. As God sent his own Son to give his life a ransom
+for his fallen children, even now he calleth those who profess to be
+his followers to exercise in their measure (though too small to bear
+comparison) the same spirit of unselfish love. “Greater love hath no
+man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” While we
+look upon the incomplete condition of our work in this place, we are
+not discouraged; we can say, hitherto the Lord hath helped us, and in
+his own time he will again visibly move onward.
+
+Wilmington was the third town to enter the Crusade, and the first to
+cry Victory! and we felt the reaction as deep and sore as any.
+
+
+NEW VIENNA, OHIO.
+
+The Crusade fire which came down like an electric cloud upon Hillsboro’
+and Washington Court-House, Ohio, spread rapidly from town to town.
+
+New Vienna, a small railroad village, was one among the first to become
+conspicuous, because of the wickedness of one of its liquor-dealers,
+and the persistent faith of the women engaged in the work.
+
+The last saloon to surrender was the “Dead Fall,” kept by John Calvin
+Van Pelt. The building was a miserable one-story frame structure near
+the railroad depot, and Van Pelt had the reputation of being “the
+wickedest man in Ohio.” In appearance he looked like a prize-fighter,
+and in behavior he acted like one possessed of devils.
+
+The very first visit of the ladies enraged Van Pelt beyond anything
+they had ever seen. In his fury, he threatened that if they came to his
+saloon again, he would “hang, draw, and quarter them every one.” And he
+looked bloodthirsty enough to undertake any murderous deed.
+
+But, fortunately, these women were imbued with a heroism that comes
+from above, and had a faith that would not shrink in the presence of
+bodily peril. And the next day about fifty of them marched down to the
+“Dead Fall,” as though no threat had ever been made against them.
+
+Van Pelt had made special preparations for them. In one of his
+show-windows an axe besmeared with blood was placed; in the other an
+unusually fine display of whiskey-bottles; over the door jugs and
+bottles were hung, and a black flag conspicuously surmounted all; while
+within doors, Van Pelt could be seen walking the floor and flourishing
+a club at invisible foes. Now this was all very consistent--whiskey,
+a _rowdy_ to serve it; the black flag and the axe, the symbols of the
+trade.
+
+The sight of the flag and the axe, nor even the hostile demonstrations
+of Van Pelt, deterred the women; they moved right on without halting,
+or a quiver of fear, under the black flag of piracy and death, into
+the very presence of the man with the axe and club.
+
+Van Pelt stood back in amazement, and the women began to sing and
+pray. A great crowd had gathered in the street about the saloon, but,
+notwithstanding their presence, while the ladies were at prayer, and
+one of them was earnestly praying for him that he might be baptized
+with the Holy Ghost, with a horrid oath he said, “_I’ll baptize you!_”
+and commenced dashing buckets of dirty water over them.
+
+The crowd of men were enraged and threatened him, but the ladies plead
+that he might not be punished. But some of the fathers and husbands
+of the women who had been drenched with beer and dirty water had him
+arrested, and for a week he had time for reflection in the quiet of the
+jail. He came forth, however, more bitter and furious than ever.
+
+He had the audacity to go to the Friends’ Church, where the ladies were
+holding a meeting, and try to engage them in a public controversy.
+
+“Why did the Lord put the stimulant in the corn and grape if it was not
+for the use of man?” he shouted, furiously. His question betrayed his
+ignorance, and they might have answered him that the Lord did not put
+it there, but that it came only with decay and rottenness, but instead,
+they sang:
+
+ “My soul be on thy guard,
+ Ten thousand foes arise,
+ And host of sins are pressing hard
+ To draw thee from the skies;”
+
+and prayed for him especially.
+
+On the 26th of January, when the ladies visited the saloon, he met them
+at the door, and told them they might come in and hold a prayer-meeting
+on condition that he would be allowed to make every other prayer. The
+women were amazed, but consented, and the prayer-meeting began. A lady
+was the first to pray, and she was followed by a long, blasphemous
+harangue by Van Pelt.
+
+“He asked the Lord to have mercy on the women, whom he classed with
+the brutes, and to teach them wisdom and understanding. Woman, he
+said, first caused man to sin, and there was great need of prayer in
+their behalf. He said the Lord opened the first distillery, and made
+the first wine, and that he was following the example of the Lord,
+and other like words of blasphemy.” The women, although filled with
+amazement, prayed on, until Van Pelt had made three long blasphemous
+prayers. They looked to see him struck dumb by the divine power, but
+God is merciful and long-suffering, and one week from that day he
+surrendered.
+
+He had given some intimation that he would surrender at two o’clock.
+Boys ran through the streets ringing hand-bells, and crying at the top
+of their voices, “Everybody meet at Van Pelt’s saloon at two o’clock,
+and hear his decision.”
+
+There was a general gathering of the people, who closed up their stores
+and shops and rushed to the saloon. When the ladies arrived, Van Pelt
+presented himself, and with a good deal of feeling said, “I do not
+yield to law or force, but to the women, who have labored in love.”
+
+Then ordering the men to stand back, he rolled out his stock of
+liquors, and taking the axe besmeared with blood, with which he had
+tried to terrify the women, he knocked in the head of every cask, and
+sent the contents gurgling down the gutter.
+
+Then drawing himself up to his full height, he said, most solemnly,
+“Ladies, I now promise you to never sell or drink another drop of
+whiskey as long as I live, and also promise to work with you in the
+cause with as much zeal as I have worked against you.”
+
+He also remarked that he hoped the women of the United States would
+never cease until every drop of whiskey was emptied upon the ground, as
+his was.
+
+Just then the train from Cincinnati arrived. The crowd set up a
+deafening cheer. A photographist caught the scene, and preserved it to
+posterity. The women gathered around Van Pelt, shaking his hands, and
+congratulating him, and the glad news spread through the town, creating
+great excitement.
+
+The doxology was sung, and all the bells of the town were rung in honor
+of the occasion. That evening Van Pelt spoke at a mass-meeting and
+confessed his wickedness, and denounced the business. He referred to
+his saloon as a low doggery, saying, “Yes, I’ll call it a low doggery,
+for no man can keep a high one.” He had often taken the last ten cents
+from a man for whiskey when he knew that the money had been earned by
+his wife or child. Every man who sells whiskey does this. Little faces
+thus robbed had often appealed to his heart with greater force than any
+words of man. He was now determined to quit this business forever, and
+throw his strength on the other side of the question.
+
+Thus New Vienna was cleared of grog-shops.
+
+
+KENTON, OHIO.
+
+The Crusade work began early in January. The town was canvassed, and a
+large number of personal pledges obtained, and by the 2d February ten
+saloons had surrendered, and two were closed by law.
+
+General Robinson, during the work, made a most eloquent and impressive
+address, showing up the whiskey-ring in a way that made them instantly
+quail.
+
+
+GALLIPOLIS, OHIO.
+
+This town was settled by the French, in 1790, and from that day on
+whiskey flowed freely.
+
+Early in January, the women commenced Crusade work, and by March 2d,
+three saloon-keepers had yielded. Mr. Crowley allowed them to take down
+his sign and empty his whiskey into the gutter. Three hundred habitual
+drunkards signed the pledge. All sects and parties united in the great
+reform; and at the annual election a majority in favor of a prohibitory
+ordinance was secured, and five out of six of the seats in the council,
+and all the school board, and most of the minor offices were filled by
+temperance men.
+
+The result was, that sixteen saloons closed, and _the police-officers
+reported crime lessened nine-tenths_.
+
+
+GREENFIELD, OHIO.
+
+The secretary gives the following statement of work:
+
+Our league began the work January 12th, 1874, and continued until the
+latter part of March.
+
+For nearly three months we visited saloons almost every day. At the
+end of that time there was _but one_ saloonist who had not made some
+concessions to us; and, except by the drug stores, and this one saloon,
+there was no liquor sold in our town.
+
+Few of these, however, had signed the pledge, but from outside pressure
+abandoned it for the time being.
+
+
+RESULTS.
+
+How we in our weak human nature love to _see the results_ of our work
+for Jesus!
+
+To-day, three years and a half after, we find four of the fifteen
+places where liquor was sold have kept their pledges; a number of
+moderate drinkers reformed have stood fast. But the greatest and
+grandest result is that of the change of public sentiment. Four years
+ago a temperance lecturer, of no mean ability, could scarcely find a
+respectable sized audience to listen to him; but at any time since the
+Woman’s Crusade the simple announcement of a temperance mass-meeting
+would insure a crowded hall. Our League in all these years has still
+prayed that in some way God would carry on the work. One earnest
+petition was that God would raise up some _one in our midst_ who would
+be a “sharp arrow,” and last May, God answered our prayer, and Senator
+Dickey came over from the ranks of King Alcohol, and from under the
+power of sin, into the temperance army and into the fold of Christ.
+_This man_ inaugurated the Murphy movement in Greenfield, which we
+feel to be the outgrowth of the Woman’s Crusade. Many who have always
+scoffed at the Crusade now refer to it with the deepest respect, and
+acknowledge it to have been a fore-runner of this great thing which _we
+know_ is also of the Lord. I want to add that our ladies were always
+kindly treated by the saloonists; we have no thrilling experiences to
+tell or hair-breadth escapes to relate; also that the gentlemen “held
+the rope” _always_.
+
+When we met at the church to start to work, they met with us, and
+while we went to the saloons they prayed, or rather had all-day
+prayer-meetings, often expressing their sympathy by ringing the bell.
+
+Then, too, we had messenger boys, who would carry little notes from
+the league to the church, reporting various stages of the work to our
+brothers at the church. At the close of the day we returned to the
+church to sing, perhaps, “One more day’s work for Jesus,” before we
+went to our homes.
+
+Clinton, the worst man engaged in the business, whose place was named
+“The Den of Iniquity,” said, after his surrender, “I thought I had sand
+enough in my craw to stand anything; but the prayers of these women did
+stir me up; they were enough to sink a wooden man.” Thirteen saloons in
+all were closed.
+
+
+FRANKLIN, OHIO.
+
+There were six saloons in this village, when the Crusade commenced,
+January 21st. Webber, a German saloon-keeper, sent for a brass band to
+drown the voices of the praying women, but prayer and tears silenced
+the band, and they fled from the field, and Webber himself signed the
+dealer’s pledge and gave up the business.
+
+Five thousand dollars were raised to keep saloons out of the town, and
+a library and social hall established, and eighteen hundred dollars
+raised to purchase books, and to pay the rent of the hall. The rent of
+the hall was prepaid for twenty years.
+
+
+MORROW, OHIO.
+
+The ladies of Morrow commenced the street work, January 26th, to
+encounter seventeen drinking-places, fourteen of which were regular
+saloons.
+
+They labored unceasingly till all but two insignificant doggeries were
+closed; these held out persistently.
+
+A correspondent of a Cincinnati paper gives the following account of
+the town, which had been blasted by rum:
+
+“Population, eleven hundred; drinking-places, fifteen; increase of
+population in ten years, two hundred persons; increase of municipal
+taxation, one hundred and thirty per cent.; decline in business
+reported at twenty-five per cent.; manufactures nothing, and no
+increase in the value of property; eighteen vacant dwelling-houses, and
+numbers of the best citizens removed. Such are the facts given me by
+the ‘old and reliable.’ Verily it was time for the law or the gospel to
+do something. The place has a beautiful and romantic site. They have
+three railroads, and expect connection soon with a trunk line to the
+East. On one side is the river, and on the other the beautiful hill,
+with hundreds of sites for palatial residences. In the neighborhood is
+good fishing and hunting, and all around is scenery unsurpassed in the
+State of Ohio. Apparently this is just the place for a favorite summer
+resort.
+
+“Twenty-five years ago Morrow had aspirations. There were, and are,
+unsurpassed facilities for manufacturing--still unimproved. Three
+large hotels at that time were filled most of the summer with families
+and visitors from Cincinnati. The society was good; church, school,
+and lyceum were thoroughly organized; and besides the manufacturing
+interests which were being established, the place expected to become
+a city of elegant retired country-seats. Somehow the saloons got the
+start, the manufacturers took the alarm, the expected good families
+did not come, and many that were here moved away. If the place has
+improved in twenty years, that fact is not apparent to the naked eye.
+Still there are many good families in Morrow. They have borne the
+demoralization and tyranny of the whiskey power until it has become a
+question of life and death with them; and they have entered on this
+struggle in the spirit in which patriots fight for their homes, feeling
+that unless they conquer, they must emigrate. It is not a question of
+philanthropy alone, and other people’s good, here, as in some places:
+they must conquer or die.”
+
+Wilmington, a neighboring town, had been cleared of the traffic, and
+Mrs. Runyan, the wife of a Methodist minister, and Mrs. Hadley, a
+Quakeress, went over from that place to Morrow to aid their sisters in
+the Crusade. There was great enthusiasm; over fifty ladies rallied
+around them, and the work commenced in earnest.
+
+There were many hard cases among the saloon-keepers. Looskins
+threatened to shoot the first woman that crossed his threshold.
+
+A notice was posted up conspicuously in Opes’ and Goepper’s saloon,
+“No singing and praying women allowed here.” Martin Fath brought out
+his sewing machine and ran it violently during their stay. Some of the
+saloons locked their doors.
+
+Henry Scheide, who was a young man of some culture, and kept the most
+respectable saloon in the place, proved to be one of the hardest cases.
+
+A Cincinnati reporter gives us the following sample of Scheide’s
+rambling talk:
+
+“We’ll worry ’em some, though I’m the only one that lets the ladies
+in. It don’t bother me much; they only sing and pray, and slay about
+half an hour. I’ll open every time they come, shutting doors on nobody.
+There’s no rowdies come into this place. Those ladies don’t understand
+it: they have a foolish prejudice about this business. Now I can run
+this establishment just as nice as a dry goods store, and I do.... O,
+if they’d stay all day, I’d soon stop that. This is my business, and
+I won’t let anybody interfere with it. There’s a State law against
+selling by the drink, but nobody pays any attention to it. We run that
+risk. No man but a low sneak, who has a spite against you, will drink
+in your house, and then go and make complaint against you. The council
+won’t make any order here. They’re men of too much sense. I tell you
+a town must have a decent saloon, or it won’t prosper. All the farmers
+nearly in the country, when they go to sell their grain or buy goods,
+are going where they can get a dram. They will have their beer or ale.
+Stop the sale here, and two-thirds of our travel leaves us. Maybe,
+though, if no town had saloons, it might make it even; but the others
+will have them.
+
+“Women get along in all these towns because they have no opposition.
+Mayor and officers and lawyers are all with them, because it was a new
+thing. But here we’ve got some rights. Our lawyers are with us. It’s
+politics that’s really at the bottom of this thing. It’s been tried
+here.”
+
+I glean the following facts from the writings of T. A. H. Brown, in
+“Fifty Years’ History of the Temperance Cause.”
+
+On the 17th of February, Henry Scheide went before Judge Gilmore, of
+Eaton, with the following petition:
+
+“The said Henry Scheide, plaintiff, prays that each and every one
+of the said defendants, individually, jointly, and collectively, be
+restrained, prohibited, and enjoined from molesting, disturbing, or
+hindering the said Henry Scheide in the prosecuting and conducting his
+said business, upon any pretence or pretext whatever, and invading,
+or meeting in or about his premises, to obstruct his said business;
+and also prays judgment against all of said defendants for the sum of
+one thousand dollars, and prays for all other proper relief in the
+premises.”
+
+The said defendants were--
+
+ Mrs. E. R. Grim,
+ Frank Forshnell,
+ Geo. W. Davis,
+ John Hanford,
+ Oscar T. Hanford,
+ B. F. Wilson,
+ H. J. Coffeen,
+ Josiah Fairchild,
+ Porter Corson,
+ Jas. H. Jeffery,
+ W. P. Hanford,
+ J. T. Welch,
+
+and one hundred and four other ladies and gentlemen, among
+whom were Dio Lewis and Van Pelt.
+
+The trial came off at Lebanon, the 28th of February. It was a great day
+in Lebanon. The whole town of Morrow came over. A public dinner was
+given by the Lebanon ladies to their persecuted sisters. Forty of the
+defendants marched to the court-house in solemn procession. Every inch
+of space in the building was packed full.
+
+After noticing the first two points at length, the judge decides on the
+third point of the case as follows: Judge Smith presiding. “But there
+is another ground, which, in my judgment, effectually disposes of this
+motion. That is third, viz.: That the allegations of the petition are
+not true. He alleges that he kept a house where he conducted business
+according to law. From the nature of the case, the character of this
+business in this respect is directly in issue, and from the proof it is
+perfectly clear to my mind that instead of this it was a place where
+intoxicating liquors were habitually sold, in violation of the laws of
+the State, and where gambling was constantly being carried on.
+
+“Such a place as this our statute expressly declares to be a public
+nuisance, and which being shown in a proper case would have to be
+ordered by the court to be shut up. Now, the doctrine is perfectly
+well settled that a nuisance, either public or private, may be abated
+even by force, so no breach of the peace is committed. Surely, then,
+the means used here, with the view of abating this nuisance, were not
+unlawful or in derogation of the rights of the plaintiff; for, as the
+keeper of such an establishment, the maintainer of a public nuisance,
+and a gambling-house, he can have no standing in a court of equity,
+when he asks to be protected in his unlawful and criminal business. The
+injunction will be dissolved at plaintiff’s costs.”
+
+Thus the women triumphed in the only injunction case of the Crusade
+that was decided on its merits. There was great rejoicing at Morrow.
+A correspondent, writing from there under the inspiration of the good
+news, gives the following graphic description of the scene:
+
+“As I write, the band is playing and marching through our streets,
+followed by an immense throng of men, women, and children, shouting
+and rejoicing. Every church-bell, school-bell, etc., in town is
+ringing, and two or three locomotives are creating a terrible noise,
+whistling and ringing their bells. In fact, the entire town is wild
+with excitement. Hundreds of country people, hearing the noise of the
+bells and general tumult, are flocking to town from all quarters,
+many thinking the village was in flames. An immense meeting is now in
+progress at the Presbyterian Church, in addition to the immense throng
+upon our streets. Speeches are being made, and cheer upon cheer is
+rending the air. Morrow never had such an awakening, everybody being
+happy except the lawyers who defended Scheide, and four or five saloon
+patrons.”
+
+It was too much for Scheide. He shut up his establishment, and left
+the town; and thus ends the history of the “only respectable saloon in
+Morrow.”
+
+The women were out every day, in constantly increasing numbers.
+Enthusiastic mass-meetings were held every night. Almost every
+man, woman, and child in the vicinity, not engaged in the liquor
+business, signed the total abstinence pledge. One after another the
+saloon-keepers gathered their traps about them and silently stole away,
+until the number was reduced to three or four.
+
+One of these was Max Goepper, a brother of the wealthy Cincinnati
+brewer, who kept a low place close by the depot. To this the women
+devoted their attention, and passengers on the Little Miami trains
+might see them at almost any hour, from six in the morning until ten
+at night, kneeling on the steps before the door with their piteous
+faces upturned, and pleading with the Almighty to have mercy upon
+that saloon-keeper, and change his heart. Just within the door stood
+Goepper, with a cigar in his mouth and a sardonic grin on his face,
+winking at the train men, or at some old customer whom he saw in the
+crowd. In the window hung a caricature of a dead man being carried
+off on a bier, and underneath the inscription, “This man was prayed
+to death.” It was a sight that brought tears to the eyes of many a
+traveller, at the same time that it provoked a smile.
+
+At last, on a morning early in March, the ladies came as usual, and
+found only the empty shell of the old shanty. Goepper and his effects
+had disappeared. The bells were rung loud and long, and the patient
+and persistent workers wept for joy. It was one of the most signal
+victories of the campaign.
+
+
+OXFORD, OHIO.
+
+Oxford, with a population of 1,800, had twelve saloons. The women
+commenced Crusade work January 31st, 1874, and by the 27th of March
+every saloon was closed but one.
+
+One noble woman, Mrs. Sheard, over seventy years of age, put out her
+washing before daylight on that morning, so that with home work all
+done, she might be able to go with the Crusade band into the streets;
+other ladies were equally energetic and determined.
+
+Wertz and Barraclough, after closing their saloon, sold out their
+fixtures at auction.
+
+The wealthier citizens purchased them, and presented them to the ladies
+as mementos. Glasses brought as high as $1.50, and other things in
+proportion.
+
+March 31st, the last saloon-keeper, Mr. Taylor, signed the pledge. Thus
+in just two months of prayer and effort every saloon in the town was
+closed. A jubilee festival was held, to which the saloon-keepers and
+their families were invited.
+
+During the Crusade, out of a population of 1,800, 1,200 signed the
+pledge.
+
+
+McARTHUR, OHIO.
+
+McArthur is the county-seat of Vinton county; has a population of 800.
+At the commencement of the Crusade five saloons were in full blast;
+four of them were closed in one week.
+
+One of the worst places was a gambling and faro-bank. A correspondent
+gives us the following graphic account of the closing of this den:
+
+Fifty women singing and praying in a faro-bank is calculated to
+cause quite an interest in almost any place, and especially in our
+usually unaccustomed-to-excitement village. The rooms were crowded
+to overflowing by curious and interested spectators. The proprietor
+had boasted that the ‘praying band’ had not enough ‘religion’ and too
+little ‘faith’ to visit him, and even threatened violence should such
+an action be attempted. After the conclusion of the evening services
+at the churches, the ladies formed in line of march, accompanied by
+the marshal and one or two others, in case their services were needed
+in an emergency, and the attack was made. They were received without
+opposition. Crowds followed, the rooms were filled, and a large number
+remained below on the sidewalk. Singing and prayer were held for about
+an hour, when the band took their leave, thanking the proprietor for
+his courtesy, and he in turn requesting them to return; but this
+they had not the opportunity of doing. The next day he closed his
+establishment, sold his tables and chairs, and decamped, saying that
+being prayed out of town was a new experience to him, and that he had
+best leave.
+
+
+GEORGETOWN, OHIO.
+
+This is an old aristocratic town; like Hillsboro’, many of the early
+settlers were from Virginia or Kentucky, and had the same ideas of
+hospitality.
+
+My earliest recollections of Georgetown are of its splendid monthly
+balls, and the fashion and gayety of the people who attended them,
+coming many of them from long distances.
+
+The inhabitants suffered terribly from the drink ravages, and yet
+drinking was deemed respectable.
+
+The Crusade commenced late in January, and on February 28th the last
+saloon closed.
+
+We give the following incidents of the Crusade from a correspondent:
+
+“One man, on being approached by the ladies, had nerved himself for the
+shock with the electrifying fluid of his own establishment. By his side
+sat a glass half full, ready to be swallowed as soon as the burning
+effects of the first had cooled. When asked if he would quit selling
+liquor, his response was, suggested, no doubt, by the inward burning:
+‘No! not till h--l freezes over.’ Since then the wicked of this
+community, before whom the lake of fire has been a dreadful reality,
+have had great occasion to rejoice.
+
+“At the second place visited, the proprietor, fearing the prayers
+of the ladies would annihilate his stock, had it rolled out on the
+sidewalk and labelled ‘Cincinnati.’ He told them, in answer to inquiry
+respecting the cessation of his business, that they might report him
+closed. This, however, was only a dodge to evade the pressure of this
+movement. He afterwards closed, however, and allowed his liquors to be
+emptied in the street.
+
+“The proprietor of another saloon wept during the first visit of the
+ladies; said he was a Christian man; could not quit the business at
+present, as he had bought property, and his word was out to pay for it;
+said also that he could not let his wife and children suffer for food
+and clothing. He gave a written pledge, however, that he would never
+sell another drop of intoxicating liquor after the present was gone.
+
+“Judging from the professions of the next man, we would classify
+him with an ancient order of people. ‘He is not as other people; he
+prays twice a day; was foreordained from all eternity to sell liquor;
+considers it no more harm than to sell calico.’ A few days afterwards,
+we thought his Calvinism knocked end-ways, as he solemnly pledged the
+temperance people he would never sell again. But nickels were too
+tempting. The next day he was discovered selling. Had this not been a
+ruse to secure the intercessions of the ladies before the court in his
+behalf, his return to his foul business would have verified the old
+proverb. He persists that there was a mistake in his promise; that it
+embraced a condition. We are happy to record he has since closed up
+unconditionally.
+
+“At another place, the proprietor said as he was a law-abiding citizen,
+and sold only according to law, that he would lose every drop of blood
+in his body before he would give up the business. This was severe
+on the ladies. Until then they had not perceived they were warring
+against legitimate business. But the next day, on learning that some
+one had indicted all of these _law-abiding men_ before the grand jury,
+their conscientious scruples vanished. At this place, too, temperance
+triumphed and no blood was shed.”
+
+
+WHO ARE THESE WOMEN?
+
+In all adjacent towns, the wildest rumors are afloat as to who the
+praying women are. Some say they are strangers sent here to do this
+work. Those not in sympathy with us say they are from the lower strata
+of society, and that among them are women of questionable character.
+Let the liquor-dealers of Georgetown be asked, and, if men of veracity,
+they will say they are the women of Georgetown, and the very best
+of its female inhabitants. They are the wives and daughters of the
+ministers, bankers, judges, lawyers, merchants and mechanics of this
+place.
+
+
+LOGAN, OHIO.
+
+The following was reported by Mrs. John Walker:
+
+“Logan, the county-seat of Hocking, with two thousand inhabitants,
+contained, before the Crusade, eighteen saloons, most of them doing a
+profitable business. Much of the wealth of the town was in the hands
+of prominent liquor-sellers, and men in other business quailed before
+them. Our lawyers and office-holders, with scarcely an exception, were
+in their interests. But God had a chosen few who caught the inspiration
+of the Crusade.
+
+“It is a remarkable fact that several towns took up the work
+simultaneously, and, with but little knowledge of what the others
+were doing, worked substantially in the same manner, as we found in
+comparing notes afterwards.
+
+“We were, as we supposed, the fifth town in point of succession, but
+found that other towns had commenced at the same time. We felt the
+magnitude of our work, for many of these liquor-dealers were our
+neighbors and friends--some of them the magnates of our town.
+
+“And I speak what I know of our women, when I repel the accusation
+since made against the Crusade, that one element in its work was a
+spirit of persecution. So far as our work was concerned, all bitterness
+was laid aside. We felt called to work for the Master, and with as much
+of his spirit as possible. Our meetings were solemn; our processions
+well ordered; our work determined and telling; for God seemed to come
+so near to us that we touched his guiding hand. No woman among us,
+who entered into the spirit of it, doubts for a moment the Almighty
+guidance. I can never describe my own feelings as the leader of it. I
+seemed under a mighty inspiration, so calm, so peaceful, so fearless,
+so trustful, and with remarkably clear views of God’s truth, so that I
+would select passages for public reading without hesitation. I received
+threatening letters. My husband was advised to compel me to stay at
+home, as I would ruin his business (banking, which was never harmed).
+
+“Country people flocked into our town and were amazed; there was
+so much power in the work--power from on high. It was a spiritual
+phenomenon, unexplainable, even to ourselves. ‘How our hearts burned
+as we talked of Him by the way!’
+
+“Our Master walked with us. In three weeks, we had the four drug
+stores under pledge, and all the saloons closed except one. That one
+was upheld by wholesale dealers in cities, and by the Catholic priest
+at home. We labored with the priest, but he steadily told us that he
+interfered with no man’s business.
+
+“Our Lutheran minister also upheld his people who sold liquor. Now for
+the results:
+
+“Although some of these liquor-sellers gave us their hand before the
+crowd, and with tears promised they would never sell liquor again,
+after a few months they returned to it again, and as much liquor was
+sold as before. There is a kind of brotherhood among them, and they
+fear and influence each other.
+
+“But was the Crusade a failure, as some have said? By no means. We gave
+the liquor business a blow in _this town_, from which _it never has and
+never will recover_. Some of our Germans in that business I think had
+no idea until then how disreputable it was in the eyes of Americans.
+They _feel_ it _now_.
+
+“It is neither respectable to sell nor drink whiskey in this town now,
+although much of it is done; for so long as there is money in the
+business, it will be continued.
+
+“Public opinion has taken an _immense_ stride. One of these wealthy
+liquor-dealers has recently died, leaving orders that no liquor should
+ever again be sold at his place of business, and a nice hardware-store
+now fills its place. Another young man has left the business, and
+opened a furniture store. Several others are now shut for want of
+custom.
+
+“It was a fearful reaction which followed the Crusade--the mighty wave
+threw up the mire and filth in the community. This element festered,
+and in sheer bravado many of them have tried to show _these women_ that
+they _will_ sell and drink in spite of them. But our ‘boys in blue’ are
+coming to the rescue. Each temperance revival seems to be an outcome of
+the preceding one.”
+
+We add the following from D. Little:
+
+“But two of the twenty liquor hells in our town, that surrendered,
+possessed any interest to those who do not believe in the efficacy of
+prayer.
+
+“Mr. Barnhardt, the day of his surrender, knelt with the ladies, and
+tearfully promised them that he would never sell any more spirituous
+liquors; that he was convinced that it was a great sin to do so. He
+hoped they would be as successful at all the other saloons as they
+were at his. He has been, ever since his surrender, one of our best
+temperance men.
+
+“Mr. Rohler’s surrender was the same as Mr. Barnhardt’s. Upon his
+surrender, the ladies sang ‘Praise God,’ etc.
+
+“One of the most remarkable cases of God’s answering prayer is told
+by our good sister F. Her husband is a kind-hearted man, a good
+mechanic, and, until he commenced drinking, was one of our most thrifty
+mechanics. He ran through with all the accumulation of years, and but
+for the hand-work of his wife, his family would have suffered for bread.
+
+“Mrs. F. felt that there was no safety for her husband without God
+would take from him his appetite for whiskey. She believed that God
+would do it, if she asked him. She prayed that God would take from him
+the desire for whiskey. At this time he had not taken any stimulant for
+a week. He would walk the floor of his shop in the greatest distress,
+and in going to and from his meals, he went through the alleys, in
+order to avoid the saloons, knowing, as he says, he could not resist
+the temptation.
+
+“After about a week of such suffering, his desire for whiskey was taken
+away, and he says he has no more taste for it now than when he was a
+child. He is happy, cheerful, industrious, and says he will never drink
+any more.”
+
+
+McCONNELSVILLE, OHIO.
+
+Mrs. Eva R. Sprague writes of the work at this point:
+
+We organized February 14th, 1874, under the name of McConnelsville
+Women’s Temperance League; officers: president, vice-president,
+treasurer, and secretary.
+
+The usual constitution, by-laws, and pledges were adopted, and one
+hundred and thirty signatures obtained.
+
+We owed largely our success, under God, to our venerable president,
+Mother Paxton, who, although bending under the weight of years (she was
+at the time seventy-seven), was, nevertheless, prompt in attendance at
+each of our meetings, and in the street work, no matter how inclement
+the weather.
+
+As a result of our efforts, with the blessing of God, every saloon in
+our town was closed. (There are now six saloons in the place against
+which we are battling.) Some of the persons who were then dealing out
+death to their fellow-creatures are now efficient members of Christ’s
+visible church. So manifest was the presence of the Holy Spirit in our
+meetings and work, that denominational lines seemed to have melted
+away, and a heavenly union “like to that above” prevailed.
+
+A blessed revival of religion and an ingathering of members to the
+churches followed, as a matter of course. Our meetings were kept up for
+several months, and were seasons of great soul-enjoyment to those who
+attended, and the savor of their influence will, we hope, never be lost
+upon the members of the League, and the Christians of McConnelsville.
+
+
+MARYSVILLE, OHIO.
+
+On Wednesday evening, February 14th, 1874, an interesting mass-meeting
+was held in Union Hall; every available foot of room was packed.
+This meeting was the means of developing much temperance feeling,
+which rapidly grew; and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, devotional
+meetings were held at the Congregational Church.
+
+Monday afternoon, thirty or forty ladies formed into line, and
+marched to the saloons. At the places where the saloons were closed
+against them, the devotional exercises were gone through with, on the
+pavement, in front of the saloon. Monday afternoon, Mother Stewart, of
+Springfield, paid us a visit. In the evening, she made a two hours’
+address, at the Methodist Church, and was listened to by a crowded
+house. A subscription was started for the purpose of prosecuting
+all violations of the liquor laws. About six thousand dollars were
+subscribed. On the whole, the people were terribly in earnest.
+
+While a committee of ladies was visiting the saloons, with the view of
+having an understanding with the keepers, concerning their continuing
+to sell liquor, a few young men, with more impudence than brains,
+entered the saloon and called for drinks.
+
+At one of the evening meetings in the hall, the cry of _fire_ was
+raised; the audience became much alarmed, and made a rush for the door.
+It was soon discovered that a barn had been set on fire near the depot.
+It was supposed to have been set on fire for the purpose of breaking
+up the meeting. The same ruse was employed a second time during the
+meetings.
+
+The druggists signed a pledge which they prepared for themselves.
+On a Saturday, a beautiful day, the ladies were out in full force;
+one hundred and seventy-two in all. Large numbers of persons were
+in from the country as silent spectators of the solemn scene. Many
+stout-hearted men were melted to tears, and all expressed themselves as
+singularly affected.
+
+Not a word was spoken in derision of the movement, nor was there a
+smile to be seen on the countenance of any one. It was a wonderful work.
+
+The last week in February, 1874, was the memorable week in the history
+of Marysville. It will be remembered as the week when every saloon in
+the place was closed.
+
+Photographs, cabinet-size, of the ladies’ prayer-meeting in front of
+the “City Beer Saloon,” were taken, and became objects of historic
+interest.
+
+Monday evening, March the 2d, our citizens, to the number of about
+three hundred, met at Mr. Peter Baugh’s residence, and took supper with
+him. Peter was among the first to yield to the wishes of the ladies. He
+sacrificed all his liquors, by spilling them out on the ground; then
+tore out his saloon-fixtures, cleaned up his room, and spread a table
+capable of seating eighty persons at a time.
+
+It was a pleasant evening, in the way of genuine enjoyment. After
+supper, addresses were made by Mr. Stephenson, Mayor Kennedy, Rev. Mr.
+March, Dr. Hamilton, Mr. Piper, and Mrs. Woods. All rejoiced together
+that deliverance had come to those who were in bondage.
+
+The supper given at Mr. Raugh’s proved a success. The sum given so
+cheerfully and liberally amounted to five hundred dollars. The kindly
+feeling which prevailed convinced all that it is better to be ruled by
+love than by law.
+
+Reported by order of the committee. E. J. MARCH.
+
+
+FINDLEY, OHIO.
+
+Sarah A. Strothers, writing of the work in this place, says:
+
+“In the month of February (about the 27th) the great wave of the
+temperance revival, now known as “The Crusade,” reached Findley,
+Hancock county, Ohio. A meeting was called to be held in the
+Presbyterian Church, where the wonderful events that had, and were
+transpiring, at Hillsboro’, and Washington Court-House, were talked
+over, until the people were enthused to such a degree, that, for the
+time being, all other things seemed void of interest.
+
+The great incubus of intemperance that was crushing us socially,
+and as a nation, was about to be overthrown, by the great lever of
+faith--Faith in God. It was claimed that at this day He would hear and
+answer the supplications of His children, as He did in other years,
+when He brought them out of the land of bondage. The people assembled
+every day for two weeks. The church was crowded. All were anxious that
+the women should go out as their sisters were going in other places.
+
+On the morning of the 14th of March, the work of organization
+commenced. A president and two vice-presidents, and other officers were
+chosen. One of the ministers present suggested that consecration was
+necessary before we could work effectively. All seemed to feel that
+this was indeed needed, and for two weeks longer we met daily in the
+church for prayer.
+
+The interest increased. Crowds came from our county, and from towns
+and cities of the country adjacent to these meetings. The baptism of
+power came upon us. We then sent committees to the saloons, to ask the
+dealers to cease their work of death; and to say that if they did not
+abandon the traffic, prayer-meetings would be held in their places
+of business. There were thirty-two retail and one wholesale liquor
+store, in our village of four thousand inhabitants. Although evidently
+much disturbed, not one of them would promise to give up the traffic,
+claiming that there was too much money in it; that the government was
+kept up by the revenue derived from the traffic in intoxicants. To be
+told this by a foreigner was enough to make every American blush for
+his country.
+
+When the committees returned, the church was filled with women bowed
+in prayer; and, as one expressed it, the very atmosphere seemed to be
+filled with the Spirit. They had been blessed as were the disciples of
+old, with a pentecostal baptism.
+
+All denominational lines were gone, and they were as the Saviour prayed
+that his followers might be, one in Him. The leader of the band went to
+the front of the church to make the report. She said: “My sisters--We
+have met with a defeat equal to that of the army of the Potomac at
+Bull Run. Let us once more bow before God, and ask for direction and
+strength for the contest that is evidently before us.” We then signed
+the pledge to work until the victory was won, or till death should
+release us.
+
+At the evening meeting, held in the court-house, many of the dealers
+were present, and so learned that on the morrow we would move upon
+their works, armed with the weapons of Christian warfare--Love and
+Faith, backed by the power of Almighty God.
+
+At eight o’clock in the morning the church was filled with persons
+anxious to take part in the work, or to see what was going to be
+done. After devotional exercises, the men present pledged themselves
+to aid by their prayers, their means, and influence, until the work
+was accomplished. The leader now requested all who were willing, and
+felt moved by the Spirit to go out, to rise. Two hundred and twenty
+signified their willingness to go. We then had a few minutes’ silent
+prayer, after which we formed a procession. The leader then said: “My
+sisters, we are going forth in the strength, in the spirit of our
+Master, to follow Him in trying to save men, and it may be going even
+to death. Let us all feel that, following Christ, all will be well. Let
+us leave all in His hands--life, friends, reputation--all that is dear
+to us, in His hands.” Persons were stationed in the Protestant churches
+to ring the bells as soon as the M. E. Church bell would ring. As we
+walked two and two out of the church five bells commenced ringing. The
+streets were crowded with men and boys, all excited over the strange
+scene. It was, indeed, like a great funeral procession.
+
+The first place we visited the proprietors had closed the doors and
+fled. We sang “All hail the power of Jesus’ name,” and offered two
+prayers. A man, in giving his experience afterwards, said that that
+prayer and hymn were the means of his conversion.
+
+The third place we visited was kept by a wounded soldier. He had once
+known the Saviour. As we sang he wept, and knelt when we prayed. All
+the time we were out those who remained at the church were praying.
+At the close of each prayer, the bell would be rung, thus notifying us
+that they were holding us up by their faith.
+
+The next place we visited was a billiard saloon. As we filed into the
+room the players were startled; they were not looking for us. One
+woman exclaimed: “Merciful heaven, this is the gilded hell that is
+destroying my sons!” The owner said: “We never sell anything that will
+intoxicate.” Another mother present answered: “I don’t see how that can
+be; my boys come in here sober, and I have to help them home--they are
+too drunk to take care of themselves.” He was now becoming angry, and
+a sister, standing with her hand on the billiard-table, said: “Let us
+pray.” She prayed that his little son might never have the temptations
+to evil that he was offering to her children; that the father might
+become a Christian ere his boy would know anything of his life. The
+pledge was then presented. He said he would not sign it till the Day of
+Judgment. He, however, came to the church in the morning, and not only
+signed the pledge but asked us to pour his liquor into the street. Oh!
+the crowds that came to witness the funeral of the vicious compound. We
+had a very joyous time; God was with us in great power. Several of the
+dealers gave up the business, and the five bells were rung, and great
+rejoicing was heard all over the town. At one saloon a sister was asked
+to lead in prayer; she was a shouting Methodist, and she rejoiced with
+a loud voice, to the astonishment of the beer vender.
+
+At one place we were in the habit of singing “Come to Jesus,” and
+“Rock of ages.” An old German was much disturbed by this. “What did
+des Rock of ages mean?” he said. “He dakes mine shleep all de night. I
+durns over, I hear _Rock of ages_, and den I hears _Come to Jesus, all
+de time_; vat does it mean?”
+
+A man, a German, was in his place one day; a boy, whose mother was a
+Crusader, was standing by the stove. He did not observe the boy, but
+said to the man, “Come now, haf a glass of peer, dem vemens will not
+drouble me any more already. I dalked so cross dey will not comes
+agin.” The beer was poured out, but just as the man was raising it to
+his mouth, “Rock of ages” sounded through the air, sung by a hundred
+voices. “Quick, shut the door! mine Got, dis dem vemens agin.”
+
+Most of the places we visited we held our meeting inside, but the
+wholesale dealers would not suffer us to come inside. One or two
+would go in to talk with the proprietors. When the door was opened
+one morning, five or six slipped in and commenced praying. Oh! what a
+meeting we had--one good short inside meeting, and a large one outside.
+We then commenced picketing saloons; some rich scenes transpired
+in this work. After we had enough evidence accumulated (we had the
+McConnelsville ordinance) we concluded to try the law. We had an old
+German arrested and tried; _he was sentenced to fine and imprisonment_.
+The Germans banded together, and took him out of the prison, and there
+seemed no help but to submit to a lawless mob.”
+
+What a confession! _A few German dealers defy public sentiment and
+override the decrees of the court_. And American men, who outnumber
+them _ten to one_, submit to this lawlessness and insult, and allow the
+triumph of vice over virtue; mob over the law.
+
+
+JAMESTOWN, OHIO.
+
+Reported by Mattie B. Long.
+
+In the early part of February, 1874, the citizens of Jamestown, Ohio,
+met at Christian Church of that place; the object of the meeting being
+to organize a band to go in the streets, into saloons, or wherever a
+war might be waged against the liquor traffic. After prayer by one of
+the ministers present, and some remarks upon the necessity of the work
+now about to be engaged in, a league was promptly organized, with Mrs.
+Mattie B. Long as president, Mrs. Elizabeth Davis vice-president, and
+Mrs. H. R. Brown secretary.
+
+A spirit of enthusiasm pervaded all classes. The pastors of the three
+churches entered heartily into the work, and were, as well as other
+Christian men, very valuable allies in the warfare. While the women
+went forth weeping, trembling, praying, these men remained in the
+church praying for their success in the work until they returned and
+reported.
+
+A band of about fifty ladies went forth, visiting first the only drug
+store in the village, where they were kindly received. The president
+asked permission to have prayer, when an earnest, eloquent petition
+was offered by Mrs. Mary Perryman, the first prayer, perhaps, that had
+ever ascended to heaven from a place where ardent spirits were sold as
+a beverage in this town. This drug store and two saloons were the only
+places in the village where liquors were sold.
+
+These places were visited daily for a week or more before either of
+the proprietors agreed to desist; one saloon-keeper finally yielded.
+Then the druggist, and then the other saloonist “unconditionally
+surrendered,” and gave permission for his premises to be searched. All
+his liquors were given to mother earth to drink. So that in the space
+of three weeks our village was for the time freed from the curse.
+
+The experience of all engaged in the work was that, while laboring for
+the good of others, their own souls had been greatly blessed.
+
+
+MOUNT VERNON, OHIO.
+
+Mount Vernon, with a population of 6,000, had thirty-one saloons.
+
+The Crusade work commenced the 16th of February; in the short space
+of twelve days of prayer and persuasion, twenty-three saloons closed
+their doors, and the saloonists agreed never to enter into the business
+again. The Catholic priest expressed his sympathy with the movement,
+and organized a society in his own communion.
+
+Mrs. E. A. Wright wrote, April 2d, 1874: “Our success up to the present
+time has far exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine; out of
+twenty-two places where intoxicating drinks were publicly sold, only
+six remain, and those doing but little. A great change has been wrought
+in the outside element. If a popular vote had been taken the first day
+of the Crusade, whether we should retire from the streets, or continue
+with our prayers, we would have been obliged to disperse; to-day, thank
+God, so great is the change that nine-tenths of the people bid us God
+speed in our work, and would regard it as a public calamity, should we
+cease our efforts. Men who hitherto had been enslaved have, like true
+men, come up and with trembling hands signed the pledge, that they
+might be free, while their tear-dimmed eyes spoke the gratitude that
+welled up from their hearts.
+
+Surely God is with us: he will not fail us, but his work, like a
+mighty wave, will continue to increase in volume and power until its
+boundaries shall only be determined where the love of mother, wife
+and sister cease to exist; where _such love dwells_, there shall the
+standard of temperance be uplifted; not only uplifted, but sustained.
+We may not live to see the glorious consummation of this work, but I
+believe in God’s own time this evil shall cease to be in our midst.
+
+A very stringent ordinance passed by the city council has awakened
+terrible fears in the minds of those who still continue the traffic,
+ordinances covering so much ground, that they will be obliged to
+surrender, if not from principle, from loss of profit. The council
+stand nine to one (a saloonist) in favor of temperance.
+
+Let us educate our daughters to fill up the ranks when we fall, looking
+always to God for support, going forth in His fear, with His love in
+our hearts, to do battle against this awful enemy of mankind, being
+determined that not until the last rum-hole is closed, will we rest.”
+
+On the 21st of February, Mr. McFeely, who kept the finest restaurant
+and billiard hall in southern Ohio, made a full surrender. After
+rejoicing over this great victory, the women proceeded through the
+rain to the Commercial Hotel, where they found the white flag, the
+symbol of surrender, hanging out. After holy praise to God, Mr. McFeely
+and the proprietor of the Bergen House (which had surrendered a few
+days before) invited them to dinner, while the owner of one of the
+livery-stables sent hacks and omnibuses to convey them to their homes.
+This generous courtesy of those who had given up their business at the
+solicitation of the women was a token of the kindly feeling existing
+between the parties. After Mr. McFeely gave up the traffic, he had an
+elegant motto put up in his dining-hall, inscribed with the sentiment:
+“God bless our noble women.” A reporter shortly afterwards visited him,
+and gives the following interesting account of the interview:
+
+“With some curiosity as to what the late liquor-sellers thought of the
+movement and its effects, I went to a billiard-room which, when I was
+here before, was the most popular drinking-place in town, being crowded
+every night with young men who rank high in Mount Vernon society. The
+proprietor, an Irishman, with the physique of a trained prize-fighter,
+had told me that ‘the thing would never work in Mount Vernon,’ and that
+‘they’ (meaning the ladies) ‘had better not try it on.’ I now found him
+in a much more tranquil state of mind, as he stood dispensing lemonade
+and soda to old topers, who have now to be content with such mild
+substitutes for the old-fashioned toddies and punches. ‘How do you
+feel after your surrender?’ I asked. ‘Never better--never so well--in
+my life,’ was the prompt reply. ‘I don’t know anything about getting
+religion, but a fellow who has just been converted must feel something
+like I have felt for the last week. I actually enjoy going to church.
+Somehow or other everything looks brighter. The best day’s work I ever
+did was hanging out the white flag on my saloon.’ ‘But you will go into
+the old business again when this excitement dies out?’ ‘Not if I know
+myself. I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up if I did; I couldn’t look
+a lady straight in the face. No, sir, I don’t know what’s come over
+me, but whiskey-selling don’t appear to me now as it used to. Besides,
+everybody seems to look on me so different now. The very men that used
+to drink at my bar think more of me; and as to the ladies--why, sir,
+some of the best ladies in this town have been in my dining-room with
+their husbands to dinner since I closed out.’ I could hardly realize
+that I was talking to the man who a few days ago had, with angry
+tone and defiant eye, wished the ladies to ‘try it on,’ and who over
+this same counter tried to induce me to take something in the way of
+cold-weather alcoholic drinks.”
+
+
+WARREN, OHIO.
+
+A Woman’s Temperance organization was effected in Warren, February
+28th, 1874.
+
+We are indebted to a writer in the _Morning_, for the following facts
+connected with the work there:
+
+At the beginning of the work, the following pledge was circulated:
+
+“We, the women of Warren, pledge ourselves to use every effort in our
+power, (giving our presence, time, prayers and influence,) towards the
+suppression and total overthrow of the liquor traffic in our midst,
+and that we will never cease to labor and pray until the work is
+accomplished.”
+
+This pledge was afterwards circulated throughout the city, and signed
+by 500 women.
+
+Pledges for different classes of persons were prepared and extensively
+circulated. Our druggists were induced to sign the “Iron-Clad,”
+especially drawn for them. Prayer-meetings were held twice a day.
+March 10th, 1874.--A mass-meeting was held at the Disciples’ Church,
+conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Bolton, of Cleveland. The greatest
+enthusiasm prevailed at this meeting. After the church was filled,
+the crowd outside was so great, that an overflow meeting was held at
+the court-house. The speakers addressed both audiences. A citizens’
+pledge was circulated and signed by hundreds. The influence of that
+meeting pervaded every portion of our city. Even the enemy could no
+longer be restrained, but came out boldly the next day in the form
+of two men mounted on a cask of beer, drawn by horses through our
+streets, drinking and dealing out liquor to all. The next day at the
+prayer-meetings all felt that _now_ was the time to begin our warfare
+on intemperance, and that the enemy must be met on his own ground. So
+the first band of women, numbering 170, armed with God’s own peculiar
+weapons, singing and prayer, went out from the Disciples’ Church on
+Wednesday afternoon, March 11th, 1874. We visited several saloons. At
+some places we were admitted, at others not. We went forth in bands day
+by day for weeks, into these places of sin and degradation, carrying
+the love of Jesus in our hearts, praying and urging those men to give
+up their unlawful business. Prayer-meetings were held daily the first
+six months; the next six, three times a week; the last year, and
+at the present time, once a week, on Thursday afternoons. Open air
+meetings have been held Sunday afternoons, whenever the weather would
+permit. On the 4th of April, 1874, a very large mass-meeting was held;
+the audience was addressed by four of our District Judges, Messrs.
+Freese, Conant, Canfield, and Glidden. April 6th, Election day, was a
+day of great interest; the McConnelsville Ordinance was voted upon, a
+prayer-meeting was held from seven o’clock in the morning until six in
+the evening, the ladies going to the polls in all the wards, and using
+their influence for the Ordinance in every possible way. It was carried
+by a small majority.
+
+July 4th.--A temperance celebration was held and largely attended. July
+14th.--A county convention was held in Warren, to inaugurate plans for
+canvassing the county in the interests of anti-License, preparatory to
+the election on the 18th of August. December 18th, 1874, the temperance
+women of Trumbull county met at Warren and organized a County League.
+This League meets quarterly and is in good working order, the
+interest growing deeper and broader until nearly every township in the
+county has organized a League. January 28th, 1875, a Soup House was
+established under the supervision of the ladies. April 5th, 1875, the
+young ladies of Warren organized a “Young Ladies’ Temperance League.”
+A Constitution and By-laws were drawn up and signed by eighty-five
+members. Through their efforts a Free Reading-Room has been established
+in a good location, attractive and comfortably furnished. It has a
+library of 200 volumes, magazines, periodicals, and a large number of
+daily and weekly papers. We feel that by these means many have been
+drawn away from saloons and other bad places. May 6th, 1875, the League
+made application to the editors of the _Western Reserve Chronicle_ for
+a space in their paper to be devoted to the interests of temperance,
+and to be edited by the League. The request was kindly granted, and a
+column has been filled from week to week with temperance matter.
+
+September 25th, 1875, a Boys’ and Girls’ Temperance Society was
+organized, consisting of 175 members. The question would so often come
+up, “Am I doing all I can to save the boys, my own, my neighbors’ sons,
+those who in the years to come will be our glory, or our shame?”
+
+
+STEUBENVILLE, OHIO.
+
+When the Crusade commenced in Steubenville there were one hundred and
+twenty-five saloons and liquor stores. Twenty-five of these were closed
+by the Crusade. An ordinance, which became effective April, 1874,
+growing out of the Crusade, closed forty more.
+
+The friends of temperance and good order were hopeful, and the
+prospects were bright. But in the midst of their work there was a
+“Personal Liberty” club formed, the object being to obtain the drink in
+defiance of law. This action gave the saloon-keepers new courage, and
+some of the saloons were reopened, and the traffic was carried on in
+defiance of law. This cry of “Personal Liberty,” has bewildered many.
+There is no such thing as personal liberty except among savages.
+
+The reader will find this subject fully discussed in another chapter of
+this book.
+
+
+YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.
+
+We are indebted to Mary G. Moore for the following statement of work:
+
+In the winter of 1873 and ’74 strange reports reached us, from central
+and southern Ohio, of how women, moved by a horror of the liquor trade,
+were organizing themselves into companies, and seeking the men engaged
+in liquor-selling at their places of business, and by prayer and
+entreaty trying to persuade them to quit it.
+
+The first newspaper reports were read with a mixture of astonishment
+and incredulity. It could not be true. But they were soon verified.
+Then came speculations as to what kind of persons these women were.
+Fanatics surely, or women driven to desperation by drunkards. But no;
+the word came that they were generally persons of moderation and
+refinement, who were actuated by a single noble purpose to do something
+to stop drinking. Then the results were noted, and the progress of the
+work was watched with hourly increasing interest.
+
+Pretty soon the question commenced to be whispered as it came eastward:
+What if it should come here? As if it were not here already, and all
+the time; the iniquity and wretchedness on the one hand, and sympathy
+and Christian zeal on the other, the latter only waiting to be kindled
+into a flame by a spark from that consecrated fire that lighted at
+first the Woman’s Crusade. Finally, one said to another, “Let us meet
+and pray;” and early in March, a Woman’s Temperance Prayer-Meeting
+was started, which has never been discontinued to the present. It was
+at first held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but for the sake of
+convenience, it was soon removed to the First Baptist Church. This
+was held daily in the morning hours, and daily increased in numbers,
+until hundreds came. Gradually it assumed the character of a conference
+meeting in connection with the more solemn service of prayer. Scores
+came to pray and hear the discussions, and commit themselves personally
+to temperance, who declared they never could and never would go into
+the streets to work. But many of these, in the after days, might be
+seen kneeling on the sidewalks in the immediate presence of the public;
+this only illustrates how we change our mind.
+
+A Woman’s League was at once organized, with a membership of over four
+hundred, and by its influence, a League of the men was formed to
+co-operate with the former. A common inference from this action was
+that the women might pray, and the men would vote. The Woman’s League
+was based on the one condition, of taking a simple abstinence pledge
+from all intoxicants as a beverage.
+
+The first public work, was the canvass of the town with the
+property-holders’ pledge. This was largely successful at the time, and
+it holds yet, the majority who signed it. The most flagrant violators
+of it, are, in some instances, conspicuous members of society here, and
+in other cities, holding property here. When a pledge was circulated
+among druggists and physicians, this carried to a considerable extent
+also; but what was said of the other pledge, may be repeated of this.
+
+Prominent practitioners and dealers set the example of breaking over.
+Finally, after a fortnight of meetings, it was resolved to attack the
+enemy on his own ground. The forces were mustered, and, be it said to
+the credit of woman, very few desertions were recorded. A very small
+number made excuse “their husbands would not let them,” but as a rule
+the husbands and fathers and brothers, the men, nobly seconded the
+women. The meetings were presided over and the Crusade led by Mrs.
+Ashley, the wife of the Baptist minister, then of our city, a woman
+eminently qualified by nature and education for such an undertaking,
+for she had not only the courage and culture, but the Christian zeal
+that would prosecute such a work with steady enthusiasm after the
+effervescence of popular excitement had disappeared.
+
+Day after day, and week after week, the women, in numbers ranging from
+fifty up into the hundreds, convened at the Baptist Church, where,
+after an hour spent in prayer and conference, they would form into
+companies of twenty, or thirty each, and taking different wards or
+streets, go from door to door of the saloons, and, where admittance was
+granted, by religious services and personal entreaty try to effect a
+change. Where they were not permitted to enter, services were held on
+the outside. This was quite common at first, but very few persisted in
+closing their doors to the end. And here the Crusaders counted a gain,
+for many had declared with blasphemous oaths that no meddlesome women
+should get into their establishments, who finally, with civility if not
+courtesy, invited them to enter. Places never before trodden by women,
+whose walls had echoed nothing but the language of bar-rooms for years,
+now resounded to the music of Gospel hymns, and Scripture lessons, and
+fervent prayers. Who shall say this was seed, that, though seemingly
+unproductive at the time, in the majority of cases may not yet bear
+fruit? And so the Crusade went on for about six weeks, and thirty-five
+saloons were closed--not particularly eventful from first to last.
+There was at once an absence of boisterous enthusiasm, and riotous
+opposition. Many of those who yielded, did it without ringing of bells
+and firing of guns, and those who held out, never countenanced the mob.
+Of course, the thirty-five that succumbed, were only a drop in the
+bucket to the number who kept on in the work. In a population of about
+twelve thousand, we had nearly four hundred saloons, and we probably
+have pretty nearly that number yet; but as one--not a pronounced
+temperance man by any means--remarked the other day, there is not the
+money in them that there used to be.
+
+So, in estimating the Crusade, we should consider it as formative,
+and developing in its results, rather than defined and immediate,
+although whiskey neither surrendered of itself, nor was vanquished by
+legislation, yet drinking in saloons is much less popular and general
+than it used to be. Somehow, they say, since 1874, it has constantly
+been growing unfashionable. As for the men who closed out the business
+then, it is believed the major part have kept their promise. One of the
+men is on our police force, three are respectable temperance grocers,
+and others are doing honest labor in our mills and factories. Indeed,
+there are only two or three cases of returning to the business.
+
+But, as the labor of the Crusade seemed about accomplished, or, at
+any rate, as if no more good could be done by visiting saloons, the
+ladies cast about them for something else: And here I might set down
+what we, in Youngstown, have ever regarded as one of the first and most
+beneficial fruits of the Crusade, namely, what it did for the women
+themselves. It quickened their energies; strengthened their courage; in
+short, educated them, and at the same time opened up a field and showed
+them the harvest.
+
+We had long known the need of a free reading-room, and the ladies
+felt it pressing more and more, as the boys and young men, and many
+middle-aged men pledged themselves away from those haunts of amusement
+and temptation, which have cursed our town pre-eminently, in the last
+dozen years.
+
+They resolved to open one, and run it for the benefit of those who
+would forego the dram shop for the daily newspapers, and fresh
+magazines, a bright fire, pictures, flowers, a standard cyclopedia for
+reference, etc. But in 1874, places were scarce, and rents high; so,
+after much discussion, they concluded to build.
+
+This, for us, by the way, in a manufacturing town where iron is the
+staple, pushed sorely by the hard times, was no little undertaking. And
+then the burden was borne by a handful. The League, by no means as a
+body, indorsed the enterprise of a reading-room. Most of the members
+said, Wait; the times are too hard; money is scarce; wait, wait. But
+they did not wait.
+
+A liberal gentleman offered them the ground-rent free for ten years of
+a most eligible location, upon which they immediately commenced the
+erection of a building, worth, at the lowest estimate, twenty-five
+hundred dollars. This is a two-story house, with a commodious room on
+the ground for a reading-room, and a business room adjoining; above,
+a large temperance hall, occupied by the Good Templars and other
+societies; and two other rooms adjoining, suitable for offices. This
+building in due time was finished, furnished, and dedicated, and has
+been run at an annual expense of about four hundred dollars.
+
+So far it meets the demands made upon it, and seems to answer the
+purpose of its design. It was intended to be self-supporting, and will
+eventually be put on that basis.
+
+Since its organization, our Temperance League has been the almoner
+generally, for the different charities of our town, and very liberally
+has it contributed in this way, its own resources. Establishing
+local prayer-meetings, visiting the poor and the sick, looking after
+those who do not attend church, and the children not in school, and
+not attending any Sabbath-school, is the work the League has been
+prosecuting all along.
+
+A Juvenile Templars’ society was organized, and carried on for more
+than a year; but during an epidemic of the scarlet fever, it was
+discontinued, and has not been called since.
+
+The Reformed Men’s movement was inaugurated here last winter by the
+Woman’s League, and was directed largely by their labor and zeal.
+
+Thousands signed the pledge and tried to reform, and though many have
+broken it, many, very many more, are keeping it, and are better a
+thousand times for it. And so the work goes on, as the world goes on,
+little by little, not always bright, not always on the crest of the
+wave, but always _advancing_.
+
+
+ALLIANCE, OHIO.
+
+We heard reports of warfare waged by women against their common foe.
+The weapons of their warfare were _not_ carnal, but spiritual. There
+was no sound of cannons’ roar, or crash of musketry. No glittering
+swords or bayonets were gleaming in the sun that shone upon the rank
+and file of soldiery.
+
+The sounds that came to us as we passed through towns, where the
+enemy’s forts were being stormed, were those of sweet _voices_ singing
+sacred songs, and breathing fervent prayers.
+
+That new strange army’s only sword was the “sword of the Spirit,” and
+its only shield the “shield of Faith.” Its book of tactics was the
+Bible, and its General the Prince of Peace. Wonderful to every one, was
+the baptism of spiritual power that descended upon the Christian women
+in those days. And we lifted up our hearts in earnest consecration, and
+received the power and the commission for the work allotted us.
+
+Alliance and Mount Union, distinct incorporations, yet one in situation
+(the latter being a college town in which no intoxicants were sold),
+united their temperance forces. And on the third of March was
+inaugurated among us the new Crusade, so different in every way from
+the Crusade of the olden times. Then Crusaders carried red crosses on
+their breasts, insignia of their purpose to possess the burial-place of
+Christ.
+
+The Crusaders of the nineteenth century, equally loyal to the cross,
+labored not to find the place of the sepulchre; but realized that
+_Christ had risen_, and labored to lift up fallen ones for cleansing in
+the precious blood that was shed for all our sins.
+
+A brother called our first meeting, but a sister presided; and in it
+one hundred and twenty-six women “volunteered for the holy war.” An
+organization was at once effected; the list of names increasing daily,
+until it numbered about five hundred, in a population of seven or eight
+thousand, with thirty-two places where liquor was sold in our borders.
+
+Many of us had never engaged in any public work. Some had never even
+breathed a vocal prayer at their own family altars.
+
+Realizing fully that only from Jehovah sufficient strength could come,
+we remembered the command of the Master to earlier disciples: “Tarry ye
+in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
+And we tarried long at the foot of the cross. Ten days we “waited on
+the Lord” to renew our strength. Earnestly we consecrated ourselves to
+the work of turning back the tides of iniquity that were sweeping our
+loved ones from our hearts and homes. When the command came to us, Go
+out and meet the foe, we _obeyed_, _silently_ marching _two and two_,
+in solemn procession, praying silently as we went that grace might be
+bestowed sufficient for that time of special need, and our mission of
+mercy be crowned with rich results.
+
+While we went out upon the streets, our husbands and brothers remained
+in the hall to pray for our success, and at the close of every
+prayer the college-bell was tolled, and we knew another petition was
+registered in the courts of heaven in behalf of the cause we loved.
+
+The pastors of nearly all our churches gave us sympathy and
+co-operation. Many of the business houses were closed during the
+morning prayer-meetings for a time.
+
+We held mass-meetings nearly every evening for three months, which
+were very largely attended, and great enthusiasm prevailed. On Sabbath
+evenings, many of the churches held no regular service, but united in
+the temperance meetings, for several weeks.
+
+When we visited saloons, some dealers received us very kindly, and
+others locked their doors against us, and then we held services on
+the sidewalks, kneeling on the cold stones, amid storms of rain, or
+snow, and later beneath a burning sun. Those meetings on the sidewalks
+were attended by crowds of rough men who would not enter the hallowed
+precincts of a church.
+
+They came to mock at first, but often their jeers were merged into
+weeping, and they stood with uncovered heads, to hear us read from
+God’s own word, and their hearts were touched and tendered. Thus we
+were carrying the gospel to the masses, who would not come to hear it
+in the house of God. We cannot attempt, in the brief space allotted
+us, to give minute details of our three months’ campaign. Neither can
+we speak personally of the brave women who wrought so nobly. Some
+who faithfully performed the most arduous duties of the band held no
+offices. All cannot be spoken of. Therefore, knowing that consecrated
+women want the Lord to have all the glory of our successes, _we mention
+not a name_.
+
+The press was favorable to our work; all our papers reporting it
+fairly, and advertising our meetings free of charge. Three local papers
+gave space for Temperance Departments, that were edited by members
+of our league. One paragraph so clearly shows the animus of all our
+editors that we quote it verbatim, from the “Alliance Local”--“It
+was a scene to make angels weep. Amid the blinding fury of a fierce
+March storm, out in the bitter cold, their fragile forms shivering
+and swaying before the biting blast, one hundred and fifteen of the
+noblest and most highly accomplished ladies of our city, kneeling with
+tearful eyes and pleading tones, before the door of a drinking-saloon,
+beseeching the saloonist to cease the disreputable business.
+
+“In contrast, there stands the proprietor barring their entrance to his
+comfortable room. With scornful sneers he listens to their touching
+plea, and with obdurate shake of the head refuses their earnest prayer.
+The cold and storm are too severe for him to stand and listen to their
+arguments, and the door is rudely closed in their faces, and they left,
+kneeling upon the icy pavement, to plead in loving words that God might
+soften his hardened heart.
+
+“The voice of prayer ceases, and the sweet tones of a woman’s voice,
+singing ‘Nearer my God to Thee,’ rises upon the air, and swelled by
+the united voices of the entire company, is carried away upon the
+wintry blast. And then those loving hearts, not discouraged by their
+ungracious reception, retraced their steps, singing beautiful hymns,
+with hearts full of prayer to the God who has commissioned them to go
+forth in this labor of love. This scene was witnessed in our streets
+on Thursday last, and wrung tears from the eyes of men who were never
+known to weep.” The owner of the opera house gave us the use of a large
+room in that building for our head-quarters, for one year, free of
+rent, which was thankfully accepted and the room formally dedicated to
+temperance.
+
+As time passed on many methods were tested. At first after the
+prayer-meetings (which always preceded street service), we would form
+one large band (sometimes numbering over two hundred), and visit
+saloons _en masse_. Again several different bands were formed, and
+various saloons visited simultaneously.
+
+Sometimes committees of ladies, in pairs or trios, visited saloons for
+personal conversation with dealers.
+
+After a few visitations some of the saloonists surrendered, hanging
+out a white flag, with “Unconditional Surrender” printed on it. Then
+we would go in a band and sing “Praise God, from whom all blessings
+flow,” at the closed saloon. Sometimes the men would come to our
+mass-meetings, and sign the pledge prepared for dealers, and thus
+publicly thank the ladies for having come to them and shown them the
+exceeding sinfulness of _Sin_.
+
+These successes greatly comforted us, and we took fresh courage and
+went bravely forward, though often much wearied and worn. One day
+several saloonists told us that, if a majority of our citizens were
+opposed to their traffic, and would make it known, they would cease
+to sell the odious liquors. Acting on their suggestion, we wrote a
+petition--a kindly, earnest “Appeal to Saloonists”--setting forth some
+of the evil effects of their business in our community, and asking
+them, on behalf of our common good, to cease to sell intoxicants.
+We then appointed committees of women, who spent days in visiting
+families and shops, and a very large number of signatures were
+obtained, covering _two-thirds of the voters_ of our city, besides
+women and minors.
+
+One evening we invited all the dealers to come to our head-quarters.
+Many of them came, and we reminded them of their promises, and
+presented our petitions. They examined the names, and seemed much
+agitated, but, with utter disregard for their word of honor, declined
+to fulfil their promises. Then we knew how false were those with whom
+we had to do. Prayers and pleadings having failed to accomplish our
+object with them, we felt that they were _below_ the reach of _moral
+suasion_, and must have some _legal suasion_.
+
+As the voices of so large a majority of our citizens had been
+disregarded, in the petitions, we felt that it was time for the
+majority to assert their authority over the obdurate few, through the
+majesty of the law. The gentlemen formed a separate organization,
+and subscribed funds for prosecutions. Crusaders were provided with
+blank books, one for every dealer, with his name upon it. Armed with
+those books and pencils, we went by twos, and taking chairs from
+some convenient friend, we would sit near saloons, and note down the
+violations of State, or municipal laws, which we witnessed. Sometimes
+the sale of liquor to minors, again the sale to a man already
+intoxicated, etc.; and thus, by hours of wearisome watching, much
+evidence was gathered.
+
+An “officer of the day” would be stationed at head-quarters--keeping
+the record of picket work and assigning places. The pickets would
+go out quite early in the morning, and continue sometimes until ten
+o’clock P. M., or even later; one set of pickets remaining on duty
+from one to three hours, then being relieved by reserve guards. Valid
+testimony was obtained and placed in the hands of proper authorities,
+and the temperance brothers conducted the prosecutions.
+
+They met many failures and some successes. One man convicted under
+the State law was kept in court during the trial, and while the judge
+was preparing to read the sentence, he escaped from his guards, and
+left the county. After some weeks he returned and was rearrested, and
+sentenced to thirty days’ imprisonment on bread and water, and as large
+a fine as the law allowed.
+
+Some of our workers had intemperate husbands; these prosecuted
+saloonists under the Adair law, and some of them obtained judgment
+against them, and received damages. Thus the liquor business became
+_unprofitable_, and public sentiment was being rapidly raised to a
+temperance standard. The McConnelsville ordinance was passed by our
+city council, but prosecutions were not conducted under its provisions
+so successfully here as they were in some other places.
+
+The Constitutional Convention of our State had offered to the people a
+new constitution, with a license clause, and they were allowed to vote
+“License, or No License,” according to their own convictions of right.
+The temperance people called conventions, sent an organizer into the
+field, and the entire State was organized against license: not, of
+course, including _all the people_, but some citizens of each county.
+
+In _our_ county anti-license meetings were held in almost every church
+and school-house, and speakers were found not only among the brothers,
+but also among the sisters, who for the first time in their lives
+dared to lift up their voices in the congregations of the people, in
+earnest, eloquent appeals to those who represent us at the polls, not
+to legalize, by their sacred right of franchise, the curse we were
+laboring so earnestly to drive from our beloved State. Much previously
+unknown and undeveloped talent was thus brought into active service,
+and the defeat of the License Constitution in Ohio, by a large
+majority, was one of the grand results of the Woman’s Crusade.
+
+During the vigorous work of that campaign, we also continued our
+meetings at head-quarters, and saloon visitation, a part of the time.
+We held many open air meetings, in groves, on the public square, and on
+the platform at the Union depot.
+
+Later a juvenile temple was formed, which held weekly meetings, and
+soon had two hundred members. Another was organized in Mount Union,
+and the two held occasional union meetings, and public concerts and
+literary entertainments, and the hearts of many parents were reached
+through their children, that had remained indifferent to all the
+wonderful experiences of the Crusade.
+
+To recapitulate: When we ceased to visit saloons, seventeen men and
+women, who had been selling liquor when we commenced our work, were
+engaged in more honorable employments.
+
+A very large number of persons had taken the total abstinence pledge.
+A Temperance Reading-Room was established in Alliance. Many of our
+workers have never ceased to labor for the Temperance Reform, though
+in different ways from those of the Crusade days. Women’s Christian
+Temperance Unions are now in existence both in Alliance and Mount
+Union. The Crusade is not ended! but is going on with steadily
+_increasing power_, and our forces are being increased continually by
+enlisting the help of the Sabbath schools everywhere. This “tidal wave”
+of Temperance will go on, broadening and deepening, until it will sweep
+the Rum Power from his throne, and we will be in very deed a _free_
+people, enfranchised from King Alcohol.
+
+A number of conversions occurred at our meetings, and the _workers_
+learned to _trust in God_, as they had never done before. As Moses
+stood between the erring Hebrews and their God, and on Mount Sinai
+the presence of Jehovah well-nigh overwhelmed him, so _we_ stood
+interceding for the fallen, and, at times, the glory of God shown to
+_us_ was all that we could bear. The promise that “no evil should
+befall us” was verified. A saloonist threatened to place gunpowder
+under the floor, and cause an explosion beneath us, but we visited
+him, and no harm came to us. Another turned a fierce dog upon us, but
+the dog hung his head and ran away. A dealer’s wife stood close by a
+kneeling Crusader, and held a _hatchet over her head_, but the uplifted
+arm fell harmless by her side. Guns were loaded and flourished at the
+windows near us menacingly, and many desperate threats were made. But
+the Lord of hosts was with us. “In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting
+strength: we will trust in him _forever_.”
+
+The summing up of the results of the Crusade cannot be perfected until
+the records in the “Book of Life” are read. Many of them are like the
+tender seed we plant in spring-time--we see them not as they germinate
+under the soil, yet they spring up, and bring forth fruit in their
+season. _We_ sowed precious seeds of truth “beside all waters,” and we
+note not the silent germination going forward in the souls of those who
+received them, but we shall find the perfect fruitage in the glorious
+Harvest Home of the Hereafter.
+
+We append some incidents of our work, that we trust will be of interest
+to all our readers.
+
+
+INCIDENTS.
+
+The Lord truly makes the “_wrath_ of man to praise him.” This was
+manifested to us on many occasions, one of which was the following:
+
+One cold wintry day we were assembled for prayer and conference, when
+word came to us that a saloonist had prepared a “_Crusader in effigy_,”
+and placed it at his door. We formed a band, and marched to the place.
+The novelty of the affair brought a crowd of listeners to hear our
+hymns and prayers; and as we knelt around that hideous image, intended
+as a reproach to us, we seemed very near to our blessed Redeemer, who
+was mocked and persecuted, and _crucified, for us_, and who said to his
+disciples: “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute
+you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name’s
+sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in
+heaven.” Those services were blessed to our own souls, and those of our
+hearers.
+
+Afterwards the saloonist apologized for his conduct, saying the image
+was placed there in his absence. We told him it did us no harm, but was
+overruled to our good.
+
+An extremely wicked dealer was so convicted, as to tremble mightily,
+on the occasion of our first visit to him, yet would not relent.
+Afterwards, when intoxicated, he accosted the ladies with such a volley
+of profanity, that a policeman arrested him. He was kept in the lock-up
+all night, and in the morning, when the ladies were expected to appear
+in police court _against_ him, they went and plead for _his release_.
+Giving him good for evil, so deepened his convictions, that he came to
+our evening meeting and surrendered his business.
+
+One evening, a small band of women were singing and praying in front
+of a saloon, the door of which was closed. Inside a few desperate
+men were trying to drown the sounds of prayer by singing a parody on
+“Mother, dear mother, come home!” and by dancing, and drunken revelry.
+A Quakeress felt moved by the Spirit to effect an entrance all alone.
+She opened the door partly, when some one within suddenly closed and
+locked it, catching the front width of her plain full dress skirt and
+holding it fast in the door. The lady was thus held in a stiff and
+uncomfortable position until a customer from the street, whose rap
+was evidently recognized inside, caused the door to be opened; the
+Quakeress entered and the door was closed; the dealer raised his hands
+to thrust her out, but she took his arms in her hands and knelt quickly
+before him, and breathed an earnest prayer. A policeman followed her
+into the saloon and ordered the men to be quiet. The revelry ceased,
+and silence reigned among the rowdies. When her mission of love
+was completed she went forth filled with peace, and those men were
+responsible before God for one more offer of mercy; for when the Holy
+Spirit indites a prayer, he also convicts the hearts of those for whom
+the prayer is heard, and then as free agents they receive or reject the
+Holy Spirit.
+
+Soon after our active Crusade work commenced, the Whiskey Ring was
+roused to action, and they sent out great showy posters announcing an
+anti-Temperance Meeting. And those opposed to the “Woman’s Whiskey
+War” were invited from all the surrounding country. On the afternoon
+of their meeting we gathered in a church for social prayer. Some of
+our temperance men sent us word that it would not be prudent for us to
+patrol the saloons that day, as a _riot_ was expected if our band was
+on the street.
+
+We took not “council with flesh and blood,” but asked direction of the
+Lord of hosts, and from Him our marching orders came. It was a long
+procession, and a very solemn one, that wended its way from the church
+to a point near the depot that afternoon. Three saloons were adjacent
+to each other, and we held our services on the street in front of
+those. While we were kneeling on the sidewalk--in two rows on the edge
+of it--leaving three feet between us for passers-by, a train of cars
+came rushing in, bringing a large delegation from neighboring towns.
+They took up the line of march, headed by the Mozart Brass Band, which
+accompanied them. The band struck up a lively tune as the procession
+started to pass between the rows of kneeling women.
+
+Many of them were so drunk they staggered against us as they walked;
+but our voices went on, and the music ceased, and the tune melted into
+silence unfinished; and a great stillness came over that crowd of men
+who were scoffers at first; and the white dove of PEACE descended upon
+the women who had thus humbled themselves to kneel at the feet of a
+mocking rabble; and the living presence of the Master filled our souls
+with joy unutterable.
+
+The Whiskey mass-meeting resulted only in the passage of some
+resolutions, denouncing the “present mode of female warfare,” and
+declaring that they did not approve of _intemperance_! Two of these we
+quote:
+
+“_Resolved_, That we _condemn drunkenness_, _despise drunkards_,
+and _pity_ those who, for want of more moral power, try to fortify
+themselves against the violation of the laws of Temperance ordained by
+nature.
+
+“_Resolved_, That we are willing to support the laws for the diminution
+and _prevention_ of _intemperance_ as far as in our power; to advocate
+a more appropriate _punishment_, and the _correction of inebriates_,
+and to use our influence to _regulate_ the sale of liquors by an
+effective license law.”
+
+The vice-president of the meeting and many of the audience were
+liquor-dealers, and such resolutions as these were passed by those
+who sell what produces _inebriety_, and it is their philanthropic (?)
+design to punish men for the effects produced by liquors, the price of
+which clothe their wives and children! Thankful we are, that Justice is
+with God, and _will_ be _dispensed_ to us all in the eternal ages!
+
+One gloomy April day, as we sat in council, a message came to us that
+a wholesale dealer from Cleveland was in town for the purpose of
+selling liquors to the dealers here. He was a very portly, pompous
+millionaire, we heard, and was boasting that the Crusaders in his city
+were afraid of _him_, and dared not molest _his_ place of business.
+Desiring to prevent him from supplying liquor to be sold in our town,
+we went in a band down Main street. He saw us coming, and sought refuge
+in a clothing store. We followed, and before he could escape, he was
+literally _surrounded_ by kneeling women; a prayer was offered and a
+hymn was sung. He then crowded past us into the street; we followed in
+procession; he went into a hotel, but as we were about to enter, he did
+not wait to transact any business _there_, but felt an immediate call
+to visit a neighboring saloon: _so did we_.
+
+He evidently hoped to enter alone and lock us out, but when the door
+opened wide enough to admit his _corpulent_ figure, it was wide enough
+for two small Crusaders to find entrance, which they did so very close
+behind him, that when the door was quickly locked, it was _astonishing_
+to him that his fair followers were _also_ there; he turned a woful
+face towards the back door, but lo! _they_ were coming! the Crusade
+band! The _front_ door was thrown open and in came _another_ division
+of the band, and they knelt, and the persecuted nabob was again in the
+centre of a lively prayer-meeting, which continued until he forced a
+passage to the street; we followed in solemn order, singing a hymn.
+We kept close behind him, going up Main street until he found a buggy
+standing idle, with a driver, and he was driven rapidly away, while we
+went quietly on to head-quarters as though we had no other intent. We
+considered and felt certain the warm reception we had given him would
+remind him of pressing business at home, that he must reach by the next
+north-bound train. Near train time a Crusade band was at the station.
+Soon after our arrival, a guest of a hotel near by, came to us and
+said, “The man you are _Crusading_ is hidden in an upper room at the
+hotel; I heard his plans, they are going to take him out the back way
+to the train.”
+
+After a time we saw a frightened-looking individual of great
+avoirdupois, accompanied by a very small Jew for protection, coming up
+the railroad track from the rear, having taken a long walk down back
+alleys, to avoid the public thoroughfares. They entered the back door
+of the car, puffing with exhaustion; and just as our _hero_ drew a
+breath of relief, thinking how _shrewdly_ he had evaded his pursuers,
+he noticed some Crusaders entering at the front door of the coach; he
+turned to flee, but others came in at the back door, and in despair
+he sank into a seat. The aisle was immediately filled compactly with
+women. The terrified man threw up a window seeking egress, but it
+would not do, his body was too large to pass through the aperture, and
+besides---- _What_ greeted his bewildered vision? An immense crowd of
+men and women--Whiskey Ring, saloonists, and temperance workers--_all
+had come_ to the _prayer-meeting_. Crusaders to right of him! Crusaders
+to left of him! Crusaders everywhere! And close at his side a solemn
+voice was uttering an earnest prayer.
+
+We exhorted him to cease his sinful trade in Rum, and we sung Crusade
+hymns, the conductor detaining the train for our services. The
+passengers in the car _wept much_, and cried aloud, “_God bless the
+women!_” We finally made our adieux to the dealer, telling him we were
+his friends, and inviting him to return and we would give him another
+meeting! A telegram was sent to Crusade head-quarters at Cleveland,
+asking the band of ladies there to meet him at the train and escort him
+home, which they did, following him singing Crusade songs.
+
+The whole transaction here was conducted with the _utmost_ solemnity,
+and the prayers were full of spiritual power. The ludicrous aspect of
+the proceeding never _occurred_ to _us until it was all over_.
+
+There was a large billiard hall in the opera house, just across the
+hall from our head-quarters. We found that liquors were sold there, in
+a quiet way.
+
+We visited the proprietor in a band and he was very courteous, though
+unyielding. One _night_ two women “on picket duty” stood by his door.
+He grew very angry and roughly _pushed_ them out into the hall. Next
+day the leader of the band was warned, that it would be unsafe to go
+there, he seemed so wickedly disposed. After praying about it, the band
+leader felt especially impressed to visit him that very day; the band
+went, the leader rapped at his door and asked timidly, to be allowed to
+hold a prayer-meeting there. He gave a reluctant permission, and after
+a hymn had been sung he said to the leader, “Will you read a portion of
+Scripture that I will select for you?” She gave an affirmative reply,
+and he found the sixth chapter of Matthew and asked her to read the
+first eight verses. She did so, silently praying all the time, that
+Christ would lead her to act wisely.
+
+Having read it she proceeded to speak from it: saying, “We do not think
+we are ‘doing alms’ when we carry the gospel to our sinful brothers for
+whom Christ _died_, neither do we expect to gain any glory for having
+knelt in saloons and on the unclean streets in prayer; on the contrary,
+it is the greatest cross that we have ever carried, to thus humble
+ourselves before the people. Yet, we are made willing to do so _for
+your sakes_, and the sake of the fathers and sons you are poisoning
+with alcohol!” She then gave a brief exhortation to the _unsaved_ to
+come to Jesus. Thrilling prayers were offered and hymns sung, and it
+seemed to the worshippers that the Shekinah itself hovered over them.
+
+The proprietor was much affected. Several men who had ceased playing
+billiards at our entrance, gave eager attention, and many eyes were
+_red_ with weeping, when the little band departed.
+
+Some weeks later the leader of that band was speaking to a congregation
+in the African Church. At the close of her remarks, a white man arose
+and asked permission to speak. “Once,” he said, “I was a liquor-dealer,
+but I saw the error of my way, and changed my business, but I never was
+converted, until the day you visited the Opera House billiard hall, and
+you read the sixth chapter of Matthew and spoke from it--_then_ and
+_there I was converted. I will never doubt_ my _conversion_,” etc., and
+he has ever since continued a faithful member of a Christian church.
+Reported by M. E. G.
+
+Rev. William Hunter, at that time Editor of the _Pittsburgh Christian
+Advocate_, residing at Alliance, and working in the Crusade meetings
+here, composed the following beautiful hymn, which we used very often
+in our temperance meetings. He has since been called “up higher,” to
+sing the songs of the redeemed.
+
+ “BATTLE-HYMN OF THE WOMEN CRUSADERS.”
+
+ The light of truth is breaking,
+ On the mountain top it gleams,
+ Let it flash along the valleys,
+ Let it glitter on our streams,
+ Till all our land awakens
+ In its flush of golden beams,
+ Our God is marching on.
+
+ _Chorus_--Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
+ Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
+ Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
+ Our God is marching on.
+
+ With purpose strong and steady,
+ In the great Jehovah’s name,
+ We rise to save our kindred
+ From a life of woe and shame,
+ And the jubilee of freedom
+ To the slaves of sin proclaim.
+ Our God is marching on.
+
+ _Chorus_--Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.
+
+ From morning’s early watches
+ Till the setting of the sun,
+ We will never flag nor falter
+ In the work we have begun,
+ Till the forts have all surrendered,
+ And the victory is won.
+ Our God is marching on.
+
+ _Chorus_--Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.
+
+ We wield no carnal weapon,
+ And we hurl no fiery dart,
+ But with words of love and reason
+ We are sure to win the heart,
+ And persuade the poor transgressor
+ To prefer the better part.
+ Our God is marching on.
+
+ _Chorus_--Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.
+
+ When dawns the day of terror,
+ And the awful trumpet’s sound
+ Shall waken up the sleepers
+ From beneath the quaking ground,
+ May no blood of fallen brothers
+ On our startled souls be found.
+ Our God is marching on.
+
+ _Chorus_--Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.
+
+ Our strength is in Jehovah,
+ And our cause is in His care,
+ With Almighty arms to help us
+ We have strength to do and dare.
+ While confiding in the promise
+ That the Lord will answer prayer.
+ Our God is marching on.
+
+ _Chorus_--Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.
+
+The following poem was composed by Mrs. M. B. Reese, at that time
+President of the Alliance League, and sung in our mass-meetings, to the
+tune, “Tenting on the old camp-ground:”
+
+ “THE COLLEGE-BELL.”
+
+ A lowly consecrated band,
+ Who loved the Master’s name,
+ With patience waited on the Lord,
+ Until the answer came.
+
+ _Chorus_--Many a form has bent ’neath the _storm_,
+ The burden of souls to tell;
+ Many are the hearts gladdened to-day
+ The burden of souls to tell;
+ Listening alway, for chimes that say,
+ Your brothers pray as well.[1]
+
+ Go forth, ye trusting ones, He said,
+ In faith to sing and pray,
+ No evil shall your steps befall,
+ I have prepared the way.
+
+ _Chorus_--Many a form, etc.
+
+ Dark shadows swept the wintry sky,
+ The tempest echoed loud;
+ But, oh! we know our Father’s face
+ Smiled on us from the cloud.
+
+ _Chorus_--Many a form, etc.
+
+ No threats disturbed, no fears oppressed,
+ Nor care, least man should mock;
+ We only heard the Shepherd’s call,
+ “Fear not, ye little flock.”
+
+ _Chorus_--Many a form, etc.
+
+ His love hath kept, His hand hath led,
+ Our footsteps day by day;
+ And victory soon will crown our cause
+ If we but watch and pray.
+
+ _Chorus_--Many a form, etc.
+
+
+INCIDENTS.
+
+Two ladies were sent to interview the priest, hoping to gain his
+gracious permission for the women of the Catholic Church to work in
+the saloon visitation. He received them courteously in his private
+parlor. But on learning the object of their visit, his denunciations
+were bitter. The ladies felt the exceeding uncomfortableness of their
+position and politely offered to withdraw their request, also their
+presence. In an excited manner he commanded them to be seated while he
+proceeded to explain that Christ’s commission was given to the Apostle,
+through whom it was delegated to the Pope, thence to the Priesthood;
+and sneeringly added, “Where did you get your commission to go on the
+streets and teach men the gospel? Tell me, woman, _I demand it_; where
+did you get your commission?” Remembering that she must not “deny the
+faith that was in her,” with coolness, she replied, simply, “I get my
+commission from my Bible.” Striking his clenched hand on the sacred
+word, he vehemently demanded, “_Where?_” Without hesitation, the Holy
+Spirit helped her to the words, “Christ says, ‘Lovest thou me? feed
+my sheep.’ St. Peter’s words, ‘The Rock of the Holy Church.’” Their
+utterance fed his anger. He reiterated, almost fiercely, “Woman,
+_dare_ you place yourself on a level with St. Peter?” Accompanied by
+sneering denunciations of the work, again he demanded, “Where in the
+Bible do you find a commission to women to teach the gospel upon the
+street?” Again the Spirit’s quickening power enabled her to reply, with
+calmness, “On the resurrection morn, Christ told Mary to ‘Go tell my
+disciples, to go quickly;’ in her haste she probably ran through the
+streets, proclaiming as she went the risen Saviour.” He made no reply.
+His manner softened; with a half-apology for his excited words, he
+courteously permitted the ladies to depart.
+
+Nearly two months of the siege had elapsed. The light of earnest and
+patient labor shining within the haunts of vice, revealed the strong,
+deep shadows. The women, no longer invigorated by the keen, biting
+March winds, felt the pressure of household care, as well as the
+lassitude of spring-tide. The ranks were perceptibly thinned. The work
+of picketing the saloons grew wearisome and discouragingly monotonous.
+An energy born of consecration alone nerved the faithful to carry on
+the desperate struggle. In the proceedings of the city council, an
+ordinance to restrain and prohibit ale, beer, and porter-houses, or
+shops, or habitual resorts for tippling, had passed its second reading.
+The time for the third and final reading drew near. The saloon-keepers
+hopefully reviewed our depleted bands, and carefully tithed each ounce
+of popular sentiment, knowing their interests hung in the legal scales
+of the city council. They did not recognize a Gideonite band that
+made them daily visitations. Each member, humbled with the publicity
+of street parade, felt she had laid her face in the gutter that her
+brother might walk erect in sobriety and virtuous manhood. If the
+voices were fewer that sung “Nearer my God, to Thee,” the strains rose
+higher; if lips faltered as they plead for strength, the prayer was
+deeper as it went from burdened hearts to the ear of the Great Eternal.
+
+At this issue, through the long afternoon, two ladies kept picket-guard
+at a notorious saloon in an obscure part of the city. In their
+conversation, the question arose in this immediate crisis: What can
+be done to quicken the flagging interest? A serious question. As they
+left the post of duty, they took it with them to their homes. One of
+them took it to her closet, and in earnest prayer besought the Lord
+to wisely direct, else a worthy cause and worthy efforts must suffer
+defeat.
+
+As she rose from her knees, a full conception of a Temperance
+Convention flashed upon her mind. The plan was laid before the
+presiding officer, and heartily approved. Committees were speedily at
+work to effect its consummation.
+
+The following Tuesday evening was the time for the final reading of
+the ordinance. That day was chosen for the convention. Announcements
+were freely but quietly made. The noon trains brought delegations from
+Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Salem, Ravenna, and towns of the vicinity,
+where leagues had been formed. Mount Union College sent a delegation
+of faculty and entire body of students. Alliance Hall was filled
+to overflowing. With addresses full of devotion to the work, and
+encouragement to the workers, and music that stirred all hearts
+to renewed energy, the meeting was one of wonderful enthusiasm.
+At the close of the afternoon service two hundred and twenty-five
+Crusaders filed out of the hall, down Main street. The saloon-keepers,
+suddenly surprised and awed into submission by the number, offered
+no resistance, and an impressive street service was held. During the
+evening session the enthusiasm was at its height, when a messenger
+brought the glad tidings that the hotly contested ordinance had passed.
+The old college-bell rang out gleefully; the men almost lost decorum
+in sounding cheer; but the “Women of the Whiskey War,” with uplifted
+faces, sang with hearty earnestness, “Praise God, from whom all
+blessings flow.” Reported by A. M. B.
+
+
+NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO.
+
+The Secretary of the League, Callie A. Everett, gives the following
+interesting account of the closing of the saloons in this town early in
+the Crusade:
+
+“Mr. Schmidt, a German,” proposed many times that the ladies buy him
+out; this, however, was against our principles, and we urged him
+to “dare to do right,” and trust to our temperance people to give
+him a fair start in something else; finally, prayers and entreaties
+prevailed, and he carried out his liquor, and showed the women how to
+open the barrels. As it streamed over the ground, the expression of
+feeling in different individuals was noticeable. Some wept, others
+laughed, the men cheered, anvils were fired, and all the bells in our
+city pealed forth the glad news.
+
+The women surrounded and overwhelmed him with thanks, and he,
+with tears flowing rapidly, assured them “he was glad, too.” His
+saloon-tables, glasses, etc., were at once offered at auction.
+
+The cheering news spread like wildfire, and a large crowd assembled to
+bid-off the various articles. One tumbler was sold three times to the
+same man, bringing in all seventeen dollars. At this rate he was soon
+recompensed, and has started, a number one, butcher shop.
+
+John Myers likewise poured out, or allowed the ladies to empty, twelve
+barrels of wine and whiskey into our streets, and as he was better off
+financially than Schmidt, did not need so much assistance; however, the
+women bought his tables, etc., and by their presence urged the men to
+buy. He has started a saddler shop.
+
+The demonstrations on this occasion were similar to the one mentioned
+before.
+
+Mr. John Furney asked that no public demonstration be made over his
+surrender, and the ladies obtained his name quietly, only evidencing
+their triumph by the irrepressible joy beaming from their countenances.
+Mr. Furney has started a “Temperance Restaurant” in connection with his
+grocery, and on the 4th of April, 1874, fifty ladies ordered him to
+prepare dinner for them.
+
+These cases of surrender were from the very ones that at first opposed
+us in every way. At Schmidt’s, particularly, they danced and sung,
+jeered and drank over the women’s heads.
+
+The worst cases generally yielded first.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+CRUSADE IN LARGER TOWNS.
+
+
+CLEVELAND, OHIO.
+
+Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton gives the following graphic account of the
+Temperance Crusade and its results in Cleveland, written for the
+_Morning_:
+
+The noble work of the women of southern Ohio had touched every
+Christian heart in Cleveland. On the 10th of March, 1874, a meeting was
+called under the auspices of the Women’s Christian Association, and 600
+of the best and truest of the city came together to ask their God what
+they should do, for the destroying of this evil of intemperance, and
+the up-building of His kingdom. They were women, for the most part, who
+had been active in the churches, and in all benevolent work.
+
+An organization was effected, and Miss Sarah Fitch, President of the
+W. C. A., a woman whose executive ability and consecration had gained
+for her the confidence of the people, was chosen President of the
+Temperance League.
+
+Immediately pledge-books were obtained, with property-owners’,
+citizens’, and dealers’ pledges.
+
+The city was districted, and women of influence, over one hundred in
+number, volunteered to canvass the city for signatures. In a short time
+over 5,000 women were enrolled members of the League, each one signing
+a pledge neither to use intoxicants, nor offer them as a beverage, and
+to discountenance their use in every possible way, and about 10,000
+names to all the other pledges. The question was constantly asked:
+“Will the women of a wealthy, conservative city go upon the streets
+as a praying band?” Liquor-dealers said: “Let the women come quietly
+by committees, and we will receive them, but coming in a body to pray
+with us, brands our business as disreputable.” The time came when
+the Master seemed to call for a more complete consecration, for a
+higher power brought to bear upon the liquor traffic. When, in a large
+prayer-meeting, volunteers for Crusade work were called for, twenty-two
+brave women, several of them the wives of clergymen, said: “Here am
+I. Send me! The Lord’s will be done.” They proceeded directly to the
+most fashionable saloon of the city and were permitted to enter. “There
+is a fountain filled with blood” was sung, the first hymn that was
+to inaugurate a Christian warfare against 1,200 centres of evil. The
+Bible was read and prayer offered. Men bowed their heads abashed and
+were silent, and women, consecrated anew by their trust in God, and
+a revelation of the sin they were called upon to meet, went back to
+the church in the midst of a surging crowd, strong to do the unknown
+work before them. The next day saloons were visited, and again the
+eager crowds gathered, some listening tearfully to the hymns, some
+jeering and scoffing. On the third day the liquor interest seemed
+to have awakened to a full consciousness of the situation. The beer
+element began to feel that its liberties were being fettered. Drinkers,
+dealers, and roughs, gathered in large numbers, in the streets, to wait
+for the praying women. Beer and whiskey had done their maddening work
+with the brain, and made them ready for riot.
+
+In the central part of the city, forty women, pressed upon by a jeering
+crowd, went forward in their work of prayer. In the western part, a
+smaller number, refused entrance at a saloon, knelt and prayed upon the
+sidewalk. A mob, headed by an organization of brewers, rushed upon the
+kneeling women, kicking one badly in the side, another in the back, and
+striking others with their fists.
+
+A Mr. Doolittle, attempting to defend them, was brutally beaten, (has
+been obliged to keep his bed for nearly two years,) and would have been
+killed at once had he not been hurried away by the police, some of whom
+even were badly injured. The praying band were locked in a store away
+from the infuriated mob, who, by the arrival of more officers, were
+dispersed, cursing and yelling as they went.
+
+The next day, taking their lives in their hands, a large company of
+women went out, and similar scenes were enacted.
+
+In the meantime public meetings had been called in the churches, and
+such throngs gathered that they could not find standing room.
+
+The clergy as one man came to the front to defend the Christian women,
+who had done nothing save walk quietly upon the streets and pray for
+men who were making the city and the land one vast ruin and desolation.
+True it called attention to the groans of drunkards’ wives and the
+cries of drunkards’ children, and marked as the direct cause, the
+liquor-dealers, but for this the traffic, (not the praying women,) were
+at fault. All good citizens rose up in indignation and horror that
+their wives and mothers were at the mercy of a liquor mob. Business men
+left their stores, ministers their studies, and a thousand manly men
+went out to defend the women.
+
+The mayor was visited by a committee of citizens. A proclamation was
+immediately issued, which, while it did not permit the women to hold
+meetings on the sidewalk, left them free to call upon all the saloons,
+with none to molest or make them afraid. The military companies were
+ordered to be in readiness resting on their arms; the police force was
+increased, and the liquor interest soon made to feel that the city was
+not under their control. The mob never again tried its power.
+
+For over three months, with scarcely a day’s exception, the praying
+bands went from saloon to saloon, holding a prayer-meeting where the
+proprietor was willing, giving temperance tracts and cards to the
+crowds that gathered to hear the singing and the prayers, having
+warehouses often thrown open to them for services when the saloons on
+the street refused to admit them; sometimes entering a vacant lot, and
+surrounded perchance by a hardened crowd, with none to protect them but
+their God (the police having been withdrawn), they preached the gospel
+of the Son of God, crucified for sinners.
+
+One man, a German, very angry at their visits in his street, and rude
+in his treatment of them, held a mock prayer-meeting in his shop, had
+his leg broken by his horse next day and died soon after.
+
+At a Jew’s saloon, a picture of Christ, crowned with thorns and draped
+with black, was held up on a pole before the crowd, who were drinking
+beer and blaspheming.
+
+On the same street, from one of the worst saloons, where cock-fighting
+was carried on, three fierce dogs were set upon Mrs. Charles Wheeler,
+who was that day leading the band. Without ceasing her prayer she
+gently laid her hands upon their heads, and as though taught of a
+higher power than their master’s, they crouched at her feet and were
+quiet. This saloon has since become a friendly inn, most inviting and
+beneficial.
+
+Often several bands visited different parts of the city during the same
+day. Again, as many as 500 women, two by two, quietly and silently,
+making a procession of over one-fourth of a mile in length, followed
+by scores in carriages, went to the larger wholesale liquor-houses,
+club-houses, hotels, etc. Often they were bidden to enter. “Tell me the
+old, old story,” “Almost persuaded,” “I am trusting, Lord, in Thee,”
+were sung, and prayers uttered, whose tenderness and earnestness
+brought tears to eyes unused to weeping.
+
+Often a saloon-keeper with his heart not wholly seared by his
+occupation, wept like a child. Many gave up the business, some rich,
+some poor, and never resumed it.
+
+Those were wonderful days, when a city was baptized by continuous
+prayer; when women, forgetting the ease and luxury of their homes, went
+down to these places of desolation to save those for whom Christ died.
+Men took off their hats as the procession went by. Little children
+gathered close to the singers, and, catching the words, sang them
+months after in their dingy hovels. Haggard women bent their heads as
+they murmured with unutterable sadness, “You’ve come too late to save
+my boy or my husband.” Men dying in attics sent for the praying bands
+to come and tell them about the Saviour. Men who had lost all hope
+because of the appetite that mastered them, heard the glad tidings of
+salvation from women’s lips, and stretching forth their hands were
+lifted upon the Everlasting Rock.
+
+During these three months of Crusade work, three distilleries, eight
+breweries, thirty-one drug stores, thirty-five hotels, forty wholesale
+dealers, and 1,100 saloons were visited, many of them again and again.
+Four hundred and fifty of these places often admitted the bands for
+services. There were seventy outdoor meetings in warehouses, etc.
+Mass-meetings on the Sabbath, conducted by women, were held in wigwams
+in different wards, as well as churches, and always crowded.
+
+Meantime the prominent men of the city, believing that the laws of Ohio
+forbidding the sale of liquors to be drank on the premises should be
+enforced, as also the Adair law, which makes a man responsible for the
+harm which the liquor that he sells causes, acting on the plan of the
+government in ferreting out crime, employed detectives, and soon had
+900 indictments against liquor-dealers; and cases for wronged women and
+children, under the Adair law, covering $150,000.
+
+The Liquor-Dealers’ and Brewers’ Association report, 1874, 5,969
+prosecutions; and in the year 1875, 4,207 prosecutions.
+
+Opposite sections of Cleveland, where different praying bands labored,
+show varied and blessed results of the work. The lower part of the
+city, by the river dock, where saloons were thick, and sin flaunted
+itself, was assigned to Mrs. John Coon, a woman of wonderful faith
+in God, and great strength of character, and her band of twenty or
+thirty devoted workers. At first they were refused admittance at
+all, or nearly all the saloons, but one dealer, touched by her kind
+spirit, relented and sent for her and her band to return. He was the
+son of a clergyman, finely educated; had held a good position in the
+army, and been successful in business till he began travelling for a
+wholesale grocery and liquor house combined. He soon went into the
+liquor trade for himself; and the descent was rapid to the keeper of
+a low saloon and a debauchee. Some days after, at the earnest request
+of his wife, he _signed_ the pledge, and gave up his business. Among
+those present in the saloon, drinking and playing cards, was a
+friendless and prematurely white-haired man, to whom the saloon-keeper
+had given shelter. Southern born, a Colonel in the Confederate army, a
+gentleman in manner, a member of the press in honorable standing for
+years, becoming addicted to drink, then gambling, he left his wife and
+little girl, and wandered from city to city, sinking lower and lower,
+a profane, broken down inebriate. His wife had spent long years in
+searching for him, one year using $700 of her own earnings to find him;
+but at last had given him up as dead. The hymn sung by the praying band
+touched his heart. He asked for one sung years before by his mother,
+and joined in the singing. At last he signed the pledge, and was taken
+to the home of a generous citizen. Here, some days after, wrestling
+with God one whole night in prayer, he found peace in believing. Some
+weeks later a letter was written to the wife. She fainted when she
+read it. She hurried to meet him; and at this house, in the presence
+of a hundred guests, the worn wedding-ring was once more placed upon
+her finger, and the marriage service, touching and beautiful, again
+repeated. Mrs. Coon led the exercises, different members of the band
+praying, and singing the Crusade hymns. None who witnessed it will ever
+forget this affecting scene. The closed saloon was at once transformed
+into a clean boarding-house called the River Street Friendly Inn.
+This being too small for the crowds who gathered at the meetings, an
+adjoining warehouse, three stories high, 25 by 100 feet long, was
+rented, the lower story made into a dining-room, the second into a
+reading-room and chapel, and the third into sleeping-apartments,
+with seven neatly furnished beds. The chapel walls are decorated
+with such mottoes as “Peace on earth, good will to men;” “The Spirit
+and the Bride say, Come;” “Jesus is my only Refuge.” Each day, after
+calling at the saloons, a meeting was held here by the band, who often
+repaired to the river docks across the street, and there, where as
+many as a thousand persons, sailors and others, frequently gathered,
+these godly women offered the bread of life, the only _sure_ safeguard
+against intemperance. From the captains of the boats, the praying women
+received the kindest attention. A platform was built for them and seats
+provided.
+
+Following these afternoon meetings, a meeting for inquirers was held at
+the Inn. Scores of men would repair thither, more sometimes than could
+be conversed with before the evening meeting, at eight o’clock, held in
+the chapel. How many found Christ will never be known till the judgment
+day reveals it. Very few, as far as is known, have fallen.
+
+A weekly prayer-meeting was at once started, with social entertainment
+for other evenings. Both these prayer-meetings are still conducted
+by Mrs. Coon and her band: Mrs. Hall, Smith, Noble, Hanna, Brayton,
+Preston, Johnson, Butts, White, Saunders, Burridge, Mittleberger,
+Chittenden, and others. No time was wasted. Testimony is borne
+successively, by from eighty to one hundred men recently converted, of
+the power of God to keep them from falling.
+
+River street is a changed locality. The saloons have less custom, and
+the presence of the praying women is heartily welcomed.
+
+Another locality, St. Clair street and its surroundings, was assigned
+to Mrs. Charles Wheeler, a woman loved by all; the friend and advocate
+of the poor, and well fitted for this field. After much hard work and
+many mass-meetings sustained by her, Mrs. Stephens, Porter, Detchon,
+Greene, Reese, Gilbert, Couis, and others, the saloon above mentioned
+was opened as a Friendly Inn, under the control of Mrs. George
+Worthington and Mrs. Wheeler, now President of the League, a devoted
+woman whose wealth has been generously given for the cause. Through
+this inn, families have been reunited, and lost ones returned to their
+parents and their God.
+
+Among the 550 families visited the past year about this inn, were a
+father and mother who had strayed from the fold. The father had become
+intemperate. The only son was taken ill. The temperance women were
+unremitting in their care, but nothing could save him. Their hands
+brought flowers for his burial, their own carriages were sent, and the
+only hope of his parents was laid tenderly away. This kindness won
+the father back to rectitude, and he and his wife are rejoicing again
+in the comforts of Christianity. Besides the Sunday meeting, a most
+interesting Bible reading is sustained weekly by Miss Andrews, recently
+our missionary to China; and a social gathering every Saturday evening.
+
+Broadway and its adjacent streets, a part of the city where thickly
+settled saloons have borne bitter fruit, was given to Mrs. W. P. Cooke,
+a woman of piety and ability. Day after day she, with Mrs. Hill,
+Brigham, Morehouse, Tagg, Bowler, Johnson, Mudge, and others, did
+heroic and blessed work. A Friendly Inn resulted from these labors,
+under the directions of Mrs. Rev. Duncan, then President of the League.
+Mrs. Cooke being ill from overwork, to Mrs. Duncan’s executive ability,
+judgment, and spirituality, the Crusade, as well as the Friendly Inn,
+is greatly indebted. This Inn, made from two stores, each 44 feet long
+by 20 feet broad, has the same general features as the others. Mrs.
+Duncan having removed to another city, the control came into the hands
+of Miss Jennie Duty, under whom it has been signally blest.
+
+A young lady of culture and indefatigable as a Christian worker, she
+has given her whole time and strength to the work since the Crusade
+began. She is superintendent at the Inn of a Sunday-school, numbering
+200 scholars, and is instructor of the Teachers’ Bible Class, held
+every Monday evening, made up largely of the reformed men. A Sunday
+meeting, not excelled in interest by any in the city, is conducted by
+her, Mrs. Partridge, Ford, Cogswell, Williams, Taylor, Dutcher, and
+others, who have given devoted service to the cause. A free supper is
+given to hundreds every Sabbath evening. The rooms are crowded at the
+meetings. There has been one continuous revival for over two years.
+
+The past winter there have been over one hundred conversions. A young
+woman, among others, came to the meetings, desiring a different life.
+She was ill and afraid to die. After a few weeks all was changed. The
+aged mother watched by the bedside of the daughter she loved, now
+happy beyond expression. Perhaps no little room was ever more filled
+with the presence of the Saviour. After death, the women who had told
+her how to find her Lord, laid her away, prayed at her open grave, and
+went back to their work of leading others up higher.
+
+In the eastern part of the city, the 16th and 17th wards, where the
+temperance element is strongest, the bands did efficient work. On the
+17th of August, 1874, when the State, after an intense struggle with
+the freely spent money and influence of the liquor power, reiterated
+her vote of twenty years before, of “No license,” the praying bands,
+in a booth trimmed with flowers and evergreens, furnished a dinner
+to the voters. A morning prayer-meeting, started at the beginning of
+the Crusade, has never been discontinued for a single day. A union
+temperance prayer-meeting is held every Sunday afternoon, which _is
+union_ indeed and full of spirit. At both of these, many have been
+converted. A temperance reading-room is sustained, mass-meetings still
+held, and the cause kept bright in the hearts of the people. The
+band-leaders have been Mrs. Ford--a noble, Christian woman, who stepped
+from out a quiet, domestic life to be one of the most efficient--Mrs.
+Bucher, who did valuable work till her health failed, Mrs. Sloan,
+Colby, Bolton, and others, all devoted workers, who have had the
+satisfaction of seeing their work bear precious fruit already. In the
+western part of the city, where the Crusaders first received violence,
+trusting in God, they went forward fearlessly to duty. Hundreds
+of saloons were visited, some wayward ones converted, and public
+sentiment wonderfully elevated. The leaders in this work, that had
+the seal of martyrdom, were Mrs. Breckenridge, a brave, true, earnest
+woman, Mrs. J. C. Delamater, Sheldon, Chapman, Ingham, Lee, McKinney,
+Stork, A. H. Delamater, Janes, Jones, Redington, Story, Mrs. Cheney,
+and others.
+
+A Friendly Inn has recently been started here. Beautiful mottoes adorn
+the walls, and everything invites to temperance and virtue. At its
+head is Mrs. W. A. Ingham, to whose energy, courage, and devotion the
+Crusade owes much of its effectiveness. She had charge of all the
+praying bands, laid out the part of each, and with the skill of an able
+officer, carried through a vigorous warfare against a mighty enemy.
+
+In still another portion of the city, the 18th ward, formerly Newburgh,
+efficient work was done under the able leadership of Mrs. Rev.
+Curtiss, Foote, Palmer, Slade, and others, before the Crusade work was
+undertaken elsewhere in the city. A centre for the manufacture of iron
+and steel, the saloon-keepers knew well where to build to tempt the
+workingmen. With great energy and persistence, the good women have held
+temperance meetings every Sabbath afternoon, in the summers in the open
+air, have speakers from abroad often, and have now a renovated saloon,
+“a home,” of their own. It is sustained by monthly contributions,
+none over one dollar, some as small as ten cents. They have nicely
+furnished eating and sleeping rooms, with an apartment above which
+will seat over a hundred persons. Their social gatherings, intended
+to offer an attraction other than saloons to young men, are so largely
+patronized that they have been obliged to repair to a large hall,
+where five cents admission is charged, and the least they have taken
+at the door is $9.45, usually three times that amount. The pledge is
+offered at all these meetings. They are now visiting those who drink
+or have drunkenness in their families. “I wish I could say,” writes
+their earnest and efficient secretary, Mrs. Foote, “to every feeble,
+half-dead League, no matter how small the town, how few the workers,
+start a home, a little central place, from which in every direction
+temperance sentiment shall radiate. It will prove to the League what a
+home is to the family.” Its chief workers are Mrs. Palmer, Bes, Slade,
+Morgan, Fish, Brown, Morton, Gladding, Way, and others.
+
+Other band-leaders and efficient workers in other parts of the city
+deserve especial and honorable mention. Mrs. Joseph Perkins, Adams,
+Strong, Sheppard, Lockwood, Whitney, Thomas, Starkweather, Stewart,
+Morgan, Hanna, Rose, Burge, Bradley, Southworth, Williamson, Witt,
+Canfield, Stone, Sachell, Herr, Pope, Wright, Nyce, Castle, Benton,
+Hicky, Porter, Ely, Talbott, Hart, Stebbins, Dutcher, Doty, Warren,
+Excell, Prather, Dissette, Mason, Edwards, Hinsdale, Stevens,
+Galbraith, Ingersoll, Massey, Francisco, and many others. When hundreds
+have given time and strength and life itself for the cause, it is
+impossible to write them all on paper.
+
+God keeps the record and a grand record it is.
+
+Another result of the temperance movement has been the formation of the
+Young Ladies’ Temperance League, numbering hundreds of the best young
+women of the city, pledged to discourage the use of wine, beer, and
+distilled liquors, and not to furnish them for social entertainment.
+Its president, Miss Flora Stone, only sister of the wife of John Hay,
+loves the work, and gives herself unreservedly to it. The moral weight
+of such an association cannot be overestimated. Temperance work soon
+led them to see that there was more of sorrow in the world than they
+had ever supposed. Their hearts turned toward those of their own sex
+less favored than themselves. A desirable house was rented, made
+attractive, and matron employed. Their object is to furnish temporary
+relief to poor, friendless girls, and help them in some way to provide
+for their own support. Since its opening, 124 young women have been
+received, and retained, on an average, eleven days each; 270 have been
+assisted to employment. Homes for several young girls have been found,
+where they can have an education. Sewing is furnished to those needing
+it, and the garments sold.
+
+A temperance fete was held by the League, from which $1,000 was
+realized. Similar gatherings keep the work before the people, and
+popularize the cause. Prominent in this League have been Mrs. Lovis,
+Ingersoll, Fuller, Younglove, Prentiss, Hall, Andrews, and many others.
+Much work is done among the children.
+
+A new generation trained in the belief that the use of intoxicants
+is a _sin_, will change most effectually the habits of society.
+Temperance literature, showing the effects of whiskey or beer as
+beverages, and the total disuse of them as medicines by many of the
+best physicians, showing the duty of the church on this question, is
+being extensively circulated. Cities, countries, States, and counties
+are being thoroughly organized; and the women of Cleveland uniting with
+them, abating none of their interest, still holding over twenty gospel
+temperance meetings weekly, are working and praying and waiting for the
+Master to give the victory over evil.
+
+
+MILLERSBURG, OHIO.
+
+The temperance movements of the ladies of Millersburg was inaugurated
+by meetings at private houses, from time to time. During the month of
+January, 1874, mass-meetings were held, pledges were presented, by
+committees appointed to visit every house and place of business in the
+town.
+
+Prayer-meetings were held daily, alternately at the different churches,
+for two or three weeks, preceding the commencement of the street work.
+On the 19th of February, 1874, the first regular visiting of the
+saloons was begun. At that time _ten_ saloons, and three drug stores,
+comprised the number of places demanding attention.
+
+At first we were allowed to enter all of these places. In addition to
+singing and prayers, personal appeals were made to the proprietors, and
+selections of Scripture read in their hearing. The proprietors of the
+three drug stores signed the pledge; after the first visit, regular
+visits were made, almost daily, until the middle of April, by which
+time all the saloons but four were closed.
+
+These were all kept by Germans. A strong effort was made to elect
+municipal officers, at the spring election, who would enact the
+McConnelsville ordinance. In this, we were unsuccessful.
+
+
+WORK IN ZANESVILLE, OHIO.
+
+Mrs. J. T. Ohe, in the _Morning_, says: The wave of temperance
+agitation did not reach the staid city of Zanesville till most of the
+neighboring towns and the country communities had been thoroughly
+aroused.
+
+Early in March, 1874, the first meetings, called in Second Street M.
+E. Chapel, enlisted the deep sympathy of the women of the city; and
+here, as in so many cases elsewhere, those the most shrinking, unknown
+to public effort of any kind, became the most efficient and inspiring
+leaders. The first organized effort was toward the enactment of a
+municipal law to restrain and prohibit a certain low class of tippling
+shops. Petitions were circulated through every ward--many of the first
+women of society going from shop to shop, urging signatures, and
+obtaining them, too, where men would have utterly failed.
+
+The petition was more than eighty feet long, and contained nearly 5,000
+names. The city council, strongly influenced by this demonstration
+of sentiment, passed the law. During the six months it was well
+enforced, the drinking shops decreased in number from 118 to 50. Many
+of those retaining licenses reported greatly diminished sales, and “a
+gratifying scarcity of victims of the police courts was another feature
+of the change.” On the 4th of July, 1874, notwithstanding it was a
+general holiday, and in this manufacturing community, _not one case
+of_ drunkenness on the streets was noticed, nor any arrests. If only
+the men of the place had stood firmly to _their work_, as conservators
+of the public good, these benefits would have been permanent. But some
+reaction took place, and a fort so strongly intrenched was not to be
+dislodged by one year’s siege. At the very outset of this movement, the
+Liquor-Dealers’ Association, under the lead of a notorious wholesale
+dealer, put forth a most offensive and insulting manifesto, threatening
+to ostracise all citizens whose wives were identified, etc., etc.,
+the sole effect of which was to rouse the men to support the women
+_gallantly_.
+
+But little “Crusading” on the public streets was done; the members of
+the League preferring to go quietly, in twos or threes, to interview
+the dealers, and with very few exceptions, they met courteous
+treatment, and felt assured that their visits would bear good fruit.
+
+One of the most estimable women of our city, as the leader of a band of
+six or seven, was arrested, (under the ordinance against obstructing
+the streets,) by complaint of a woman who had for years kept open a
+drinking-place, the terror of the neighborhood. Under the protecting
+ægis of the Dealers’ Association, she appeared in court to annihilate
+the offending Crusaders. But here, as in so many other cases, the
+cause visibly triumphed, and the irate madam departed breathing
+threatenings. The whole scene in the court was “one for a painting.”
+
+Mrs. H. G. O. Carey, writing June 6th, 1876, says: “I believe no city
+of its size in the State, accomplished a more thorough closing of
+the saloons than did Zanesville. For seven months no one could get
+a glass of beer in the city, except by stealth; and in real fear of
+prosecution, our dealers became very cautious. The internal revenue
+office showed that sales were reduced during all that time, until the
+repeal of the ordinance, forty to forty-seven per cent. The improvement
+in morals was most apparent: a public sentiment was created which made
+it possible to punish the guilty. Our work was almost entirely done by
+small parties on the alert everywhere, supported by constant prayer and
+faith in God. League prayer-meetings have never been omitted to this
+day, and I believe no man either drinks, or sells liquor of any kind
+without compunctions of conscience to which formerly he was a stranger.”
+
+It was in this town that a young lady, connected with one of the bands
+visiting the saloons, said, when reproved for doing so: “Where my
+brother goes to drink, I certainly ought to be allowed to go to pray.”
+
+
+PAINESVILLE, OHIO.
+
+We have gathered the following facts from the Painesville papers
+published at the time:
+
+Pursuant to a call for a “Temperance Mass-Meeting,” the large
+audience-room of the Congregational Church was filled to overflowing.
+
+The audience numbered over one thousand of our best people, and showed
+by the deep interest manifested that the “tidal wave” had indeed
+reached this place.
+
+Rev. T. R. Peters offered prayer, and was followed by able speakers.
+
+At the ladies’ meeting, on Tuesday morning, there was a very large
+attendance. After singing and prayers, addresses were made by several
+ministers of Painesville.
+
+The ladies enlisted for the war, and are still engaged in active
+service.
+
+One evening, at eight o’clock, they formed into three large bands, at
+the church, and went by three different routes to three of the largest
+saloons.
+
+The first, led by Mrs. Hitchcock, was received, and held a good meeting
+among the crowd of billiard players.
+
+The second, led by Mrs. Curtis, not gaining admission, held a meeting
+on the sidewalk.
+
+The third entered Stacy’s and commenced services. During prayer the
+doors were locked and the keys removed; a hot fire was built, and
+pepper thrown liberally on the stove, the fumes of which made the place
+almost intolerable.
+
+But the songs and prayers were exultant, triumphant, and the appeals to
+the bartender very feeling and earnest.
+
+Their songs were heard a square away. Friends came and released them,
+after having one of the best meetings they ever held.
+
+They had a list of twenty-eight saloons furnished them. Four of these
+they found had quit the business in consequence of fines imposed by
+the court. Everywhere they met with a courteous reception. They were
+evidently expected: some had waited more than a week for them, some had
+expected a larger band, but liked this better. No doubt they did. Most
+of the saloons were as clean as soap and water could make them, and
+often not a thing could be seen at the bar more contraband than a box
+of segars. In fact, if we may believe the word of the dealers, there
+did not seem to be a place in Painesville where whiskey or rum could be
+bought to be drunk on the premises. Everything is claimed to be done
+strictly according to law.
+
+Nearly every one wished himself out of the business, and would be glad
+to sell out at a fair valuation; but very naturally, none were ready
+yet to sacrifice their property for the public welfare.
+
+At McFarland & Hazen’s saloon, they were kindly received. Spectators
+were excluded, and they proceeded to hold a prayer-meeting. At the
+close of the exercises the pledge was presented to Mr. McFarland, which
+he refused to sign; but said he would be willing to close if any one
+would take their lease off their hands, but they were paying much more
+than the rooms would rent for, for other business.
+
+They next visited Mr. Hennessey’s saloon. He said he would be glad
+to leave a business of which he is ashamed, as soon as he could find
+another business opening.
+
+At Mr. Rochat’s bakery, the meeting was a very affecting one. He and
+his wife seemed almost persuaded. He also had a bar, and said he had
+been trained to the business, and knowing no other, could not sign,
+and thus throw himself out of employment, and people would not buy
+the lunch without the beer. But on their next visit, after prayers
+and singing, and while they were deeply affected, Mr. Rochat and his
+wife yielded so far as to pledge themselves to sell no liquor for
+the space of one month, and _never_ to do so if he could support his
+family by his legitimate business, and gave them permission to pour the
+liquor he had on hand into the street. There was deep feeling over the
+occurrence, and all felt that God had heard and answered prayer. Seven
+or eight ladies laid hold of the cask, carried it up-stairs to the
+pavement, and amid much rejoicing and enthusiasm poured the liquor into
+the street.
+
+Messrs. Warner, Garfield & Jewell, of the Cowles House and Brewery,
+said their capital was invested in the business, and no business man
+would expect them to sacrifice this without compensation. They would
+be glad to sell out the brewery, and stop both the manufacture and
+sale of liquors. When they entered this business, it was considered as
+respectable as any other, but public sentiment had changed, and now it
+was difficult to find a purchaser. If our public-spirited men would
+make a stock company, and convert the brewery into a tannery, for which
+it was well suited, they would sell for $5,000 less than its appraised
+value, and also take stock in the new business.
+
+Mrs. Sullivant, who opened a saloon near the depot, admitted that it
+was a bad business--a lazy business, but said her husband might as well
+have his liquor at home where she could watch him, as elsewhere and
+keep her going after him. She refused them admittance, so they held a
+prayer-meeting in the yard. Mr. Babbitt, of the bakery, said he could
+not think of signing our dealer’s pledge, as _one barrel of beer_ was
+worth more to him in his business than _ten barrels of flour_ made up
+into bakery products, and so refused to admit them, but they held their
+prayer-meeting on the sidewalk in front of his bakery.
+
+The dealers near the depot claimed that their patronage came mostly
+from the road, that they spent more money in Painesville than they took
+from it, and they would not be controlled by the people of the place.
+
+At the close of an interesting meeting Mr. Dayton pledged himself never
+to sell another drop of intoxicating drink. The women were hopeful, as
+the following will show: “Our hopes for the future are great. It is not
+with us, as I have heard it said, ‘A noble impulse sheltered behind a
+because,’ but an earnest resolve, born of much thought and prayer and
+self-consecration.”
+
+This reminds us of an incident that occurred in Columbus.
+
+John had stayed at home to take care of baby, while Mary was praying in
+the saloons, and when she came back John says, “Well, Mary, the baby
+has cried all the time you were gone; I don’t know but it’s all right,
+but home isn’t what it used to be when you stayed at home.” “Well,
+John,” Mary answered, “it is better that baby should cry for me now
+than that I should cry for baby twenty years hence.”
+
+It has been emphatically true of women, that feeling little
+responsibility beyond home, their prayers have not gone out largely
+for others. We must all be better patriots, as well as Christians and
+philanthropists.
+
+
+ASHLAND, OHIO.
+
+The Crusade terminated here after four days only of street work, and
+nothing of special interest, other than the one great cause for which
+the ladies labored, transpired.
+
+There were five saloons, three drug stores, two hotels, and one
+billiard-room where drink was sold. The druggists signed on the first
+presentation. The saloonists had determined to resist their prayers
+and pleadings, and were under the leadership of one of their number, a
+man of influence in the German church, who kept the most _respectable_
+place in town; a place where the young men congregated, and where many
+of the older ones found it pleasant to linger. He was the only one who
+refused the ladies admittance, compelling them to sing and pray upon
+the pavement before his door. He was the man whom they expected would
+be the last to yield. A man of iron will, they expected to besiege him
+daily, perhaps for weeks; they looked for insult and abuse, yet he was
+the first to sign a petition presented by a score of our citizens,
+(some of them in the habit of visiting his saloon,) asking him to
+discontinue the traffic. When he signed, all the rest were ready to
+sign also.
+
+One saloonist has opened a grocery, another has bought a stock of boots
+and shoes, a third is looking for a farm, in the meantime has left his
+old quarters entirely, one (a woman) keeps a restaurant, and he whom
+they feared most of all, confines himself exclusively to his grocery
+trade. The conquest was easy and complete.
+
+
+BELLEVUE, OHIO.
+
+There were several unconditional surrenders in Bellevue, none of which
+present any features of striking interest. West received the committee
+pleasantly, and acknowledged that he did not approve of the business.
+Two days afterward, when the ladies called on him in a body, he told
+them he would quit in a day or two, and sign the pledge, but was not
+prepared to do so at that time.
+
+The next day he sent word to the association that he was prepared to
+surrender his liquor and sign the pledge, which he did. Four kegs of
+wine and one of beer were thrown into the street; his whiskey was
+sent back. He and his wife attended several of the mass-meetings, and
+took a share in the league fund. He afterwards found the Saviour, and
+commenced a better life. He looks like a new man.
+
+Mr. Ailer also received the committee when they called in a body in
+much the same way as did West, and the next day sent word that he
+wished a conversation with Mrs. Goodson and Mrs. Sawseer. He felt
+willing to close out, but did not feel able to throw away his liquors:
+said he would send back all he could if the society would pay him for
+the rest.
+
+After considerable persuasion he agreed to sign the pledge the next
+day, which he did, throwing away nine gallons of blackberry wine,
+twenty-nine gallons of cherry wine, three of gin, seven of whiskey, and
+two barrels of ale.
+
+Seth Cook was a young man, just married, and all he had was invested in
+a billiard-room and tables. He told the committee, at first, that he
+was bitterly sick of the business, and was willing to sign the pledge
+and throw away his liquors, if he knew what disposition to make of
+the rooms. He allowed the ladies to come whenever they chose, and was
+respectful.
+
+After two calls he sent word that he had concluded to throw away his
+liquors, which he did.
+
+
+BUCYRUS, OHIO.
+
+The account of the work at Bucyrus is, in its detail of events, almost
+verbally copied from the weekly narrative in the _Bucyrus Journal_. The
+editor of this paper was, in sentiment, opposed to the Crusade, but
+he defended the ladies in their heroic sacrifices. Anticipating that
+hereafter the Crusade would form a most important era in our social
+history, he was careful to publish in his paper, from week to week, a
+most accurate, impartial, and detailed history of the movement, giving
+everything of importance concerning it.
+
+Bucyrus, a town of four thousand inhabitants, is situated in the
+northern part of Ohio, on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago
+Railroad. It is the county-seat of Crawford, a county which obtained
+a national notoriety by the treasonable actions and sentiments of a
+portion of its citizens, during the late war of the rebellion. This
+place was the scene of more ruffianly disorder, and the ladies suffered
+more abuse at the hands of the saloon-keepers and their friends, during
+the Crusade, than in any other town in the State. Bucyrus contained at
+the time of the Crusade eight churches--four English and four German.
+The Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, and German
+Methodist Churches, and a few of the members of the German Reformed
+Church, joined in the work of this great reform movement, and the
+bond of union between them was never so strong as when, in a combined
+effort, the members of these churches united against their strongest
+enemy--the liquor traffic. The German Lutheran, German Catholic, and
+most of the members of the German Reformed Churches, sympathized with
+the saloon-keepers, and aided and encouraged them by their counsel and
+influence. When the Crusade was first inaugurated, the town contained
+twenty saloons, one brewery, and one wholesale liquor establishment and
+sample-room. Before the street work was discontinued by the ladies, the
+wholesale establishment and four of the saloons had quit the business.
+
+On Monday evening, March 2d, 1874, a public meeting was held at Rowse’s
+Hall, for the purpose of considering the advisability of inaugurating
+the Crusade at Bucyrus. The hall was crowded, and great enthusiasm
+prevailed. A committee, composed of two from each church in the place,
+was appointed to prepare a plan by which to conduct the temperance
+movement in Bucyrus, and this committee reported at a second meeting,
+which was held in the Presbyterian Church, March 9th. The report made
+contained the following resolution, which was adopted with great
+applause:
+
+“_Resolved_, Inasmuch as the efforts of the women have proven the most
+efficient means, under God, of closing the saloons in many places where
+they are organized and at work, we therefore pledge to the ladies of
+our town our sympathy and hearty co-operation at any time they deem it
+proper to inaugurate the movement here.”
+
+Saturday, March 7th, the saloon-keepers and their friends held a
+meeting, at which they resolved to lock their doors when the women came
+around, and, at the approaching spring elections, to vote for no man
+who favored this temperance reform. The conversation of this meeting
+was mostly in German; many were excluded from it, and the proceedings
+were kept as secret as possible. March 9th, they held another meeting,
+and resolved to issue a printed card, pledging themselves, hereafter,
+to conform strictly to the law, and they drew up a pledge to this
+effect, which all the saloon-keepers, twenty in number, signed.
+
+Tuesday morning, March 10th, a committee, composed of two ladies from
+each church, was appointed to organize the ladies, and every afternoon
+during the week they assembled for prayer. March 14th, the druggists
+were visited, and asked to sign the druggists’ pledge. Two of them
+consented, the third refused. The saloon-keepers were also visited, and
+asked to quit, but without success. Every evening, union temperance
+meetings were held at the different churches, and numbers signed the
+pledge.
+
+Tuesday morning, March 17th, an immense crowd gathered at the M. E.
+Church, and upon the streets were many scattered groups of restless
+citizens, who, by their constant uneasiness, would have betrayed to a
+stranger that something unusual was transpiring, even if it had not
+been well known that the women were about to appear. Promptly at ten
+o’clock the church-bell began to toll, and forth from the church came
+one hundred ladies, among whom were those, who, for their unaffected
+piety, for their exemplary lives, and by the position and character of
+their husbands, were the very first women of the community. By special
+invitation of the proprietors, the ladies first visited the saloon
+of Everett & Ricketts, who were at that time making arrangements to
+close their business, as the lease of the room they were occupying
+had been refused them for another year. The ladies were refused
+entrance to several of the saloons, but were treated politely by the
+saloon-keepers. While they were holding their exercises in front of
+Jahn’s, some of the German women who were looking on made some very
+objectionable remarks in German. While the second prayer was being
+offered in front of Bieber’s, a young man, under the influence of
+liquor, spoke loudly and said, “Pray, God d--n you, pray! Jesus Christ!
+why don’t you pray louder?” But when he saw the marshal approaching,
+he stopped his oaths. Some of the saloon-keepers were visibly moved
+when the friends and companions of their youth, knelt before them and
+offered fervent prayers for their wives and children.
+
+The second day, Wednesday, March 18th, the ladies continued their good
+work, and the crowds around the saloons were quiet and orderly until
+late in the afternoon, when they were in front of Mollenkopf’s. The
+proprietor of this saloon had a musical clock, which was wound up and
+started as the ladies approached, and a large crowd of men and boys
+assembled in the saloon and commenced to sing, and the prayers of the
+ladies were drowned by these indecent noises; but one of the ladies
+beautifully reported:
+
+“We felt in our hearts that our prayers reached His ear to whom they
+were addressed, and it seemed as if the sound of those noble, manly
+voices in so bad a cause, only made us the more anxious to labor for
+their conversion, and to pray that some day they might be heard in
+prayer and praise.”
+
+This sort of a reception only strengthened the ladies to more earnest
+devotions. Soon a good woman offered a prayer in German, and instantly
+all noise within ceased, showing that the hearts of those men were
+not utterly hardened, and that they had tender memories of woman’s
+dear voice raised in the tones of fatherland to the Father of all, and
+every noble woman outside felt encouraged. Even the unseemly riot and
+song thus proved a blessing, for it was followed by such a strange
+stillness, that the calm seemed holy, and the prayers glowed with
+increased fervor, and every heart beat in unison; and at the next
+saloon the exercises were so unusually fervent that one of the ladies
+afterwards reported:
+
+“It seemed as if each of us sensibly realized that God was supporting
+us, and sending His Holy Spirit to comfort and sustain us.”
+
+The exercises under such influences impressed the careless bystanders
+with a solemnity exceeding anything previously experienced. During the
+time the ladies were on the streets, a prayer-meeting was in constant
+progress at the church.
+
+March 19th and 20th, the ladies continued their exercises at the
+different saloons without any disturbance, and were either kindly
+treated by such of the saloon-keepers as admitted them, or ignored by
+the majority, who closed their saloons when the women approached.
+
+Saturday evening, March 21st, while a band was holding religious
+exercises in front of Donnenwirth’s, the proceedings in the saloon were
+very boisterous. Two women were inside, and several men, and their
+actions were such as to demonstrate the effects of the saloon business
+in a style not calculated to elevate it in public estimation.
+
+Monday, March 23d, the weather was cold and raw. In the morning the
+women, in bands of four, visited various places and people and labored
+in the work of the great reform without any street exercises. In the
+afternoon they were out in three bands. Tuesday morning a German
+saloon-keeper and baker named Pfleiderer admitted the ladies to his
+parlor and then stood at the door, and, representing to the ladies
+that he had been injured in his business, by reports that had been
+circulated about his having struck and kicked one of them, refused
+to let them out until it had been proved that the report was without
+foundation.
+
+On the morning of March 25th, William Shaw, a candidate for street
+commissioner for the third term, in order to gain the good will of the
+saloons, placed himself in front of a praying band at Hesche’s and
+commenced a loud and blasphemous harangue and prayer in which vulgar
+allusions and oaths were mingled, to the horror of every respectable
+person. The scene was awful, and involuntarily excited in the minds
+of many an expectation that such a bold, bad, blasphemous man would
+be struck dead for his startling defiance of the living God, whom he
+was violently professing to worship. But the insulted women continued
+their exercises and even prolonged them. Upon moving to another saloon
+Shaw followed them, and proceeded again with his violent indecency. In
+the afternoon he followed the ladies, and at every saloon where they
+held exercises, excepting two where the proprietors refused to let
+him speak, the indecent and disgraceful actions of the morning were
+continued, but it seemed as if the ladies only became more fervent
+under such brutal treatment. At Mollenkopf’s this man repeated his
+ribald, blasphemous, brutal harangue, while citizens stood horrified
+all around the square, realizing for the first time how degrading, how
+injurious to society, and how dangerous to the best interests of the
+nation must be a traffic, which had to resort to such unparalleled
+brutality in a vain endeavor to stop a band of devout and earnest women
+from praying and singing. Close at hand and supporting Shaw, were many
+of the saloon-keepers, and on the outskirts of the crowd was a body of
+men and boys, many inflamed by liquor, cheering, yelling and hallooing
+when some remark unusually brutal, profane or outrageous, fell from
+the lips of this saloon orator, who seemed to think he was doing a
+noble act, in bullying and abusing praying women--the teachers of his
+children in the Sunday-school, and the mothers of their companions. At
+Peters & Lauderbach’s the scenes enacted were even more disgraceful
+than before. Not only did Shaw repeat his harangue, but, as a most
+painful variation, a woman appeared with two children and some beer,
+and tauntingly gave it to the children to drink in the presence of
+the women who were laboring that those children might be preserved
+from the terrible effects of the liquor traffic. (The husband of that
+woman and the father of those two children committed suicide several
+months afterward while in a fit of despondency caused by excessive
+drinking.) She also brought beer and gave it to Shaw, and then threw
+the dregs over the band of ladies before her. The saloon-keepers and
+their friends dared any one to attempt to arrest Shaw, and the mayor
+of the town, all the time declaring that these violent proceedings
+must be stopped, never once realized that it was his duty to order
+Shaw to desist under penalty of being arrested if he did not. Passing
+from these violent and disorderly scenes the band proceeded to Thomas
+Fuhrman’s, where they had always been kindly treated, and, as usual,
+he admitted them and then locked the door, and, as one of the ladies
+reported, “enabled them to feel that they were once more alone with
+their God, and to implore Him for strength to endure the terrible
+ordeal to which they were being subjected.” Other bands had been
+visiting other saloons, and when they met at the church there was an
+impressive sight not soon nor easy to be forgotten. Half the women
+were in tears at the brutal treatment they had experienced, but a
+more resolute band of heroines, a body of women more resolved to hold
+together and continue to the end, it is safe to say were never before
+assembled in Bucyrus. One could realize the effect of persecution on
+the martyrs of old, and could plainly see _how_, as well as understand
+_why_, the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church, as he looked
+upon and studied those resolute women and heard them speak; yet not a
+word of anger, not an unkind, not an unchristian thought. It was as if
+each now, for the first time, realized the extent of the depravity of
+the saloon business, and was more than ever convinced that, before her
+God, it was her duty to labor on to the end.
+
+These are not the speculations or opinions of the writer, but the
+actual facts openly presented, and affording material for wonder and
+astonishment as well as for the most earnest thought.
+
+In the evening the usual immense temperance mass-meeting was held. The
+saloonists also held a meeting for consultation. On the morning of the
+26th, three large bands of women appeared on the streets, and during
+their exercises the disgraceful scenes of the day before were repeated.
+At noon a warrant was issued for Shaw’s arrest, and instructions were
+given that it should be executed in case he did not behave himself.
+Shaw, upon being notified that the mayor had issued the warrant with
+these instructions, decided that it was time for him to quit; and in
+the afternoon, when the ladies continued their exercises, the crowds
+who witnessed them were quiet and orderly. In the evening the town
+council held a special meeting, and passed a resolution which closed
+as follows: “We are impelled to instruct our executive officer, the
+mayor, to appoint such additional police force, as, in conjunction with
+the marshal, may be necessary, mildly but persistently, to prevent any
+person or persons being for any length of time around, about, in, or
+in front of any place of business or private house, within the limits
+of the incorporated village of Bucyrus, Ohio, without consent of the
+owner or occupant of the same, for the purpose of singing, praying, or
+making speeches, or in any way annoying the prosecution of any branch
+of business, or disturbing the quiet of any citizen, or impeding or
+interrupting the means of passage upon the sidewalks or streets.” The
+next day the resolution and a proclamation by the mayor to the same
+effect was published and circulated throughout the town. The women
+appeared on the streets as usual and issued the following:
+
+ WOMEN’S PROCLAMATION.
+
+“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The
+kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
+together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, _saying_, Let
+us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He
+that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in
+derision.” Psalms, chap, ii., v. 1 to 4.
+
+“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach
+in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
+Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than
+unto God, judge ye.” Acts, chap. iv., v. 18 and 19.
+
+“We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts, chap. v., v. 29.
+
+ TO THE PUBLIC.
+
+“In the Temperance movement we have undertaken, we have had no purpose
+to violate the laws of the State, or interfere with the rights of any
+citizen. We have malice in our hearts toward none, but charity for all.
+We believe we have the right to persuade men from strong drink, and to
+plead with the liquor-seller to cease from his traffic. Believing, too,
+that God has called us to the high duty of saving our fellow-men, we
+will not cease to pray and labor to this end. It is our solemn purpose,
+with love in our hearts to God and man, to go right forward in the work
+we have undertaken, and if the hand of violence be laid upon us, we
+make our humble and confident appeal to the God whom we serve, and the
+laws of the State, whose faithful citizens we are.
+
+ “EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
+
+“In behalf of the ladies engaged in the Temperance movement, Bucyrus,
+Ohio, March 27th, 1874.”
+
+ * * * * *
+
+The mayor, at first, experienced some difficulty in obtaining men to
+serve as a special police, and the ladies were pleased to learn of
+strong remarks made by those, who, when offered the position, declined
+to aid the mayor in his dirty work. When the mayor announced that the
+police were not wanted to molest the ladies but to protect them, he
+found no trouble in securing men.
+
+Saturday, March 28th, the women were out in full force, and also on
+Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the next week, although at times
+the weather was very cold and disagreeable, the authorities making
+no attempt to enforce their resolution. Wednesday evening a band of
+ladies surprised several saloons, and caused no little consternation by
+walking in and holding an evening service. At one saloon a number of
+young men and boys were found drinking and gambling. Thursday, April
+2d, the ladies were encouraged by the surrender of J. R. Miller. In
+the afternoon he hung out the white flag, and the ladies marched up
+in full force and held a final meeting in front of his establishment.
+The church-bells were rung, and many steam-whistles united to create a
+jollification. That afternoon they were treated with great discourtesy
+at the saloon of Peters & Lauderbach’s, one of the proprietors laying
+his hands on one of the ladies, and, in the admirably chosen words of
+the council resolution, “mildly and persistently” trying to make her
+leave.
+
+Monday, April 6th, was election day. The ladies remained at the church
+all day holding a prayer-meeting, and praying most earnestly for
+the success of the temperance ticket, and the defeat of the ticket
+supported by the saloon-keepers and their friends.
+
+It is in order to remark here, that all the outrages hitherto
+committed by the saloonists were in defiance of the authorities. The
+disgraceful scenes of March 25th and 26th were permitted by the mayor,
+because he supposed he was powerless to stop them. But when Shaw was
+defeated at the Democratic primaries for the nomination of Street
+Commissioner, because he had acted in such an outrageous manner; and a
+strong citizens’ movement had been organized, and a citizens’ ticket
+nominated, the candidates for the council being men who would close the
+saloons under the law commonly called the “McConnelsville Ordinance”
+(now repealed) if they were elected, the authorities who were seeking a
+re-election became alarmed, and they would permit no further outrages
+because they “feared the people.” The election, however, resulted in
+the defeat of the temperance ticket, and the mayor and council, having
+been re-elected, had nothing to fear, and they permitted their friends,
+the saloonists, to conduct themselves as they pleased. When the result
+of the election was known, the whole of the north end of town, where
+most of the saloons are situated, became one blaze of excitement, and a
+perfect saturnalia of drunkenness appeared to prevail until midnight.
+
+Tuesday, April 7th, the women appeared on the streets, and commenced
+their exercises. The saloon-keepers had hired a travelling brass band
+of Hessians, and when the ladies prayed, the band struck up, but the
+ladies continued their devotions until the melodious Hessians were
+well-nigh exhausted. They then followed the weakest band of women
+from saloon to saloon, constantly becoming more and more fagged out,
+while the ladies gained more and more strength. At Lindser’s, some
+miscreant was about to throw a hatchet at the ladies, but his arm was
+caught by Mr. Lindser, and he was dragged inside. In the afternoon the
+saloon-keepers rigged up a platform on a wagon, hitched four horses
+to it, and having put the Hessian band and representatives from all
+the saloons (except Fuhrman’s and Steinberg’s) upon the platform,
+they drove out to the brewery, and were treated by the proprietors to
+all the beer they could drink. In about two hours they appeared on
+the square, and announced they were having a jollification over their
+victory at the election. While they were at the brewery, the women left
+the church in three large bands, and commenced their exercises. A dense
+crowd gathered around the little band of heroines who were singing and
+praying in front of Rettig’s. On the doorstep of this saloon was a
+young man, his face flushed with liquor, the slobber oozing from his
+mouth, and a bottle of whiskey in his hand, from which he occasionally
+took a sup, and he all the time talking blackguard slang in German,
+which the ladies could not understand, and jabbering in broken English,
+to the astonishment and disgust of over five hundred people. Seated
+on the steps, in a maudlin, blear-eyed condition of drunkenness, was
+another young man, and every few minutes they would drink from the
+bottle. Here was a young man who stood brandishing a bottle of whiskey,
+blaspheming and drinking, the very picture of drunken daring, and
+offering stimulus to the other young man, who was too far gone to stand
+up, and not far enough to keel over in a drunken stupor. Near him pure
+and earnest women knelt and prayed, or gazed in horror on the hitherto
+unrevealed depths of depravity yawning before them; near by were men
+talking about this frenzied brute having as much right to curse,
+blackguard, and drink as the ladies had to cry and sing and pray; while
+on the outskirts stood a dense crowd, receiving the full force of the
+practical temperance lecture presented to them; while the young man
+stood brandishing his bottle, striking the thick end violently on the
+house, blowing a dog-whistle, blear-eyed, besotted, staggering and
+contending for the right of such as he to degrade himself. This young
+man followed the ladies around and repeated his disgraceful actions
+at several saloons. When the ladies were in front of Mader’s, the
+wagon-load of saloonists appeared, and stopped nearby; the Hessian
+band, by this time nearly exhausted, played as long as they could. Then
+Shaw, who was on the wagon, commenced a loud and violent harangue, and
+a disgraceful scene of confusion ensued that should be seen only to be
+realized. A wagon-load of men far the worse off for liquor, some too
+drunk to stand, others compelled to hold lest they should fall, helping
+to cause all this confusion, because a few weak women dared publicly
+to pray Heaven that the evils of the saloon business might be stopped.
+Witnessing these disgraceful scenes at a safe distance, stood prominent
+citizens, who, by their votes the day before, had helped create
+this infernal spectacle, and who, by their sullen silence, approved
+it--men, any one of whom could, by a word, have stopped it, and who
+let it continue. The ladies proceeded to Peters & Lauderbach’s, only
+to experience the same treatment, and in addition, some of them were
+drenched with foul water, and the disgraceful scenes were continued
+until they retired to the church, having finished the rounds as laid
+out by their committee.
+
+Wednesday, April 8th, the Pilgrims appeared, and so did the Hessian
+band, but the latter were forbidden by the mayor from annoying the
+ladies, and the day passed quietly. Every saloon was visited, and
+the crowds who witnessed the exercises kept the best of order. Thus
+the tardy order of Wednesday demonstrated who was responsible for
+the disgraceful disorder of Tuesday--not the women, who continued
+their exercises as usual, but they who sought to interrupt them, and
+the guardians of our peace, who permitted peace and good order to be
+sacrificed at the expense of their oaths of office and the good name of
+the town. Thursday, the Hessian band, in some instances, was inside
+the saloons when the ladies approached, and they played lustily during
+their presence outside, but there was no excitement, no crowd, and no
+event of special note. In the afternoon the ladies entered the store of
+George Ritz, who endeavored violently to eject them, and in closing the
+door he injured one of them so that she could not move her arm. Several
+days afterwards the doctor discovered that her shoulder-blade had been
+broken. She was a very frail young lady, the youngest daughter of the
+Baptist minister, Rev. L. G. Leonard, D. D., and the accident was very
+much regretted by Ritz.
+
+About this time the ladies adopted the picket system, which consisted
+in two or more ladies remaining in front of a saloon, and taking the
+names of all who entered. The pickets were on duty two hours at a
+time. This system was carried on for several days, during which time
+the bands of ladies continued to carry on the work with more or less
+activity. At several of the saloons these pickets were furnished with
+chairs. Some of the ladies on picket duty were insulted and subjected
+to mean remarks made to them by coarse and vulgar men.
+
+When the Crusade was inaugurated in Bucyrus, petty politicians
+proclaimed that the ladies had been sent out by certain men in order to
+create an excitement by which the spring elections could be carried,
+and they sneeringly declared that as soon as the election was over
+the ladies would discontinue their work. But when the women continued
+their exercises before the saloons day after day, the saloon-keepers
+became alarmed, for their business had fallen off fully one-half,
+and they demanded of the authorities that the Crusade should be
+stopped. The town council and the mayor, having been elected by the
+saloon-keepers and their friends, were their willing tools, and on
+April 17th, an ordinance was passed by which the Crusade could be
+stopped. This ordinance was to take effect May 2d. The ladies did not
+appear disturbed at the prospect before them, but continued their work.
+Union meetings were held at the different churches, addresses being
+delivered by prominent workers from all parts of the State. Tuesday
+evening, April 28th, the Ladies’ Executive Committee met the town
+council, and explained to the members of that body that while they
+could not discontinue their street exercises, it was from no want of
+respect for the council, who represented the constituted authority of
+the town, but because they considered themselves conscientiously bound
+to continue, from a sense of duty to a higher authority than the town
+council. The council, through the mayor, gave the ladies to understand
+that the ordinance would be enforced and they would be arrested. One
+of the members of the council read to the ladies from Romans, 13th
+chapter, verses 1 and 2: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher
+powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are
+ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth
+the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves
+damnation.” One of the ladies turned immediately to the second chapter
+of Romans, and read the third verse: “And thinkest thou this, O man,
+that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou
+shalt escape the judgment of God?” And also verse 21: “Thou therefore
+which teachest another, teachest not thou thyself? Thou that preachest
+a man should not steal, dost thou steal?” Meanwhile the Christian
+women were fervently in earnest, relying on their own conscientious
+sense of their duty to their God, while the council were shamefully
+determined to cast their whole power in favor of drunkenness, crime,
+systematic violations of law, full poor-houses, crowded jails, and
+overflowing penitentiaries, and to crush out temperance, virtue, happy
+homes, and the Christian women who adorn them. The women were informed
+by the Hon. Judge Scott, who was a member of the Supreme Court of Ohio
+for fifteen years, that the ordinance was unconstitutional, and they
+were advised to pay no attention to it. During the three weeks which
+intervened between April 9th and May 2d, the ladies were permitted to
+continue their exercises; very little attention was paid to them by
+the proprietors of the saloons, and but few or no spectators attended
+them. This profound calm continued until Friday night, May 1st, and the
+ordinance was to take effect the next day.
+
+Saturday, May 2d, the town was filled with an unusually large crowd;
+the ladies, having previously determined, that, as they seldom appeared
+on the streets Saturdays, they would not go out on the 2d day of May.
+Sunday evening an unusually large temperance mass-meeting was held
+at the Lutheran Church. Monday morning the weather was inclement
+and very damp, and the ladies did not appear. In the afternoon four
+bands, of about twenty each, left the M. E. Church and proceeded to
+the saloons of Messrs. Ritz, Mollenkopf, Hesche, and the Alcorn House,
+at the western side of the public square. At the three latter places
+the exercises were held, and no attention was paid to the women. At
+Ritz’s saloon a large crowd collected, and the ladies were well-nigh
+surrounded, but there was no special force or disturbance used by
+the extra police, who were active in keeping order, in requesting
+the women to move on, and in taking the names of such as refused,
+and they succeeded in getting all their names. The appearance of
+these four bands on the square at the same time and the sound of
+their voices in singing was unusually fine. Passing from the square
+the four bands proceeded to Fulton’s drug store, to Mader’s, and to
+Peters & Lauderbach’s. At Fulton’s the clerk came out and commenced to
+speak roughly, and to push the women, when one of the special police
+immediately caused him to desist, and not create confusion. Some
+earnest urging and rather rough handling was experienced from some of
+the other specials, but nothing serious, and the exercises proceeded.
+At Peters & Lauderbach’s there was considerable confusion and some
+roughness, but after a short time the ladies held their ground and
+the exercises proceeded. At this place, while one of the ladies was
+kneeling with her companions, one of the specials, three several times,
+lifted her up and carried her to the railroad (several rods from her
+companions); each time she rebuked him in the most earnest terms, and
+each time returned immediately to the band. Finally, her censures and
+rebukes were so earnest that the fellow got ashamed of himself, and
+retired from his post, vowing he would make no further attempts to
+oppose the ladies. Thus the noble women went on with their good work,
+and in the evening returned to the church. It was a matter of general
+surprise that no arrests were made, but it finally “leaked out” that no
+provision had been made by the council for trying the ladies; and in
+case they demanded a trial by jury, to which they would be entitled,
+the authorities would be powerless, for no provision had been made for
+forming a jury. The mayor, therefore, instructed the special police, to
+keep the women “moving” but make no arrests.
+
+The next morning, Tuesday, May 5th, commonly called “Black Tuesday,”
+by the Crusaders of Bucyrus, the pilgrims appeared. A band of them
+approached Ritz’s saloon. Immediately a scene took place that no power
+or words can adequately describe. A swarm of specials almost instantly
+appeared, and when the noble women prepared to stop, they were seized,
+and pushed, and pulled, and hustled, and driven, and dragged in a most
+outrageous and brutal manner, until they were finally gotten to the
+pavement in front of Morgan’s barber-shop. Here they stood bravely at
+bay, and told the specials that if they intended making any arrests
+they would offer no resistance, but they, the specials, had no right
+to interfere with them or touch them in any other manner--that
+Morgan had not ordered them away, and they had a right to remain. The
+unfortunate specials, each one, with a few exceptions, armed with a
+regular hickory bludgeon--a sign far more of his cowardice than of
+his authority--realized their want of power, and the brave ladies
+proceeded with their exercises. These being concluded, they passed
+on to the adjacent saloon of Mollenkopf’s. Here the same scenes of
+outrageous violence were re-enacted with increased brutality: the
+women were pushed, and pulled, and hustled, and dragged, and savagely
+assaulted, and openly abused, with vituperations and oaths by wretches
+who were not worthy to dust the shoes of these women. They experienced,
+literally, every indignity but a square blow. Such cowardly blows as
+could be secretly given, seizures and violent pushes, amounting in
+effect to blows, were given continually, but the brave band held its
+ground, by retiring from the pavement to the curb in front, and then
+stood at bay and defied the cowards, who, if they had any manhood
+whatever, would have suffered themselves blows and kicks without number
+rather than thus to have outraged their manhood by such treatment of
+women. One miserable wretch, who has not done an honest day’s work for
+years, approached two ladies, and standing opposite to them, after they
+had brought the specials to bay, and defied them, cursed and blasphemed
+in vindication of his manhood, and said to them; “You are a d--d pretty
+set of Christians, you are! you’re a d--d set of hypocrites; that is
+what you are!” Such detestable conduct from a miserable coward, sworn
+to preserve order, was exceedingly abominable.
+
+While these scenes were being enacted, another band of ladies was
+being treated in the same outrageous manner in front of Donnenwrith’s
+saloon. Citizens who expostulated with the ruffians were seized and
+hurried from the crowd. A stranger by the name of Furguson, a gentleman
+from Delaware, Ohio, who committed the heinous enormity of saving a
+lady from falling down a cellar, into which she was being pushed by
+one of the mayor’s pets, was taken before that illustrious magistrate
+and fined five dollars. Another brave policeman captured a youth of
+sixteen, and the only reason was, the bully wished to arrest some one,
+and young Howenstein was delicate, quiet, and easy to take. Still
+another arrest was made by a special, and when he appeared with his
+prisoner before the mayor, the only charge he brought against his man
+was, “that it was Bill Trimble, who was a good temperance man.” A young
+man was struck down with a billy, and the blows six times repeated
+on the nape of the neck, as each time he attempted to rise. This act
+was wanton, without any provocation whatever. During that morning, at
+every saloon they visited, these atrocious outrages were perpetrated
+by this band of ruffians, acting as a special police, who were, with
+a few exceptions, the “scum” and the “off-scouring” of the community.
+Women were thrown down, were dragged and wrenched by brute force from
+posts and rails to which they clung; were seized by ruffians who were
+intoxicated, and carried several rods from their companions. The police
+would join hands, and the brutal crowd behind them would push, and
+the power exerted by this solid force of men was sufficient to fairly
+sweep everything before them, and they thus succeeded in making the
+women “move on.” All the time these helpless ladies were demanding to
+be arrested if they had done wrong, but protesting against such violent
+treatment, but of no avail: at every saloon the same odious acts and
+detestable proceedings were enacted, until the whole town trembled on
+the verge of a bloody riot. A more atrocious, abominable, iniquitous
+series of outrages were never offered to ladies; and these the wives,
+daughters, and mothers of the best men of the community! suffering such
+infamous treatment because they dared to publicly sing and pray against
+the evils of the liquor traffic.
+
+At noon, citizens appeared before S. S. Caldwell, justice of the peace,
+and entered complaints against several of the specials, and warrants
+were issued for their arrest, on charges of assault and battery. In the
+afternoon a test trial was held before the same officer, and one of the
+specials was bound over to appear before the grand jury. The editor of
+the _Journal_ earnestly and indignantly remonstrated with the mayor,
+against the acts committed by his specials, and finally obtained from
+that officer the following declaration, which he immediately printed
+and circulated: “My instructions to the special police are, to use no
+violence either to the women, or to the men; and, if any such violence
+has been used, I shall instruct the police immediately to desist from
+it.” In consequence of these instructions and the effect produced
+by the arrest of several specials, the ardor of the willing police
+was cooled, and the afternoon passed without any further disturbance,
+except in front of Shaw’s. This man, who is a sensible, orderly
+citizen, when sober, was inflamed with liquor; he had just opened a
+new saloon, and was most indecent in his treatment of the ladies. He
+told them in plain terms, in a violent harangue, that they were no
+better that the vilest women of the street, whereupon, Mr. Furney, a
+livery-stable-keeper, of Mansfield, who had a wife and daughter among
+the Crusaders of that place, caused him immediately to “take it back,”
+which Shaw did. Excepting this indecent insult, the afternoon passed
+without any serious disturbance.
+
+Wednesday, May 6th, large crowds followed the women, but the best of
+order prevailed, and they were permitted to continue their exercises
+free from insult or injury, save at the saloon of Peters & Lauderbach.
+The wives of these men had prepared for the ladies, and in some cases
+literally drenched them with water. Some of the citizens, indignant at
+such treatment, could hardly be restrained from sacking the house; but
+prominent men interfered, better counsels prevailed, and the excitement
+subsided. Thursday, Van Amburgh’s show exhibited in Bucyrus, and the
+ladies did not appear on the streets. In the evening the council passed
+two ordinances to amend and correct the deficiencies of the former
+ordinance, which two were to take effect on the 18th day of May, and
+until that day the ladies continued their work, no further obstacles
+being placed in their way by the authorities. The women desired to test
+the ordinance by a trial, and having retained Judge Scott to defend
+them, they discontinued their work in front of the saloons for a few
+days, because the judge could not devote his time to their case until
+court, which was then in session, adjourned. During the next ten days
+they held religious exercises in front of business establishments, in
+different quarters of the town, permission having been obtained of the
+owners. The ladies presented a very fine Bible to Mr. Harvey E. Morgan,
+a colored barber, for kindly permitting them to remain in front of his
+shop, and continue their exercises on Tuesday, May 5th, after they had
+been swept from the pavement in front of Ritz’s, by the overpowering
+force of the brutal police. Having granted them permission to hold
+a prayer-meeting on his pavement, he was seriously injured in his
+business by twenty-five of his customers removing their shaving-mugs
+from his shop.
+
+The street work was all but discontinued, and many of the ladies had
+virtually abandoned the work as hopeless; but they desired to place
+the responsibility where it belonged--with the town council; and on
+Monday, June 1st, they renewed their exercises in front of the saloons,
+having, since May 18th, held exercises at the most public places of
+the town, and all around the saloons, without creating any disturbance
+whatever, and, therefore, demonstrated that street-praying and singing,
+in and of itself, did not cause any disturbance. In the evening they
+visited Lindser’s, who was evidently completely taken by surprise, and
+exclaimed, somewhat roughly, in effect, if not in words, “See here!
+Get out of this! I thought this thing was played out. I won’t have
+you here.” The ladies moved to the edge of the sidewalk, and finished
+their exercises, and proceeded to Jahn’s, Rettig’s, and then to Shaw’s,
+who commenced with his usual ruffian indecency, and a large and
+disorderly crowd commenced to assemble. A scene of intense excitement
+and confusion immediately took place. The ladies were violently
+interrupted. The indecent crowd, whose faces had become familiar to
+them, began to jostle and jam and swear and riot in the old style. Shaw
+ordered the ladies away, and, as they did not go, he proceeded to take
+their names. The ladies continued their exercises, subject to these
+interruptions, and retired to the church.
+
+Shaw complained to the mayor, and the following indictment was
+preferred against Mrs. Trimble, one of the ladies:
+
+ AFFIDAVIT.
+
+ THE STATE OF OHIO, Crawford County, _ss_.
+ Incorporated Village of Bucyrus.
+
+ Before me, James M. Van Voorhis, Mayor of said incorporated village
+ of Bucyrus aforesaid, personally appeared William R. Shaw, who being
+ duly sworn, according to law, deposeth and says, that on the first
+ day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
+ seventy-four, at and within the incorporated village of Bucyrus,
+ aforesaid, one Kate Trimble, then and there being, upon one of the
+ streets of said incorporated village, did then and there, unlawfully
+ and wilfully disturb the peace and quiet of said village, and
+ the citizens thereof, by then and there unlawfully and wilfully
+ hallooing, vociferating and singing upon the said street of said
+ village, in violation of section three of an ordinance of said
+ incorporated village, entitled: an ordinance to preserve good order
+ within the limits of Bucyrus, and prevent annoyance to business,
+ disorderly conduct, noise and disturbance within said village, passed
+ April 17th, 1874.
+
+ W. R. SHAW.
+
+ Sworn to before me, and subscribed in my presence by William R. Shaw,
+ this 1st day of June, 1874.
+
+ J. M. VAN VOORHIS. [Seal.]
+
+Mrs. Trimble appeared before the mayor, and by her counsel demanded
+a trial by jury. The case was adjourned until Wednesday afternoon,
+in order that the necessary arrangements might be made, and then
+readjourned until Thursday morning. The mayor, after considerable
+hesitation and parleying, consented to hold the trial in the
+court-room, in order that all who desired might attend. Thursday
+morning the jury was formed, and the trial began. It extended through
+three days, and was a perfect farce, committed in the name of justice.
+Throughout the trial the corrupt mayor, by his partial decisions and
+the most unjust rulings, aided his friends, the saloon-keepers, to the
+full extent of his power. The jury was packed, and everything else had
+been arranged for the conviction of Mrs. Trimble. Friday afternoon
+Judge Scott delivered a very long and able speech in behalf of the
+ladies. Saturday afternoon the jury rendered a verdict of guilty, and
+Mrs. Trimble was fined $15 and costs, amounting to $100 more; (this was
+paid by the Men’s League.)
+
+The counsel for the ladies filed a bill of exceptions to several
+of the rulings of the mayor, and upon being carried to the Supreme
+Court, the decisions were reversed, and a new trial granted. Owing
+to the crowded condition of the docket of the Supreme Court of Ohio,
+this case was not reached until several months afterwards, and a new
+trial was not pressed, but the case was dropped. After the verdict was
+rendered, Mrs. Trimble refused to pay the fine, and refused to take
+security, which was offered by several, preferring to go to jail. She
+was advised to do this by a number of the ladies, but their counsel
+protested against such a course, and the security was accepted by
+her, and she was discharged. A number of the ladies were in favor of
+continuing the work, and suffering the penalty, but they were advised
+by prominent temperance men that it would be useless, and the street
+work was discontinued. The ladies still continue their union temperance
+prayer-meetings, and are waiting and praying for the time when every
+knee shall bow to, and every tongue proclaim the glory of their great
+Leader--Emanuel.
+
+Although but three years have passed since the ladies of Bucyrus were
+so shamefully treated for praying that the saloons might be closed,
+three of those saloon-keepers have passed to another world. One died
+from old age; another was thrown from his wagon and sustained injuries
+which caused his death a few days afterwards; the third, while under
+the influence of liquor, committed suicide by shooting himself through
+the brain and heart. Shaw, who abused the ladies so terribly, signed
+the pledge during the Murphy movement, and has since that time been a
+new man.
+
+Our ladies have discontinued their “street” work, but their prayers
+have never ceased to ascend to the God who preserved his chosen people
+for forty years in the wilderness, until he finally permitted them
+to enter the land of promise. The liquor-dealers are more powerful,
+more corrupt, and more defiant than ever before; but the “soul” of the
+Crusade is “marching on,” and it will continue to march on, until every
+saloon and brewery and distillery in the nation has been closed, and
+America is free from the terrible curse of intoxicating liquors.
+
+In connection with the disgraceful scenes which the impartial historian
+has been forced to record in the history of the work at Bucyrus, I
+desire to call attention to the subject of European emigration and the
+liquor traffic, discussed in another chapter.
+
+The liquor traffic is mainly in the hands of a degraded criminal class
+of foreigners--a class who, although clothed with the rights and
+privileges of citizenship, are enemies, open and defiant, to American
+institutions and usages, and noted for lawlessness. As a class, they
+are criminals and criminal-makers.
+
+
+ELYRIA, OHIO.
+
+The following facts were furnished by the Society, through Mrs. S. C.
+Ely:
+
+The great temperance wave that swept over Ohio reached Elyria, on the
+evening of March 5th, 1874. An enthusiastic mass-meeting was held,
+and an appointment for a meeting of the women of the place was made
+for the next morning at the Presbyterian Church. The large edifice was
+well filled, and an attentive audience was addressed by a lady from
+Cleveland, and other speakers.
+
+The women of our staid little town were moved as never before. They
+had hitherto obeyed most faithfully the apostolic injunction to “keep
+silence in the churches;” but the flood-gates were about to give way.
+Lips were unsealed on that occasion; voices were consecrated to the
+cause of truth that still ring out in its defence with no uncertain
+sound.
+
+Among those present were many who had borne the heavy yoke imposed by
+intemperance, and touching were their appeals for help against their
+mighty foe.
+
+All the strong woman-heart responded in the solemn affirmative to the
+question, “Shall we organize a Woman’s Temperance League in Elyria?” To
+many the answer contained the martyr’s heroic decision, so repugnant
+seemed the warfare; but the unwillingness to meet the solemn duty of
+the hour was still more awful.
+
+An organization was effected, and seventy names secured. Encouraged
+by able and devoted Christian pastors, the movement was baptized in
+prayer, and has ever since held on by the same strong arm for its
+support.
+
+At the opening of the Crusade there were sixteen saloons, one brewery,
+and four drug stores where liquor could be purchased, in Elyria. The
+first visit was made to the druggists, and after a few days the names
+of the four were enrolled on a stringent druggists’ temperance pledge.
+
+On March 9th the first saloon was visited. A procession, consisting of
+seventy-five ladies, passed slowly along our principal streets, two
+by two, producing a solemn spectacle, watched by many with uncovered
+heads and tearful eyes. It was decided to visit first the largest and
+strongest fortress of the enemy, and as the long company filed into the
+bar-room the interest became intense. All was quiet at our approach,
+and even solemnly did the landlord and his wife receive us. After
+permission to hold religious services, which was always gained before
+proceeding in our exercises, the whole band broke forth into the hymn,
+“Nearer, my God, to Thee.”
+
+The contrasting scenes served to give a fresh meaning to the words,
+throwing them into bold relief, and thus aptly expressing the
+old conflict between good and evil. Prayers, earnest and full of
+inspiration, followed; and argument and entreaty were used. Then began
+the pleas so constantly put forward afterwards: debt, the necessity of
+continuance in the business for the support of the family, overtures
+to sell out at fabulous prices--till it began to seem that the Crusade
+might be turned into a vast relief agency for the benefit of bankrupt
+saloonists.
+
+That March afternoon witnessed the same long file wending its way down
+the principal street, filling another saloon with sacred influences,
+and raising the look of wonder and awe in faces unused to praise. At
+last the bolted doors of two saloons in close proximity demanded the
+necessity for services upon the steps. A crowd gathered eagerly around
+the band, hymns were sung, and in that bleak March air, prayers went up
+for the inmates of those saloons. Pledges were afterwards circulated
+among the crowd, and many names secured. Earnest appeals were made to
+all, and a solemn influence was felt, as if Heaven were very near. One
+more saloon visited, and the first day of the Crusade was over.
+
+The opposing forces were now fairly met, and their strength vaguely
+measured.
+
+From this time on, for six weeks, two daily prayer-meetings were held,
+from which committees went forth to plead, with prayer, song, and
+argument, with the men who dealt out these destructive drinks.
+
+Evening visitations were often conducted. Quietly but suddenly a band
+of women would stand in the midst of drunken revelry; the coarse,
+brutal jeer only stimulated the women to greater effort, and made
+them feel the full force of the giant evil they were combating; and
+deeper grew the power and solemnity of their appeal to God, that He
+would exorcise this fearful demon, and restore order and beauty to His
+creation.
+
+Many touching remarks were made among the bystanders at the saloons.
+Said one man: “Men have worked forty years to accomplish what women,
+aided by the Spirit of God, have done in one month.” Another: “Oh!
+that they had begun this movement ten years ago--before I was bankrupt
+in body and soul,” And often from fevered lips a murmured “God bless
+you!” gave a fresh impulse to effort.
+
+After three weeks of constant labor, the first surrender was effected.
+Solemnly was the name written to the dealers’ pledge, followed by
+prayers within and ringing of bells without, while “Praise God from
+whom all blessings flow,” broke forth spontaneously as the beer was
+poured into the gutter. Another dealer, at the same time, signed the
+pledge for three months, but soon after sent word he would sign it
+for life. The full force of the Crusade, one hundred and twenty-five
+ladies, met him and received his final pledge. In the general
+enthusiasm, amid a great throng, the barrels were rolled into the
+gutter, while “Glory, Hallelujah!” filled the air. Following this,
+an aged lady, whose life has been an intellectual, and a spiritual
+benediction to this people from their earliest days, offered prayer.
+
+Being small of stature, a pulpit was quickly improvised from a beer
+barrel, and never did priestly altar serve a grander purpose. Her
+spiritual face and form lifted above the crowd, with outstretched arms,
+as if accepting the opportunity as the crowning gift of a long and
+useful life, she gave utterance to one of those inspired petitions that
+have their birth in a moment of spiritual exaltation. The troubled sea
+before her seemed to feel a divine influence, and to hear the voice
+saying: “Peace! be still!”
+
+Yet other victories were gained, until eight saloons had closed their
+doors.
+
+In the meantime, no stone was left unturned in the great struggle.
+Campaigns, flank movements, military stratagems and surprises, worthy
+of the brain of a Von Moltke, were planned and executed. The Catholic
+priest and the two German pastors were visited and appealed to for
+their influence in their different churches. They were all interested
+in the success of the cause, but were not quite sure of the means used,
+nor of the propriety of removing a temptation, which, in the mind of
+one of them, had a divine origin.
+
+German citizens were visited, and a commingling of nationalities took
+place never before known, and though much antagonism was created, each
+learned to view the situation from the other’s standpoint more clearly
+than ever before, and to make allowance for difference of opinion.
+
+To the question of an intelligent German saloonist, “Why should the
+women of America feel more on this subject than the women of Germany?”
+the answer was made, “In your country men and women alike are under
+one central power--one emperor controls you both. Here _you_ are
+all emperors, while _our_ part in this great government is simple
+obedience. Now there is one right we women _must_ be allowed, and that
+is, to see to it as far as we can, that you carry a clear brain and a
+true heart along with this power.”
+
+The McConnelsville ordinance prohibiting the sale of ale, beer and wine
+by the glass, was passed March 28th, creating much irritation, for
+though not directly the work of the Crusade, it was charged to it, and
+the saloonists intrenched themselves behind what legal rights they had
+left, more strongly than ever, and for a time, visiting saloons seemed
+powerless for good.
+
+At this period our membership amounted to 209; 114 calls had been made,
+and 519 signatures to the pledge had been secured.
+
+April 29th marks a golden day in our calendar, for that evening,
+Temperance Hall, an old saloon which had been fitted up attractively
+with pictures, papers, magazines and a musical instrument, was
+dedicated as a home for those we had rescued, and a rallying point
+for ourselves, the crystallization of our work. Here, for two months,
+a meeting for prayer and business was held every afternoon, and from
+them, bands were sent forth to visit. A committee for each week
+provided for the evening’s entertainment of music, readings, etc., and
+during the summer the hall was liberally patronized. A prayer-meeting
+was also sustained here during the entire year on Saturday eve. Saloon
+hours were observed, and many a young man was brought under religious
+influences, and signed the pledge and dates the new life from those
+days.
+
+The McConnelsville ordinance being manifestly disregarded and disorder
+prevailing, these earnest workers felt they could not give up the
+ground they had so courageously fought for, and began the arduous and
+unpleasant duties of “picketing.” This proving very exasperating to
+many in our community, all objectionable features were removed, and a
+“visitation” was substituted by which bands would ask admittance to
+the saloons, and, if allowed, would remain many hours in conversation
+with the saloonist and his friends, urging the great duty of the hour.
+Many times, it is true, he would retaliate, and ladies found themselves
+prisoners, but always employed the time to the best advantage.
+Persecution also showed itself at Temperance Hall; stones were thrown
+into the room through the windows, and angry crowds collected at the
+doors.
+
+On June 2d, the Lorain County Temperance Society was organized at a
+lively meeting held in Elyria of representatives of nearly all the
+towns in the county, and continues a vigorous organization. Reports
+showed that twenty-one out of the thirty-nine saloons in the county had
+been closed. At this time a county visitation was provided for, Elyria
+being assigned six towns to visit before the August election for the
+new State constitution, with a license clause to be added or rejected.
+Thirty meetings were held in the different towns and school districts,
+addressed mostly by women, though often carrying ballast in the form of
+minister or lawyer, (more often one who combined all the professions,)
+to satisfy the shrewd farmers, incredulous of the mental capacity of
+women to expound the weightier points of the law.
+
+Visitation from house to house was kept up for many weeks previous to
+the election, and in the house and by the wayside, much temperance seed
+was sown. The result, so well known, strengthened the hearts of the
+laborers.
+
+The Elyria _Republican_, one of the best weekly papers in northern
+Ohio, and a sterling advocate for the temperance cause, was started
+in October, 1874, and grew out of the Woman’s Crusade. The order from
+the Lake Shore Railroad Company prohibiting their employés entering a
+saloon, was the result of the temperance agitation of northern Ohio.
+
+During the ensuing winter of 1874-75, the spirit of work being upon
+us, but laws unobserved, and public sentiment unfavorable to direct
+temperance effort, a Relief Committee for the poor of our place was
+added to our League. The town was districted and thoroughly visited.
+The sum of $358.11 was raised, besides numerous articles of comfort
+contributed and distributed among our poor, with the exception of
+$63.47 sent to the relief of Kansas sufferers.
+
+A large and commodious room was secured in place of the old one, and
+occupied April 1st, 1875, and Temperance Hall still continues to be
+an important institution in our midst. A Tuesday afternoon prayer
+and business meeting is always held there, and so much of importance
+requires attention on these occasions, that three hours are often spent
+by the faithful ones, who never fail to attend.
+
+The Temperance Lyceum, composed of sixty-seven young people, often
+attracting many more to their lively debates and entertainments, on
+Tuesday evening of each week, is the most hopeful feature of the winter
+of 1875-76. A jail visitation has also been added to our work during
+the past winter, from which reports have been of deep interest.
+
+And now, as we cast our eyes over the years, we miss the beloved faces
+of many who started with us in this work. The patriarch whose constant
+presence and prayers at our meetings were a ceaseless benediction; the
+voice, sweetest of all in its pleading tones for the right, now caught
+up into the angel choir; the aged mothers in Israel who led in feeble
+strains our earthly petitions, now strong in the life above, and, with
+the door scarce closed between us, the man of God, who strengthened us
+by every good word and work--“All folded their pale hands so meekly,”
+“Spake with us on earth no more.”
+
+And our work--what shall we say of that? To the superficial view the
+result is humiliatingly meagre. Broken promises lie scattered along the
+past, thick as dead leaves in autumn; friends grown cold and faithless,
+enemies defiant and triumphant.
+
+But to the vision opened by faith a fairer view is revealed. In that
+unseen realm, where every true prayer here, sparkles with its own
+divine radiance, and every struggle for God and humanity is wrought
+into beauteous form and color; there may we see, undimmed by the mists
+of earth, the glorious fabric we have helped to weave.
+
+Let us then be up and doing, and by all the experience of the past two
+years--richest of our lives--and by the memory of our cherished dead,
+renew our vows and clasp hands again for the work, as long as a brother
+man lies in the sepulchre of drunken degradation, and we have power
+from God to work.
+
+
+ATHENS, OHIO.
+
+I am indebted to Miss Helen Walker for the following facts: The
+temperance wave touched our place on the evening of February 4th, when
+in a little company of Christians, a letter from McArthur was read,
+speaking of the work there, and urging the women of Athens to attempt a
+similar one here.
+
+A prayer-meeting was appointed for eight o’clock the following morning,
+to which came a number of earnest women, and a few men ready to
+encourage them. Women came who knew what it was to see loved ones cast
+away strength, and talents, and all fear of God, and lie down in a
+drunkard’s grave; and women came, who in secret, with tears, had been
+crying: “How long, O Lord?”
+
+Since the commencement of this work, an aged mother in Israel has often
+remarked: “No one knows how the evil of intemperance has burdened my
+heart during the past winter. Though not suffering from it in my own
+family, yet to see so many young men yielding to its influence made
+one tremble for the future of our country. Oh! how many nights I have
+besought God to stay this evil. There were times when I could pray for
+nothing else.”
+
+No doubt other Christians in our land had this subject pressed home to
+their hearts in the same way, and the foundations of this wide-spread
+temperance revival lies in such prayers.
+
+Well, the women who met on that morning of February 5th, 1874,
+organized their meeting, chose President, Vice-President, and
+Secretary, drew up pledges, and talked of the work before them. But
+beyond all that they cried to the Lord their God, and set themselves to
+walk carefully before Him, and seek His guidance. Other prayer-meetings
+followed until the day fixed upon for going forth to the saloons. Ah!
+then there was sinking of heart, and shrinking and trembling.
+
+On the morning of the 10th of February they signified, by rising to
+their feet, their willingness to go forth. How weak they felt, yet how
+courageous, and what a _strange_ courage is that which accompanied
+trembling limbs and tear-bedimmed eyes. Then was illustrated Paul’s
+paradox, “When I am weak, then am I strong.” But with some the
+shrinking so prevailed over faith, that they went not up to the battle
+in the beginning. With slow steps and prayerful hearts they left the
+church, after joining in the solemn hymn:
+
+ “A charge to keep I have,
+ A God to glorify.”
+
+They walked under a heavy burden that morning, but trusting in the
+Lord, they went forth feeling in their souls, that “He had sounded
+forth the trumpet which should never call retreat.”
+
+Three saloons were visited, but no signatures obtained, but an unseen
+Leader strengthened their hearts. One of the number said, “When I first
+opened my lips to pray, my heart grew light, and never before did I
+experience such a sacred nearness to God.”
+
+In the afternoon the band increased in numbers, and they visited five
+places, still no signatures. The following day, February 11th, five
+saloons in the edge of town were visited, and one signature obtained
+on the dealers’ pledge; at the end of the week three druggists and two
+dealers had signed the pledges presented to them; a third dealer had
+given his promise not to sell, and a fourth had closed his saloon.
+These two names were afterwards placed upon the pledge.
+
+During the next week prayer-meetings were held in four different
+saloons, which also had been visited the previous week. Two saloons
+closed this week, one saloonist putting his name on the pledge. On
+Friday, February 27th, one dealer signed the dealers’ pledge, and the
+personal pledge for one year. The following Monday, March 2d, still
+_another_ dealer signed. No name was obtained from _this_ time until
+three weeks had elapsed, but on the afternoon of March 25th the last
+druggist signed the pledge, and our work seemed drawing to a close.
+But much yet remained to be done to give permanence to what had been
+already accomplished, and to crown the work with complete success.
+
+But still they keep praying for those who had agreed not to sell or
+drink intoxicating liquors. They were often remembered in prayer by
+name, that God would keep them faithful to their pledges.
+
+One day when the workers were gathered in a place which seemed strange
+and unfamiliar, one of our number spoke In these words: “Ever since I
+engaged in this work I have seemed to see before me my Saviour hanging
+on the cross. I see Him with His bowed head, suffering, dying for me,
+and I want you all, with me, to think of this when our work seems heavy
+to us, and the way grows weary. He has done so much for us, let us do
+somewhat for Him.” After that sweet appeal their hearts burned within
+them, and did they not draw nearer to the dear cross? At other times,
+when the flesh was weary, and faith drooped, how a few words from the
+Bible would cheer them! “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from
+whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven
+and earth. The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in,
+from this time forth even forever more.”
+
+Time would fail to recall the many incidents and memories connected
+with this work. We have been more than repaid for all our weariness and
+anxiety, by our sweet Christian communion with each other, and with
+Jesus, and by seeing this cause, which is of the Lord, prospering, and
+we pray that he will still carry it on to a sure completion.
+
+Laura Ballard adds the following:
+
+The Crusade work in our town was characterized by great earnestness and
+spirituality; and those of us who were engaged in it will never cease
+to thank the Lord for the part we were permitted to take in it. The sin
+of intemperance is very far from being done away with in our town; but
+when some sneeringly tell us, “the woman’s work did no good, things are
+worse than before,” we can only say, we don’t understand just how, and
+why it is; but we _know_ that, that work was of the Lord, and we were
+called to it, and the Lord never makes mistakes.
+
+A temperance prayer-meeting has been kept up ever since that time, and
+is now well attended. We meet during the warm weather at eight A. M.,
+on Friday morning. It is cheering to see twelve or fourteen mothers
+and housekeepers lay aside their morning work for an hour of earnest
+pleading with the Lord for a blessing on those who never pray for
+themselves.
+
+
+COLUMBUS, OHIO.
+
+The gospel wave of temperance had cleared many of the villages of Ohio
+of rum, before the larger towns engaged in the movement. The work in
+the cities was undertaken with many misgivings. The saloons were so
+numerous, and the foreign population so large, and because of appetite,
+or interest so identified with the liquor business, that many worthy
+Christian people advised against saloon visitation. A mob and bloodshed
+might be the result.
+
+But in Columbus, Ohio, the women met daily to counsel with each other,
+and to pray. And on the 3d of March, while at prayer, in the First
+Presbyterian Church, the baptism of the Holy Spirit came down upon
+them, and fifty women, consecrated to God and His work, rose from their
+knees and marched forth from the church to the saloons. Not, however,
+till they set the great bell, hanging in the steeple, to ringing.
+
+The tolling of the bell attracted the attention of the people, and the
+news that the women had begun a Crusade against rum, spread like a
+flash, and in a few moments vast crowds of people were following them.
+
+After visiting the principal hotels and saloons, they returned to the
+church, and a rousing prayer-meeting followed. Many who had not been
+accustomed to hear the gospel, were there to listen to the songs and
+prayers.
+
+The next day the number of Crusaders had increased to three hundred,
+and there was great enthusiasm among the better class of people. As
+the women slowly filed out of the Presbyterian Church, many of the
+church-bells were rung. Thousands of people lined the streets, and many
+a “_God bless you_” followed them. But the German beer-dealers were
+very angry, and were determined to break the matter up, or turn it to
+ridicule, if possible.
+
+One saloon-keeper had provided a brass band, and when the ladies
+appeared before his saloon, the band struck up, “Shoo, fly, don’t
+bother me,” and many of the drunken roughs joined, with inharmonious
+voices. But the ladies, not the least disconcerted, sang one of their
+sweet gospel songs; and many a tear was brushed away from manly
+cheeks, as amid the jargon they lifted their gentle voices to God
+in supplication for these wretched lost ones, who gloried in their
+shame. The band, however, changed to “Home, sweet home,” and they were
+followed by laughter and jeers, as they moved away.
+
+The saloon-keepers rallied their forces. Their wretched victims,
+crawled out of their dens, to join in the hooting and howling with
+which they greeted the purest and best women of the city, and mock
+prayer-meetings were held, after which beer was freely dispensed,
+without pay. It was evident that Satan’s kingdom was stirred, and a
+strong stand would be made against the Crusaders.
+
+Passing through Columbus, about this time, I caught a little of the
+spirit of the movement, and heard many interesting facts.
+
+A Boston gentleman, who boarded the train at Columbus, but who looked
+back wistfully as we moved out of the city, told me that he went there
+prejudiced against the whole movement. He could not reconcile it with
+his ideas of social propriety, or womanly delicacy. But curiosity led
+him to their meetings, and he had followed them, day after day, through
+the streets, till all his prejudices were gone. It had given him a new
+view of Christianity, as an aggressive power against sin. He never
+had been so impressed with gospel truth in all his life, as in these
+meetings held in the streets and saloons. The solemnity of the judgment
+day rested down upon the masses of the people: others acted as if
+possessed with devils.
+
+It was an awfully solemn sight, to see arrayed on the one side, the
+best and truest Christian women of the city, with earnest, solemn faces
+bending in prayer, and appealing in gentle, eloquent words to God, in
+behalf of those who reviled them, and who were ruining their homes and
+their city; while, on the other side, men of avarice leered at them
+from behind their counters, and the bleared and bloated victims of
+rum, with the leprosy of sin written all over their faces, mocked at
+the truths which alone could save them from a drunkard’s grave and a
+drunkard’s hell.
+
+“With all my prejudices against women speaking and praying,” said he,
+“it didn’t take me long to determine which side I would take. I have
+stayed a week here, since getting through with business, to enjoy the
+Crusade, and marvel at the wonderful works of God. _Thank God for the
+Crusade!_” he added, reverently.
+
+A German, who had listened with unconcealed interest, now broke in upon
+the conversation.
+
+“You b’lieves in dem Crusaders? I dinks dem vimins has besser be at
+home mit der chil’ren. I has von goot frien’ in Columbus, and dese
+vimins spile hees pisness entirely already. Mine frien’ is von nice
+man, has much riches already, and von fine house and carriage, and
+everyding so nice. But dese vimins come so much singin’ and brayin’,
+and so much foolishness, that he loses much money already, and dey most
+set him crazy mit der brayin’.”
+
+“What business is your friend in?” I inquired.
+
+“He keeps von nice lager peer saloon.”
+
+“How is it that he loses money? The women don’t take it.”
+
+“He give away so much peer already to get the peoples to come dere and
+drink, so that the vimins will be ’fraid, and go way purty soon.”
+
+“The women don’t want him to give away his beer.”
+
+“Well, dey rob him; dey trive the people from der schop.”
+
+“How many horses and drays were sold, and how many women and children
+did he rob, that he might buy a carriage?”
+
+He took the hint immediately, and spoke up with some spirit--
+
+“Dat is dere pisness. He dakes gare of hees own wife and chil’ren.”
+
+“And these women are taking care of their business and their families,
+by breaking up his trade.”
+
+“Dis is von strange countre--I never vonce see vimins do zat in
+Schermany. Zis is no free countre any more. Good-day, madame, I goes
+into de schmoking-car.”
+
+It was very evident that the mass of ladies and gentlemen near us were
+in sympathy with the Crusaders, from the undisguised pleasure they took
+in the hasty withdrawal of the knight of the beer mug. I saw his face
+no more.
+
+On the 20th of March two or three hundred of the women of Columbus,
+marched in a procession to the State Capitol, and held a meeting in the
+rotunda.
+
+The members of both houses left their seats, and stood reverently, with
+uncovered heads, during this meeting. The women were preparing for a
+struggle that they foresaw would come, and they went to their work
+boldly. A bill was introduced in the legislature to protect the sale of
+ale and beer.
+
+The women met it with counter-petitions, and mass-meetings. Delegations
+came from all the neighboring towns, and the capitol building
+was crowded during every session with the friends and enemies of
+temperance. It was a hand-to-hand fight with the rum power, and the
+women gained the victory.
+
+On the 18th of April they had the satisfaction, after the midnight
+hour, of seeing the legislature adjourn without doing anything in the
+interest of rum.
+
+Columbus contains a large foreign element, and the work was, therefore,
+the more difficult and dangerous: the men hooted, blasphemed, and even
+spit upon the kneeling women. While the women were at prayer, before a
+saloon, one day, a German shouldered a keg of beer, and marched through
+the prayer-circle, and the men and boys set up an unearthly shouting
+and screaming. But good results followed: several saloons closed out
+business, and liquors of all kinds were banished from the Union Depot;
+many men reformed, and many citizens signed the pledge, among them
+James G. Bull, mayor of the city. At a State dinner, soon after, where
+every luxury was provided, wine was banished; such was the advance made
+in public sentiment. A State dinner without wine would not have been
+thought possible before the Crusade. And so the women work on, looking
+for the time when complete victory shall crown their efforts.
+
+
+VAN WERT, OHIO.
+
+The work began about the 10th of March, 1874.
+
+The following officers were chosen: President, Mother Webster;
+Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Elcock, Mrs. Hines, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Sevinford,
+Mrs. Richey; Secretary, Mrs. M. J. McFadden; Executive Committee, Mrs.
+M. M. Minger, Mrs. M. Harnly.
+
+The Spirit of the Lord seemed to move upon the hearts of the women. A
+meeting was called to be held at the M. E. Church. I doubt whether any
+one had any definite plan in view.
+
+Mrs. Dr. Hines (one of the faithful workers), in relating her
+experience of those days, says: “I heard of the meeting, felt quite
+undecided about going; but I felt a restlessness, and could not
+be satisfied to stay at home. I took my seat in the back part of
+the church, thinking I would not say a word. Very soon some one
+called out, ‘There is Mrs. Hines: let us hear what she thinks of
+this movement;’ and then, without a moment’s hesitation, I said, ‘I
+thought the work would be a success, that God was about to answer the
+prayers of those crushed women and children, who had felt the power
+of the demon drink so long, through those that should have been their
+protectors; and from that day to this the work of the Crusade has been
+dear to my heart.’ Another says:
+
+“As for myself, I remember well when I first heard the work talked off.
+I thought if it ever came here, I would do all that I could, _quietly_,
+so that it would not be noticed; but firmly determined in my own mind
+that I never would go into a saloon to pray, nor go out upon the
+streets, under any circumstances, or appear in public, but would be a
+silent worker. But nothing could make me believe that the Crusade was
+not the direct power of God upon the hearts of His children. The work
+was inaugurated at that first meeting I spoke of, and almost before
+I had time to think, I was addressing an audience of hundreds. God
+gave me power, and for a year, with others, I went to different places
+in the country helping to defeat _license_. Ohio gained this victory
+through the Crusade.
+
+“Although of a very delicate constitution, I, with my sisters, went
+through mud and slush, standing or kneeling in the snow, going to
+meetings night after night, visiting saloons in the daytime, and
+through it all, and all the opposition, God preserved us by His mighty
+power, and to His name be all the glory. After a while the number
+thinned, until but the faithful few remained. Our prayer-meetings have
+been kept up until the commencement of the reformed men’s movement this
+spring.
+
+“Our aged President, Mother Webster, was always a power in the Crusade,
+faithful to the last.
+
+“During the first week of the work in Van Wert, one saloon-keeper,
+a German, who had always been accustomed to drink beer, refused the
+ladies admittance, while his wife made sport, and laughed mockingly
+at the ladies. But one morning, when the band stopped at his door,
+he admitted them, and told the ladies he had sold his last drop.
+Then there was such a joyful hand-shaking, and a prayer-meeting of
+thanksgiving.
+
+“Another German, who was poor and had a family of interesting children,
+was very much opposed to the ladies’ visits. For some time they were
+refused admittance, and prayers were offered in German and English.
+About a week afterward, he disposed of his liquors, put out his white
+flag, and started to meet the ladies, telling them he had sold his last
+drop of liquor. It was a sacrifice, for he was dependent upon his daily
+labor for the support of his family.” We are indebted to Mrs. M. Harnly
+and Mrs. Elcock for the above facts.
+
+The contest, with various successes, continued until the 6th of March,
+when a decided victory was gained at the municipal election. The ladies
+worked and prayed, and many of the temperance men were energetic and
+persistent. The issue was squarely made, “whiskey or no whiskey.” The
+temperance candidates won a decided victory. When the result of the
+election became known, the bells rang out a joyous peal, and the new
+mayor-elect, Mr. T. S. Gilliland, rolled out a barrel of apples that
+were in his office as a temperance treat. A prohibitory ordinance was
+passed, and the saloons were closed.
+
+[Illustration: MRS. SARAH KNOWLES BOLTON,
+
+First Assistant Corresponding Secretary Woman’s National Christian
+Temperance Union.]
+
+
+CINCINNATI, OHIO.
+
+There was much prayerful interest in Cincinnati. Many of the best women
+of the church, bending low at the dear Christ’s feet, were asking:
+“What wilt thou have me to do?”
+
+The difficulties in the way seemed more formidable for saloon work
+there than at any point in the State, or perhaps in the country. But
+these consecrated women were ready to follow the Master wherever He led.
+
+Cincinnati was a great manufacturing centre. The annual trade in
+spirituous and malt liquors amounted to over $33,000,000, and there was
+immense capital invested in massive buildings and machinery.
+
+One-third of the population of the city were Germans, accustomed to
+beer-drinking, which tended to make the traffic respectable.
+
+Any interference with the trade was regarded as an attack upon their
+personal liberties. Many of them were ignorant bigots or infidels,
+who were ready, on any pretext, to cry out against the Bible and
+Puritanism, and many of them belonged to the criminal classes, as the
+police records will show.
+
+To meet this class in the saloons and beer-gardens, when the city
+council was made up largely of men interested in the traffic, and the
+mayor of the city was ready to do the bidding of the liquor oligarchy,
+was a fearful risk. But Christ led the way and gave the courage.
+
+The first saloon visited was a fashionable resort, called the “Custom
+House,” next door to the Merchants’ Exchange. The house was well
+patronized by first-class drinkers.
+
+The time chosen was the lunch hour, when many of this class were
+lingering over their cups.
+
+The women, unheralded, were in the saloon before any of them had time
+to escape. In a moment an immense crowd was surging about the door, and
+escape was impossible. A prayer-meeting was held, which lasted about
+half an hour.
+
+The proprietor, affecting indifference, invited them to “come again,”
+an invitation which they accepted; but when they visited that saloon
+again it was like “a banquet hall deserted:” the merchants and
+fashionable drinkers were careful not to be caught there again.
+
+The trade began to be interfered with, which aroused bitter opposition,
+and the saloons were closed against them.
+
+The Esplanade, a large, paved square in the heart of the business part
+of the city, and the market-places, became praying-stations, and many a
+season of prayer was held on the curbstones opposite saloons.
+
+
+A CRUSADE DOG
+
+A lady in one of the bands had a large Newfoundland dog, that always
+accompanied her.
+
+He seemed to know their business. He would walk before them with
+stately mien, till he came to a saloon, and then stop and turn around,
+as much as to say: “Here is work for you.” He would walk back and forth
+before the saloon while they sang; but as soon as they knelt to pray he
+would go and set himself down on his haunches beside the woman who lead
+in prayer, no matter if she were a stranger, and reverently maintain
+his position till the prayer was ended. Then he would start briskly off
+to look for another saloon.
+
+It is said that he showed a decided preference for only _one_ prayer at
+each saloon. Perhaps he knew that there were nearly three thousand in
+that great city, and feared that they would not make the rounds, unless
+he hurried them.
+
+A German saloon-keeper tried to set his dog on one of the bands, (not
+this one,) but the poor brute had more sense, and politeness, and
+humanity, than his master, and wouldn’t even bark, but hung his head in
+shame.
+
+One day the crowd about the Esplanade was very large and threatening.
+Every foot of space was occupied, and all the streets approaching it
+were filled. But the ladies had advertised a meeting there, and they
+went forth, in the name of Christ, to face the howling mob.
+
+They marched right on, two and two, as though no crowd menaced
+them. Many temperance men, and order-loving citizens, were there
+mingling with the crowd, determined to prevent, if possible, a riot.
+Mrs. Leavitt led the band. The crowd parted as they approached. A
+scissors-grinder had been hired by the rum party, for twenty-five
+dollars, to push his cart through the crowd, ringing his bells. He
+undertook the job, but his cart was broken into a thousand pieces,
+and he was arrested and marched off to jail, and subsequently fined
+fifty dollars. So his enterprise did not pay. Mrs. Leavitt gave the
+following graphic account of the beginning of the _Crusade_, at one of
+the mass-meetings held in connection with the annual meeting of the
+National Union at Newark, which was reported by Miss M. E. Winslow for
+_The Morning_, from which we copy:
+
+“People at the East have little idea of what the Crusade really was.
+One of our local papers described its opening in these terms: ‘Hell
+on earth! The devil woke up! The women on their knees!’ I always knew
+that liquor was an awful thing, but I felt no responsibility about it,
+and when I first heard of the Crusading in Hillsboro’ and Washington
+Court-House, I felt in my heart, though I did not say so, that it
+was a prostitution of prayer. But there came to _that city of 3,000
+saloons_, (open twenty-four hours of every day, and seven days of every
+week, with an average of 15,000 men pouring out death by the glass all
+the time,) a call for the women to meet and consider the subject in a
+certain church. I went to my room and asked the Lord what I should do.
+It was a short prayer, for in ten minutes I was at the corner with my
+hat on, on my way.
+
+“The church was fuller than I had ever known it, women, old and young,
+rich and poor, praying and sobbing; and such prayers I had never heard.
+In an hour or two about eighty of us started--I hardly know how we did
+it--for one of the most fashionable saloons. The wealth represented
+by those eighty women being over $3,000,000. We walked two by two;
+some men blessed us as we passed, and some cursed. We went into the
+‘sample-room,’ and asked permission for a moment of prayer, which was
+granted. You can imagine the praying we did, as we agonized that Jesus
+Christ would come and convert that rum-seller. Eight thousand people
+had gathered outside in a few moments. I had never opened my mouth to
+pray in public before, but God opened it now. We were there thirty or
+forty minutes, and then went out, where men pointed a finger of scorn
+at us, and every one thought we would be crushed. But we never felt
+so near heaven as we did then. We walked homeward, singing, ‘There is
+a Fountain filled with blood.’ Every day after that we met at nine
+o’clock, and went out in bands every hour, visiting different saloons,
+hundreds following us.
+
+“One day I led a band of eighty, or a hundred to the Esplanade. The
+authorities had said this must be put down, and the mayor had privately
+given orders to the police to ‘be scarce where the women were.’ We did
+not know that; and after visiting fourteen saloons, we marched towards
+the Esplanade, where we found a dense mass of several thousand men
+awaiting us. I heard a man say, ‘JACK, A WOMAN’S FOOT SHAN’T TOUCH
+THE ESPLANADE TO-DAY!’ And I said, ‘Lord, give us the Esplanade.’ One
+great brutal-looking fellow stood in my way, debauched and degraded,
+yet with a look which told there was a heart somewhere. I took it for
+granted this was Jack. Bless God for woman’s intuition. I walked right
+up to him and said, ‘Jack!’ He started as if he wondered how I knew his
+name. ‘Jack, we are a band of broken-hearted mothers and wives, weeping
+and praying because you are all going to hell as fast as you can go. We
+want to pray here, right by this fountain, and I want you to make way
+for us and keep the men still till we get through our service.’
+
+“First he looked like thunder; then he looked foolish; then I smiled
+sweetly at him (always smile at a man if you want him to do what he
+don’t want to), and he said, with a fearful oath, ‘I’ll do it. Make
+way for the Crusaders!’ and as he forced his great, brawny shoulders
+through the crowd, many voices shouted,
+
+ ‘GOD BLESS THE CRUSADERS!’
+
+I never asked the Lord for a policeman again. I’d rather have
+Jack. At last we stood close to that central fountain, which is the
+glory of Cincinnati, and sang, ‘JESUS the water of life will give,’ and
+I think there must have been joy among the angels of God at the chorus
+that rung through the square. Then we sang ‘Rock of Ages,’ and then I
+talked to the crowd. I forgot all about the liquor-saloons, and thought
+only of Jesus Christ upon the cross, I then called upon all who wanted
+to be saved and have us pray for them to kneel down, and 2,000 men,
+mostly reeking with the fumes of rum and tobacco, knelt there on the
+pavement seeking Christ, with tears and sobs.
+
+“The next day our church was so full that we were obliged to have some
+place to hold an overflow meeting, and we telegraphed to Rev. Mr.
+Beecher (nephew of Henry Ward Beecher), that we must have his church
+in ten minutes. ‘Ten minutes, do you say? You shall have it in five,’
+was the answer, and in ten minutes it was packed to overflowing; and
+afterward we held two daily meetings.”
+
+One of the regular meeting-places of the praying bands of Cincinnati
+was a large, open market-house. Thousands gathered there daily. The
+place and all the avenues leading to it were usually well filled. But
+one day, as the band of women approached, they found an unusually vile
+and belligerent crowd. Butchers fresh from their stalls, with their
+sleeves rolled up, and their bloody aprons on, and their butcher knives
+in their hands; villanous-looking men with ugly pistols protruding from
+their pockets; and women debased by strong drink, uttering curses, were
+all huddled together, while just across the street a cannon had been
+placed so as to sweep the market-house if fired.
+
+Altogether, the circumstances were anything but encouraging. But the
+women marched right on to their usual meeting-place in the centre of
+the open space and began to sing:
+
+ “There is a fountain filled with blood,
+ Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
+ And sinners plunged beneath that flood
+ Lose all their guilty stains.”
+
+The crowd was somewhat hushed into respectful silence by the singing.
+Mrs. Leavitt, who led the band that day, made the opening prayer. As
+they knelt on the paving stones she found herself facing the cannon,
+with a possibility of its being fired.
+
+The crowd, that seemed to expect such an event, surged to either side
+so as to be well out of the way. But her consecration to God covered
+all that, and she remembers saying to herself: “If God wants to take
+me, as He did Elijah, to heaven in a chariot of fire, I would just
+as soon go that way as any other.” And she thought no more about the
+cannon or the vile men with knives and pistols, but prayed straight
+up to God for the perishing multitudes about her. And there came down
+upon the people such mighty awakening power, that the most desperate
+and unbelieving bowed their heads, and tears streamed down many a
+sin-scarred face.
+
+And when the meeting was over, and they invited the people to come
+with them to the house of God, many followed them to the church, and
+hundreds remained to pray.
+
+The placing of the cannon was a trick to frighten the women, but it did
+not succeed; and as they took no notice of it, the experiment was never
+repeated. The falling off in the liquor traffic in Cincinnati was very
+great; the trade in the leading houses in that business losing tens of
+thousands of dollars.
+
+During the first six months of the Crusade, in the United States
+Revenue District in which Cincinnati is situated, the falling off In
+the revenue on liquor alone was about $3,000,000. And such was the
+interest, that one day the Merchants’ Exchange suspended, at least for
+a time, their business, to follow a few women who modestly and quietly
+sang and prayed on the Esplanade, or before the large saloons near by.
+
+At first, the manufacturers and dealers laughed at the attempt of the
+women to call public attention to the traffic. But when they saw that
+this was effectually done, and that they were losing by thousands, they
+were wild with rage.
+
+I overheard a conversation between two Cincinnati liquor-dealers at the
+time.
+
+They were seated just behind me in a railroad car, so I could but
+choose to hear; and the curses they heaped upon Christian women were
+loud and deep; almost every word was emphasized with an oath.
+
+“We must do something to stop this horrid thing, or we are ruined,”
+said one.
+
+“The press has played the mischief with us,” exclaimed the other, “by
+publishing their movements. We must buy up the press. If they don’t
+stop writing about it, we must withdraw all our advertisements. Let
+this be a united thing with us, and they will soon have to look after
+their own bread and butter. These women have cut down my sales more
+than $20,000 this spring.”
+
+“The mayor and city council ought to do something before the city is
+ruined. They are a pack of fools to let a few praying women ruin our
+business in this way.”
+
+And then they talked and planned earnestly. The press was to be dealt
+with, the mayor brought to issue a proclamation against the women,
+forbidding their singing and praying on the streets, etc.
+
+The mayor and city council were quite willing to serve the rum cause,
+as results show.
+
+The ladies soon after were informed that they could no longer hold
+meetings in the streets, but must confine themselves to the public
+squares and market-places, unless a saloon-keeper chose to open his
+doors to them.
+
+They obeyed orders, and went on with their work in the places
+designated. But one day, while one of the bands was quietly walking up
+the street, they were met and surrounded by a mob of the vilest men
+and women in the city. They were, no doubt, sent out by the dealers
+to intimidate the women, and received their reward in strong drink on
+their return.
+
+The mayor also, accompanied by his private secretary, came to them and
+earnestly appealed to the ladies to quit their work and go home.
+
+“I’ll not be responsible for your safety unless you do. For God’s sake,
+ladies, desist.”
+
+The ladies in turn appealed to him to disperse the mob. They were
+quiet, unoffending citizens, walking the streets, which was their
+right; and as for their lives, they relied on God, not on him. All the
+while this parley was going on, the vile drunken mob was hooting and
+howling.
+
+No attempt was made to disperse them. But the mayor was exceedingly
+annoyed with the violence and obscenity of a German woman near him, and
+turning upon her he commanded silence. “Shame! shame! such indecency.”
+But the words were scarcely out of his mouth till she began cursing
+him, and the mob uttering a horrid yell rushed toward him. He raised
+his hand, waving them back; but they came on like a herd of wild
+cattle, pushing each other forward, whirling him like a top from the
+sidewalk into the gutter. His secretary ran like a frightened deer,
+and the mayor, as soon as he could gather up himself and find his hat,
+followed suit. They remembered Lot’s wife, and never looked behind
+them. Some of the women of the band had been knocked down; but they
+soon fell into line, and now that the mob was behind them, marched down
+into the heart of the city, singing,
+
+ “Nearer, my God, to Thee,
+ Nearer to Thee,
+ Even though it be a cross,
+ That raiseth me.”
+
+The insults offered to the ladies aroused a feeling of indignation,
+and an address was prepared, and a committee of gentlemen appointed
+to present it to the mayor. The reading of the paper brought on a
+discussion, in which the mayor said it would take all the police force
+within twenty-four square miles of the city to protect the ladies.
+
+Dr. Payne--“Do we understand you to say that you are powerless in the
+hands of a mob?”
+
+Mayor Johnson--“It would appear so from the practical experience of
+yesterday afternoon.”
+
+Dr. Payne--“Then, sir, it is high time that the pulpit began to
+thunder, and that all good men should arise, and see that men are
+elected who will enforce the law.”
+
+The committee then entered upon a defence of the rights of women to go
+upon the streets as they had been doing, notwithstanding the riotous
+crowds which surrounded them, and the disorders consequent thereon,
+which point the mayor met by saying, that he believed with Lincoln,
+that the blow should be aimed at the cause.
+
+Dr. Payne--“Yes, but the cause is the liquor traffic, not these women.”
+
+Dr. Taylor--“We only claim their rights, and if women cannot be
+protected by law, the result will be that neither can we, and the blow
+that strikes them, strikes us. If they be prosecuted for praying, so
+may I. The same mob spirit that attacked women yesterday, may attack
+citizens. If we cannot obtain protection, by addressing you, where
+shall we go?”
+
+In the course of the conversation, the mayor said, that the whole Board
+of Police Commissioners were opposed to the women.
+
+Immediately following this interview the mayor issued a proclamation,
+addressed: _To the ladies composing the Temperance League_; forbidding
+them to hold meetings on the streets, basing this action on an old
+sidewalk ordinance that had been a dead letter for years.
+
+I quote again from Mrs. Leavitt’s speech.
+
+“By this time there was such a falling off in the liquor trade that
+the mayor and common council, twenty-three of whose members were in
+the liquor trade, said the Crusade must be stopped; so they raked up
+an old sidewalk ordinance which said that no group of more than three
+should occupy the sidewalk at any one place and time. But we knew
+nothing of it, and we went to a saloon where we were denied admittance,
+so we knelt outside. The pavement was eighteen feet wide, of which
+we occupied about thirty inches. I was leader that day, and gave
+out, ‘Rock of Ages, cleft for me,’ when a policeman laid his hand on
+my shoulder, and said, ‘_Mrs. Leavitt, you are under arrest!_’ ‘All
+right,’ said I. ‘Let me hide myself in Thee.’ And then we prayed for
+that policeman, and for the others, and for the crowd. We tried the
+patience of that policeman a little, for our service lasted sixty
+minutes. Some shouted, some cried, but all were happy; and then we
+rose and walked in an orderly manner, two by two, about two miles, to
+the station-house. As soon as we got there we kneeled down and prayed
+again, and then they asked our names, nativity, and ages. They took
+mine first, and while they were taking the others, I thought may be the
+Lord had something for me to do there; so I went round to the cells and
+talked with the inmates. In one I found a boy of eighteen, who said,
+‘I wouldn’t have my mother know I am here for all the world. I came in
+under an assumed name. Did you?’ So I visited every cell, and pointed
+every prisoner to Christ. I tried to guess a conundrum (I never
+guessed one in my life), and I will give it to you. ‘How is it that
+every one I spoke to was put in for drunkenness, and we forty-three
+women were brought there for trying to put it down?’ We expected to be
+sent to the work-house for thirty days; so presently the husband of one
+of our number came in, and asked in the most touching tones, ‘_What
+shall I do with the baby?_’ ‘Go home and feed him,’ said his wife, ‘I
+wouldn’t be got off for twenty babies.’ Then the mayor came in. You
+have heard of the man who drew the elephant in a lottery, and then
+didn’t know what to do with it. The mayor looked just like that man.
+At last, when we had stayed two hours, the common council excused us
+till Monday on parole. So we marched back to the church, and gave our
+report, and it seemed as though the roof would come off with the ring
+of the doxology that followed.
+
+“On Monday morning we went to the police court, and while they were
+trying the prisoners for drunkenness, we who were arrested for trying
+to stop them from drinking went round, preached Christ, and got twenty
+signatures to our pledge. When our turn came they did not know what to
+do with us. We had put on all our best things, and though I say it,
+were FORTY-THREE OF THE PRETTIEST-LOOKING WOMEN YOU EVER SAW, and all
+just as happy as could be. Six of us were ministers’ wives, three wives
+of rich bankers, and all the rest of wealthy citizens. At last they
+told us we had been naughty, but they would forgive us this time if we
+wouldn’t do so any more. We went back to the church, and a few of us
+went out crusading.
+
+“But we didn’t want to break the law, and just at this time the Crusade
+began to change its form from active crusading into steady, organized
+work; so we only went out in parties of three or four, and we have been
+doing this ever since.”
+
+The city officers and the police force were in the interests of
+the liquor traffic, and the arrest of the ladies was a part of a
+well-concerted plan to break down the temperance work.
+
+We must not omit to give the names of the forty-three women arrested
+and thrust into the common jail:
+
+Mrs. Rev. S. K. Leavitt, Mrs. Rev. W. I. Fee, Mrs. Rev. C. H. Taylor,
+Mrs. D. H. Baldwin, Mrs. Charles Folger, Sarah Shipley, Mary Whitaker,
+Mrs. May A. French, Mrs. Olive Roseboom, Mrs. Lottie Oldrieve, Mrs.
+Lizzie R. Harvey, Mrs. A. F. Whiteman, Miss Ellen King, Mrs. S. E.
+Massey, Miss Kate M. Warden, Miss Helen Russell, Miss Susan Sutton,
+Miss Annie Nunn, Mrs. J. R. Squire, Mrs. Mary J. Montford, Mrs. Ellen
+Hewson, Mrs. Whitredge, Mrs. Rev. C. H. Payne, Mrs. Rev. A. McHugh,
+Mrs. Dr. Carter, Mrs. S. J. H. Elstner, Mary White, Mrs. Kate Traugh,
+Mrs. Maria Stevens, Mrs. A. V. Crum, Mrs. H. Robinson, Miss Lottie
+Nunn, Mrs. Lucy M. McKenzie, Mrs. May Francis, Miss May Talbot, Miss
+Jennie Forbes, Miss Mary Scott, Mrs. E. B. Dalton, Miss Eliza Hughes,
+Mrs. Frederick Hanbold, Mrs. Mary Warner, Mrs. E. H. Mance, Mrs.
+Wealthy Fisk.
+
+Dr. Fowler, of Chicago, who happened to be in the city at the time,
+and went with them to the jail, at a mass-meeting said: “Although I
+do not belong to this city, I say as an old heathen said, ‘Whatever
+concerns mankind, concerns me.’ Not only the immortal forty-three, but
+every woman in the land went down into the streets yesterday, and was
+scoffed and jeered at by those who stood in the saloon doors. You are
+not alone. All the good people of the land say, ‘You are fighting our
+battle,’ and from 10,000 pulpits are going up prayers for those who
+have made one bright page on the records of the police courts. The day
+may come when you can sell that page for money, enough to buy all the
+saloons in the city.” (Applause.)
+
+Stirring, eloquent speeches were also made by Dr. C. H. Payne, Mr.
+Rowland, Rev. S. K. Leavitt; and Mrs. Leavitt followed with a solemn,
+earnest appeal, that brought nearly all the men and women in the house
+to their feet.
+
+There was a meeting of citizens of the first ward, and a protest was
+prepared and sent to the mayor and city council--a protest, strongly
+condemning their action and calling upon them to maintain law and order.
+
+Nearly all the pulpits of Cincinnati thundered against the liquor
+traffic, a strong public sentiment was created, and the women have
+gone steadily on with their work from that day to this. A large number
+of meetings are sustained in various parts of the city, and at Walnut
+Hills; tens of thousands have signed the pledge, and it is no longer
+respectable to sell or drink intoxicating liquors in Cincinnati.
+
+A large hall has been secured for head-quarters, where meetings are
+held daily, and their influence is felt throughout the entire city.
+
+
+WHITE SHOES AND WHITE DRESSES.
+
+One morning, during the Crusade, a drunkard’s wife called on Mrs.
+Leavitt. She carried a babe in her arms only six weeks old, and was
+pale and weak from sickness and fasting, and this was her pitiful story:
+
+“My husband is drinking himself to death; he is lost to all humane
+feeling; our rent is unpaid, and we are liable to be put out into the
+street, and there is no food in the house for me and the children. He
+has a good trade, but his earnings all go into the saloon on the corner
+near us; he is becoming more and more brutal and abusive. We seem to
+be on the verge of ruin. How can I, feeble as I am, with a babe in my
+arms, earn bread for myself and children?”
+
+“Why not have your husband converted?” questioned Mrs. Leavitt, as the
+drunkard’s wife finished her sad story.
+
+“Oh, there is no hope of such a thing. He cares for nothing but rum.”
+
+“I’ll come and see him this afternoon.”
+
+“He’ll insult you.”
+
+“No matter; my Saviour was insulted, and the servant is not above his
+Lord.”
+
+That very afternoon Mrs. Leavitt called at the little tenement house.
+The husband was at work at his trade in a little back room, and one of
+the children was sent to tell him that a lady wished to see him. The
+child, however, soon returned with the message: “My pa says he won’t
+see any one.”
+
+“You go back and tell your pa,” said Mrs. Leavitt, in her energetic
+way, “that a lady wishes to see him on very important business, and she
+must see him, if she has to stay till after supper.”
+
+She knew there was nothing in the house to eat. A moment afterward a
+poor, bloated, besotted wreck of a man stood before her.
+
+“What do you want?” he demanded, as he came shuffling into the room.
+
+“Please be seated and look at this paper,” she answered, pointing to a
+vacant chair at the other end of the table at which she was sitting,
+and handing a printed pledge to him.
+
+He read it slowly, and then, throwing it down upon the table, broke out
+violently:
+
+“Do you think I’m a fool? I’ll drink when I please, and let it alone
+when I please. I’m not going to sign away my personal liberty.”
+
+“Do you think you can stop drinking?”
+
+“Yes: I could if I wanted to.”
+
+“I think you’re a slave to the rum-shop down on the corner.”
+
+“No!”
+
+“Then you love the saloon-keeper’s daughter better than you do your own
+little girl.”
+
+“No, I don’t, either.”
+
+“When I came by the saloon-keeper’s house I saw his little girl coming
+down the steps, and she had on white shoes, and a white dress, and a
+blue sash. Your money helped to buy them. I come here, and your little
+girl, more beautiful than she, has on a faded, ragged dress, and her
+feet are bare.”
+
+“That’s so, madam.”
+
+“And you love the saloon-keeper’s wife better than you love your own
+wife.”
+
+“Never; no, never!”
+
+“When I came by the saloon-keeper’s house, I saw his wife come out with
+the little girl, and she was dressed in silks and laces, and a carriage
+awaited her. Your money helped to buy the silks and laces, and the
+horses and the carriage. I come here, and I find your wife in a faded
+calico gown, doing her own work: if she goes anywhere, she must walk.”
+
+“You speak the truth, madam.”
+
+“You love the saloon-keeper better than you love yourself. You say you
+can keep from drinking if you choose; but you helped the saloon-keeper
+to build himself a fine brick house, and you live in this poor,
+tumble-down old house yourself.”
+
+“I never saw it in that light before.” Then, holding out his hand that
+shook like an aspen leaf, he continued: “You speak the truth, madam--I
+am a slave. Do you see that hand? I have a piece of work to finish, and
+I must have a mug of beer to steady my nerves, or I cannot do it; but
+to-morrow, if you’ll call, I’ll sign the pledge.”
+
+“That’s a temptation of the devil; I did not ask you to sign the
+pledge. You are a slave, and cannot keep it. But I do want to tell you
+this: _There is One who can break your chains and set you free._”
+
+“I want to be free.”
+
+“Well, Christ can set you free, if you’ll submit to Him, and let Him
+break the chains of sin and appetite that binds you.”
+
+“It’s been many a long year since I prayed.”
+
+“No matter; the sooner you begin the better for you.”
+
+He threw himself at once on his knees, and while Mrs. Leavitt prayed
+she heard him sobbing out the cry of his soul to God.
+
+The wife followed Mrs. Leavitt in an earnest prayer. The words were
+simple and broken with sobs, but somehow they went straight up from
+her crushed heart to God, and the poor man began to cry in earnest for
+mercy.
+
+“O God! break these chains that are burning into my soul! Pity me, and
+pity my wife and children, and break the chains that are dragging me
+down to hell. O God! be merciful to me, a sinner.” And thus out of the
+depths he cried to God, and He heard him and had compassion upon him,
+and broke every chain and lifted every burden; and he arose a free,
+redeemed man.
+
+When he arose from his knees he said: “Now I will sign the pledge, and
+keep it.” And he did. A family altar was built, the comforts of life
+were soon secured--for he had a good trade--and two weeks after this
+scene, his two little girls came into the Sunday-school, with _white
+shoes, and white dresses, and blue sashes on_, as a token that his
+money no longer went into the saloon-keeper’s till.
+
+But the lesson that should impress us most is, that this disciple,
+helped of God, devoted _less_ than two hours to this service of
+redeeming a family for time and for eternity. Go, thou, and do
+likewise! _The Master is waiting for you_ in many a desolate home. Go,
+speak in His name, and He will be with you, and help you.
+
+
+WHAT A PICTURE DID.
+
+The heading of _The Reform_, an illustrated tract paper, is composed of
+three pictures. The first represents a drunkard staggering home to his
+family. In his hand he holds a bottle; his wife, with her babe in her
+arms and her little boy clinging to her dress, is shrinking from him.
+Terror and fear are depicted upon the countenances of the three.
+
+The second picture represents the same man, standing at a table, a
+woman holding out a pen to him with one hand, and with the other a
+paper upon which are seen the words, “Temperance Pledge.”
+
+In the third picture we see the same man, well clothed, walking erect,
+with a cane in his hand, and leading a little boy up a flight of steps
+to a nice house, in the door of which stands the wife, with beaming
+smile upon her face, and hardly able to hold the baby, who is overjoyed
+at seeing the father.
+
+A bundle of these papers was sent to one of the ladies in Cincinnati,
+who distributed them in the market, at the hospital and jail.
+
+Two months afterwards she was stopped on the street by a German woman,
+who told her the following story:
+
+“You shoost stop von minute vile I tells you vot is in mine heart. You
+come von day to mine stall in de market, you give mine old man a paper,
+and you gives me a paper.
+
+“Ven I goes to mine home, mine children dey cries for dere dinner. I
+says, ‘You shoost keep still, and I vill give you von paper a vomans
+give me in de market.’ So dey spreads a paper on de floor, und dey
+kicks up dere heels, und dey looks hard at de pictures. Vile I gets
+mine dinner, dey visper. Mine leetle boy he says: ‘Dat is pap mid the
+bottle! dat leetle boy vot hides hind his mudder’s dress is me, ven I’m
+skeered at pappy, und de baby is Helwig, cause dat is shoost de vay he
+hides hind mudder’s ear when pappy’s drunk.’ Den dey say, ‘Mudder, vat
+dat voman do mit de table?’ I says, ‘De temperance voman vants de man
+to sign de pledge, and says he drinks no more beer or whiskey, den his
+wife and children be no more feared of him.’
+
+“Dey looks hard at de picter, den dey vispers and dey say, ‘Mudder,
+will pappy look nice like de udder picter, would he sign de pledge?’
+
+“And I says, ‘Yes, childrens, your fadder would look shoost like dat if
+he goes no more to saloons.’
+
+“Mine old man den he comes in to his dinner. He loves his children ven
+he is sober. My children dey see he no drunk, so dey runs to him mid
+de papers, and dey say, ‘Pappy, that is you mid de bottle, and dot
+voman is mudder, and de baby wot hides hind his mudder’s ear is Helwig.
+Pappy, vont you go to de temperance voman’s mit de table, and sign de
+pledge, and den you will look shoost like dat nice man mit de cane,
+and Helwig he will look shoost like dis baby vot tries to jump out of
+his mudder’s arms and is so glad to see his pappy?’ Mine old man he
+gets so mad, and he says, ‘I eat no dinner, I hates de temperance, I
+hates de temperance,’ and my children dey cry, dey be so scared. My old
+man he slams de door, and he goes off. He comes home to supper and he
+say de first ting, ‘I hates de temperance, I hates de temperance,’ and
+he no speak to de children, and dey be so skeered.
+
+“After supper mine old man he makes de children go to ped, and he
+smokes, and he scolds, and he gets so mad he no goes to de saloon, like
+he always does all his life mid me.
+
+“Ven it vas bed-time mine old man he lay down his pipe and he says:
+‘Old woman, I’s no been good to you; I gets drunk no more; I goes no
+more to saloons; mine heart is sick mit what mine children say. I loves
+mine wife, I loves mine children ven I gets no drunk.’ Den I put mine
+apron to mine eyes, and I cries, and mine old man he cries. Den we
+stand by de childer’s bed, and mine old man he kiss me, and he kiss de
+children, and he says, ‘Mine heart is so sick all de day mit vat de
+children says to me.’
+
+“I tells you I loves dat leetle paper, mine heart is so glad dat
+you gives it to me. I folds it up shust so nice and I puts it mit a
+handkerchief round, and I puts it in mine under-drawer in mine bureau
+mit mine children’s tings what died.”
+
+
+CLYDE, OHIO.
+
+The women worked and prayed faithfully for five weeks. During the first
+two weeks, two saloons closed, one dealer disposing of his liquors, the
+other giving them up to the ladies to be emptied into the street. They
+were poured into the gutter amid great rejoicings, and the singing of
+the doxology.
+
+While one of the women was pleading with Carroll, a saloon-keeper, she
+referred to the fact that her boys were becoming drunkards. “Oh!” said
+he, “I do not think I ever sold your boys any.” “But,” said the noble
+woman, with tearful emphasis, “you sell to somebody’s boys.”
+
+One Saturday evening, as the ladies approached one of the most
+prominent saloons, the proprietor came out and informed them that
+they could not hold services in front of his house; that he would
+spill his last drop of blood before they should do it. He had his back
+yard and saloon full of help. The ladies immediately commenced their
+exercises, and he called his rabble out to hoot; a pail of cold water
+was splashed into the face of the one who was praying. She never broke
+a sentence, but said: “O Lord, we are now baptized for the work.” The
+effect was good, it was a most complete victory. All became quiet, and
+the saloon-keeper accompanied them to the church, and oh, such earnest
+prayers as were offered in the church for that man. Mass-meetings were
+held every Wednesday evening, and the pressure of public sentiment
+became so great, that the saloon-keepers closed for an indefinite time.
+
+
+CEDARVILLE, OHIO.
+
+In 1873, the ever-memorable time, in the history of the women Crusaders
+of Ohio, we in Cedarville were aroused to work by the call from our
+Father in heaven.
+
+It seemed as though a few of the sisters here, were called out for the
+work, even before the sisters in Hillsboro’. We had our first meeting
+announced, and a speaker engaged, and had of ourselves determined to
+organize for work. But by a providence of God we were kept back to let
+the sisters at Hillsboro’ and Washington Court-House commence first.
+
+January 2d, our first meeting was held, and we were fully equipped
+for visiting the saloons. We did not need to wait, and hold our
+prayer-meetings in the church; the Lord had prepared us before, in our
+homes, so we went at once to the saloons to hold prayer-meetings; we
+felt the Lord had made such a distinct call for us to go, that we had
+no fears: we knew that He would lead us. Our mouths were filled with
+song and prayer; our sympathies were awakened to such a degree, it
+seemed nothing on earth could have stopped us from going on in the path
+the Lord had laid out for us. Thanks be to the Lord for the faith He
+gave us.
+
+We felt that we must do something; that if we did not, our homes would
+be made desolate, our hearts would be broken, our sons would all
+perish. The words, “What wilt thou have me do?” were spoken so plainly
+that we felt we _must_ do something to help the wretched souls out of
+their bondage. My husband being a zealous temperance man, was easily
+aroused to action; he sent for a lecturer, Dr. Watt: he came, and
+spoke earnestly for the cause; the next day we made our first visit to
+the saloons, through the snow and bitter cold, but we were not cold; we
+went early and late until all our saloons were closed.
+
+We had three saloons and two drug stores--one of the drug stores was
+as bad as any of the saloons, and we thought worse, for there our
+best young men went to drink, when they would not have been seen at
+a saloon. One of the druggists signed the pledge, but one would not,
+notwithstanding we prayed and plead earnestly with him. He had a
+suit pending in the Supreme Court at that time, and he was very much
+embittered against us. A lady of our town had sued him for selling
+liquor to her husband, and had gained it in the county court; but he
+had appealed it to a higher court, so we did not expect him to give up
+very soon, but we made him a special object of prayer; he was not an
+ignorant foreigner, but a native of this place, and had been taught
+better things, and knew the power of prayer, and knew too, that we were
+praying earnestly for him, that his wicked business might be stopped.
+We think he wanted to be clear of the whiskey, but he didn’t want to
+lose a dollar, so he sold it all in a lump; and for a short time we
+were clear of the traffic.
+
+But as the whiskey men found their cause was in great danger, they put
+forward a man and sustained him. We made a powerful effort to stop him,
+got out a petition and tried to get all we could to sign it, but some
+we had depended on as being firm friends of temperance, failed us,
+said there was no use trying: if the people couldn’t get whiskey here
+they would go to “Xenia” to get it.
+
+Notwithstanding all our efforts, the saloon was opened, and in a short
+time another one. Then we were in great trouble, but concluded we had
+better hold prayer-meetings again at the saloons. Some thought the
+time was past for that, but a few of us felt we _must_ pray for their
+removal, and it was not long until one of these men took fits: he was
+taken sick about four o’clock in the afternoon, and died at two o’clock
+that night. In our meeting that day we had prayed especially for him.
+As we watched these saloons every evening from dusk of evening until
+about ten o’clock, (that being the time when most of the drinking was
+done,) and prayed they might be removed, it did seem as though the
+Lord answered our prayer in a marvellous manner. Nor was this all:
+just about that time the other saloonist had some sort of a strange
+spell which was pronounced fits; he took them just when the women were
+praying for him, he got frightened, closed his saloon, and went into
+the grocery business. He thought that would save him, but he still has
+fits. In answer to our prayers both saloons were closed.
+
+We still have our prayer-meetings; they have been kept up regularly
+ever since the Crusade. We still have one saloon, but there is not
+one-third the quantity of whiskey sold now. Many have reformed; it has
+become unpopular to be seen going to a saloon, and none will go, except
+those who care nothing for their reputation.
+
+We see great results from our temperance work here, but still we expect
+to work on, while there is a saloon in operation.
+
+We have a temperance fund; some have subscribed as much as $500: I
+think over twenty have subscribed that much. There is about $38,000
+in the bank; ten per cent. of that money can be drawn to defray any
+expense the association may have in law suits, etc.; the men have a
+business committee to look up cases for prosecution, and to watch the
+saloons to see whether they sell according to law. Thus it will be
+noticed we have public sentiment in our favor.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. R. O. Stewart for the facts in this account.
+
+
+MARIETTA, OHIO.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. J. M. Eells for the following account of the work
+in Marietta: It has been my privilege to be engaged in the cause of
+temperance for many years, but never have I seen the power of God so
+manifested as in the Crusade, and the recent reform movement. Previous
+to the work here in Marietta, many groaned under the heavy burden of
+the sin of intemperance. Feeling that something must be done, and that
+prayer would avail, yet we did not lay hold on the means of grace as
+we should have done until stimulated by the persevering efforts of our
+sisters in Washington and Hillsboro’.
+
+Thanks be to our Heavenly Father for the great good that has been
+accomplished by our feeble efforts. When our work commenced, if I am
+rightly informed, the number of saloons amounted to about sixty in
+this place and vicinity--kept mostly by Germans. Our sympathy embraced
+all classes of drinking men; but our efforts were more closely drawn to
+the saloonist for a time.
+
+With prayers, tears, songs, and entreaties we went from the house of
+God to the doors of the saloons, and we trust to the hearts of the
+saloonists, though few surrendered, until affliction laid them low: six
+have gone to their final account.
+
+There is one remarkable incident connected with our work. A young man,
+of upright character in society, was engaged in dealing out to others
+_that_ which he would not drink himself, though from childhood he had
+been employed in a saloon. During all this time he was never known
+to touch a drop of intoxicating drinks. The ladies labored with him,
+endeavoring to show the inconsistency of such a course, pressing the
+question: “Are you doing by others as you would that others should do
+to you?”
+
+The answer would invariably be: “This is my way of getting a living.
+People will drink. I might as well sell it as any one else. I know what
+I am about. I read my Bible--attend church with a hope of heaven.”
+
+We left, saying we feared he was deceiving himself. He kept on and
+on until, in the stillness of night, his house was wrapt in flames.
+We thought he had lost his all, but a few days later we were invited
+to call at his new establishment, fitted up in fascinating style, to
+allure the weak. At this crisis he was attacked with a disease which,
+in a few days, numbered him with the dead. In his ravings he was heard
+to cry, “_I cannot, I will not die._”
+
+Our encouragement in laboring with drinking men has been great,
+especially when we hear them in our gospel meetings testifying to the
+goodness of God in reclaiming them from a life of sin, and taking away
+their appetite for strong drink.
+
+Through the efforts of the ladies, and the recent Reform movement,
+many, very many families have been made happy and provided for well,
+by the reclaiming of a father, husband, son, and brother. Yes! we have
+seen the tattered, reeling, profane man clothed and in his right mind;
+also the weeping mother and half-starved children with their tears
+wiped away, and fed and clothed; and the rough, defiant saloonist
+bathed in tears.
+
+Something like two thousand signed the pledge during these movements.
+
+Words of cheer often come to us in these late days, from one and
+another who were blest during the Crusade. One man said he wished the
+ladies had thought of the poor drunkard long before; it would have
+saved _him_ ten years of wretchedness. He never met with anything that
+went to his heart as their appeals did.
+
+We are encouraged more, by seeing in our walks, places where a bar had
+been kept changed to a neatly furnished sitting-room. We like to enter
+and converse with the occupants. They always invite us to call again,
+saying, “Doesn’t this room look better than when the bar was in it?”
+
+Our work is still going on, under the influence of the Good Templars,
+gospel meetings, and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. The work
+has gone on here very much as in other places.
+
+We still hold it to be God’s work, and pray that He will bless all
+efforts put forth by His people for the overthrow of the monster vice,
+Intemperance.
+
+
+XENIA, OHIO.
+
+This city, beautiful for situation, is the pride of southern Ohio,
+and contains a population of about ten thousand inhabitants. At the
+commencement of the Crusade there were one hundred and twenty places
+where liquor was sold--one saloon to eighty-three inhabitants.
+
+Dr. Dio Lewis assisted in organizing the movement in this city.
+Temperance soon became the all-absorbing topic of conversation among
+all classes. The women organized under the leadership of Mrs. Colonel
+Lowe. The women of wealth and culture came at once to the front, to
+take their share of the burden of the work. Denominational lines were
+broken down, and women accustomed to psalm-singing joined heartily in
+gospel songs.
+
+One of the worst saloons in the place was the “Shades of Death,” kept
+by a young man named Phillips, who kept a liquor shop and gambling den
+of the worst character, although he had been well brought up.
+
+A special correspondent of the _Cincinnati Gazette_ gives us the
+following graphic account of the work at this saloon:
+
+ “XENIA, OHIO, February 13th.
+
+“At the close of my letter yesterday the women held the ‘Shades of
+Death’ in close investment. It was agreed by the ladies to adjourn
+for dinner, and so I announced; but there was no adjournment. The
+determined women could not find it in their hearts to leave, and they
+did not until near five o’clock. Such as found it necessary to go home
+to their families did so, but were early back to the place of prayer.
+
+“This saloon is a brick house on the corner of Whiteman and Second
+streets, having one door on each. Under the back room there is a deep
+cellar, where much of the gambling is carried on, quite out of sight.
+At first the women held their station on the two sidewalks, but at
+length discovered a third door in the rear, through which some of those
+caught in the saloon had already made good their escape. This outlet
+was quickly occupied by the women, and so the place was surrounded. The
+keeper, Phillips, was not prepared for this, and came to the door and
+remonstrated vigorously; but the response came in spiritual song:
+
+ “‘A charge to keep I have.’
+
+“In vain Stephen assured the women that their praying would do no good.
+They only sang the more fervently,
+
+ “‘To patient faith the prize is sure.’
+
+“A fiddle was played inside, and some dancing attempted, but this did
+not last long. Through a broken window the services outside were
+distinctly heard inside. The proprietor sent for a glazier, and had
+the missing glass replaced. The faces of bloated white and colored men
+appeared at the windows side by side.
+
+“The representatives of six wholesale liquor-houses were here
+yesterday, offering the saloonists all the liquors they can make use
+of, while the campaign lasts, free of charge.
+
+“One of these gentlemen was in the ‘Shades of Death’ when it was
+invested. About two o’clock he came to the front door to tell the women
+that they were helpless, and could do nothing; that they did not know
+where their own sons and husbands might be at that moment. His own wife
+had no idea he went to such places. An estimable woman of God began to
+pray for him, and, as he retreated through the door, they followed him
+in. Phillips came out about three o’clock, accompanied by his brother,
+to draw the crowd away. A part followed him across the street, but the
+siege was not lifted.”
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ “XENIA, OHIO, February 19th, 1874.
+
+“Just as I sealed my letter, I heard a great shout in the street,
+and soon after all the church-bells in the city commenced ringing.
+At the same time there arose a prolonged cheering from the Grangers’
+Convention, just across the street from the hotel, and it was evident
+that something unusual had happened. Going on the street for the news,
+I saw crowds of people thronging towards Whiteman street, and heard on
+every hand in joyful accent, ‘The “Shades of Death” has unconditionally
+surrendered.’ The good news, as the temperance people considered it,
+proved true, and I found Whiteman street thronged with people. At a
+little before three o’clock, as it appeared from the general account,
+Mr. Steve Phillips, proprietor of the ‘Shades of Death,’ invited the
+ladies to enter, and announced that he gave up everything to them, and
+would never sell anything intoxicating in Xenia again. Then the ladies,
+joined by the spectators, sang,
+
+ “‘Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,’
+
+while the liquors were rolled into the street. A half-barrel
+of blackberry brandy, the same of highwines, a few kegs of beer, and
+some bottles of ale and whiskey, were soon emptied into the street,
+amid the shouts of an enthusiastic multitude. The leading lady then
+announced that if Mr. Phillips went into any other business in Xenia,
+they should feel it a duty to support him. A despatch was sent to the
+Grangers, eliciting three cheers, and all the bells were set ringing
+in honor of the first great victory. When I arrived, the liquor had
+mostly collected in one depression in the street, and such a stench
+went up--‘a rank offence, that smelt to heaven’--as made me think it a
+very fortunate thing for somebody’s insides that the liquor had been
+poured out. Of the women around, some were crying, some laughing, a
+few alternately singing and returning thanks. One elderly lady in the
+edge of the crowd was almost in hysterics, but still shouting in a
+hoarse whisper such as one often hears at camp-meeting: ‘Bless the
+Lord! O-o-o, bless the Lord!’ She had the appearance of a lady in
+good circumstances, and a citizen informed me that she is ordinarily
+one of the quietest, most placid of women. One of her sons died
+of intemperance, and another is much addicted to liquor. On every
+side nothing was witnessed but smiles, laughter, tears, prayers,
+hand-shaking, and congratulations.”
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Phillips opened a meat-market at his old stand, and was most liberally
+patronized.
+
+The good work went on. At the close of the second week, twenty-five out
+of the forty-seven saloons were closed, some permanently, others during
+the war. The street prayer-meetings were kept up without intermission
+for over a month, when the ladies decided to try the picket work, which
+proved quite effectual.
+
+But at the municipal election, the whiskey party was triumphant; not
+because there was a lack of temperance sentiment, but for lack of
+unity, and earnest effort on the part of moral and temperance men.
+
+The liquor element became defiant and insulting. While Mrs. Monroe’s
+band was at Hollencamp’s brewery, a man came out with a mug of beer in
+his hands, and stopping a woman in the midst of her prayer, offered her
+a drink; holding out the foaming beer, he told her it was Jesus.
+
+One day, while the ladies were holding services, Bloom, Altschul, and
+other liquor-dealers, with their degraded customers, surrounded them,
+and the interruptions became so boisterous and threatening, that Mayor
+Keever and Marshal Riley interfered for the protection of the ladies.
+
+Notwithstanding all these discouragements, the ladies continued their
+work, _and will continue till a complete victory is won_.
+
+
+WAYNESVILLE, OHIO.
+
+“Waynesville is a quiet village in Warren county, of strong Quaker
+proclivities. It is situated on a gentle slope which descends to the
+little Miami river. Across the stream is the little village of Corwin,
+named after the illustrious governor and statesman of Ohio. Together
+these two towns boast that they have a population of twelve or fifteen
+hundred. The groups of white houses form a very quiet, pretty picture.”
+
+The women of this quiet little village commenced public work January
+17th, and maintained one of the most protracted and determined
+campaigns of the Crusade. There were three saloons in the two towns:
+two in Waynesville, and one in Corwin.
+
+The first real work of the Crusade was the circulation of a petition,
+which was largely signed, and sent to the town council, asking them to
+prohibit the sale of ale and beer. The desired ordinance was passed.
+In the meantime the ladies held prayer-meetings, and prepared for
+street work, if that should be necessary. A report having obtained that
+the women intended to commence crusading on Saturday, Timothy Liddy
+printed and circulated the following notice, which I give _verbatim et
+literatim_.
+
+ “NOTICE.--As it has come to my hearing that there is a rumor in
+ circulation that some of the ladies in and about Waynesville, O.,
+ are about to visit my grocery on Saturday, the 17th inst., for
+ the purpose of holding a prayer-meeting, I advise all the ladies
+ concerned in the movement to keep clear of my grocery, and keep
+ within the bounds of the law, as my grocery is not a place of worship.
+
+ “TIMOTHY LIDDY.
+
+ “WAYNESVILLE, O., Jan. 16th, 1874.”
+
+The women accepted it as a challenge, and marched at once to Mr.
+Liddy’s saloon for a prayer-meeting. Mr. Liddy was very obstinate, and
+his wife maintained a threatening attitude.
+
+“I’ll scald yez! I’ll scald yez!” she cried. But the women had
+enlisted for the war, and were not deterred by her threats. The other
+saloon in Waynesville was kept by William F. Raper; the saloons were
+on diagonally opposite corners, which was a great convenience to
+the ladies, as with their large band they could keep up a continual
+prayer-meeting in both saloons. Mr. Liddy declared that “These wimmen
+are worse than haythens.” Both saloon-keepers closed their doors
+against the women, and on the 7th of February, with the ground covered
+four inches deep with snow and the snow still falling, they sang and
+prayed again and again in front of Raper’s saloon, and some of them
+afterwards declared that it was a most delightful meeting.
+
+As the weather continued inclement, a few of the ladies took shelter
+in covered carriages drawn up in front of the saloons for their use,
+while on picket duty; a vacant room on the third corner was fitted up
+for the use of the band, so the siege went on with a degree of comfort.
+Books were kept in which the name of every man entering either saloon
+was registered; the result was a large falling off in the patronage.
+
+The house occupied by Liddy was finally bought over his head, and he
+was forced to close, and Raper soon afterwards surrendered. He wrote
+Miss Esther Pugh the following letter:
+
+ “MISS PUGH:--I have thought the matter over, and have come to the
+ conclusion to let the ladies empty the ale.
+
+ “WILLIAM F. RAPER.”
+
+There was great rejoicing, and immense enthusiasm, and in response to
+the letter, the ladies marched through a pouring rain to the saloon.
+Mr. Raper very graciously assisted the women in rolling out his liquors
+on the pavement. But the enthusiasm of the women was so great, that
+they didn’t wait for assistance, but seized the kegs of ale in the
+cellar, and by almost superhuman effort carried them up the steep
+cellar-stairs into the street; and their contents were soon poured upon
+the ground.
+
+The whole force was now concentrated upon Tom Franey’s saloon, at
+Corwin. Tom was noted for his politeness. The ladies who came to pray
+in his saloon were treated with great consideration, and when the
+prayer-meeting was over, and he had shaken hands all around, an omnibus
+was at the door to carry the ladies back to Waynesville. The ladies
+were not turned from their purpose by his blandishments, but continued
+their work till it began seriously to interfere with his business. His
+saloon was the only one now in the centre of a large district, dotted
+over with villages. But the country people ceased to come with their
+jugs and bottles, and the polite Franey became ungracious, and went
+so far as to threaten to sue the Society for damaging his business.
+After securing legal advice, he changed his mind, and closed his doors
+against the Crusaders; but they sang and prayed beside his door until
+he, too, surrendered unconditionally.
+
+The officers of the League which did such valiant work were: President,
+Esther Pugh; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Devitt, Mrs. Rebecca Randall, Mrs.
+Levi Cook, Mrs. Kate Allen; Secretary, Miss Annie Fisher. Among the
+workers were, Miss Phebe Bailey, Mrs. John Fetter, Miss Addie Keys,
+Miss Eliza Bunting, Mrs. Israel Wright, Rachel Hopkins, Mrs. Dr. Way,
+Eliza Nedry, Jane Jones, and others. It was the habit of these ladies,
+when visiting a saloon, to fall at once upon their knees, and remain
+kneeling most of the time during their stay. The company was made up of
+all denominations, members of the Society of Friends pre-dominating,
+Orthodox and Hicksites commingling, and all sang together gospel songs.
+Their meetings were characterized by deep religious feeling, and were
+intensely solemn. The siege, that resulted in closing all the saloons
+in these two villages, was protracted _forty-nine days_.
+
+
+NEW CONCORD, OHIO.
+
+We are indebted to Mrs. E. J. Oxley for the facts in this report.
+
+The Christian Women’s Temperance Union of New Concord, Ohio, was
+organized March 18th, 1874, at a meeting held in the Presbyterian
+Church. Prior to this time, a few of the Christian women of the village
+had met several times in the capacity of a temperance prayer-meeting.
+
+A temperance mass-meeting was held in the Reformed Presbyterian
+Church, on the evening of the 27th. Two of the ministers were staunch
+temperance men who had nobly battled against intemperance for many
+years. These men, hand in hand, and shoulder to shoulder, did much to
+assist the women, who pledged themselves to labor for life against
+intemperance, and adopted as their watchword, “eternal vigilance and
+perseverance.”
+
+These meetings were well attended, partly because the people were
+becoming excited on the temperance question, and partly because it was
+the “Woman’s movement.”
+
+The novelty of women holding public meetings, perhaps, drew out some
+who would not otherwise have attended a temperance meeting.
+
+In the latter part of May, committees were appointed to canvass the
+town with copies of the _pledge_, in order to obtain all the signatures
+that could be secured, and leave all without an excuse. The canvassers
+met with unexpected success. In a short time our pledge-book contained
+277 signatures to the citizens’ pledge, and 60 to the “Band of Promise”
+pledge.
+
+A “Band of Promise” was organized May 5th, 1874. Its pledge prohibited
+the use of intoxicating liquors of any kind as a beverage, the use of
+tobacco in any form, and also stipulated that the subscribers would
+refrain from the use of profane language.
+
+Some of the parents who were quite willing to have their children
+become members of the Band of Promise, objected to their signing the
+pledge, because they said _they_ could not keep it, but it was not
+long before the children were allowed to sign it. This Band proved
+a great benefit, not only to the children themselves, who were
+receiving a course of thorough temperance training, but also to their
+parents, many of whom could not have been induced to attend any of the
+other temperance meetings, but were eager to attend the children’s
+mass-meetings, to hear their own dear little boys and girls sing or
+speak their particular pieces: proving that this is the _great field_
+for temperance workers: the field where the seed now sown will, at some
+not far distant day, yield “an hundred-fold.”
+
+The entertainments by the Band of Promise were by far the most
+Interesting temperance meetings held in the place; their music was
+sweeter and more attractive than any other, and their performances were
+more highly appreciated than the most eloquent speakers who could be
+brought forward, simply because the people were generally interested in
+children. They are the hope of both church and state.
+
+Although there was no saloon in our village, there was one just a
+little out of town, in one of the best places for that business that
+could well be found--outside of the corporation, out of view from town,
+and accessible by four different ways. This was kept by Wm. Wylie, who
+claimed to be selling according to law, and could not be gotten rid of
+until the summer of 1875, when at last he grew tired of the frequent
+visits of the “preachers and temperance women,” and closed out.
+
+Prayer-meetings and temperance visitors had made his _trade dull_, so
+he concluded to give up the business and try to earn an honest living
+by the “sweat of his brow.”
+
+The last visit, and perhaps the one productive of most good, was
+made about the last of July, 1875, when a procession of fourteen or
+fifteen women, accompanied by five men, three of them ministers--Revs.
+M’Arthur, M’Clurkin, and Murch--marched out one afternoon. On arriving
+there they found the house closed, as if there was no one at home; but
+they soon had evidence that the family were there, and proceeded to
+hold a prayer-meeting in front of the saloon. After a while Mr. Wylie
+came out, and they had an opportunity of talking with both him and his
+partner. He threatened prosecution, and _did_ come to town to try to
+get _law_. Soon after this he quit selling liquor, and has since signed
+the pledge.
+
+The only street or outdoor work this League ever had to do was on the
+23d of May, 1874. This was Saturday, the day of an “animal and circus
+show.” It was also a communion season with the people of the Reformed
+Presbyterian congregation.
+
+Early in the morning some of the League received information that a man
+from a neighboring village had brought a wagon-load of liquors, and was
+prepared to sell near the show grounds. He had selected a very good
+place for his business, a short distance out of the corporation, by the
+roadside, and was doubtlessly anticipating a _fine day’s work_; but
+before he had time to make many sales the temperance women were on the
+grounds, too, to _watch_, and to see, at least, that he did not sell to
+any of their friends, or any others, if they could prevent.
+
+This little band of eight or ten women, led by Mrs. Murch, first
+vice-president, and accompanied by perhaps half a dozen of the _good_
+old temperance men, as a kind of _escort_, at first tried to persuade
+Mr. Davis to go away, but they could neither induce him to sign the
+pledge, sell out to them, nor accept any proposition which they could
+make. He seemed invincible, determined to _sell_, “according to law,”
+as he said. Soon a large crowd of men, women, and children had gathered
+to see what this little handful of temperance women would or could do
+with a man who seemed to defy both them and “_their law_.”
+
+Other women continued to come, until by afternoon the few who had gone
+out in the morning were pretty strongly reinforced, and as the day wore
+on Mr. Davis learned that temperance women and those restrained by
+their presence, were not very good customers.
+
+But not until late in the afternoon did he show any signs of retreat.
+The law protecting persons holding religious services being found,
+was read to him by Mrs. Murch; he being within the limits prescribed
+by that ordinance, as the Reformed Presbyterian people were holding
+religious services in their church. Soon after the law was read to him,
+he began very reluctantly to pack up his kegs, boxes, and other saloon
+arrangements, and turned his face homeward, followed by a large and
+promiscuous crowd, some of whom followed him entirely out of town.
+
+The shades of evening fell upon a quiet and peaceful village, and many
+hearts rejoiced that there had not been one intoxicated man in town
+that day.
+
+This day’s labors strengthened the temperance women, and brought them
+into favor with some who had before thought they were transcending
+woman’s proper sphere. During the summer of 1874 frequent public
+mass-meetings were held, at which the question of “License or No
+license” was freely discussed, there being one article in the new
+Constitution which was to be submitted to the vote of the people of
+Ohio on the 18th of August. _Union_ temperance prayer-meetings were
+held almost every week in some one of the four churches, through this
+summer, fall and winter.
+
+These meetings were called union meetings, because the different
+pastors had been invited to conduct them, and a general invitation was
+extended. These soon became very interesting, large numbers attending.
+On the 18th of August, an all-day prayer-meeting was held, the object
+of which was to plead that God would guide the voters throughout the
+State, to cast their ballots in favor of “_No license_.” Their prayers
+were heard--the decision was, NO LICENSE.
+
+A most interesting entertainment by the Band of Promise was given
+October 26th, in College Hall, about sixty girls and boys taking part.
+In this meeting there were some from almost every family in town.
+This entertainment consisted of music, temperance songs, declamations
+and select essays. They were highly appreciated, some of which would
+have done credit to much older boys and girls. The children were not
+only benefited, but highly delighted, so much so that in a few weeks
+there were many anxious “little folks,” inquiring of the committee of
+arrangements, who had drilled the class, when there would be another
+children’s mass-meeting.
+
+This was the _first_ of these “Temperance Exhibitions,” but not the
+_last_. They were held as often as once in three months, and sometimes
+oftener.
+
+In January and February, 1875, petitions to Congress and the
+Legislature, asking for temperance legislation, and also petitions to
+the Centennial Commission, asking that no brewery or distillery be
+allowed on the Centennial grounds, and that the gates be closed on the
+Sabbath, were circulated with unexpected success.
+
+Again, in January, 1877, petitions to Congress and the Legislature,
+asking for prohibitory laws, were again circulated with still better
+success, this time securing, in the village and country neighborhoods
+around, 868 signatures to one petition, and 800 to the other. The
+winter before, only about 300 names were obtained.
+
+The W. C. T. U. still hold weekly prayer-meetings, but with much
+depleted numbers. Instead of forty and more members, as at first, there
+are but ten or twelve of the Crusade members, and a few others. Many
+do not think it is necessary to keep up a temperance organization when
+there is no public work to do.
+
+
+RAVENNA, OHIO.
+
+An organization was formed in Ravenna, March 12th, 1874. It was called
+the Woman’s Temperance League, Mrs. M. A. Woodbridge, President, Mrs.
+R. B. Witter, Secretary. The features of the work were similar to those
+throughout the State. Daily prayer-meetings were held, from which
+bands of women went forth in the name of the Lord to visit saloons, a
+portion of the League remaining in supplication at the church until
+their return, much good resulting therefrom. These meetings were held
+continuously for many weeks, with frequent mass-meetings in the evening.
+
+After the close of the Crusade, the meetings were held regularly,
+with more or less frequency, as circumstances required, until early
+last year, when the League was suspended, and the commencement of the
+present year a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was formed, auxiliary
+to the State Union. Most excellent temperance work has been done in the
+town and county, for which we give God the glory.
+
+
+MARION, OHIO.
+
+“For weeks before we took any forward step in the temperance work in
+our own place, our hearts had been fired by reading of what had been
+done in other places. Hillsboro’ and Washington Court-House seemed the
+scenes of miracles. Other towns and villages fell into line. But we
+halted. Could we do anything?”
+
+At last an informal meeting was held on February 23d. It was resolved
+to circulate two petitions, one to our State Legislature, asking that
+“no change be made in the famous Adair Liquor Law,” and one to the
+Constitutional Convention, praying that our legislative bodies have
+the right reserved to them of enacting prohibitory laws with regard to
+the sale and manufacture of all alcoholic liquors. Twelve hundred and
+twenty-five signatures were obtained to the first of these petitions,
+and twelve hundred and fifty-five to the second.
+
+A large and enthusiastic mass-meeting was held on Sabbath, P. M.,
+and on Monday, March 2d, a business meeting. Most of the places of
+business were closed, and the largest audience-room in the place was
+packed almost to suffocation. One hundred and eighty-five women pledged
+themselves to co-operate in the “Women’s Temperance Movement,” until
+the sale of intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, was abolished. One
+hundred and sixty men pledged themselves to sustain the women in their
+work. It was decided to hold a daily prayer-meeting “during the war.”
+
+“March 6th, Mother Stewart was with us. The following note of the day
+is in the words of our Secretary at that time:
+
+“Although the day was exceedingly inclement, we decided the
+trial-moment had come, and we marched upon the street with Mother
+Stewart at our front. We went with trembling, but God’s grace, which
+never faileth in the hour of need, strengthened us by the way, and as
+we knelt upon the muddy pavement, we felt God’s Spirit overshadowing
+and leading us. Four saloons were visited, but the doors were barred
+against our entrance. We prayed that the Spirit which can work, and no
+man hinder, might enter there.
+
+“At a mass-meeting on the evening of March 9th, we were cheered by
+our first unconditional surrender. A stock guarantee fund of forty
+thousand ($40,000) dollars, afterwards increased to fifty thousand,
+was also raised at this time. The object of this fund was, so it was
+stated, was to prosecute liquor-dealers, and it could only be used for
+prosecutions, and for defending the women in prosecutions, should any
+arise; and great as has been our need of funds at different times, not
+a cent of it has ever passed into our hands.
+
+“As the days and weeks passed by we received other promises from
+liquor-dealers to stop selling. Six ceased entirely, though some
+of them have since resumed the traffic. New ones have started up
+within the past two years, so that we are often met with the taunting
+question, ‘What good did your Crusade do? The town is worse off than
+it was before.’ But looking back, we can see good that has been
+accomplished. Daily the bands visited the saloons, and the voice of
+prayer and praise was heard from such unaccustomed places, for a brief
+while each day, though often the sounds of cursing and revelry mingled
+with the prayers. One such scene the writer remembers distinctly.
+It was Saturday afternoon, and the village was thronged with people
+from the surrounding country, full of curiosity to see the ‘praying
+women.’ One of the bands entered a saloon on the busiest part of Main
+street. Coarse, rough men, others quiet, observant, and boys eager
+and interested, thronged the pavement. The rear part of the saloon
+was full of men, one degree coarser than those without, smoking,
+drinking, swearing, scoffing. As the band entered, one of our sweet
+Crusade hymns rose on the air. We were told to ‘be brief. They were
+very busy, and wanted no interruption.’ A few verses of Scripture
+were read, and a sister led in prayer, and _such a prayer_. The wife
+of the proprietor told her to stop, but she prayed on; finally, she
+shook her, but the prayer flowed calmly and earnestly on, as if the air
+carried no sound but her own voice to the listening ear above. A German
+sister immediately followed, and while she prayed the door was locked.
+Whatever may have been the intention, the door was opened while we sang
+at the close of her prayer, and we passed out. Committees of two or
+three were also sent at times to talk with saloon-keepers.
+
+“We had at this time two hundred and sixty-two women pledged to the
+work.
+
+“Early in April, pickets were stationed at the principal saloons. This
+work was kept up more or less closely until the Crusade work ceased.
+
+“April 6th, being our local election day, and the saloons closed by
+law, was devoted to an all-day prayer-meeting. We began at six o’clock
+in the morning, and during the hours of the day, earnest prayers went
+up, that the cause of right and temperance might triumph, and the Lord
+show His power in controlling the affairs of men. The liquor interest
+made a desperate fight, but the victory was essentially ours, though
+much of the good we hoped from it was lost by the mismanagement of men.
+
+“Nothing daunted the ladies prepared and presented to the council a
+petition, signed by three hundred and sixty-five men and four hundred
+and sixty-one women, praying that a prohibitory ordinance be added to
+our municipal code, but though there was a majority of the voters, the
+council was divided against itself, and our petition was lost.
+
+“May 20th, the chairman of the executive committee of the guarantee
+fund requested that the ‘ladies should retire from the streets.’ After
+considerable discussion, it was decided to do so for a time. We never
+resumed the work in that form.
+
+“July 9th, officers were elected, and constitution adopted for
+permanent organization. Weekly prayer-meetings have been held ever
+since.
+
+“The county has been thoroughly canvassed twice; once against the
+license clause of the new constitution, and once in the endeavor to
+thoroughly organize it.
+
+“After the formation of the Woman’s National Union, we changed our name
+of League, to Women’s Christian Temperance Union, of Marion, Ohio.
+
+“We feel that we have done, and can do, oh, _so_ little; but we can
+pray, and ‘prayer moves the arm that moves the world.’”
+
+
+WEST UNION, OHIO.
+
+This little village, of only four hundred inhabitants, had four
+saloons. For years and years they had been doing their deadly work,
+paralyzing business and wasting the resources and ruining the homes of
+the people.
+
+The women of this staid old town had never thought it possible to
+change this order of things. But as soon as the success of Crusaders
+elsewhere became known, they rallied to the work with such zeal and
+earnestness that in a very short time the whole town was ablaze with
+temperance enthusiasm, and _every saloon was closed_.
+
+
+FELICITY, OHIO.
+
+Felicity, a quiet little village, a few miles back from the Ohio river,
+and thirty miles by road from Cincinnati, had one saloon.
+
+The women had watched the desolating work of that saloon, and
+encouraged by the example of their sisters in other places, they
+determined, if possible, to close it.
+
+A meeting was called, and the women met and consecrated themselves for
+any part of the work God might demand of them.
+
+But while they yet prayed, He answered; and when, a few days later, the
+band visited the saloon, they found that terror had taken hold of the
+dealer, and that he had shipped his liquors back to Cincinnati, and the
+room was being cleaned and put in order for other purposes.
+
+
+LEBANON, OHIO.
+
+Lebanon was noted for its morality.
+
+The town contained about four thousand inhabitants, and had nine
+churches, and only three saloons.
+
+It had been, from the very beginning of its existence, a temperance
+town, and a prohibitory ordinance had been passed years before by the
+town council.
+
+These men, in defiance of law, were selling liquors; but the municipal
+authorities did not put a stop to the traffic.
+
+A great deal of enthusiasm had been created by the trial of the ladies
+of Morrow, which took place in this town. Many of the citizens of
+Morrow had accompanied the ladies to the court, and the Lebanon ladies
+provided dinner for them, and rejoiced with them when Scheide was
+defeated. But the ladies were slow to begin the Crusade work.
+
+They believed that the men, who had the law on their side, ought to
+shut up all three of the saloons without their help. And perhaps the
+men thought so, too, but it was not easy to get evidence.
+
+Rev. E. B. Burrows, a young Congregational minister, went to
+Cincinnati, secretly, and employed a detective.
+
+The detective, after lounging about the saloons for a few days, had
+proof enough to sustain a prosecution, and Brady and Glady were
+arrested. Brady owned two saloons. The liquor-dealers rallied the
+roughs and drunkards to bully the court and carry through the case
+after the usual style. But the temperance element was aroused, and the
+building was crowded with the best and wealthiest citizens of the
+town. The two men were convicted, fined, and sent to prison.
+
+Immediately they began to negotiate for a compromise--“If the fines and
+imprisonment were remitted, and the prisoners allowed to go free, they
+would leave the town.”
+
+And so a compromise was made, and two of the saloons closed their doors.
+
+The other saloon-keeper, Nate Wood, was arrested, tried, fined, and
+imprisoned. He paid his fine, served out his time in jail, and went
+back to his business as though nothing had happened. But he now
+confined himself to legal sales. Under the law of the State, liquor
+must not be sold to be drunk on the premises. He filled little bottles
+for his customers, and they could pass out to a vacant lot or some
+convenient corner and take their drinks.
+
+The women organized and visited his saloon, and entreated him to stop.
+At last, after much boasting that he had plenty of money and could
+stand the siege, he closed his saloon and left the town.
+
+
+GRANVILLE, OHIO.
+
+There were only four saloons in Granville. One of the dealers being
+a Jew, would not, on “account of his religion,” allow the ladies to
+come into his saloon to pray. But he spread carpeting on the sidewalk,
+and brought out chairs for their accommodation, and they held their
+prayer-meetings daily in front of his saloon.
+
+One hotel-keeper closed his doors against them, but standing by the
+closed door they sang: “Behold a stranger at the door.” A lady who was
+present said: “It seemed as though the words had been prepared for the
+occasion, and O’Kane had written the music for just such a time and
+place: it can never sound to me again as it did that day.”
+
+There was a woman who kept a saloon and grocery just outside of the
+corporation limits. Just before leaving the church to visit her saloon,
+the women were told that she was a rough and dangerous character, that
+she had whipped her husband and driven him away, and that the parish
+priest, for she was a Roman Catholic, could do nothing with her. But
+trusting in God, the women went forth to visit her. They found her son
+in charge of the store; she was in the back yard very angry. The ladies
+went out to her, but she told them she had no time to talk with them.
+
+When they next visited her saloon, the liquors had all been sent away;
+and she was willing to talk to the ladies in a respectful manner.
+
+The Crusaders then visited the brewery. Mrs. Thomas Adams gives the
+following graphic account of that visit: “Two ferocious dogs were kept
+by the brewer, which he let loose upon us, but the dogs would not harm
+us. The man paced to and fro like an enraged lion in his cage, and
+raved like a mad man.”
+
+In a short time all the saloons were closed.
+
+
+LEESBURG, OHIO.
+
+The Crusade, which commenced January 29th, closed out all the saloons
+in two weeks, and $50,000 was subscribed as a guarantee fund to keep it
+clear. A correspondent wrote: “The last spike was driven in the coffin
+of King Alcohol to-day.”
+
+
+BLANCHESTER, OHIO.
+
+The work commenced in February, and the little village of 600 was soon
+cleared of the traffic.
+
+
+GOSHEN, OHIO.
+
+The Crusade was successful in this place, and when the last saloon
+closed, all the bells in town were rung.
+
+The overjoyed people, who were in their homes at the time, ran
+bareheaded into the streets, to join the praying band; the children
+of the public schools were dismissed, which added to the enthusiasm.
+The only keg of beer found in the saloon was rolled out, and the bung
+knocked in, and its contents poured into the gutter. The enthusiasm was
+so great, that many embraced each other and wept for joy.
+
+
+ZALESKI, OHIO.
+
+All the saloons in this little village were closed by the Crusade.
+
+
+TROY, OHIO.
+
+On the 18th February, 1874, the Christian women of Troy came together
+_with one accord_ to pray for the removal of the curse of intemperance.
+They numbered fifty-three. Their number increased from day to-day, as
+continued meetings were held. A wonderful degree of the Holy Spirit
+was manifest.
+
+On the 22d, a Temperance League was formed by the simple election of
+a President (Mrs. J. B. Riley), and Secretary (Mrs. E. B. Meeks), and
+the adoption of the solemn agreement to “_Make common cause against the
+common enemy, Intemperance._” To this pledge were signed 737 names.
+That pledge has been kept until the present date, September 20th, 1877.
+
+Daily meetings were held for two years; since that they are
+semi-weekly. Many have been reformed. To God be the glory forever.
+
+
+MANSFIELD, OHIO.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. Fanny W. Leiter, State Secretary, for the
+following facts:
+
+The deep interest on the subject of Temperance which had been aroused
+in the hearts of our citizens by the spirit which was abroad in the
+land, found relief in action about the 25th of February, when a
+petition was circulated, receiving 600 signatures, and presented to the
+mayor, praying for a better enforcement of our Sunday laws.
+
+Immediately following this, a few of our earnest women assembled at the
+residence of one of their number, and, as a result of this gathering,
+on Sunday, March 1st, notices were read in all the churches, calling
+for a meeting of the women, to be held in the basement of the Methodist
+Church on the following afternoon. Before the meeting was called to
+order every chair was occupied and standing room was in demand. The
+faces of that audience would have been a study for an artist. Deep
+earnestness was the prevailing expression, varied by every shade
+of emotion, such as curiosity, doubt, fear, credulity, enthusiasm,
+hopefulness. Young faces took on an unusual gravity; older ones were
+lighted by new and strong feeling; even women, bowed by three-score
+years and ten, seemed filled with youthful ardor, and added dignity and
+animation to the scene.
+
+The petty distinction of wealth and social standing was forgotten, as
+swayed by one common impulse, all minds were busy with the question:
+“What can we do to destroy this common evil of intemperance?”
+
+Mrs. McVay stated the reasons that seemed to demand such a gathering of
+the women of our city.
+
+After the appointment of a temporary chairman, many short and telling
+speeches were made by women who, perhaps, had never before expressed
+their minds to an audience, and, as a forward step, a committee of
+seven ladies was directed to call upon the mayor, and see what he
+could do to aid us. This committee met on Tuesday, and after prayer,
+proceeded to visit his honor, the mayor. His signature was obtained to
+a paper promising to do all in his power to enforce the laws bearing
+upon the sale and use of intoxicating liquors.
+
+The meeting of April 5th was held in the Methodist Church, filling the
+audience-room.
+
+After some preliminary discussion the “Women’s Christian Temperance
+League,” of Mansfield, was organized with the following officers:
+
+President, Mrs. J. H. Reed; Secretary, Mrs. Fannie Leiter;
+Corresponding Secretary, Miss M. Brinkerhoff; Treasurer, Mrs. G. W.
+Geddes.
+
+A Vice-President from each of the twelve churches in the city, was also
+appointed.
+
+A strong personal pledge was passed around, and signed by nearly every
+one present. Letters were read from several of the ministers of the
+city, expressing sympathy with the movement, and bidding us “God speed.”
+
+Restrictive pledges, signed by most of the physicians and druggists,
+were handed in, unsolicited.
+
+Women held morning prayer-meetings, which were largely attended by
+business men who had agreed to close their places of business during
+one hour in the forenoon.
+
+The men agreed to raise a fund, if possible, amounting to $100,000,
+to be assessed, not to exceed more than one per cent. This was a
+very substantial proof of the interest the men took in the work of
+reform, and the women were very thankful for the means to carry on
+the work. Prayer-meetings were held both forenoon and afternoon,
+and largely attended by men as well as women. Committees appointed
+to visit saloons, by twos, performed their work faithfully. One of
+them, the smallest one too, said she had “seen the giants” and was
+_not affrighted_. All seemed of one mind that the time had come to
+visit saloons in bands, and pray for saloon-keepers face to face. The
+President expressed her willingness to do so if enough were agreed as
+touching this one thing. After some talk and a few moments spent in
+silent prayer, the question was put, and over one hundred rose to their
+feet, though with manifest trembling.
+
+The ladies who went to Ashland returned and made a favorable report of
+the street work being done there. The desire to undertake a similar
+work here was acted upon. All of the advisory committee approved,
+and on taking a vote of the League, all rose to their feet. Feeling
+had _intensified_ and _conviction deepened_ until many who, at the
+outset of the work, shuddered at the thought, were willing to take the
+course so strongly pointed out to them by Providence. The weather was
+very inclement, and physical as well as moral courage was in demand.
+A feeling of great solemnity prevailed as the procession, headed by
+the president and secretary, moved out upon the street. The band was
+formidable in point of numbers, nearly five hundred, many who were not
+members of the League, joining in, to express their approbation of the
+movement. All the saloons on each side of Main, down to Fourth street,
+were visited.
+
+The first three compelled us to hold our services upon the pavement,
+all kneeling during the prayers. The proprietor of a fourth was
+willing to admit the ladies, but the room, an underground apartment,
+was already so packed with men and boys, who had congregated for the
+purpose of witnessing, and thwarting the effort, that it was impossible
+for more than twelve or fifteen to gain access; and the uproar of the
+multitude proclaiming for their idol, seemed to defeat, for a little
+time, our purpose. Finally, one of the band, pressed in spirit,
+stepped upon a chair,--in the very presence of that rebellious crowd.
+They were hushed in a moment to profound stillness, as she poured forth
+her soul in behalf of the perishing people.
+
+The ladies, as many as could get in, were admitted in several other
+places, and treated with respect.
+
+The convictions that followed the experiences of this day proved the
+turning-point with many women, who, previous to this, were undecided as
+to their duty in this matter.
+
+March 13th.--The ladies went in two columns and visited all the
+drinking establishments from Fourth street to the railroad. Exercises
+were conducted mostly on the pavement, large crowds of people standing
+around; some listened reverently and others talking angrily; the angry
+tones were mostly in a foreign tongue. Some declared that if this thing
+was to go on long, they would go back to Faderland, where they could
+drink their lager in peace, with no _vimmen_ to “molest or make them
+afraid.”
+
+March 14th.--We divided our forces into smaller bands--organizing six,
+with the more active ones as leaders. Three bands met together in the
+morning, spent an hour in prayer, and then an hour or two in singing,
+praying, and talking temperance, either in saloons, or on the pavement,
+or gutter in front of them. This programme was repeated with little
+variation in the afternoon. They were warned against _concentration_,
+and threatened with the contents of beer barrels; nevertheless they
+continued to _concentrate_, and “bearded the lion in his den” so long
+as seemed unto them good.
+
+The McConnelsville Ordinance, somewhat modified, was passed March
+17th, to the great joy of many friends of temperance and the sorrow of
+others, who believed that prayer was the only weapon to be used in this
+warfare, and that the rum-sellers themselves were quite as open to its
+influence as the executors of the law. Election day, April 5th, was
+observed by the members of the League as a day of fasting and prayer.
+There was undivided joy over the result of the election, which gave a
+majority, considered in favor of temperance, and left the council as
+before--three against and five for the ordinance.
+
+April 1st, the day when the ordinance should have gone into force, saw
+every saloon closed, at least in appearance, and silence reigned in
+our streets for the space of half a month, save an occasional meeting
+in one of the wholesale liquor-houses. Several saloonists had agreed,
+previous to this, to quit the business--two of them women. Eighteen
+less licenses for selling liquors were taken out on May 1st, 1874,
+than on May 1st, 1873. Official returns showed a great decrease In the
+amount of liquors of all kinds sold in the month of February, March and
+April, of 1874. A property-holders’ pledge was circulated and generally
+signed. Druggists’ and physicians’ pledges were pressed earnestly and
+signed, with but a very few exceptions, by the men of influence. A
+petition against license received nearly 1,000 signatures. Personal
+pledges were made by many, the turning-point to a better life. Our
+all-day sessions of the League, the four mass-meetings a week at the
+Opera House, the Sunday afternoon prayer and conference meetings, were
+all attended and participated in by a very large number of the better
+class of our citizens.
+
+In a word, a strong tide of temperance sentiment prevailed, which,
+taken at the _flood_, by those who should, for the sake of humanity,
+have ruled our city in the fear of God, would have led on to the
+entire overthrow of the liquor traffic and its consequent evils. This
+fortunate end was not reached.
+
+Nevertheless, in the language of one of our beloved co-workers,
+Mrs. Wilson, “God honors the smallest particle of faith in Him.” We
+hesitate not to claim the undeniable good wrought in our midst as
+answers vouchsafed to the many believing prayers offered by earnest and
+untiring workers in the cause of temperance. We heard more than one
+ex-saloonist say that he was glad he had quit a business which did harm
+to himself and customers. Our hearts were gladdened every Sabbath by
+seeing those seated among us, clothed and in their right minds, who,
+one year before, were estranged from church, family and friends by that
+destroyer of all the better faculties of the soul--_intemperance_. Many
+of our faithful and devout sisters gave it as their experience at the
+close of the year, that it had been the richest and noblest of their
+lives. “Good measure, pressed down and running over,” was given them by
+the rewarder of the faithful.
+
+The daily meetings of the League, the visiting of saloons in bands, or
+as committees, the circulation of the various pledges and petitions,
+the distributing of tracts, the visiting of those sick, and in prison,
+and a large amount of private temperance work, took a great deal
+of time and strength. This work was done, mostly, by women whose
+domestic cares had, heretofore, occupied their time and thoughts.
+It was a work _added to_ the _more important_, and done in place of
+the less important duties of wives, mothers and sisters, but it was
+done promptly and cheerfully, and not _one of them all died_ from the
+overwork or exposure.
+
+We have yet to learn that any member of the house-holds represented,
+were _materially injured_ by the reduced fare of their tables, or the
+depleted state of their wardrobes. Still, after so long a time as eight
+weeks, the fact was recognized that the Crusaders were not blessed as
+the wandering Israelites, “whose garments waxed not old upon them,
+whose shoes waxed not old upon their feet, and whose bread dropped
+from heaven!” Working-time was at first reduced one-half; then three
+meetings a week were held, and this continued until the 1st of August.
+The work upon the street changed its form several times, to suit the
+change in the impressions of the workers, as to the better mode of
+conducting such services. The last direct appeals to the saloonists,
+were made on the 27th of May--nearly three months from the beginning
+of the work. The dealers in liquors, both wholesale and retail, who,
+at first, were at least polite, and often apologetic, in their talks
+with the ladies, offering to quit the business if any other employment
+could be found, or to sell out at half or one-fourth the value, again
+revived their courage, under the failure to enforce the ordinance, and
+evident cooling off of some advocates of the movement, and closed their
+doors and ears to all appeals. Outdoor meetings were held in various
+parts of the city, in the daytime conducted by the women, and on Friday
+evening in the Park, mostly addressed by our ministers and lawyers, who
+were not yet afraid to speak their minds on the subject of temperance.
+Meetings of this kind were kept up as long as the weather permitted.
+Then prayer-meetings in private houses were undertaken, under the
+auspices of the League, which have been fruitful of much good.
+
+Mrs. Leiter, an active member of the League, was chosen as Secretary
+of the State Temperance organization. A convention, held in the
+interest of the cause, made up of delegates from the several townships
+of Richland county, convened in the Opera House, June 13th, 1874.
+A permanent county organization was effected, with Mrs. McVay,
+President; Mrs. Patterson, Secretary; Mrs. Mercer, Treasurer, and one
+Vice-President from each township.
+
+This was the beginning of a good work for this county; men and women
+going miles into the country to talk temperance up, and license down.
+The majority against license was largely increased by the vote of
+Richland county. A temperance picnic, held on the 4th of July, and
+addressed by “Mother Stewart,” was a success in every way. On July
+25th the trial of Wm. Etz, for breaking the Ale and Beer Ordinance,
+was begun, and occupied the attention of the people for five days,
+being held in the court-room. The temperance women attended, both
+as witnesses and spectators, and were compelled to hear more unkind
+remarks, and to receive more discourteous treatment, than during
+the entire campaign, up to that time. The water showered on them,
+from a down-town saloon, was (to speak in a figure) but a _drop_ to
+the _buckets full_ dashed at their devoted heads by these vigorous
+defenders of the beer-keg. To have their own _favorite weapons_, the
+words of _holy writ_, arrayed against them by their enemies, was
+both a surprise and a grief. The verdict rendered in the case was a
+death-blow to any hope of the ordinance being of use under the existing
+administration. Nothing was really lost but much gained by the trial;
+among other things a better knowledge of the foes of our cause, who
+stand as well behind the bar of justice, as the bar of the saloon.
+
+At the beginning of the second quarter a constitution and by-laws were
+adopted. Previous to this a simple pledge served to bind us together.
+At this time, also, a reporter was appointed, who gave to the public,
+in a series of articles, such work of the League as seemed of general
+interest.
+
+Several temperance meetings were held on Sunday afternoon, especially
+for children; but this important branch did not receive the attention
+it merited until after the close of the first year. In the latter part
+of August the League meetings were reduced to one each week, and these
+have since been held regularly upon Wednesday afternoon. At least one
+general temperance meeting was held each month during the year.
+
+During the winter a permanent place of organization came into effect.
+Committees were appointed to canvass the city for members, presenting
+at the same time two petitions for signatures--one to be sent to the
+Ohio Legislature, praying against the repeal of the Adair law; the
+other a memorial to Congress, asking for restrictive laws in the
+manufacture of alcoholic drinks in the District of Columbia, and the
+Territories.
+
+Three assessments were collected in part, on the $30,000 of stock
+actually taken by the temperance men of Mansfield, for the use of the
+League. At the time of permanent organization the stockholders were
+released from further assessment.
+
+However much the work fell short of the desired end during the months
+usually denominated the existence of the Crusade proper--whatever
+weakness was manifested in plan or performance, we are sure of one
+thing: it was done in the fear of God and for love of humanity.
+
+The great _mistake_ committed by some, was in considering the _Crusade
+ended_ when the street work ceased. That was a striking feature of the
+work, but a feature _only_, not the soul or body, as the following
+months have demonstrated.
+
+Of the enthusiastic 500 who went forth upon that eventful day in March,
+1874, the majority are not with us in active work at this time, having
+either from necessity returned to imperative home interests--though
+their hearts are still in the work; or, with the ebbing tide of popular
+sentiment, drifted to the open sea of indifference, but continuing in
+readiness to help swell the next oncoming wave.
+
+A score and more of earnest laborers have continued faithful, through
+some opposition and many discouragements, during the past three years,
+guarding with a jealous care, the true interests of this great reform;
+and to-day ask no greater reward, than the consciousness that they have
+been following the path of duty.
+
+
+RIPLEY, OHIO.
+
+This beautiful town is situated on the Ohio river, and contains about
+3,500 inhabitants.
+
+The place became prominent during anti-slavery times, because of its
+“_underground railway_.”
+
+If a fugitive slave once set foot on the streets of that town, he was
+safe, no matter if his pursuers were at his heels. Somehow or other he
+was spirited away, and though every house was searched with a lighted
+candle, he could not be found.
+
+My first recollections of Ripley were in this connection. I lived
+in Maysville, Ky., a neighboring town, which was an important slave
+market, and often whole families would escape from their masters and
+find a refuge there; and though so hotly pursued that they were in
+sight when they entered the town, nothing more would be heard of them.
+
+But while fighting human slavery so heroically and successfully, that
+all southern Kentucky was in a measure stripped of her slaves, the
+other slavery--the worse slavery of the drink habit, was carried on
+without restraint in their midst.
+
+But early in the Crusade movement, the women rallied to this work, and
+carried it on heroically.
+
+The Crusade began in Ripley, February 5th, and in nine days seventeen
+saloons were closed. Some of the German dealers were so frightened and
+disgusted, that they returned to the “Faderland.” The German minister
+who tried to rally them for the conflict, was soon prayed out of town.
+
+A correspondent writing from there while the contest was going on,
+gives the following graphic account of one day’s work:
+
+“Saturday we went to Sprenger’s with an advance guard; for we had heard
+most bitter threats that he had made. Imagine our delight when he met
+us in the most cordial way, and, after singing and prayer, gave us
+his name to the dealers’ pledge. Mr. Hauser, the German druggist, who
+first declined to sign the pledge, sent for the ladies and gave his
+name most willingly. Mr. Scholter promised, by his country, his God,
+and his wife, never to sell another drop of intoxicating liquor, and we
+know he has kept it in the face of strong entreaty to the contrary. Mr.
+Reinert received the ladies the first day, but the second closed his
+door. Down on their knees the ladies fell upon the pavement, in snow
+and sleet, with a most pitiless wind blowing. Men stood with uncovered
+heads, and the crowd wept. A commander of our navy, who has faced death
+and danger, said he could not endure this sight, and tears coursed over
+his face. Close against the pane a mother bowed in prayer, and a moment
+later the door was opened, and Mr. Reinert said, ‘Ladies, I will quit
+the business; send a committee of your business men to me.’ They went,
+and he arranged to dispose of his stock.”
+
+Rev. Granville Moody, a Methodist minister, who had been a colonel
+in the Union army during the war--a man of wonderful courage and
+possessing great wit and power, was stationed there at the time, and
+backed up the work by his influence. His wife, a talented leader, was
+prominent and efficient in the work.
+
+The ladies entered every open door.
+
+The steamer _Wildwood_, which plied daily between Maysville and
+Cincinnati, received a share of their attention, because of the bar on
+board.
+
+One day, as she came in from Maysville, a large crowd of Crusaders were
+awaiting. When she blew her whistle they responded with sacred song:
+“Shall we gather at the river.”
+
+Captain Powers, a born gentleman, received the ladies politely, and
+conducted them on board the boat, where they held a prayer-meeting.
+Captain Powers signed the personal pledge, as did many others, and “the
+barkeeper promised not to sell to citizens of Ripley.”
+
+All the meetings in this town were remarkable for spiritual power, and
+the prayerful efforts of the women in their work were crowned with a
+good degree of success.
+
+
+TIFFIN, OHIO.
+
+This town, with a population of nine thousand, had, at the beginning of
+the Crusade, sixty-five saloons.
+
+After visiting the saloons for some time, in bands, the ladies changed
+their tactics, on the 31st of March, and placed pickets at nearly all
+the saloons in the city. At some they were admitted, at others locked
+out. Several of the saloons closed on account of the pickets, and the
+proprietors went to the country.
+
+The city marshal, at several places where the guards were denied
+admittance, opened the doors, and told the ladies to enter and stay as
+long as they pleased. The traffic dropped off wonderfully. Christian
+Mueller, the principal brewer, said that if the Crusade continued
+thirty days longer he would be compelled to shut down.
+
+The second saloon surrender took place April 7th. It was kept by D.
+Bartell, and was one of the worst saloons in the city. The proprietor
+signed the pledge, and the ladies emptied the stock of liquors in his
+cellar, into the gutter.
+
+Wagner & Brickner, proprietors of the distillery, were driven almost to
+desperation. They were compelled to redeem from the bonded warehouse
+$5,000 worth of whiskey per week until the 1st of May, and their sales
+were too slim to aid them in the task.
+
+A public meeting was called, April 8th, in the city hall, to take
+measures to get the mayor, to issue a proclamation forbidding the
+women the right to carry on the Crusade any longer. The meeting was a
+failure; only about one hundred and fifty saloon-keepers and bummers
+congregated, while the temperance mass-meeting at National Hall was
+overcrowded.
+
+The ladies, besides going to the saloons in bands, resorted to the
+picket system, and smaller bands remained at the saloons, from eight
+A. M. till ten P. M., the pickets being changed every hour.
+
+This proved, during the Crusade, to be the most effectual way to break
+down the traffic. None but men lost to shame will go into a saloon
+in the presence of Christian women, and over their remonstrances and
+prayers, to drink.
+
+
+BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO.
+
+Mrs. I. S. Gardner, April 6th, 1874, wrote the following in regard to
+the work:
+
+The first surrender of special consequence was that of J---- J----. Mr.
+J---- is of Irish descent, and has been used to liquor-selling all his
+life. He was one among the first that was visited, and while he treated
+the band with respect, he was very loud in his denunciations against
+this interference in his business. His place was considered one of the
+worst, as a general resort, for those not only long addicted to drink,
+but also for those just commencing. The ladies had reason to suppose it
+would take a long siege to convince him of the wrong, much less induce
+him to quit the business.
+
+On Monday the first visit was made. On Wednesday he began, under the
+influence of Mother Stewart’s talking, to show signs of weakening. He
+had prepared himself for a vigorous biblical controversy, having his
+Bible in hand and passages selected which seemed to him to support his
+position. But she speedily knocked the props from under him, and left
+him without the support he had counted on. At the morning meeting
+on Thursday he made his appearance, and announced his readiness to
+surrender, and at the suggestion of those in whom he had confidence,
+made it complete by signing the pledge not only to cease selling, but
+also to abstain from drinking. The scene was impressive. Every heart
+that sympathized in the movement was full, and the ladies of the
+League, and others, filed by where he was standing, and taking him by
+the hand bid him “God speed.” Since then he has made some very telling
+speeches, and given evidence of a contrite heart.
+
+The other case is that of Mr. T. L. M----. Even before any visits were
+made to him, it had been reported that powder and lead would be used
+in case of interference with his trade, and a band went there with
+considerable doubt, but with brave hearts. For about a week, visits
+were made under various conditions; sometimes noisy demonstrations
+were made, as well as rudeness offered, and again a better show of
+respect. There were many interesting incidents connected with this
+case, which would take too much time and space to relate. Finally,
+one afternoon, he hung out a white flag, and it was supposed to be a
+token of surrender, but on being visited by a band, he refused to sign
+the pledge, nor would he let the ladies stand near the door. On the
+next day a similar scene was enacted. At his request a committee of
+gentlemen visited him, and settled the matter, so that, on Wednesday
+evening of the week following the first visit, he made his appearance
+at a mass-meeting and signed the pledge. On the following Sabbath he
+attended church for the first time, it is said, in five years. It is
+believed by every one that he will remain true to his pledge. Mr. M.
+was a wholesale and retail dealer.
+
+Mr. R---- is the only one who holds out, under, it is believed, the
+support of dealers in Cleveland and Cincinnati, but the women are as
+determined as the dealers, and have the advantage, in being at no
+expense. The dealers may as well succumb, as the women say they have
+started out on this Crusade for _life_, if necessary, to stop the
+traffic, and will instruct their daughters to keep it up. The only
+work performed here is picketing Mr. R----’s establishment, which is
+done more to redeem the hard drinkers, who are about the only ones
+that visit the place, than with the expectation of closing it up. This
+latter is merely a matter of time.
+
+ MRS. I. S. GARDNER,
+ President Ladies’ League, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+I glean the following from the _Cincinnati Gazette_: April
+4th.--“Roades declares that only law can prevail against him. Monday’s
+election will be an exciting one. Ladies are calling on voters and
+urging them to do their duty on Monday.”
+
+April 9th.--“The election passed off quietly, although some of the
+offices were hotly contested. Mayor Walker was re-elected. The women
+are untiring in their work against whiskey. Judge West addressed a
+large audience on Tuesday evening, and Judge Cole will speak to-night.”
+
+“The women of this town have settled down to solid, earnest, persistent
+work.”
+
+
+SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
+
+The following facts are gleaned from the _Springfield Republic_, the
+special correspondence of the _Cincinnati Gazette_, and from Mother
+Stewart’s statement:
+
+“The first mass-meeting mentioned occurred January 23d, 1872. Allen
+Hall was well filled, on Monday evening, on the occasion of an address
+on the liquor traffic, by Mrs. E. D. Stewart. The speaker gave an
+interesting and able address.” _Springfield Republic._
+
+The editor of this paper, Mr. C. M. Nichols, a member of the
+Congregational Church, was a staunch friend of temperance, and in every
+way, before and during the Crusade, gave aid to the cause.
+
+Several suits, brought by the wives of drunkards to recover damages,
+under the Adair law, from liquor-dealers, added to the general interest.
+
+Mother Stewart hearing accidentally that a woman had such a suit
+pending in court, in company with Mrs. John Foos, went to the
+court-room, and the attorney for the plaintiff induced her to make the
+opening plea to the jury.
+
+The case was won, and the wife was awarded one hundred dollars damages.
+
+In October, 1873, another case was brought to her notice. A woman in
+deep distress, with streaming eyes, told her a sad story of suffering
+and want. Her husband was a drunkard.
+
+This woman belonged to a worthy family, was the sister of a
+distinguished minister in the South, who at that time was president of
+a college; she had always been accustomed to plenty, till robbed of all
+by the liquor-dealers. Knowing Mother Stewart’s connection with the
+case above mentioned, she appealed to her.
+
+To fight this matter through the courts was not a pleasant task, and
+she was about to turn away from the woman; the lines of wretchedness
+on that sad, tearful face, arrested her. “No, I dare not do that; she
+will haunt me in my dying hour,” was the thought that brought her to a
+decision. So she not only accompanied her to the law office of Mower &
+Rawlins, and secured the aid of one of the firm, but she stirred up the
+ladies of Springfield in behalf of this woman, so cruelly wronged and
+robbed by liquor-dealers.
+
+The trial was fixed for the 16th of October, and many ladies were in
+the court-room, but the defence secured a postponement till the 21st.
+The papers took up the matter, general interest was excited, and, when
+the day of trial came, the court-room was crowded with the best men and
+women of the city. The excitement was intense. Mother Stewart made a
+plea, and charged the jury. The suit was gained, and $300 awarded to
+the wronged wife as damages.
+
+In the meantime a petition to the city council was circulated, and the
+names of six hundred ladies and sixty men were secured, asking the
+council to enforce the laws for the suppression of intemperance. This
+petition was presented by the ladies, and Mother Stewart and Mrs. J. A.
+S. Guy addressed the council in its behalf. The committee, to whom this
+petition was referred by the council, made the following report, which
+shows that they were “men of _words_, if not of _deeds_:”
+
+“We also give it as our deliberate judgment, that the matters to which
+this petition refers is one of such transcendent importance as to
+demand of this council the exhausting of every means within its power
+to divest it of its capacity for making misery and crime within our
+midst.
+
+“The universal sense of the Christian world condemns drunkenness as
+a crime.... And if this be so on recognized principles, measures are
+demanded to prevent it and punish it.
+
+“The temperance movement throughout the land has suffered more from
+the indiscretion of its friends than from the open opposition of its
+enemies.
+
+“We are therefore not in favor of recommending council to grant what is
+asked for by the petitioners.”
+
+The city council formally adopted the following:
+
+“_Resolved_, That the indulgence in intoxicating drinks, whereby
+neglect and want are brought home to the family, is a crime against
+nature, and it is expedient to exercise any authority, or impose any
+punishment, necessary to prevent it.
+
+“_Resolved_, That it is an apparent and acknowledged fact that there
+is an indulgence in intoxicating drinks in this city, which deprive
+families of peace, comfort, and a proper support, and there are those
+who take, in exchange for their drinks, the money known to be needed
+for family support, contrary to law.”
+
+These bombastic resolutions did not frighten the rum-sellers. They went
+on with their illegal sales without fear. They had learned long before,
+that these official utterances were to quiet the public conscience,
+and shield law-makers from well-deserved contempt.
+
+The Bible in the pulpit of one of the Methodist churches was stolen and
+sold for drink in a saloon. In the meantime, Mrs. Guy, after a night of
+watching and prayer, wrote a resolution, and presented it to the City
+Benevolent Association.
+
+The result was, a committee was appointed to confer with the ministers,
+and secure their co-operation in holding mass-meetings. The ministers
+were called upon in their weekly meeting, and a union mass-meeting
+arranged for in the Lutheran Church. This first meeting took place
+December 2d, 1873. The second mass-meeting occurred December 17th, and
+was addressed by Revs. J. W. Spring and Allen, Mr. Jackson, and Mother
+Stewart. Every seat in the body of the Central M. E. Church was filled,
+and the aisles were seated, and every foot of standing room taken.
+
+The speeches were strong and spirited, and there was a great deal of
+enthusiasm.
+
+When Mr. Nichols was called on to speak, he asked that the audience
+might be addressed by Mother Stewart instead. When she came forward,
+carrying a glass tumbler full of liquor, and told where and how she got
+it, the interest was intense. It was against the law to sell liquors
+on the Sabbath day; but everybody knew, and the city authorities knew
+well, that this law was being broken every week. On Sunday morning,
+December 16th, she had disguised herself with an old circular cloak and
+sun-bonnet, and gone into a saloon through the back door. She found a
+number of young men and old buying liquors. Approaching the counter,
+she asked for a drink. And when asked what she would have, she said,
+“Sherry wine.”
+
+The barkeeper poured it out; she questioned him before the men as to
+what it was, etc., and then laying a ten-cent piece on the counter she
+took the glass and rushed from the room with all possible speed.
+
+She appealed to the men as to whether they would prosecute this case,
+and several hands went up.
+
+Weekly meetings were decided upon, and the next mass-meeting was held
+December 24th, in the Presbyterian Church.
+
+On January 7th, 1874, a Woman’s League was formed, with the following
+officers:
+
+Mother Stewart, President; Vice-Presidents, 1st ward, Mrs. Wm. Barnett;
+2d ward, Mrs. Dr. Tee-garden; 3d ward, Mrs. Thomas I. Finch; 4th ward,
+Mrs. John Foos; 5th ward, Mrs. James Kinney; Secretary, Mrs. J. A. S.
+Guy; Treasurer, Mrs. James Cathcart.
+
+Springfield was a large town, larger than any of the towns where the
+Crusade had been made successful, and there was a general feeling that
+the plan of saloon visiting, introduced elsewhere, could not be carried
+out in cities.
+
+But the women, who were following the pillar and the cloud, on Tuesday,
+January 11th, commenced street work. The first day there were only
+thirty or forty ladies in the band, but the second day the number was
+doubled. The first visit was to the Lagonda House Saloon. Admission
+being refused, the ladies held their services before the door, Mrs.
+Cosler making the first prayer, and Mother Stewart addressing the
+crowds of people gathered to see the strange sight. The next day they
+were in the street again. They were admitted at the Lagonda House,
+but the crowd was locked out. The prayer-meeting was held in the
+billiard-room.
+
+At the next saloon they were not admitted, and when Mother Stewart
+attempted to talk to the crowd, the saloon-keeper came out and
+shrieked, “Get away: get away, every one of you; I don’t want any
+trespassers on my premises; you shan’t stand on my steps!” But the
+people cried, “Go on! go on!” and a policeman took the irate saloonist
+in charge and restored order.
+
+That evening Dio Lewis spoke in Springfield. The Opera House was
+packed, and the meeting, which was addressed by Van Pelt, Dio Lewis,
+and Mother Stewart, ended in a blaze of enthusiasm.
+
+The next morning, at nine o’clock, the Central Methodist Church was
+crowded with ladies. Dio Lewis and Van Pelt were present, and a still
+larger number of ladies were enlisted for the work. Not long afterwards
+Mrs. James Kinney was chosen as leader of the band. Hundreds of women
+engaged in the work, and labored hard and long. Among the prominent
+workers were Mrs. Kinney, Guy, Foos, Cathcart, Banes, and many other
+noble women whose names cannot be mentioned, but whose record is on
+high.
+
+Mother Stewart was called out much into the general work, and did
+efficient service during the canvass against the “_License Clause_,” in
+the new Constitution, which was defeated by the efforts of the women of
+the Crusade, and the zeal they inspired among temperance men.
+
+The State was thoroughly canvassed, and the victory won.
+
+A State Temperance Convention was held in Springfield, February 24th.
+About one thousand delegates were present. Dio Lewis acted as temporary
+chairman and organized the meeting.
+
+Mrs. H. C. McCabe, of Delaware, was elected permanent president, a
+position she was well calculated to fill, and which she has held ever
+since.
+
+There was great enthusiasm in the convention, and many of the heroic
+workers, who met each other for the first time in this, the first State
+convention of women, have, in the years that have followed, worked and
+planned for the extension of the cause like sisters, with loving trust
+and confidence.
+
+April 3d, a county organization was formed in Clarke county.
+
+The convention was held at Springfield, in Black’s Opera House. Four
+hundred and fifty women marched from head-quarters in procession to
+the hall. Mother Stewart was elected President; Vice-Presidents, Mrs.
+Bennett and Mrs. Cathcart for the city, and one for each township
+outside of the city; Secretary, Mrs. J. A. S. Guy; Treasurer, Capt.
+Penny Stewart.
+
+This is said to have been the first county organization in the State.
+
+On April 6th the spring election for municipal officers took place.
+The claims of temperance had been pressed, and the ballot-box, it had
+been urged, was the most effectual way to curtail the power of alcohol.
+The election was one of the most exciting the city had ever known.
+On Saturday evening previous, large mass-meetings of workingmen were
+addressed by Mrs. M. W. Banes and Mother Stewart; and on election day
+an all-day prayer-meeting was held.
+
+The temperance ticket was carried by a fine majority.
+
+The plan of work soon after changed, the picket system being resorted
+to. The guards were relieved every two hours. But as there were, at
+the beginning of the Crusade, about one hundred and thirty saloons
+scattered over a town of fifteen thousand inhabitants, to station such
+an army over the town demanded a heavy force and great sacrifices. The
+traffic fell off wonderfully. Some saloons were closed, a better public
+sentiment prevailed, and a more faithful execution of the laws against
+beer and tippling houses was secured.
+
+The men in this town stood gallantly by the women in their work.
+Special mention should be made of the faithful labors of C. M. Nichols,
+editor of the _Springfield Republic_--a fearless advocate of temperance
+and anti-license; Dr. Cloakey, of the U. P. Church, who was always
+ready to help the women with prayer or counsel, or a speech, and
+who brought forth treasures, new and old, from his rich storehouse
+of scripture knowledge, with marvellous aptness and effect. Though
+very aged and feeble, he seemed as enthusiastic as in the prime and
+fire of youth. He has two sons in the ministry; both follow in his
+footsteps, and are ardent temperance workers. Rev. J. W. Spring, of
+the Methodist Church, was an earnest, capable worker, and a competent
+adviser; and Rev. M. W. Hamma, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church,
+a most enthusiastic worker and eloquent speaker. Many of the laymen
+did effective service, and contributed largely to the success of the
+women’s work in Springfield.
+
+These pages are not devoted to the workers, but to the _work_; and yet,
+when the names of heroic workers are known, they are recorded.
+
+It seems eminently proper in this connection to refer to the services,
+abroad, of Mother Stewart, which resulted in great good, and, with the
+co-operation of Mrs. Parker, the organization of a “British Woman’s
+Temperance Union.”
+
+She was met and welcomed at Liverpool; and at almost every town she
+visited in England, Ireland and Scotland, grand receptions were given
+her, at which the dignitaries of the towns presided and made speeches.
+The greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and large audiences greeted her
+everywhere. In London an audience rose to their feet and waved their
+handkerchiefs and cheered enthusiastically when she was introduced as
+“_A Crusader_.”
+
+Perhaps the most magnificent reception given her was in Glasgow,
+Scotland, in the Queen’s room, which had been most elegantly draped
+with white flounced lace curtains and American flags, and flags of
+various nationalities, looped up with roses and ivy; while the rarest
+exotics ladened the air with perfume. Six hundred of Glasgow’s most
+prominent and respected citizens were there, as a select company, to
+give addresses of welcome, and partake with her the sumptuous feast
+provided. Mrs. Margarete E. Parker was very active in securing for her
+a favorable hearing.
+
+Every American woman has reason to be proud and thankful, for the
+marked attention shown to one of her countrywomen, but especially the
+women who worked in the Crusade; as the respect and attention shown
+to Mother Stewart was very largely due to her connection with that
+wonderful movement, which at the time won a world-wide fame, and which
+future generations will commend, and embalm in song and story, as the
+Woman’s Crusade.
+
+
+NEWARK, OHIO.
+
+This town contains about 3,000 inhabitants, and is situated at the
+intersection of the Baltimore and Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Chicago and St.
+Louis railroads.
+
+At the beginning of the Crusade there were in this little town _fifty
+saloons_, or one for every sixty of its inhabitants.
+
+The writer of these pages has occasion to remember the miserable
+tumble-down old building where unfortunate passengers were forced to
+wait to make connection, and the whiskey saloon, called a “Restaurant,”
+near by. One night detained at this place till midnight, the
+drunkenness and revelry and profanity were positively alarming.
+
+The yelling, hooting, wrangling and fighting were kept up with little
+intermission till the midnight train, that bore us away, came in. The
+fumes of tobacco and whiskey as that crowd of men gathered at the depot
+were almost stifling.
+
+Fifty or sixty men, in all stages of intoxication, reeled out
+from their midnight orgies to see the train come in and block the
+passage-ways.
+
+But early in March the Crusade began. At first there was a strong
+feeling against the movement. Men were afraid their business would be
+injured. Some went so far as to forbid their wives having anything to
+do with it. But it was not long till all this opposition broke down,
+except on the part of dealers.
+
+The women went to the church, and there consecrated themselves to God,
+and marched out right past their homes, right past their husbands’
+stores, and banks, and offices; and as the solemn procession filed into
+the saloons, singing gospel songs, irate husbands, melted to tears, all
+anger, all opposition gone, stood reverently, with uncovered heads. It
+was not long till the railroad saloons were closed by the companies,
+and those horrid dens of iniquity broken up.
+
+A correspondent gives the following:
+
+“Yesterday was the Ides of March in whiskey in Newark. It is as
+assuredly inaugurated there as the rebellion when the first red-hot
+ball leaped from Sumter’s wall, and upon its panoply is already
+written, ‘Mene, tekel upharsin.’ The Fort Sumter of the whiskey war was
+the first prayer proclaimed from woman’s lips at Washington Court-House
+for the Great Father above, who presides over our destinies, to assist
+them to abolish that which has enervated the mightiest minds, and
+brought ruin and desolation to many a happy and prosperous family.
+Never shall I forget the touching and imposing spectacle that burst
+upon my view as I beheld, walking calmly, solemnly, and deliberately,
+over two hundred ladies, representing our best society, enshrined with
+silence and beautified by tears. The streets were crowded by thousands
+as they moved, and many a head was uncovered as the ladies passed, as
+if they had a special power from God.
+
+“Soon they stopped before one of our saloons, and the ladies were
+received there, as at other places, with politeness and consideration.
+Failing to get the signature of the proprietor to a petition, they
+knelt in fervent prayer, and, with eyes raised to heaven, asked the
+God of love to help them. There was in the attitude of those women,
+with eyes raised to heaven, something far more powerful and touching
+than speech; for even if God had turned a deaf ear to their earnest
+entreaties, yet in that attitude they would have been dignified. Men
+stood there, not in ridicule, that probably never heard a fervent
+prayer, with uncovered heads and tearful eyes, as if impressed that
+the angels of heaven were hovering above them. On several occasions,
+as our ladies took some of our saloonists by the hands, tears could be
+seen streaming down the cheeks of both men and women, and as eyes met
+eyes, they dropped in reverence, as if to conceal their thoughts. Even
+a laugh at such a time seemed to jar discordantly on such enchanting
+silence, for they seemed, in that touching immobility, as if in
+communion with God. Laugh, as I have, ye that may read my letter, at
+its magic power; but when one reflects that it is our mothers, our
+sisters, our wives, that are praying, weeping, beseeching, and asking
+in the name of humanity, in the name of God, to overcome an evil
+that has ruined millions of the human race, and filled our jails and
+prisons, unless one be destitute of feeling, they cannot look upon such
+scenes unmoved. As the ladies passed a house yesterday, the husband
+stormed, and the wife laughed; but no sooner had that multitude of
+solemn women commenced to sing,
+
+ “‘Nearer, my God, to Thee,’
+
+than the husband burst into tears, and, throwing his arms
+around his wife, he said, ‘My dear wife, I cannot resist that song. I
+am now convinced that it is the power of God that moves that column.
+Go and join them, and may God bless you.’ Bulwer says, ‘The pen is
+mightier than the sword.’ I declare that prayer uttered from woman’s
+lips is mightier than the law. I hope that moderation and consistency
+may ever accompany these movements, and nothing transpire to mar their
+dignity or true nobility. The epoch that crowned this movement will
+never be forgotten. It is just in its infancy; it will not only sweep
+over the republic, but knock at all the doors of Europe for admission,
+and women will at last, by this movement, have an epitaph written upon
+that which is less perishable than marble--upon the hearts of untold
+millions--by the touching pencil of gratitude. Our women, as I close,
+are again on the march. They have divided into squads, and their songs
+and prayers constantly fall upon the ear, thence to be borne aloft
+upon the invisible chords, and rehearsed to the courts of God by the
+heavenly harpists.”
+
+The enthusiasm became so great that the church was crowded every
+morning long before the hour for meeting had arrived. Business houses
+were closed, and a solemn silence pervaded the streets.
+
+A friend of mine visiting Newark during the Crusade, reached there
+on the nine o’clock train. The streets were empty, the doors of the
+business houses nearly all closed.
+
+She hastened to the church, which she found crowded to its utmost
+capacity. Pushing through the group about the door, she obtained a view
+of the audience. A deep solemnity pervaded the place. The very air
+seemed surcharged with spiritual influences. Many were weeping.
+
+She kept her position by the door till the band arose to move out on
+the street. A passage-way was cleared by a motion of a hand, and the
+ladies marched out two and two, like a funeral procession. She fell
+into the procession, and went with them to the saloons, and saw what
+she had never seen before, a hand-to-hand fight with the powers of
+darkness, led on by _Christian_ women. The struggle was too intense to
+last long; but victory turned on Israel’s side, and many saloons were
+closed.
+
+Visiting the town the following autumn, it seemed transformed.
+
+No saloons about the depot; no drunken men reeling through the
+streets; but a degree of thrift and good order was visible on every
+side.
+
+The week before there had been a county fair, and liquor had flowed
+freely there, and many of the weak had fallen into the snare.
+
+But the town authorities, if they were not diligent in punishing the
+men who had sold to minors, and drunkards, contrary to law, were very
+prompt in arresting the victims, and thrusting them into the jail.
+
+In company with other ladies, I visited the jail. It was a cold, frosty
+morning.
+
+The massive iron door closed behind us with a heavy clank, and was
+locked. But there was still another wall of iron lattice-work between
+us and the prisoners, which was opened, and we were ushered into the
+presence of the inmates, and the iron gate locked behind us. The
+atmosphere was stifling. Groups of men and boys were sitting on the
+stone floor, for _there were no chairs_. They arose when we entered. It
+was a pitiful sight. Most of them were ragged and filthy and unkept.
+There was no chance for personal cleanliness, and little for fresh air.
+No books, papers, or anything to encourage thoughts of a better life,
+or give comfort. With a hearty “Good-morning, brother,” we shook hands
+with each. We told them that we were the friends of Jesus, and came in
+His name to tell them that He loved them, and wanted to be their Friend
+in this the time of their need. As we talked, many were moved to tears.
+
+We sang “Rock of Ages, cleft for me,” and knelt on the cold, hard,
+stone floor to pray. Some knelt, others crouched down on the floor,
+and hid their faces in their ragged sleeves, and sobbed aloud as we
+told God all about their need of Him as a Friend and Helper.
+
+“What can you sing?” inquired one of the ladies. “Shall we gather
+at the river?” several responded, and most of them joined in the
+singing. They had learned it in the Sunday-school. Looking around, we
+saw curious iron cages across the entire end of the room, and eyes
+glaring at us like the eyes of animals, and fingers thrust through
+the iron lattice like claws. Human beings thrust into these dark
+cells, with stone walls on seven sides of the room, and only the iron
+grating on one side for light, and heat, and air. And for what crime?
+Drunkenness. Every man and boy in that jail, and there were about
+fifteen, was there for drunkenness, but one. He was there for forgery,
+and he too confessed that he drank freely. Going to one after another
+of these cages, unfit for animals, and pressing my face against the
+iron bars, I could see that the rooms were about seven by four or five
+feet. More than half of the prisoners were under age. Where were the
+saloon-keepers who sold them liquor in violation of law? Why were they
+not behind these bars instead of these boys? Perhaps at that hour they
+were hob-nobbing with some politician as to how they would carry the
+next election, and break down the Crusade and all law. I could only
+thrust two of my fingers through the grating in an attempt to shake
+hands, as I said, “Good-morning, brother.”
+
+Immediately the fingers were clasped by the hand of the inmate, and
+the sad eyes lighted up with a look of welcome.
+
+“You are very young to be here,” I said to one, _a mere boy_, who held
+on to my finger tips, while his eyes filled with tears. “Have you a
+mother?”
+
+“No. She died when I was a baby.”
+
+Oh, what a story of neglect and heart hunger and temptation _that_
+little sentence told.
+
+“Have you a father?”
+
+“No. Leastwise I dun no’ if he’s alive. He never paid no attention to
+me. He never cared for nothing but whiskey.”
+
+“I hope you don’t drink.”
+
+“I take a spree sometimes. I took too much at the fair, that’s the
+reason I am caged.”
+
+I talked to him kindly and lovingly; the tears ran down my face, till
+the iron bars were wet, while he sobbed as though his heart would
+break, and the dear women about me were all in tears, and many of the
+men were weeping, when we knelt there to pray in his behalf, that the
+All-pitiful Father would look on this orphan boy with compassion, and
+pleaded for His mercy upon them all.
+
+When we bade him farewell he sobbed out, “I’ll never drink any more.”
+
+Oh, that God would hasten the time when liquor-dealers will be put
+behind iron bars for selling intoxicating liquors, instead of boys for
+drinking them.
+
+
+URBANA, OHIO.
+
+The facts that make up this report are gleaned mainly from a
+_Temperance extra_ published daily, furnished me by the Society.
+
+The Crusade wave reached this place March 9th, and found the Christian
+women ready to obey the Master’s word, “Go ye also into my vineyard
+and labor.” They too had, with feelings of grief and terror, seen
+the ominous cloud of intemperance settling down over the fair cities
+and happy homes of our land, and had called aloud upon the Lord for
+deliverance, and he had heard them.
+
+In response to notices given in the different churches of the city,
+a large meeting of the women was held in the Presbyterian Church, at
+three o’clock P. M., March 9th, 1874. After singing and prayer, they
+organized with the following officers: President, Mrs. G. W. Hitt;
+Vice-President, Mrs. M. G. Williams; Secretary, Mrs. T. D. Crow;
+Treasurer, Mrs. James Anderson. They felt that the time for work had
+come, and from mansion and cottage alike, they went forth, with faith
+and courage, strong to accomplish the work assigned them in that part
+of the Lord’s heritage, and in His name to “rescue the perishing.”
+Their hearts were aflame with the love of Jesus, and they were yearning
+for the opportunity to “tell to sinners round, what a dear Saviour they
+had found.” And for more than three months they labored daily, from
+_four_ and _five o’clock_ in the morning until nine o’clock at night.
+
+Thursday, March 12th, was the first day that saw the Crusaders upon
+the streets of Urbana. A day long to be remembered by those who went
+forth, the willing instruments in the hands of the Lord, for the
+accomplishment of His work; and there were not wanting those who, in
+fear and trembling, bid them “God speed.”
+
+The ladies met, that morning, in the First M. E. Church. Mrs. Jennings
+read the Scriptures; and after singing that grand old hymn, “All hail
+the power of Jesus’ name,” Mrs. Patrick prayed a short, earnest prayer.
+After the singing of another hymn, Mrs. Hitt gave the word to go forth.
+It was a solemn moment; and as they followed Mrs. Kimber and Mrs.
+Shyrigh, ladies who led them that day, their hearts were lifted up to
+God for guidance and wisdom.
+
+Out into the bitter blasts of a strong east wind they went, their
+hearts warm with the love of the sinner’s Friend. Old women, with bent
+forms and silvery hair, walked with feeble steps. Young women, radiant
+with beauty, purified by Christian faith and love, moved along with
+light and eager step.
+
+The first place visited was the Weaver House saloon. The saloon-keeper
+had been warned of their approach, so the ladies found themselves
+barred out. But they went on with their singing and prayers; kneeling
+down upon the cold hard stones of the pavement, determined to do their
+duty, notwithstanding the winter blasts and hard hearts of the men.
+As the sweet notes of “I need Thee every hour,” floated out upon the
+wintry winds, a crowd began to gather to witness this strange sight;
+men who believed their work was God-given, gathered close around,
+trying to shield them from the wind.
+
+The next place visited was Henry Fulwiler’s beer saloon, on South Main
+street. This place was also closed against them. From his warm quarters
+this man heard all the loving, tender petitions, that went up to God
+for him, but was unmoved. Miss Saddie Thompson, Miss Belle Stayman,
+and Miss Emma Long stood in the doorway and sang, “Jesus, Lover of my
+soul;” after which Mrs. Jennings read the sixth chapter of Ephesians,
+and Mrs. Hitt prayed. A crowd had followed them, which grew larger
+every moment, until the streets were filled; and from every window,
+and from the house-tops, the people gazed upon this earnest band of
+godly women, praying for the souls of men who had never prayed for
+themselves. While they were praying, three men, who were in the saloon,
+raised their glasses of poison and drank confusion to the souls of the
+ladies. No violence was offered them by the crowd.
+
+From this place the Crusaders proceeded to Samuel Wheritt’s saloon.
+This place was closed, also. A man named Joe Pence came along, and
+made a disturbance, and demanded that the pavement be cleared. He was
+so disrespectful towards the ladies that he was marched off to the
+calaboose. The ladies, to avoid any more trouble on this account,
+divided into two lines, one close up to the house, the other on the
+curbstone, and so continued their meeting. This was the last place
+visited that day. The ladies returned to the church, where a large
+company was waiting for them, and received their account of their work
+with joy.
+
+The ladies concluded to divide up into several small bands, and follow
+each other. Band No. 1 was led by Mrs. J. M. Boul; No. 2 by Mrs. Dr.
+Goddard; No. 3 by Mrs. West; No. 4 by Mrs. J. G. Hedges. These bands
+numbered about thirty each, and were led by elderly ladies, and each
+numbering among its members some of the younger ladies to lead in the
+singing. The bands left the church about twenty minutes apart, and
+followed each other, so that about the time one band was leaving a
+saloon another would be in sight. And so they kept the enemy within his
+stronghold, in rather bad humor, it is feared.
+
+A laughable incident occurred one day, at Owen Coughlin’s. This man has
+a saloon and a bakery adjoining. He did not understand their management
+of forces, and one day he watched the first and second bands come and
+depart, and looked upon the arrival of the third band. In the meantime,
+band number four had come up and joined its head on to the rear of
+number three. As the third moved off, Coughlin came to his door, and,
+looking up and down and seeing no more advancing, thought he would
+now have a respite, and stepped out, with an air of relief, upon the
+pavement. But when the head of column four reached his door, it halted
+and began a hymn. A look of mingled astonishment and despair came over
+his countenance, as he turned and entered his door again. We should
+think he would conclude that baking was his best chance for a living.
+
+The saloon of Mrs. Breslin was visited, and when the band entered
+they beheld the whole family standing in the background, dumb with
+amazement and terror. Mrs. B. informed the ladies that if there was any
+legitimate business by which she could earn a living for herself and
+twelve children, she would quit liquor-selling. She stated that she had
+worked out; but, one day, upon coming home, she found that the children
+had set fire to the house. So she began business in her own house.
+
+After the work had been in progress some two weeks, Mrs. Hitt called
+for volunteers to go on picket duty at the doors of the saloons. Women,
+young and old, willingly offered themselves for this very trying duty.
+Promptly each day these soldiers of the cross took up their positions,
+and held them in spite of wind and weather. Groups of citizens would
+gather round the pickets when they were on duty. Men brought chairs and
+seated the ladies who were shut out of the saloons. Robes were provided
+to throw over them while they quietly noted down the names of those who
+had the hardihood to enter in their presence. One night, when it was
+extremely disagreeable, and the picket outside of Murphy’s had remained
+to a late hour, that gallant Irishman could not stand against such
+devotion any longer, and coming out said: “Now, ladies, if you will
+go home, I will lock-up, and will not open again to-night.” And so,
+believing him sincere, the guard departed.
+
+Mass-meetings were held every week, which were well attended, and
+full of interest; and such an enthusiasm was aroused in the cause of
+temperance as never was known in the history of Urbana. As evidence
+of interest awakened, an ordinance, prohibiting ale, beer, and
+porter-houses, was passed by the city council, and a public sentiment
+was aroused which sustained the enforcement of the ordinance in several
+notable instances.
+
+When the warm weather came, it was thought best to have the bands
+go out in the morning at five o’clock, and in the evening at seven,
+remaining out for one hour each time, and visiting as many saloons as
+possible in that time.
+
+The ladies of the League addressed political meetings all over the
+country, which doubtless contributed largely to the defeat of the
+license clause in the county.
+
+There were twenty-seven liquor-dealers in Urbana when the Crusade
+began. At the time for renewing their license only _five_ presented
+themselves. Some who promised to quit selling are faithful to their
+promises.
+
+
+DAYTON, OHIO.
+
+Dayton is a beautiful, well-built town, in central Ohio. Its streets
+and avenues are broad and well-paved. It has handsome residences, fine
+churches, substantial public buildings, and massive business houses.
+But many of its palaces are red with the blood of murdered innocence,
+and many of its massive edifices have been built with the price of
+souls. For liquor-making and liquor-selling has been no inconsiderable
+part of the business of the place. At the beginning of the Crusade
+there were not only the usual array of saloons, and gambling-dens, and
+brothels, where liquors were sold and drank, but there were massive
+breweries, and great wholesale houses, that by their influence and
+money sustained the traffic; and the business was largely in the hands
+of a rough class of foreigners, mainly Germans. This class, in the
+towns already reached by the Crusade, had been insulting and riotous.
+
+Against all this array of evil--this wickedness in high places--a few
+women were praying and crying to God. Encouraged by the success of the
+Crusade work at Hillsboro’ and Washington Court-House, and other towns,
+they set themselves to walk carefully before the Lord, and to know His
+will.
+
+Dayton had a population of about forty thousand. At the beginning of
+the Crusade there were in this town over five hundred saloons, or one
+to every sixty of its inhabitants; or, divided into families of five
+each, _one saloon to every twelve families_.
+
+Large and enthusiastic mass-meetings were held; but it required
+more than ordinary courage to go out into the saloons, and face
+liquor-dealers in their own dens, and meet the class that congregated
+in these places, many of them speaking a strange tongue. But there were
+not wanting women in Dayton, pure, consecrated, Christian women, who
+were ready to take their lives in their hands, and go forth in God’s
+name, and speak and pray in the saloons, and on the streets.
+
+A permanent organization was effected February 20th, and a private
+canvass of the saloons made by small companies of ladies, but no
+results followed. Mass-meetings were held daily; two hundred women were
+enlisted for active aggressive work, and on the morning of the 6th of
+March, two companies, led by Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Weakley, filed slowly
+and solemnly out of the church, to visit the saloons. The rain was
+falling steadily, but the women were sheltered under water-proofs and
+umbrellas. The saloon doors were closed against them.
+
+T. A. H. Brown, correspondent of the _Cincinnati Gazette_, in “Fifty
+Years’ History of the Temperance Cause,” gives the following:
+
+“Saloon after saloon was visited, services generally being held before
+the doors; and at last one man, who had a light stock of liquors,
+offered to surrender if they would pay him first cost. The vile
+compounds were then emptied into the gutter, amid much rejoicing. In
+the afternoon the two bands exchanged territory, so that the same
+saloons received two visits.
+
+“The excitement now began to increase. The bands increased in numbers,
+and more favorable weather brought out great crowds of people to
+witness the strange spectacle of women actually praying on the streets.
+The rabble began to grow turbulent and threatening; saloon-keepers saw
+the matter was putting on a serious aspect, and fought every inch of
+ground by the most unscrupulous means. It soon came to be known that
+the visit of the ladies to a saloon meant free beer and whiskey at that
+place, and there ‘the boys’ rallied in force like vultures over a dead
+carcass. The result was, more drunken men on the streets than had been
+seen since the 4th of July; and as if this round about warfare was not
+sufficient, direct insults were heaped upon the ladies. The voice of
+prayer and song were drowned by those of ribaldry and blasphemy. Bits
+of bologna and crackers were thrown at the kneeling women, who bore
+these indignities meekly, with no word of reproof. One of the worst
+elements in the noisy mobs was women, mostly of foreign nationalities,
+who joined their screaming to the shouting and swearing of their male
+relatives.
+
+“The result of this unseemly mocking and jeering was to inflame the
+public mind, and bring thousands out to the evening mass-meetings,
+where the reports of the day’s proceedings were read, and commented
+upon.
+
+“Under such dire persecutions, the band steadily increased in size, and
+grew more determined.”
+
+Another correspondent says:
+
+“The women form for action near the curbstone, and are speedily
+encompassed by the crowd, who watch with varying manifestations and
+emotions. Lines of men file into the bars to quench real or affected
+thirst, and the clink of foaming glasses chimes in with the soft,
+pathetic notes of the worshipping women. But the plaintive voice of
+prayer, when the women on bended knees supplicate the mercy of God,
+produces an instant and indescribable hush even in the bar-rooms; and
+as the eloquent pleadings ascend, the influence quickly strikes the
+nearest rank of spectators, and penetrates to the outermost rim of the
+ragged semicircle formed about them. There are moments, when the women
+weep and pray, that their influence is thrillingly impressive, and men
+even, who do not approve of the saloon devotions, are unconsciously
+but irresistibly affected. Excepting among the depraved, there is
+not the remotest suggestion of levity in the scene. It is touchingly
+solemn.”
+
+Becker, one of the saloon-keepers, admitted the ladies; but insisted
+that none should pray in his saloon unless they were without sin.
+
+On the 6th of April, the municipal election was held, and by the help
+of the dealers, and bummers, Butz, the whiskey candidate, was elected
+over Houk, the temperance candidate; and a majority of councilmen
+elected were in favor of whiskey. This was taken by the saloon-keepers
+as a verdict for free whiskey.
+
+Undeterred by the results of the election, the women met at Grace M. E.
+Church, determined to go on with their work. But they were met with the
+following proclamation from the Board of Police Commissioners:
+
+_Whereas_, It has become apparent to this board, that the visits of
+the recently organized bands of ladies to the various saloons in the
+city, and the occupation by them of the sidewalks and streets for
+religious exercises, have, on several occasions, attracted large crowds
+of riotous and disorderly persons, who assembled in the vicinity in
+such numbers as seriously to threaten the peace and good order of the
+city, and materially to obstruct the free and proper use of both the
+sidewalks and the streets; and,
+
+_Whereas_, It is, by the laws of this State, unlawful for any person or
+persons, by agent or otherwise,
+
+1. To sell, in any quantity, intoxicating liquors (except wine
+manufactured of the pure juice of the grape, cultivated in this State,
+beer, ale, or cider), to be drank in or upon the premises where sold,
+or in or upon any adjoining premises connected therewith;
+
+2. To sell any intoxicating liquors whatever, without exception, to
+minors, unless upon the written order of their parents, guardians, or
+family physician;
+
+3. To sell intoxicating liquors, of any kind whatever, to persons
+intoxicated, or in the habit of getting intoxicated; and,
+
+_Whereas_, All places where liquors are sold in violation of these
+laws are declared public nuisances, and upon conviction of the keeper
+thereof, are required to be shut up and abated as such; therefore,
+
+Be it known, that orders have been issued to the police force of this
+city to prevent the use and occupation of the streets and sidewalks as
+aforesaid, and to give special and careful attention to the enforcement
+of the said laws, and make prompt arrest of any and all persons
+violating the same.
+
+ By order of the Police Board.
+
+ WM. H. SIGMAN,
+ _Mayor and ex-officio President Police Board_.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+After consultation it was decided best not to go into saloons in
+large bands, and thereafter saloon visiting was carried on by bands
+of three or four. Wherever they were admitted, they conversed with
+the proprietors and their guests. The saloon-keepers were generally
+averse to these visits, and insisted that the election had settled the
+question, and the people had indorsed their business at the polls.
+But the ladies were not deterred, but pushed their work in every
+possible direction. Women’s meetings were held daily for prayer and
+consultation, followed by mass-meetings at night. Enthusiastic meetings
+for children were held, and the better class of people were thoroughly
+aroused. The men began to bestir themselves, and a guarantee fund was
+raised for the enforcement of the law.
+
+And so the women go on with their work against fearful odds, assured
+that victory in due time will crown their efforts.
+
+
+PIQUA, OHIO.
+
+The work at Piqua commenced early in the Crusade, and was carried on
+with great enthusiasm and determination. As the women knelt in front of
+saloons on the sidewalk, the mighty power of the Spirit was displayed.
+
+Mrs. Stephenson was chosen as the leader. The ladies held a meeting,
+and by ten o’clock of the same day they were out on the streets. They
+seemed to be urged on by an invisible power to the work for which they
+had consecrated themselves.
+
+The first day three of the druggists signed the pledge. There was
+much to contend with in Piqua; a large German population; heavy
+wholesale liquor-houses, and wealthy men who rented their property to
+liquor-dealers. The opposition was violent, the crowds in the saloons
+disorderly; men mocked, while women prayed. But insult and opposition
+tended to increase their zeal, and greatly augmented their numbers.
+
+Their way of conducting these visitations was to go to the door of
+a saloon, and ask if they could come in. If they were answered in
+the affirmative, they went in and held a prayer-meeting. If they
+were refused admittance, they held their meeting on the sidewalk in
+front of the saloon. The ladies found that, although the saloons
+were closed against them, their prayers could penetrate the doors.
+Many saloon-keepers gave up the business, others became violent and
+insulting, and offered indignities to the ladies. In one saloon a mock
+prayer-meeting was held and the Lord’s Supper celebrated with beer and
+crackers by saloon-keepers and their drunken customers.
+
+It may be proper in this connection to state, that the men who were
+engaged in this mock service have nearly all died violent and awful
+deaths.
+
+The ladies were arrested, and held to trial for praying on the streets.
+But their trial was postponed, and the better class of citizens, who
+were now thoroughly aroused, petitioned the council for a prohibitory
+ordinance, and before the day of trial came on a prohibitory ordinance
+was passed, which effectually broke down the opposition.
+
+The ladies, very much encouraged, went on with the battle, and
+still continued the contest in a more permanent and quiet form of
+organization.
+
+
+CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO.
+
+In justice to a few faithful workers, Circleville deserves mention.
+
+I am indebted to Lizzie W. Scovile, Secretary, for the following facts:
+
+We have nothing thrilling to relate, and cannot point to such marked
+results as some are able to do. The Crusade was entered upon very
+reluctantly, in this place. Daily meetings for prayer had been held in
+the church nearly two weeks previously, but on the 18th day of March,
+1874, the Spirit descended in power, and the women went forth to visit
+the saloons. All through the summer the work was prosecuted in various
+forms, visiting saloons in bands, picket work, daily prayer-meetings at
+our League Room, open air meetings, etc. Several saloons were closed,
+but, with only two or three exceptions, were again reopened.
+
+We can point with certainty to but one conversion, and that was of one
+of our ladies, who, though not a Christian, went with the band to help
+sing, and was converted in one of the saloons during one of our first
+visits.
+
+When the street work was first entered upon, our numbers were so large
+it was thought best to form two bands--one under the leadership of Mrs.
+S. H. McMullin, wife of the minister of the First Presbyterian Church,
+and the other under Mrs. Dr. Ray, a good old mother in the Episcopal
+Church.
+
+A Presbyterian gentleman, noticing that a number of ladies of his
+denomination had been assigned to Mrs. Ray’s band, said to her, “You
+will have to furnish our ladies with prayer books.”
+
+Many went out, thinking they could do nothing but uphold the hands of
+others, but the spirit of prayer descended, and prayer books were not
+needed: the dumb spake.
+
+Numbers of these ladies had never prayed in public, until they offered
+prayer in saloons, or upon the street. Now, at the end of three and a
+half years, although the numbers have fallen off, there still remains
+enough of the faithful to sustain the prayer-meetings, generally two
+each week, and prosecute other branches of work. As to results, we can
+point to the brotherly love which has grown out of this union work: the
+churches of different denominations are united, as never before, and
+woman’s prayer-meetings and missionary societies have received fresh
+inspiration from the Crusade.
+
+
+MADISONVILLE, OHIO.
+
+The work commenced in this town on the 19th of February, but the
+Crusaders met with an obstinate resistance, especially from the German
+dealers. One of them, Hendel, told the ladies, “he would not quit
+selling whiskey till hell froze over.” Other saloon-keepers deluged
+their sidewalks with water, and they were soon a glare of ice, but
+women living near tore up their carpets and brought them for the use
+of the Christian workers, and the songs and prayer and work went on in
+spite of all opposition.
+
+
+DELAWARE, OHIO.
+
+Delaware, the Athens of Ohio, only a few miles from Columbus, has a
+population of about six thousand inhabitants. The moral sentiment of
+the town was opposed to the liquor traffic, and yet at the beginning of
+the Crusade twenty-three saloons went on with their deadly work, day
+and night.
+
+Dio Lewis was invited to lecture for the Chi Phi Society of Wesleyan
+University. A large audience assembled to hear him, and at the close
+of the lecture, he pressed upon them the importance of the temperance
+cause, and pledged the women to the Crusade work. The women held a
+meeting at William Street Methodist Episcopal Church the next day,
+and a permanent organization was effected, with Mrs. A. S. Clason as
+President, and Mrs. Bishop Thompson as Secretary. All classes came
+forward to engage in the work. The pledge was freely circulated. Nearly
+a hundred young men of the Wesleyan University refusing to sign the
+pledge, great excitement and indignation followed. The young ladies of
+the town were so aroused, in view of this, that they formed a league,
+pledging themselves not to associate with any young man who had not
+signed the pledge. The young men, who had not counted on this, were
+speedily brought to terms, and most of them signed the pledge.
+
+The saloon-keepers tried to compromise with the women, offering to sell
+nothing but beer, if the women would withdraw from the work. This the
+women refused to do, and the good work went on. Saloon after saloon
+surrendered, and the women were in a fair way to close all the saloons
+by prayer, when the men came forward on election day, and elected the
+entire temperance ticket. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed. All the
+bells of the town were rung, cannons were fired, and a praise meeting
+held in the Opera House, which was crowded to its utmost capacity.
+
+The next day the women were on the street, as usual, determined to
+continue their work until every saloon was closed.
+
+This town is the home of Mrs. H. C. McCabe, the able and efficient
+President of the State Union.
+
+
+PORTSMOUTH, OHIO.
+
+Portsmouth is a beautiful town on the Ohio river, near the mouth of the
+Scioto. It was one of the first points of settlement in the State, and
+from the day the first shanty was built, whiskey had flowed freely,
+without a protest, until the Woman’s Crusade.
+
+Men came with their jugs and bottles weekly from the rich valley of the
+Scioto, and from the farming districts up and down the Ohio river, to
+get them filled with intoxicating liquors. And it was not uncommon for
+them to drive out of town too drunk to manage their horses.
+
+Distilleries were built, and the products of the immense corn-fields
+of the valley of the Scioto, one of the richest valleys in the world,
+instead of being turned into bread, were sent to the distillery, and
+turned into the waters of death; and while the people grew poor, and
+the town began to put on a dilapidated appearance, the distillers and
+the liquor-dealers grew rich, built themselves fine houses, and became
+the nabobs of the town.
+
+The people had groaned under the heavy burdens of the liquor
+traffic--crime and pauperism; and women with tears and prayers had
+cried unto God for deliverance, but all in vain. Despair had settled
+down on almost every true heart.
+
+The tidings of the Crusade inspired them with fresh hope, and the
+women, after meetings for prayer and consecration, went out from the
+church into the saloons. They met with great opposition on the part
+of saloon-keepers and their customers, and the business men of the
+city refrained from taking any active part in the temperance work, for
+fear of losing trade and influence with the liquor party. The ladies,
+however, went on with unabated zeal in their work until the 6th of
+April, when the whiskey candidates were elected by an average majority
+of only forty-five, which the temperance men might have overcome if
+they had sustained the women in the work. Weaver, a colored barber at
+the Bazaar Hotel, was elected as a member of the Board of Education,
+the colored folks all voting for the whiskey candidates.
+
+The ladies, undeterred by the liquor vote, were out on the street the
+next day, in larger numbers than ever. John Price, a saloon-keeper,
+whom they had visited, and prayed with frequently, but who claimed
+to sell only according to law, was soon after indicted for illegal
+selling, and tried before Hon. Judge Harper, and fined seventy-five
+dollars, put under bond for one thousand dollars, and sent to jail for
+thirty days. The severe penalty inflicted on Price by Judge Harper put
+a check upon the illegal traffic.
+
+A correspondent of the _Cincinnati Gazette_, ten days after the
+election, gives the following report of the work there:
+
+“The interest in the work here has greatly increased since the city
+election. The determination on the part of the temperance people
+to put down the traffic in our city is stronger to-day than it has
+been since the work began. The street work commenced Monday, March
+16th. Since then the Ladies’ League have held over ninety street
+prayer-meetings each week, or nearly four hundred and fifty since the
+work began. Our success has not been as great as we had hoped for.
+The first surrender here was that of Mr. Redenger, who kept the most
+respectable saloon in the city. At that time we had fifty-two licensed
+saloons, nine wholesale liquor stores, and eight drug stores, which
+were in the habit of selling liquors without asking any questions.
+This gave us sixty-nine places where liquor was sold. Since then
+nine saloons have been closed, and all the druggists have signed the
+druggists’ pledge. The steamer ‘Granite State,’ one of our regular
+packets, has removed its bar; all our physicians but one have signed
+the physicians’ pledge; and one wholesale dealer the personal pledge.
+Hundreds of our citizens have signed the personal pledge. In addition
+to the above, our liquor men admit that their sales have fallen off
+from one-half to two-thirds. This work the ladies feel has been done in
+answer to the prayers of God’s people. The street work still goes on,
+with increasing strength and numbers. All day prayer-meetings are still
+held every day (Sundays excepted); mass-meetings every night, except
+Wednesdays and Saturdays; mass-meeting also on Sunday at three o’clock.
+From the above you will see that the war is not over in our city.”
+
+Passing through the town since the Crusade, I could but notice the
+great change that had come over the place, and the improved moral
+atmosphere everywhere, although the distilleries and the saloons were
+still doing business. Just after the Crusade, there was a great flood
+in the Scioto and Ohio rivers, which destroyed nearly all the corn, and
+much other grain and property. The feeling was so intense against the
+distilleries on account of the scarcity of grain, and the high cost of
+bread-stuffs, that one wealthy distiller promised not to use up their
+grain in that way, a promise which, if reports are true, was not kept.
+
+The women continued faithful through all the discouragements and
+successes, and are still at work.
+
+
+STRYKER, OHIO.
+
+A REMARKABLE SCENE.
+
+Mrs. R. R. Wallace wrote from Stryker, Ohio, April 18th, to the
+_Western Advocate_:
+
+“The ladies of our village have organized themselves into a ‘Woman’s
+Temperance League.’ We have not as yet visited the saloons, but are
+laboring in a different way. We meet as a band every Tuesday and
+Friday afternoon for prayer and speaking, and once a week prepare an
+entertainment or general mass-meeting for all interested in temperance.
+We held our first meeting on Friday evening, April 17th, and a more
+impressive scene was never witnessed in Stryker. The room was crowded
+to its utmost capacity. Several of our most prominent saloon-keepers
+were present. Our meeting was opened by singing and prayer; then a
+short address by Mrs. Lindsley, President of the League. We were next
+entertained by some very able and appropriate remarks by Colonel E. D.
+Bradley. While he was speaking, the husband of our president, who is a
+confirmed drunkard, came staggering toward the platform. With shame,
+mortification, and deepest anguish depicted on her countenance, the
+wife sprang to intercept him, not knowing what he would do. He pushed
+by her and reached the rostrum. Just as he passed her, she slipped
+the protruding bottle from his pocket, and placed it on the table
+at her side. In the meanwhile, the drunken, half-insensible husband
+returned to the audience and sat down. All was still as death; rising
+to her feet, and holding the bottle up to view, the half-frenzied wife
+exclaimed: ‘Here is the cause of my sorrow! Here are the tears--yea,
+the very life-blood of a drunkard’s wife. Look at it, rum-seller: Here
+is the poison dealt out by you to the once loved husband of my youth;
+but now (pointing to her husband) behold the remains--nothing but the
+remains--of what was once a noble and honored man. Love, truth, and
+even manhood itself has fled. Now behold him! And here (pointing to the
+bottle) is the cause.’ She stopped for a moment, and nothing was heard
+but the sobs of the audience; then turning her pale, anguish-stricken
+face toward heaven, she exclaimed, ‘How long, O Lord, shall
+intemperance reign--blighting our dearest earthly hopes and draining
+our very life’s blood!’ Then, turning to the audience, ‘Can you wonder
+why I raise my voice against this terrible evil? Sisters, will you help
+me?’ Cries of ‘Yes, yes!’ came from almost every lady in the house.
+She sat down pale and exhausted. The meeting concluded, but impressions
+were made that can never be erased. Sisters, take courage! the Lord is
+on our side, and right must prevail.”
+
+
+CHILLICOTHE, OHIO.
+
+Chillicothe is one of the oldest towns in the State. It was settled
+while the Indians still had possession of the territory. Like
+Hillsboro’ and Georgetown the early settlers were largely Kentuckians
+and Virginians, and the same idea of hospitality obtained. From the
+first settlement up to the present, whiskey has abounded.
+
+Forty years ago, there was a large number of distilleries in the
+county. But public sentiment had gradually improved, and drinking
+became more and more disreputable, until the Crusade put its stigma
+upon it. Situated in the valley of the Scioto, this town will remain an
+important station between the corn-fields and the distilleries, till
+the traffic is overthrown.
+
+Chillicothe has the honor of being the birth-place of Mrs. President
+Hayes, who sympathized with the Crusade movement, and has since done
+signal service by banishing liquors from the Presidential mansion.
+
+Saturday, April 5th, the Ross County Temperance Alliance met in
+Chillicothe, and although the ground was covered with snow, and the
+morning cold and raw, there was a large attendance of men and women.
+In the afternoon four bands of women, of about forty in each band,
+went on the streets, while the fifth band remained in the church
+for prayer. They drew large crowds upon the streets to witness their
+visits, but for a while the voice of prayer and praise sounded out upon
+the comparatively still streets. The bystanders, although curious,
+were respectful, and only inside the saloons from which the women were
+excluded was there anything like opposition. At some places there
+was whistling, singing and dancing, while the women were singing and
+praying.
+
+The women of this town, finding that Sabbath was the best day for the
+sale of beer and whiskey, continued their Crusade work on Sundays as on
+other days.
+
+At the municipal election, the whiskey power was successful. But
+the ladies continued their work with increased zeal, regardless of
+the defeat at the polls; petitions and pledges were circulated, and
+finally a Women’s Temperance Union organized, with a view to a long and
+determined siege.
+
+
+OTHER TOWNS.
+
+The following towns had a part In the Crusade, and were more or less
+successful: London; Logan’s Gap; Pomeroy; Middleport; Lancaster;
+South Charleston; Sydney; Loveland; Middletown; Higginsport; Milford;
+Nelsonville; Frankfort; Upper Sandusky; New Lexington; Cadiz; Toledo;
+Berea; Darrtown; Woodstock; Somerville; Hamilton; Walnut Hills;
+Plymouth; Norwalk; Galion; Dennison; West Jefferson; Harmony Village;
+Yellow Springs; West Milton; Hanover; College Corner; Mechanicsburg;
+Mount Carmel; Fort Ancient; Mount Sterling; Sunbury; Osborn; Alpha;
+Ironton; and Sandusky.
+
+
+
+
+INDIANA.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+SHELBYVILLE, INDIANA.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. Prof. Harrison for the following facts:
+
+On the 20th of January, 1874, a number of earnest, devoted women first
+made their appearance on our public square, to prosecute the glorious
+work of the Crusade. It is true, faithful men had been engaged in the
+cause forty or fifty years previous to this; and a noble work they had
+done, both for temperance and religion. We would honor the names of the
+workers in such a blessed cause.
+
+During this time various societies had sprung into existence. First,
+there was the Total Abstinence Society; then the Washingtonians; next
+the Good Templars, and so on.
+
+But all this time women, for the most part, remained in the background,
+hoping and praying at home, and in their closets, for the success of
+the efforts of their faithful husbands and brothers.
+
+But previous to the opening of the Crusade, things grew very dark
+and discouraging to some of the wives and mothers in Shelbyville;
+and, hearing of the success of their sisters in Ohio, they resolved
+to ascertain whether Indiana liquor men had yielding consciences
+like those of Ohio. So, after careful and prayerful consideration,
+a mothers’ meeting was called, to determine what had best be done.
+No one but those who were present at that meeting could conceive how
+wonderfully they were encouraged to go to work, trusting in the Lord
+for success. It seemed as if they had an inspiration from Heaven for
+their great undertaking. At a meeting of the Good Templars, held the
+next evening, some of the gentlemen present suggested that a committee
+of ladies be appointed to visit an individual who was talking of
+opening a new saloon, never dreaming that out of this the Women’s
+Crusade would commence in Indiana. Volunteers were called for, and ten
+Christian ladies offered their services. The next morning all met at
+the house of a devoted sister; and there, in solemn, fervent prayer,
+invoked Divine aid.
+
+From this fact it will be seen that they did not go out under improper
+excitement, or without calm and deliberate consideration. The rain was
+pouring down freely, but this did not deter them: in fact, they thought
+it was a suitable time for cold water workers. Accordingly, a speaker
+for the occasion was appointed, and the roll called, and all fell into
+line to visit the individual referred to. They met with good success.
+The man’s heart was touched to tenderness. They were then assured that
+God was in the work; and a proposition was made to visit another place
+where liquor was sold in great quantities. At once the proposition was
+acceded to. And, if there be such a place as Pandemonium on earth,
+that certainly was the place. More than a dozen men were drinking at
+the bar, as we entered. Two or three were past walking, and they lay on
+a table, dead-drunk. With those more sober, religious conversation was
+held, and we trust that the faithful words spoken that morning produced
+good that eternity alone will reveal.
+
+The ladies now resolved to visit every saloon in the place, which
+was accordingly done. That night, we believe, but few families
+offered prayer who did not remember the ladies on their mission of
+love and mercy. All Christians were in sympathy with this wonderful
+work of God, and encouraged true Christian women to labor for the
+suppression of the gigantic evil of intemperance. Soon they had a host
+of co-workers--about two hundred were added to the number. They were
+encouraged by numbers of noble Christian men, coming forward with their
+money and influence to assist in the work of reformation. The ladies
+continued earnestly laboring in the cause.
+
+The first saloon which surrendered was converted into a union chapel,
+and about seventy-five ladies marched, in line, from one of the
+churches to the new place of worship.
+
+Language would fail if I should attempt to describe the scene. Suffice
+it to say, a low, wretched, sin-cursed saloon was turned into a temple
+of prayer and praise; and a sweet little girl living there wished those
+ladies would sing and pray all the time--it was so much pleasanter than
+cursing and quarrelling.
+
+But I must refer to one earnest minister who spoke on that occasion:
+I mean a lady minister. Crowds of hard-drinking men were her audience
+in the room, and on the sidewalk were other crowds witnessing the
+scene, all listening to her eloquent appeals. This sister said she
+had a talented brother, whom to know was but to love, and yet,
+notwithstanding his noble and generous nature, he fell a victim to the
+vice of intemperance; and she was certain, if he could only come out
+of his grave, he would most faithfully warn every one, of the terrible
+evil, and most earnestly beseech all to sign the pledge, never, never
+to touch intoxicating drink. But this could not be permitted; and she
+felt it her imperative duty to do all in her power to promote the
+blessed work of temperance amongst those around her as neighbors and
+friends. She then poured forth a stream of eloquent Christian words,
+such as few had ever heard before. Surely the Spirit of God was in that
+wonderfully changed place at that solemn hour. The work went on with
+varied success for several months, and a number of inebriates were
+reformed, who have stood firm to this day, and the friends of the cause
+were strengthened in the faith.
+
+We ought to add that the saloon which was closed was used for
+prayer-meetings and a reading-room, until it passed into other hands,
+when the temperance society moved to one of the churches, where the
+meetings have been held ever since. Several meetings have been held in
+different parts of the county, at which excellent addresses have been
+delivered and powerful appeals made, and an amount of good done which
+we have not space to relate. A great many meetings have also been held
+in our city, which have been addressed by Governor Cumback, Mr. Baxter,
+and other distinguished speakers from abroad, as well as several at
+home. Among the home speakers we would refer to the late Judge Wright,
+a man who was well skilled in argument, had a fluent speech, and,
+moreover, was never ashamed to avow his sentiments. If all lawyers and
+men of talent had the independence and moral heroism that he had, in a
+very short time the death-blow would be given to intemperance, and our
+glorious country, nay, the whole world, would be forever free from its
+terrible and demoralizing influence.
+
+The society is now working under the Womens’ Christian Temperance
+Union, of Indiana, praying for the suppression of intemperance,
+visiting drunkards’ families, circulating pledges, and canvassing
+for signatures to petitions to send to legislative bodies. Over one
+thousand names have been sent last winter and this, praying that
+something may be done effectually for the destruction of this great
+national evil. Many persons that frowned and spoke unpleasantly a year
+or two ago, when asked this year, would sign gladly, and express the
+wish that the dreadful business was stopped at once and forever. And
+now we hail with joy the district convention in our midst, attended
+by such talented Christian women to assist us. And we fervently hope
+during the coming year that many more Christian ladies will join our
+society, and unite their influence with ours for the entire removal
+of the greatest evil that now curses our land. We are aware that there
+are some persons who are opposed to this work, especially as carried on
+by the women; but if the Saviour, our great Exemplar, could approve of
+women working, and even commend them for their efforts to do good, we
+feel perfectly safe in going forward in His name. He that is for us is
+more than all that can be against us. To Him be all the glory.
+
+I gather from newspapers published at the time, the following
+additional facts:
+
+Shelbyville contained one large distillery of “Corn Whiskey,” a brewery
+of poor ale, five doggeries, licensed under the Baxter law, five
+drug stores, three unlicensed liquor shops, and three or four houses
+of ill-fame, a total of public places of drunkenness of nineteen or
+twenty. The principal liquor family in town bears the name of Deprez.
+They came from Cincinnati about twenty years ago, and have grown rich
+selling liquor. Three of the principal licensed doggeries are run by
+two brothers and a sister of this family. The old stock were German
+Presbyterians in faith. “Gus” (as he is familiarly called) keeps the
+original establishment opposite the I. C. & L. Railroad depot. George
+had a substantial brick concern on the public square, and their sister,
+and her husband, Silas Metzer, are located on a principal street,
+adjoining the Baptist Church.
+
+Robertson & Nickum had a wholesale liquor house and dram shop beside.
+Robertson was the county treasurer lately, and belongs to a reputable
+family. Gid. Keck is the remaining licensed keeper. Captain Maze and
+O’Conner had the principal unlicensed rum depots.
+
+The ladies made daily visits to these places. The first of these visits
+was made by about a dozen elderly and middle-aged ladies.
+
+At Metzer’s they were met with insulting language and impertinence.
+George Deprez denied them admittance. Robertson, of the firm of
+Robertson & Nickum, treated them very rudely and contemptuously.
+
+No more visits were made for four days. During that time, however, the
+ladies were getting organized, and when they again went out they were
+led by Mrs. Elliott, and were about fifty strong. They again visited
+George Deprez; this time they were very kindly received and were
+invited in, and held a prayer-meeting, but could get no one to sign the
+pledge.
+
+The saloon of Maze was visited. They were admitted and found about
+a dozen men in the saloon. They were a motley crew. One or two bore
+lingering traces of former intelligent manhood. Others were the sad
+pitiable wrecks of alcoholic poison. Not one had reached middle life.
+They held their prayer-meeting, and before they left every man was in
+tears, and the proprietor gave a conditional promise to surrender. The
+second visit to this place Captain Maze signed the pledge and gave up
+the business. He went into another business, and his place became the
+head-quarters for the Crusaders.
+
+They organized under the following pledge:
+
+“We, the undersigned ladies of Shelbyville and vicinity, do hereby
+organize ourselves into a league, to be called the Women’s Temperance
+Union, for the purpose of suppressing the liquor traffic, and we
+solemnly pledge ourselves to use all just and honorable means in our
+power to accomplish this object.”
+
+Among the hundred names signed to this paper are those of Mrs. Elliott,
+wife of the President of the First National Bank, Mrs. Judge Wright,
+Mrs. Rev. G. P. Jenkins, Mrs. Dr. Green, Mrs. Professor Harrison, Mrs.
+Dr. Robins, Mrs. Dr. Parrish, Mrs. Dr. Clayton, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs.
+Hattie Robbins, Mrs. Sprague, Mrs. Lide Shaw, Mrs. Cumback, Mrs. Geo.
+H. Dunn, Mrs. Jeffras, and others.
+
+
+JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA.
+
+Mrs. Dr. Seymour furnishes the following interesting facts of the work
+in Jeffersonville:
+
+At ten o’clock A. M., February 12th, 1874, about one hundred of the
+ladies of Jeffersonville met in Wall Street Sunday-school room, for the
+purpose of organizing a Women’s Temperance Union. After a statement
+of the object of the meeting, and a free discussion, an organization
+was effected. The following pledge was signed by a large number of the
+ladies present:
+
+“We pledge ourselves to be at every meeting, if possible, and assist
+in this work of mercy. We also pledge ourselves to pray three times,
+_daily_, for this special work.”
+
+At the afternoon session of the same day the following resolutions were
+presented and adopted:
+
+“_Whereas_, We believe that a crisis has been reached, in which true
+popular sentiment demands the cessation of the liquor traffic; _and,
+whereas_, We have at heart the real interest of the seller, as well as
+the buyer of alcohol, therefore
+
+“_Resolved_, 1. That we, the women of Jeffersonville, organize
+ourselves into a Women’s Temperance Union.
+
+“2. That our object shall be, by moral suasion, to induce
+liquor-dealers to abandon their business, for their own welfare, and
+that of humanity; that, in our efforts, we will maintain an humble
+dependence upon Divine influence, knowing that without that we can do
+nothing.
+
+“3. That, uniting our prayers, we will never cease pleading until our
+object is attained.
+
+“4. That we invite the active co-operation of every true woman in the
+city, whether a Christian or not; and that we ask the prayers and moral
+support of all good men.”
+
+It was resolved that the officers of this Women’s Temperance Union be
+constituted an Executive Committee, who shall have the direction of the
+movements in which we are engaged, seven of whom shall constitute a
+quorum.
+
+Notwithstanding a blinding storm of rain, which continued all the
+afternoon, a large number of ladies assembled in Johnson’s Hall
+the next day, February 13th, to perfect further the work of the
+organization. A greater part of the time was spent in fervent prayer,
+for the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in the difficult work
+we had undertaken, and the comforting assurance was given to many
+hearts that the Lord of Hosts was with us.
+
+It was resolved to hold a secret session on the following day at
+Wall Street Church, to which none but members of the Union should be
+admitted. By this time, one hundred and fourteen ladies had signified
+their intention to engage in the active work of the Union, by signing
+the pledge before referred to.
+
+As agreed, the Union met on the afternoon of February 14th. After a
+short season of solemn prayer, in which every soul was stilled, as in
+the visible presence of God, the officer presiding said: “During the
+silent watches of the night, while engaged in prayer, the conviction
+had come to her, that we ought to begin active work at once.” Several
+others said they had been similarly impressed. The president then read
+Matt. x. 32, 33--“Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men,
+him will I confess, also, before my Father which is in heaven; but
+whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my
+Father which is in heaven”--immediately following it with the request
+that every lady who was willing to go to the saloons to hold meetings,
+and go at once, would rise to their feet. Over sixty responded. We were
+soon formed in line, and silently and solemnly we went forth, with
+trembling but trustful hearts.
+
+By the time we reached our first point of attack, Stauss’ saloon, the
+alarm had spread, every door and window was bolted and barred, and
+a rabble waiting in front to receive us. In response to our knock,
+the barkeeper appeared, trembling and as white as a ghost, and said
+Mr. Stauss had gone over the Falls, and he could admit no one in his
+absence. Here we held our first street prayer-meeting, amid the angry
+taunts of the crowd assembled to intimidate us.
+
+From here we passed on to Font’s, one of the largest saloons, and
+the _only_ one in the city kept by a native American. Here we were
+received with a show of politeness, and invited in; but, as the event
+proved, only with the purpose of heaping upon us every indignity they
+dared offer. The sale of liquors never ceased for a moment; rude,
+half-drunken men crowded about us, with oaths and songs, attempting to
+drown the voice of prayer and praise.
+
+By the time we reached Klispie’s, the fashionable drinking-place of
+the town, we were surrounded by an angry mob. Here we were invited to
+enter, which we did, and began our prayer-meeting. We could not kneel,
+for the crowd pressed so closely upon us; our voices were drowned in
+the terrible din; barrels of beer were broken open, and their contents
+distributed; glasses, when emptied, were thrown up in the air, and came
+down upon the counter or floor with a deafening crash; the barkeeper
+sprang upon the counter, and led in a ribald song, in which his
+companions joined him; men beat upon the doors and empty beer barrels,
+and yelled with rage; they glared upon us with eyes full of deadly
+hate, but they dared not touch a hair of our heads, or a thread of our
+garments, for God was around and about us as a wall of fire: we felt as
+safe and secure as we ever did sitting about our own quiet firesides--a
+new and wonderful sense of our Father’s protecting care over us, came
+to us as we worshipped amid that pandemonium; and as we passed out,
+unharmed, feelings akin to those experienced by the Hebrew children, as
+they emerged from the fiery furnace, stirred our breasts.
+
+We returned to the church, to bow in humble gratitude before Him who
+had been our Guide.
+
+Such was the history of the first day’s work among the saloons. Days,
+and weeks, and even months passed, in which these scenes were repeated,
+though rarely were the powers of darkness so rampant as on this first
+day.
+
+On Monday morning, February 16th, we visited a number of the saloons
+again. We were not expected, and held our meetings without any
+disturbance. In the afternoon we held a praise and prayer-meeting,
+while a mob of five thousand people, who had gathered from our
+neighboring city, Louisville, raged with disappointment without. The
+street about the church was so crowded that our policemen were obliged
+to clear a way for those who wished to enter or leave the meeting. Hour
+after hour they waited for the Crusaders to appear, until the darkness
+of coming night drove them home.
+
+The heart experiences of those days can never be told. _We walked
+with God._ His presence made it light all about us; we _knew_ the
+_blessedness_ of being reviled and persecuted for Christ’s sake; the
+most timid among us grew strong and brave enough to bear any cross, and
+we all felt it was sweet not only to work, but to suffer for His sake.
+
+As the result of the first month’s work, all the druggists of the city
+signed the druggists’ pledge; all the physicians but _two_ signed
+pledges to use liquor in their practice in cases of emergency only.
+
+Total abstinence pledges had been generally signed. There was such an
+awakening upon the subject of temperance as was never known before. The
+liquor traffic was reduced at least sixty per cent. Ninety-one street
+and saloon meetings had been held. Though no saloon had been closed,
+most cheering moral results had been attained, and the workers felt
+that their labor had not been in vain.
+
+Efforts were made by the saloon-keepers to bring the law to bear upon
+us, to prevent our holding street meetings. With this in view, Judge
+Bicknell, of the Circuit Court, published a card, stating, among other
+things, that “Mob law enforced by women is no better than mob law
+enforced by men. Also, no crowd has a right to assemble in a man’s
+place of lawful business to interrupt that business by praying, or
+anything else. Further, that violation of natural or social rights, if
+encouraged, generally end in riot and bloodshed.”
+
+On Saturday, March 28th, the only American saloon-keeper in the town
+signed the pledge and closed his saloon.
+
+In September, we held a Martha Washington tea party, which brought
+$325 into our treasury. A large part of this was expended in securing
+temperance speakers from abroad to assist us at our mass-meetings,
+which were inaugurated at the beginning of our work, and held
+semi-weekly for a year and a half.
+
+On June 9th, the Secretary of the Union made the following record:
+
+Since February 12th, the Ladies’ Temperance Union of Jeffersonville
+has held 152 street prayer-meetings, beside a large amount of
+committee work done, visiting saloons, offering pledges, conversing
+with saloon-keepers, trying to persuade them to give up their unholy
+business, and in many instances praying with and for them.
+
+When the Union commenced its work, there were forty-two places in the
+city where liquor was sold. One saloon has closed, and several others
+been compelled to cease selling. We have circulated pledges in every
+ward in the city, and in most of the wards have secured the names of
+a majority of the voters against signing permits for license. We feel
+that for three months, at least, we have tried earnestly to work for
+the advancement of the cause of Christ, and to hasten the coming of His
+kingdom. We feel that we have received rich supplies of grace day by
+day, as we have gone forth to work in this vineyard, and humbly trust
+our works may prove a blessing to our city, and to the cause for which
+we are laboring.
+
+A week or two later, one of the leading lawyers of the city stated
+publicly that there were eight times as many cases in the city court in
+the same length of time in 1873 as in 1874. He attributed this fact to
+the womans’ movement; it spoke for itself; he had had but two fees in a
+month.
+
+We continued our saloon work at intervals during the winter, generally
+visiting them in committees of three or more.
+
+Temperance literature was secured and distributed broadcast. Much was
+accomplished by individual effort. Our last visit to the saloons was
+made March 5th, 1875, after which date our Union ceased to exist as an
+active organization. A large part of our members have since identified
+themselves with the Ribbon Club, or other similar organizations, and
+are engaged in temperance work in some way.
+
+Last Saturday there was a meeting called for the purpose of
+reorganizing our Union.
+
+ A VOICE FROM THE PRISON HOUSE.
+
+ JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA.
+
+MRS. WITTENMEYER:--Your astonishment will doubtless be great at
+receiving this letter, when I tell you it is from a convict. Your
+excellent paper (_The Christian Woman_) has reached me by the hands of
+Mrs. B. F. Osborn, who sometimes visits this prison as a missionary.
+Your paper has been a bright light in a dark cell, by pointing me to
+the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world. I have nothing
+stirring to communicate--stern realities pertaining to the welfare of
+the soul demand my utmost attention. To take one glance at the 537
+uniformed convicts, filing into the dining-room in long, sad lines,
+and to know that this mass of thieves, murderers, and adepts in all
+kinds of villany, owe their condition remotely or immediately to the
+thousand-toothed demon called the worm of the still, is a temperance
+lecture more eloquent than ever thrilled an audience of Gough, Malloy,
+or Benson. _And I am one of them._ Oh, how it makes my heart ache
+to realize this awful fact. Never can I wrap myself in the shroud of
+oblivion. As I look back upon my past life, it seems to be a cesspool
+of iniquity; a trackless desert, inhabited only by the spirits of
+past opportunities; an ocean of the soul, wrapt in all the horrors
+of Stygian darkness; and swept incessantly with the dread simooms of
+remorse.
+
+I am but a youth, comparatively speaking; but my life has been a life
+of dissipation. I have seen and felt enough of intemperance to make me
+regard it with detestation.
+
+This confinement has been a God’s blessing to me. Liberty is sweet,
+friends are dear, but if I knew that I had to live my past life over, I
+would rather remain here the remainder of my days. Please remember me
+kindly in your prayers. Now, may God bless you, and your labor, above
+all I can ask or think, is the humble and sincere prayer of
+
+ A. S. J.
+
+
+CHESTERTOWN, INDIANA.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. C. S. Jones for the following facts:
+
+About the first week in March, 1874, we organized our first Crusade
+band. We met at the M. E. Church several days, before we ventured out
+on the street. We were few in number; only twenty-two at first, but our
+number increased. There was a mighty work before us, for our town was
+of whiskey-birth; as the first erection was a whiskey-barrel, then a
+house, then a saloon.
+
+When we organized, there were five places where intoxicating drinks
+could be had in our little village, and three up the railroad at the
+next station. Some said, “You will never see the day when there will
+not be a saloon in Chestertown,” but we all did. In connection with the
+band, we held two meetings a week, in which we obtained signers to the
+pledge.
+
+We conducted our meetings in the way that the M. E. Church does its
+love-feasts. We did not send off for help, but went at it ourselves,
+and by the aid of the great Helper we succeeded in closing six saloons,
+two drug stores, and one place where they sold in connection with their
+groceries. This was completed in six weeks. So Chestertown led the van
+in Porter county.
+
+There were some amusing circumstances connected with our work, which,
+perhaps, will be interesting to some of our readers. When we first met,
+some said, we had better wait until they get through at Valparaiso,
+and get them to come and help us; but the Spirit said work, and we
+could not wait, not knowing how long we should have to wait. And as
+they appointed me as their leader, I thought, perhaps, it would be best
+to visit Valparaiso, and learn their method of work. So I started,
+and leaving the depot, walked up-town, and there were the faithful
+Christian temperance women at the door of a saloon, praying and
+singing, with hearts full of love for their fellow-creatures. A hearty
+welcome was given, and for two days we worked together.
+
+Returning home with still stronger convictions, we went to work in
+earnest, but some said, “Remember, I have no faith,” and others, “I
+will join if you will not go out on the street;” consequently, we had
+to move slowly at first, until their courage arose. As I told them we
+were not going in the street until we got ready, we did not, but after
+meeting a few times, they were all ready, and we started, and, as in
+other cases, the very dogs were ready to help, for as one of the number
+owned a nice, white dog, it took the lead, and as we walked the street,
+it advanced of its own accord, and cleared the way. It was amusing to
+see it, and as we desired solemnity, it required no little effort to
+suppress laughter. Thus we passed down Main street, and back to the
+church, everybody running to see us.
+
+Each day we met, we tried to take the saloonists by surprise, and often
+did. We had articles of agreement drawn for the different dealers in
+the traffic, and finally presented them, and they were duly signed,
+although it took much persuading to get it done. In one instance, the
+owner of the property that was rented for a saloon, threatened to take
+hold of the keeper for the rent, but the Lord softened his heart, and
+he relented; he said he would put his beer in the cellar, and drink it
+himself, and when that was gone he would get more; if he could not get
+it in America, he would send across the ocean.
+
+But this man’s family were all, except one, stricken down by disease,
+and lay near death, himself dying, so he did not live to drink the
+beer. I hope the Lord had mercy on his soul, for his wife told me (as I
+visited her in their affliction), that he thought he should not live,
+and that he read his Bible constantly, as long as he could, and he
+requested Mr. Jones to visit him, which he did, reading the consoling
+promises to him, and conversing with him; he stated that his trust was
+in Jesus.
+
+After we had closed all the saloons, some proposed to have this poison
+delivered at their cellars by means of a beer-wagon driven by one of
+the distillers of Valparaiso. This way of evading the law they thought
+would match us. Luckily, we espied the first arrival. We were at the
+church. Those who had made their previous purchase were not at home,
+and as their wives belonged to the temperance band, they were forbidden
+to leave it, and they were defeated. At other places they left the beer
+if they were enough in advance of the band.
+
+However, we did not get discouraged. We resolved that the first one
+that saw the beer-wagon was to ring the church-bell, and no matter
+what we were doing, or at what hour, we were to run to the rescue. One
+morning ring, ring, ring; louder and louder pealed forth the call from
+the old bell. True to our resolution, we all ran. The old, gray-haired
+grandmother, the maid, and the children (for we were drilling our
+daughters). We met and followed the beer-wagon, now up one street, then
+down an alley; lifting up our banner in the name of the Lord, and He
+helped us to triumph.
+
+The driver had started very early, even before breakfast, and we gave
+him no peace; he had to retreat, and go back to Valparaiso. A gentleman
+coming from Valparaiso said that he saw him, and tried to get him to
+come back, and take a load of carpenters with him: his reply was, “I
+would not go back to Chestertown for a thousand dollars.”
+
+This is what became of the travelling saloon, but the driver fell into
+the hands of the Lord; for death followed close at his heels.
+
+A German kept liquor in the house where he kept the post-office, and
+he said that he never would give up to these “vimmens.” But we found
+the quickest way to get a German to yield was to get at his money. He
+had violated the law, the officials arrested him, and they told him if
+he would sign the women’s paper, and not sell any more, and give them
+his license, they would pardon him; so rather than lose his money, he
+said: “Send dem vimmens, and I will sign der bapers.” They brought him
+to my house, and he was glad to sign our papers, and give us his liquor
+license, which we keep as a proof of the work we had done.
+
+It was common for saloon-keepers to make threats, but we often found
+that they were the greatest cowards, and they were the most easily
+overcome when approached in the right way. One at Porter said that he
+would shoot us, and his wife said she would scald us, but two of us
+went to the saloon, and he gave us his license and signed our papers
+without any trouble. Thus we closed our work at home and vicinity. Then
+the Macedonian cry came from Lake, Miller, Hobert, and other stations,
+“Come over and help us.” As we felt it to be our duty, we said we
+would come. As Lake was first in order, we sent them an appointment, a
+band-meeting in the day, and mass-meeting at night. The day arrived;
+four of us went up in the morning, organized the band the best we
+could. In the evening there were about twenty members of our society
+left the train, and were met by the best of the citizens, and escorted
+to tea, after which we repaired to the school-house for mass-meeting.
+We opened our meeting, as usual, with reading of the Scripture and
+devotions, and singing by our temperance glee club. During the speaking
+the opposite party made quite a noise, and finally it was almost a
+mob. Some became frightened, but we kept them quiet as possible. We
+offered them a chance to defend their cause, but they did not seem to
+be disposed to do so.
+
+When they found that they could not break up our meeting, some left
+the house and joined the rabble out-doors, firing guns, and groaning
+to make us think some one was hurt, and thus cause us to leave. But we
+had met to hold a temperance meeting, and we did. When we were ready
+we circulated the pledge, and obtained about thirty names, several of
+whom were drunkards. Several signed because they saw the effects of
+liquor, and were ashamed of their party, and I am happy to say, that
+in returning to the cars none were hurt, although the roughs escorted
+them to the train with tin cans,--anything that would make a noise.
+But one of their own company met them at the depot, drew his coat,
+and ordered them to let the temperance folks alone, throw down their
+clubs, and behave themselves as they ought to. This ended our first day
+and night’s work at Lake Station. However, our Crusade band did not
+all go; several stayed until the next day, to assist in getting into
+working order the newly organized band.
+
+According to appointment we met, and started out to visit the
+drinking-saloons. First, we obtained the signature of the keeper of
+the hotel. While our committee were in, the rest stood on the sidewalk
+singing; a train arrived, and the train hands seeing them there,
+left the train, secured clubs, and marched toward the band, swinging
+and flourishing them, but, as the women sang on and stood firm, they
+slackened their pace, dropped their clubs, and returned to the railroad
+again. One more victory achieved, with renewed strength we proceeded to
+the next place, it being a saloon. The wife met us at the door. We told
+her we wished to see her husband. She said he was sick. We mistrusted
+what ailed him, and said we would come in. She opened the door, and we
+went in. He seemed frightened; he finally said he would re-ship his
+liquor and quit.
+
+He always got sick when the Crusade came around. As this station had so
+hard a name, the temperance people had sent for an officer from Crown
+Point to guard us; and he, having arrived, went with us to the next
+saloon. It being the hardest place in town, some advised us not to go,
+as they considered it not safe, but we went, our guard at our side. The
+saloon-keeper was not at home; his wife was up-stairs, and talked to us
+out of the window. In the adjoining lot there was an old house filled
+with men, but no harm was done us. We did not succeed at this place in
+closing all the saloons, as we could not stay, and the band at this
+town met with things that they thought they could not overcome; yet
+there was a good work done, and many saved. We held other mass-meetings
+at this place, but were not disturbed.
+
+Our next point was Hobart. We organized a band in the Methodist
+Episcopal Church, held a mass-meeting at night, had an interesting
+meeting, and obtained about thirty more names to the pledge, and left
+the work to them. There is one thing that should not be overlooked, and
+that is: the first year not one of our company died, but five of our
+opposers were suddenly stricken down. Different ones sent me word, on
+their dying beds, that they were wrong, and the temperance folks were
+right. I felt to say, “The Lord called, but ye would not hearken.”
+There were about five hundred signed our temperance pledge.
+
+
+THORNTOWN, INDIANA.
+
+Caroline E. Haworth furnishes the following facts:
+
+The tidal wave which struck Thorntown, the 16th of March, 1874, was
+preceded by the Holy Spirit, or perhaps the Awakening Angel, who
+visited some three or four of our number.
+
+Never shall I forget one night about midnight, when I was aroused from
+my slumber, as if some one was shaking my pillow, and I heard a voice,
+an audible voice, saying: “What hast thou done for me? I have died for
+thee,” and a mighty trembling seized my whole being, for I knew it was
+the voice of the Lord. The words were repeated; I became alarmed; upon
+being asked what was the matter, I repeated what I had heard, and said
+I did not know but the Lord was going to send me away as a missionary
+or something, I did not know what; I could not sleep, I was in such
+terrible agony: I tried to say, “Lord, Thy will be done, not mine,” but
+my rebellious heart would not surrender. The next night the whole scene
+was re-enacted, then I partially surrendered, telling the Lord, I would
+do what I could, for I felt I could endure it no longer, and he knew me
+altogether, and would not require more of me than I was able to perform.
+
+The next night Mrs. Henderson, in a meeting, related a similar
+experience, and said she had promised the Lord she would go to a drug
+store, which was selling intoxicating liquors, and offer up prayer, and
+if there was a sister in the house who would go with her, she would
+please rise: four arose to their feet. Night came and six Christian
+mothers might have been seen wending their way down the street to the
+drug store. A hymn was first sung, then all knelt down by the door.
+Mrs. Henderson led in prayer, then Mrs. Hines. After singing another
+appropriate verse, Mrs. Milhouse, of precious memory, with pale,
+earnest, upturned face, in a solemn, truthful manner, pleaded that God
+would hear and answer His children.
+
+On leaving the place the proprietor said he wished it distinctly
+understood, that we were “not to come again on these steps; you profess
+to be sent here by the Spirit of God, but I think your God is in h--l.”
+At that the hissing crowd rushed around him, while these timid women
+walked quietly away, nothing daunted, believing it was better to obey
+God rather than man. The next night the little band numbered twenty,
+and repaired to the place and knelt just off of the pavement down in
+the snow, and there supplicated a throne of grace. The third night the
+praying band had increased to about fifty, the crowd still increasing
+in proportion.
+
+Not only the town people, but for miles around in the country, the
+people came to see and hear.
+
+A daily prayer-meeting was held in one of the churches, for over
+one year; then a prayer-meeting was held every Thursday afternoon.
+Mass-meetings were held, public speakers engaged, remonstrances and
+pledges circulated, and the work kept on increasing and steadily
+advancing.
+
+A Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized, with Mrs. Milhouse
+as President.
+
+One of the leading spirits in this Crusade, a great sufferer from
+intemperance, one on whom the Spirit of God rested, was “Grandma Boyd.”
+She was instant in season and out of season, and being a natural
+orator, could fight the enemy hand-to-hand, and face to face; then, as
+she often expressed herself, mounting her light horse (which was her
+prayer charger), she would go direct to the great white Throne, and
+there with strong faith, take hold of the horns of the altar. At such
+times she seemed almost to bring heaven and earth together.
+
+
+CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA.
+
+Miss Mary D. Naylor furnishes the following brief sketch of the
+temperance work done in Crawfordsville:
+
+In the winter of 1874, when the ‘Woman’s Crusade’ began in Ohio, and
+spread over the State like a wave of the sea, the women of Indiana
+watched and waited for the results with intense interest. And, with
+‘bated breath,’ said one to another, “What if this ‘tidal wave’ rolls
+over into Indiana! Are we ready for it? And have _we_ not as much
+reason for this work as our sisters of Ohio? Have we not saloons in our
+midst, and is not the liquor traffic bringing ruin and desolation to
+many homes? And is not this the ‘call of God’ to the women of our land
+to put away this evil from us?”
+
+A mass-meeting of the temperance people of the city of Crawfordsville
+was called to meet in Centre Presbyterian Church, at three o’clock P.
+M., March 11th, 1874. This “call” was largely responded to, by the
+ministers of the various churches, and the leading men and women of the
+city.
+
+The meeting was called to order, and opened by singing the hymn, “All
+hail the power of Jesus’ name,” followed by a fervent prayer for God’s
+blessing upon the work, by Rev. R. F. Caldwell--and then the beautiful
+song, “Shining Shore,” was sung. Rev. John Safford, pastor of the
+church, assured us of his hearty co-operation in the work; and gave as
+a motto, “Push things,” as one worthy to be accepted as our battle-cry
+in this great and glorious work of exterminating the liquor traffic,
+never forgetting that in God is our strength and help.
+
+A Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized that day, with the
+following officers elect:
+
+Mrs. Joseph Milligan, President; Mrs. Maria L. Naylor, Vice-President,
+1st Ward; Mrs. Wm. Enoch, Vice-President, 2d Ward; Mrs. Dr. Purviance,
+Vice-President, 3d Ward; Mrs. J. P. Campbell, Treasurer; Miss Mary D.
+Naylor, Secretary.
+
+This official force, with the many earnest Christian men and women
+ready for work, met often in the various churches (which were _freely_
+opened to them), for prayer and counsel, as to the best methods for
+furthering our cause. It was not deemed best to “Crusade” on the
+streets; but to avail ourselves of the Baxter law, (local option,) and
+prosecute the cases in our courts. Whenever petitions were presented
+for license, to file a remonstrance, and with proper witnesses to
+testify as to the “moral character,” etc., of the applicant; with our
+temperance men and women present in the court-room, an unprecedented
+influence was thus brought to bear, and one case after another
+defeated. In fact not one of the many applicants received license.
+
+Much good was done in this way--not only by shutting up the saloons,
+and preventing the opening of new ones, but also by the building up
+of a public sentiment on the subject of temperance, and a stirring
+up of the temperance element, and bringing to a _decided opinion
+many_ who heretofore were _conservative_, and had felt no _individual
+responsibility_ in the matter.
+
+Good Templar Lodges have been revived and increased by the labors of
+the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, both in our city and throughout
+the county. Some saloon visiting was done; but not to any great extent.
+We worked in any and _all_ ways, to overcome the enemy. We have been
+permitted to see men taken from the gutter, become sober, Christian
+men, “clothed and in their right mind,” who attribute their conversion
+to the efforts of the Christian temperance workers.
+
+Eternity alone can reveal _all_ the results. The “Crusade” is not dead,
+the work still goes on. That the “little leaven” will finally “leaven
+the whole lump,” is my unwavering faith.
+
+Truly, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”
+
+
+EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.
+
+The officers of the Union furnish the following facts: We have been
+called the Sevastopol of intemperance in comparison with other places
+in the State. Whether we deserved this name or not, it is a fact that
+intemperance prevailed to an alarming extent; and while its ravages
+were all around us, few seemed to realize the danger.
+
+Some of our ladies had been reading of the Crusade work in other
+places, and were awakened to the subject, but were hesitating as to
+the expediency of inaugurating the work here, where we had such a
+mixed population, when the ministers, at their monthly meeting, drew
+up resolutions, calling upon the Christian women to take active steps
+in the matter. This decided them, even the doubting ones feeling they
+could not hold back, without being allied to the enemy.
+
+Our first meeting was held March 14th, 1874, twelve churches being
+represented. After organizing, and electing officers, our first
+aggressive work was to enlist the various county officials, members of
+the bar, etc., by presenting a petition for their signatures, asking
+their sympathy and indorsement of the movement, and their co-operation
+in the enforcement of the existing temperance laws.
+
+This petition was largely signed by the members of the bar, and it may
+also be a matter of surprise to know that our county commissioners
+were the first to put their names to the paper. But it is a fact, and
+stands out in strange contrast to the course they afterwards pursued.
+It clearly shows the wonderfully potent effect that mere personal
+interest, and political pressure, has upon our officials, to warp their
+better judgment, and turn them from their honest convictions.
+
+As our work progressed, it seemed to shape itself more into a
+determination for the enforcement of the liquor law, and the toning up
+and educating of public sentiment, rather than saloon visitation and
+street-praying, as in many other places.
+
+In accord with this fact, morning prayer-meetings were established,
+public mass-meetings were held, and a total abstinence and a voters’
+pledge were circulated for signatures. In canvassing, our ladies had
+some racy as well as trying experiences. Some of our German women
+seemed to understand just enough of English to say, “No temperance! no
+temperance!” and I am sorry to say they were not the only ones, for
+some of our own people, yea, some of our church members, said the same
+thing, “No temperance!”
+
+In the lower part of the city, as two of our ladies were out with
+pledges, they came near being mobbed. At first they were followed by
+one saloon-keeper only, who insisted on their buying him out. Soon he
+was joined by one and another of his companions, hooting and yelling as
+they went along. The ladies, becoming alarmed for their safety, rushed
+to the nearest friendly house for shelter, and there remained until the
+crowd dispersed.
+
+In many places in the State, temperance workers found a vast amount
+of fraud practised, in the way the liquor petitions were gotten up.
+Names of persons long since dead, and of others living out of the
+ward, as well as of those who had never authorized such use of their
+signatures, were all found attached to these petitions. Thinking these
+irregularities might also exist here, our Union employed counsel to
+investigate the matter. On the assembling of the county commissioners
+on the first of June, a large number of ladies, attended by their legal
+advisers, appeared before them. One of our number offered a fervent
+prayer. Our President, Mrs. A. L. Crosby, addressed them, setting forth
+these irregularities, and asked that a thorough investigation might be
+made before granting any permits.
+
+The following Friday was set for the hearing of the case, and in
+the meantime quite an excitement was stirred up. On Friday the
+commissioners found their own room too small, and adjourned to the
+one usually occupied by the Circuit Court, which was soon filled to
+overflowing.
+
+After the morning session, as the ladies were leaving, they were met
+by an excited mob; and here I quote, as authority, from the _Evening
+Herald_ of that date, as perhaps the description is more graphic than I
+can give:
+
+“After rendering this decision, the commissioners adjourned till the
+afternoon. At half-past one, the audience, which had by this time
+increased to a great number, then left the court-room, and a great
+portion of them, mostly saloon-keepers and their patrons, stationed
+themselves along the aisles from the court-house to the sidewalk,
+through which it was supposed the ladies would have to pass.
+
+“Judge Robinson was the first one to run the gauntlet, and his
+appearance was greeted with hisses and scoffs, some of the participants
+going so far as to push him rudely from one side to the other. Then the
+ladies prepared to make their exit; the buzz and clamor of the mob in
+the yard could be plainly heard. As they descended the stairs led by
+Rev. Mr. Webb, of Ingle Street Church, they saw the men, and desiring
+to escape them, they turned to make their exit through the side door
+opening to Main street.
+
+“It was here that August Brauns, a man who, by some peculiar and
+unaccountable line of circumstances, has been awarded the responsible
+position of Deputy County Auditor, showed himself. He saw the movement
+the ladies were about to make, and hurriedly running to the door, cried
+out: ‘Here they go around this way.’ With a yell the mob started around
+in front.
+
+“The ladies faltered, and dared not venture out into that yelling,
+hissing, scoffing mob, when suddenly our gallant sheriff, Add.
+Plafflin, sprang to the front, and cried out that he would see that
+those ladies were not hurt. Drawing his billy, he rushed into the
+street, and cried out, ‘Stand back or somebody will get hurt.’ The mob
+stopped, not a man moved. Held by the power of one man’s bravery this
+select assembly of transplanted American citizens, who a few moments
+ago had, with unparalleled bravery, bristled about a feeble gray-haired
+old man, and who an instant before were prepared to assault the ladies,
+stood speechless.
+
+“In an instant the deputies had rallied to their chief; and under
+the protection of the corps, the ladies walked down Main street and
+dispersed to their homes.”
+
+In the afternoon most of the ladies returned, and during the rest of
+the trial, which lasted several days, the number increased. At first
+we imagined we should have a fair and impartial hearing; everything
+was evidently in our favor. In one petition we found names omitted,
+but still numbered; names repeated several times. Thirteen swore
+positively, that they never authorized such use of their signatures,
+and when asked to do so had refused. Still, in the face of all this,
+these very petitions were granted. In fact it was a kind of a wholesale
+business, for as many as seventy permits were granted in one day.
+
+It was remarked to the president of the board of commissioners, that he
+would be met on this question at the polls, and it is pleasant to know
+that he was met there at the late fall elections and _defeated_.
+
+One of the inspired said, “When the wicked beareth rule, the people
+mourn.” We find this as true to-day as it has been in all ages past.
+
+Through the summer our weekly prayer-meetings were kept up. The
+subject of youth’s temperance societies was often under discussion,
+but deferred from time to time. In December, 1874, we circulated two
+petitions, one issued by the State Temperance Alliance; the other by
+the Ladies’ Temperance Union, of Indiana. Both of these petitions
+received a good number of signatures, and were presented to our
+Legislature, by Mrs. ex-Governor Wallace, of Indianapolis. We also
+circulated a memorial to Congress, asking for restrictive legislation
+in the District of Columbia, and the Territories.
+
+This in brief is a summary of our first year’s work. The question has
+often been asked, What does all this effort and self-sacrifice amount
+to? That more prayer, more faith, and more zeal could have produced
+greater results, cannot be denied; still our efforts have not been
+in vain. Of this we are certain, though we may be unable to measure
+ultimate consequences. Some tempted souls have been led to form better
+resolutions, and our own children even, may have had their feet turned
+unto the right path by our efforts and examples.
+
+The agitation and consequent discussion of this subject has awakened
+the public mind to the enormity of this evil, and many who were
+indifferent before, are earnest workers now. I am told that on last
+New Year’s day, most of our ladies, who were accustomed previously to
+entertain with wines, banished it entirely from their boards.
+
+After our defeat before the county commissioners, as heretofore
+described, and the repeal of the Baxter law by the Legislature the
+following winter, the enemy felt that the temperance cause was entirely
+vanquished, and that they had the field. Many of our own number left
+us, and those who had never joined us seemed to feel a pleasure that
+they had never been mixed up with anything so unpopular. We saw there
+was no redress in human laws, and so appealed our case directly to the
+high court above, feeling assured the great Judge would not turn a
+deaf ear to our pleadings, but that in His own time, and His own way,
+would surely grant our petition. And so a temperance prayer-meeting was
+established, or rather continued; and for over two years this little
+band of sisters, often not more than enough to claim the promise, have
+met together and pleaded their cause.
+
+In the meantime, several petitions and memorials were circulated and
+sent to the Central Society, at Indianapolis, to be presented to the
+Legislature, or to be forwarded on to Washington. It is an old saying
+that “the darkest hour is just before day,” and so it proved with us,
+for scarcely a glimmer of light shed its ray out over the midnight
+darkness.
+
+In May of this year our President, Mrs. M. A. Ross, attended the annual
+meeting of the W. C. T. U. of Indiana, held in Richmond, and there met
+Mr. Bontacue, one of the leaders of the red ribbon movement. She came
+home enthused with the subject, and soon after presented the cause in
+her own church prayer-meeting, getting a response from _one_ brother,
+that he could stand by her in case Mr. Bontacue should come. And so
+this faithful band of sisters came together, and prayed over the
+matter; and with not a few misgivings as to final results, directed the
+message to him to come.
+
+He arrived the 19th of June, and at first the meetings were small, and
+for nearly a week very few converts were made to the cause. They felt
+discouraged, and talked over ways and means for success, and finally
+appointed a meeting for _men only_, in the Criminal Court room. When
+the meeting began very few were present, but soon the singing in such
+an unusual place attracted attention, and one after another dropped in,
+till there was a tolerably good audience.
+
+That night a young man, well known in the city, belonging to a family
+of wealth and culture, went forward, signed the pledge, donned the _red
+ribbon_, and made a little speech. It acted like an electric shock
+in the community. People flocked thither to see what was going on.
+Soon they were compelled to adjourn to a larger hall. Other young men
+joined, making initiatory speeches, and hundreds were unable to get
+into the hall, and were compelled to go away.
+
+All this time the temperance women stood back, directing affairs,
+but were not publicly known as being more than other observers. Mr.
+Bontacue remained some days longer, organizing the Red, White, and Blue
+Ribbon Clubs, and then left for other fields of labor.
+
+Under the able leadership of the Presidents of the different clubs, the
+work is still going on. In the city and county, at this date, September
+18th, 1877, there are about _four thousand members_. And so our hearts
+rejoice in the Lord, for He has done more for us than we could ask, or
+even think.
+
+We can hardly believe our own eyes, as we see these men “clothed and
+in their right mind,” standing before large audiences, pleading with
+church members, as well as with drinking men, to come and join them. We
+hope the work is just begun, and that it will go on till all shall be
+gathered, not only under the temperance banner, but also into the fold
+of Christ.
+
+M. A. Ross gives the following interesting incident:
+
+“We had a large distillery here, running in full force, when our work
+began, and one of our sisters made it a special point in her prayer, to
+ask that its wheels might be stopped, its doors closed, its grain given
+to feed the poor, and its men find better employment. In a few weeks it
+was closed, and has never made another gallon of whiskey since. It went
+into the hands of the government, and was several times offered for
+sale, finding no purchaser. It was sold a few weeks ago to a party who
+are fitting it up as a flour mill; and now, verily, its grain will go
+to feed the poor.”
+
+
+MADISON, INDIANA.
+
+I am indebted to Mary E. Sullivan, Secretary of the Union at this
+place, for the following facts:
+
+The untold anguish of years found utterance at last on the morning of
+March 5th, 1874. Rev. W. W. Snyder prepared the way for the Quakeress,
+Mrs. Hunt and her husband, and others, for the Crusade in Madison. And
+as if we were to meet with the direst opposition from the very outset,
+the liquor-men, this same evening, met and formed an organization to
+resist the women.
+
+Mrs. Hunt, after her husband’s address, rose calmly and spoke to
+the masses crowded into the pews, aisles, and gallery of Old Wesley
+Chapel. The enthusiasm was intense. On the morning of March 7th, a
+business meeting came together at Trinity Church. W. M. Monroe gave a
+stirring address; proffered his aid to do _anything_--work that was
+too menial for anybody else, to enable him to make amends for wrongs
+committed years ago, when he kept a hotel before he was God’s servant.
+Local option prevailed in Indiana, and J. W. Levick urged “action.”
+Accordingly, after prayer by Mrs. Hunt, the ladies filed out, and moved
+in a body to the court-house, to visit the commissioners who were then
+in session. And now, for the first time, the voice of a woman was heard
+in prayer in that building, and amid the most intense interest and
+profound attention, she prayed for the court-house officials.
+
+We continued our visits to the commissioners, and committees canvassed
+the city, urging those who had signed the petitions of saloonists
+to withdraw their names. On March 9th, the room was crowded to its
+utmost capacity, and we can do no better than copy from the _Madison
+Courier_: “Gathered about the three commissioners, and the opposing
+attorneys, who were seated at the table, was an audience, which, for
+motley and variegated appearance, challenges the experience of the
+oldest inhabitant. Side by side, sat or stood, the low, shambling
+debauchee, and the lady of aristocratic mien and person. Brewers
+and saloon-keepers with burly bodies and flushed faces, contrasted
+strangely with the pale-faced, proper-looking parsons, and their
+adherents. The ‘odor of sanctity,’ and the fumes of tobacco, seemed
+strangely intermingled, and there was incongruity in everything. Upon
+the opening of the case, attention was riveted upon the opposing
+attorneys, John W. Levick, for the temperance cause; and Judge J. R.
+Cravens, for Donahue.”
+
+Judge Cravens was counsel representing Mr. Charles A. Korbly, who,
+throughout the Crusade, stood like an adamantine wall against the
+ladies. On the morning of March 10th, after consulting the county
+attorney, A. D. Vanosdol, the commissioners refused the license to sell
+intoxicating liquor to Mr. Donahue. McLaughlin and Gaumer withdrew
+their applications.
+
+We continued our work quietly and steadily, and a great number of
+signers to temperance and other pledges were obtained during our
+canvass of the city. And all the time, the spirit of earnest prayer and
+deep devotion prevailed, and women tremblingly waited.
+
+We knew that it was our duty to visit the saloons, and at our daily
+meetings, morning and night, as we came down the aisles of the various
+churches, each would scan another’s face, and anxiously inquire, “Shall
+we go?” and the answer would come, “We are not yet prepared.” We agreed
+to spend one night in prayer. Many wrestled all night with God, and
+light came in the morning.
+
+On the morning of March 13th, Mrs. Indiana Stiver rose in Christian
+Chapel and said: “Some of the sisters feel moved to begin the work at
+the saloons. For more than forty years I have tried to bear the cross,
+and have never felt its weight more heavily than I do this morning, but
+I also feel that I will be strengthened by the Lord for the work before
+us. I feel like Queen Esther--‘I will go in unto the king, and if I
+perish, I perish, for we are sold, I and my people, to be slain and to
+perish.’ As many of the sisters as feel moved to go to the saloons,
+follow me. Let us go into the vestibule and select the place where we
+will commence. We need a few of those who can sing to go with us. If
+any of the gentlemen have any advice to give, let them give it now. Let
+others stay here and pray.” Prayer was offered, and the hymn, “Guide
+me, O thou great Jehovah,” sung, when the praying band assembled in the
+vestibule.
+
+The reporter of the _Daily Courier_, M. E. Garber, Jr., politely
+advised us to go to the saloon of Tom Mullen, saying he knew Mullen
+would treat us well, and walked on before us into the saloon. This
+band, at first small, but afterwards increased to a hundred or more,
+consisted in part of
+
+ Mrs. Sarah Thomas,
+ ” Indiana Stiver,
+ ” Sarah J. Hughes,
+ ” Malvina Quigley,
+ ” Kate V. Williams,
+ ” Jewel,
+ ” D. G. Stewart.
+
+Arriving at Mullen’s, our band filed in, evidently to the consternation
+of the proprietor. The evils of intemperance were of course depicted,
+and permission asked to pray; but Mullen said he preferred we would not
+do so. And so, thanking him for his courtesy to us, we withdrew; and in
+all our after visits to him, he invariably treated us politely.
+
+We moved on to Johnson Conaway’s, at the door of which stood the
+barkeeper, who refused admittance. Our entreaties proving of no effect,
+we kneeled on the pavement and prayed, the barkeeper in the meantime
+having opened the door and locked himself in. We then passed on to the
+saloon kept by Nadler, on Main street, whose door we found locked.
+Nadler was very rude, talking roughly, saying, “It’s no use to talk to
+me. If you want to do me any good, give me some money;” and walking
+off, locked the door behind. During our prayer a window opened above,
+and an old German woman cried out in mingled glee and wonder, “Oh, see
+’em pray! Oh, they are praying!” The ladies now returned to Christian
+Chapel.
+
+The next morning our band left the German M. E. Church, and called at
+Frook’s saloon, the proprietor of which treated us well; but several
+men, with disgusting bravado, stepped to the bar and drank in derision
+of the women. We next moved on to the Western Hotel, kept by Henry
+Neisse, followed by an immense crowd. His barkeeper informed us that
+the proprietor was not yet up, but his instructions were to admit no
+one, and we prayed on the pavement. Drinks were here taken during
+prayer. Such was our uniform treatment at Neisse’s. Indeed, so often
+were we told that he was still in bed, that the house acquired the name
+of “Sleepy Hollow.”
+
+Broadway Hotel, kept by George Smith, was our next destination, and the
+scene was terrible. Our band huddled together, and jeering faces closed
+around us, and a group at the bar continued drinking and clinking
+glasses, and the women of the house, in an adjoining room, tittering
+and laughing--altogether making a perfect Babel of confusion.
+
+The Crusaders were followed up street by several hundred people, and
+they halted at George Glass’, at which place we were greeted with a
+scene which we are sure had been studied and practised for us. Glass
+had been known to boast how he would treat us, and the curiosity of
+the mob was intense, and was amply satisfied in a scene which beggars
+description, and disgraces the city.
+
+Our leader, Mrs. Stiver, having nearly swooned on the way, had dropped
+into the house of a friend, and we marched on, led by Mrs. J. F.
+Hutchinson. The door was locked, and we had no escape from the surging
+circle that hemmed us in. Again we copy from the _Madison Courier_,
+adding name: “Those in the rear shoved and jostled to get forward,
+so the circle narrowed and decreased till there was imminent danger
+of the kneeling women being crushed under foot. Rough words were
+bandied about; loud Amens issued from the bar-room; then snatches of
+derisive song; and amid and above all the din, the orchestra pealed
+out, rattling and drumming like a steam brass band. But a motherly old
+lady (Mrs. Susan Buchanan) prayed on, with her hands outstretched,
+notwithstanding the hideous noise within, as sweetly and calmly as by
+the bedside of a little child. The praying woman’s action and utterance
+alike expressed her faith: ‘The Lord will hear us, though the crowd
+will not.’ Presently Glass elbowed his way through to the doors and
+threw them open. He spoke pleasantly to the ladies, inviting them in,
+but the scene within was enough to deter them. A house full of burly
+men, drinking, and smoking, and acting as boisterously as they well
+could. In the ladies went, and the rush after them was so great that
+life was imperilled. They were greeted by the proprietor himself in a
+kindly manner. He expressed his regret that they had called Saturday,
+as this was a busy day, and he could not give them the attention they
+deserved.”
+
+Glass called out, “Come in, ladies, and take a drink, and hear the
+music. I paid so much for that organ. I keep a respectable house.”
+Mrs. Hutchinson replied, “If you keep a respectable house, you will
+stop that noise.” Upon which Mr. Glass, somewhat pacified, ordered,
+“Bill, stop the organ,” which was done. Beer all this time was flowing
+gratuitously. But we must add, to the praise of _One who protected
+each hair of our heads_, that this man’s hand was stayed, and the mob
+grew comparatively quiet, and Mr. Glass himself conducted himself much
+more gentlemanly during the rest of our visit, and invited us to call
+again. Before we were out of the door, however, a boisterous song was
+raised by those inside.
+
+The effect of this visit was varied. The monster Alcohol grew so
+hideous in its deformity to one man, that he renounced drink, and
+became a temperance man.
+
+During our frequent visits to Mr. Glass we were never able to make any
+impression for good on him. At one time, in response to the entreaties
+of Mrs. Stiver, he replied, “It’s no use. You can do me no good.” She
+answered, “Well, Mr. Glass, if we cannot, we will pray that God may.”
+To which he said, in response, “I take no stock in God.” Mrs. Electa
+Wilson frequently accompanied us in our visits here and elsewhere, and
+was very efficient in praying and exhorting the crowds. One morning
+Mrs. Joseph Todd for the first time accompanied us. Mr. Glass asked,
+in a very impudent manner, “What can I do? I can’t shovel coal.” And
+she replied, in a beseeching tone, “You had better shovel coal than
+ruin our sons.” She had known the effects of this inhuman traffic. He
+immediately proceeded to have her summoned before Mayor John Marsh,
+upon charge of “provocation.” Mr. Glass’s counsel refused to make any
+argument, and after a few scathing remarks from Mr. A. D. Vanosdol, the
+counsel of Mrs. Todd, the case was dismissed, when our band, who had
+accompanied her in a body, broke out in a song of thanks.
+
+Mr. Glass afterwards made a cowardly “assault with intent to kill,”
+upon Mr. Levick, who seemed destined to bear the brunt of the war, and
+was slowly recovering from an accident in which he narrowly escaped
+losing his limb, and was then walking around on crutches.
+
+Mrs. Horning locked the doors against us, as did Mr. Effinger. Mr. John
+Kraut admitted us once, but never afterwards. The house kept by Kraut
+bears the reputation of being of the class called _fine_, with marble
+counters and tall mirrors; and manufactured drunkards by the hundreds.
+Mr. David Humphreys always received us politely, and always treated
+us well and gentlemanly, but we were never able to make any change in
+him. C. Kraut refused us admittance. Johnson Conaway did also, and we
+were never able to see his face. Mrs. Kinne was a reluctant host, but
+treated us well. At one time the liquor element felt dissatisfied with
+the reports of the Crusade, as published in the _Courier_, thinking
+it favored us, and proffered to pay a reporter themselves, if his
+productions would be published. On our part we felt that we were
+ridiculed, and on the same day sent a committee to request Mr. Garber,
+Jr., to discontinue his visits with us. His reply was, “That is what we
+get for carrying water on both shoulders.”
+
+Henry Pfeiffer’s doors closed, as also did Lohman’s. Mrs. Patrick
+Devany treated us well. Fred Winnefield always refused us admittance,
+and we kneeled on the pavement. On April 4th we called on Fred Glass,
+Mrs. Stiver entering and inquiring for the proprietor. Mr. Glass
+started up from the rear of the saloon, exclaiming, “What’s here--more
+praying? I want no praying.” Mrs. Stiver answered, “But see here,
+Mr. Glass--” Mr. Glass, abruptly, “I want no conversation at all.”
+So we grouped together on the pavement, and Mrs. Stiver delivered an
+impassioned address, but we are compelled to add that, as far as we
+know, we were never able to produce any good effect on Mr. Glass. Mrs.
+Scheible treated us rudely. Leonard Klein tried how rudely he could
+talk to us. We were sometimes led by Mrs. Hutchinson, and sometimes
+by Mrs. Stiver. Great confusion was created on one occasion by Mrs.
+Thomas, an old lady eighty years of age, and loved by everybody,
+familiarly spoken of as “Aunt Sally,” stepping into the doorway, and
+kneeling down to pray. Klein hurriedly ran forward, and rudely drove
+her up and off. Aunt Sally was so much overcome she could not control
+her voice, and said, “Oh, excuse me, Mr. Klein, I am old and did not
+know I was doing any harm!” Mr. Klein frequently told us we were doing
+more harm than the saloons.
+
+And now we come to trying days indeed, but we were upheld by the power
+of God. Mrs. Hunt, who some time before this had left the city, was
+again with us, and Mrs. Stiver avowed her own willingness to sit at
+her feet and learn of her, and so under her leadership we concluded to
+visit Walnut street, along which almost every other house was a saloon.
+We had looked forward anxiously to this time; had heard threats of
+harshness. Cheeks blanched with fear and voices trembled with unshed
+tears. But into this stronghold of the enemy we marched, and called
+first at Mr. Schwab’s, who treated us well, and acknowledged he was
+ashamed of his business. His wife was glad to see us, and received
+us into her own sitting-room, thanking us with genuine earnestness.
+Winters refused to sell while the ladies were present, and a young
+German, being twice refused, ran behind the counter, drew the cork from
+the bottle, and was proceeding to help himself, when Winters snatched
+the bottle from him, and made him leave. Winters firmly avowed his
+intention to sell, however. John Greiner’s ale-wagon stopped here while
+we were inside, and men began drinking, and one of them took a bottle
+to the door, and drank from it ostentatiously. By this time drays,
+buggies, and wagons stood at the saloon doors, while swarms of human
+beings gazed upon the solemn procession of sisters, who pushed their
+way through the rough crowd, and commenced singing at Kimmel’s, who
+refused to sell drinks in our presence. A lady at the doorway passed
+through a severe ordeal in barring out the crowd.
+
+Jacob Schuler’s saloon was found filled with men drinking noisily, and
+there was a perfect jam before and around the door as we approached,
+and we found Schuler himself intrenched in an arm-chair, haranguing the
+crowd, crying, “Clear off my pavement.”
+
+When Mrs. Hunt said: “Brother, we were calling on the rest and would
+not slight thee,” Schuler, pacified, replied, “I am obliged to you for
+coming.”
+
+Our visit here was amusing in the extreme. Schuler, swearing
+unconsciously all the time, told of his bravery and exploits in the
+army, said he came to this country in “1885”--became very angry at any
+noise inside, swearing, “I can stop that, by ----,” set down quietly,
+while we prayed, but began again as soon as we arose.
+
+Amid yells and cries, and great confusion, we started for Mat. Baus’,
+where quite a controversy occurred between Baus and his wife. Baus’
+wife interrupted his words, and took up his argument, and Baus seemed
+hugely amused.
+
+After singing and prayer, we discontinued our visits for the day, but
+renewed the skirmish the next morning, and called on S. Pfau, who was
+inclined to shut us out because we passed him yesterday. He talked
+kindly to us, and expressed a hope that we might succeed.
+
+Not being admitted at Barar’s, Mrs. Hunt made a stirring appeal, after
+which, and singing and prayer, we closed the Crusade for the day.
+
+At another time, led by Mrs. Stiver, we again went out Walnut street,
+and finding Solcher’s door closed, we stepped off three paces, and held
+our usual exercises. Soon a rude crowd gathered.
+
+At Mrs. Woodchopper’s a motley crowd of children by the hundred, women
+by the score, and men innumerable, all mixed in a confused mass,
+gathered. A dray with empty beer barrels, the Walnut street hose,
+country wagons, dogs, etc., completed the company. Mrs. Dr. Little
+stepped forward, and, in her own kind way, turning to a crowd of
+children, delivered them an appropriate address. Mrs. Newel also spoke
+very effectively to some part of the crowd; and amid the confusion and
+boisterousness Mr. J. W. Levick, that indefatigable temperance worker,
+jumped into the spring-wagon of Mr. Auger, while Mr. A. held the horse,
+made an appropriate speech, tending to quiet the people, referring to
+his own German origin. Several men, in a rough, though not rude manner,
+interrupted him, asking him questions, to each of which he politely
+listened and replied. He then jumped to the ground and came near the
+ladies. During his address he was treated with more courtesy than
+we had any reason to expect, and one German followed him down-town,
+desiring to sign the pledge.
+
+And now, having given a brief account of some of our visits to the
+saloons, which our readers must take as an example of our work in that
+direction, we will pass on to other matters.
+
+On April 30th, 1874, Hon. Wm. Baxter came to Madison and spoke on
+the subject of Temperance, two evenings in succession. The Crusaders
+held a mass-meeting in Wesley Chapel, on the evening of May 6th. The
+church was well filled, our President, Mrs. Stiver, in the chair. After
+singing by the choir Mrs. Susan Buchanan led in prayer, after which
+Miss Emma Vail read a portion of God’s word. Mrs. M. E. Sullivan made a
+thrilling address.
+
+Mrs. Hutchinson read an essay, and Mrs. Johnson and Miss Mary Page
+sang solos. Miss Jennie David recited an original poem and when she
+demanded, “Was it _all_ the fault of the suicide?” the effect was
+indescribable. Miss David was an indefatigable worker, and willingly
+did anything our band desired. Mrs. Tibbetts concluded the exercises.
+
+Again, on the evening of June 10th, we held another mass-meeting at the
+court-house, Mrs. Stiver in the chair. Mrs. Sullivan made the opening
+address, followed by an essay by Mrs. Anna Dougherty, who in turn was
+followed by an address by Mrs. Electa Wilson, who from the depths of an
+earnest soul poured forth thrilling words, which coming from the heart
+went to the heart. Mrs. Wilson was listened to with rapt attention.
+Mrs. Gilpin concluded by reading an essay.
+
+In the meantime committees had circulated pledges and procured 2,500
+signers to the total abstinence pledge. Our feet were blistered from
+the scorching streets, while we worked faithfully on, defeating the
+license of George Glass and others. In this place we must make especial
+mention of Mrs. Thomas Clark, Mrs. Elizabeth Crane Black, Mrs. Harry
+Colgate, Mrs. Berryhill, Mrs. James Lewis, Miss Mary McFetridge.
+
+We also held mass and street meetings in various parts of the city and
+county. We gratefully remember Mr. Nat Williams, who at one time when
+we held a meeting on his wharf boat, kindly arranged seats and lights,
+and exerted himself to make us as comfortable as possible. On the
+arrival of the Louisville and Cincinnati mail packet, the commander,
+Captain Chas. David, cordially received us on board, followed by an
+immense crowd. Miss Jennie, daughter of Captain David, again recited
+an original poem to an attentive audience; and when she feelingly
+referred to the claim of the saloonists that theirs was a respectable
+business, and demanded authoritatively,
+
+ “If so,
+ Remove all bolts and bars, and let us see
+ What gin-shops are, what drunkards do,”
+
+the effect was thrilling in the extreme.
+
+At another time we held service on board the Cincinnati packet,
+commanded by Captain Sam. Hildreth, who received us cordially. After
+singing and prayer by Mrs. L. J. Hughes, Mrs. Stiver spoke for some
+thirty minutes, when after some other devotions we retired, escorted
+to the shore by Captain Hildreth. Captain Hildreth afterwards attended
+one of our meetings, was so much impressed that he resolved he would
+“taste not the unclean thing,” and let us hope that he adheres to his
+resolution.
+
+A stranger meeting one of our number afterwards informed her that
+through our efforts, on board the _Buel_ that day, he had ceased the
+use of intoxicants; and yet we must record the bitter with the sweet
+and say that the whiskey fraternity gave the United States Mail Company
+warning that if that performance was repeated, they would ship no more
+produce with them.
+
+And now, after all these long weary months of suffering and waiting, we
+have nothing to recall. Led by Jehovah’s hand we did what we could, and
+we leave the results to him. Though the good done seemed comparatively
+slight, yet we worked on, and to-day we recognize the recent reform
+movement in Madison, as the _child of the Crusade_, and as God’s answer
+to our prayers. We believe that by some agency God will answer our
+prayers and that _Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin_, is written over every
+bar-room in the United States as plainly as when the finger of God
+placed it over Belshazzar’s feast.
+
+We desire to say that we have been warmly seconded by most of the
+ministers in the city--W. W. Snyder, J. F. Hutchinson, B. F. Cavin,
+I. H. Hardin, Henry Keigwise and J. H. Barth. And we would especially
+mention the Rev. Dr. Little and Rev. David Stiver, who have firmly
+stood by us through all opposition and given their wives their warmest
+approval. We look forward to the coming day, when our victory shall be
+complete.
+
+
+INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. Dr. R. T. Brown, President of the Woman’s State
+Temperance Union, for the following facts:
+
+When the Temperance Crusade was spreading over the West like wildfire,
+in February, 1874, the Friends held a temperance meeting in their
+church.
+
+The Rev. Mr. Bayliss preached a sermon on Temperance at Roberts’ Park
+M. E. Church, and President O. A. Burges, in a sermon at Bethlehem
+Christian Church, made strong appeals to the women, spoke of the many
+saloons in the city, and told them to go out on the streets to work,
+and he would stand by them and give his assistance at all times, which
+promise he faithfully fulfilled. Soon after this, a call was made for
+the women to come to Roberts’ Park Church, to organize a temperance
+union. The attendance was large, and the meeting enthusiastic. A
+central union was organized, and soon after each ward in the city
+organized an auxiliary union. There was a general awakening in the
+hearts of the women. Well do I remember how large bodies of women met
+first in church for prayer, then walked in a long procession through
+the streets to the auditor’s office, and copied the petitions filed
+for permits to sell liquor, then again met in church for prayer,
+before going to the Commissioners’ court to expose fraud. They asked
+leave to open the sessions of the Commissioners’ court with prayer,
+which was granted, and there they sat from day to-day with dozens of
+beer-bloated, brazen-faced men, gazing at them.
+
+One morning there were five temperance women in the Commissioners’
+court, and an old colored man came in and gave the women five
+pamphlets, some in prose, some in doggerel verse, containing low,
+vulgar abuse of the Crusaders. The women hid them, and said nothing.
+When the women first met from the different churches, they were
+strangers, but they were soon acquainted and became lasting friends.
+They held many mass-meetings; they called the ministers into each
+other’s pulpits to make temperance addresses; in short, the Crusade
+work brought about a Christian union that nothing else ever had done.
+Prof. R. T. Brown said it looked like the Millennium had come. The
+Crusade has been a great blessing to the women of Indiana. It has
+developed latent powers and faculties which have astonished none more
+than themselves. They have circulated petitions extensively, and
+presented, in person, at two successive Legislatures, the names of more
+than forty thousand citizens, praying relief from the burden of liquor
+legislation. Besides this, there has been a growth in the social and
+Christian virtues that other means had failed to produce.
+
+The women kept liquor from being sold on the Exposition Grounds one
+year, and the next the managers allowed it to come in, and fifty of the
+leading temperance women pledged themselves not to attend the fair, and
+published the following card:
+
+ TO THE LADY READERS OF THE INDIANA FARMER:
+
+ DEAR SISTERS:--Knowing our sex as we do, and its womanly instincts,
+ keenly alive to all moral questions of conscience and duty, we appeal
+ to you.
+
+ Last year the State Board of Agriculture inserted a clause in
+ its leases prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors at the
+ Exposition, and thereby failed to rent the usual number of stands,
+ losing, as is claimed, several thousand dollars, while there was
+ probably no compensating increase in attendance on that account.
+
+ Consequently, the prohibiting clause is omitted this year, and the
+ sale of intoxicants will be allowed, unless the applicants fail to
+ procure a license from the Marion County Board of Commissioners,
+ which is altogether improbable.
+
+ Thus, as is usually the case, moral sentiment has again been
+ compelled to retire before appetite and avarice, which give to the
+ liquor traffic all its vitality.
+
+ It is also reported that large sums of money ($50,000 in one case)
+ have been paid to the Centennial management at Philadelphia, for the
+ privilege of selling intoxicants next year, where our nation, by “an
+ exposition of its material, commercial, intellectual and political
+ prosperity, resultant from an hundred years of self(?) government,”
+ will celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of that day when the
+ “Old State House” bell proclaimed “liberty throughout the land and to
+ all the inhabitants thereof.”
+
+ It is a sad commentary, that wherever our brothers, sons, fathers
+ and husbands are expected to gather, there the rum-seller invariably
+ plants himself, plies successfully his vocation and spreads his
+ snares.
+
+ He does not thus intrude upon gatherings of women alone, for he finds
+ no appetite to meet his avarice.
+
+ Now where, and by whom, shall a standard be raised against this
+ burning disgrace?
+
+ By whom, but the women and the churches? Where, so appropriately as
+ at our own Indiana Exposition and State and County Fairs?
+
+ Are the women of the State of no consideration to its commercial
+ interests?
+
+ Who wear its dry goods and jewels? Who change annually its fashions,
+ replacing the old with the new, while the old is still tasteful and
+ comparatively unworn? For whom do its young men dress well? By whose
+ tasteful housekeeping is the demand created for beautiful carpets,
+ handsome furniture and table appointments, pictures and other home
+ ornaments?
+
+ To gratify whose taste are thousands of men employed in building
+ elegant homes?
+
+ Who demands sewing machines, improved coal stoves and other
+ conveniences?
+
+ For whose eye is three-fourths of the display of our markets, on
+ business streets and at the Exposition?
+
+ Verily, women have a power for weal or woe, commercially as well as
+ morally, and can by combination make themselves felt.
+
+ Will you not, therefore, Sisters and Christian people, unite with us
+ in setting our faces like flint against the Indiana Exposition and
+ State Fair, while the management tolerates the sale of intoxicants?
+
+ If these gatherings are for the vicious and immoral, let us abandon
+ the field to them; if for the virtuous and moral, let such insist
+ upon a recognition of their moral sentiments; but if they are solely
+ business enterprises, which must pay at all hazards, let us know it,
+ and withhold our patronage as we would from a beer garden or saloon.
+
+ Mrs. Z. G. Wallace,
+ ” J. H. Bayliss,
+ ” J. A. Ross,
+ ” R. B. Duncan, Sr.,
+ Miss Auretta Hoyt,
+ Mrs. H. M. Brown,
+ ” Judge Test,
+ ” M. M. Finch,
+ ” T. H. Sharpe,
+ ” F. M. Farquhar,
+ Jane Trueblood,
+ Mrs. Dr. J. R Siddall,
+ ” John Gotschall,
+ Mrs. Lucia S. Holliday,
+ ” Ovid Butler, Sr.,
+ ” D. B. Harvey,
+ ” Ingraham Fletcher,
+ ” M. M. B. Goodwin,
+ ” Dr. F. G. Carey,
+ ” John S. Newman,
+ ” F. C. Holliday,
+ ” H. Parrott,
+ ” Elijah Fletcher,
+ Miss Annie Butler,
+ Mrs. Wm. H. Page,
+ ” R. T. Brown,
+ and many others.
+
+The consequence was that the Exposition was a failure, leaving the
+board largely in debt. Since then liquors have been excluded by the
+board from the fair grounds.
+
+[Illustration: MRS. MARY T. BURT,
+
+Corresponding Secretary Woman’s National Christian Temperance Union.]
+
+
+RICHMOND, INDIANA.
+
+Richmond is a beautiful town, containing about 15,000 inhabitants. Of
+the thirty-one registered saloons, only one was doing a legal business
+under the Baxter law. The town was of Quaker proclivities, and the
+Crusade was inaugurated by a few Quaker ladies; but the women of other
+denominations rallied around them, and the town was soon in a blaze of
+temperance enthusiasm.
+
+Among the places visited was the “Continental,” kept by one McCoy,
+which was the finest saloon in the city. McCoy could not stand the
+prayers and appeals of the women, but unconditionally surrendered.
+A thousand dollars was raised, and loaned to him to begin another
+business; and the “Continental _Saloon_” became the “Continental
+Market.”
+
+August Woeste unconditionally surrendered, and his liquors were poured
+into the gutter; a public entertainment was given for his benefit.
+Thomas Lichtenfels treated the ladies with the greatest indignity;
+he had a license under the Baxter law, and claimed that he was doing
+a legitimate business. The ladies continued their visits till one
+afternoon, six or eight ladies who had entered were locked in, and were
+prisoners from four till nine o’clock P. M. The very worst men in the
+city were in the saloon at the time, drinking and carousing, singing,
+and blaspheming in mockery. Beer flowed freely, and the tobacco-smoke
+was stifling, and the attempts to frighten the ladies were of the most
+threatening character. The noise and the confusion was so great, that
+no religious exercises were attempted, but the women sat in silent
+prayer, while the drunken rowdies offered every insult but actual
+violence.
+
+The Baxter law required that all saloons should close at nine o’clock.
+When that hour arrived Lichtenfels released the ladies, and, closing
+his saloon, said: “This is the last time I will open my saloon--this
+is too much for me.” For a week the saloon was closed, when,
+notwithstanding his promise, he reopened again.
+
+The Police Board of the city had it in their power to close all of the
+saloons of the city, but the one that was licensed; but, instead of
+hunting up evidence to stop the illegal business, they hunted up a city
+ordinance preventing the obstruction of the sidewalk, hoping in that
+way to stop the Crusade. But the ladies, getting a hint of it, changed
+their tactics, and went out in small companies.
+
+Enthusiastic mass-meetings were held--young men’s meetings, young
+ladies’ meetings, and daily prayer-meetings--and a public sentiment was
+aroused that would have closed every rum-shop in the town if they had
+not been sustained by official influence.
+
+Richmond is the home of Mr. Baxter, originator of the Baxter law.
+
+The women continue their work, adopting various methods, and are
+waiting and praying for the victory.
+
+
+MISCELLANEOUS.
+
+The Crusade was carried on in the following towns of Indiana, with
+more or less success: Fort Wayne, New Albany, Dunkirk, Portland,
+Muncy, Frankfort, Columbus, Buffton, Kokoma, South Bend, Valparaiso,
+Lawrenceburgh, Union City, Terre Haute, Greenfield, Bedford, Lafayette,
+Logansport, Warsaw, Wabash, Franklin.
+
+
+
+
+ILLINOIS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
+
+Early in March, 1874, it was announced that the city council had
+determined to repeal the law requiring saloon-keepers to close their
+doors on the Sabbath day. Petitions against the repeal of the law were
+extensively circulated, and the moral sentiment of the city thoroughly
+aroused.
+
+A meeting was called for the next Monday afternoon, March 16th, at
+Clark Street M. E. Church. The house was packed to its utmost capacity,
+the front seats in the gallery being filled with saloon-keepers. Many
+ministers were on the platform. Mrs. Wirts called the meeting to
+order, and Mrs. Rev. Moses Smith was elected chairman. There was deep
+interest. One present says: “The intensity of feeling was something to
+be felt, but can never be described.” During the devotional exercises
+every Christian heart realized that the Holy Spirit was present.
+
+The first business of the meeting was the appointment of a committee of
+fifty to present the petition to the common council. Mrs. Rev. Moses
+Smith and fifty others were designated to visit the council chamber.
+
+Mrs. Smith gives the following particulars of this visit:
+
+“About seven o’clock, when the streets were comparatively quiet, we
+formed in procession and marched silently to the council chamber. On
+reaching the hall, the door was found locked, and guarded by a drunken
+janitor, armed with a revolver and dirk. Rev. Arthur Mitchell, D. D.,
+and Rev. Arthur Edwards, D. D., who had greatly aided in the afternoon
+meeting, came to our aid, and succeeded in getting the door unlocked,
+and with their own hands lighted the gas. As many of the ladies as
+could be seated passed in to await the coming of the council, while the
+others returned to the church.
+
+“At eight o’clock the council came to order, and the clerk announced
+the first business on the docket to be the final vote on the repeal
+of the Sunday law. Then ensued a struggle: the more reckless were
+determined to repeal the law before the ladies’ petitions could be
+presented; others, even of the rum party, with an eye to future
+elections, favored making the listening to the petition the first
+business in order. After a long discussion, the motion prevailed to
+listen to the petition.
+
+“In the meantime a mob had gathered around the building, pressing
+through the long corridors even into the council chamber. There was
+hooting and yelling, and throwing of bricks, and threats from some of
+the more desperate.”
+
+After the presentation of the petition, Mrs. Moses Smith was permitted
+to address the council. She said: “_Gentlemen of the Common Council_:
+We came not here to address you. We desire not to take one moment
+of your time. We come with a petition bearing the names of 16,000
+women, and we feel that we represent the women of the city, and that
+we represent the cause of righteousness and of God; and we feel,
+too, that we are the power behind the throne, which may be felt at
+another election, though it was not at the last. We only entreat you
+in the name of our Father in heaven, and as you have the personal
+responsibility before you, not to open the saloons to our young men and
+to our children on God’s day.”
+
+Mrs. Smith was escorted from the building by Dr. Mitchell, preceded by
+an armed policeman.
+
+She says: “The moment I stepped out of the room an infuriated yell went
+up that fairly shook the building.” Saloon-keepers had offered free
+rum to all who would join the mob. Although several thousand of the
+most desperate men in the city were gathered in that surging, hissing
+crowd, the ladies passed through and returned to the church without any
+serious injury. Regardless of the petition, the law was repealed, but
+the mob had done more for the cause of temperance than the granting of
+the petition could have done.
+
+We give the following detailed account from the _Chicago Times_, of
+March 17th:
+
+“It was well the ladies proceeded at an early hour to the council
+chamber, though this precaution entailed upon them nearly three hours’
+wait. As soon as they had been admitted, the rabble began to gather
+on the outside, blocking up all the avenues of approach. Adams street
+was crowded by, perhaps, the most ruffianly crowd ever gathered
+in the city--a crowd in duty bound to insult everybody bearing the
+semblance of a lady. It had been gathered from the saloons and slums
+of the city to give the bummer aldermen a moral support. The leaders
+had sent out the command: ‘Rally your forces; we must counteract the
+influence of the women.’ Accordingly, every saloon had stood treat to
+all the dead-beats who would ordinarily be ordered out of the place, on
+condition that they would make ‘Rome howl!’ about the city hall. The
+move was a complete success, and a more unmannerly and disgraceful mob
+never outraged propriety and threatened the peace of the city. As soon
+as the council chamber was filled, the corridors were crowded with a
+filth-reeking crowd. The doors were slammed in their faces, and then
+a howl of indignation arose, that made the old rookery shake from its
+foundations to the skylights. As often as a vote resulted in favor of
+the bummers, the news was conveyed to the mob, and the most unearthly
+yells would be sent up, reverberating through the council chamber to
+the stopping of all business.
+
+“The air within was stifling, and frequently ladies would beg escorts
+from Captain Buckley to seek the open air. Such requests were always
+granted, but it was almost as much as their lives were worth for the
+ladies to work their way through the mob. As soon as the doors opened
+to pass them, the crowd in the corridors, getting sight of a bonnet,
+would break out in cheers, yells, hoots, groans, and cat-calls. This
+sort of thing was kept up until the lady reached the street, and there
+the cries would be taken up by the rabble outside, and the lady would
+generally be accompanied by a mob of several thousand, a block or two,
+all yelling like demons possessed. A number of ladies fainted during
+the ordeal. These diversions were of frequent occurrence, and the
+shouting and yelling were interminable during the whole time that the
+ladies were in the council chamber. But the closing scene was the most
+disgraceful of all.
+
+“It was the most outrageous proceeding ever witnessed in a civilized
+community. It must now be counted among the other delusions dispelled
+in this age, that men, no matter in what position in life, entertain
+a natural regard for the fair sex. The mob on last evening completely
+refuted this flattering unction. Savages would have shown more respect
+to captive Amazons. When the vote on the whiskey ordinance was declared
+carried, the ladies rose to depart. A posse of police then proceeded
+to break a way through the crowd. Having succeeded in this difficult
+task, the ladies filed out of the hall between two rows of officers. On
+either side stood a glaring mob--a shouting, a groaning, a hooting, a
+demoniac mob. The most obscene phrases were bandied about; the foulest
+epithets were applied. Women passing along the corridors through this
+lane of filth, hid their faces in their hands; dropped their veils;
+shrank within themselves; hurried forward on the run; stopped sometimes
+as if ready to sink, but gathering renewed strength, started forward
+again, pressed by the ladies behind them, all eager to reach the open
+air.
+
+“But when the open air was gained, the situation in nowise improved.
+Egress was had by the door in the rear leading to the alley next to
+the Grand Pacific. Thousands were crammed into this space--a howling
+menagerie. The police cleared the sidewalk, but the crowd lined the
+verge, and poured a volley of blasphemy and obscenity at the procession
+of ladies. When La Salle street was reached, other thousands were
+awaiting their approach, and these howled even louder than those who
+greeted them in the alley. The noise was positively hideous, and this
+hooting, yelling, blasphemous mob, of five thousand roughs, the very
+offscourings of the saloons, flanked and followed them clear to the
+door of the church. Jostling them on the way; spitting tobacco juice on
+their dresses; pulling at their chignons; in some cases tripping them
+up; knocking off the hats of their escorts,--brothers, husbands, or
+sons,--giving the latter kicks, cuffs, and digs in the ribs; and all
+the while the hooting, yelling, howling continued, and not infrequently
+members of the procession would sink to the ground, swooning from very
+fright.
+
+“It was a terrible ordeal these ladies were compelled to pass. It
+is safe to say that never before, in this country, did an equally
+respectable body of ladies receive such brutal treatment. The rage of
+the mob following the cart of Marie Antoinette to the guillotine was
+not more demoniac, and probably far more courteous. For much of this,
+that low-bred demagogue--Hesing’s henchman--Jack Rehm, superintendent
+of police, is responsible. The ladies called on him for protection,
+and he refused it; the mob ruled in the very head-quarters of the
+police. This bummer, with the star of the chief, was in league with the
+rabble; he was a party to the plot to congregate all the scum of the
+city hall; no pretence at order made on the outside; the police, as
+they say in Paris, ‘fraternized’ with the mob; they knew which side the
+powers that be were on.”
+
+So far from intimidating the women of Chicago, it made them a thousand
+times more determined. Perhaps many of them were not aware, up to that
+time, of the hideousness of the rum power, and the degradation and
+vileness of its votaries. Their eyes are opened. They see they have a
+giant to fight, and yet it is not for them to fight; this wonderful
+movement is _all of God, in answer to prayer_. Millions of prayers
+are going up to God, and a wonderful spiritual influence in answer to
+these prayers is being poured out upon the people of all lands. The
+temperance question is on the crest of this wonderful tidal wave.
+
+The _Chicago Tribune_ and _Northwestern Christian Advocate_ give
+substantially the same account, and unite to deplore and condemn the
+affair as a disgraceful outrage on decency and propriety.
+
+
+ORIGIN OF CHICAGO DAILY TEMPERANCE PRAYER-MEETING.
+
+After the visit to the mayor, rejection of petition, mob procession,
+etc., the temperance women of Chicago did not lose heart. They
+maintained a daily prayer-meeting in the lecture-room of Clark Street
+M. E. Church, at which numbers of drinking men signed the pledge,
+and sought “the Lord behind the pledge,” as one of them expressed it.
+During the frightful heat of that summer, the attendance fell off
+sometimes. Mrs. O. B. Wilson, the President, a plethoric lady, in
+feeble health, and past the prime of life, would ride miles in the
+street cars, from her home on one of the south side avenues, to the
+place of meeting in the Y. M. C. A. building, meeting there but one
+other lady, and she from a distance equally great on the north side of
+the city. At last, for a few weeks, the meeting was relinquished. When
+Miss Frances E. Willard, who had just entered the temperance work, and
+been made President of the Chicago Union, returned from old Orchard
+Beach, with the fresh enthusiasm and faith stimulated by that meeting,
+she, with Mrs. Louise S. Rounds, her special friend and coadjutor,
+proposed the re-establishment of the daily gospel meeting. They laid
+their plans before the ladies at the regular meeting, and advocated
+giving more publicity to the effort, and especially the effort to
+secure attendance of the drinking, swearing, “elbow heathen” of the
+streets. They proposed circulating a little hand-bill of invitation,
+putting out a sign with “Everybody welcome! Come and sign the pledge!”
+and also placing notices in the daily papers. The debate was long and
+animated. Some of the ladies said, “You’ve seen how difficult, almost
+impossible it is to sustain any sort of a meeting. A failure will
+be disastrous, and we cannot hope to succeed.” Others said to Miss
+Willard, who gave all her time to the office, “You’ll have to conduct
+the meeting all alone; and though profitable to you, it will not
+fulfil what you are aiming at, for if nobody comes, you surely cannot
+reach the masses.” But at last, by a small majority, the proposition
+carried.
+
+Miss Willard, in the simplicity of her heart, went to Miss Cushing,
+Librarian of the Y. M. C. A., and obtained her promise that if the
+prediction came true, and she found herself absolutely without any one
+to kneel beside her in prayer, Miss Cushing might be called upon to
+help her “keep up the meeting.”
+
+But this exigency never arose. The first day seven were present, the
+majority of them drinking men. Rapidly the numbers increased, until
+the office, which, by packing, would hold forty, was crowded, and the
+doorway and hall. Then the Y. M. C. A. gave the use of lower Farwell
+Hall (where their noon meeting is held) and the attendance grew until
+two, three, and four hundred would convene at three P. M. daily.
+
+Humanly speaking, the elements of success were: Dauntless
+determination; thorough advertising of meeting and persistently keeping
+it before the public--large placards of welcome, hand-bills circulated
+on the streets, notices of the press; accounts of the occurrences at
+the meeting, as well as mere announcement; having it _accessible_--in
+heart of city, _down-stairs_, level of street, good lively music and
+excellent instrumental accompaniment; regularly-appointed leaders (the
+week beforehand, so they could prepare), going into reading-room of Y.
+M. C. A., and daily inviting the loungers there, with utmost kindness,
+to attend.
+
+Mrs. L. S. Rounds, Corresponding Secretary, gives the following
+account of the work during the last year:
+
+“Since the 1st of October, 1876, I have had charge of the work. We have
+a membership of about seventy-five. Our daily temperance prayer-meeting
+is _the_ feature of our work. Held in the very centre of the city, we
+have had, since the above date, an average daily attendance through the
+winter of two hundred and fifty, and during these past summer weeks an
+average attendance daily of eighty-five to one hundred.
+
+“These meetings are held from three to four each day, Sundays
+excepted--always led by some lady, excepting a few weeks during the
+winter, when the meetings were led by Brother Sawyer, Mr. Moody’s
+co-laborer.
+
+“The influence going out from these meetings is felt in all the
+surrounding States, and letters come to us nearly every day from
+persons who have been helped by them. At the close of each meeting the
+pledge is presented.
+
+“Besides this daily meeting, we have weekly meetings under our
+auspices, at the following points:
+
+“_Bethel Home_, where a meeting has been sustained about three years.
+There a _mighty_ work has been done: _thousands_ passing through the
+Home have been in our meetings, possibly, only once--others several
+times, and the seed thus sown has fallen upon many a poor, weary heart.
+The Superintendent of the Home says that about twenty thousand persons
+pass through the Home yearly. The larger portion of these come into our
+meetings. They are poor wanderers, going up and down in the world,
+seeking work, rest, and homes. The most of them are drinking men. It is
+one of the most promising points of our work, and _thousands_ of these
+poor outcasts have signed the pledge here and begun a better life.
+
+“_Burr Mission_ is also a grand field for labor--a hard one, but all
+the more blessed, because of the joy it gives of seeing the cross of
+Christ win its way in the worst of places. Earnest Christian women have
+stood firm at their post here, and God has blessed them wonderfully.
+Hundreds have signed the pledge. Much house to house visiting is being
+done here, with blessed results.
+
+“_Twenty-fifth street and Portland avenue_ is another point where we
+have planted our temperance work. Here we have much help from Christian
+men and women living in the neighborhood.
+
+“_At 221 West Madison street_ we have another point of work. This
+meeting has only been in progress a few months, and yet the interest is
+remarkable, and much good is being done. Many Christians attend this
+meeting, held every Monday night.
+
+“And last, but by no means least, we have a new point of work in the
+extreme south part of the city, in the midst of a drinking class of
+people, called--
+
+“_Our Forty-seventh Street Work._ A gospel temperance meeting was
+started here about six weeks ago, a hall secured, and meetings held
+_twice_ every week. The entire neighborhood seems aroused. Some
+opposition was met with at first, but the whiskey men are finding out
+that we have come to stay. A noble Christian man, under the direction
+of our Union, has charge of the work, and we send speakers and watch
+its interests. At _every_ meeting large numbers sign the pledge. The
+work here promises grand things.
+
+ SUMMARY OF WORK.
+
+“The Chicago Union holds, _every week, twelve_ gospel temperance
+meetings. At all of these, the pledge is presented, and the Saviour
+offered as the Physician for sin-sick souls. At all of these meetings
+an opportunity is given for any one to present requests for prayers
+either for himself or for friends, and also to give testimony as to
+what the Lord is doing for him.
+
+“No reformed man is allowed to take part in our meetings who ignores
+Christ’s power to save, or scorns His help, no matter how good a
+_temperance_ man he may be. _We never run in debt._ It is an understood
+rule that we shall _never_ go beyond the means in hand. Clinging to
+this, we found ourselves one day with only forty-five cents in the
+treasury, but all bills were paid, and before others came in the Lord
+supplied our needs.
+
+“Not _one dime_ from our treasury goes to relief work. In a great
+city like this, constantly running the risk of being imposed on by
+untruthful and indolent people, we saw the wisdom of adopting this
+rule, and have adhered to it strictly. We find that those we help
+the least, _materially_, do the best for _themselves_, and this is a
+fact worthy of consideration. Much of the so-called _charity_ of the
+world is but adding fuel to the fire which is burning out our social
+life. Every man ought to be taught that he must depend upon _God_ and
+_himself_.
+
+“Our temperance women cannot learn the lesson too soon, that there
+is _no end_ to the long procession who care more for the bread that
+perisheth, than for that of eternal life.
+
+“Our objective point is the uplifting of _public sentiment_. Pulling
+drunkards out of the gutter is good work, but to keep them from getting
+in is better. Our hope is in the children. To this end the juvenile
+work interests us much. In nearly all the evangelical Sunday-schools of
+the city, we have introduced a review lesson on Temperance, prepared
+by Miss Kimball, the chairman of that department. It has proved _very
+acceptable_; and Sunday-schools out in the towns and villages in the
+State have sent to us for it.
+
+“God give us the children for Christ and temperance, is our cry; and we
+hear Him say, ‘According to your _faith_ be it done unto you.’
+
+“To-day, at the close of this hot August month, with the fall and
+winter work close upon us, our Chicago Union stands bravely at the
+front, where, thank God, she has _always_ stood.
+
+“To recapitulate:
+
+“We hold _twelve gospel temperance meetings every_ week, counting in
+our six _daily_ meetings, the attendance of which yesterday was 120,
+averaging daily from 80 to 100! Our regular _business_ meeting every
+week. During the past _eleven_ months (first three of which is in the
+last report), between 1,500 and 1,600 have signed the pledge; and we
+feel safe in saying that there have been from _three_ to _five hundred
+conversions_. May God continue to bless the temperance cause, and to
+Him be all the glory.”
+
+
+JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS.
+
+After an all-day prayer-meeting, the women were invited to meet and
+organize, which they did on March 16th, 1874, enrolling at the first
+meeting 200 names, as workers. They caused to be placed on record,
+the following solemn statement: “We now buckled on the armor, and go
+forward; there is no retreat, no failure; we do not expect to lay down
+our armor until life’s work is done. Our motto is, Jehovah nisi: the
+Lord my banner; and with this unfurled, floating in the air--which is
+wafted from the heavens above us--we go forth to conquer for Him who
+gave His life for us.”
+
+A pledge was drawn up, and circulated among the druggists, to which
+most of them signed their names. Committees were appointed to visit the
+owners of the buildings where saloons were kept, hoping, as nearly all
+were church members, they would be convinced of the wrong they were
+doing. Total abstinence pledges were circulated throughout the city,
+and over two thousand names were enrolled on the pledge-books.
+
+One day, a member of the Union, seeing a man come out of a saloon,
+said, with a kind look, “My friend, you do not frequent the saloon
+at such a time as this?” He answered, “I have done so.” After some
+conversation, they separated; he went home and related the circumstance
+to his wife, and expressed a willingness to sign the pledge. The wife
+found out the name of the lady, visited her and urged her to present
+the pledge to her husband, which she did. The man wrote his name to the
+pledge, declaring solemnly that he would never break it; and has kept
+it faithfully, and taken a stand on the Lord’s side, and united with
+one of the churches.
+
+A man came into the meeting one day, who seemed very much affected and
+interested. He said he lived eight miles from the town, was in the
+habit of drinking, and had been for thirty years; as he was coming into
+town, his wife wished him to attend the meeting where they prayed for
+those who wanted to be free from the bondage of drink, so instead of
+going to the saloon, he went to the prayer-meeting.
+
+Not long afterwards, while the women were praying before a saloon, a
+wagon stopped, and the occupants desired to see some of the women; it
+was the man just mentioned, with his family. They all wanted to sign
+the pledge; the shadow had been lifted, they had now a happy home, the
+man had reformed.
+
+Mrs. L. H. Washington, who was the President of the Union at that time,
+says:
+
+“We met daily, asking our Father to lead us, and use us against the
+evil, which threatened all that was precious In life. We did this,
+however, in the beginning, without any expectation of going into the
+saloons. For myself, I had an abhorrence of drinking-places, from which
+happily my father, brothers and husband, had kept aloof.”
+
+After two weeks of dally meetings, we began to visit the saloons.
+
+Our band, which commenced with five, soon numbered seventy-five. We
+were almost invariably treated with respect, not that the saloonists
+were glad of our company, but they knew that their only hope of
+maintaining their position and business was in appearing as much like
+gentlemen as they knew how.
+
+There were some exceptions to courteous treatment, generally from
+those under the influence of liquor. One saloon-keeper, who was much
+intoxicated, seized a gun, and aimed it at the women, but it was
+wrested from him, by his patrons. When sober he always invited us
+in, (we did not enter without permission,) and frequently followed
+to other saloons with apparent interest. Another saloon-keeper, also
+intoxicated, said: “What do you bring your Jesus here for? take Him to
+the church, and crucify Him there. You are working for money, any way.”
+
+We immediately acknowledged that we had received nearly a thousand
+dollars to open a pleasant free reading-room, where all were invited,
+and we wanted all who worked for money to take good care of it, and
+make their homes pleasant, and their wives and children happy, and we
+urged all to come and partake of the “water of life freely, without
+money, and without price.”
+
+One of the most deeply solemn prayer-meetings I ever attended, was held
+in a saloon, by appointment, and with the consent of the proprietor.
+Intelligence and wealth, ignorance and poverty, were represented in the
+band. Anguished hearts were laid bare; wrongs and solicitudes which had
+been carefully covered over for years, awakened ready sympathy, and
+all clasped hands against a common foe.
+
+Saloon patronage was greatly reduced; many unaccustomed to attend
+church, on invitation came, and some were gathered into the fold.
+
+It was almost the universal opinion, that with the burning eye of
+public sentiment turned upon the liquor traffic, it must go down.
+The saloonists were evidently trembling, not so much at the power of
+God whom they did not fear, as at the power of the earthly counsel,
+from whom they bought silence and favor, by paying $500 per annum. So
+insecure did they feel, and so low had their patronage been reduced,
+that they did not replenish their stock.
+
+One liquor agent, who, when he visited the city, usually sold from
+$1,500 to $2,500 worth of liquors to the drug stores and saloons,
+stated, that he could not sell one dollar’s worth. We afterwards
+learned that he came into our daily meeting to see what the women were
+doing, to so interfere with his business.
+
+I was riding in the cars one night. We reached the city of Peoria about
+midnight. This city is noted for its whiskey making, and a man entered,
+and engaged in conversation with a passenger, from which I learned,
+they were both engaged in the liquor business.
+
+“Times are dull, dull,” was the salutation that passed between them. A
+pocket flask was produced, and the quality of its contents tested with
+evident relish.
+
+“Doesn’t it beat the devil? You can’t sell whiskey in these days.” (I
+thought myself, that the devil was badly beaten.)
+
+“Where have you been this round?”
+
+Several places were indicated.
+
+“Did you stop at Jacksonville?”
+
+“Yes, but they’ve got a Crusade and a revival, too, and there’s no use
+to try to sell there.”
+
+“Things look rather dark.”
+
+“I think they do: Why, there are 30,000 barrels of whiskey in the
+bonded warehouses of Peoria, to-day, and no sale to speak of. B----’s
+distillery must shut down, if times don’t brighten. Why if this thing
+keeps on three months longer, every whiskey man in the country will be
+busted.”
+
+Alas! that the adversary of souls should have so many allies, and one
+so powerful in the love of money.
+
+In our city, many who commended crusading, and were loud in their
+praises, and hoped the women would not give up, when the time came for
+voting, failed to back their praises with their votes. “Temperance
+work,” they said, “was a Christian work, a work of moral suasion, and
+since men would drink, it was best and safest to make them pay for
+it.” And so they bargained for the evil, which their wives prayed to
+prevent, and hindered the good work.
+
+We were cast down, but not altogether discouraged. We wept, it is true,
+but had not our Master wept over Jerusalem? Jerusalem was destroyed,
+but His blessed cause lives, and the light then overshadowed, is
+brightening the uttermost parts of the earth.
+
+I learn from the records that on April 9th the following petition was
+prepared: “_To the Honorable, the Mayor and City Council of the City
+of Jacksonville_:
+
+“The undersigned, residents of Jacksonville, respectfully ask that no
+license to retail intoxicating drinks shall be granted by the city of
+Jacksonville. To you who have full power to grant or deny our prayer we
+appeal as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, to aid in preventing a
+traffic that causes evil, and only evil, and by which our sex and young
+children are the greatest sufferers.”
+
+This petition was circulated, and the names of 1,650 women annexed,
+and presented to the council at their first meeting by a committee
+appointed by the Union. This petition was placed, by vote of said
+council, in the hands of the chairman of the committee on ordinances,
+where it slept, with naught to disturb its repose, until its
+resurrection by the Union a year afterwards. It is now nicely rolled
+up and occupies a place with the records kept by the Secretary of the
+temperance society.
+
+And yet, with all these discouragements, the Secretary, Mrs. E. J.
+Bancroft, records the purpose of the society in the following tender
+words:
+
+“Let us, members of the Union, keep heart to heart, having charity
+among ourselves as to ways and means of doing good. Work and wait,
+looking to Him who gave the cause into our hands--the burden into our
+hearts.”
+
+
+ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, Corresponding Secretary, for the
+following facts:
+
+The city of Rockford, Illinois, on the Rock river, has had rather a
+remarkable history. About twenty years ago its numerous Christian
+counsellors set themselves to frame a municipal law for the liquor
+traffic, which, while it licensed, should at the same time prohibit;
+and the government was run on this double-faced principle for a series
+of years, during which manufactories multiplied, homes were built after
+the most luxurious style, churches were erected until they stood one
+for every thousand of her population, schools were perfected, and her
+youth grew up and entered business, and reared houses of their own;
+when it suddenly appeared to the women that their proud and beautiful
+city had a saloon for every church, and more than matched the church in
+point of influence.
+
+Under the terrible pressure of facts, the women came together, on the
+27th of March, 1874, and organized a Woman’s Temperance Union, having
+but the one object, of saving the men of our city from the curse
+of rum. The wife of the mayor, Mrs. Gilbert Woodruff, was made the
+President of this organization, with a Vice-President from every church
+in the city. Mrs. S. M. I. Henry was elected Secretary, and Mrs. H. W.
+Carpenter, Treasurer.
+
+Thoroughly organized, the Union began its work--holding public
+meetings, canvassing the city with pledges and petitions, studying the
+laws of the State and city, looking up the city records for facts to be
+used in public and private; and, greater than any of these, imploring
+the God of heaven daily for relief from the death-grip of this enemy.
+The pledges were signed by a good proportion of the _temperance_
+people, and a few drinkers.
+
+The petition to the council, not to grant licenses, was signed by
+2,325 women, 1,357 men, over age, and was presented to the council
+by twenty-one ladies--and was _not granted_. We worked on one year,
+without any apparent result--passed the anniversary, and began the
+second year with nothing but faith. By very great efforts, we raised
+the means to secure the services of Francis Murphy, who came to
+Rockford, about the 10th of April, 1875. The people thronged to hear
+him, and thus became interested in the idea and fact of reformation for
+the drunkard. Some hard drinkers signed the pledge at his meetings, who
+have stood true until now.
+
+Just before Mr. Murphy came, the business men who were in sympathy with
+our work organized an alliance, which is still in good, substantial
+working order, and is a power in our city.
+
+In July, 750 of our Union opened rooms for temperance gospel work,
+and Mrs. Henry, the Corresponding Secretary, was placed in charge, in
+which position she still remains. These rooms have become one of the
+institutions of the city, and have been the scene of many thrilling
+incidents in the work of individual reform. A pledge-book is kept on
+the table, and about four hundred names have been enrolled, of those
+who, in the midst of a downward course, have resolved to reform, and
+sought the temperance rooms and called for the pledge, unsolicited by
+us. Of this number more than ninety per cent. stand true.
+
+On the 15th of October, 1875, a Reform Club was organized in the rooms,
+beginning with seven members, all men rescued, by the grace of God,
+through the gospel temperance work, from the lowest depths. This club
+now numbers over one hundred men of like experience, many of whom have
+been converted, and are humbly following Christ.
+
+At the beginning of the second year of our Union, Mrs. John Backus
+was elected President, Mrs. Woodruff being first Vice-President; and
+Mrs. Starr, Recording Secretary; Mrs. S. B. Wilkins, Treasurer; the
+Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Henry, being retained. These officers
+were re-elected at our last annual meeting. At that meeting, the
+Corresponding Secretary in making her report referred to the strange
+fact, that not one of our members had been called away by death, and
+that no one had ever seceded from us. But to-day, six months after,
+we cannot say this: two of our dearest fellow-workers have gone up to
+represent us in the court of the King.
+
+Mrs. Mary A. Phelps, and Mrs. Gilbert Woodruff, our first
+Vice-President. No one reading these two names, in this connection, can
+know what it means to us. They were beloved and honored among us, and
+we are left _stricken_, yet following on.
+
+Our work is peculiarly _gospel_ work. During the years, our weekly
+gospel meetings for the men, our monthly meetings for the young people,
+weekly Thursday afternoon meetings of the Union, and weekly club
+meetings on Friday evening for men only, are all carried on, nothing
+being allowed to interfere. During the summer, afternoon meetings are
+held in the public park, every Saturday, at three o’clock, conducted by
+the women; and occasionally some good pastor of a city church visits
+us of a Sabbath evening, with his people, to hold a gospel temperance
+meeting.
+
+We have done a great deal of saloon visiting, not crusading, and
+tract work, with good results. A great deal of relief work comes
+to us every winter. Last winter the charity of the churches was
+distributed through our agency, and we had thirty-five families on
+our list, whose comfort was the daily care of our Union all winter.
+Cause of this want--_drink_. Result of the gospel temperance relief
+work--reformation, and conversion in several instances.
+
+Out of the W. T. Union of our city have grown several organizations,
+all working in harmony with us, and each other, viz.: the Rockford
+Temperance Alliance, the Rockford Reform Club, Spafford Lodge, I. O. G.
+T., and the Temple of Honor.
+
+We were sure, at first, that our call was of God, but to-day, looking
+back over three and a half years of constant work in this cause, we
+_know it_.
+
+We praise Him for the past, and trust Him for the future.
+
+
+BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS.
+
+Mrs. A. E. Sanford, of Bloomington, gives the following account of work
+there:
+
+The two months of prayer and conference preceding the work of saloon
+visiting, was a season of earnest praying and patient hard work.
+Saloons were visited every day, their keepers and occupants conversed
+with, urged to sign the pledge, become Christians, and give up the
+miserable business of selling and drinking liquors. Several gave up
+the business, many signed the pledge, and much good resulted from the
+loving labors of God’s loyal women.
+
+April 20th, 1874, was a memorable day in the history of Bloomington.
+The city council, in answer to the importunate entreaties of the women
+to make prohibition regulations, had promised to leave the decision to
+the popular vote. At an early hour the ladies convened at the First
+M. E. Church, and after spending one hour in agonizing prayer, went
+out in companies to the different wards, to influence, if possible,
+the voters. Quiet, timid women, with calm, resolute courage, in many
+of whose faces shone the peace and trust born of abiding faith in
+God, took their places with hearts full of prayer, and hands full of
+prohibition tickets, and in the drizzling, cold rain, fought for the
+cause they loved.
+
+Ministers, Christian men and women, and the Faculty of Wesleyan
+University, all worked together tirelessly, for they thought much
+depended on that day’s work. Many a voter, who had little faith in
+the “no license plan,” was induced to try the experiment; many a
+poor inebriate, seeing in prohibition his only hope of reform, and
+many a man, who cared little for the result, was induced to vote the
+prohibition ticket.
+
+At the church the women gathered all day and prayed; lunch was served
+also there; reliefs sent to those who had worked at the polls till
+strength gave way. Not a word of disrespect or roughness was given to
+the ladies, though they mingled with rough men, accompanying them to
+the polls to see the proper tickets deposited.
+
+When the polls closed, men and women, interested in prohibition,
+gathered at the church to await “returns.” As the news came in, shouts
+of praise, and songs of rejoicing mingled together; and when the
+victory was declared, the grand long-metre doxology sung with quivering
+lips and streaming eyes, attested how deep had been the interest, and
+how profound was the thanksgiving.
+
+But alas! how short-lived was our triumph. The council, disappointed
+in the result, “dilly-dallied” about carrying the popular vote into
+execution, until in June they passed the mockery of a prohibition
+ordinance, making the sale of less than one gallon illegal. But even
+this mockery accomplished good. Young men and boys were less frequently
+found in saloons; drunken men were seen less frequently upon the
+streets; and a visible improvement was manifest until fall, when even
+that ordinance was repealed, and “license” became the rule. Those were
+dark days for the friends of temperance.
+
+Since 1876, nearly half the saloons which had existence here have been
+closed. The Washingtonian Club has grown out of the prayers and efforts
+of the Union. Every week a few sign the pledge; and steadily, though
+slowly, the temperance sentiment is gaining ground and winning sympathy.
+
+The ladies of the Union meet weekly, not in the large numbers
+which characterized the Crusade days, but a few are always there,
+“stretching their hands to God,” and believing that the right must
+triumph in God’s good time; and so we are not discouraged, but hoping.
+
+
+MOLINE, ILLINOIS.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. M. E. Stewart for the facts connected with the
+heroic work of the women of this town:
+
+Long before the great tidal wave of temperance had rolled over Ohio,
+Indiana, and other States, there were anxious hearts in Moline. There
+were sleepless nights, and agonizing prayers, and many times was the
+question repeated mentally, “What, oh, what can be done to stay the
+terrible curse of intemperance?” But when the glad news of what was
+being done in our sister States flashed across the wires, we thanked
+God, and took courage, hoping that a spark from the spreading fire
+might alight in our own city. At length our desires were realized, and
+on the 20th day of April, 1874, at three o’clock P. M., about twenty
+women met for prayer and discussion, and, before separating, organized,
+and appointed committees for various duties, drafting Constitution and
+By-laws, and drawing up petitions.
+
+The meeting was earnest and spirited, and the great burden of heart
+seemed to be that the city council, manufacturers and business men,
+should take a decided stand on the side of temperance, by not licensing
+the sale of spirituous liquors, and by giving employment to men of
+steady habits only, and by discountenancing intemperance in every form.
+
+Our next meeting was held on the 24th of April. Forty ladies were
+present. The “Woman’s Total Abstinence League,” as the Society was
+called, had for its President Mrs. M. M. Hubbard, a woman of large
+motherly heart, one on whose brow were lines of thought and care,
+and whose hair was being silvered with age, and one whose heart was
+imbued with the work. Vice-Presidents, Mrs. M. A. Gordan and Mrs. M. A.
+Stephens. Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. M. E. Stewart.
+
+After that meeting, no time was lost, but active and persistent
+labor was ours. The city was divided into districts, and thoroughly
+canvassed with a petition to the city council in favor of “no license,
+and prohibition.” From house to house, from shop to shop, and from
+manufactory to manufactory did the earnest, anxious canvassers go,
+earnestly pleading with all to sign the petition “for no license.” Day
+after day they walked through drenching rain, snow, sleet, wind and
+storm, so that it might be completed before the election of new city
+officers.
+
+The roll contained 2,100 names and measured sixty-nine feet; and
+after a meeting of solemn, earnest prayers, a committee was appointed
+to carry it to the council room. It was presented to the mayor, who
+listened attentively, and responded by saying, that “both he and the
+council were in sympathy with our petition, and would do all they could
+to grant the favor.”
+
+The hearts of the old council had been touched, and to quiet
+conscience, they had repealed the license law, and left a clean page
+for the new officials.
+
+The first vote taken on the matter was a tie, requiring the mayor’s
+signature or vote to decide, which he refused to give, fearing he might
+offend either party, and thus the question was left undecided, and for
+two months there was no license. Meanwhile we did all in our power to
+prevent action in favor of license. We held meetings for prayer, sent
+articles on temperance to the newspapers, plead with the manufacturers
+and capitalists, to employ only men of strict temperance principles;
+plead, too, before “our wise ones, that the policy of no license was,
+and always would be, the wisest political economy--a financial gain to
+the commonwealth.”
+
+Although there was no license, the liquor-selling and drinking went on,
+and law was being violated, and work--hard work--and prayer was our
+daily motto.
+
+The mayor and council were frequently visited, always after earnest
+prayer. Saloon-keepers were visited and appealed to in the kindest
+and most tender terms to give up their occupation, and engage in some
+business that might command the patronage of all. The druggists were
+visited with the pledge, which was signed by each of them, but alas! we
+only too well knew, that some of them did so as a mere pretence, never
+intending to keep their promise.
+
+The churches were also most thoroughly canvassed with the pledge,
+and, although many responded eagerly, yet our hearts were saddened to
+know that quite a number of God’s professed followers did not fully
+comprehend the spirit of the great apostle, when he said, “If meat make
+my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stand.”
+
+Drunkards’ families were visited, and a kind and helping hand extended
+to the poor inebriate.
+
+Many little incidents occurred during such visits, which were worthy of
+note, but I shall only mention two, giving them in the canvasser’s own
+words:
+
+“In the northern part of our city are a number of poor, unfinished and
+unpainted houses, nothing of interest surrounding them. One cold, dark,
+dreary day, I called at the door of one of them: my rap was answered
+by a gruff voice from within, that seemed to come from some hollow
+cave. The door opened, and I stood face to face, in the presence of a
+man upon whose brow was stamped God’s bitter curse, ‘No drunkard shall
+enter the kingdom of heaven.’ I followed him, and found that I had
+entered a place of wretchedness and suffering. No fire, no furniture,
+except a broken table, one or two chairs, an old stove, and a bed
+of rags on the floor. Three poor children greeted me with kind and
+somewhat cheerful faces, a welcome indeed, in such a place of want and
+destitution.
+
+“I told them I had come to get their father to sign the pledge, and
+hoped to bring joy and comfort to them. After hearing the pledge read,
+he wrote his name, exclaiming as he did so, ‘No man has more need to
+sign your paper, woman, than I,’ wishing, at the same time, ‘that
+intemperance could be done away with;’ then, sinking upon the floor, he
+exclaimed, ‘Father, have mercy, what has drink done for me! taken my
+children, my wife, my property.’
+
+“The oldest child, a girl of fourteen, coming and throwing her arms
+around my neck, inquired if I had ‘come to save her father from a
+drunkard’s grave.’ ‘Would he come home once more sober?’ ‘Once more
+bring joy and comfort to his home?’ Two interesting children, a girl of
+eight and a boy of ten, came and took me by the hand and with trembling
+voices, asked if I had ‘come to save their father.’ I inquired for
+their mother. ‘She was dead four years since. She used to pray with
+us, for this good time coming, when father would be kind and have a
+pleasant home.’ She inquired if I ‘was the good angel, God had sent.’
+The father hearing the sad, tearful voices of his children, came and
+took me by the hand, and asked me to pray with him. In that dark and
+dreary room, believing God would hear and answer prayer, I asked them
+to repeat with me the Lord’s prayer, ‘Our Father, which art in heaven.’
+
+“Visiting still further among the poor, I called upon a family in more
+comfortable circumstances. Poverty and wretchedness had not yet stamped
+their blight so plainly upon their home. Still sorrow and sadness had
+found their way, and were gnawing at the hearts of its occupants. An
+aged mother, a young wife, a beautiful babe; must the finger of scorn
+be pointed towards them, a drunkard’s family? I told them my mission.
+I had come to get their names to our petition. In bitter anguish they
+told me of sorrow and suffering. How they had waited his coming in
+trembling and in fear: how they had gone out in the darkness of the
+night, mother and daughter, wandering among the haunts of vice to find
+no comfort.
+
+“He, upon whom they once leaned for support, was too intoxicated to
+know them. In bitter anguish they had returned to their home, so cold
+and desolate, to await his coming. The young wife asked if anything
+could be done to save her husband from a drunkard’s grave. Inquiring if
+they ever prayed for him, or those who sold him drink, I received the
+answer, ‘Prayer! What good would prayer do?’ I entreated her to pray
+for him, and for her enemies; told her prayer would prevail before God;
+to pray for the time when this terrible monster intemperance would be
+done away; for her son God had given her, that he might not follow in
+the footsteps of his father. Assuring her all our labors were backed
+by faith and prayer; that we would continue our prayers with hers, the
+prayers of the drunkards’ wives and children, until they reached to
+heaven. She threw herself at my feet, exclaiming, ‘Let me come, then,
+Lord, and consecrate myself to Thee.’”
+
+Our meetings were always characterized by a deep devotional spirit,
+great zeal and earnestness in the work. Social positions, if they
+differed, were for the time levelled, and denominational differences
+forgotten.
+
+Our League grew, and soon numbered ninety-three, but only a part were
+willing for active service, so that the labor devolved upon the few.
+
+The ministers joined with us heart and hand, and in sermons, hymns and
+prayers, held aloft the temperance banner. By their enthusiasm they
+incited the people to action, and temperance meetings became the order
+of the day.
+
+Mass-meetings were held alternately in each church. A Union Temperance
+Prayer-meeting was organized, and sustained for a year. A part of the
+League had pledged themselves to be always there, if possible.
+
+And those who held on were amply repaid, for their own hearts were
+warmed and cheered, and often the blessed prayer-room seemed a very
+Bethel. After much prayer the saloons were visited.
+
+On June 2d, after earnest prayers, discussion, and great shrinking from
+so unpleasant a duty, the picket work began; a few only volunteering
+to assist in the labor. That great excitement was created by this
+arrangement will be seen by the following, taken from our city paper,
+the _Moline Review_:
+
+“A STREET RIOT.--Every friend of good order in Moline must feel
+disgusted with the riotous crowd that assembled at the corner of Main
+and Atkinson streets on Wednesday evening, and, in defiance of law,
+blockaded the streets and disturbed the peace for hours. There was
+no occasion for this public disturbance; there is no excuse for it;
+and the good name of the city requires that a repetition shall not be
+permitted to occur.
+
+“But in this connection some explanation of what drew the crowd
+together is required. It appears that the Ladies’ Temperance League
+deputed two of their number to obtain and record the names of all
+persons who enter Shroeder’s saloon, which is located on the corner
+of the streets already named. Early in the morning the ladies began
+the duty assigned them, and remained at their post until noon without
+any notable occurrence. In the afternoon kegs of beer were placed in
+the middle of the street, and freely drank by a small crowd of men.
+This continued until six o’clock in the evening, the crowd constantly
+swelling in numbers. By eight o’clock the crowd had grown from a
+score to hundreds. A wagon was placed in the middle of the street and
+beer flowed freely. The crowd was ordered by the mayor in person to
+disperse, but it refused to do so. By nine o’clock from 300 to 500
+men, women, and children had congregated. Shouts, jeers, speeches,
+and profanity were indulged in. Challenges were boldly shouted for
+the friends of temperance to defend their views by arguments; common
+decency was outraged, religion mocked, and the name of the Deity loudly
+proclaimed as authority for drinking. This state of affairs continued
+without hindrance until eleven o’clock, when the crowd, out of sheer
+exhaustion, dispersed.”
+
+It was on the evening of the general prayer-meeting when the above
+scene occurred; and, during the hour of prayer, could be heard, far
+from the place, the shouts and yells of the enraged bacchanalians.
+Earnest prayers went up to our Father for the poor, wretched votaries
+of alcohol.
+
+After that evening the pickets never remained on duty later than six
+o’clock in the evening, as we did not deem it wise. Notwithstanding
+remarks and severe criticisms, the pickets proved faithful, and with
+pencil and paper took notes as the hours went by.
+
+Many little incidents, both ludicrous and amusing, occurred whilst we
+were on picket duty.
+
+One very hot afternoon, when two were at their post, a man came driving
+up like Jehu, and when near, drove clear around us, staring all the
+while, as if he had never before seen two women. He then turned,
+crossed over to the saloon, went in, and no doubt quenched his thirst.
+He then came out, jumped in his buggy, and came back, stopping just in
+front of us, when he took out a pencil and paper and began to write,
+as we supposed at first, but we subsequently learned that he was
+drawing our likenesses, and afterwards they were hung up in the saloon
+on exhibition, and when we passed by, we could hear remarks about the
+correctness of the drawings. The man himself, his manner, etc., during
+the whole scene, was exceedingly ludicrous, and yet he never spoke a
+word; we, meanwhile, retaining our dignity, and apparently indifferent
+to it all, and yet really peeping out from under our sun-hats, we could
+see the whole, and were greatly amused.
+
+Out of the picket work grew many rumors, incorrect ideas, and many
+unjust and unkind remarks. But during the whole time we were too busily
+engaged to notice, or give a second thought to anything of the kind.
+Our hearts were in the work; we had counted the cost; were willing to
+make great sacrifices, and knew well before we began, that we should
+be misunderstood and misrepresented; but we had also learned from the
+words of the blessed Master, that “The servant is not above his Lord.”
+
+There was one thing, however, for which we were not prepared. We were
+not ready for the unjust remarks and criticisms of those who professed
+not only strong temperance principles, but also Christianity.
+
+However, the picket work proved effectual, and the business of one
+particular saloon wasted away like the dew before the summer sun.
+
+This saloon had been notorious for decoying our American young men
+within its gilded net, and because we were anxious to save our boys, we
+placed our heaviest guns near by.
+
+Men not lost to shame, would turn away when they saw the pickets, and
+young men would come to us, and ask us for the pledge, saying, they
+were disgusted with the drink habit, and weary of their thraldom, and
+desired to lead better lives.
+
+It also proved a grand discipline to ourselves, for some of us, who so
+greatly deplored the sin and misery of strong drink, knew but little of
+its heinousness or extent, until we learned it upon picket duty.
+
+The work was begun for two reasons: one, that we might obtain evidence
+of violation of law; and the other, that our presence might deter our
+American youth from entering and forming the habit of strong drink.
+
+But a deep and lasting impression was made upon ourselves. Our souls
+were sickened and saddened, and our determination deepened and
+strengthened, never to abandon the cause, until our old and young
+men should be saved from the soul and body destroying influence of
+alcoholic stimulants.
+
+During the picket term, we also made arrangements for a temperance
+convention and celebration, which convened on the 4th of July, and
+with the help of our Davenport and Rock Island sisters, proved quite a
+success.
+
+There was also a petition presented to the county guardians. Though
+able and earnest, and signed by the leading ladies of Rock Island
+county, the petition was refused, and license granted.
+
+The appeal was signed and presented by the following ladies:
+
+Mrs. M. M. Hubbard, President; Mrs. M. E. Stewart, Secretary; Mrs. J.
+W. Spencer, President; Mrs. M. B. Hays, Mrs. M. R. McCalister, Mrs. T.
+J. Robinson, Mrs. T. F. Abbot, Mrs. C. C. Starr, Mrs. Margaret E. Ells,
+and Mrs. Helen Moffit.
+
+In the midst of our arduous labors we did not forget that justice is
+justice, and that those men whose “business was licensed by law, and
+protected by law, should be of all men the most willing to be judged by
+law;” and so, accordingly, in the month of May a legal committee was
+appointed to “take notes of evidence of all violations of law which
+came under their notice, or to their knowledge.” An attorney was also
+retained, and the work assumed a definite form.
+
+Of course such proceedings called forth a variety of remarks, such
+as, “Oh! don’t use the law in your work,” and “What do these women
+know?” “They cannot prove anything.” “Of course, law is made for the
+lawless, and law must be enforced if men steal our money, or murder our
+citizens; but this is different; and really it will agitate matters too
+much, if you prosecute men for violations of the liquor law.” But we
+believed our Father, a God of justice as well as an answerer of prayer,
+and most wonderfully did He open the way for us, as the sequel will
+show.
+
+Our testimony often came from sources both surprising and unexpected;
+and through the dust and heat we toiled on, “occasionally gaining a
+word of cheer, but never failing to hear of our mistakes.”
+
+Early in July a modified and somewhat restricted license law went into
+force. Under the old law there was an unlimited flow of rum, brandy
+and whiskey; but this ordinance permitted only the sale of wine and
+beer. Under the old law the saloons were nominally required to close
+at eleven o’clock at night, but in fact ran on undisturbed by watch or
+police--rolling balls and clinking glasses--until twelve, one and two.
+
+By the new law they were required to close at ten o’clock, and no games
+of any kind were permitted to be played in the saloons. Under the old
+license there was paint on the windows, and screens at the doors; by
+the new ordinance, “he, the saloon-keeper, shall keep the windows in
+his said bar, or place of business, free of paint or any other matter,
+whereby free view of the inside of his said bar, or place of business,
+through said windows, would or might be obstructed from the outside
+thereof; that persons of ordinary stature, standing on such ground, can
+easily see the interior of such bar or place of business, or anywhere
+therein; whereby any obstruction would be made to a clear view of the
+interior of said bar or place of business, from the outside thereof.”
+
+If this was not all we could have desired, yet we felt it was a step in
+the right direction.
+
+The mayor also told us that instead of twenty saloons, there should
+be licensed but eight or ten. But after the number was complete, one
+unfortunate evening, when the mayor could not be there, the license
+faction of the council increased the number to fifteen, which so
+annoyed the opposing party that one left in disgust.
+
+The mayor’s ordinance, however, produced an effect, one which the
+saloon-keepers did not greatly enjoy; many being deterred from
+entering, for fear of being seen from the outside by the passer-by; and
+billiard playing being prohibited, much of the former charm was broken.
+
+And thus we felt that God had answered prayer.
+
+About this time, Dr. William Ross (since then deceased), an
+enthusiastic lecturer, came to our city, and by his earnestness incited
+the people to financial action and united effort to suppress all
+illegal traffic in ardent spirits. The people responded nobly, the
+result being the subscription of over $200,000, to be assessed at the
+discretion of a board of managers. The board was composed of some of
+our best men, who, for a time, stood firmly by their pledges.
+
+If any one inquired what was to be gained by our lawsuits, even if we
+did win, we answered, “Much, every way:” but as one definite result, we
+knew that minors and inebriates who were connected with our cases could
+not now find so easy access to the intoxicating bowl, and we also knew,
+that some unconscious parents were suddenly brought to a knowledge of
+where their minor sons spent much of their leisure and money.
+
+The picket work continued, and the days sped on. Many weary, oh, so
+weary days were ours; but One was ever with us, to comfort and sustain.
+The summer months passed rapidly by, for our hearts and hands were
+filled, and we scarce took note of time.
+
+September came, and we sent our witnesses of the violation of the law
+to the grand jury of Rock Island county.
+
+Having thoroughly proved, in the meantime, that “the municipal courts
+would grant small, if any, justice in cases brought to their notice by
+women,” we had had overwhelming evidence of the violations of the city
+law.
+
+Three cases were brought before the city court, but each one lost. With
+sadness we recall the ungentlemanly conduct of the opposing lawyer, in
+his questioning one of the witnesses, a most excellent Christian woman,
+who now rests from all her labors, where her heart is not saddened, or
+her ear pained, by the coarse ribaldry of bacchanalian revelry.
+
+During the trials of the cases, the same lawyer would leave the
+court-room and still further excite his stimulated brain. And our
+experience proved, that when the city employed its police, they were
+not very much troubled at violations of the new ordinance, and our only
+hope must be under the State law.
+
+The pickets took evidence of the violation of the State law; and a
+book, containing a list of names of witnesses of the violation of said
+law, was sent to the foreman of the grand jury, who refused to lay
+the cases before the jury. The State’s attorney then sent word to the
+President of the League that she or other members of the society must
+present the cases themselves. Accordingly, the President and legal
+committee attended court, and presented our cases, during which time,
+other members met for prayer and supplication to the God of justice,
+that we all might be constantly led by the Spirit.
+
+Some of the members of the grand jury were liquor-dealers and drinkers,
+yet such was the character of the testimony laid before them, that
+they were compelled to bring in twenty-two indictments against the
+liquor-sellers of Moline.
+
+The cases were not reached until near the close of the term of the
+Circuit Court, when five cases were tried. We were not allowed to
+retain a temperance man on the jury, or one who believed the selling of
+liquor to be a moral wrong.
+
+We watched the empanelling of the jury with great anxiety. How our
+hearts sank within us as we saw one after another, the friends of
+temperance, dismissed from the jury! Yet we rejoiced to know that there
+were staunch temperance men in the county.
+
+Three men were summoned, two of whom were drunk, and one idiotic. The
+opposing counsel fought for hours to retain such upon the jury; but
+through the earnest appeals of the women, and honest efforts of our
+attorneys, who were noble and staunch men, they were dismissed, and
+their places filled by liquor-men who were not so fully under its
+influence. And before such a jury, men whose moral perceptions were
+blunted, and whose hearts were calloused, were our cases tried. But
+Jehovah remembered his people. Three of the five rum-sellers were
+convicted, sentenced to fine and imprisonment; one confessed, and one
+was acquitted.
+
+Several members of the League attended the trials, and were soundly
+berated by the opposing attorneys for neglecting, so they said, homes
+and family. So, to take that weapon out of their hands, some of the
+ladies took their children, knitting, etc., with them, thus losing no
+time, and yet seeing with their own eyes, and hearing with their own
+ears, the injustice and wickedness of men whose hearts seemed calloused
+to all that was good, pure and noble. Many lessons were also learned,
+not to be forgotten.
+
+Some of our witnesses were taken to saloons and treated by opposing
+lawyers, being followed to the doors by two of our ladies, who took
+cognizance of the painful fact.
+
+The testimonies of some of the witnesses were very touching, that of
+one heart-broken wife and mother bringing tears to the eyes of many.
+
+One case was tried and gained at the next term of court; sentence, fine
+and imprisonment. The next on the docket was that of a saloon-keeper
+who had just lost his wife, and, being left with a large family, his
+case was postponed until the next court, but, through the sympathies of
+our women in his behalf, was ultimately dropped.
+
+The trying of our cases revealed many things relative to the liquor
+traffic which before were unknown to us, and thus our experience was
+enlarged, and lasting impressions made upon our hearts, and we said,
+“We will never give up the ship,” but will labor on to raise the fallen.
+
+Time flew on apace, and as the picket and legal work had frightened
+many of our members, the League was greatly diminished in numbers, and
+the hard labor was all performed by a few, who were most wonderfully
+sustained by a loving Father, through faith and prayer.
+
+Death entered our circle, and one whom we dearly loved passed over to
+her rest. Sickness and removals at last compelled us to suspend for a
+time, and ten long months passed by before we resumed our meetings. In
+the meantime, another mayor came into authority, and the screens were
+again placed at the doors, and paint upon the windows of the saloons;
+the billiard tables were returned; all law, both city and State,
+violated, and yet no one to interfere.
+
+But we, a little band of women, still meet to plead with God in prayer
+for a better day. And we believe it will come, for Jehovah, the God of
+Israel, is ever on the side of right!
+
+Our little band has been made auxiliary to the State and National
+Union, and our name changed to “Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.”
+
+ We are watching, waiting, praying
+ For a brighter day to dawn,
+ When our watchword shall be Freedom!
+ Freedom, of Jehovah born.
+
+ When our loved and proud republic--
+ Land for which our fathers died--
+ Soil made sacred by the struggle
+ They encountered side by side:
+
+ When this land, o’er which our banner,
+ Symbol of the free and brave,
+ Floats aloft in all its glory,
+ Shall no longer know a slave!
+
+ Oh, thou mighty God of nations,
+ We would stretch our hands to thee;
+ Hear our prayer for deliverance;
+ Come, oh, come, and set us free!
+
+
+MISCELLANEOUS.
+
+The Crusade work was carried on with more or less success, in addition
+to the towns already named, in Springfield, Galesburg, Dickson, Joliet,
+Pontiac, Matamora, Oswego, Farmer City, Yorkville, and Sparta. The
+good work has gone on in Illinois. There are now fifty-four Woman’s
+Temperance Unions in the State, nine temperance reading-rooms, two
+friendly inns, and a large number of children gathered into juvenile
+organizations.
+
+
+
+
+WEST VIRGINIA.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.
+
+During the Crusade in Ohio a deep interest was felt among the Christian
+and temperance people of West Virginia for the success of the work.
+
+Indeed, the sympathy and excitement was so great that the
+liquor-dealers were alarmed lest the tidal wave that was so rapidly
+overthrowing the traffic in Ohio should overwhelm them.
+
+I visited the State at that time, and aided in the work. Mass-meetings
+were being held, the women were deeply stirred, and Temperance was the
+theme of conversation in every circle.
+
+In Wheeling, especially, the enthusiasm of temperance people was very
+great.
+
+A wealthy gentleman, Mr. Hornbrooke, rented the Opera House, the
+largest public hall in the place, and offered it, free of charge, to
+the ladies, as long as they wished to use it. All classes attended
+these temperance meetings, which were held twice a day. Dealers,
+drinkers, and manufacturers were conspicuous in almost every gathering,
+and those who spoke had the privilege of speaking face to face with
+the men they desired to reach.
+
+“There are no less than eight of our heaviest liquor-dealers in the
+audience,” whispered one of the prominent ladies to me, just before the
+meeting commenced.
+
+“Notice that young man, standing by the pillar, with his hat in his
+hand. He is the son of one of our heaviest distillers; he is anxious
+that his father should get out of the business; he says it is becoming
+so disreputable that he is ashamed to be known as the son of a
+distiller,” was the passing comment of another lady.
+
+There was great freedom of speech in these gatherings.
+
+One evening I was speaking to an immense audience in the Opera House,
+about the awful harvest of crime and pauperism, the liquor traffic
+yielded annually, when I was startled by a man in the audience calling
+out:
+
+“If you don’t stop that kind of talk you will ruin my business.”
+
+I promptly replied: “If you are in the liquor business, I hope I will.”
+
+“No, I’m not in the liquor business; but I keep the jail--and the
+success of the jail business depends mainly on that.”
+
+The effect was electrical--the audience saw the point in a moment, and
+cheered enthusiastically.
+
+During the Crusade in Wheeling, among the saloon-keepers visited was
+one Laramie, who kept in connection with his saloon, a variety theatre.
+
+As soon as it was known that the women were going to visit the saloons,
+Laramie invited them to begin their work at his saloon, and assured
+them that they should be treated with respect, and that he would see
+that they were not harmed.
+
+They accepted his invitation, and a large company of ladies marched
+from the church to his saloon. A great crowd followed them. The saloon
+door was closed against them, for the dance was still going on, and
+they could not admit respectable women to _such a dance_.
+
+While the ladies stood outside, and the wild, devilish revelry went on,
+they could plainly hear the dancing men and women, who were nude, at
+the pauses in the mad whirl, slapping each other, and the rude, vulgar
+crowd of men and boys cheering the indecent performances.
+
+The ladies looked at each other in utter horror and amazement, for a
+moment, and then all knelt on the pavement, and one of the number led
+in earnest prayer.
+
+After the prayer they sang, “Nearer, my God, to Thee.” While they were
+singing, the dance closed, the saloon door opened, and Mr. Laramie
+appeared to conduct them into the theatre. The stifling fumes of
+tobacco and whiskey that met them as they entered made them feel that
+they were near the brink of hell.
+
+They were taken at once on to the stage, where the wild, hurdy-gurdy
+dancers had so recently been, and facing the same vile audience, began
+their meeting.
+
+There was a great deal of noise and disorder at first, but as the
+meeting progressed, the attention of the most degraded was gained, and
+silence and respect were secured.
+
+On the third day of the meetings in this theatre, Mr. Laramie, who
+began to feel that they were interfering with his business, said: “Now,
+ladies, I have heard your side, and treated you with respect. I want
+you to stay and hear my side.” As they could but choose to hear, they
+lifted their hearts in prayer that the Holy Spirit might take hold on
+his heart.
+
+He came forward with a document in his hand, which he read. It was full
+of the most abusive and insulting statements. He advised the ladies to
+go home and attend to their own business. The vulgar crowd cheered him
+lustily. But the women were unmoved, for they felt that their business
+just then was to close up that den of vice, and rescue the souls he was
+dragging down to death.
+
+The power of God took hold of the man, and he trembled so he could
+hardly finish reading the paper. The moment his part of the performance
+was over, one of the ladies went to him, and taking him by the hand,
+said: “My brother, I have one request to make of you--I want you before
+you sleep to-night to take that paper and get down on your knees and
+ask God to forgive you for that false, insulting statement. You’ve got
+to meet that paper in the judgment, if you do not meet it here. You
+know you are in a bad business, and that you’re ruining souls. I beg
+you, my brother, to give up this warfare against God and humanity.” The
+man was so deeply moved that the tears streamed over his face, and he
+promised her that he would seriously consider the matter.
+
+This theatre became a regular meeting-place, and daily these pure, true
+women, some of them of high social position and influence, preached
+the gospel of the Son of God to the lost besotted men, who congregated
+there, and won many of them as trophies of the cross.
+
+When these meetings had been going on for some time, Miss Boyd and Miss
+Humphryville called on Mr. Laramie to have a quiet personal talk. He
+invited them down into the dining-room, and talked very freely with
+them. He confessed that he was in a mean business, but he was in it
+because of the money he could make.
+
+“The Lord can take the money out of it, my brother. Besides, there are
+things of more value than gold. Think of the value of an immortal soul;
+for the little money you get, you are ruining scores and hundreds of
+souls. Think of the young women you are degrading. How would you like
+your daughters to be led into such a life? Remember, these girls are
+daughters of fathers and mothers who loved them in the days of their
+purity as much as you do yours.”
+
+“I don’t want my children to come to such a life--I don’t allow them to
+come to this place at all.”
+
+He was deeply moved, and promised again to consider the matter, and
+urged them to visit his wife.
+
+The ladies asked the privilege of talking with the girls, and they were
+shown into their apartment.
+
+Only two of the girls were in, and the ladies sitting down beside them
+engaged in personal conversation with each. They were beautiful, and
+behaved themselves well in presence of these visitors.
+
+The ears of the Christian women tingled, as they listened to the story
+of folly and sin that had shadowed these two young lives.
+
+One of the girls had been induced to run away from home when she was
+little more than a child.
+
+“Do your friends know where you are?”
+
+“No; and I wouldn’t have my Christian mother know where I am, and what
+I am doing, for the world.”
+
+She revealed some of the horrors of the life she was living, the mock
+marriages at each theatre, the mating of the men and women of the
+troupe, the marrying and unmarrying at pleasure.
+
+The women were horrified and amazed that such things could be done in
+a land of Bibles and churches. Say not, gentle reader, that Wheeling
+was a Gomorrah, and this place an exception. Every large city almost
+in the land has its low dens where just such vile men and women, amid
+the fumes of liquor and tobacco, corrupt the youth of the land by their
+vile performances. And in some of these dens the girls are as much
+prisoners as though they were in a penitentiary. Once in these dens
+they can never get away.
+
+A friend of mine went into one of the low dance-houses of New York
+city. She managed to speak with one of the young girls:
+
+“Why do you lead this awful life?”
+
+“I can’t help it, I can’t get away from it.”
+
+“Oh, yes, you can. There is the door. Can’t you walk right out?”
+
+“No. Do you see that man beside the door? It’s his business to see to
+it that none of the girls slip away.”
+
+“But couldn’t you get out at some back door or window?”
+
+“Every door and window is barred. There is no hope for us but in death.”
+
+These prison dens, and the whole vile system of amusements connected
+with them, find their chief stimulant in alcoholic drinks, and could
+not exist without them.
+
+But to return. The ladies went down to Laramie’s one day, to find the
+house closed up. The burning eye of the public had been turned upon the
+place, and villains who moved in respectable society didn’t like to be
+seen going there; the patronage fell off, and Laramie was financially
+ruined. God had taken the money out of it in answer to the women’s
+prayers.
+
+From Wheeling Laramie went to Cincinnati and opened the same kind of a
+house, but the women’s prayers followed him, and the Crusade was raging
+in Cincinnati, and in a very short time he became a bankrupt and closed.
+
+From Cincinnati he went to Cleveland, attended the temperance meetings
+led by women, signed the pledge, and resolved to lead a new life.
+
+In course of time, he returned to Wheeling, joined the reformed club,
+and made a public confession of his wrong-doing, and begged to be
+forgiven. He said the prayers of the Christian women offered in his
+theatre had followed him, and been constantly ringing in his soul,
+and he desired to lead a better life. He offered his large hall, over
+his temperance restaurant, free of charge to the ladies, for their
+meetings, and he has remained steadfast to his purpose to lead a better
+life.
+
+A saloon-keeper of Wheeling, named Savegaut, invited the ladies to hold
+a meeting in his saloon. The band, in their rounds among the saloons,
+entered his place. They were graciously received, and chairs were
+brought for their accommodation. The crowd of drinking men maintained
+quiet during the religious services. The ladies sang, prayed, and
+talked kindly to the men, telling them of the power of Christ to save,
+and the joys of a Christian life. When they were about to leave the
+saloon, Savegaut said:
+
+“Now, ladies, I’ve listened to you; you must listen to me--you can’t
+leave here till I’m through.”
+
+The roughs, who had been previously instructed, immediately crowded in
+between them and the door, so that escape would have been impossible,
+if an attempt had been made; but no attempt was made. They all sat
+serene and self-possessed amid the disgraceful scenes that followed.
+Savegaut mounted the counter, where he was accustomed to deal out
+drink, and heaped upon the ladies such a tirade of abuse as none but
+those who have the poison of asps under their tongues could find
+language to express:
+
+One lady who was present says:
+
+“He literally exploded, and it was as if a putrid carrion had bursted
+and poured out a mass of corruption.”
+
+Immediately there was a row--fights, knock-downs, wounds and bruises,
+and one broken nose, and one broken finger. The police rushed in and
+cleared the way with their clubs, and delivered the ladies. They were
+unharmed and unterrified, and a peace that passeth understanding filled
+their hearts.
+
+Such treatment of respectable women, by any other man than a
+liquor-dealer, would have been visited by an indignant public with
+sudden vengeance, and the man would have been glad to have escaped with
+his life. But liquor-dealers seem to have the privilege to commit all
+kinds of enormities without reproof.
+
+That man was not even censured, but has gone on from that day to this,
+by the authority of the city, in his business of criminal-making.
+
+Oh, chivalry, where art thou?
+
+One of the wards of Wheeling was free from saloons, and the women were
+determined to keep it clean. In the midst of their fancied security,
+however, they learned that application had been made for license,
+and the applicant had received such positive assurance from the city
+council that license would be granted, that he had rented a building at
+heavy cost, and was preparing to open a saloon.
+
+The council was to meet in two days. There was no time to be lost.
+The women got out a remonstrance at once, and, the men of the ward
+assisting them, every family was visited, and the name of every man and
+woman solicited. And out of a population of 3,000 over 2,200 signed the
+remonstrance.
+
+When the council met it was presented, and in the presence of such
+strong, decided action the council did not dare to grant the license
+they had promised. So the saloon man was left with a heavy rent to pay,
+without hope of returns.
+
+The battle goes on with varying success.
+
+The women were somewhat diverted from their own legitimate work,
+however, by an attempt, on the part of the temperance men, to organize.
+They wanted the women to aid them in this. But, as it usually is in
+such cases, the men assumed the management, and took most of the
+offices, and nothing was done. So the women were left to gather up
+their wasted energies, and form their own plans and manage their own
+work, if the work was to go on.
+
+
+CAPTAIN JACK AND TEMPERANCE.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. J. McK. Riley, for the following incident,
+connected with the work in Wheeling, West Virginia, in the spring of
+1877:
+
+“There was a large meeting in the Opera House. Francis Murphy had
+spoken and left for the train. How could the crowd be held and the
+cause advanced?
+
+“A prayer was breathed to God for help. Just then there was a stir--a
+parting of the crowd, and a stalwart man in Indian costume came
+forward, and, with a wild Indian war-whoop, that made the blood fairly
+curdle in one’s veins, signed the pledge. Facing the audience, and
+holding up the pen, he challenged ‘Buffalo Bill’ to do the same.
+
+“‘Come on and sign, Bill: you know you ought to--you know you drink
+more whiskey than is good for you--you and all your company ought to
+come forward and sign this pledge.
+
+“‘I don’t sign it because I drink--I never drank a drop in my life. My
+mother died when I was only a little child, and she said to me just
+before she died, ‘Little Jack, I want you to promise me that you will
+never drink a drop of intoxicating drinks,’ and I promised her, and I
+have kept sacred the promise I made to my mother.’”
+
+Then turning to the audience he made a thrilling address, full of
+original thought. The audience was electrified. Mrs. Riley talked
+with him, urged him at once to abandon the stage, and give himself to
+Christ and his work. He was almost persuaded, but he pleaded previous
+engagements. He said that he was to pilot a company through the wilds
+of the Rocky Mountains this summer, and then he would throw himself
+into the temperance cause.
+
+
+DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
+
+I am indebted to Anna L. Davidson, Secretary of one of the local
+societies, for the following facts:
+
+January, 1874, two ladies, themselves sufferers by reason of
+intemperance, requested the President of the Woman’s Christian
+Association to hold meetings in the interest of temperance. She deeming
+it advisable to make it more general, called the women of the various
+churches to meet for prayer in the chapel of the Y. M. C. A., on
+the first day of the week of prayer, January, 1874. This room being
+too small, the meeting was removed to Wesley Chapel, where, from day
+to-day, for two weeks, large and intensely interesting temperance
+meetings were held, under the auspices of the Woman’s Christian
+Association. Many special subjects of prayer were presented; a deep
+feeling pervaded every meeting; the influence of the Holy Spirit was
+manifest. On Sabbath afternoon a public meeting was held in Lincoln
+Hall, Dio Lewis addressing a large audience. As now, the Christian mind
+of Washington seemed thoroughly roused on the temperance question, a
+representative meeting of ministers and members of the various churches
+was held in the parlors of the Y. M. C. A. to organize for temperance
+work. A resolution was adopted requesting the ministers of Washington
+and Georgetown to appoint, each, three active women to represent the
+different churches, forming a general committee, to conduct meetings
+and attend to the business of a temperance union. This was carried out.
+A meeting was also called in the Congregational Church to interest the
+masses and perfect a general temperance organization. This was largely
+attended, and after much discussion among the brethren the following
+plan was proposed:
+
+That the field be divided into five districts (embracing Georgetown),
+in each of which a daily morning prayer-meeting should be conducted by
+the women. A daily Union meeting in the afternoon, conducted in Central
+district by various ministers in rotation. A weekly meeting in Central
+district, representing the whole, at which reports from the different
+districts should be presented and other business of the Union attended
+to. This plan was afterward perfected, and successfully carried out
+for many months. Great enthusiasm prevailed. The Union meetings were
+largely attended and very interesting. Many ministers entered into the
+work and took part in the exercises. Numerous requests for prayer were
+sent to the women’s meetings held every morning in the five districts.
+
+Very successful mass-meetings, presided over and conducted by women,
+were held in various churches, which were crowded to their utmost
+capacity.
+
+Saloons were visited, in a quiet, unobtrusive manner, with some
+success. I mention one marked case of rescue from one of these dens of
+iniquity. Two of our women entering a saloon were shown into a back
+room by the keeper “to hold a meeting,” he said. They were appalled by
+the sight of a young man stretched upon a table dead-drunk; they fell
+upon their knees and poured out heartfelt prayers for all under that
+roof. Rising from their devotions they found the room filled with men
+from the bar-room, the keeper standing among them. They had entered
+so silently that the ladies were not aware of their presence. All
+seemed deeply impressed. Coming front they perceived an old and very
+respectable gentleman under the influence of liquor, a younger man
+trying in vain to persuade him home. They joined their entreaties; he
+finally consented to go if they would accompany him; they hesitated but
+a moment, then each giving him an arm conveyed him to a sorrowful wife,
+who met them at the door. They retired, with the promise of calling
+next day. They did so; found him sick. On a subsequent visit he saw
+them, expressed his gratitude and signed the pledge, which he kept. Two
+others went into a saloon kept by a woman; she was extremely abusive,
+ordered them out, would listen to nothing they had to say. On leaving,
+one remarked: “_We_ cannot reach you, but _God can_.” “God cannot shut
+me up,” was her reply. A few weeks afterwards, she was thrown from her
+carriage near her own premises and instantly killed. One of the ladies
+in passing that door found it closed, with crape on; an unfinished
+building, that she was rearing as the fruit of her gains and to enlarge
+her means of doing mischief, was also hung with mourning. A token of
+_God’s visitation_.
+
+Committees, also, waited upon grocers and druggists to reason with and
+persuade them to desist from the unholy traffic.
+
+In May a large public meeting was held in Lincoln Hall, addressed very
+effectively by Thane Miller. As summer approached, the meetings became
+smaller--“the love of many waxed cold.” Some of the ministers, who
+at first took active part, withdrew their influence. The odium which
+always attaches to any extraordinary effort for the salvation of men
+(especially woman’s effort) operated upon many, even Christian minds,
+and produced a great falling off in numbers. The Union meeting was
+relinquished; finally the faithful few reorganized, and gathered weekly
+for prayer, with the deep conviction, that the race is not to the swift
+nor the battle to the strong; the word expressly declaring that God
+hath chosen the weak things to confound the things that are mighty,
+and things that are not to bring to nought things that are. Prayer,
+earnest, persevering prayer, ascended week after week for special
+cases presented, and for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this
+city, in the salvation of the intemperate and in the overthrow of the
+rum traffic. We were favored, in many instances, by hearing of marked
+answers to prayer in special cases. Of the general effect, I cite one
+or two remarkable instances:
+
+During the week of prayer, January, 1875, a minister, who had been
+opposed to the woman’s movement, spoke to a crowded audience in
+Lincoln Hall on the effect of prayer, and said two young men of
+former intemperate habits called upon him to converse on the subject
+of their soul’s salvation. They had thrown away the cup and were
+deeply impressed by hearing that a few women met weekly to pray for
+the intemperate. Also, during the progress of the daily meetings, a
+liquor-dealer called on a friend, and said he intended giving up the
+sale of liquor. “Why,” said the other, “doesn’t it pay?” “Oh, yes,
+it pays well enough, but how can I continue to sell when 300 women
+are on their knees every day praying against the traffic!” What a
+responsibility this one fact throws upon those who weary in the work,
+as well as upon the whole Church!
+
+During the sweeping revival in this city, commencing in February, 1875,
+and continuing several months, scores and hundreds of drinking men,
+many of the most abandoned, were brought to the feet of Jesus, clothed
+and in their right mind. Some of these had been special subjects of
+prayer. The almost universal testimony of these was, that the appetite
+for strong drink had been removed. In one of the large churches, a
+minister stated, that he believed God was now answering the prayers
+that had been ascending for two years from the circle of godly women,
+and remarked, alluding to the experience of reformed men, as mentioned,
+that he had often attended their meetings, and heard repeatedly the
+fervent petition that the appetite might be removed.
+
+Though prayer has been the foundation and top-stone of our work, we
+have not been otherwise idle. The license law of the district makes it
+necessary that the applicant for license to open a saloon shall have
+the consent or signature of the majority of the property-holders and
+residents on each side of the square in which the saloon is located.
+By consent of authorities, we obtained, in the summer of 1874, the
+applications for license, with names of signers attached. These were
+all copied. Circulars were printed, calling upon these signers, in the
+name of God and humanity, not to lend their names and influence to such
+a destructive business. With directory in hand, four thousand of these
+circulars found their way, by mail, to as many citizens. Among the
+patrons of the saloon-keeper we found the names of many church members,
+deacons, elders, vestrymen, class-leaders, and one parson.
+
+A number of answers were received, some insolent, but mostly denials
+of ever having perpetrated so foul an act; many protesting that
+forgery had been committed. The same course was pursued the next
+year. Protests, or remonstrances were carried over the city to obtain
+signatures, but few were found willing to put their names in opposition
+to the liquor interest. Some were afraid of having their premises
+fired; others feared loss in business, etc.
+
+Repeated efforts have been made upon police commissioners, calling
+their attention to the frauds practised, and to the loose manner of
+proceeding in granting licenses without the legal requirement having
+been met. A committee was appointed to meet similar committees of the
+various temperance organizations, to investigate more closely the
+license system. In the spring of 1876 a public meeting was held, in
+which many facts we had brought to light were presented; one very noted
+was this: Of thirteen licenses examined, after thoroughly canvassing
+the districts represented, only one was found to have been legally
+obtained. Other facts equally strong were brought to prove that rum
+influence in the district dominates the law.
+
+In the latter part of General Grant’s term of office, 1877, our
+President, Mrs. Linville, and Vice-President, Mrs. Dr. Noble, with Mrs.
+Dr. Newman, called on President Grant, with reference to a bill which
+had passed both houses of Congress, and which we considered detrimental
+to the interests of temperance in the District. They requested that he
+would interpose the veto power, and thus prevent its becoming a law.
+They were politely and cordially received. The bill was vetoed.
+
+The same ladies, with Mrs. General Birney added, called at the White
+House soon after the inauguration of President Hayes, and, in an
+interview with Mrs. Hayes, represented the views of the Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union on the subject of the use of wine at State
+dinners, respectfully requesting her influence in abolishing it. We all
+know how nobly and successfully she accomplished it.
+
+A committee also waited upon Vice-President Wheeler, with regard
+to the sale of liquors in the Capitol. It is a notable fact that a
+Congressional temperance society of forty years standing has not yet
+succeeded in ridding the national legislative halls of this accursed
+traffic.
+
+An effort was made upon churches and ministers, with regard to the use
+of alcoholic wines in the administration of the Lord’s Supper. But
+little has as yet been accomplished in that direction.
+
+An interesting feature in our work has been, and continues to be, the
+work-house and jail visitation. This committee is composed of godly,
+self-sacrificing women, whose one object is to seek and to save the
+lost. Upon close inquiry, it has been found that nine-tenths of those
+confined in the jail, found their way there through the influence of
+strong drink.
+
+The Washington correspondent of the _Hartford Times_ has furnished that
+paper with some interesting facts, in regard to these paupers, which we
+give:
+
+“One of the first men he met there had been at one time
+Attorney-General of Virginia. In his office a number of now
+distinguished lawyers were students, and they owe much to his advice.
+His father had been Attorney-General of the United States and left his
+son wealth. But he drank, and sacrificed distinction, fortune, and
+everything to his love for drink. Another distinguished pauper was an
+ex-Judge of the Supreme Court of California, and had been esteemed one
+of the most eloquent men of his time. He came to Washington expecting
+to get an office, was disappointed, took to drink, and drank himself
+out of pocket, mind, and friends, and into the poor-house. In his
+company the correspondent found a once wealthy newspaper editor and
+proprietor of New York--a man of great ability and political influence.
+This man also sunk all he possessed in whiskey, and has been for three
+years in the almshouse. Sometimes his friends take him out, but,
+says the correspondent, ‘he drinks so much that he lies about the
+streets and is returned by the police.’ A fourth pauper had been only
+a few years ago a political power, special agent of the Post Office
+Department, and owner of much property in Washington and Arkansas. At
+one time he was a United States detective, but while drunk he ‘gave
+away’ the details of a case that would have resulted in the capture of
+two or three hundred thousand dollars in counterfeit money, presses,
+plates, etc. For this he was retired. When sober he was capable of
+doing remarkable work. In fact, fortune and fame were his if he had
+not allowed the taste for liquor to grow on him. In another branch
+of the institution the correspondent found an ex-Attorney-General of
+North Carolina. He made many friends, drank much whiskey, neglected
+his business and everything else, and drifted to the poor-house. Says
+the correspondent: ‘The principal reason for his being put where he
+now is, is that he stole a friend’s vest and sold it for whiskey.’ To
+such depths of degradation will whiskey bring the strongest and ablest
+of us. A man who was Stephen A. Douglas’ intimate friend, and who
+used to speak from the same platforms with him, is also a Washington
+pauper. When fortune smiled on him he used liquor as a relish, and when
+her smiles turned to frowns, he took it as an antidote for sorrow.
+It brought him temporary relief and permanent ruin. Coming into the
+almshouse in the ‘Black Maria,’ as the correspondent left it, was an
+old, white-haired man, ‘who was at one time one of the leading men of
+the Michigan bar. He is the man who backed Zach Chandler, and made him,
+politically speaking, what he is to-day.’ And this man of great legal
+ability, political influence sufficient to make and un-make men, and
+much wealth, is now a pauper. Why? Because he allowed whiskey to obtain
+the mastery over him, as did all the others herein referred to.”
+
+In the work-house, a still larger proportion, if not all, are addicted
+to this vice. The latter place has been removed to the county; but
+a marked change was visible in their appearance and deportment. The
+jail is now the object of special attention, and the women visiting
+are truly welcome, not only to the prisoners, but the keepers express
+their approbation and afford every facility for the instruction of
+inmates. The success attendant upon the faithful labors of our women
+is truly wonderful. Many cases of undoubted conversion and reformation
+have taken place; some that had fallen into a snare through strong
+drink and were unjustly incarcerated, have been restored to liberty,
+to society, and to the church; here we would observe that in the Young
+Men’s Christian Association we find ready helpers in restoring the
+lost. These same women do not let go the restored ones, but follow them
+up, and strive to find employment for them. Many from that prison will
+bless God to all eternity for the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.
+
+Another branch of our work which has occupied considerable time and
+attention has been the establishment and operation of the temperance
+lunch-rooms. The Holly Tree, at the time of its opening, was the only
+place of the kind in Washington, and was exactly fitted to meet a great
+want in this community. Life in Washington is more superficial than
+elsewhere. Men and women, separated from home and friends, a floating
+population, found here a rest and quiet not to be met elsewhere. No
+smell of rum, or fumes of tobacco, pervaded the air; no unsightly
+spittoon offended the eye; cleanliness, comfort, woman’s influence,
+gave refinement and elevation to the character of the place. Nor is
+this all. We could give you instances of entire reformation in the life
+of those brought under its kindly, genial influence.
+
+The popularity of this lunch-room (its patrons numbering hundreds) has
+led to the establishment of others, free from the temptation of the
+cup. Temperance dining-rooms at cheap rates, and dairy-rooms where
+cheap, wholesome lunch can be procured at all hours, are springing up
+in every part of the city, so that we almost feel as if our work in
+that direction was accomplished, and that we shall soon be at liberty
+to give our whole attention elsewhere.
+
+We have been striving this past year to enlarge our borders by forming
+auxiliaries, and have clearly seen the hand of the Lord in directing
+our way, have acknowledged His agency in removing obstructions and
+overcoming opposition. Churches that were closed upon us have been
+opened, ministers in opposition have not only yielded, but rendered
+assistance, and in those places where the greatest obstacles obtained,
+great favor is shown. We have gone out of the city into neighboring
+villages, held successful and interesting mass-meetings. Ministers
+have yielded their churches for Sabbath evening service, as we could
+reach a larger portion of the people on that evening. We go through the
+audiences to privately warn, and entreat to sign the pledge; some who
+publicly asked for prayers have since been converted. We can say of our
+work, as Mr. Wesley did of his, “The best of all is, God is with us.”
+
+I add the following from the report of the Secretary of one of the
+societies, Miss R. E. Hartwell:
+
+“We have been granted interviews by various officials of the United
+States and municipal government, in regard to framing new laws, and the
+more vigorous execution of those already existing. In every instance
+our petitions and statements have been courteously received, and we
+believe that in the new plans which are being developed at police
+head-quarters God is honoring the many prayers we have offered in this
+direction.
+
+“And who shall determine how much the recent revival of religion in
+this, as well as in other cities, is owing to the prayers of earnest,
+faithful, loving women, who are so continually besieging the Throne
+of Grace for the descent of the Spirit of God and the overthrow and
+subjection of that monster--appetite for strong drink.
+
+“More than two hundred letters have been written to various persons on
+the temperance question; and in almost every instance where information
+has been solicited the replies have been satisfactory. I would refer
+to those addressed to committees of Congress, the Police Board, Board
+of Health, and others, and thank them for their uniform kindness and
+courtesy.
+
+“The use of fermented wine at the Lord’s Supper has deeply engaged
+our attention; and last autumn we addressed an appeal to Christian
+ministers, urging them to discard it, as several cases have come to our
+knowledge, where the recently reformed have been tempted at the very
+altar to which they had gone for strength to battle against the foe,
+and have fallen, in some instances never again to regain their lost
+manhood.”
+
+
+
+
+PENNSYLVANIA
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+I gather the facts of work in this city from statements by Mrs. J. S.
+Collins and Mrs. W. M. Gormly.
+
+After meeting in Alliance Hall several times, for consultation and
+prayer, a mass-meeting was held in the Third Presbyterian Church,
+February 26th, 1874.
+
+On the 2d of March an organization was effected, and Mrs. J. S. Collins
+elected President, and other officers chosen.
+
+The next meeting was held in the United Presbyterian Church. The large
+edifice was densely packed. The principal address was made by John B.
+Gough. In closing, he wished the women of Pittsburgh God speed in their
+efforts to overthrow the liquor traffic.
+
+Soon after, one hundred women, headed by the officers, marched, two and
+two, to the office of the Mayor of Pittsburgh, to ask him to enforce
+the Sunday closing law. After a brief interview, and prayer, the mayor
+promised, in the most solemn manner, to see to it that all saloons
+should be closed on the Sabbath.
+
+They then waited on the Mayor of Allegheny, to make the same request,
+which was acceded to. For two or three Sabbaths there was a marked
+improvement, no places being visibly open for the sale of liquors. But
+very soon it was apparent that the mayor did not care to enforce the
+law, even when cases were reported to him.
+
+During all this time much discussion had taken place as to methods
+of work, and, on the 8th of April, 1874, the street work began. Mrs.
+Gormly says:
+
+All along the route the crowd increased, until we reached the Scotch
+Hill House, corner Fourth avenue and Ross street, kept by John
+McFadden. Permission was asked to hold services inside, which was
+gruffly refused. The Crusade was opened on the pavement by singing
+‘All hail the power of Jesus’ name,’ the band kneeling. Mrs. Youngson
+offered a fervent appeal to the throne of grace. Amid all these
+exercises a howling mob, with oaths and blasphemous curses, were
+calling for beer and whiskey. The proprietor and a boy were taxed to
+their utmost capacity to supply the demand. It now became necessary
+to send for aid. The acting mayor sent a detail of police. The scene
+here beggared description. Beer wagons drove up and were soon filled
+by the rabble, as were all the trees and tree-boxes adjacent, and high
+carnival was held in the devil’s cause.
+
+The next place visited was the wholesale house of Dillinger &
+Stevenson, on First avenue. Here the ladies were admitted, and knelt
+and prayed between rows of l liquor barrels. The proprietors were urged
+to sign the pledge, which they refused. We then withdrew.
+
+On Wood street, on passing a liquor house, the crowd had attained large
+proportions. We were treated with taunts and jeers until we arrived at
+our rooms. After lunch and devotional exercises, the line of march was
+again resumed. The first place visited was the Monongahela House. Mr.
+Crossan courteously received us, and tendered us the use of one of his
+parlors, in which we held our exercises--a large and orderly gathering
+being present, many signing the pledge. The acting mayor gave a detail
+of police, which accompanied us.
+
+We next visited the La Belle House, directly opposite the Monongahela
+House. Here the crowd was immense. Mr. Bailey, the proprietor, had sent
+an invitation to us to visit his house, and had made ample preparation,
+so far as his room permitted. Mr. Bailey and the police did everything
+in their power, under the circumstances, to keep order. Although
+demonstrative, the crowd was not insulting. “We’ll wait till Jesus
+calls” was sung, the proprietor joining heartily with us.
+
+Our next visit was at the Alden House, on Wood street, where we were
+cordially welcomed by the proprietor. The crowd was most respectful,
+evidently being of a better class. They all joined us in singing “We
+praise Thee, O God.” While we knelt in prayer, being led by Mrs.
+Youngson, a canary bird, hanging in a cage near a window, commenced to
+sing, and at every pathetic appeal, he sent forth his beautiful notes,
+making the event particularly impressive.
+
+April the 9th we visited the Lion Hotel, where we were admitted,
+and courtesy extended, the proprietor closing up the bar, suffering
+no liquor to be sold during our stay. As we were leaving this place
+Chief-of-Police Irwin presented an appearance, and announced that we
+were no longer to continue in our Crusade, as it was the orders from
+the police committee. We returned to our rooms for consultation.
+
+It soon became known that no order had been issued by the mayor. We
+obtained legal advice from the United States District Attorney, David
+Reed. He informed us we could not be arrested unless a proclamation
+was issued by the mayor. The sick-chamber of the mayor was invaded
+by prominent wholesale liquor men, and the coveted proclamation was
+obtained, forbidding us, under penalty of arrest, to hold services on
+the streets in the future. Wishing to test which was in power in the
+city of Pittsburgh--God or the devil--we continued our Crusade in the
+afternoon, visiting the wholesale houses of Anderson & Gamble, Mr.
+Hamberger, and Littell & Mechling. The members of the last-named firm
+became greatly enraged at our appearance, Mr. Mechling skipping over
+rows of barrels, calling lustily for the police to save them, in their
+legalized traffic, from the women, while Mr. Littell, in an outrageous
+manner, stood heaping vile epithets on us, and as one of our number was
+engaged in prayer on his behalf, his hands were over her face as if
+ready to tear her to pieces. His excited and angry talk had attracted a
+very large crowd, and his insulting words had aroused the indignation
+of the bystanders, and a riot was imminent.
+
+The Crusade was continued for several weeks, without any interference
+from the authorities, the ladies enduring every indignity; dogs were
+set on us, but, to the credit of the noble animals, they refused to
+attack us; barrels of liquor were rolled toward us; beer wagons were
+driven against us; and we were drenched by the hose of hydrants, turned
+upon us.
+
+May 21st, while holding services at a wholesale liquor house,
+Lieutenant Hager, with two officers, appeared on the scene, requesting
+an onward move. The request was not heeded. A loud command rang out:
+“Policemen, keep the pavement clear.” At this time some high words took
+place between Lieutenant Hager and Mr. Andrew Brice, who said, “Before
+I would do such dirty work, I would tramp my uniform in the gutter.”
+The lieutenant replied: “If you don’t keep quiet I will arrest you and
+every person on the pavement.” Approaching us he said: “I shall have to
+obey my orders and arrest you all.” The president replied: “We will not
+go until we see the proper warrant.”
+
+After asking the ladies if they refused to consider themselves under
+arrest, Hager helped himself to a pledge, and on the back of it
+proceeded to write the names as far as he could succeed in getting
+them. Armed with this list he proceeded to the mayor’s office, and
+warrants were filled out for our arrest, which were immediately
+executed. The procession then proceeded to the mayor’s office. In the
+meantime the acting mayor and clerk were actively engaged in filling
+up information against the band for disorderly conduct, the members
+thereof freely giving their names.
+
+During the interim, religious exercises were held, and tracts and
+pledges were distributed to the spectators, reporters, acting mayor and
+his clerk. Upon the arrival of the complainants and our counsel--for
+whom we had a tedious wait--the case was opened, the burthen of the
+liquor men’s complaint being interruption of business. The evidence
+being of a sickly nature, we were discharged with a reprimand.
+
+The mayor said that he was a friend of the ladies as long as they
+obeyed the law, but if they did wrong, he would be compelled to enforce
+the law to the letter. Accordingly, he dismissed the case, bidding us
+“go and sin no more.” The magistrate had scarcely concluded, when we
+commenced singing, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,” and
+continued to sing until the spectators were cleared from outside the
+bar. Thus ended the first arrest.
+
+On the following day the Crusade was resumed. While holding services at
+Hostetter & Smith’s Stomach Bitter house, one of the mayor’s police,
+Lieutenant Gordon, stepped up and asked for the names of the members
+of the band. They declined to accommodate him, but by some means he
+obtained the name of Mr. Watt Black, who always accompanied his mother,
+and proceeded at once to the mayor’s office to obtain a warrant for the
+arrest of Mr. Black and the Crusading Band.
+
+While holding services at the La Belle House, on Smithfield street,
+Detective Wilmot presented a warrant. After the arrest, the band,
+headed by the detective and other officers, marched up Smithfield
+street, singing as they proceeded, and, to our surprise, as well as
+the hundreds of spectators who were following us, we were led to the
+lock-up in Diamond alley. As soon as those under arrest filed in, the
+doors were closed and a strong guard placed to keep them from being
+forced open. To make it as uncomfortable as possible, the windows were
+tightly closed, and remained so until one of the band, being overcome,
+fainted, when they were compelled to open them.
+
+As the deputy mayor was somewhat tardy in presenting himself, religious
+services were conducted for some time. On being notified, our counsel,
+W. K. Jennings, Esq., promptly appeared. Immediately after, the acting
+mayor took his seat and commenced the hearing. The information only
+contained the names of three of our number, viz.: Watt Black, Esq.,
+his mother and Mrs. Vanhorn. The officer, in testifying, stated that
+those three obstructed the sidewalk, by singing and praying. On
+cross-examination he stated there were whiskey-barrels obstructing the
+sidewalk, which he neither ordered to move on, nor arrested. After
+arguments by counsel, the mayor’s decision was a fine of one hundred
+dollars on Mr. Black; Mrs. Black and Mrs. Vanhorn, twenty-five dollars
+each--which was greeted with hisses. Mrs. Black arose and indignantly
+protested against paying one cent of the fines, saying they would go
+to the work-house or jail. The mayor here stated that the ladies must
+be treated as other prisoners, and if they wished to take an appeal,
+the fines must be paid. At this juncture, W. D. Moore, Esq., believed
+to be in the employ of the liquor league, stepped forward and gave
+his check for the amount of the fines, which was strongly protested
+against by the defendants. The mayor having received the money, we were
+discharged, and withdrew from the lock-up singing, “Am I a Soldier of
+the Cross.”
+
+Saturday, May 23d, we met in our room at 2 P. M., engaged in devotional
+exercises, invoking the aid of the Master. We then took up the line of
+march, visiting the establishment of Dillinger & Stevenson, on First
+avenue. We were interrupted by the police--they leaving to procure
+warrants for our arrest. We proceeded to the store of Weiler & Brother,
+on the same avenue, near Smithfield street. On commencing our exercises
+a scene most disgraceful ensued. As soon as the voice of prayer was
+heard, a German copper shop immediately opposite brought their stills
+and kettles to the front, and all hands commenced pounding and making a
+deafening noise. The friends of alcohol everywhere seemed to be about
+us, yelling at the top of their voices; and to complete the effort of
+the hour, ten policemen, who were detailed to arrest us, made their
+appearance, and informed us we were under arrest. The warrant being
+presented, we surrendered and accompanied the officers to the lock-up,
+an immense crowd accompanying us. As we entered, the iron gate was
+thrown open that the culprits might pass into their cells. Paul and
+Silas like, we prayed, and sang praises to God. No doubt, like the
+keepers of old, they trembled, but did not spring in to ask what they
+must do to be saved. This created a great stir among the people. Had
+they known that we were locked behind the bars with the vagrants, the
+building would have been torn to pieces in a very short time.
+
+The case being opened, the usual questioning and cross-questioning was
+gone through with, and was concluded by the mayor imposing a fine of
+thirty dollars upon each; but subsequently finding he was not likely
+to get rid of us, he reduced it to ten dollars. A gentleman stepped
+forward and filled a check for three hundred and thirty dollars, and we
+were immediately discharged.
+
+Acting Mayor McMasters said: “T am very happy to announce to the ladies
+and the public here assembled, that I received this morning a writ of
+_certiorari_ directing that the record in the case disposed of Thursday
+last should be transmitted to the Court of Common Pleas. The questions
+of law involved will thus be explicitly laid down by a tribunal whose
+purity and integrity has never been called in question. The citizens,
+and the ladies in particular, and I will, I am confident, abide the
+decision of that tribunal. In view of an early hearing, I have decided
+to defer further action in the cases now under consideration, until the
+court shall have rendered a decision in the case pending before it.
+I have instructed the clerk to hand back the money deposited for the
+appearance of the ladies.”
+
+No sooner had we emerged from the lock-up than a tremendous burst of
+applause arose from the vast multitude. The mayor, police, and our
+accusers were greeted with groans and hisses. As we moved away to the
+Alliance rooms, the crowd increased at every step, the men who were
+standing along the curbstones respectfully raising their hats. Before
+we reached our head-quarters they were densely packed by an excited
+crowd, expecting to hear addresses of approbation. The halls and
+stairways were crowded, as were the streets also, so as to make egress
+or ingress almost impossible. As soon as order could be had, Hon. B.
+C. Christy was called upon, who arose and made a few congratulatory
+remarks, complimenting us on the patience and fortitude with which we
+had undergone our trials. He believed that we were actuated by motives
+true and pure as heaven.
+
+We then adjourned to Duquesne Way, on the Allegheny river, in front of
+Rhodes’ brewery, making use of one of his wagons from which to denounce
+their infamous traffic. Several enthusiastic addresses were made. It
+being late on Saturday evening, we then adjourned.
+
+On Sabbath, several sermons were preached, denouncing the evil, and
+encouraging us in the work.
+
+Thursday, May 27th, we met at our rooms, which were densely crowded.
+After devotional exercises, we formed in line and proceeded to the
+court-house; and because of the publicity the papers had given the
+case, the streets were filled with an immense throng. When we arrived
+at the court-house, the yard and building were so packed that the
+officers had great difficulty in opening up a passage for us to enter.
+Promptly at ten A. M., Judges Sterritt, Stowe, and Collier entered and
+took their seats on the bench. After proclamation by the crier, the
+case was opened. The attorneys stated their pleas to the judges, who,
+upon consultation, delivered their opinions as follows: Judge Stowe
+stated, “Singing and praying upon the public streets is not disorderly
+conduct.” Further, the learned judge informed Mr. Coyle, the acting
+mayor’s counsel, that his argument partook of shallowness of pretext
+more than anything else. Concurred in by the other judges. Judge Stowe
+gave the following decision: “The decision of the acting mayor should
+be set aside; restitution awarded; fines and costs returned; the city
+pay the costs;” and we were discharged from custody much to the chagrin
+of the acting mayor, who was present, his countenance indicating great
+discomfiture. As we emerged from the court-house, it was plain to be
+seen on which side the sympathy was. Cheer after cheer greeted us. We
+took up our line of march for the Smithfield Street M. E. Church. On
+our entering, the large auditorium was immediately packed. Order being
+restored, we engaged in singing, prayer, and thanksgiving to Almighty
+God for deliverance.
+
+The following are the names of the thirty-three arrested and
+imprisoned: Mrs. J. S. Collins, Mr. A. Watt Black, Miss McClung,
+Mrs. Van Horn, Mrs. Sarah Moffett, Mrs. S. C. Matchett, Mrs. W. W.
+Morris, Mrs. Alice Gillchrist, Mrs. Macken, Miss E. B. Carmichael,
+Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. M. Gray, Mrs. ----, Mrs. J. I. Logan, Mrs. Grace
+Hopeful, Mrs. M. E. Tutell, Mrs. A. W. Black, Mrs. A. Hill, Miss A.
+A. Starr, Miss Pearl Starr, Miss Lee A. Starr, Mrs. Youngson, Mrs.
+M. B. Reese, of Alliance, O., Mrs. John Foster, Mrs. Mary Caldwell,
+Mrs. Samuel Allinder, Mrs. W. M. Gormly, Miss E. Beeson, Mrs. D. N.
+Courtney, Mrs. Jane Nelson, Mrs. Martha Woods, Miss E. J. Foster, Miss
+Bessie Black.
+
+The Crusade continued. “Many devices were resorted to by the
+liquor-dealers to drive us away. For instance, the scattering of
+cayenne pepper, burning brimstone in the vault under the pavement. This
+ruse they soon abandoned, as we caused it to recoil on them by covering
+the grating, thereby turning the fumes into their houses.”
+
+I have recently learned that Blackmore was Mayor of Pittsburgh during
+the Crusade, and Samuel McMasters acting mayor, Blackmore being an
+invalid. McMasters did as he pleased, and it is generally believed that
+the liquor-sellers paid him (McMasters) to prosecute the ladies, and
+bring them into disgrace, if possible, and thus stop the Crusade.
+
+The true character of McMasters, the acting mayor, who caused their
+arrest, and by whom they were tried and convicted, has recently been
+brought to light, _he being convicted and sentenced to seven years in
+the penitentiary, for the double crime of adultery and abortion_, which
+resulted in the death of mother and child. The victim, a young girl,
+accompanied McMasters to the Centennial, and he effected her ruin; and
+to conceal the black crime, he committed another, even blacker.
+
+So this official ruffian stands out before the public in his true
+light. Others who were active in opposing the Crusade have fallen into
+disgrace, or have been forced to fly to escape justice.
+
+The howling mob that struck terror to the hearts of the people of
+Pittsburgh during the riot of July, 1877, and made its streets red
+with human blood, was composed largely of _the very same class_ of
+drunkards, tramps, and hoodlums that gathered at the call of the
+saloon-keepers to insult and howl down respectable Christian women, who
+dared publicly to protest against the liquor traffic by song and prayer.
+
+If the whole moral influence of the city had been brought to bear at
+that time on the liquor traffic, and the saloons had been closed and
+the business overthrown, the riot of 1877 would not have been possible.
+
+But the people sustained the rum power rather than the Crusade. And
+adown the very same streets, where the bands of women had marched, in
+the spirit of love, and with the songs of Zion on their lips, to win
+men from sin by prayers and tears, an angry, howling mob, with oaths
+and torches, with knives and pistols, surged and yelled, and rioted,
+with hellish hate and murderous intent. The city had “sown to the
+wind,” and she “reaped the whirlwind.”
+
+We all know now, as we never could have known without the bitter,
+costly lesson of the riot of 1877, how much the women of this land
+risked in the Crusade, and how wondrously _God shielded every one of
+them_, as, going forth in His name, they walked through these very same
+mobs, _unharmed_.
+
+
+ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+The Allegheny City Temperance Society, known as “Mrs. Swift’s Band,”
+was organized as a branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, of
+Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, March 25th, 1874. The preparation for
+the great work differed in nowise from that of similar organizations
+in other places. Daily prayer-meetings were held, and faint hearts
+grew courageous, and weak hands strong to undertake what so appalled
+sensitive natures. On the morning of April 4th, 1874, after an
+unusually solemn prayer-meeting, the band started from Rev. Dr. Swift’s
+church, to make the first visit to saloons. The succeeding three months
+this method of working was faithfully adhered to, and one hundred and
+sixteen saloons were visited; forty of this number received two visits
+each, and a few even three. In addition to the saloons, some of the
+mills and work-shops, as well as a large number of families, were
+visited. In the case of families, the ladies went in committees of
+two or three. Many persons signed the pledge, and while some have not
+had strength to keep it, we rejoice that others, whose first serious
+impressions were received from the saloon and curbstone exercises
+of the “praying women,” are now leading sober and useful lives. The
+churches opened their doors for our prayer-meetings, and two each day
+were sustained. A general meeting in the morning, and in the afternoon
+for ladies only. We were greatly encouraged by the interest manifested
+by the clergymen of the city. Their prayers, their words of counsel
+and of sympathy, nerved the shrinking women to go on with a work so
+fraught with disheartening and revolting details. Carrying the meetings
+from church to church was attended with many disadvantages, and several
+of our earnest supporters conceived the idea of providing us with a
+“local habitation and a name.” A very elegant building had been erected
+in a fashionable quarter for the purpose of establishing a “drinking
+palace.” Before its completion, the owner became involved, and it was
+offered for sale. It was purchased by the Reformed Presbyterians for
+a Theological Seminary. They did not require the whole building, and
+rented for our use a large, handsome room. This very building, which
+was designed to destroy men, body and soul, was occupied by those whose
+every effort was to “establish, strengthen, and save them.” Our friends
+furnished the room with great comfort and taste, and on Monday evening,
+July 6th, 1874, Crusade Hall was formally dedicated to the service of
+God and the temperance cause.
+
+Many friends now suggested to us the propriety of becoming an
+independent organization, as Allegheny City and Pittsburgh are
+distinct municipalities. Considering the matter from every point
+of view, we decided that our best interests would be subserved by
+severing our connection with the Central Union of Pittsburgh, which
+was done, July 25th, 1874. As the summer advanced, our numbers rapidly
+diminished, leaving us too weak to pursue the work as heretofore. Our
+prayer-meetings were reduced to one afternoon and one evening meeting
+weekly.
+
+But the disastrous flood by which our city was visited, in July, 1874,
+loudly called for help from willing hands. Immediately, our temperance
+band offered its services to the relief committee, and the quiet room,
+where the gentle voices of women had ascended in prayer and praise,
+grew vocal with the hum of sewing machines, and Crusade Hall became
+one of the most important relief head-quarters. Immense quantities of
+material were converted into substantial clothing, and distributed
+with the utmost system and despatch. Numbers of families were visited,
+receiving not only material aid, but the priceless boon of a sympathy
+which thought it no toil to brave the horrors of the desolated district
+and see the victims of the disaster in the ruins of their once peaceful
+homes. The grand object we had in view was not lost sight of in these
+trying days. We had access to many homes where intemperance was no
+stranger, and where hearts were softened by great suffering seed was
+sown which we can hope has borne fruit.
+
+After the necessity of this work had passed but little was done, beyond
+the sustaining of the two prayer-meetings.
+
+As our members returned in the autumn, we again began to consider what
+we should do. It was thought that no further good could be accomplished
+by crusading in bands, yet we did not wish the enemy to congratulate
+itself that we were discouraged or wearied. So it was decided to
+visit the saloons in committees of twos and threes. The ladies were
+courteously received, and their arguments listened to with civility,
+but apparently little impression was made.
+
+Again we seemed to pause, and a second time our work was sent to us.
+For some time our Friday evening meetings had been disturbed by a
+number of boys of the lowest class. Whence they came no one could tell.
+Whether curiosity, or a deliberate design to disturb the Crusaders,
+brought them, we could not conjecture. The disagreeable fact of their
+presence was all we knew about them. No one felt like assuming the
+responsibility of dismissing them, and a few earnest hearts resolved
+to make a special effort in their behalf. One evening each week during
+the winter and spring was devoted to their instruction. No encouraging
+results were apparent, but the pleasing reflection is ours, that a
+great desire to do them good actuated the ladies, who endured their
+rudeness with unwavering faith and courage. The endeavor to improve the
+boys suggested similar work for the girls of the same class. A most
+flourishing industrial school was established, and sustained throughout
+two winters. Cottage prayer-meetings formed an important feature of
+our work. It was the desire to hold the meetings, if possible, in
+homes which had felt the horrors of intemperance. This was not always
+practicable, but localities were chosen where the degraded of both
+sexes congregated, and where religious instruction was not given. Very
+soon an interest was manifested in the simple services, and many have
+anxiously inquired the “way of life.”
+
+We still have unabated interest in the work, and would gladly be
+more actively engaged. Our Tuesday afternoon meeting has never been
+interrupted, but we now feel ourselves “a feeble folk,” and can do
+little else than pray. The most perfect harmony has characterized our
+band, and the only change of officers we have made has been occasioned
+by the removal from the city of one lady, and the enforced absence, by
+serious illness, of another.
+
+
+WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. Mussina for the following facts: “Before our
+Crusade commenced, there were thirty liquor-saloons within a stone’s
+throw of the court-house.
+
+“One of our first meetings was held in a large hotel. The house was
+full, and the street was full--there was a multitude all around us.
+We bowed before the Lord and offered up a petition in behalf of the
+proprietor.
+
+“The people said: ‘We thought those women were going to find fault
+with us, but they have come to do us good.’ From that time we felt an
+earnest desire to visit all the liquor-dealers.
+
+“The father of the landlord of one of the largest hotels sent us word
+to go and hold meetings in that house, and his son would be saved. Our
+street meetings were owned and blessed of God in the salvation of many.
+We have often been thanked by strangers, for holding these meetings.
+
+“We had a number of mass-meetings; and the liquor-dealers had _one_.
+Many of the temperance people thought we ought to have attended it in a
+body; but we only sent a delegation and the rest of us remained in the
+church, and prayed to a covenant-keeping God to confound our enemies.”
+
+Mrs. Dr. Kemble, who was appointed to visit Harrisburg to help save the
+Local Option law, furnishes the following incident of her escape the
+night before she started:
+
+“Wishing to arise early, I told the young lady (who was staying with
+me) that we would leave the blinds up, that we might see the daylight
+at an early hour. About midnight we heard a crash which awoke us both,
+and upon looking up, we discovered that the window had been broken
+in; and upon further search we found that a brickbat had been thrown
+through the window, and lay between us on the bed; but by the blessing
+of God neither of us were hurt. This did not deter us in the least. We
+prayed and worked with more determination than ever.”
+
+The most signal manifestation of God’s hand in the work, is the swift
+judgment that has overtaken almost every one who opposed them, as will
+be shown from the following facts sent me by E. L. Nice, who writes:
+
+“The first meeting was called February, 1874. The ladies organized
+twenty-five strong, and commenced the saloon visiting and picket work
+soon after. A coffee-house also was opened, in a concert saloon room,
+situated in the midst of the liquor-selling business. This room had
+been previously occupied as a saloon; but the keeper had skipped away
+without paying his rent, and thus we got it; but kept it only a short
+time, because the man of whom we rented (then the mayor of the city)
+grew afraid of the liquor men, when he saw our coffee-house hurt their
+‘lunch-rooms,’ and would let us have it no longer. This man has since
+gone into disgrace as a _dishonest_ bankrupt, even losing his friends
+among the liquor men, who suffered from his failure.
+
+“The man who was the most insulting to us has since shot himself while
+in jail, during a fit of delirium tremens, and died a miserable death.
+Two others have found a home in the insane asylum.
+
+“Many have been sold out by the sheriff, and reduced to poverty. One
+who did all he could slyly, to discourage and injure us, now goes about
+a cripple, almost helpless with paralysis, and his family is reduced to
+abject poverty.
+
+“Our District Attorney, G. C. Hinman, who boldly advocated the repeal
+of the Local Option law, and denounced the work of the Crusade, left
+here last year in disgrace; ran away just in time to escape the
+penitentiary.
+
+“The man who was counsel for the liquor men has been twice at death’s
+door, and in fearful agony in the belief that he was lost. The first
+time, he turned to the Lord, and commenced a new life, but was brought
+back to his habit of sin, by his physician insisting upon strengthening
+him by alcoholic stimulants. So Satan still holds him, and he is still
+the drunkard-maker’s friend.
+
+“On the other hand, those who aided us in the work have been generally
+prospered.”
+
+We are furnished the following facts and incidents by Mrs. Olmstead:
+
+March 2d, 1874, about two hundred of us went to the Herdic House; we
+held our meeting in the long hall, and were followed by a large crowd
+who pressed in at the door to hear.
+
+The next day we visited the Hepburn House. An _immense_ crowd was
+around. We feared a riot, but God was there, and it became to them a
+solemn place.
+
+The proprietor, who had threatened many things if we came, wept like a
+child.
+
+We next went to the Crawford House, and then to the Henry House.
+
+We afterwards divided into four bands, and visited Fricker’s,
+Gerlach’s, United States, and the American.
+
+On March 7th, 1874, five saloons were visited, and the proprietors were
+much affected.
+
+About a week after, seven of us were at Fricker’s saloon, from
+half-past two until half-past six. This place seemed to me like the
+very door of hell.
+
+The sights and sounds there have laid the burden of this war upon me
+more heavily than ever.
+
+One poor, half-drunken man was very insulting to us--a plan of others
+to drive us away.
+
+We were relieved by others, who stayed until late in the evening.
+
+One saloon-keeper we visited was as furious as an angry caged lion. We
+had a pleasant talk with him and his wife, and left feeling that God’s
+will had been done.
+
+One of the saloons, where a most powerful meeting was held, was kept
+by a Frenchman, an unbeliever. He was very polite to us, and he soon
+gave up his business and went away, saying he should never sell liquor
+again.
+
+Some of the ladies visited George Koch’s saloon, March 7th.
+
+There Mrs. C. prayed that her husband, who was old and a drunkard,
+might not be allowed to take another drink at that place. It was
+a powerful meeting, though small, and that prayer was one to be
+remembered; that husband _never drank_ AGAIN, _anywhere_, and soon
+became a Christian.
+
+We had some remarkable instances of bad men being reclaimed and
+converted at that time, who are now in the church, and working in the
+temperance cause.
+
+One blessed feature of our Crusade was, that we never stopped to ask or
+think to what denomination we belonged.
+
+The court-house pavement became a Bethel to us, where Christ seems a
+little nearer than in His temple made with hands.
+
+At the commencement of our Crusade, one good Presbyterian pastor,
+who was with us heart and hand, expressed his sorrow that the women
+of his church were wholly unprepared for such public work, and said
+the Baptist and Methodist sisters would have it all to do. In about
+three weeks from that time he might have heard ladies of his own flock
+praying on the street, and exhorting the crowds on the pavement in
+front of the court-house. So wondrously had God poured out His Spirit
+upon them, and prepared them for His work.
+
+
+BLOSSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+The society reports the following:
+
+When the thrilling news came to us, that Christian women were carrying
+the gospel into the haunts of intemperance, and thus meeting the enemy
+face to face, our hearts were stirred in sympathy with the effort.
+
+Those unacquainted with mining regions may not know that in such
+communities intemperance gains a strong foothold, because of the
+influences brought to bear in early childhood as well as in mature life
+upon those who comprise the majority of its population. To contend with
+life-long prejudices requires courage. Having within the limits of our
+village some thirty places where liquor could be obtained, it seemed
+a grave question whether we should begin the warfare. The conviction
+deepened in some hearts that “now” was the time to work; and in the
+month of June, 1874, the first meeting was called by Rev. C. G. Lowell,
+and a ladies’ prayer-meeting appointed.
+
+At the first of these meetings a Ladies’ Temperance Union was
+organized. General meeting was held alternately in the several
+churches. We did not visit the saloons, but all our dealers were
+invited to sign the pledge. In every instance we were refused, they
+giving us frankly their reasons, viz.: that their money was in the
+business, and they preferred to run the risks of prosecutions for
+breaking the law, rather than leave off selling. After counting the
+cost of their displeasure, and the weight of public opinion, we decided
+to complain to the authorities in the name of the Commonwealth, of
+all who were guilty of violating the Local Option law. This step
+brought us much unpleasant work, such as we would gladly have avoided,
+those engaged in the traffic giving us the full benefit of all the
+influence afforded them in points of law, to retard our progress.
+Those who frequented these places for drink were in danger of being
+used as witnesses, therefore we gained their displeasure. We continued
+to complain for nearly two years at each term of court, sometimes
+successfully, and sometimes failing to secure truthful witnesses. Some
+complaints were made after the repeal of the Local Option law. At
+the second application of our dealers for license, we remonstrated,
+being opposed in this by Christian men, who were certain we should
+be defeated. The number of applicants were ten, three of which were
+refused. At this point we did not see fit to make further resistance.
+Many of the dealers, during the time spent by us in opposing the
+traffic, abandoned its pursuit, leaving at present less than one-third
+as many places for drink as we had three years ago.
+
+
+WARREN, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. Annie C. Wetmore, Treasurer of the State Union,
+for the following facts:
+
+“The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union at this place was organized in
+December, 1874, this being several months before the State organization
+was effected. The membership was large. The temperance women were
+impressed with the feeling that the time had come for action, but as
+none were ready to visit the saloons, as the women of Ohio and other
+States were doing, they hardly knew what to do, but concluded to do
+all in their power to build up a better public sentiment.
+
+“They applied to the editors of the two weekly papers, and obtained
+a part of a column in each paper, and appointed editors to fill this
+space with original notes, or selections on temperance. They held
+their Union meetings weekly, and mass-meetings as often as possible.
+Temperance papers were subscribed for and placed in the reading-room.
+Remonstrances were circulated against the repeal of local option, and
+February, 1874, the first prosecution under the Local Option law was
+made by the women. The liquor men were aroused, but the women carried
+the suit and convicted one man, and the community received its first
+temperance lesson; and as success always commands respect, those who
+had ridiculed the idea of woman’s work in this way, began to respect
+them, and tremble before the power that was in their hands.
+
+“It was decided in April to appoint committees to go to the different
+towns in the county and organize unions, and as a result five towns
+were visited, and unions formed, and in May a county convention was
+called, and a county organization formed, which has continued to this
+day.
+
+“In May, 1875, after the repeal of the Local Option law, the women
+circulated resolutions against the giving of license to such persons as
+had violated the Local Option law.
+
+“The Union purchased and circulated a great number of temperance
+tracts in the county; and an effort was made, by the appointment of a
+committee for each Sunday-school, to introduce temperance work among
+the children, which was attended with some degree of success.
+
+“In March, 1876, a juvenile temperance society was organized, which
+was called the Centennial Temperance Society. Each member was provided
+with a badge of red, white, and blue ribbon; each ribbon representing a
+pledge. The meetings have been kept up regularly.
+
+“There being no town pump where a thirsty man, free of expense, could
+relieve his thirst, the W. C. T. U. had a well dug, and a pump set up
+at the corner of the principal street, so that thirst can now be slaked
+‘without money and without price.’
+
+“On New Year’s days, 1876 and 1877, the Union opened a Holly Tree Inn,
+where they received visitors, inviting all to come and partake freely.
+In the evening speeches were made and many signed the pledge.
+
+“During the years 1876 and 1877 a number of prosecutions were made by
+the Union with various degrees of success.
+
+“The liquor party have been made to feel that law is not to be trampled
+under foot with impunity, and that the license law should be enforced
+as other laws.
+
+“September, 1876, a committee of two were appointed to visit the
+county superintendent of public schools during the annual teachers’
+institute, and obtain a few minutes during one of the sessions to talk
+on temperance. The time was cheerfully granted, and the teachers were
+generally enlisted. We asked them to make the subject a specialty at
+least once a month, and supplied them with tracts and catechisms on
+alcohol. Most of them have been faithful to their duty in this respect.”
+
+An incident _not reported_ by Mrs. Wetmore, which occurred during
+the prosecutions of dealers in court, will show the animus of the
+liquor-dealers in Warren.
+
+One of the ladies very active in the work wore a velvet cloak. A lady
+from a neighboring town being there on a visit, went to the court-house
+to attend the trial. She, too, had on a very costly velvet cloak; the
+velvet had cost $25 a yard. Both these ladies, while in the court-room,
+or when they were leaving, had _vitriol_ thrown on their cloaks which
+utterly ruined them. The purpose, of course, was to ruin the cloak of
+the active temperance woman, but when the agent of the liquor-dealers’
+revenge saw two cloaks so near alike he made sure work by destroying
+both.
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+The first meeting in this city was called through the public press on
+February 27th, 1874. The place of meeting was the Fiftieth Baptist
+Church, a small frame mission chapel in the northern part of the city.
+The little chapel was well filled with grave, earnest women, and every
+heart was stirred during the first prayer. “What wilt thou have me
+do?” was pressed upon every conscience. The object of the meeting was
+explained, and stirring appeals were made.
+
+One lady said on a corner near this chapel was a drinking-saloon of the
+worst character, and asked if anything could be done. Another lady,
+who lived next door to the saloon, said she would throw open her house
+at once for a prayer-meeting, that this place might be closed. The
+leader then proposed that those who felt willing should follow her to
+the lady’s house, and hold a prayer-meeting. About half of the women
+followed her, while the others remained in the church to pray. As the
+band marched down the street they were followed by a great crowd. As
+the house would not hold half the people that gathered, the leader
+stood on the doorstep, and addressed the multitude. There was not the
+least disturbance, but all listened with breathless attention to her
+earnest and touching appeals.
+
+When they started from the chapel, the cry was raised by the crowd
+outside: “The Crusaders are coming!” The rum-seller on the corner
+hastened to close his windows and bar his door.
+
+March 1st, 1874 (Sunday), mass-meetings were held afternoon and
+evening in Wood’s Museum, which was crowded to its utmost capacity,
+and hundreds went away unable to gain admittance. The proprietor had
+received several notices that there would be a mob, and that the museum
+would be burned down if he attempted to hold such a meeting. But he was
+a staunch temperance man, and determined that the meeting should come
+off at any hazard. There was no mob and no disturbance.
+
+March 2d, a business meeting was held, and a Woman’s Union Temperance
+Praying Band organized, and the usual officers elected.
+
+Meetings were held in various churches, the pledge circulated, and
+hundreds came forward to sign their names to the pledge.
+
+On Monday, March 9th, the liquor-dealers becoming alarmed, held a
+secret meeting to consider what they could do to check the temperance
+work. What they decided on was never known.
+
+On the 9th of April a general meeting was called, and held in one of
+the rooms in the Horticultural Hall. There was a large attendance.
+The officers reported that 112 meetings had been held; 24,870 names
+enrolled on the pledge-books, of whom 1,613 had been drunkards, 61
+barkeepers, and a number saloon-keepers. Also, that 38 church members,
+who owned property which was rented for saloons, had been visited, and
+pledged not to rent their houses for such a purpose in the future.
+
+During the month of April ninety-four meetings were held. Several being
+held on the same night, it was necessary for the president and other
+members of the band to drive from church to church, and speak several
+times each evening. At these meetings many requests for prayer were
+sent in: some of them were from drunkards’ wives and brought tears to
+many eyes.
+
+A temporary home was established for reformed men who were homeless and
+without work. It was soon filled, and a larger building was secured,
+which was afterward turned over to the ladies in Frankford, it being in
+that part of the city, and another started at the corner of Seventeenth
+and Francis streets; also an Old Woman’s Home in West Philadelphia was
+opened by one of the managers.
+
+During the summer, meetings were held in a tent. At one of these
+meetings a report came that a man was dying on a vacant lot adjoining.
+He was taken charge of, nourishment given him, and he soon revived. He
+said he was a castaway, his friends had disowned him, and drunkenness
+had brought him to destitution, and almost to death. He was induced to
+sign the pledge, was converted, and afterwards became a worker in the
+cause, and, in course of time, he was restored to his friends, clothed
+and in his right mind.
+
+Mrs. Eleanor Crew, the Secretary of the band, who was earnest and
+capable, and most abundant in good works, giving her life freely for
+the salvation of others, fell at her post, September 4th, 1875, it is
+believed from mental strain and overwork, but the beautiful example of
+a life devoted to Christianity and temperance is still an inspiration
+to many.
+
+In the meantime, another organization had been formed, and efficient
+work was done for God and humanity by other earnest workers. This
+society held mass-meetings, and did other important work. But the
+President of the National Union induced the two bodies to unite, and a
+meeting was held for that purpose, January 26th, 1875, in Dr. McCook’s
+church. The meeting was enthusiastic, and the reorganization effected.
+Many of the members feeling unprepared for the work, a meeting was
+appointed for prayer and consecration. At the very first meeting a poor
+man presented himself and desired to sign the pledge. They were quite
+unprepared for this, had no pledges ready, but they soon learned that
+the most effectual way to consecrate one’s self is to go to work. The
+man and his family were in a wretched condition, and temporary relief
+was necessary. He was soon afterwards converted, and became a church
+member. His former employer, hearing of his reformation, sent for him
+and gave him employment, and a year afterwards he was known to be
+faithful and doing well.
+
+Cottage prayer-meetings were held, which resulted in great good. The
+ladies would secure the use of a house for meetings, and throw the
+doors and windows open, and commence singing. A large crowd was soon
+attracted, who would stand for an hour to listen to the gospel as it
+was proclaimed from the doorstep by one or more of the ladies. On such
+occasions an invitation was always extended to all who wished, to come
+inside to a prayer-meeting, which was accepted by many. The doors and
+windows were then closed, and the crowd, with tracts in their hands,
+which had been freely distributed, slowly dispersed, but usually the
+room was filled with those who remained for prayer, and many were saved.
+
+Public meetings were held, some saloons visited, much temperance
+literature distributed, and a home opened for inebriate women,
+especially for those who felt themselves to be slaves of the drink
+habit, but because of their social position and the stigma attending,
+would not enter public reformatory institutions. Many have found
+shelter there, and some have given evidence that these labors have not
+been in vain. This has since been detached from the work, and is under
+separate management.
+
+Two of the members fitted up in good style a comfortable lodging-house,
+where men, reformed through the efforts of the society, and others, at
+a low price, could have a tidy, cheerful home. This house accommodates
+about fifty, and has a reading-room, and is cheerful, well-lighted,
+and warm, the price ranging from twenty to thirty cents per night,
+or one dollar, or one dollar and a half per week. Not a profane or
+obscene word is allowed, and those who have never made a profession of
+Christianity feel the influence that is quietly and steadily exerted.
+This work is also under outside management, but contributes to the
+success of the society.
+
+March, 1877, daily meetings were established, which have been largely
+attended. These meetings, though led by ladies, are open to all, and
+are attended by men of all classes, often more than three-fourths of
+the audience being men.
+
+Quietly and reverently they wait before God, and the influence of the
+Spirit is so manifestly present that all hearts are solemnized.
+
+The hall is well filled daily, and over six hundred have been brought
+to a saving knowledge of Christ in the forgiveness of their sins. Some
+of these were gentlemen who came out of curiosity; others were prodigal
+sons, far away from home and God. Gamblers, barkeepers, infidels,
+drunkards, criminals fresh from the jail, and homeless tramps, have
+here found salvation. Some even of the most degraded, are educated
+men, who have had the advantages of a college course; others are
+business or professional men, who have come down from the highest
+circles of society to poverty and rags, through drink.
+
+It is touching to see these men, scarred and marred by sin, sitting
+with reverent faces, listening, for the first time in years, to the
+sweet story of Jesus and his love, or rising to ask prayers for
+themselves, with streaming eyes. Oh, the sad stories the searching
+spirit wrings out of these penitent hearts! “For with the heart man
+believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made
+unto salvation.”
+
+Some of these men were in utter despair, and were arrested when about
+to commit suicide; others had not prayed since they left their mother’s
+knee, and had not been in a church for ten, fifteen, or twenty years.
+
+But Jesus is mighty to save, and all his salvation may know, and he
+has revealed himself as the Saviour of sinners; and such mighty saving
+power I have never seen before. Gamblers have thrown away their cards,
+and pressing the Bible to their hearts, have said, with tears, “I take
+this book, instead of my pack of cards, for a companion and guide.”
+
+Families, broken up and scattered, have been reunited, and gathered
+about an altar of prayer; the ragged have been clothed, the hungry fed,
+the unbelieving convinced, and the broken-hearted comforted. Letters
+bearing the glad tidings across seas and continents, of prodigals
+saved, have winged their way to distant friends, and hundreds of homes
+have been made glad because of these afternoon meetings.
+
+One young man who arose to ask prayers, said, “I am the son of praying
+parents. I had every advantage that wealth and social position could
+give me. I was educated at Yale College, but was expelled before I
+graduated. I shall never forget the humiliation of that morning when I
+was dismissed and sent home on account of drunkenness. I tried for a
+time to do better, and was sent away to medical college, where in due
+time I graduated in medicine--and drunkenness. While attending college,
+I would write home for money to buy books, and then spend it for rum.
+After I got my diploma I went home, but it was not long till I was
+brought, at a late hour of the night, from the saloon to my father’s
+door, helplessly drunk. When my condition became known to the members
+of the family, there was sorrow and weeping all over the house. The
+next day my father talked very seriously to me as to the consequences
+of the drink habit, if I continued in such a course. I promised to
+amend, but in a short time was brought home again dead-drunk.
+
+“My father turned me out of doors, for I had broken my mother’s heart.
+But one of my brothers came after me very soon, to say:
+
+“‘Come home, Harry, you have broken our mother’s heart; come home and
+see her die.’
+
+“I followed him, going like a criminal. My dying mother was surrounded
+by her family and friends, but she reached out her hands to me and
+said, ‘Oh, Harry, you have broken my heart, but if you will promise me
+that you will never drink another drop as long as you live, I will die
+happy.’
+
+“I dropped on my knees at her bedside, and promised her that I would
+never touch the accursed stuff again. I thought then that I never
+would, and as I followed her to the grave and heard the earth fall upon
+her coffin, I swore in my heart that I would keep my vow. I went to a
+distant western town and entered upon the practice of medicine. I was
+prospered in every way. I soon had a large and lucrative practice and
+moved in the best of society. I bought a house and was fitting up a
+home for a lovely woman who had promised to become my wife. During a
+New Year’s holiday-time I visited my old home, and on New Year’s day
+started out to call upon my friends. The third house I entered the lady
+offered me wine. I refused, but she insisted, and once the glass in my
+hand I drank it off and rushed from the house to the nearest saloon.
+That night I was carried to a hotel dead-drunk. My descent was rapid. I
+soon lost all my money and friends, and was wandering over the country
+a miserable, drunken tramp. I begged a ticket to cross the Delaware
+river to reach this city, and have begged my bread here from door to
+door. I have been called a _tramp_ to my face since I have been in your
+city. But if God can save a _tramp_, I want Him to SAVE me.” When he
+sat down there was not a dry eye in the house.
+
+Immediately another young man arose, and said, “I was a class-mate of
+that young man’s in Yale. I well remember the day he was expelled. I
+had not met him in all these years till at these meetings. I, too,
+since leaving college, have become a drunkard; but I have been saved
+by God’s mighty power in these meetings, and the appetite for rum has
+been taken away, and what God has done for me, He can do for you,
+Harry.”
+
+There was united prayer for that young man, and he was saved that very
+day. Or, as he puts it, “The ladies held on to me till I found Christ,
+and had the appetite for rum and tobacco taken away.”
+
+There are scores of cases equally interesting.
+
+
+A MARVELLOUS ANSWER TO PRAYER.
+
+One day two young men came into the meeting, and took seats near the
+door. They were very irreverent, and inclined to be disorderly. The
+lesson that day was on the forgiveness of sin and the witness of
+the Spirit; and those testifying spoke with great clearness of the
+cleansing power of the blood, and the witness of the Spirit to their
+acceptance. The meeting was very solemn, many were moved to tears; all
+sat in awe before the Lord, but these two young men. I led the meeting
+that day, and, as I was about to close, I spoke of the two young men
+who had been indifferent and irreverent, as eternity-bound, walking,
+may be, on the brink of destruction, and yet unsaved and unconcerned.
+We knelt to pray, and while I prayed, those two young men came up
+before me, and with earnest pleadings I asked God to _save_ their
+souls--in some way or other to reach them--if He could not win them
+by His love, to reach and save them by His judgments--any way, only
+save their souls alive. The next day I was sent for by a young man in
+the inquiry room, after the meeting. The tears were running over his
+face. Grasping my hand, he said, “Oh, do pray for me that no judgments
+may come upon me. I am one of the young men who behaved badly in the
+meeting yesterday.” “Where is the other man?” “When you prayed I felt
+awful bad; it was just like a knife going to my heart. As soon as the
+meeting closed we left. My friend said, ‘Let’s get out of here.’ When
+we reached the street I told him I was afraid some judgment would come
+upon us. He laughed, and said he wasn’t afraid of the judgments of God.
+We walked on together up to Broad street, where he fell with a stroke
+of paralysis, and was carried off to St. Mary’s hospital. We are both
+Catholics. I did not think God was with you. But when I saw that man
+fall so soon after your prayer, I knew it was a judgment. I did not
+sleep any last night, and to-day as I walked the streets I could not
+help crying. A lady met me on the street, and seeing me weeping, she
+said, ‘Young man, you seem to be in great trouble; what is the matter?’
+I undertook to tell her, but I broke down utterly. She invited me to
+her house; there I met her husband, and when I told my story he seemed
+much moved. He told me he was a saloon-keeper; that he kept a saloon
+in Camden, N. J., but he was going to give up the business and open a
+feed store, and that he would give me work and allow me to go to these
+meetings.”
+
+I bowed with the young man, and prayed earnestly that God would
+be merciful and save him. The next day he was gloriously saved.
+He immediately went to the hospital, to look after his friend. He
+found that he had recovered consciousness soon after reaching the
+hospital. The lessons of the day pressed upon his heart and conscience;
+especially those awful words, “I’m not afraid of the judgment of God.”
+He felt sure he would die, and he set himself to gain what he had heard
+spoken of in the meeting--a knowledge of sins forgiven, the witness of
+the Spirit. And the Lord revealed Himself to that man right there in
+the Catholic hospital, so that when the friend came to him he found
+him rejoicing in a knowledge of his sins forgiven and his acceptance
+with God. They took sweet counsel together, and the dying man sent this
+message back to the meeting:
+
+“Tell that lady who prayed for me that her prayers are answered, and I
+am saved. She will find me in heaven when she comes, for I am _saved by
+the judgment of God_.” A few hours after this he died. Only a few weeks
+passed till the other young man was sent to the Blockley Alms House
+Hospital, with dropsy. But he was joyously happy--ready for anything.
+
+Ten doctors one day gathered about his bed for consultation: the
+decision was that they could do nothing for him. With a triumphant
+smile he looked up at them and said:
+
+“It’s all right, doctors; I am ready to die.”
+
+The doctor who attended his case afterwards came and knelt by his cot,
+and wept and prayed.
+
+A young man lying in the next cot to his was very irreverent. Charles
+wanted to read the Bible to him, for he preaches the gospel to all,
+but he said: “No, I don’t want to hear it; I’ve got a novel--I like
+that better.” But after a while Charles induced him to read, as an act
+of kindness. The truth took hold of his heart, and one night he got
+up out of his bed and knelt beside the cot of Charles, and was saved.
+The novel-reading young man has since died in the full triumphs of
+faith. Charles D. still lingers to preach Christ in the ward, and his
+influence is blessed. A priest visited him one day.
+
+“Have you confessed?” he inquired. “Yes.” “Who to?” “The Lord Jesus
+Christ; and I have been forgiven, and I am ready to depart and be with
+my Lord.”
+
+The priest insisted on leaving a rosary, which the sick young man,
+having no need of such helps in prayer, gave to one of the ladies of
+the meeting who visited him very often.
+
+Who can doubt that God in _answer to prayer_ took the best, and perhaps
+the only way, to save these two souls!
+
+It is better that a man should be dealt with in judgment than that he
+should lose his soul.
+
+The meetings still go on with power, and the general work with
+increasing interest.
+
+In 1875 a State Union was formed, the convention meeting in
+Philadelphia. One hundred ladies went from that meeting to Harrisburg,
+to protest against the repeal of the Local Option law, which was
+threatened. A mass-meeting was held in the State House in the evening,
+the legislative hall being well filled, and most of the members of
+the Senate and House being present. The meeting, which was addressed
+by prominent ladies and gentlemen of the State, was enthusiastic. The
+next day about two hundred marched in a body to the Capitol, and held a
+meeting, and had an interview with the committee having the matter in
+charge, and then called upon the Governor to urge him, if the law was
+repealed, to veto it.
+
+It fell to the lot of the writer of these pages to head that procession
+and make the speech to the Governor.
+
+If the question pending had not been so grave, the scene would have
+been ludicrous. Governor Hartranft, although he had won honor as an
+officer in the recent civil war, was as pale as a ghost, and stood
+bracing himself against the mantel-piece, with his lips firmly set, as
+though he was afraid to open his mouth lest he should betray his party.
+
+The appeal was made in the presence of a hundred or more people, and
+despite his efforts at self-command he was deeply moved.
+
+He responded very respectfully, but his guarded words foreshadowed his
+future action, and we knew he would follow the dictates of his party,
+whatever that might be. But it was a privilege to be able, fearlessly
+and plainly, to tell him a few facts, and let him know in just so many
+words, “that no matter what party went up, or went down, the women of
+the commonwealth intended that the rum power should go down, and would
+bend all their energies to that end.”
+
+
+MONTROSE, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+A praying band was organized in this town at the beginning of the
+Crusade. Petitions and pledges have been circulated, and prayer and
+mass-meetings held.
+
+The saloon-keepers have been visited and urged to sign the pledge.
+The children have been gathered together and taught, and a society
+organized. The jails have been regularly visited.
+
+Mrs. Post and Mrs. Sayer are among the active workers who have pushed
+the cause in this town and in the county.
+
+
+SUSQUEHANNA, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+The ladies of this town organized early in 1874; mass-meetings were
+held, saloons visited, and pledges circulated.
+
+Under the Local Option law, which had carried in this place, it was
+unlawful to sell liquors. And as the saloon-keepers did not yield to
+tears and prayers, the ladies brought the law to bear upon them with
+good success.
+
+The devotion of the women was shown in their self-denial in matters of
+dress, that they might have money to carry on the temperance work.
+
+
+TROY, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+The women of Troy organized for work in May, 1874. I had the privilege
+of visiting the drinking-houses with some of these earnest workers. We
+went to the hotel. The bar-room was filled with a crowd of rough men.
+The fumes of tobacco and whiskey were stifling. The landlord turned
+pale when he saw us, but withstood all our entreaties, although he had
+been trained in a Christian home and had a praying mother.
+
+We appealed to him to stop the business for the sake of his own boy.
+He had a beautiful little boy. Though deeply moved, he would not allow
+us to pray in his house. As we were leaving, I said: “My brother, the
+Lord will answer the prayers of your mother. He is now trying to win
+you by love; if you reject Him, He may bring you to the truth by His
+judgments. He may take the boy you love so much. Don’t wait for the
+judgments of God.” The words seemed to be prophetic: in a month from
+that time the boy was dead, and he was brought to see so clearly that
+God was dealing with him that he closed out the bar. One of the drug
+stores was really an open saloon, the worst in the town. The work went
+on for a while with enthusiasm. But some of these methods, especially
+the prosecution of saloon-keepers, displeased the ministers, and they
+drew up a paper asking them to desist, and confine themselves to
+prayer-meetings, etc. The result was an entire abandonment of the work,
+at a time when it promised the largest success.
+
+
+ASHLEY, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+The women organized in this town in the spring of 1874. Prayer and
+mass-meetings were held; a Juvenile Union formed; the saloons visited
+again and again, and a friendly inn and lunch-room founded, mainly
+through the efforts of Miss N. M. Wells. Good results have followed.
+
+The work there and throughout the State is increasing in interest and
+enthusiasm.
+
+Nearly all the towns of Pennsylvania have carried on the temperance
+work with more or less success.
+
+A good work has also been done in Great Bend, the home of Mrs. F.
+D. B. Chase, President of the State Union; also in Sharon, Chester,
+New Milford, Towanda, Canton, Tunkahannock, Carbondale, Kingston,
+Wellsburg, Norristown, Rochester, Meadville, New Castle, Honesdale, and
+Milton.
+
+
+
+
+NEW YORK.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+The work in New York, which began in the beautiful village of Fredonia,
+has extended to every part of that great State. Every city, and almost
+every hamlet, has been reached by this Temperance Gospel.
+
+Women’s Temperance Unions have been organized in almost every town, and
+the best and truest women of the State have banded together in God’s
+name, to overthrow the liquor traffic.
+
+It will be noticed, by reference to the date, that the work at Fredonia
+commenced several days before it began at Hillsboro’.
+
+I do not know why that town was not made conspicuous as the place where
+the Crusade commenced, unless it was because no saloons were closed,
+and the ladies fell back, after a short campaign, upon other plans.
+
+
+FREDONIA, NEW YORK.
+
+Mrs. L. B. Greene gives the following interesting account of the work:
+
+Dr. Dio Lewis lectured in our village, Saturday evening, December
+13th, 1873, in the regular lyceum course, and remaining in the place
+over the Sabbath, was invited to speak in the Baptist Church, Sunday
+evening. A union service was held, and the large building packed to
+overflowing. He chose as his subject--“The duty and responsibility
+of Christian women in the cause of Temperance.” In illustrating his
+views upon the subject, he related the proceedings of the women in the
+village of Clarksville, in this State, forty years ago, when he was
+a boy--how, aroused by some specially grievous result of the liquor
+traffic, eighty-four women banded themselves together, and, after
+conference and prayer, marched to the saloons, where, with more prayers
+and singing, they appealed to the liquor-dealers to pledge themselves
+to give up the sale of intoxicating beverages. The object sought was
+attained, and for thirty-nine years no liquor has been sold there as a
+beverage.
+
+This plan, he stated, had been partially or wholly successful in other
+places.
+
+A remarkable interest was manifested throughout the audience, and at
+the close of the lecture an organization, to consider a similar work in
+our place, was effected by the election of Dr. Lewis, Chairman; John
+Hamilton and L. A. Barmore, Secretaries. The Secretaries, together with
+Dr. E. M. Pettit and Prof. H. R. Sanford, were appointed by the meeting
+to name fifty or more ladies as a visiting committee for work similar
+to that performed by the women of Clarksville.
+
+This committee was enlarged to more than two hundred, who met on the
+following morning, December 15th, 1873, and entered upon their work of
+visiting all the hotels, drug stores, and saloons. As the result of
+the first day’s work one druggist gave his assent to the pledge. The
+other dealers listened respectfully, and we were encouraged to think
+would yield to our petitions.
+
+Each succeeding day brought intelligence of a like movement--first in
+Jamestown, near us; then in Hillsboro’, Ohio, followed by place after
+place. So we were encouraged and strengthened to believe that the
+Spirit of the Lord was moving in the land, stirring up women who had
+hitherto rested quietly, or unquietly, in their homes, _submitting_ to
+what seemed an ineradicable evil, to _rouse_ themselves and take up the
+cross of the “Temperance Crusade.”
+
+I need not detail the events of the first weeks of our effort, with
+their alternations of hope and doubtings; suffice it to say, the
+saloons were not closed _when_, and _as_ we prayed they might be. There
+was another lesson in store for us, as to our Heavenly Father’s ways of
+answering prayer.
+
+We ceased our saloon visiting, but had formed a permanent “Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union” for continued work in the cause, as
+circumstances and opportunities should permit.
+
+Our principal efforts have been as follows: An aid society was formed
+to help the needy of our village, nearly all of whom are the victims of
+intemperance.
+
+A reading-room in the interests of temperance and morality was
+established; a large amount of temperance tracts and papers were
+circulated.
+
+Many petitions to Congress and the State Legislature, in the interests
+of the cause, have been circulated. Young people and children’s
+unions, auxiliary to our own, have been formed. Days of fasting and
+prayer have been observed.
+
+In the spring election of 1874 there was a gain for temperance (a
+stirring little appeal to the voters had been scattered through the
+streets).
+
+Before the election of 1875 a committee of ladies was appointed to see
+each voter, urging principle in the matter, and we were rewarded by
+a large no license majority. During the years 1875-76 there were no
+licensed places in the town for the sale of liquor as a beverage, but
+several club-rooms, in evasion of the law, were formed, where almost
+any one could obtain drink. These we entered legal prosecution against
+to no purpose.
+
+During all these years our Union has held its weekly prayer-meetings,
+and has tried to keep the public alive to the subject, by bringing
+before them frequently the best talent in the lecture field.
+
+Though there have been occasional instances of conversion and
+reformation all along, it has seemed as though results had not been
+commensurate with our efforts. In our last excise election, 1877, the
+village again voted for license, and when many of us were feeling
+almost discouraged, groping in the dark, God made his face to shine
+in the darkness, and we felt that the prayers of so many years were
+answered.
+
+Following the series of meetings, after the week of prayer in the
+Baptist Church, came a gospel temperance worker, the Rev. Mr. Bocock.
+He found the field ripe for the harvest. Hundreds signed the abstinence
+pledge.
+
+Meetings continued for weeks, in our largest public hall, under other
+workers, until over 1,500 names were enrolled on the Murphy pledge.
+Among these were not only intemperate men, but many of our leading
+citizens, who before had opposed or stood aloof from all work for
+the cause. We hope to see these faithfully heading the ranks in the
+temperance reform. Our Union still lives, and, we trust, may continue
+an influence for good in our midst.
+
+
+AUBURN, NEW YORK.
+
+A little company of sisters, after consulting their pastors, called
+a prayer-meeting, Monday, March 9th. On account of a severe storm
+only six persons were present at the appointed hour, yet out of that
+small prayer-meeting grew the “Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of
+Auburn.” At its organization we were so fortunate as to secure for
+our President, Mrs. Mary T. Burt, then a resident of Auburn--now the
+publisher of _Our Union_, in Brooklyn.
+
+March 13th, we gave a call for a meeting, asking “all women, friendly
+to the cause of temperance, to be present on that occasion, with a view
+of devising some method of securing, through our city authorities,
+the rigid enforcement of existing laws, restricting the sale of
+intoxicating liquors in this city.” To the above appeal were appended
+500 names of the women of Auburn. This meeting was followed by other
+crowded mass-meetings.
+
+Committees waited upon the mayor and board of excise, begging them to
+grant fewer licenses.
+
+In June of the same year, one of the board of excise said that the
+Woman’s Temperance Union of Auburn had been the means of closing,
+during the year, from forty to fifty saloons. Also, if the organization
+had not made their petition to the board, they would, undoubtedly, have
+gone on and licensed all applicants, as former excise boards had done.
+
+Soon after our annual meeting, March 18th, 1875, our Union decided to
+furnish hot coffee to firemen on duty. A committee was appointed to
+confer with the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department in reference to
+the work. A courteous reply was received from that officer, in which he
+stated it to be his opinion “that the proposed effort would not only
+advance the cause of temperance, but elevate the standing of the fire
+department.” The firemen have proved true friends of our organization;
+and though there have been many obstacles to overcome, we have great
+reason to feel that much good has been done in this direction. Besides
+our regular Monday afternoon prayer-meetings, and gospel temperance
+meetings, we have meetings for the children, and a Band of Hope
+connected with the Union numbers 230.
+
+ MRS. CYRENUS WHEELER, Pres’t.
+
+CHARLOTTE T. L. SMITH, Rec. Sec’y.
+
+
+PLATTSBURG, NEW YORK.
+
+Fanny D. Hall reports:
+
+The Plattsburg Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was established March
+14th, 1874. The attendance was large at first. At present our numbers
+are small, but the few have been constant workers. The influence
+emanating from the Union has had, and is having a decided effect upon
+public opinion, changing the aspects of the temperance cause.
+
+We feel that time _only_ is needed for the community to show the power
+of prayerful, earnest Christian work. A union prayer-meeting, under the
+auspices of this society, was formed, in which the churches joined.
+
+Sabbath and Wednesday afternoon prayer-meetings have been regularly
+maintained by the ladies. In the autumn of 1875 a converted
+saloon-keeper offered his bar-room one evening in the week, for a
+prayer-meeting, under the care of the Union, which has been continued
+to the present time.
+
+Our juvenile association, “The Plattsburg Temperance Guards,” was
+organized in October, 1874. It has enrolled some 800 boys as members.
+A meeting of the guards is held every three months in the court-house,
+in which the exercises are varied by music and speeches, followed by
+refreshments.
+
+It has been the custom of ladies to attend all the meetings of the
+excise board. To this we attribute influences most favorable to the
+work. The saloons have been quietly visited by members of the Union,
+for individual appeals.
+
+Before the election of excise commissioners, the ladies, with the aid
+of the ladies of the Good Templars, canvassed the entire town, giving
+opportunity for earnest Christian temperance work.
+
+A legal committee of the Union has also been able to bring cases of
+violation of law before our juries, and although much that we could
+wish has not been accomplished, still good has been done in this field.
+Our stronghold of hope is _prayer_, but we feel and know the Lord has
+been with us in all these departments of temperance work.
+
+We have sustained, since 1874, a temperance column in the _Plattsburg
+Republican_, which has been freely accorded to us.
+
+
+ALBANY, NEW YORK.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. Nye for the following facts:
+
+Our first temperance prayer-meeting was held weekly, in 1873, in
+a private parlor, three present. We soon adjourned to a church
+prayer-room, but our numbers were small. In August, 1873, a society
+was organized, known as the “Woman’s Temperance Union of Albany.” Our
+prayer-meetings were held twice every week.
+
+In January, 1874, we were invited to hold meetings in the City
+Mission rooms, No. 40 State street, at which time two of our number
+became responsible for a daily meeting. The faithful few were greatly
+encouraged by the goodly number that gathered daily, and from among
+those we most desired to reach. During three months, about two
+hundred names were enrolled on our pledge. Among these were a large
+number of conversions, including some from the very lowest depths
+of intemperance, who to-day are first and foremost in the cause of
+temperance.
+
+Five or six ladies prayed earnestly that the work might be enlarged,
+and we be fitted for the work. A door of entrance came, and a place
+formerly occupied as a machine shop, located in the rear of the
+theatre, on William street, was secured. There was not one cent in the
+treasury. The day came when money must be paid; and that morning, after
+asking at the family altar that God would supply our need, when about
+to leave the house of a dear sister, a note was placed in our hands,
+written that morning by one of His chosen ones, a Swedish lady, who had
+been spending a few days in the city, enclosing the desired amount,
+saying, “Please accept of my mite, with prayers for your success.”
+From that time, with the want has also come the supply, even to the
+furnishing of our rooms with everything to make them both comfortable
+and attractive.
+
+The first of May we rented the entire building for lodging and eating
+purposes; and though we had nothing with which to furnish, in one month
+it had the appearance of a pleasant, comfortable home; and here a large
+number have been cared for when they most needed help and Christian
+sympathy. Since the first of May, one hundred have received food and
+lodging, and have thus been brought under the power of the gospel.
+
+A midday meeting has been opened recently, and is increasing in
+interest and numbers. This is sustained mostly by reformed men. Many
+young men who were this time last year spending their time and money
+in drinking-saloons and drunken brawls, are now “clothed and in their
+right minds,” and spend nearly every night in our meetings, saying it
+is the best place they ever knew.
+
+Testimonies like the following are often heard: “I bless God for this
+mission. I have been tempted beyond what I was able to bear, and had
+I not come in and stayed all day in this room, I do not know where I
+should have been to-day. I thank God for putting it into the hearts of
+these Christian women to open these rooms for a refuge for such as I.
+And these meetings have been a great blessing to me.”
+
+Another says: “I have been one of the most wicked young men in Albany,
+and my friends thought I could not be saved. And I thought so too. But
+through the efforts of this mission, I am a saved man.”
+
+Saloons have not been left unvisited; and those who were once dealing
+out the accursed draught, thank God, to-day have found a better way.
+Our room for meetings has been enlarged three times. Recently a
+glorious temperance revival has prevailed, reaching all classes, which
+has stirred the community, and encouraged all Christian hearts.
+
+
+SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.
+
+Mrs. Allen Butler, President of the State Union, furnishes the
+following facts:
+
+When reports of the wonderful work for temperance being done at
+the West reached our city, the inquiry began to be made. If there
+was not something of the kind needed here. After due deliberation
+a Woman’s Temperance Union was formed in March, 1874. The city was
+districted, and canvassed with petitions and pledges. The city
+authorities, board of excise, ministers, physicians, druggists,
+grocers, and landlords were visited, petitioned, and entreated, and
+as many as possible pledged, not to participate in, or countenance
+the traffic in intoxicating liquors in any way. An immense amount of
+work was done in a few months, with but little apparent success. The
+prayer-meetings were continued during the summer, and in the early
+autumn. Prayer-meetings were established in desolate parts of the city,
+and food distributed. A suitable building was secured, and a Friendly
+Inn opened in sight of thirty saloons, to counteract influences. It
+was opened on the 8th of July, 1875, with pleasant company, attractive
+music, and sacred song; things so in contrast with the neighborhood,
+that every passer-by was attracted, and led to inquire what was going
+on. The opening was auspicious, and for three months the place was
+thronged to its utmost capacity every evening, to join in the gospel
+temperance meetings, and hear the wonderful experiences there related.
+From the first day, new trophies were won.
+
+More recently the reformed men’s movement has swept over our city, and
+2,500 have signed the pledge; and 1,300 have united with the Reform
+Club, and 200 have been added to the Young Men’s Temperance Union,
+which was already strong.
+
+A cold water army was organized in 1875, and the work is still well
+sustained.
+
+
+ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.
+
+Mrs. S. J. Vosburgh gives the following account of the work in
+Rochester:
+
+The Women’s Temperance Crusade in Rochester began about the middle of
+March, 1874, by the appointment of a committee of four ladies, who were
+to confer with the pastors of all the city churches and secure their
+co-operation in the work. This committee did their work so well, and
+the public mind was so fully prepared for the movement, that in a few
+days a Woman’s Temperance Union was formed, which soon increased to 500
+members, representing nearly every church in the city.
+
+Two very large mass-meetings were held, and many smaller meetings in
+various places. Temperance sermons were preached in nearly all the
+churches, and the entire city, with all the region round about, became
+aroused upon the subject. The liquor-sellers were very uneasy, and a
+few at this time gave up the business voluntarily. On the first Monday
+in May there was an enthusiastic morning meeting held at the Central
+Presbyterian Church, and about 200 ladies went in procession from that
+place to the court-house, where the excise board were to meet for the
+granting of licenses.
+
+These morning meetings continued for two weeks or more, the time
+being given mostly to prayer. The numbers increased, so that the
+commissioners adjourned to the city hall, as the council chamber, in
+which they first assembled, was quite too small. At these meetings
+remonstrances against the granting of licenses were read every
+morning, and the same were published by the _Daily Press_; causing many
+to see the evils of the traffic who had hitherto thought but little
+about it.
+
+The liquor-sellers and manufacturers, with some of their sympathizers,
+had also formed a Union entitled “The Society for the Protection of
+Personal and Religious Liberty.” The word religious was, however, soon
+dropped, as being inappropriate. This society was very active, held
+frequent meetings, and, it was said, had raised $10,000 to carry on
+their work.
+
+During the second week of the month of May, after the ladies had
+marched in procession, as usual, to the court-house, preceded by
+a few of the pastors and other temperance men, a large number of
+the liquor-sellers, led by some of the officers of their society,
+appeared before the Excise Commissioners, with a petition, signed,
+as they claimed, by 6,000 citizens and voters, asking that licenses
+for the sale of liquors be granted as usual. It was ascertained, upon
+examination, that this immense petition was made up largely of forged
+signatures, among which were not only the names of some of our best
+temperance men, but some dignitaries from abroad were added to swell
+the list; among these we remember was the wife of the Mormon prophet,
+Brigham Young, and some who for many years had been in the spirit world.
+
+When this unlooked-for examination revealed the fraud, the better class
+of their number seemed a little ashamed, as might have been expected.
+
+Political influence was mightiest on their side, however, and licenses
+were soon granted just as freely as before, though action had been
+stayed for weeks.
+
+There is at present a growing public sentiment against the liquor
+traffic, and the better class of our citizens, especially the Christian
+men and women, are arraying themselves on the side of temperance. The
+women, too, are thinking and acting more intelligently and effectively
+for this cause than in the past.
+
+There are now in our city two large and well-conducted lunch houses,
+each under the direction of a board of managers, composed of temperance
+ladies, besides a number of smaller establishments of the same class
+owned and controlled by individuals.
+
+A Reform Club was organized about a year since, and more recently
+a Temperance Aid Society of ladies, whose work is especially to
+further the interest of the Reform Club, and to visit the families of
+intemperate men.
+
+A Christian Temperance Union, composed of Christian men and women, has
+also been organized recently, and these are already doing a good work.
+
+These are all the outgrowth of the Crusade.
+
+
+OSWEGO, NEW YORK.
+
+I have received the following facts from officers of the society:
+
+We organized March, 1874, with about thirty members. Held our meetings
+in the different churches, one month in each, wishing them to be
+thorough union, feeling that we must have a united sisterhood to face
+the dark shadow which seemed to be coming nearer and nearer, throwing
+its shade either directly or indirectly into almost every home.
+
+About this time we canvassed the city with the pledge, with good
+results.
+
+Our work was persistent and earnest with the saloon-keepers, city
+authorities, and wherever God seemed to show an open door.
+
+Committees were appointed to inspect the applications made for license,
+and it was found that a majority of them were granted illegally, and
+having found who the men were who signed these applications, and were
+willing thus to encourage the traffic, our work was then with them,
+to try, if it were possible, to persuade them never to sign another
+application. And great was the surprise and shame of many who found
+that what they had done in secret had been brought to the light, and
+many promises were given that the like should not be repeated.
+
+We organized a Woman’s Temperance Prayer-Meeting on Water street, led
+by women, yet calling in the aid of Christian men.
+
+The fact that a few Christian women were meeting twice a week for
+prayer, had its effect upon the community.
+
+We endeavored to look after the poor suffering ones all around, keeping
+our eye on the one object--Christ and His work; feeling that it was
+just that which brought Him down to us, to raise the fallen. Some
+of the crosses were very heavy, the greatest, perhaps, of all our
+life-work, February 1st, 1875.
+
+“Four, ladies only, were present at our meeting; very earnest prayers
+were offered for direction and help, and especially that some influence
+might be brought to bear upon the hearts of Christian people, to awaken
+them to duty, with regard to temperance work. We were not wholly
+discouraged, for we felt that with _God_ on our side, _one_ was a
+majority.”
+
+Before our next meeting, two reformed men, Frost and McKelvey, had
+come to our city ready to work; they hardly knew why they came, for no
+one had asked them, and they had been told not to come, as they could
+do nothing here. But some of us felt that we knew how it came about,
+and as the work seemed to take shape, Christian men said, this is the
+result of the prayers of the faithful few.
+
+On and on went the work, until over two thousand signed the pledge,
+while our own numbers were greatly increased. A Reform Club was
+organized, with a reformed lawyer as president.
+
+One of the saloon-keepers put up a long sign, black letters on white
+cloth, that could be read two blocks off: 20,000 _men wanted to drink_
+20,000 _glasses of lager beer_! It was too much for us to endure, and a
+committee of two ladies was appointed to visit him; we prepared a paper
+for him to read, and went in the strength of the Master, gave him the
+paper, and while he read we prayed, silently, yet earnestly. At first,
+he seemed quite indignant, closed the paper and passed it back; I did
+not take it (wished him to keep it). God seemed to _shut_ our mouths.
+While he talked, the perspiration covered his face and neck, he wiping
+until his handkerchief was thoroughly drenched. When he had said all
+he had to say, he dropped into a chair behind him; then our lips were
+unsealed; he was melted, promised to take down his sign, and leave the
+business as soon as his lease was out. He is now a member of the Reform
+Club.
+
+We came from that saloon, saying to ourselves and each other, “O ye of
+little faith.”
+
+You can imagine the feelings of the heart of his faithful wife, as she
+rose in the weekly prayer-meeting of her own church, after the happy
+event in which all rejoiced: said she, “My husband has signed the
+pledge, and I want you all to pray for him; nay,” said she, “I _demand_
+it.” Do you wonder at her earnestness?
+
+May 20th, a committee of our ladies, in connection with a committee of
+gentlemen, began to cast about for rooms to accommodate this wonderful
+work. It was soon done. On Washington’s birthday, February 22d, we met
+in our new reading-room.
+
+We dedicated those rooms not only to temperance, but to Christ and His
+work, for it is all one.
+
+Our Woman’s Christian Temperance Union now numbers about one hundred
+and fifty; and our motto is, “More earnest work for the Master.”
+
+One of the first fruits of the reform movement was the conversion of
+a young man, son of a prominent clergyman of the State, and former
+pastor of one of the churches of this city. This young man, the child
+of many prayers and much solicitude, had, in spite of all, led a very
+intemperate and wayward life, setting at nought his father’s counsels,
+and treating with scorn his mother’s prayers. His own confession
+is, that during the temperance work he attended one of the Sunday
+services, and, for the first time in his life, went with the settled
+determination to be benefited, the Spirit of God met him, and for days
+he struggled with the adversary. Finally, at a public meeting, where
+hundreds were gathered, and among them many of his boon companions,
+he, in response to a call for short speeches, said, “My friends, the
+devil has beaten me long enough, and now I am determined to beat him,
+not only on the whiskey question, but, God helping me, I mean to beat
+him on sin of all kinds, and from this time forth to live not only
+a temperate but a Christian life.” This was a great surprise to his
+many friends, and for the avowal, light soon broke into his soul, and
+he became a joyful believer. The wires carried the happy news to his
+parents, the mails carried the particulars; but the old father and
+mother wanted to see their son, in whom the Lord had wrought this
+mighty work. He visited them, carrying the temperance spark with him.
+
+At his suggestion a temperance meeting was called. Speakers failed
+him, but he was not discouraged. With the local help he had, he went
+on with the work, speaking himself with the eloquence the love of God
+and the perishing inspired him; and in less than two months from the
+time he became a converted temperance man, he had organized a reform
+club of over six hundred members. When he returned home, he left, as
+its president, a man who had been a confirmed drunkard for over thirty
+years. Among the members was nearly every drunkard in the town.
+
+Behold how great things the Lord hath done!
+
+
+HORNELLSVILLE, NEW YORK
+
+Mrs. Ransom Sheldon gives the following account of the work in this
+town:
+
+Hornellsville, a railroad town on the Erie Railway, with a population
+of between eight and nine thousand, with its five churches, none of
+them blessed with a large membership, with but few pronounced and
+outspoken Christian people, was cursed with eighty-six saloons and
+places where they sold liquor. Prominent wealthy business men were none
+of them temperance men. Young men starting in life had few correct
+examples of living placed before them. Society was gay, and the wine
+cup flowed freely, when the Woman’s Crusade movement found its way
+to Hornellsville. By obtaining a few names, a meeting was called.
+Our business men were so afraid to be identified, that we failed
+in our first selection of chairman, which was the President of our
+village. Our clergy, to their honor be it spoken, stood out pronounced
+temperance men. The women were organized for work, the town canvassed
+for pledges, and all-day meeting was held, in which the reports were
+brought in with rejoicing and cheering. Three thousand women, fifteen
+hundred voters, and four hundred minors signed the pledge as the result
+of this effort.
+
+The Woman’s Temperance Prayer-Meeting was organized and well sustained;
+public opinion in favor of temperance was created; and much good was
+accomplished. Different lecturers were employed, and various means
+adopted to sustain the interest.
+
+When our efforts seemed not to avail, we had recourse to law, and
+six hundred dollars in fines was saved to the county by prosecuting
+violations of law. This plan was followed for one year, a man being
+hired whose business it was to work up cases, present them at court,
+and follow them through.
+
+Last winter we were blessed with a special outpouring of the Holy
+Spirit, and our woman’s meeting felt its influence, and we were moved
+to pray especially that a man adapted to temperance work might be sent
+to us. Our railroad men, who went to Salamanca, returned with accounts
+of the wonderful good John R. Clark was accomplishing In Salamanca,
+Bradford, and other places. Mr. Clark came to Hornellsville for a four
+days’ meeting. The ladies secured the Opera House. The weather was most
+unfavorable. A large audience, however, gathered. When the opportunity
+was given to sign the pledge, a great rush was immediately made.
+
+The morning prayer-meetings were continued, and many who signed
+the pledge at night came into the meeting in the morning, and were
+converted. It was a glorious time. The whole community were never
+before so stirred. Young men, old men, all classes and conditions felt
+its influence. Temperance principles were advocated by men who had
+always advocated and practised intemperance. Some saloons were closed,
+and the liquor business was much crippled. Temperance lecturers came
+to the front from among our lawyers and editors, and outside towns
+were visited and canvassed for pledges. The greatest evidence of good
+accomplished was manifest in the late strike on the Erie Railroad,
+when for nearly a week our town was under martial law, and a drunken
+man was not to be seen, and law and good order prevailed to a degree
+not before realized.
+
+The temperance work in Hornellsville has accomplished great results in
+saving our community from many evils, and has blessed many homes. There
+still remaineth, however, much land to be possessed. One blessed result
+of this effort has been the saving of Hon. Horace Bemis, an eminent
+lawyer, who has given his fine talents as a lecturer to the cause, and
+western New York and northern Pennsylvania have felt his influence as
+an inspiration.
+
+
+UTICA, NEW YORK.
+
+Mrs. D. E. Stevens furnishes the following facts:
+
+The Crusade work in the city of Utica, unobtrusively as it has been
+done, was the origin of our present organization and success in the
+temperance cause. Mrs. M. M. Northrop, upon whom this fell most
+heavily, was probably the first to do real Crusade work, a woman known
+for her good deeds among the poor. She says when the news first reached
+her of the Ohio Crusade, a strange feeling came over her, that caused
+her to betake herself to prayer--to very earnest prayer. The subject
+was so constantly before her mind that she was compelled to speak to
+all whom she met on the subject of temperance. Finding no sympathy, she
+felt alone in the work, and could only cry mightily to God for help,
+who seemed to hold her responsible for this great service in her own
+city.
+
+After a little, she found a good Christian sister, in whose heart there
+was a response for this work (Mrs. T---- by name). Together, she and
+Mrs. T---- visited saloon after saloon, urging the saloon-keepers to
+leave off the terrible traffic; singing in each place as they went.
+
+In one instance they met, as keeper of a saloon, a woman of ill-fame,
+upon whom the singing had a powerful effect. She wept and kept hold of
+Mrs. Northrop’s hands, as though she could not let her go, following
+her to the door with streaming eyes.
+
+In another, God had preceded them, and the saloon-keeper owned his
+dislike for the business; and told them of the daughters of church
+members who came there to drink (it being a little out of the city),
+and then went near by to a house of ill-fame. They sought them there,
+but could not find them. This saloon-keeper promised and did give up
+his business, and became, not long after, a member of a Christian
+church.
+
+The spirit of indifference that pervaded the hearts of Christians
+on this subject seemed terrible to Mrs. Northrop; as she walked the
+streets, the burden grew so heavy upon her she groaned aloud. Meeting a
+Christian sister one day, a lady of wide influence, the lady accosted
+her with, “Well, Mrs. Northrop, how does the temperance work go on?”
+“Poorly, Mrs. B----, very poorly. Were all who profess an interest
+in temperance _consecrated_ workers, the work would go on, and if
+some one does not take up this cause and help to carry it forward, I
+believe this burden will crush me.” Mrs. B---- looked up in her face,
+apparently astonished. Said she, “Well, perhaps the burden has got to
+come over on to me.” And it did. Through this woman the door was opened
+to a grand temperance rally in this city. Ready hearts were found, who
+met weekly at the cross, until the Spirit of the Lord fell upon them
+likewise. To us the work seems but just begun, although we have some
+2,000 signers to the pledge, and over 500 members to the club who wear
+the blue ribbon.
+
+We look to God, believing that his power _alone_ can accomplish this
+work. We are but the willing instruments in his hands, to serve or to
+sit still at his bidding.
+
+One of our most faithful workers in the Crusade, Mrs. M. A. Patterson,
+whose age is sixty-two years, is a woman who has suffered greatly from
+the terrible curse of intemperance. Her husband, once in the habit of
+drinking, is now a reformed and Christian man. Her two sons, drunkards,
+one supposed to be hopelessly lost, are both of them now members of our
+Reform Club, and thus far faithful to their vows.
+
+Suffering so greatly herself, Mrs. Patterson was exercised in an
+unusual manner, not only for her own sons and husband, but for the
+sons and husbands of other mothers and wives. “O,” said she, “how I
+have prayed, and wrestled with God in prayer; night after night I
+have walked the floor, weeping and praying, watching for the unsteady
+footsteps of my boys. Yes, and sometimes I have spent whole nights on
+my knees, till the morning shone in upon me, praying that God would
+send some one, or raise up some person or persons who would help to
+do away with this terrible curse. How I have prayed and wrestled for
+our city! I have gone from saloon to saloon, trying to persuade them to
+stop selling this accursed stuff. And then again I have shrunk back and
+thought, I am like Jonah fleeing away from the work God had called me
+to do, so I went on again, trying to do my best.
+
+“At one time I went to a saloon, where they had drawn in my boys, where
+they were dealing out death to them, and I found the saloon-keeper’s
+wife standing behind the bar dealing out liquor, and I said to her:
+‘Can you, a mother, deal out death and hell to my boys, and the sons of
+other mothers? Would you like it to have me deal out poison to _your_
+sons? What would you think of _me_, or any _other_ mother, to do that
+to _yours_? and yet you are doing it to mine.’
+
+“Said the saloon-woman: ‘Do not talk thus to me. Do not talk to me.’
+
+“‘Shall not I, a mother, whose heart is wrung with anguish, speak to
+you? I tell you _God_ will yet speak to you, in _thunder_ tones, if you
+do not desist. I have not come to blame, nor to reproach, but to _pray_
+you to give up selling this accursed rum.’”
+
+And then, with hands clasped to heaven, she prayed: “How long, O God,
+how long, shall we mothers pray and weep and lament for our sons? How
+long shall our hearts be wrung with bitter anguish? How long shall this
+terrible curse be _forced_ upon us, and we lie powerless before this
+foe?”
+
+And thus she poured forth her woe in prayer. She was driven from the
+saloon by the woman behind the bar.
+
+She has been so worn with her griefs, that I had supposed her to be
+nearly eighty years of age. Her voice sounds like a song of prayer. She
+would gladly go from saloon to saloon, to-day, on her knees, she says,
+if in this wise she could do away with this abominable evil that is
+cursing our city. Her zeal is in nowise slackened by the salvation of
+her husband and sons, and her “Glory to God in the highest” is like a
+Te Deum.
+
+
+ROME, NEW YORK.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. R. M. Bingham for the following report:
+
+The reports of the wonderful revival of the temperance work in the
+West, a little more than three years ago, inspired the friends of the
+cause in this place to hope that something might be done in our city.
+
+About forty ladies responded to the first call for workers.
+
+A daily meeting for prayer and counsel was inaugurated. These meetings
+have been characterized by earnest and prayerful enthusiasm, prompted
+by a genuine dependence on God, and faith in His promises. The efforts
+made to stay the tide of intemperance, or to interpose any obstacle to
+its progress, revealed the great power of the foe with which we had to
+cope, and the strength of its intrenchments. It could count among its
+allies Christian men not a few, and its supporters were to be found in
+the temples of law and justice. So potent was its influence that all
+branches of trade and business were more or less bound by its fetters.
+In our helplessness we cried to God, and our hearts went out in
+greater love for the guilty as well as the suffering ones.
+
+Frequent mass-meetings were held in the churches and other public
+places.
+
+The city was canvassed, and over a thousand women gave their names,
+pledging themselves to do what they could to promote the cause of
+temperance, and we think the moral power cannot be estimated, of this
+large number of women, each acting conscientiously in her own family
+and sphere of influence. A committee of ladies was appointed to ask the
+gentlemen of the Board of Excise to grant no licenses; and if we did
+fail to see our hearts’ desire accomplished, we are glad those prayers
+and tearful appeals stand as our protest against the monster evil.
+
+Much faithful labor has been done in circulating the pledge, and many
+have been induced to sign it, and have been rescued from a drunkard’s
+disgrace and a drunkard’s grave.
+
+One only we will mention--Joseph Higgins, the blacksmith: a most
+wonderful example of the power of God, in removing all appetite for
+intoxicants, after their use for many years. He is doing much for the
+salvation of others. We can but exclaim, “What hath God wrought!”
+
+In 1876, the temperance ladies made a centennial offering to the city,
+of four drinking-fountains, valued at $450.
+
+Children’s meetings have been held, and a large number have signed the
+pledge.
+
+We see indications of the improvement, and strengthening of
+the temperance sentiment of the city. We believe the so-called
+“_respectability_” of liquor-selling has diminished--that fewer
+persons offer wine on New Year’s day, and other special occasions,
+than formerly. A number of suffering wives of drunkards have recovered
+damages from the liquor-seller under the civil damage act. And not the
+least of the good results of our work is the increase of Christian
+fellowship in the different churches of our city.
+
+The hearts of the workers have been united, and we have not thought of
+denominational differences in our work of love. And, although but a
+small part of what we had hoped has been accomplished, we do not feel
+discouraged or inclined to cease our efforts in this great work. “In
+God we trust,” and with Him _for_ us, _who_ can be against us?
+
+
+NEW YORK CITY.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. Helen E. Brown, for the following able report of
+the work in this city:
+
+From the first blast of the trumpet borne to our ears across the
+Alleghenies, calling the daughters of Zion to the holy war, there were
+found hearts in New York city thrilling with sympathy, and eager to
+enter the work. How it was to be done, what shape it would take in the
+metropolis, could not at first be seen; but devoted Christian women
+gave themselves to the Lord with a solemn consecration, promising to
+do whatever he should direct. He would surely make the way plain,
+and though they could see but one step at a time, that one step they
+decided to take just as soon as it was made visible. The first thing
+naturally was to assemble for prayer.
+
+In the month of March, 1874, one of our sisters was on her way to a
+prayer-meeting, and waited at the corner of the street for a car.
+The corner store was a liquor-saloon, and as she stood there, she
+thought of the many, many similar places in the city where the deadly
+poison was dealt out to her fellow-creatures, and her heart went up
+in prayer that God would seal up these fountains of iniquity. Just
+then the proprietor of the store appeared, and seeing the woman’s
+thoughtful attitude, he said to her, “Are you one of the temperance
+crusaders?” He had evidently been reading the exciting reports with
+which the daily papers were filled. The question seemed to her of the
+Lord, and she instantly replied, “I am.” “Won’t you come in, then?
+you’re welcome,” said he. The sister, feeling that it was not wise to
+make the visit alone, replied, “I am on an errand now to another part
+of the city; when I return, I will call.” She went to the meeting,
+which was one of a series of holiness meetings then in progress in the
+Seventeenth Street M. E. Church, Rev. Mr. Boole’s, and there related
+the circumstance, and begged that some one would give herself to the
+Lord for this service, and accompany her on this visit. Two ladies
+volunteered, and they went out, followed by the earnest prayers of the
+assembly. The Lord went with them. They were greatly blessed in their
+visit, and there is reason to believe that great good in several ways
+followed. Thus the work was inaugurated in the city.
+
+A praying band was at once formed in that church, and, simultaneously,
+in different sections of the city, and saloon work was undertaken in
+earnest. This was done quietly, the sisters going in twos and threes,
+always presenting the gospel message, praying and singing whenever
+permission could be obtained, and leaving tracts, papers and printed
+invitations to prayer-meetings. Many hundreds of saloons were thus
+visited, and incidents of the most interesting character occurred.
+Saloons were shut up, and rum-sellers converted, who stand now in the
+church of Christ, monuments of his saving power.
+
+The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized in April. It
+was brought about by the clerical committee formed by the National
+Temperance Society to consider the general subject, and was intended to
+bring together the working element of all the churches. There was not,
+however, a very prompt response to this call. One and another began
+to make excuse, and the result was that we had at no time more than
+thirty active members, and as we began operations at the very close
+of the working season, our numbers were soon greatly reduced. A daily
+prayer-meeting was sustained, however, through the entire season, and
+was always as a well in the valley of Baca. The Lord never failed to
+refresh our souls, and our love for one another, our faith in God, and
+our devotion to the cause steadily increased.
+
+At the first a committee was appointed to visit the clergymen of the
+city, and ascertain to what extent we might expect their co-operation.
+Here unexpected disappointment met us. We found every denomination
+more or less apathetic, the ministry indifferent or faithless, and in
+the membership a deplorable lack of principle. It was a sad revelation,
+but it taught us this lesson, that temperance work was needed in the
+church as well as out of it. How should it be done? To the Lord we went
+in our trouble.
+
+A series of Sunday evening meetings was commenced in the churches,
+wherever admission could be obtained. There were some noble champions
+of the cause, who were always ready to open their doors, and to aid us
+to their utmost ability. They encouraged and counselled. It was thought
+best from the first that the women should plead their own cause, and
+with the Lord’s help they were enabled to do it. Though unaccustomed
+to service of this kind, it was undertaken in obedience to the Divine
+call, and the effort was greatly blessed.
+
+Another committee was appointed to visit the Excise Board. This
+interview gave us a still clearer insight into the vastness of the
+work upon which we had entered. We were advised to a double course of
+duty: on the one side to exert ourselves to create a public opinion in
+favor of temperance; and on the other, to take immediate measures to
+prosecute the liquor-dealers for violation of the license and Sabbath
+laws. But, after prayerful consideration, we decided to waive the legal
+work and go forward on the gospel principles of “love, persuasion and
+prayer.” We hoped much from our public meetings, believing that our
+Christian brothers would be aroused to participate in the work, and
+to do that which was beyond our reach. But our surest hope was in the
+power of prayer. “Ask, believe, receive,” was our motto. Like the
+stripling David of old, we went forth in the name of the Lord of hosts
+to meet the giant.
+
+When the city churches were closed for the summer, and the
+congregations were dispersed, we asked the Lord what he would have
+us do; and the way was opened in a remarkable manner, for work
+among inebriates. This was prosecuted with untiring ardor, by the
+few workers left behind in the city. The prisons, hospitals, and
+charitable institutions of the city, which were mainly filled with the
+victims of the cup, were visited, and the gospel of God’s free grace
+presented. Industrial and mission schools too were instructed often,
+and thoroughly in the truths of temperance and salvation. Much faithful
+effort was put forth, and with good results. Souls were saved; but,
+perhaps, better than all the workers were themselves enriched with an
+experience which proved invaluable in their after labors.
+
+During the summer of 1874, our first gospel temperance meeting was
+established, in one of the most desperately wicked localities of the
+city; and from its beginning, we had the most wonderful manifestations
+of God’s power to save. We were surrounded by dance-houses of the worst
+description, and wedged in between two of the vilest dens of the city.
+We followed prayer with work; and public meetings were held, statedly,
+on Sunday evening, with weekly visitations in this godless section of
+the city. It was with fear and trembling, but with earnest prayer and
+simple trust, we entered these wretched bucket-shops, where men and
+women were crowded together in every stage of beastly intoxication.
+
+On one occasion, three of us went together to a corner shop of the
+most notorious character. About twenty women were huddled together in
+one corner; vile, disfigured, clad in filthy rags, and presenting an
+appearance to melt the hardest heart. To think that woman could fall
+so low--so low! Could such as these be saved? But they were silent and
+respectful, with the exception of one brawler, who was soon shamed
+by the bar-tender’s reproachful thrust: “If the like of these ladies
+come to see yez, ye can, at least, hear what they have to say to yez.”
+“There’s worse than we here,” they said; after a few words had been
+spoken to one and another, and opening a door they pointed the way into
+a small, dark, inner room, the air stifling and fetid with liquor. One
+poor drunken wretch stood in the centre of this apartment, and on the
+floor and settees around it were twelve others, sleeping the heavy
+sleep of a drunkard. We were almost overcome by the appalling sight;
+but in a moment, as if it were the rally of our faith, we raised the
+beautiful hymn
+
+ “God loved the world of sinners lost
+ And ruined by the fall;
+ Salvation full at highest cost,
+ He offers free to all.
+ Oh, ’twas love, ’twas wondrous love,
+ The love of God to me;
+ It brought my Saviour from above,
+ To die on Calvary.”
+
+We had not sung two lines before every head, one after another, had
+come up with a wondering expression; then the big tears began to fall,
+and by the time we had finished the strain, the sobs and groans were
+pitiful to hear. Then we prayed for that uttermost salvation of Jesus,
+that His mighty love might rescue some of these poor fallen ones from
+the jaws of hell. As we went outside they followed us with staggering
+steps, and one poor marred, wretched woman drew near, and asked, with
+trembling lips, “Won’t you sing ‘Whiter than snow?’” Those words,
+seemingly so incongruous in that dark place, never seemed so precious,
+as we sang them with our hearts resting on the promise, “Though your
+sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”
+
+Several girls followed us that day to homes of safety, which we were
+able to provide for them in institutions and refuges in the city. One
+of them, at least, was saved. We heard her afterwards give her simple,
+triumphant testimony to the power of Jesus, to which she added: “Oh,
+how I wish I had a voice to reach from here to Water street, that I
+might tell every poor girl there that Jesus can save her, too, and wash
+her whiter than snow in His precious blood.”
+
+In the fall the campaign opened vigorously. Gospel meetings in the
+churches and in the slums, in the city and the towns outside, were
+diligently held. Interest seemed rising, and efforts were put forth
+in various parts of the city to put down the traffic and lift up the
+drunkard by the power of the gospel. The daily prayer-meeting was still
+sustained, and at our first annual meeting we had only to recount the
+mercies of the Lord.
+
+The second summer was a marked one in the history of our work in Water
+street. The vile rum-shop on one side of the Mission House had been
+closed in answer to prayer, and so effectually that the owner of the
+property could never re-let it. He determined to pull down the old
+building, and replace it with a substantial warehouse. In the meantime,
+the chapel was rendered untenantable, but the meetings must not be
+relinquished. They sought and obtained permission to hold them, for the
+time being, in the dance-house on the other side; and there for four
+months held the fort in Jesus’ name, and by His grace, with courage and
+success.
+
+In one of the meetings a young woman of modest appearance, and neatly
+attired, rose and said: “I have come here to-night to ask the privilege
+of signing your temperance pledge, and to tell you how much good you
+have done me. I was living not far from here, in one of the worst
+houses, and the first night you opened I was passing by, and came in,
+as I had many a time before, for a drink. I found the bar closed, and
+this dance-hall lighted for a meeting. The singing sounded so sweet
+I slipped in and sat down on a back seat. The words you spoke made
+me cry. When you asked those who wanted to be saved to stand up for
+prayer, I longed to get up, but I couldn’t. But I made up my mind then
+that I would lead a better life, and that I never, never would go back
+to that wicked home again. But I had no place to go to, and what could
+I do? I walked the streets for hours, and at last asked a policeman to
+send me to the station-house, and he did. There, in my cell, I kneeled
+down and cried to the Lord, and gave Him my heart. The next day I went
+out to find a place for honest labor, and the Lord sent me to a good
+Christian woman, and I am living with her now. I mean, with God’s help,
+to serve Him all the rest of my days.”
+
+On that same memorable first evening a young man staggered into the
+rum-shop for a drink, was persuaded to enter the meeting, where he took
+a draught of the water of life and was saved. His father and brother,
+both addicted to intemperance, subsequently came to the meetings, and
+were converted. All three are now standing on the rock Christ, and are
+laboring earnestly in a temperance revival in another city. Incidents
+like these, showing the wonders of God’s mighty love, could be greatly
+multiplied.
+
+The next year’s labor of the Union presented some new features. It was
+during this year that the hippodrome was opened for the evangelistic
+work of Moody and Sankey in New York. Prior to their coming we had
+sent forward a request that one day in each week might be devoted to
+temperance. The request was favorably considered, and Friday was set
+apart as temperance day. The members of the Union were diligent in
+their co-operation in this gospel work, some of them devoting their
+entire time to it. They worked in the inquiry rooms, visited from house
+to house, and did their part to sustain the woman’s meetings, which
+were thronged and of thrilling power.
+
+During this year also very successful outside labor was accomplished,
+members of the Union going out to other towns, and holding a series of
+private and public meetings, through one or two days; organizing the
+work and stimulating their sisters. These occasions were attended with
+a rich blessing from on high.
+
+The juvenile work also occupied the attention of some of our most
+earnest workers. This has been well begun, especially among the class
+of children gathered into the industrial and mission schools of the
+city. Our hope is in the children, and, as far as we have gone, we find
+there is no more effectual method of reaching the homes of the drinking
+classes than through the little ones.
+
+In the fall of 1875 a coffee-house was projected, and engrossed the
+Union during the following year. It did not, however, prove a success
+as a business enterprise. It drained our financial resources, failed to
+reach the class for whom it was designed, consumed in secular interests
+the time and energies of the workers, and thus unavoidably diverted
+them, in a great measure, from the spiritual work to which they had
+been devoted. The struggle was continued through a period of fifteen
+months, and then was given up.
+
+The gospel meetings held at the coffee-house, however, accomplished
+much good. Many souls were hopefully reclaimed from the depths of
+intemperance, by the grace of God, some of whom have labored publicly
+and diligently in the service of God.
+
+As we look around from our present standpoint, we are assured that
+the Lord has set his seal of approval upon the labors and influence of
+the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. We see the increased attention
+given to this subject, the rising of public sentiment, the efforts,
+though spasmodic and almost farcical, to put down the traffic, the
+more positive espousal of the cause by ministers and churches, the
+establishment of gospel temperance meetings on every hand, in the
+openness of the people to the truth, and the increased demand for
+Christian temperance laborers. All this we recognize as answer to
+prayer, and a pleasant foretaste of what the Lord is ready to do for us.
+
+“It is useless for the women to do anything here: New York is a walled
+city,” said a liquor-dealer to one of our visitors, in the early
+days of the Crusade. And, indeed, we have proved it so; its walls
+are thick and high, and to all human force impregnable. First in the
+intrenchments are the drunkards, men and women, standing shoulder to
+shoulder, not very erect and firm, it is true, but, supported and
+filled in by the moderate drinkers next behind them, every one is a
+brick well laid. Then come the domestic and social users and offerers
+of beer and wine, next the traffickers, then the property-holders with
+their wealth and greed, and last, but not least, since they afford
+strength, finish, and adornment to the defences, stands the Church
+in its cold indifference. What a strong wall is this! No wonder our
+opponents feel secure behind it; no wonder human sight discerns no way
+to overthrow it.
+
+But the Lord of hosts is with us; the Lord strong and mighty, and,
+even in New York, we are not disheartened. The multitude on the side
+of wrong is immense, but chased by the army of God’s resurrected ones,
+must and will flee. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but
+spiritual, and, for that very reason, will be invincible.
+
+
+BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, President of the Brooklyn Union,
+for the following facts:
+
+In the month of January, 1874, Mrs. Caroline E. Ladd, who was chosen to
+lead a Union Bible Class, which met weekly in the Friends’ Church, was
+so strongly convinced that the time had now come for the inauguration
+of a woman’s temperance prayer movement in this city, that she said
+she could not consent again to conduct the exercises of the class
+unless a half-hour should be spent in prayer to God for the success
+of the temperance cause, now given by Divine commission to Christian
+women. Her wishes were acceded to, and as far as is known, this was the
+beginning of the Prayer movement in this city.
+
+About this time an invitation was given in the Bible class, by Mrs.
+Mary A. Wilder, to an afternoon prayer-meeting. Most of the members
+accepted. There came a bestowal of power in answer to prayer in
+larger measure than they had ever realized. At times the Spirit’s
+manifestations seemed almost to break their hearts, and found vent in
+tears; again they were exultant with the glad tidings of deliverance.
+
+Miss Hamilton was deeply impressed with this passage of Scripture; “Ye
+shall not need to fight.”
+
+On the 30th of January, an all-day prayer-meeting was held in the
+“church on the heights,” by the ladies’ union prayer-meeting, which was
+brought into existence by a mother in Israel, Mrs. S. A. Merrill, who
+became one of the most faithful supporters of the work, and who was
+beloved by all who knew her. The meeting was one of spiritual power.
+The chrism of the Spirit fell upon many, who afterwards became workers.
+The voice said: “Cry,” and souls replied: “What shall I cry?” It was
+like children stretching out their hands for a blessing, not knowing
+what they wanted.
+
+During the month of February, 1874, renewed activities began in an
+old temperance society, of which a number of the ladies were members.
+In one of these meetings, held March 13th, as time was being consumed
+in passing resolutions, etc., Mrs. Ladd arose and expressed the wish
+of most of the ladies present, to organize a union for the purpose of
+prayer. Nearly all the ladies retired to an upper room. A glorious
+prayer-meeting followed. The presence of the Spirit was manifested.
+The two hours spent together proved to be a pentecostal season, and
+faith claimed the promise, when Miss Hamilton voluntarily read from 2
+Chron. xx. 15, 16, 17: “Be not afraid, or dismayed by reason of this
+great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.... Ye need not
+to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the
+salvation of the Lord with you. Fear not, nor be dismayed; to-morrow go
+ye out against them, for the Lord will be with you.”
+
+The next day Mrs. Mary C. Johnson and Mrs. Conkling called upon the
+officers of the Y. M. C. A., who placed their handsome rooms at the
+disposal of the ladies, and they have held their daily meetings there,
+through all these months and years. On Monday, March 16th, 1874, the
+first meeting of the Christian Temperance Union was held; hundreds
+of earnest men and women attended, and Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, who was
+chosen the leader, presented the seven “Fear Nots” of Isaiah, 41, 43,
+44, which became the watchword of the society.
+
+From this little beginning, smaller, indeed, than a mustard seed,
+has sprung a goodly tree, under whose shadow many weary and tempted
+ones have found rest. At the daily meetings requests for prayer were
+presented; some of them coming by letter long distances; and as the
+work has gone on, this prayer-circle has extended to the uttermost
+parts of the world. Requests coming even from Australia, where the
+influence of this meeting has been felt, and led to the formation of
+two temperance prayer-meetings.
+
+Perhaps the most touching request for prayer received was from a
+mother, beseeching prayer for nine sons, all intemperate.
+
+During the first week of the meeting, the following remarkable message,
+telegraphed to the New York Chamber of Commerce, was read by a
+gentleman present:
+
+ “CINCINNATI, 12.25 P. M.
+
+ “Provisions stronger--unchanged. The women Crusaders are singing and
+ praying so loudly and earnestly in the saloon next to the Chamber of
+ Commerce, that business is quite demoralized at this hour.”
+
+This despatch created great enthusiasm. In response to a call for
+workers, large numbers volunteered to go forth to the druggists,
+licensed grocers, and saloon-keepers. A prominent saloon-keeper sent
+an invitation for the ladies to visit him, and hold a Sabbath evening
+prayer-meeting at his saloon. The invitation was accepted, and twelve
+ladies were appointed to attend the meeting. Promptly at seven o’clock
+the ladies were at Mr. Myers’ saloon. Fully three thousand men gathered
+into the saloon, and about the doors, and in the street, to see and
+hear the ladies, whose zeal and courage had prompted them to such
+singular service in the cause of temperance. The gathering was composed
+almost exclusively of young men. Mrs. Chace, who had a singularly rich
+and attractive voice, sung,
+
+ “There is a gate that stands ajar.”
+
+Prayers and hymns followed, and the Word was read to an
+attentive audience; and yet there were those in that motley throng
+who came to jest. A spirit of solemnity pervaded the meeting; numbers
+signed the pledge; and God graciously set his seal of approval upon
+the effort. Thirteen conversions resulted, and the liquor-dealer in a
+few days voluntarily placed the keys of his saloon in the hands of the
+ladies, and it was afterwards opened as a temperance restaurant.
+
+Sabbath evening saloon meetings followed, and from this time the call
+of God to the Union to visit the saloons, was gladly acknowledged; and
+it has indeed been the one secret of the deeply spiritual character of
+the work, and of the harvest of souls which has resulted.
+
+During the first month, the number of young men attending the three
+o’clock meeting became so large that Mrs. F. E. Thomas and Miss
+Annie J. Ludlow were led to invite them to a meeting for personal
+conversation and prayer. This led to a second daily prayer-meeting,
+from five to six o’clock, which is still continued. The room was filled
+nightly with the same changing class, from the jails and saloons, the
+gutter and the homes of wealth, all bitten by this serpent of sin,
+intemperance; and not a few have been led to look at the crucified One
+and live.
+
+During the year 1875, 1,325 arose for prayers. Among the number of
+thrilling histories, but one can be given: A man under the influence
+of liquor found his way into the room, and slept until evening on one
+of the settees. At the opening of the meeting, he left the room, but
+reappeared at the close, and in a voice husky with emotion, said, “I
+have not gone; something has held me. I have been behind the door, and
+have heard all that has been said. Oh, if there is any hope, pray for
+me.” A few gathered around him in prayer. His sad story was this: The
+son and grandson of a clergyman, a graduate of a theological seminary,
+he had given up his studies because of failing health, entered
+business, taken the first social glass, which in time resulted in his
+becoming a helpless victim, and a living sorrow to his wife and four
+little ones. The pledge was offered, and with trembling hand he signed
+it for three months only, and left us. At the expiration of that time
+the pledge was returned, and on it these words, “By God’s help I have
+kept this pledge, and now renew it for all eternity. I have also found
+Christ as my Saviour.”
+
+The jails were visited; meetings held on shipboard, in private houses,
+Naval Chapel, Naval Hospital, the Inebriate Asylum, the Penitentiary,
+and Sabbath meetings at Fort Hamilton. Miss Beatty also held a meeting
+at her residence, and Mrs. Chace, for young men; and the wife of a city
+alderman was led by a remarkable providence into a blessed work among a
+reckless class of young men.
+
+The President of the Union, accompanied by a lady of each of the
+denominations, visited and addressed the New York East Conference,
+Ministerial Union, and the Baptist Union of Ministers. She also,
+accompanied by Mrs. Alderman Richardson, visited the Roman Catholic
+Bishop Laughlin, who gave them respectful hearing, and made special
+inquiries as to the number of children they found in the saloons. They
+were cordially received by all, and earnest, favorable responses given.
+
+When the Brooklyn Union was organized, only a few churches could
+be found, whose doors were open to Christian women who came in the
+interests of gospel temperance, but now the majority of Protestant
+churches are open to them. The temperance sentiment among church-going
+people has been greatly increased, and as an outgrowth of the Union, a
+Temperance Brotherhood has been formed, which has done a glorious work
+on the legal line. A flourishing juvenile society has been organized,
+and well sustained. A restaurant and friendly inn was opened in the
+first saloon that surrendered, and has formed an important part of the
+work.
+
+For the means to carry forward their great work, they have looked to
+Him in whose hands is the silver and the gold, and during these years
+they have received and expended $7,739.24.
+
+The receipts and disbursements of the temperance restaurants one year
+was $13,021.69, and 5,000 free meals and lodgings given.
+
+A Reform Club has been organized, and those who remained in Brooklyn
+gathered into churches, but many of the men, especially the sailors and
+officers of vessels, have gone to other lands. Most encouraging letters
+have been received from the Pacific coast, from Yokohama, Japan, and
+other distant points.
+
+The untiring and successful labors in the legal work of Captain Oliver
+Cotter, a converted saloon-keeper, who gave up his business, and has
+been laboring for the Master, has resulted in great good. He was one
+of their first trophies, and has greatly helped on the work. When the
+Union was organized, March, 1874, there were 3,110 saloons in this
+city, and their doors were open on the Sabbath day, bidding defiance
+to the Sunday closing law as well as to the sacred day. An official
+statement, published after three months of prayer and labor, showed
+that 180 of these had been closed--twenty-one being closed through
+their direct influence in three weeks. At the expiration of three
+years, _one-half of the saloons were closed_, and there was no open
+selling on the Sabbath day. The arrests for drunkenness in 1875 were
+6,810 less than during the year 1874.
+
+It is a matter of special thanksgiving to God that every saloon,
+without exception, in which the ladies held saloon prayer-meetings,
+is closed, and the buildings devoted to other purposes. Many
+property-holders now refuse to rent their buildings for such uses. A
+liquor-dealer recently said: “The trade will never revive until these
+crazy women cease their persecutions.”
+
+The work cannot be put into numerical figures. An army of voices
+has joined in the great song of redemption; broken homes have been
+restored; the morning of joy has come to many a night-weeping mother;
+women have had their dead raised; and the laborers themselves have seen
+higher and deeper into the wonders of a wonder-working God. Friends
+are numerous; pastors and churches are now allies; public sentiment
+gaining; saloons and institutions open for work; the enemy trembling;
+and above all, the hand of God is visible in the battle.
+
+The death-angel has come to one of our most gifted and earnest
+workers, Mrs. Hannah E. Chace. One who sat beside her in her last
+hours writes, “she hoped till the very last that she might be allowed
+to work again for the Master. Her soul was filled with love: ‘I love
+you all--_everybody_;’ she said. After a season of prayer, in which we
+had earnestly plead with God to prolong her life, she looked earnestly
+into my face, saying: ‘What does He say?’ I answered, ‘Forever with the
+Lord.’ With a sweet smile she responded: ‘Thy will be done.’ In giving
+directions for her funeral, she asked that ‘Forever with the Lord’
+might be sung.”
+
+The officers and earnest workers of this Union were: Mrs. Mary C.
+Johnson; Mrs. Caroline E. Ladd; Mrs. Mary E. Hartt; Miss Albina
+Hamilton; Mrs. J. Bowman; Mrs. S. A. Merrill; Mrs. L. D. Oakley;
+Mrs. R. L. Wycoff; Mrs. E. Squires; Mrs. H. B. Spellman; Mrs. K. E.
+Cleveland; Mrs. Bayless; Mrs. E. L. Conklin; Mrs. Wilder; Mrs. Watson;
+Mrs. Field; Mrs. Thomas; Miss Ludlow; Mrs. Duncklee; Mrs. Allen; Mrs.
+Blakely; Mrs. Annie S. Hawkes (author of “I need Thee every hour”);
+Miss Lizzie Green; Mrs. Marinor; Mrs. Harmon; Mrs. Stout; Mrs. Philip
+Phillips; Mrs. Holman; Mrs. Crocker; Mrs. Tremaine; Mrs. Reynolds; Mrs.
+Goodrich; Mrs. Richardson; Mrs. Thorn; Mrs. Acker; Mrs. Dr. Bond; Mrs.
+Swanson; Mrs. Bartlett; Mrs. Alford; Mrs. Griffing; Mrs. Higley; Mrs.
+Tate; Mrs. Hemmenway; Mrs. Hutchins; Mrs. Ressique; Mrs. Dickinson;
+Mrs. Trask; Mrs. Langford Palmer; Mrs. Tilney; Miss M. E. Winslow; Miss
+Meacham; Miss Meserole; Miss Greenwood; Miss Slack; Mrs. Eyer; Mrs. C.
+F. Ketchum; Mrs. H. B. Jackson; Mrs. T. W. Ladd.
+
+In the year 1876, Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, the efficient and talented
+President of the Brooklyn Union, visited Great Britain and Ireland,
+and spent six months in successful work in drawing-room and public
+meetings. Her efforts to help forward the cause of gospel temperance
+were richly blest. She addressed during her absence 121 audiences, and
+conducted forty-one prayer-meetings. Her work was chiefly among the
+upper classes, and her drawing-room and lawn meetings were attended
+largely by the nobility. Mrs. Johnson, who is a cultured Christian
+lady, was received everywhere with great attention, and the American
+women have reason to be proud of her record abroad, and the National
+Union that one of her officers so ably represented her in the higher
+circles of Great Britain.
+
+By special request of the writer of these pages, Captain Oliver Cotter
+has written out the following history of his conversion, and his legal
+work:
+
+ CAPTAIN OLIVER COTTER’S CONVERSION AND WORK.
+
+ On Thursday afternoon, April 12th, 1874, Mrs. A. Wilder and Mrs.
+ Richardson, of the Ladies’ Union, first called on me, and found me
+ in my saloon, behind the bar. The barkeeper and several gentlemen
+ were present. I was in the act of drinking liquor with the gentlemen
+ present. These two agents of Christ inquired for the proprietor. I
+ responded. They said: “My _brother_, we have called on you to inquire
+ and to talk to you about your soul’s salvation, and about this
+ business _you are in_.”
+
+ I immediately quit my company, and invited them into the reading-room
+ attached to the saloon, and entered into conversation relative to
+ my business. It was then a _novel_ and rare thing to hear and see
+ two such fine, respectable, highly-cultured ladies, strangers then
+ to me, take such a deep interest in me, and particularly in my
+ soul’s salvation, that word my _brother_ still coming from their
+ lips every time they addressed me. For over an hour they remained in
+ that reading-room, and before leaving both of them knelt in prayer.
+ I felt then, for the first time, that I was a sinner, and needed
+ God’s forgiveness, and that I was in a bad business, and that for
+ seven years I had been making drunkards by law, and was blind to
+ the sin and iniquity I was every day heaping on my soul: for I was
+ running _five different saloons_, four in Brooklyn, and one in New
+ York; was the Secretary of King’s County (Brooklyn) Liquor-Dealers’
+ Society--2,500 strong, with $10,000 in our treasury, to work for the
+ devil. Was chairman of the executive committee, and stood high among
+ my friends in the trade. For six years I worked faithfully for Satan,
+ as the secretary. On Friday, the 13th, two other ladies called on
+ me, same saloon, 358 Fulton street, Brooklyn, and again pleaded with
+ me by exhortation and in prayer. Same, on 14th, Saturday. It was
+ then I broke down, and gave my consent for a saloon prayer-meeting,
+ next evening, Sunday, April 15th, 1874, which commenced in the
+ reading-room of the saloon, seven and a half P. M., and ended at
+ eleven o’clock, nine of my customers and myself being present. Ten
+ Christian women marched in, two by two, as the disciples of old
+ went out, and commenced the services with the hymn, “Nearer, my
+ God, to Thee.” We all signed the pledge, relying on God to help us
+ keep it. The whole of us were soundly converted, and all of us are
+ to-day living evidence of God’s goodness. Not one of us has fallen,
+ but have grown in grace. So you see that each Christian woman had
+ a trophy: ten came, and ten were converted, the liquor-dealer and
+ his customers. All are working for the Master. It was a powerful
+ meeting; the Holy Spirit was there in great power. The saloon was
+ closed, never again to be opened. Not sold out; no, no. That would
+ be compromising with God. I never could do that. I destroyed all the
+ liquors I had, and counted my redemption good pay for the loss of the
+ filthy stuff. And I now thank God for a Union of Christian women in
+ Brooklyn, through whose instrumentality I was saved and cleansed in
+ the blood of the Lamb--clothed, and in my right mind.
+
+ Persecutions then awaited me from all sides--friends and foes. The
+ devil commenced; the society, of which I was an honored officer
+ for six years, commenced; the wholesale and retail liquor-dealers
+ commenced; my house, that cost me $9,000, I lost; large amounts were
+ offered, my house to be given me back, if I would resume the business
+ again, but I would not give in; my brother turned against me, and
+ said I ought to go to the poor-house. My time won’t here permit me
+ to go into detail of what I suffered. God’s grace was sufficient to
+ keep me through it all. I put my hand to the plough--He kept me from
+ looking back. Glory be to His holy name!
+
+ Being left almost penniless, and not willing to take anything from
+ any one, only what I could earn by the sweat of my brow, I set out
+ for New York city, relying on God and trusting Him. I found an humble
+ situation in a mercantile house. When asked for my reference I told
+ the merchant (who I found afterwards was a Christian man) that he
+ must take me just as I was, gave my history, etc.; he took me by the
+ hand and engaged me. I was six months in his employ, when I was
+ called through him and others who are now with me, all members of
+ the same church (Dr. Budington’s), into the legal work, the history
+ of which would fill several volumes. At this time I cannot go into a
+ full detail of the work which God has done through me, in Brooklyn
+ and elsewhere. Suffice it for me to say, when I commenced the work
+ here, in 1874, we had 3,110 saloons, now we have less than 1,500,
+ still getting less; the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union has helped
+ also.
+
+ I have been in the States of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,
+ Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia; also in over 150
+ cities, and villages, and towns in New York, Connecticut, and New
+ Jersey; and have inaugurated the legal work and addressed meetings,
+ besides a large amount of correspondence--all this in the past three
+ years.
+
+ I was President of a Reform Club for two years; have organized Reform
+ Clubs on the gospel plan in other places, all of which has been for
+ the honor and glory of God. I never had a day’s sickness; never was
+ better in my life, spiritually and temporally. The Lord provides and
+ gives me more than I ask for. My faith is in my Redeemer; His grace
+ has kept me. I rely not on man, but on God’s precious promises. I
+ believe them all; I trust God for everything. The legal work and the
+ gospel work go together. God has blessed me abundantly in the work;
+ and I know he has called me into this kind of work. I would have been
+ murdered long since if the work had been of myself; therefore, I
+ know it is His work. How sweet the knowledge I have derived from the
+ many hair-breadth escapes I have had from the cursed liquor traffic,
+ and the enemy of Christ and His work, who oftentimes assailed me.
+ Divine Providence protected me; therefore, I always go out in His
+ name, and for Him, and Him only, so that He should get all the honor
+ and glory.
+
+
+BINGHAMPTON, NEW YORK.
+
+I gather the following facts from the report of Mrs. H. Morris,
+Secretary:
+
+Our Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized in the spring
+of 1874. The first meetings for prayer and consultation were fully
+attended, and with it praise went up to God for His blessing on the
+Temperance Crusade. We felt that God was present by His Spirit,
+inditing our prayers and efforts. Our inquiry was, “Lord, what wilt
+Thou have us to do?”
+
+A special day of fasting and prayer was observed. Our sisters met
+together in one place; and every hour had its separate leader through
+the day. A large number present pledged themselves before God to a
+life-work in the temperance cause. This spirit has animated our Union
+ever since.
+
+The first year of our work the drug stores, saloons, and other places
+were visited, and urgent appeals were made, to induce the occupants to
+desist from selling intoxicating liquors as a beverage. The druggists
+uniformly denied that they sold the article except for mechanical and
+medicinal purposes, and were all ready to sign the pledge.
+
+A committee from our Union have visited the Board of Excise several
+times, and presented a petition from 1,300 of our citizens to grant no
+licenses. All the inducements that could be presented to them in the
+most solemn manner, drawn from three worlds, seemed to have but little
+weight upon them.
+
+Our Union has met for prayer many times, feeling that no earthly arm
+could save us, and that God’s strength must be extended. He alone could
+save. And in answer to our prayers, Mr. Robinson came, held meetings,
+and labored personally, with great success. Some five thousand
+pledges were taken, and the good work has been going on ever since.
+Mass-meetings have been held two and three times a week.
+
+At the request of some of the reformed men, a religious evening meeting
+has been kept up by our Union. They feel and know that Jesus can
+alone save them from everlasting ruin, and they are trying to lead
+Christian lives, and are doing all they can to bring their associates
+to temperance and to Christ. So that this work is a religious one--a
+gospel revival. Souls, that were fast sinking into the drunkard’s
+grave, are now redeemed, and a new song put into their mouths, even
+praise to their Redeemer. Towns all around us are participating In this
+great movement, and are sending to Binghampton for speakers.
+
+A juvenile temperance society, a young men’s temperance union, and
+a young ladies’ blue ribbon society are among the outgrowths of the
+Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. The blessed Lord has indeed heard
+our prayers. We need more faith, more earnest workers, and more of the
+blessing of God, for the warfare against intemperance in this place.
+But we rejoice and bless God that He has so wonderfully visited us in
+mercy and love, and that He has shown to those who profess not His name
+that this is His work, and He is mighty to save.
+
+
+POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK.
+
+We glean the following facts from a report sent by Maria A. Wiley;
+
+In response to the invitation given through the daily papers, a large
+audience assembled at Temperance Hall on Tuesday evening, April 7th,
+1874. Mrs. Deyo, of Dutchess county, addressed the meeting, stating the
+object of the movement, which was to help the rum-seller out of his
+evil business. There were ministers and representatives from all the
+denominations present, and favorable to the movement, and the Lord was
+evidently with us in this beginning of our action.
+
+A letter was read from Messrs. Brown & Doty, druggists, stating
+they were willing to pledge themselves to sell no liquor except on
+physicians’ prescriptions, and for medicinal purposes.
+
+An invitation was given to the women present, who were willing to begin
+this movement, to signify it by rising. Seventy-five arose; and notice
+was given that a woman’s prayer-meeting would be held in the chapel
+of the Congregational Church at three o’clock, on the following day.
+Sixty-five women were present at the meeting next day. The meeting was
+one of deep solemnity and heart-searching. We consecrated ourselves
+to the work in response to a question proposed by our leader, “Are we
+_ready_ for anything?”
+
+Another large meeting was held in the evening. The Lord poured out his
+Spirit. Large mass-meetings continued to be held in the churches each
+evening. Encouraging reports were made. Committees were appointed to
+visit property-holders, drug stores, groceries, and hotels, asking them
+not to rent their property as saloons, or sell intoxicating drinks. A
+petition to the Board of Excise was also circulated, that the license
+be hereafter withheld from the one hundred saloons, that were such
+a curse to the city. Notice was sent us of the voluntary surrender
+of some of the liquor-dealers. The first from George M. Frazier, 61
+Main street, wherein he states, in a letter which was read at one of
+our public meetings, that in five years he had been ruined by selling
+rum, and intended to discontinue the business. He also inserted the
+following notice in the daily papers:
+
+ “_Anticipating the Ladies’ Crusade_, the undersigned surrenders
+ without a call. Hereafter the Mansion House, 61 Main street, will be
+ conducted on the temperance plan. We offer first-class accommodations
+ to both custom and transient boarders. Meals furnished at any time.
+
+ “G. M. FRAZIER.”
+
+An impressive incident occurred about this time. William St. John,
+proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, sent in a letter, which was read at
+our fifth mass-meeting, April 11th, wherein he announced he had given
+up selling liquor, and would never, _never_ enter the business again;
+that he believed it to be wrong, and was doing much evil. He was taken
+sick soon after, and died the 17th of April.
+
+The Catholic priest sent us a letter of encouragement, saying his heart
+and prayers were with the movement; he was willing to be present at a
+meeting, on neutral grounds.
+
+The committee of fifty ladies, who had been canvassing the city with
+petitions to be presented to the Board of Excise, completed their work
+by April 29th. The total number of signatures of citizens and real
+estate owners was 3,966; of property-holders alone, 867. A large number
+of signers to the total abstinence pledge was obtained at the same
+time; 149 signed it in the White House shoe factory.
+
+Some who had rented their buildings for liquor-selling agreed not to
+rent them for that purpose again. Appeals to mayor and common council
+were presented by a committee of ladies, asking for the enforcement of
+the laws prohibiting the sale of liquors on Sunday, and to minors. But
+this was discouraging work, for we found the Excise Board had no regard
+for our petitions, for they granted 130 licenses in June, that year.
+Some had delayed applying for license until they knew the result of the
+appeals to the Excise Board, and the limits of the power of that body.
+Statements had been made to the Excise Board and common council of the
+violation of the excise law; but they were in some instances evaded,
+and in others treated with an indifference which left the impression
+that the laws would not be enforced; but we had pledged ourselves for
+life to the work, and no one felt inclined to give it up.
+
+We visited the poor drunkards’ families, and from there we went to the
+saloons that had the legal right to make them such.
+
+In most places the ladies were treated respectfully. They went in
+companies of two or three, and generally called on the family first, or
+on the proprietor at his home,--in some cases, only one called,--and
+by gentle, friendly remonstrances, many promises were made of
+reformation. Some promised to leave the business if other occupation
+could be furnished them. We were rewarded for a time by seeing some
+saloons closed on Sundays. A few voluntarily abandoned the business,
+and others were persuaded, and now, after three years, have not broken
+their promise. But very few had the moral principle to abandon a
+business which was sanctioned and encouraged by the law, and our only
+alternative was to work on diligently in the line of moral suasion,
+trusting in the Lord.
+
+Forty-three saloons were visited during the summer and fall, but all in
+a quiet way. The temperance pledge was circulated in Sunday-schools,
+factories, and on Bible and tract districts, and hundreds of names
+obtained.
+
+Several ministers, one of them the Roman Catholic priest, and other
+gentlemen of influence, met with the executive board again on May 9th,
+to give counsel as to the most effective measures to carry out our
+purpose.
+
+The petitions had been presented by a committee of twelve ladies,
+on May 4th, 5th, and 6th. They were politely received, but no
+encouragement given of their aid in the temperance work.
+
+Two Friendly Inns were established. Some of the most forlorn and ragged
+boys who were cared for, and for whom we found employment, walk our
+streets to-day well clothed, and industrious members of society.
+
+Seven Sunday-school temperance societies were organized in the spring
+and summer of 1875, auxiliary to the Woman’s Temperance Society. A
+juvenile temperance union was organized, November, 1876; number of
+children on roll-book, 160, though we have had as many as 200 at one
+meeting. On the 30th of August we treated the children to a picnic. We
+went to a beautiful grove, just south of the city, and spent the day
+very pleasantly, many of the parents of the little ones accompanying
+them.
+
+
+GENEVA, NEW YORK.
+
+The Society reports the following:
+
+The Geneva Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized April
+22d, 1874, with twenty-six members. Of the original number twenty
+remain; present number, fifty-two. Became auxiliary to the State Union,
+September 30th, 1875.
+
+Our work for the three years has not been Western Crusade work, but
+trying to create public opinion in favor of temperance; using our
+influence against license and for prohibition, distributing temperance
+tracts and papers, holding mass-meetings, and inviting temperance
+lecturers, as our means allowed; sustaining without fail one weekly
+prayer-meeting, and for a time two--both still continue; occasionally
+distributing temperance literature in saloons and hotels; laboring
+with individuals and families of drunkards. All this time working and
+praying with no apparent success, “hoping against hope,” but with never
+failing faith in our faithful God, believing firmly that He would yet
+answer our prayers, and make our work apparent. At last the answer
+came. The reform movement with us was the culmination of all these
+years of work and prayers.
+
+As God caused the “Western Crusade” to be the great lever to “open
+the door which no man can shut,” and thereby inaugurating the great
+temperance movement not only all over our own land, but throughout
+Christendom, so I believe this reform work is but another door opened
+to still greater work, setting forever at rest the question, Can
+drunkards be reformed? and also, Will temperance principles finally
+triumph? involving in it, as it does, the same glorious principles of
+the gospel and temperance combined.
+
+About six months since a Reform Club was organized, numbering now about
+200, many of whom have come from the lowest depths. A few have been
+converted, but we are looking and laboring for the salvation of them
+all. Over 2,000 have signed the pledge during that time, many of them
+youths and children.
+
+We have two beautiful club-rooms, furnished nicely; have quite a
+library already, and papers and innocent games. These are a continued
+resort for many who would otherwise visit saloons. Already the damage
+to saloons is estimated to be a hundred dollars per night. One
+saloon-keeper remarked, “he did not know whether it was the blue ribbon
+or hard times, but something affected his business.”
+
+Our work is now almost exclusively through this channel, assisting
+families, and contributing in many ways to their welfare. We gave them
+and their families a dinner on the 4th of July, a scene which had never
+been witnessed in this place before. Truly it was a dinner on the
+gospel plan: over six hundred men, women and children were fed, and
+many more than twelve baskets full sent out the next day.
+
+So we are working and praying, and hoping to see the day when there
+will be no liquor sold in our beautiful village.
+
+
+PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK.
+
+A. M. Stewart furnishes the following facts:
+
+The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Peekskill was organized on
+the 19th of January, 1875, with about fifteen members.
+
+Although the attendance has never been large, the prayer-meetings have
+been characterized by great earnestness and fervor of spirit.
+
+It has been utterly impossible to arouse the villagers to a sense of
+their danger, though we had three wholesale liquor establishments in
+the place, and forty or fifty saloons where the young men congregated,
+and spent night after night in drinking, gambling, etc.
+
+There has been considerable quiet saloon visiting by wives and mothers,
+who have had the sting of the serpent in their own families, but no
+organized systematic crusading in that direction.
+
+Public sentiment is becoming more awake to the importance of saving the
+boys and young men of the community from the grasp of the destroyer.
+
+We have made complaints against several saloons, by watching the
+persons who visited them, and sending their names to the district
+attorney of the county, who was, of course, obliged to subpœna them as
+witnesses against the places, and bring them “before a jury for trial.”
+Some would swear falsely, of course, but there is honor even among
+thieves and drunkards, and some would testify to the truth. In that way
+we have brought the village into a great commotion, and have succeeded,
+we hope, in arousing fathers and mothers to watch their boys. Great
+consternation was manifested by parents when they found that their
+sons were in the habit of frequenting the low places, and joining the
+drunken revelries, so we feel that good has been done by this effort.
+Quite recently, by the help of a noble woman, who is driven to severe
+measures by home sorrow, another of these dark dens has been complained
+of, and the proprietor brought to justice; she appearing to testify
+in the court-room, after he had sworn falsely. This place is closed.
+Others are being watched, and the dealers will be brought to justice
+before long.
+
+We have now about fifty or sixty members of our organization, but
+only few that have time or inclination for outside work; but when
+we remember how feeble we were in the beginning, and how coldly
+Christians, generally, have looked upon our efforts, we feel like
+thanking God and taking courage.
+
+Mrs. Allen Butler, President of the State Union, gives the following
+summary of work accomplished in these three years:
+
+Nearly all the cities and large towns, and very many of the smaller
+ones, have active Woman’s Temperance Unions. Three counties, Herkimer,
+Ontario, and Onondaga, are thoroughly organized, having a Woman’s
+Temperance Union in nearly, if not all, the villages and hamlets.
+Many of the towns are being swept thoroughly by the tidal wave that
+is rolling over the land. Some of the villages are driving the entire
+traffic, with its attendant evils--licentiousness and crime--from
+their midst. Some of the dealers are taking the pledge, and giving
+their stock of liquors to be consumed by the midnight fire kindled for
+the purpose; while the ringing of bells, and shouts of praise to God,
+attest the joy of the people.
+
+Petitions have been circulated, and thousands of signatures obtained
+and sent to Congress and the State Legislature, imploring their
+interposition in behalf of our suffering people.
+
+New Unions are being formed, Friendly Inns established, and Juvenile
+Societies organized. Reform Clubs and Bands of Christian Brotherhood
+have been formed in some places, and are doing a good work in securing
+the enforcement of the laws against selling intoxicating liquors
+without license, and at such times, and to such persons, as are
+forbidden. Many places have been closed entirely, especially in the
+cities of New York and Brooklyn, where both men and women have labored
+untiringly since the commencement of the Crusade, with wonderful
+results; more regular saloon visiting having been done there than in
+any other part of the State; yet some of this has been done in most of
+the cities, and in many of the villages. There are towns in our State
+that have had “no license” for years. One has had none for thirty
+years, another for seventeen years.
+
+Different bodies have been visited with very encouraging results,
+especially medical societies, some of which have pledged themselves as
+a whole not to use alcoholic liquors in their practice at all, having
+found substitutes that are safe and entirely sufficient.
+
+The press and the pulpit are giving their aid as never before. The
+children of the Sabbath and public schools are being reached; and,
+altogether, the work is most successful and promising.
+
+
+
+
+VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND RHODE ISLAND.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+VERMONT.
+
+As this State had a strong prohibitory law, there was not the demand
+for temperance work as there was in most of the other States.
+
+There were no open saloons to visit, and the jails were comparatively
+empty, and the moral atmosphere healthy.
+
+I have travelled extensively over Vermont, but have never seen an open
+saloon, or a drunken man, or a squalid home.
+
+In the spring of 1875 I visited Montpelier, the capital of the State.
+At that time the jail was empty, there was no almshouse, and I could
+hear of but one poor family who needed aid.
+
+A few years ago, the county of which St. Johnsbury is the county-seat
+had twenty-three distilleries. Now there is not a distillery or a
+saloon in the county.
+
+Mr. Hepworth Dixon, an English gentleman of repute, who travelled
+and lectured extensively in this country in 1874, and who was not an
+abstainer, paid a beautiful tribute to the Vermont prohibitory law,
+after visiting St. Johnsbury and other parts of the State:
+
+“Not a public house exists in all St. Johnsbury, nor can a mug of beer
+or a glass of wine be purchased openly by a guest to whom wine and
+beer are portions of his daily food. No citizen is allowed to vend
+intoxicating drinks on any pretext, or to any person. In the village
+we have two guest houses for the entertainment of such as come and go
+our way. We avoid such words as tavern and hotel, as too much savoring
+of the past old times, when every man might drink himself into a
+mad-house, and his children into a jail.
+
+“Our tavern is a house. No bar, no dram shop, no saloon defiles the
+place, nor is there, I am told, a single gambling-hell or house of
+ill-repute.
+
+“Intoxicating drinks are classed with poisons, such as laudanum and
+arsenic; but as poisons may be needed in a civilized country, under a
+scientific system of medicine, laudanum and arsenic are permitted to be
+sold in every civilized State. Such is here the case with brandy, beer
+and wine. A public officer is appointed by public vote. The town lays
+in its stock of brandy, beer and wine, which is carefully registered
+in books, and kept under lock and key. These poisons are doled out at
+the discretion of this officer in small quantities, very much as deadly
+night-shade and nux vomica are doled out by a London druggist.
+
+“In going through Fairbanks’ Scale Manufactory, I noticed the several
+classes of artisans. Five hundred men are toiling in the various rooms.
+
+“The work is mostly hard; in some departments, very hard. The heat
+is very great. From seven o’clock till twelve, from one o’clock till
+six--ten hours each day--these men are at their posts. Yet the men
+engaged in these manufactories are said to drink no beer, or whiskey,
+or gin. Drinking and smoking are not allowed on the premises. I am told
+that these five hundred workmen really never taste a drop of either
+beer or gin. Their drink is water, their delight is tea. Yet every
+one assures me they work well, enjoy good health, and live as long
+as persons of their class employed on farms. As year and year goes
+by, more persons come to see the benefits of our rule. Said Colonel
+Fairbanks: ‘The men who formerly drank most are now the staunchest
+friends of reform. The men who used to dress in rags are now growing
+rich. Many of them live in their own houses. They attend their
+churches, and their children go to school.’”
+
+Mrs. J. M. Haven, President of the W. C. T. Union of Vermont, gives the
+following facts in connection with their work:
+
+When the mighty wave of the Women’s Temperance Crusade came sweeping
+over our land, our band of six hundred organized temperance women heard
+more emphatically than ever before the Master’s call to the women of
+America--yea, his trumpet call so loud and shrill that many who had
+been comparatively deaf to His earlier calls were aroused.
+
+When the Women’s Convention was called in Cleveland, in November, 1874,
+which resulted in the formation of a National Union, Vermont responded,
+and a full delegation from that State was present.
+
+A State organization was effected February 17th, 1875.
+
+We are working slowly, but I believe surely. We are a wonder unto many,
+it being so unusual here for women to get up anything that looks like
+thinking and acting for themselves. We met the greatest opposition from
+our own sex.
+
+Several juvenile societies have been organized.
+
+The Reform Club movement, which is accredited to the women, is doing a
+great work for inebriates and their families.
+
+We were aroused to feel the importance of throwing our influence more
+positively on the side of temperance, because of the violation and
+disregard of the prohibitory law, which a wise Legislature had given
+our State.
+
+Though there is still a disposition to evade the law, there is not
+one-eighth of the amount of liquor used there was twelve months ago;
+indeed, some say, the reduction covers twice that time.
+
+There is a hue and cry that “prohibition does not prohibit.” But I am
+sure it does in a good degree: the sale is not openly and freely made.
+
+I know some who have been obliged to abandon the traffic. One man
+in Rutland, who had quite a capital in liquors, has gone out of the
+business entirely, and goes to church every Sabbath. His partner has
+also given up selling lager beer. I have heard that he says the women
+killed him.
+
+Numberless dodges have been resorted to by those who are determined to
+sell.
+
+One man had a tin can fitted to his body, in which he could carry a
+quantity of liquor, supplying his customers (by a tube carried in his
+pocket, connecting with the can) as he chanced to meet them.
+
+Great secrecy is practised and brains are racked to the utmost, to
+devise ingenious methods of concealment. A sink is an indispensable
+piece of furniture in every saleroom, where the bottle, jug, or pitcher
+can be emptied at a wink from some interested devotee, from without or
+within; maybe by the prosecuting officer himself. Mind you, the vile
+stuff is not lost after all--a pipe conveys it into an underground
+cistern or tank, and it is dug out again in due time, just as pure and
+palatable as ever.
+
+At the last session of our Legislature a nuisance law was granted in
+addition, but our people are unable to determine whether dens foul with
+everything that would be perfectly revolting to any clean heart or
+hand, can truthfully be pronounced a nuisance. It would be decided in a
+moment by any sane man if money were not involved.
+
+But I think Vermont will come out all right, on the Lord’s side, which
+of course will be on the side of prohibition and total abstinence.
+
+
+ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
+
+In the year 1873 the ladies of St. Albans, Vermont, formed an
+association called “The St. Albans Woman’s Association for the
+Promotion of Temperance.”
+
+They appointed a committee to ascertain the number, locality, and
+ownership of all places where intoxicating liquors were sold--to
+converse with the owners, and urge them not to let their premises for
+such purposes; also to ascertain the number of families suffering from
+the use of intoxicants.
+
+There were one hundred and sixty signed, as being in sympathy with the
+movement.
+
+Three hundred ladies signed a pledge, neither to use, buy, nor sell
+intoxicating liquor, and that they would do all in their power to
+banish its use from their land.
+
+A company of fifty ladies called upon the proprietor of the “Welden
+House,” a first-class and beautiful hotel. They spent some time in the
+house, conversing with him. They then proceeded to one of the worst
+saloons, and stayed until the keeper promised to shut up his saloon,
+which he did immediately, and went into another business, which he
+followed about a year; but it proved more laborious and less lucrative
+than rum-selling.
+
+His wife complained that she could not now keep a piano, or indulge in
+other luxuries. So he opened another saloon, which brought him once
+more into prosperity.
+
+But at the present writing his prosperity is past. The man has deserted
+his family, and his debts and dishonesty have made him worthy of the
+prison.
+
+After this the ladies divided into small parties, and visited various
+other places, conversing earnestly with rum-sellers, and with drinkers.
+
+A better moral sentiment prevails, the law is being enforced, and the
+friends of temperance hold the fort.
+
+
+NEW HAMPSHIRE.
+
+The laws of this State are favorable to temperance, but many whose duty
+it is to enforce the law are in sympathy with the law-breakers, as in
+other States, and in defiance of public sentiment intoxicating liquors
+are secretly and sometimes publicly sold.
+
+There has, however, recently been a great change in public sentiment,
+and thousands of drinking men have been gathered into Reformed Clubs.
+
+
+CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
+
+The following interesting report of the long continued work of the
+women of Concord, New Hampshire, is from the Corresponding Secretary,
+Alma Jane Herbert:
+
+The Concord, New Hampshire, Temperance Society for many years held its
+annual meeting, presenting some popular speakers on the afternoon of
+Fast Day, in the old North Church.
+
+On one occasion not far from 1840, if not prior to that date, the
+ladies were invited to repair, at the close of the service, to the
+“Brick school-house” near by. The room was closely packed, and then and
+there they organized a Woman’s Temperance Society. I have consulted
+the lady then chosen secretary, who perfectly remembers the fact, but
+nothing of the phase of the work that came before them, nor how long
+the organization was maintained.
+
+On the 4th of July, 1837, all the Sunday-schools united in a
+celebration and collation. For thirty years the use of wines and
+liquors at parties, calls and on the dinner table was almost unknown,
+so thoroughly was the early work done. There were always a few
+exceptions, and the number is not largely increased at the present time.
+
+Our Women’s Temperance Union was organized February 24th, 1873. So
+far as I personally know, very little of what the Western women call
+Crusade work was done in New Hampshire. But I can report only from
+Concord.
+
+The great tidal wave awoke new interest in the cause, at a time when
+all seemed dark and discouraging. Owing to the differing circumstances
+our most earnest women felt such methods to be less hopeful here, and
+also less hopeful in the larger towns, where liquor-dealers are unknown
+and trouble is more likely to gather than in the smaller villages.
+
+We organized in February, 1873; and in March a committee of five or six
+ladies were sent to visit the apothecaries from whose soda fountain
+respectable young men too often take a step beyond and downward. All
+declined to sign a temperance pledge, or a pledge to cease selling,
+though one did for a little time. All were courteous, as were the
+liquor-dealers, to whom at the next meeting of the committee was sent
+with the same result, though they did not visit some low “bush dens.”
+
+They left with proprietors a printed order the mayor had granted them
+directing all illegal places of sale to be closed.
+
+Meanwhile the city government had been petitioned to enforce the
+law, and consult and advise with us upon the subject; and, in course
+of time, one of the members found leisure to attend and speak. As the
+signatures of very many citizens, who favored such enforcement, were
+secured, various conferences with the citizens were held.
+
+Several complaints were entered and warrants taken out, and the
+committee of ladies patiently endured the martyrdom of the police
+court, surrounded by a crowd of vile men, set on by liquor-dealers to
+create disorder and make rude comments. In September two dealers were
+reported as under $200 bonds for the next term of court, when a court
+ruling and the difficulty of procuring proper witnesses closed this
+avenue. However, much prayer and varied efforts had charged the whole
+atmosphere with germs of life-thought. And as the most thrifty plants
+sometimes grow outside the cultured garden bed, we accept our noble
+Reformed Club, numbering between two and three thousand, as the wave
+sheaf-offering of the coming harvest, since J. O. Osgood, of Maine,
+first came to Concord, accredited to our Woman’s League. We have a
+Juvenile Temple of Honor, numbering several hundred.
+
+Between two and three hundred names are attached to our pledge;
+honorary members, lifted above giving and doing it is to be supposed,
+since the earnest-working members scarcely count thirty.
+
+
+PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
+
+The Woman’s Temperance League, of Portsmouth, N. H., was organized
+February 3d, 1875. During the early winter of that year, Mr. B. F.
+Thorndike conceived a plan for arousing an interest among the citizens
+in behalf of temperance. His idea was to hold a protracted temperance
+meeting, to continue eight successive evenings, and employ the best
+speakers that could be obtained. He submitted his plan to several well
+known friends of the cause, who all admitted that if such a series of
+meetings could be held, much good might result therefrom; but one and
+all declared it an impossibility to raise sufficient funds to sustain
+such an unheard-of scheme.
+
+But Mr. Thorndike determined that the meetings should be held, and
+_unaided and alone_, he has the honor of being the first to inaugurate
+such gatherings. In addition to employing the best temperance orators
+that could be obtained, he secured the services of Mr. S. B. Spinning,
+the celebrated Rhode Island vocalist, to sing. Mr. Thorndike also
+arranged for two afternoon meetings: one to be a children’s meeting,
+the other a meeting for the ladies of the city, with a view to organize
+a society for practical temperance work. All the meetings were largely
+attended, and such an interest awakened in behalf of temperance, that
+its influence will be felt for many years to come.
+
+Thursday afternoon, January 28th, 1875, was the time set apart for the
+meeting of the ladies. Mrs. B. F. Thorndike entered heartily into the
+work; and, on that Thursday afternoon, the Temple was well filled with
+ladies and gentlemen, including several clergymen. The meeting was
+addressed by Rev. Messrs. Goss and Hebbard, and Mrs. White, of Concord.
+
+February 3d, a society was formed, called the Woman’s Temperance League
+of Portsmouth.
+
+From that humble beginning, the League has grown to be a very efficient
+and influential body of workers. They have been foremost in every
+effort that has been made to ameliorate the condition of suffering
+humanity.
+
+The League had the wise forethought to see that, if they would
+successfully carry forward any good work, the society must be placed on
+a correct financial basis; and, to this end, their laws stipulate that
+each member shall pay a certain sum weekly.
+
+One of the first acts of the League was to divide the city into
+districts, and send committees to visit every house, for signatures
+to the total abstinence pledge. In this mission they were very
+successful. They also united with the Seaman’s Aid Society in
+establishing a Seaman’s Home, which includes reading-room, restaurant,
+and lodging-room. The Home has been of great practical benefit to
+seamen, and to many others, by furnishing meals at a low rate; and many
+laborers on the wharves and in the vicinity have taken coffee, when
+heretofore they had indulged in intoxicating drinks.
+
+The League soon became interested in the reform movement, which was
+accomplishing such wonders in other places.
+
+With a view to interesting the citizens of Portsmouth in this great
+undertaking, the League invited the Dover (N. H.) Reform Club to visit
+this city and hold a meeting. About three hundred, mostly reformed men,
+came. They were met at the depot by a band of music, escorted around
+the city, furnished with a collation, and proceeded to the largest hall
+in the city, where an enthusiastic meeting was held, the reformed men
+of Dover relating their thrilling experiences with the drink demon. At
+that meeting many names were added to the pledge. The League paid all
+the bills, even the chartering of the train.
+
+So persistent and earnest in their work were the ladies of the League,
+that ere long they were instrumental in forming a Temperance Reform
+Club in Portsmouth, which soon gathered in a large number of the
+intemperate of both sexes, and at the expiration of a year the roll
+of the club numbered over 2,500 names, about one-fourth of the whole
+population.
+
+Portsmouth being a seaport city, quite a number of men are engaged
+in deep sea-fishing; and to awaken an interest among this class of
+persons, and to create a generous rivalry, the League advertised to
+present a large temperance flag to the fishing crew of not less than
+eight men, who first came forward in a body and signed the pledge. At a
+large and enthusiastic public meeting of the club, two crews presented
+themselves at the same time, and amid cheers and rejoicings, signed
+their names to the total abstinence pledge. One flag was presented
+the same evening, the other at a meeting one week after. Mrs. B. F.
+Thorndike, President of the League, presented them with well-timed
+and earnest remarks, with the request that at every port visited, the
+temperance flag should wave at mast-head. So highly did the fishermen
+prize the gifts, that each crew, at a subsequent meeting, presented the
+League with choice tokens of their esteem.
+
+Very great service was rendered by the League in fitting up and
+decorating a hall for the Reform Club head-quarters; and in presenting
+the club with a library of more than 200 volumes of the choicest
+temperance literature; also, aid has been given to the families of
+destitute reformed men; clothing, provisions, and fuel having been
+judiciously distributed; and in this benevolent work they find much to
+claim their attention.
+
+The Woman’s Temperance League is composed of ladies belonging to all
+religious denominations, and although their name is not “Union,” yet
+they live in union and harmony together, letting their _works_ bear
+evidence of their Christian unity.
+
+
+RHODE ISLAND.
+
+Early in March, 1874, a few Christian women of Providence, whose hearts
+had been deeply moved by reading the accounts of the great uprising of
+their sisters in the West against the rum traffic, called a meeting,
+inviting all ladies interested in the cause of temperance to come
+together and prayerfully consider their duty in regard to the work
+to which God had so clearly called the women of this land. A large
+number of ladies from the various churches in the city were present. A
+most profound solemnity prevailed throughout the meeting. Many fervent
+prayers were offered. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit was
+manifest, and all felt that God was calling to action. A meeting was
+appointed for the following day, and from this the interest increased,
+and large meetings were held daily for several weeks. Requests
+for prayer were sent in by wives, mothers, and children for their
+intemperate husbands, sons, and brothers. Never before had we so keenly
+felt that our help must come from the Almighty arm.
+
+The traffic was legalized in our State to a fearful extent. Its
+emissaries were plying their vocation on every corner of our streets.
+In no way could we turn to avoid the sickening spectacle of misery and
+woe that followed in their train. The community were indifferent, or
+hardened to it. Ministers, discouraged, had left it to politicians,
+and a general apathy prevailed. Intemperance was fearfully increasing,
+dragging down to certain destruction many of our noble men. What were
+we to do? In the language of Jehoshaphat, we cried, “O, our God,
+wilt _Thou_ not judge them? for we have no might against this great
+company that cometh against us. Neither know we what to do, but our
+eyes are upon Thee.” Prostrate before the throne, we besought Him,
+with strong crying and tears, to interpose in our behalf. Intemperate
+men came to our meetings, asked for our prayers, and signed the
+pledge. Rum-sellers were made especial subjects for prayer. This was
+known to them, and they looked for our appearance on the streets. But
+the Crusade, as conducted by our sisters in the West, was not deemed
+advisable in so large a city as ours. A few ladies, however, went
+forth in a quiet, unobtrusive way, without attracting attention on the
+streets, and visited a large number of saloons, distributing tracts,
+exhorting and remonstrating with rum-sellers, and their customers,
+sometimes praying with them.
+
+We were generally respectfully received, and attentively listened to.
+One lady, nearly eighty years of age, went alone into every saloon in
+Pawtucket, a town of twelve thousand inhabitants, that licensed a very
+large number of places for the sale of liquors. A man recently arrested
+for selling liquor without a license was visited by one of our ladies
+while he was awaiting his trial in prison, when he told her he was one
+of the rum-sellers visited by the ladies in his saloon, and the face
+of that aged lady, and the words she uttered, had come up before him
+ever since, and that he often had resolved to give up the business,
+but he knew not what else to do; he repeated her exhortation, and said
+he should never take up the business again. One of our ladies who said
+she would do anything for the cause but visit saloons, hesitated no
+longer when appealed to by an almost broken-hearted mother (the widow
+of a Congregationalist clergyman), who had just learned that her son,
+her sole dependence, was drinking in saloons. “Go,” she said, “I beg
+of you, and ask them not to sell liquor to my _boy_. Something must
+be done: I cannot bear it.” God gave the message, and her appeals in
+behalf of suffering wives and mothers brought tears to eyes unused to
+weeping and some promised that they would not sell liquor to young men
+without first remonstrating with them. One rum-seller said that on no
+account would he let his boys drink what he was selling to other men’s
+boys. Prayer-meetings were also held in the police court-room, and the
+poor victims of rum awaiting their trial in the station, and the roughs
+who were loitering about, were invited in and brought under gospel
+influence. The pledge was circulated among them, and some signatures
+obtained; but the good done by these and the saloon visiting, eternity
+alone shall reveal. Though we are not without evidence that some from
+that time have walked in newness of life. Near the commencement of our
+work, we districted the city, appointing committees in each district to
+carry the pledge to every house, asking that intoxicating beverages be
+discarded for culinary and social purposes, A good many signatures were
+obtained. A property-holders’, physicians’, and druggists’ pledge were
+also circulated.
+
+It was suggested by our friends that it would be well for us to
+memorialize our Legislature, which was then in session, asking for a
+restriction to be put upon the sale of intoxicating liquors in our
+State, as a means of promoting the cause for which we prayed. We
+learned that they were to adjourn the next day. There was but little
+time for action. We went out from our meeting, and during the evening
+secured the names of five hundred women to our petition.
+
+After a short service of prayer, in the morning, about fifty ladies
+slowly and silently marched, two by two, to the State House. The
+importance of our mission, and the uncertainty of success, overwhelmed
+us with sadness. The burden of that hour we shall never forget. It
+seemed like a funeral march to the graves of thousands of rum’s
+victims, while the wailing cry of suffering wives and more than
+orphaned children were ringing in our ears. We were a band of retiring
+women, unaccustomed to publicity, and we timidly shrunk from the
+seeming boldness of the step we were taking; but believing that we
+were in the path of duty we went on, sustained by a power not our own,
+and presented our request. We were kindly received by the honorable
+gentlemen, and a hearing granted us.
+
+A mass-meeting of women was held, the 13th of April, and a City
+Women’s Temperance Union was organized. Expecting that our petition
+for prohibitory law would be considered at the May session of the
+Legislature, we secured the names of ten thousand women of the
+State, and, at a day appointed for a hearing, twenty-three ladies of
+Providence went to Newport, carrying the names, and listened with
+prayerful attention to the discussion. It was long and fierce. The rum
+power had rallied all their forces to defeat the bill. They had left
+no stone unturned to win their cause. It was kept along, day after
+day, and, as a last resort, they moved to carry it over to the January
+session, which would effectually kill it. The vote was taken on the
+movement, and announced a tie. Immediately all eyes were anxiously
+fixed upon the President of the Senate, whose vote should decide
+the question. Rum’s advocates looked triumphant, for they felt quite
+sure the vote would be in their favor. We committed our cause to Him
+“who doeth all things well,” and calmly watched and waited. ’Twas but
+a moment. Of that moment, and God’s purposes in it, you will better
+understand, as we have, by the following quotation from a speech
+recently delivered by the _then_ President of the Senate, _now_ his
+Excellency, Governor Vanzant, of Rhode Island, before a temperance
+convention held in this State. He says--I quote his words:
+
+“I sat in your Senate chamber, as its temporary presiding officer,
+when the so-called prohibitory law was before it for its action.
+The question was upon the postponement of the law until the January
+session. The clerk of the Senate handed the roll to me, for which I
+was utterly unprepared, and announced a tie vote. The whole thing then
+rested marvellously, magically, and wondrously on me. By education
+and association, I was conservative--I doubted the influence of the
+so-called sumptuary legislation, because I had been brought up in that
+school. But, my friends, in one _moment_--for it came upon me in a
+moment--it came upon me just as the face of nature is revealed to the
+gazing eyes of a looker-on, in the darkness of the night, when the sky
+is black, and there is a flash of lightning exceedingly luminous, and
+he sees new dangers that he was before unaware of. My mind moved with
+inconceivable rapidity, and a train of thoughts, something like this,
+passed before me, like a weird panorama: I looked back to the days of
+my youth, and I saw those who started out with life full of bloom
+and happiness fallen at my side, the victims of this great Moloch. I
+saw society disorganized, deranged. I saw men who honestly and with
+Christian faithfulness lifted their hearts and aspirations to God, and
+they were dragged down into the mud, and slime, and filth of corruption
+and degradation by this same power. I saw the fairest happiness of
+woman soiled and ruined. I saw little children degraded and ignorant.
+And I read in the faces of the little band of _earnest women_, who so
+intently watched and waited my action, the hope of a triumph of right
+over wrong. I made up my mind to cast my vote against the postponement
+of that law. I did so, and have never regretted it. By that vote,
+ladies and gentlemen, I stand or fall. This,” he said, “is the first
+opportunity I have had to stand before an audience of temperance men
+and women, and thank them for what they have done for me.”
+
+In January, 1875, the Women’s State Temperance Union was organized and
+made auxiliary to the National Union.
+
+In the spring the rum power was again dominant. And the prohibitory
+law was repealed, and a license law enacted in its stead. This was
+discouraging to us, and some were ready to abandon the field to the
+enemy. But a _few_, who believed that God had called them to the work,
+kept the ball moving. Quietly and silently they went about visiting
+the intemperate in their homes and in prisons, circulating temperance
+literature, and in many ways endeavoring to cultivate temperance
+sentiment among the people. The number who rallied to the work in
+the fall, after the summer vacation, was very small. Many felt that
+they had spent their strength for nought, and surely had no might
+against so great an enemy. Scarcely enough came together at the weekly
+prayer-meeting to claim the promise, that “where two or three are
+gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
+
+The propriety of disbanding was discussed. A meeting was called to
+consider it. Only three or four felt interest enough to come. A great
+burden was laid upon us; and, although the enemy had the field, we
+resolved not to retreat.
+
+We kept on praying, until God appeared for us. After about three months
+persistent effort, Dr. Reynolds consented to give us two days from his
+time in Massachusetts. The day previous to his coming was observed as
+a day of prayer for God’s blessing on his work. Meetings were held all
+day. A large hall was filled with the earnest workers of the city, and
+the meeting was one of great power and interest.
+
+The right chord had been struck. Men who had been reformed took hold
+of the work in earnest, and carried it on with wonderful success. The
+largest hall in the city was soon too small to hold the crowd that
+came to the meetings. Large numbers signed the pledge, including many
+talented and influential men, some of whom had long been slaves to
+intemperance. The old Providence club was resuscitated, and rallied to
+the work, going over the State telling the story of their redemption.
+
+There are now twenty-seven Reform Clubs in the State, with an
+aggregate membership of 8,500. More than 23,000 adults have signed the
+pledge, besides a large number of children. The work has overflowed
+into adjoining States, and nearly 6,000 pledges have been taken in
+border towns by our workers.
+
+The whole State seems to be aroused, and the prospect is encouraging
+beyond precedent. The fear that some of our ladies entertained, that we
+made a mistake in appealing to law, is entirely dispelled, since it is
+so clear that, though our prohibitory law was repealed, God was fitting
+a noble man to honor Him and His cause in the highest office of the
+State.
+
+Our Union is efficiently organized, and the women of the State seem
+to be waking up to more earnest work. Though we can write thus
+encouragingly, still there are hard battles to be fought before the
+right shall triumph. The harvest is great, and the laborers few;
+yet when we look back to the commencement of the so-called woman’s
+movement, we can but exclaim: “Behold what great things our God hath
+wrought!”
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. S. Clough, Corresponding Secretary of the State
+Union, for the above facts.
+
+
+
+
+MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. L. B. Barrett, Corresponding Secretary of the
+State Union, for the following report of the work in Massachusetts:
+
+The temperance reform of the present decade, undertaken by the women of
+the West, quickly awakened a kindred spirit in the minds of the women
+in the East; manifesting itself in the winter of 1873 and 1874, in
+frequent meetings for consultation and prayer. As the result of which,
+twelve organizations were effected in March and April of the latter
+year, Worcester taking the lead, followed immediately by South and East
+Boston. In the month of May, Mrs. M. A. Livermore, of Massachusetts,
+just returned from her lecturing tour in the West, on the invitation of
+Rev. J. T. Beckley, of the First Baptist Church in Boston, addressed
+the ladies of the city. Her thrilling description of the wonderful
+scenes of which she had been an eye-witness resulted in the appointment
+of a temperance prayer-meeting in Warren Avenue Baptist Church,
+followed by daily prayer-meetings for weeks, and continued by weekly
+meetings during the summer months. In the early fall so much interest
+was manifested that it was deemed advisable to call a meeting for
+concerted action. Such a meeting was called at Worcester in October,
+being the first Woman’s Temperance Convention held in Massachusetts.
+Mrs. Susan A. Gifford presided. The unanimous opinion of the ladies
+convened was that a State Union should be formed. Accordingly a call
+was issued urging the women of Massachusetts, who were known to be
+foremost in all great moral reforms, to be mindful of the wonderful
+temperance movement already begun in the land, and to help lift up
+the standard against the enemy. Three hundred delegates responded,
+representing fifty-four towns. Thus was formed, out of the twelve
+existing organizations of the State, the Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union of Massachusetts, with Mrs. S. A. Gifford as President.
+
+The first year of work will be remembered as a year of preparation. The
+women of Massachusetts were anxious for the safety of their homes and
+their loved ones, yet so strong was the force of habit and education
+that they shrunk from the publicity this work involved. It was a time
+of prayer and consecration. The ruling desire was to know the Divine
+will. The question was ever in thought as to the methods which should
+be employed to make the State organization successful and permanent. In
+looking back over achieved results, we can see that these seasons of
+prayer and conference were not in vain.
+
+The State Union has followed the general plan submitted by the
+committee at its first annual meeting. An agent was put into the field
+for the purpose of organizing Unions in every town and village where
+Christian women could be gathered for that purpose. Vice-Presidents
+were appointed in every county to have the charge of the work of their
+counties, to interest the community by means of public lectures,
+mass-meetings and conventions, and to report at the quarterly meetings
+of the board. This board of officers, consisting of our present
+President, Mrs. M. A. Livermore, together with the Secretary, Treasurer
+and an executive committee of seven ladies, form a working force for
+active service whenever requested.
+
+Through this systematic effort the report of the year ending October,
+1876, was as follows: Eighty Local Unions, with a membership of more
+than eight thousand; thirty-one Juvenile Unions, with eight thousand
+members; seventy Reform Clubs, composed entirely of men who were
+previously moderate or immoderate drinkers, having an aggregate
+membership of more than thirty thousand. Eleven county conventions were
+held during the year, and over $19,000 were raised and expended.
+
+Most of the Unions held weekly prayer-meetings of their own, and many
+sustained three and four gospel meetings weekly.
+
+We have had an increase of forty-three Unions this year, making
+our present number _one hundred and twenty-three_. We have held
+twenty-three county conventions, opened several friendly inns and
+coffee rooms, the largest one in Boston having forty lodgers. Gospel
+temperance meetings have been successfully maintained in connection
+with Reform Clubs in two-thirds of our Unions, and very many
+conversions have been reported. The Local Union of Boston makes a
+specialty of these gospel prayer-meetings, holding nine a week.
+
+In this report of our work a few points are worthy of special mention.
+Before the Centennial celebration of the battle of Bunker Hill, a
+committee of ladies visited the Mayor of Boston and requested that the
+liquor-saloons should be closed, which request was granted, and the
+day was noticeably free from the disgrace of drunkenness. A hearing
+was granted the W. C. T. U. of Boston before the Legislature during
+the session of 1877. The visit of President Hayes to Boston and the
+“interview with Mayor Prince,” requesting him not to provide wine at
+the city banquet, is known throughout the nation. We deem it one of
+our most successful attacks upon the enemy. It would take too much
+space to enter into the details of our work, abundant as they are
+in interest. Perhaps a recital of the manner in which the work was
+carried on in one town will serve to illustrate the spirit of zeal in
+our State. One woman, after attending a county convention and becoming
+deeply interested, returned to her home, gathered Christian women about
+her, organized a Union, drew the inebriates into a Reform Club, and
+the young lads into a Boys’ Union. She also formed a Juvenile Union.
+All these different Unions held weekly prayer-meetings. Finding the
+Reform Club subjected to strong temptations through the saloons, she,
+with others, circulated a petition for the appointment of a special
+policeman to enforce the law. Nearly one thousand signatures were
+obtained. It was presented to the town authorities, and by persistent
+effort the request was granted, and in the space of six months all
+liquor-saloons were closed in the town.
+
+The most noticeable feature of our work, however, and the most
+promising for the future, is its deep religious character. If, as in
+the past, we rest upon Divine support, the future will be rewarded with
+success.
+
+
+WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+Mrs. S. A. Gifford, Vice-President of the National Woman’s Christian
+Temperance Union of Massachusetts, adds the following items of the work
+in Worcester:
+
+“I called a woman’s meeting at Friends’ Meeting-house, February 27th,
+1874. It was attended by about three hundred women. This was the first
+meeting called in Massachusetts after the news of the great work in the
+West had reached us. It was a most blessed meeting. The hearts of the
+women were touched as never before. Another meeting was held on the 2d
+of March, which resulted in the organization of a society of which Mrs.
+Gifford was elected President. Since that time a Young Woman’s Union
+has been formed, which numbers about one hundred members, and a Reform
+Club, numbering fourteen hundred; also a large Juvenile Union.” Mrs.
+Gifford is still the President, and is pushing the work.
+
+
+PROTEST AGAINST WINE-DRINKING AT PUBLIC DINNERS.
+
+The visit of President Hayes to Boston offered an opportunity to the
+city of Boston to honor him by a public banquet, arranged by Mayor
+Prince as the chief executive of the city. Knowing the prevailing
+custom of furnishing intoxicating liquors on such occasions, a
+committee of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, consisting of
+Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Barrett, Mrs. McCoy, and Mrs. Richards, waited
+upon the mayor on Friday, June 22d, to ask him that no liquor be
+furnished at the public expense. The following extract, from the Boston
+_Journal_, contains the memorial presented, and the conversation which
+followed between Mayor Prince and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, President
+of the Union. It will be noticed that the memorial made no reference
+to prohibition, and that the digression which led to a discussion of
+that question was made by the mayor, who seemed unwilling to discuss
+the custom of social drinking, but finally avowed himself a moderate
+drinker, and defended the habit.
+
+
+THE INTERVIEW.
+
+Mrs. Livermore began the interview by saying:
+
+We come, Mr. Prince, as the delegation from the Woman’s Christian
+Temperance Union of this State, an organization composed of 12,000
+women of the State, largely representing the religious sentiment of
+the community; and at a meeting of the executive committee of this
+Temperance Union, which has been held this week, we were chosen a
+committee charged to present to you the following memorial, which I was
+instructed to read as it has been printed.
+
+Mayor Prince--Thank you. I shall be happy to hear you.
+
+
+THE MEMORIAL.
+
+ _To his Honor the Mayor of Boston_:
+
+ DEAR SIR--At a meeting of the executive committee of the Woman’s
+ Christian Temperance Union of Massachusetts, we, the undersigned,
+ were chosen a committee to wait upon you with the following petition:
+
+ In behalf of the Christian women of the city and of the State, we
+ ask you, respectfully but earnestly, to direct that no intoxicating
+ liquors shall be furnished at the expense of the city when the
+ banquet is given by the city of Boston in honor of the President of
+ the United States.
+
+ The painful assumption that there is need of this petition is based
+ upon the fact that upon similar occasions in the past, liquors have
+ been thus furnished. We believe the time has come for a change in
+ this custom. All over the land there has been, during the past
+ few years, a great revival and increased growth of sentiment in
+ favor of total abstinence. The work of reclaiming the drunkard has
+ been entered upon by men and women in whom a holy ambition for the
+ uplifting of humanity has been the inspiring incentive, and the
+ blessing of Him “who came to seek and save that which was lost” has
+ crowned their efforts with grand success.
+
+ But the satisfaction which has attended these efforts to rescue the
+ perishing has been marred by the consciousness that others were
+ steadily drifting down into the same degradation. Much as we may
+ desire it, it is impossible to stop the intemperate use of liquor
+ by the masses while moderate drinking is fashionable in the best
+ society. There will be whiskey-drinking in the slums of the city
+ so long as there is wine-drinking in its palatial residences. The
+ pernicious social drinking customs of the day, which are ruinous to
+ so many of the sons of the Commonwealth, are not wholly the outcome
+ of the appetites and habits of their victims--the fashions of the
+ best society are largely responsible for them.
+
+ An occasion of this kind affords an opportunity for exerting an
+ influence for good or evil, such as is rarely offered. This banquet
+ is to be given by the city of Boston in honor of the chief magistrate
+ of the nation. _Can_ he be _honored_ by the observance of custom
+ which is closely linked with debauchery and disgrace, and which has
+ led so many of our best citizens into shame and dishonor? How can
+ we urge total abstinence upon the masses, to whom it is the only
+ safeguard, if the city of Boston gives respectability to social
+ drinking customs by sanctioning them on this august occasion?
+
+ Allow us, clear sir, respectfully to remind you that the authority
+ given you to provide for the entertainment of distinguished visitors
+ to our city, carries with it great responsibility. The drinking
+ customs of society will be strengthened or weakened, as you refuse or
+ grant them your official sanction on this occasion, and the virtue
+ of our homes--the greatest interest of any city--will be helped or
+ hindered by your decision in this matter.
+
+ In presenting this memorial, we are certain that we utter the
+ Christian sentiment of the city--the wishes of those who have
+ labored most heartily to rid society of the curse of intemperance.
+ We give voice to the desire of tens of thousands of the women
+ of Massachusetts--wives and mothers--who launch their sons with
+ trembling anxiety upon the temptations of the great city, and who
+ faint with fear as they trust their daughters to the young husbands
+ they have chosen, knowing how drinking habits can blight the most
+ promising future.
+
+ And because the usual custom of furnishing liquors on great public
+ occasions shocks the moral sense, not only of a majority of the
+ women of the Commonwealth, but of a large proportion of its men, we
+ pray you to take such action that this banquet may be undefiled by a
+ social custom which is the relic of an age of sensuality, when the
+ civilization was ruder and less noble in its moral tone than that of
+ our time.
+
+ So shall the city of Boston establish a distinguished precedent for
+ all similar occasions everywhere, and the chief magistrate of our
+ nation be truly honored, by an observance of that righteousness which
+ exalteth a people.
+
+ MRS. MARY A. LIVERMORE,
+ ” ELLEN M. RICHARDS,
+ MRS. L. B. BARRETT,
+ ” E. MCCOY.
+
+ Committee of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Massachusetts.
+
+ BOSTON, _June 22d, 1877_.
+
+
+RESPONSE OF THE MAYOR.
+
+I merely would say at this moment in response, that whilst I agree
+with you ladies and those you represent in respect to the horrors of
+intemperance, and I do not believe there are any words in the English
+language sufficiently adequate to describe those horrors, I differ
+entirely with you and those you represent with reference to what you
+say in respect to total abstinence. In the first place it is the part
+of wisdom to regulate what you cannot eradicate. We have tried two
+prohibitory laws and found they have not succeeded in accomplishing
+their objects, and I may say in this connection that I myself thirty
+years ago, or nearly thirty years ago, was in the Legislature when
+the Maine liquor law first came up, and voted for it for the purpose
+of trying it, and it proved an utter failure. I can understand how
+enthusiasts expect to make angels of men and women, when we are told we
+are somewhat lower than the angels, in their earnestness to effect good
+objects, and want very much indeed to prevent the people from drinking
+any intoxicating beverage. The motive is honorable to them, but in my
+humble judgment, and I say it respectfully, it shows utter ignorance of
+human nature and the laws that rule human conduct. We shall never have
+an era of total abstinence, in my judgment.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--We admit what you say in reference to the prohibitory
+liquor law.
+
+Mayor Prince.--It is not true that the great people of this
+Commonwealth, as urged here, are in favor of prohibitory legislation,
+as shown by the issue at the polls; and these prohibitory people seem
+to be “growing smaller by degrees and beautifully less.”
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--We are not advocating a prohibitory liquor law in this
+memorial.
+
+Mayor Prince.--But you say total abstinence.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--The inability to enforce the prohibitory liquor law
+arose from the absence of public sentiment behind it to compel its
+enforcement.
+
+Mayor Prince.--I differ from you there.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--Is not a law always enforced when there is a public
+sentiment behind it?
+
+Mayor Prince.--Yes.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--Then the reason this was not enforced is because there
+was not the necessary public sentiment behind it.
+
+Mayor Prince.--You cannot create that public sentiment.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--That is what we are trying to do.
+
+Mayor Prince.--And your motives are honorable and trustworthy. I have
+been thinking for thirty years how to manage this question.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--We have been thinking of it also for thirty years, as
+we are not young women.
+
+Mayor Prince.--I understand that. If you can satisfy me that the
+great desideratum can be accomplished you will find me on your side,
+as I think there is no language adequate to express the horrors of
+intemperance. You cannot accomplish your object because it is not right
+it should be accomplished. I believe in temperance in all things. I
+believe wine was made to be enjoyed by man, and the fact that he abuses
+this thing is no argument against its use.
+
+Mrs. Richards.--Is it not moderation you mean?
+
+Mayor Prince.--Yes. Most of our people do use, and moderately use,
+wine. Take all the wealthier classes of Boston, they use wine; are they
+drunkards?
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--No, sir. But I think they are responsible for any
+actual drunkenness.
+
+Mayor Prince.--Hasn’t there been a great change come over the community
+in regard to drinking? Formerly, a party could be seen tipsy and not
+lose the esteem of his acquaintances, but now if a man is seen drunk
+his character is ruined.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--The fact that there has been this change is an
+argument for a greater change. While we are working among the lower
+classes throughout the State in our reform clubs, we are perpetually
+met by the objection from both men and women, “Why should we give up
+our whiskey any more than those persons of the higher society should
+give up their wine?”
+
+Mayor Prince.--That is no argument.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--But they are on a lower plane, and we are accustomed
+to copy the manners and customs of those above us. I believe the time
+will come when it is possible for those who wish to drink wine to say,
+“We take our stand on the basis of Christianity, which demands of us
+that for the sake of others we should forego the pleasures and delights
+which are innocent to us in themselves, but which are so injurious to
+others.”
+
+Mayor Prince.--In my judgment, the Prohibitionists have set back the
+temperance movement by their action.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--We are in favor of total abstinence, and are not
+discussing prohibition.
+
+Mayor Prince.--That is bringing metaphysics into this, which I did not
+expect. To go back to the point from which we diverged, in respect to
+the President’s entertainment: the city of Boston desires that every
+honor should be paid to the President because he is our President.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--We share that feeling.
+
+Mayor Prince.--And I am determined that nothing shall be left undone
+which can contribute to that result. Now, to give the President a
+dinner without giving him what is usual--
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--He never drinks wine; he has never taken a drop of it
+in his life.
+
+Mayor Prince.--That may or may not be.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--That is the statement of his wife.
+
+Mayor Prince.--He is to be permitted to do just as he pleases, but
+there are other gentlemen who will be with him, members of his cabinet
+and others, and they ought to receive what they have a right to expect
+to receive, and it is customary on such occasions to give wine, and I
+propose to give it, and I think it my duty to give it. I represent the
+citizens, and my personal character is sunk in my official position,
+and whatever my constituents expect me to do on that occasion I
+shall do--whatever is fit and proper to be done. I may say in this
+connection, that if I were to give a dinner in my own house I should
+give wine.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--That is a different affair, and we could not
+interfere; but it is because you are acting in an official capacity,
+and because the city has made you responsible.
+
+Mayor Prince.--Don’t you agree with me in this proposition, that I
+ought to do what the citizens expect?
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--Whom do you mean by citizens--men and women?
+
+Mayor Prince.--I mean the people who live in the city of Boston; that
+is my notion.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--If you should do what the people in Boston, the men
+and women, require you to do, you would not give wine.
+
+Mayor Prince.--You make that assertion. What is the evidence that the
+people of Boston don’t wish me to give wine? Satisfy me upon that point
+and then I may take a different view of it.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--That is our opinion.
+
+Mayor Prince.--What is it based on?
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--We have attended the meetings that have been held
+during the winter.
+
+Mayor Prince.--The fact is, that wine is generally used in the city of
+Boston.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--By a small proportion of the citizens.
+
+Mayor Prince.--I beg your pardon. I think I am conversant with the
+habits of the people of Boston; I have lived here nearly sixty years of
+my life.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--But the majority have not the means to purchase wine.
+
+Mayor Prince.--You ladies are enthusiasts. I am glad to say it, because
+all orders are benefited by the enthusiasts. You would not accomplish
+anything if you did not go into it with zeal and spirit, and if you
+don’t get all you propose to get, such enthusiasm will enable you to
+get half a loaf if you cannot get a whole loaf. You have done a great
+deal of good, and will do more, but you will never accomplish total
+abstinence, never in the world; I don’t think you ought to. I give you
+my opinion. I have five children, and have wine on my table every day
+of my life.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--I hope you will never rue it.
+
+Mayor Prince.--But none of my children will drink it. I think, however,
+if I told them they could not drink it they would try to drink it.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--When six hundred of the market people last year
+sat down to dinner, to the surprise of everybody they abjured all
+intoxicating liquor, wine and everything else, and it was strictly a
+total abstinence festival.
+
+Mayor Prince.--I am invited to a great many entertainments and dinners,
+and am almost tired out by attending them, yet I have never seen one
+without wine.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--When the boot and shoe men were here three weeks
+ago they went down the harbor, and wine was furnished freely all
+through the entertainment, and there are little stories circulating in
+reference to excessive drinking on that occasion.
+
+Mayor Prince (emphatically).--I take this occasion to brand that
+statement as wholly untrue. I was present, I caused the entertainment
+to be given, and when the bills were sent in for the wine I was
+perfectly astonished to see what a small amount of wine was drunk;
+and I take the occasion to say, that there was not a man on board that
+boat that was in any way affected by the wine he had taken; and if any
+citizen or any voter doubts it he can call at the auditor’s office and
+see the bills for the wine. People say these sort of things in the
+excitement of partisan feeling I suppose. Whilst, as I said before, I
+have great regard and respect for these parties who are endeavoring
+to reform the world, although I have very little faith they will
+accomplish all they expect to accomplish, yet until I am satisfied that
+the citizens of Boston do not want me to give wine I shall give it.
+Satisfy me of that and I shall be very glad not to give it, as I want
+to save all the money I can. Thanking you, ladies, for calling, and
+trusting I have not said anything in the excitement of the moment which
+can be construed as discourteous, I wish you good-morning.
+
+Mrs. Livermore.--We have nothing to complain of on the score of
+discourtesy, but are sorry you cannot see the matter in the light in
+which we view it. We stand on a moral platform.
+
+Mayor Prince.--That is the platform to stand on. Good-morning, ladies.
+
+Ladies.--Good-morning.
+
+The facts connected with this appeal were extensively published. The
+press and the people were generally in sympathy with the committee
+of ladies, and the course of the mayor, and some of his utterances,
+were severely criticized. The city council, a short time afterward,
+crystallized the aroused moral sentiment of the city into law,
+forbidding the expenditure of public revenue in wines and liquors for
+dinners and entertainments. So a substantial victory was won.
+
+
+MAINE.
+
+
+BANGOR, MAINE.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. C. V. Crossman and Miss Mary Crosby for the
+following facts:
+
+The Woman’s Temperance Crusade, of Bangor, has seen the same
+heart-breaking needs, the same appalling dangers, and the same
+impotence of human strength alone for the deliverance of our people,
+that have moved our sisters in other cities of the land. We have known
+no strength but the love of God, but we have faith to believe that He
+will at length deliver from the curse of alcoholic drink.
+
+The early messages that came of the wonderful work that was being done
+in the West, thrilled deeply the hearts that had suffered.
+
+In March, 1874, a little band of women and several clergymen of the
+city, and other sympathizing friends, met in a public prayer-meeting
+for strength and consecration. Successive meetings followed, the
+citizens joined in observing a day of public fasting and prayer; and in
+three weeks after the first call, an organization was effected, and a
+definite work was undertaken.
+
+The ladies divided into small companies; each band had their streets to
+visit, and thus the city was thoroughly canvassed.
+
+March 26th, a committee waited on the city council with the petition
+asking that the prohibitory law might be enforced.
+
+This law, which has stood upon our statute books for a score of years,
+has at no period been absolutely successful in preventing the sale of
+alcoholic drinks as a beverage in _all_ the communities over which its
+authority extends, but is, like the laws which prohibit swindling,
+burglary, and assault, broken.
+
+They were received by the council with every token of respect, and
+listened to with attention and deference. Mrs. Benj. Plummer made the
+opening address, which was responded to by the mayor, who assured them
+that the matter should receive the most careful attention of that
+body. He then invited the ladies to speak freely. Several responded in
+eloquent words that will long be remembered.
+
+Notwithstanding their kindly reception by the city council, however,
+their answer was delayed until April 14th, and when received, the
+expectations of the petitioners were greatly disappointed.
+
+Having petitioned the council, and canvassed the city, saloon visiting
+was commenced April 25th. Earnest and persuasive words were used, but
+not one of all the number visited was induced to give up his dreadful
+and unlawful traffic. Almost any body of women would have shrank from
+prosecuting further this Crusade against intemperance. But not so with
+these women; failing with the vender, and with the city government, to
+accomplish what they had undertaken, they commenced their work with the
+victims--those whose strength of mind had been destroyed by the too
+free use of ardent spirits, and who were in their own strength unable
+to cast off the shackles that bound them.
+
+And what more fitting place to begin than the police station and jail?
+With words of encouragement and sympathy, they carried hot coffee and
+food. No man was found inside the prison walls so low or degraded, but
+that he received a friendly shake of the hand, a “God help you.”
+
+This work was carried on at intervals for several years.
+
+Often through the heat of summer, and the cold of winter, one or more
+of these women might be seen going on their mission of mercy to the
+jail.
+
+So great were the temptations around them to lead them from their
+good resolutions, that the ladies determined to open a room for their
+accommodation and safety. And the “Bangor Reform Club Reading-Room,”
+the first of its kind established in the world, was opened. Its first
+motto was, “Malice toward none, charity for all.” And this is still the
+motto of many of the Reform Clubs of the State of Maine.
+
+The fitting up and the running expenses of this room for the first
+year were paid by the Crusaders. This reading-room is an honor and a
+blessing to the city.
+
+One of the ladies says: “Here, during the winter afternoons, the
+Crusaders meet to make and repair garments to protect the unfortunates
+from the bitter cold. Every Sunday evening we hold a prayer and promise
+meeting in these rooms; men come that you could not induce to enter a
+church, but it is not long before they are ready to join the church.”
+Thus the meeting becomes a stepping-stone to the church.
+
+“We find that men who have been rescued from intemperance and its
+kindred vices are not satisfied with their own redemption, but from the
+gratitude of their hearts become laborers in the vineyards, cast their
+nets, and become fishers of men.”
+
+This is the secret of the success of the Reform Clubs in Maine.
+
+Dr. Henry A. Reynolds was induced to sign the pledge at one of our
+public Crusade meetings. “Dare to do right,” was his motto. And the
+first work he did after signing the pledge was to persuade others to do
+the same.
+
+Men who have signed the pledge, when the old appetite for liquor is
+aroused, flee to this room and divert their minds from the desire for
+drink by reading and receiving good advice and encouragement from men
+and women who are always to be found there ready to help those who
+would, in all probability, fall in with bad associates, and eventually
+break their pledge.
+
+The Reform Club numbers four hundred and fifty, two hundred of whom
+are members of the Catholic society. Many of the members are away in
+different States, but are true to their pledge.
+
+Our members have gone out to other towns--Hampden, Newport, Oldtown,
+Ellsworth, and elsewhere--in some cases organizing societies, and
+giving aid and encouragement to societies already formed.
+
+It is not out of place here to mention the encouragement and support
+which we now have, in the greatly increased vigor and efficiency
+in the enforcement of the prohibitory law. This is done under the
+administration of the “Sheriff enforcement” act, so-called--an
+amendment to the law of a few years’ standing, which makes it the duty
+of the sheriff to seize liquors, upon complaint.
+
+The vigorous enforcement of the prohibitory law we may justly claim
+as one of the results of our movement, though brought about by no
+direct efforts of our own. The towns in the upper Penobscot valley have
+greatly felt the benefit of the legal as well as the moral movement.
+
+We have met with difficulties and failures, but in the retrospect they
+are as nothing to the successes, and we can but thank God and take
+courage.
+
+From a small spark a large fire has been kindled, and may it burn until
+there is not one drop of intoxicating liquor to be bought in our State;
+and not until then shall we give up the battle.
+
+
+AUGUSTA, MAINE.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. C. C. Hunt, Corresponding Secretary of the
+Woman’s Christian Temperance Union for the State, for the following
+report:
+
+Our organization was quietly effected, and every duty has been by its
+members as quietly discharged; and, after the lapse of one year and
+three-quarters in this conflict with rum, we feel that the work has but
+just commenced.
+
+We organized, through the appeal of Mrs. Sergeant, President of the
+State Union, January 25th, 1876.
+
+About this time a Reformed Club was organized. A soliciting committee,
+of ladies of different denominations, was appointed, to secure funds to
+meet the necessities of the work. A sufficient amount for furnishing a
+club-room, with an excellent library, a large number of magazines, and
+files of the latest papers, was secured.
+
+Out of this fund we also expended a considerable amount in relieving
+the sick of families made destitute by the great curse.
+
+A committee was appointed to call upon the saloon-keepers, and urge
+them to abandon their traffic.
+
+In this respect no success was achieved, and knowing that the open
+doors were in direct violation of the laws of the State, and desiring
+that the arm of the law might be stretched forth, the ladies were not
+slow to sign warrants against liquor-dealers.
+
+And, much to our satisfaction, in the month of August, 1876, _seven_
+of them were sent to the county jail. And still more was our
+rejoicing, when last winter the Legislature rendered the penalty for
+liquor-selling so severe that at the present time it is almost entirely
+abandoned.
+
+Our city marshal has rendered us great service, in searching out and
+bringing to justice these offenders. We look forward to the coming
+winter, when the petition of Neal Dow will, if received by the
+Legislature, declare the liquor traffic to be a _felony_, and to be
+subject to the same laws.
+
+We recognize the power of prayer, to which we attribute the real
+success which has come to us; we stand on the solid rock, with our
+sisters throughout the United States.
+
+Committees, consisting of four or five ladies, hold religious
+exercises, distribute temperance and religious tracts.
+
+At the beginning we did not fancy that the paths were all _flowery_,
+and that the strongholds would crumble at our approach; or that every
+woman in the city would consider it her highest glory to join us in
+this labor. Yet a goodly number have come up in the spirit of the
+Master, and rendered much service in the cause, so much needed at their
+hands.
+
+Our determination is firm to adhere with perseverance to the work we
+have undertaken; and, above all, to look to Him who has promised to
+direct the steps of those who put their trust in Him.
+
+
+STROUDWATER, MAINE.
+
+Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens furnishes the following facts:
+
+In regard to crusading in Maine, we being protected by a law, which,
+if we demanded its enforcement, would be sufficient, hardly felt the
+need of appealing to the rum-seller in the same way as though he was
+licensed or upheld by public favor or opinion. In our State the man who
+sells liquor is, and has been for years, considered a criminal.
+
+He does not do it thoughtlessly or ignorantly, hence the hope of
+converting him was very much less than in other places.
+
+Still there are a few instances in our State, where sellers have been
+made to see themselves, as good people see them, and have left the
+miserable business; but these cases are few, compared with those who
+have persisted in their evil course against prosecutions, fines, and
+imprisonments, until finally they have been _driven_ to yield to the
+law.
+
+It may not be uninteresting to tell what I have done in this line. In
+our quiet village, two and a half miles from Portland, there has been a
+rum hotel for thirty years--for the last fifteen years kept by the same
+man.
+
+Three years ago, when we women began to have our first public meetings
+here, I saw with pain that those people who had never been much
+troubled with this hotel, did not regard it as a nuisance.
+
+The proprietor was a good-natured fellow, _called_ kind by some.
+
+How should they be brought to look upon this man as I did? I said in
+a public meeting, referring to the place and the man, perhaps he is
+a good man, perhaps he is thoughtlessly doing this terrible thing.
+Suppose we visit him, and talk with him? Who will volunteer? One of our
+first ladies agreed to go with me. We went. He listened to us, promised
+to very soon give it up, came to our meetings occasionally, once arose
+and asked for the prayers of Christian people to help him, etc. We left
+nothing undone. He was daily visited by influential men and women, who
+talked and prayed with him, and if he sold at all at that time (and he
+probably did) it was done very slyly.
+
+Soon his wife, a woman of his own kind, sickened, and died after a
+week’s delirious sickness, during which she constantly begged for
+mercy, saying the officers were coming to search, begging of her
+husband to sell no more rum, etc., etc.
+
+Then we thought the work was done, but were still vigilant, day after
+day, not bringing him where we wanted to see him.
+
+We soon saw signs indicative of his base hypocrisy, and although he
+sells more slyly than ever, still the place is here and he is in it.
+
+You may ask why has not the law closed it before this?
+
+During the last two years, he has paid about $2,500 in fines, been once
+imprisoned and is now in bankruptcy, and no doubt will be indicted
+before the grand jury, which will effectually wind him up. Now here is
+the point: I do not feel that one visit or one prayer was lost that was
+made at that place.
+
+We carried the public along with us; those who never believed we could
+prevail on him to do better, were more indignant than ever; those who
+did believe in him at all were interested and at last disgusted and
+as indignant as their radical neighbors. The officers of the law felt
+that they were supported as never before, and worked better and more
+effectually.
+
+Our Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of this place was the first
+in the State, and has done a wonderful work. We hold weekly public
+temperance meetings throughout the year, save the month of August.
+
+The influence that goes out from us I know is powerful. Ministers,
+lawyers, and physicians do not refuse to come and help us from
+Portland, whenever invited, and we have been favored with many friends
+from abroad. Much has been done in our State, but much remains to
+be done. Many are indifferent, enjoying the dear blessings which
+prohibition brings, without realizing it. It is our mission we feel, to
+make them _realize_ it, as well as to lift up the fallen, of which we
+have many even in our State.
+
+On the road which goes through this place from Buxton to Portland,
+a distance of nineteen miles, there were, thirty years ago, sixteen
+tippling shops; now there is but one, and this the one I have written
+about.
+
+No stranger can get a drop there, or any one, unless known to be true
+to the rum cause, and then it is secreted sometimes in deep holes in
+the cellar, sometimes near the hog-pen, etc., etc.
+
+It is curious how they evade the law so long.
+
+No change has brought this about, save the “_Maine law_.”
+
+It is impossible to buy a glass of liquor. And in our cities they have
+to sell so secretly, and under such trying circumstances, that their
+very faces speak, “The way of the transgressor is hard.” I thank God,
+that this is so. My courage was never better than to-day, and I intend
+always to go on in this work for the Master.
+
+
+PORTLAND, MAINE.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. George E. Taylor for the following statement of
+work:
+
+What with the conventional restraint of the women of New England, and
+the work so zealously accomplished in the interest of prohibition
+here, time had to be taken to consider by what means we should be
+marshalled into any line of appeal and action. Two or three upon whom
+flashed the revelation of the divine purpose, which supported the women
+of the West in their novel protest and venture, waited upon God, and
+proved, in quiet personal efforts, that in answer to prayer the lowest
+and most unfortunate might be redeemed; and they speedily dedicated
+themselves to a more public declaration and service in the line of
+mission work; and none of it, we believe, has come to the ground. The
+most impregnable and insolent haunt of vice was broken up, and the
+leader and head of the house at last saved, and the whole thing buried
+out of sight.
+
+Greater freedom of evangelistic effort was soon accorded here, as
+elsewhere, to woman, in the sudden revolution of public opinion, and
+these visited the jail, and one came to lead a social Sunday service
+there on alternate weeks for a year, and most interesting were the
+results. At that time the prisoners had no work, and this service was
+followed up by their weekly visitations, and many were brought to the
+knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Some are living respectable
+lives among us; others are meekly serving out their term at the State
+prison; while one, whose mind opened wonderfully to the truth, and was
+strangely ennobled by it, not seeming to belong to his old self and his
+kindred, has been translated to the kingdom, the sceptre of which is a
+right sceptre, and its throne forever and ever.
+
+Waiting and watching our opportunity, the time came for a call to the
+ladies of this city to what proves to be an independent local work.
+With an organization of five hundred members, and its various projects
+supported by every church here, the “Woman’s Temperance Society” of
+Portland, on the 4th of July of the Centennial year, initiated its
+coffee-house work, serving for the day the multitudes who flocked
+from the country to the celebration, and realized its first favor and
+encouragement to a permanent work.
+
+Though a very much lectured people on the subject of temperance, it
+has not been from a woman’s standpoint; and they believed that our
+fastidious, and of course intelligent community, would bear a little
+more of the right sort, and some very superior lectures added to our
+fund and character as an organization. On the 1st of January, 1877, we
+opened a coffee-house. We have sought from the beginning to make an
+impression upon refined as well as other circles here, and prevent for
+another generation any revival of the social drinking customs of polite
+life, to protect our own young men, clerks, etc., from the temptation
+of “tonic beer” and stronger drinks served slyly, or in other fashion,
+at our eating-houses, as well as to recover those who had fallen into
+this vice. The prosperity of that coffee-house it would take time to
+record. Its pecuniary exhibit is wonderful, for in these nine months,
+what with favor of one sort and another, the generous service of the
+ladies, and donations, we have in the bank about fifteen hundred
+dollars, with which to open, as we contemplate, a _Friendly Inn_.
+
+The work has been embellished with a _Flower Mission_, under the care
+of young ladies, who make up, with special interest, bouquets; now with
+the most carefully selected fragrant flowers for the blind; and then
+the brilliant and beautiful for the hospitals, asylums, jail, etc.,
+along with the street distribution of loose flowers to children and
+others who rarely see or handle any.
+
+We have also here a _Diet Mission_, with head-quarters at the
+coffee-house, served by ladies devoted to it, who prepare, at their own
+homes, nourishing food and delicacies for the sick, answering the call
+of physicians, clergymen, or other responsible parties in behalf of the
+sick and unfortunate.
+
+This society also supports a mission at the city station-house,
+employing a woman to look for those of her own sex who are committed
+there through fault of drunkenness, or vice of other sort, or accident.
+
+The story of this whole work of the Woman’s Temperance Society of
+Portland would fill many chapters of a book. There are most interesting
+incidents connected with every branch of it; and to a good many the
+coffee-house has been a place of decision and reform; the poor and
+distressed, and the helpless victim of his own weakness and folly, have
+been comforted by it; and with its elegant appointments it appeals
+to the patronage of everybody, and has carried us leagues ahead in
+the controversy of this principle of total abstinence, and laid the
+foundation, we believe, of a good work for a generation.
+
+
+OLD ORCHARD BEACH.
+
+The first temperance camp-meeting, as far as is known, ever held in
+the world, was on this beautiful camp-ground. The workers of the
+Woman’s Temperance Union have been there, and helped to make that first
+meeting, and all subsequent ones, successful. The Governor of the
+State, accompanied by other State dignitaries, is always present to
+speak at the opening meeting. Neal Dow, the sturdy temperance champion,
+who has done more than perhaps any other man to make the liquor traffic
+unlawful and disreputable, attends these meetings, and his temperance
+trumpet gives no uncertain sound. All classes are represented, from the
+highest officials of the State to the lowest drunkards of Portland, a
+seaport town, where, even against law, liquors can be smuggled in and
+sold secretly. The reformed men of the State come to these gatherings
+in crowds, and take a prominent part in the services.
+
+
+
+
+MICHIGAN.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+The facts in regard to the work in Michigan are gathered from their
+Centennial volume.
+
+The book is very voluminous, and contains a complete record of the
+work, and is beautifully gotten up on uniform paper, and embellished
+with pictures.
+
+This volume, which was prepared for the Centennial, and is to go into
+the State Historical Society, has been kindly sent that I may gather
+the most important facts connected with the history of their work for
+this book.
+
+Michigan had a prohibitory law, but public sentiment was not
+sufficiently aroused to enforce it, and the liquor-dealers of the State
+pursued their traffic, in defiance of the law, openly. The Woman’s
+Temperance Crusade, and the more recent labors of Dr. Reynolds and his
+coadjutors, have entirely changed the aspect of affairs; the entire
+liquor business seems to have been effectually broken down.
+
+
+ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.
+
+After holding prayer-meetings for some time, and canvassing the city
+for signatures to the pledge, a mass-meeting was held in the Opera
+House, March 9th, 1874. This proved one of the largest and most
+enthusiastic meetings ever held in the city. The immense building
+was insufficient to contain the crowd, and the Presbyterian Church,
+which was opened for an overflow meeting, was filled in a few moments.
+These meetings were addressed by the leading men and women of the
+city. Work was at once entered upon; after some discussion the ladies
+commenced their visits to the saloons, under the leadership of Mrs.
+Daniel Benedict, Mrs. William Benson, and Mrs. Norman Geddes. Two
+hundred women in solemn procession filed slowly out of the house of God
+into the streets, and into the saloons. All business for the time was
+suspended. Women crowded to the windows; men gathered in masses in the
+street, all gazing silently as the band proceeded on their mission. The
+saloon-keepers, who did not expect them, looked on with confusion and
+alarm; the hotels and some of the saloons were visited, the proprietors
+receiving them with respect and deference, and at all these places
+religious services were held.
+
+Public sentiment in favor of temperance seemed to be rapidly
+increasing, and words of encouragement came to them from the
+surrounding country, and delegations were sent out to the neighboring
+villages to organize the work. Many women, who for years had in silence
+borne the curse of strong drink in their own homes, were led to hope
+for better days, and came timidly forward to urge them on.
+
+On the 17th March, the band visited Towl’s saloon. Mrs. L. R. Damon and
+T. P. Thompson, the leaders, were admitted, and the door immediately
+locked. The band which remained on the street became alarmed for
+their safety, thinking they were forcibly detained. Great excitement
+prevailed throughout the city; business was suspended, and an excited
+multitude gathered about the saloon, filling all the adjacent streets.
+The women inside, unaware of the excitement in the city, continued
+their prayers and pleadings with the proprietor until eleven o’clock at
+night. As the band still remained at the saloon, the proprietor wanted
+to know what he had done, and what the women wanted of him: immediately
+the band sang, “Dare to do right, dare to be true.” Again he came to
+the door, and exclaimed, “I’m tired of this! yes, I’m tired of this!”
+Immediately the ladies responded in song, “There is rest for the
+weary.” At last he could endure it no longer, and fled from the place.
+A few days afterwards the saloon was closed.
+
+The next morning, Tuesday, March 18th, pickets were stationed at every
+place where it was known that intoxicating liquors were sold. This was
+very destructive to the business of the saloon-keepers, as under the
+public sentiment then existing, but few had the hardihood to frequent
+these places. The success of the work began to be most cheering. North
+Main street, almost entirely abandoned to liquor shops, and at night
+ablaze with the light of its saloons, was now in darkness. Other parts
+of the city showed like results. On the 20th March, the doors of nearly
+every saloon in the city apparently were closed, and the open sale of
+intoxicating liquors had nearly ceased; some of the dealers had signed
+the pledge.
+
+The annual city election occurring the 6th of April, an all-day
+prayer-meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, and a mass-meeting
+held in the evening at the same place. Every saloon was picketed. The
+result was a quiet, orderly election. Women, who had learned to look
+on election days with dread and terror, reported to us with gratitude,
+that their husbands had returned to their homes sober, for the first
+time in many years.
+
+The picket system was discontinued, and vigilance committees appointed
+to gather up evidence with a view of prosecuting the violators of
+law. The State law was prohibitory, but a city ordinance provided
+for license. A petition was presented to the city council requesting
+them to make the sale of intoxicating liquors in violation of law a
+forfeiture of their license, but the council declined to act in the
+matter, and all efforts were of no avail.
+
+On the 2d of June a band of ladies visiting a saloon on north Main
+street had scarcely entered, when the wife of the saloon-keeper angrily
+ordered them to depart, and before they could leave the place, hastily
+locked them in. Here the ladies were detained, thirteen of them,
+from five o’clock in the afternoon until eleven o’clock at night.
+At a signal from the woman a motley and excited crowd of saloon and
+barkeepers, and their associates and companions, besieged the building,
+filling all the street, and keeping away all who would approach to
+assist or even to communicate with the imprisoned ladies, and there
+they remained, surging about with oaths, and jeering and threatening
+demonstrations lest the ladies should escape. Within the rear room
+of the saloon, and separated from the band only by a half partition,
+was another crowd of barkeepers, a German Catholic priest, an alderman
+and others, half-inebriated, singing, drinking, and shouting with
+boisterous profanity, influencing and inciting the proprietor and his
+infuriated wife against the band, and filling all the room where the
+ladies were with suffocating clouds of smoke. And so the band was kept
+most of the time in darkness, all communication with their friends cut
+off, no ventilation of the foul atmosphere permitted, while resort was
+had to every means, short of personal violence, to harass, annoy, and
+intimidate these imprisoned women, until by the interposition of the
+mayor they were released.
+
+This was the answer of the saloon-keepers to the prayerful, tearful
+appeals of the best Christian women of the city in behalf of temperance.
+
+Early in the progress of the movement it became evident that many of
+the saloon-keepers could not be reached by moral suasion, and that law
+must be resorted to for the suppression of the traffic. A large number
+of suits were commenced, the business men of the city backing up the
+movement by a subscription of $3,000. Delegations of ladies from the
+Union attended nearly all these public trials. The anti-temperance
+people became very bitter and vindictive, and openly manifested their
+hostility. Several of the ladies attending these trials had their
+dresses cut and despoiled by persons in the crowd, and one gentleman, a
+Mr. Brown, who assisted in the suits, was murderously assaulted with a
+knife in the hands of a woman.
+
+The ladies finding it impossible to secure the services of officers
+who would perform their duty under the law for the suppression of the
+traffic, finally abandoned this branch of the work.
+
+There were three hundred and two members of the band, and two hundred
+and thirteen meetings were held during the first year, and $693.43
+expended in the work.
+
+The number of licensed saloons in the city when the Union first sent
+out its praying bands was fifty-two; in less than ten days from that
+time all these were virtually closed, and remained so for more than
+six weeks. The result was, that our jails soon became empty for the
+first time in the history of our county, with one exception only, which
+occurred in the early settlement of the State. The average jail and
+criminal expenses of the county previous to the temperance movement was
+$1,000 per month, _but during the time the saloons were closed these
+expenses were only $50 per month_--a saving per month of $950.
+
+The women now saw the importance of organized and persistent work, and
+prepared for a long conflict. A reading-room was opened, a juvenile
+society was organized, and by systematic work the business is gradually
+being overthrown.
+
+More recently a reform movement, under the leadership of Dr. Reynolds,
+has drawn tens of thousands of drinking men away from the saloons. This
+has crippled the saloon-keepers hopelessly. Many of the leading men of
+the State and politicians have signed the pledge, and now give their
+moral support to the Woman’s Temperance Union and the Reform Club; so
+victory is assured. One of the Vice-Presidents of the National Union,
+Mrs. Jane M. Geddes, is one of the prominent and efficient workers of
+the society.
+
+
+LANSING, MICHIGAN.
+
+On the 24th March, 1874, the first public meeting was called; about
+sixty women were present. On the following Sunday, a union service was
+held in the Opera Hall, which was tendered free of charge. The hall
+was crowded, and the meeting enthusiastic. The town was canvassed with
+a view of securing the co-operation of business men for the immediate
+suppression of the traffic. Seven hundred dollars were subscribed to
+aid the women to carry out legal measures. The saloons were visited,
+but the proprietors refused to sign the dealers’ pledge. In reference
+to the opinion which the dealers themselves held in regard to their
+occupation, but one dealer was found in the length and breadth of the
+city who said he considered his calling honorable.
+
+The Rev. David Crosby, of the first Baptist Church, by his own personal
+efforts, raised and placed in the hands of the Union $1,200.
+
+The work was continued by mass-meetings, saloon visiting, personal
+appeals, and tract distribution, until May 5th, 1874, when the legal
+work was commenced. The women attended the trials, which were held
+before Justice Green. The stairway leading to the court was dark, the
+room illy ventilated, and furnished with wooden benches. Yet not one
+case out of the twenty-eight was tried between May 5th, and September
+24th, that the women were not present. Undismayed and unflinchingly
+they sat in the court-room with its repulsive surroundings, in the
+summer afternoons, with the sun beating in at uncurtained windows,
+though the thought of cool parlors at home tempted them. The following
+summary will show the general line of work and the results up to
+September 24th, 1874:
+
+Summons issued, forty-four; trials had, twenty-eight; withdrawn, by
+pledge to quit, three; convictions, twenty-three; acquittals, two;
+disagreement of the jury, three; no trial on account of justice
+being sick, four; suits on docket for trial, twenty-three. Results:
+convictions of men, twenty; convictions of women, three; saloons closed
+up to date, six; saloons remaining in the city, twenty-eight; fines
+imposed, $750; fines paid, $175; cost imposed, including attorneys’
+fees, $419.63; costs collected, $109.48.
+
+The legal work aroused a spirit of anger. It was reported that one
+saloon-keeper said that there was nothing to fear as long as the women
+remained in the church to pray. Under the heavy blows of the Woman’s
+Union the saloons in Lansing decreased in six months from forty-one
+to twenty-eight, and the traffic remained crippled, until the State
+Legislature repealed a prohibitory law, and enacted a tax law; under
+this fostering care of the State authorities, the hope and business of
+liquor-dealers revived.
+
+But the women are not discouraged or defeated. A Reform Club and
+a Young People’s Society have been organized, and a reading-room
+established; and by systematic and persistent work, they are pushing
+the battle and expect the victory.
+
+
+JACKSON, MICHIGAN.
+
+In the month of February, 1874, Rev. J. H. McCarty, D. D., pastor of
+the first M. E. Church, issued a call for a union temperance meeting,
+to be held in the Methodist Church. Responsive to this call, the
+pastors of nearly all of the orthodox churches came together, with
+their working members.
+
+There was a very enthusiastic meeting, and for several days such
+meetings were held. Finally, the ladies were encouraged to organize
+and begin Crusade work. The pastors promised their hearty support and
+encouragement. The ladies organized a society known as “The Ladies’
+Temperance Union,” of Jackson.
+
+The ladies visited some saloons, but without any perceptible results.
+The saloon-keepers knew that they had the support of the majority of
+the business men of the place, and so were coolly defiant.
+
+A large and enthusiastic meeting was held, March 12th, in the Opera
+House, and the clergy committed themselves unreservedly to the work.
+The exercises consisted of speeches and songs, and Mrs. L. E. Allen,
+President of the Union, read the following original poem, in which is
+embodied the experience of a lady living in Jackson:
+
+ “Pale were the lips which uttered this story, not long ago,
+ And the eyes were dim with a sorrow which cometh from human woe;
+ And the words came low and broken from the torn and bleeding heart,
+ Where years on years had rankled the pain of a poisoned dart.
+
+ “’Twas a fearful night in the winter, the winter of sixty-four,
+ When round my lowly dwelling the wild winds beat and tore;
+ The rain which in daylight had fallen had turned to a frozen sleet,
+ And lay like a sheet of silver adown the desolate street.
+ ’Twas long and long after midnight, I waited and waited alone--
+ None, none but my God to be near me, and list to my desolate moan.
+ My light shone out in the darkness, my fire was burning bright,
+ For my husband, my erring husband, was out in the fearful night.
+
+ “And colder I grew in my terror--I had waited so long, so long
+ (For my heart to the wreck of my idol still hopefully, tenderly
+ clung).
+ Then I thought I heard his footsteps come staggering on through the
+ gloom,
+ And they sent a chill to my heartstrings like the threat of a
+ terrible doom.
+ And nearer they came, and nearer, and paused by the outer door,
+ And I heard a voice and footstep I had never heard before.
+ I opened the door affrighted, and saw but a stranger face,
+ Where the flush of the fatal wine cup had crimsoned and left its
+ trace.
+
+ “‘Come, hasten!’ he said, ‘good woman, your husband is dead with
+ drink,
+ And the man who sold him the poison has a heart as black as ink,
+ And he swears he will turn him helpless out into the storm to lie,
+ When he knows that out in the tempest alone he would perish and die.
+ Perhaps if you went to his rescue, and whispered a word in his ear,
+ He might waken from out his stupor and hearken the message to hear.
+ You never need fear to trust me, for I am my own worst foe;
+ But I hated to see him lying all dead and cold in the snow.’
+
+ “So I wrapped my garments about me, to shield me as best I might,
+ And went, with a drunken stranger, out into the pitiless night--
+ Down through the streets of the city, down to the haunts beneath,
+ Where the soul is chained to a monster that clingeth and clingeth
+ till death.
+
+ “Oh! the sight that darkened my vision, may you never witness,
+ I pray,
+ For there lay the one I had promised to honor, and love, and obey.
+ He opened his eyes in wonder as he heard the unwonted sound
+ Of my voice in that den of terror, and dizzily looked around.
+
+ “Then the little of manhood in him came out in a flush on his face;
+ And, upheld by myself and the stranger, he staggering left the
+ place.
+ Fiercely the storm king assailed us, and pierced us through like a
+ knife;
+ But we thought not of storm or tempest, for we fought for a human
+ life.
+
+ “Home where the lamplight waited, home to a living death
+ (For life in the soul is not cherished by giving or taking of
+ breath),
+ And I sat in my helpless sorrow and pleaded and prayed to die,
+ For death were a hundred-fold sweeter than the living agony.
+
+ “So many a night have I sought him, ’twixt midnight and break of
+ day,
+ And out of that place of torment have led him reeling away.
+ Oh! those fearful walks in the darkness, I can never, no, never,
+ forget;
+ And the glimmer of starlight splendor sends a shudder over me yet.
+
+ “Then he went to his country’s rescue, himself but a tyrant’s
+ slave--
+ And the wreck of his noble manhood now sleeps in a nameless grave.
+ While my heart was crushed and bleeding, my cry was, day by day:
+ ‘How long shall the wicked triumph? how long shall Thy people
+ pray?’
+
+ “So the plaintive story ended, so the pale lips paused to say:
+ ‘Say to the women of Jackson there is need for them to pray.’
+ Ah! need, for the cry is ringing from city, and hamlet, and plain,
+ While we feel the silent pleadings of the millions that are slain.
+ Need! for the fight grows fiercer, and madly the red wine flows;
+ And the record is growing longer--the record of human woes.
+
+ “How long, O Lord, shall Thy children sit idle, and fearful, and
+ dumb,
+ While thousands are falling around us, all ruined and wrecked by
+ rum.
+ Let the bondage of self be broken, and set all Thy people free,
+ Till the world shall be rid of this evil, and brought to a knowledge
+ of Thee.”
+
+The Hurd House saloon was among the first visited. The clerk received
+them politely, but the crowd on the street were disposed to be abusive.
+A saloon-keeper made a mock prayer, which was so vulgar that he was
+afterwards arrested for the offence. A total abstinence pledge was
+circulated, but very few of the prominent business men, or church
+members would sign it. So low was the temperance sentiment that nearly
+all of the drug stores sold liquor by the glass, to whoever wanted it,
+regardless of law or order.
+
+The law which required the saloons to be closed on Sunday was openly
+defied and scoffed at. The ladies sent a petition to the common
+council, requesting the enforcement of the Sunday law; but it was laid
+upon the table, no attention whatever being paid to it.
+
+A vigilance committee was appointed, and a number of saloon-keepers
+were arrested for breaking the Sunday law. They were tried before the
+courts, and, although abundant and reliable proof was produced, yet
+judge and jury conspired to render a verdict of acquittal.
+
+Outdoor meetings were held during the spring and summer, under the
+supervision of Mrs. Mary T. Lathrop and Mrs. A. H. Brown, both of them
+indefatigable workers in the temperance cause.
+
+The daily meetings were continued for about three months, after which
+they were held weekly. These continued for a while; but the churches
+were so indifferent, and public sentiment so opposed, that after a
+while the meetings were abandoned entirely.
+
+But of late there is a new interest being awakened on the temperance
+question, and may God speed the day when this nation shall put this
+great enemy of intemperance under her feet, and shall stand before the
+world purified and saved.
+
+
+GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.
+
+A Woman’s Prohibition Society was organized in this town in 1872. The
+circumstance leading to this action was the wrongs and sufferings of a
+woman of intelligence and culture, whose husband was a victim of the
+drink habit. The existence of this society was maintained up to the
+Crusade. The heroic little band, with fresh hope and courage, renewed
+their work. One public house turned out its bar, one wholesale grocery
+gave up the liquor trade, a few small retail saloons were shut up;
+sixteen out of eighteen signed the druggists’ pledge.
+
+Many who professed Christianity withheld their aid and sympathy: none
+were quicker to see this than the saloon-keepers, and taking advantage
+of this indecision, the liquor ring sent out its messengers, with the
+threat that business and political patronage would be withheld from all
+who had anything to do with the temperance cause. Covert threats were
+also sent out, warning persons of danger to their property; and men of
+wealth and influence, some of them pillars in the church and society,
+sold their principles, allowed their convictions to be silenced, and
+even went so far as to desire their wives to discontinue their open
+connection with the Woman’s Temperance Union. There were honorable
+exceptions, however--men who stood by their principles.
+
+Noble and influential women of the city, who had formerly been active
+in the Woman’s Prohibition Society, stood aloof, having no faith in the
+present movement.
+
+In all these discouragements, the earnest women engaged in the work
+only saw the valley of humiliation through which they must pass before
+they ascend to the mount of victory.
+
+Mrs. M. L. Bois is the President, and Mrs. E. S. Eggleston,
+Corresponding Secretary.
+
+
+COLD WATER, MICHIGAN.
+
+After several preliminary meetings for prayer and conference, a
+mass-meeting was held, April 16th, 1874, at the M. E. Church. Twelve
+ladies passed through the audience and secured 177 names as workers,
+which was soon augmented to 200.
+
+The men said they were ashamed to have the women do the work, and
+formed a committee for the purpose of doing the work themselves. The
+women waited patiently, then sent a committee to inquire as to their
+success. They told the ladies to keep quiet, that they were doing all
+they could, but it took time to accomplish such a great work. What
+the men really did was to give the liquor-dealers thirty days time
+to quit the business, or in other words, to give them that much time
+to perfect their arrangements to sell secretly. Not a single saloon
+was closed, and now they tell the women tauntingly, that they did not
+intend to close the saloons, but took this means to prevent the women
+from working. But amid all these discouragements, the women are pushing
+their work, trusting in God for the victory.
+
+ Mrs. Dr. GEO. FERGUSON, Secretary.
+
+
+EATON RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.
+
+The work began in this town in March, 1874; the first visit to the
+saloons was by a committee of six ladies; soon afterwards they went
+in a body. One of their visits was to a first-class hotel, where they
+asked the privilege of prayer; the landlord objected, said he would
+have no noise or excitement in his house, as his wife was very sick,
+but all the time he was making a great noise himself. “Very well,”
+said the leader, “we will have a season of silent prayer,” to which he
+replied, “Pray away, that’s your privilege,” and turning, walked to
+the other side of the room; at a wave from the leader’s hand, they all
+knelt on the office floor; the rustle of their dresses attracted his
+attention; he turned and came to them like an enraged tiger. A lady
+(her husband at that time was drinking terribly), whose countenance was
+indicative of a broken heart, was kneeling in front of the others. The
+enraged proprietor caught this pale, trembling, heart-broken Christian
+lady, and hurled her with violence against the rest, saying: “Get out!
+I won’t have it: get out, get out.” Rising as quietly as possible the
+ladies passed out, the proprietor busying himself pushing and scolding
+those in the rear. The ladies were sad, but not disappointed. The next
+day double the number convened for action.
+
+Not many months passed till that beautiful house lay a mass of charred
+ruins. The next day the leader of the band, the marshal of the village
+by her side, visited the Spring House; after singing and prayer, the
+mother-in-law of the bartender, who stood beside the proprietor, opened
+her mouth, and the Lord filled it with a stream of eloquence most
+touching, most pathetic. Fifteen minutes after they left the room the
+proprietor closed out his bar, saying, while the tears ran down his
+face, “No one need ever tell me again there is no power in prayer.” The
+whole community seemed aroused, by seeing the procession of ladies;
+others could not bear to look at them; men who did not consider
+themselves temperance men declared they could think of nothing else
+night or day; ministers who had lacked interest became radical. At
+length it was thought wise to petition the village board: accordingly
+a committee of eight ladies presented a petition. Their prayer was
+granted, and the marshal instructed to order the bars closed the next
+morning. From that time until the change in the law, liquor was not
+sold openly and defiantly. During the first week of the license, or tax
+law, there were more drunkards on the streets than in the six months
+previous.
+
+ Mrs. IRA TURNEY, President.
+
+ Mrs. J. E. SWEEZEY, Secretary.
+
+
+NEW BOSTON, MICHIGAN.
+
+The following incident led to the commencement of the work in this
+place. A lady died in Ohio, who had formerly lived in New Boston, and
+whose son was still living there, on the ancestral farm, but he had
+learned to love the fatal cup, and his career had given his mother much
+sorrow. She was in the Crusade of Ohio, and it was her purpose to go to
+New Boston and inaugurate a Crusade to save her son. But God called her
+home, and her husband brought her body to be buried there, and told the
+story. A deep interest was aroused, and the Christian women felt called
+to take up this work that the mother had laid down.
+
+There were, at that time, two saloons and one tavern in successful
+operation in the village. Two of them did more business on the Sabbath
+than on any other day of the week; gambling was constantly practised
+in all; and the minister, as he passed to his church, could count
+more men and boys about the tavern doors than he could in the church.
+The women commenced by ascertaining how many in the village and
+vicinity were willing to give their aid and influence. All professed
+themselves more than willing. A committee was appointed to visit the
+saloon-keepers, and talk kindly with them, and urge them to give up a
+business that was ruining themselves as well as their unhappy victims.
+Two agreed to close their doors if all would; the third, a German, who
+kept a den that for vileness could hardly be surpassed, was determined
+to sell in spite of them.
+
+It was ascertained that less than $75 would purchase all the liquors in
+the place and close out the saloons, but the temperance men objected
+to it, and the women abandoned that project. Mass-meetings and saloon
+visiting continued, and such enthusiasm was aroused, that two of the
+saloonists moved away, leaving only the defiant, law-breaking German
+in the business. He was backed up by a man of considerable influence,
+who received from the government a large salary, as a sort of pseudo
+revenue officer. The ladies went _en masse_ to the saloon of this
+German. He received them with considerable trepidation, and would have
+run away, but for the loungers in the bar-room, who detained him; but
+his wife, an ignorant and depraved woman, soon appeared on the scene,
+and commenced like Saul of Tarsus to breathe out threatenings and
+slaughter. When this man’s courage would falter, under the earnest
+appeals of wives and mothers, the bar-room loungers would jeer and
+offer insult, to break the force of their words. They found there not
+only opposition, but an atmosphere of corruption and vice, and real
+danger, but they did not falter. On visiting the place again, they
+found two gray-headed old men, both of whom had held the highest office
+in the gift of their fellow-townsmen, one of them the pseudo revenue
+officer before mentioned. They were just in the act of drinking at
+the bar as they entered. No words can do justice to the scene. They
+knew that the women were on the alert for evidence to convict the
+liquor-seller, and they might be used to convict the man they were
+laboring so hard to sustain. They tried to hide themselves behind each
+other, or behind the stove, or anything that promised to protect them
+from view, the little band of determined women being between them and
+the door.
+
+Having secured sufficient evidence they determined to prosecute the
+German dealer. They called upon the temperance men to subscribe each
+a small amount, but with one accord they all began to make excuse,
+except two; the merchant pleaded that he had no shutters to his store
+front; the doctor thought it would hurt his practice; the politician
+feared loss of votes; the farmer dreaded a girdled orchard, and it was
+only after long marching and much pleading that $10 was secured to fee
+an able lawyer, who undertook this case for that. The day of trial
+arrived. They went in force to an adjoining town, where the case was to
+be tried before an honorable temperance justice of the peace.
+
+Their witnesses nearly all disappointed them; some, they had reason
+to believe, perjured themselves. The jury retired at nine P. M. One,
+two, three hours passed away, and no verdict. But just as the hands of
+the clock in the county school-house, where the trial took place on
+this Saturday night, pointed five minutes to twelve, the jury appeared
+and announced, amid the most solemn stillness, the verdict, “Guilty.”
+The justice, with an eye on the clock, pronounced the sentence--a
+fine, or imprisonment till the fine was paid. With happy hearts they
+started for their homes, feeling that victory was about to crown their
+efforts. But the authorities did not enforce the collection of the
+fine, and the drinking, gambling, and Sunday desecration continued.
+Again they arrested him for keeping his saloon open on the Sabbath. He
+was tried before a resident justice, a professing Christian. The man
+pleaded guilty, and was fined only five dollars. He was delighted, and
+exultingly paid his fine. Again they arrested him for allowing minors
+to gamble in his house. He was tried before another justice, a man
+who had said he would sacrifice five hundred dollars, and move away,
+if that very house was not closed. The dealer pleaded guilty, and was
+fined three dollars. The man laughingly declared he could well afford
+that, as the previous Sunday he had made from his gaming table thirty
+dollars.
+
+The women were now thoroughly convinced that the men who had so
+loudly talked temperance could not be depended upon. The town board
+had promised to stand by the ladies in their efforts to suppress the
+illegal traffic; but in the first case the fine was not collected, and
+in the other two they were too small to be felt, although imposed
+for grave offences. The next Sabbath the passers-by, on their way to
+church, were pained, as usual, by the open doors, sounds of dice,
+card-playing, and swearing, as though it were all perfectly legitimate.
+As the traffic was sustained by the officers of the law, the ladies
+deemed it unwise to continue the legal work.
+
+During all this time the vile spirit of rum manifested itself in
+lawlessness and deeds of violence. One of the workers was the wife of
+a merchant, who was moving his building from one lot to another. The
+whiskey party gathered near the place; rum flowed as free as water, and
+a fight occurred that beggars description. Infuriated with the vile
+stuff, they seized sticks and clubs, and struck friend and foe alike.
+Women and children rushed to the rescue, and then fled in terror from
+the scene. One mother, who recognized her son among the combatants,
+was with difficulty restrained from going to his rescue. His young
+wife, regardless of the fast-falling blows, rushed to his aid, and the
+poor, beaten wretch, unworthy of so much womanly sympathy, was finally
+saved from what might have been a fearful death. The merchant received
+friendly warning that his building was in danger of being fired. On the
+night of the 3d of July, the whiskey party placed three anvils within
+eight feet of the glass front of this man’s store, and loaded them
+with gunpowder, and fired them, knowing at the time that the husband
+was absent, and that the wife, with her three little children, one an
+infant, was in the house alone. The yell of disappointed rage that
+broke from them as the smoke cleared away, and they found that not
+one of the large lights was broken, made night hideous. About an hour
+later, one man, more noisy than discreet, shouted, in drunken tones,
+“Let’s fire the blind man’s store!” The object of their fiendish malice
+was totally blind, and had been brought up amongst them from childhood,
+and was every way worthy of their respect, his only fault being earnest
+devotion to the cause of temperance. Failing to otherwise injure his
+building, they defaced it by writing, during the night, offensive
+epithets in large letters. On one occasion they bought a keg of beer,
+and built a bonfire in front of his house, and with orgies that would
+have graced pandemonium, drank it to the dregs.
+
+A large stone was thrown through the window of a sleeping-room in the
+house of another member of the Union with such force as to break the
+plastering on the opposite side of the room, and greatly endanger the
+sleepers. Two of these disturbers of the peace reaped their reward
+within a short time. Leaving the tavern intoxicated one dark night,
+one journeyed north, the other south, on the railroad track. One fell
+through the bridge into the dark river below, and his body lay there a
+week before it was known what had become of him. The other was found
+the next morning in a culvert, a mangled corpse, by his own daughter,
+who had been sent by the anxious wife and mother, after a night of
+sleepless anxiety, to search for him.
+
+And still the wives and mothers weep, and watch, and pray, for still
+the fearful work of ruin goes on. The ladies attribute their failure
+to the cowardice and instability of the temperance men, who have made
+their village a reproach and a by-word in the land.
+
+
+PORTLAND, MICHIGAN.
+
+On March 30th, 1874, a citizens’ temperance convention was held at
+Bower’s Hall, presided over by Dr. M. B. Beers. At this meeting Rev.
+A. March, Presbyterian, suggested that the ladies should assist in
+forwarding the cause of temperance. They needed no second invitation.
+A meeting was held the next morning, and the town districted and
+canvassed for names to the several pledges.
+
+April 2d, 1874, a lawsuit against a saloonist for unlawful sale of
+liquors was instituted by the village board. The ladies attended the
+trial. Defendant was convicted and fined $25. When the decision was
+announced, the ladies sang “Glory Hallelujah,” and the criminal joined
+in the chorus. The saloons, hotels, drug stores, and all places where
+liquors were sold, were visited. The front doors of the saloons were
+locked, dealers absent, business seemed to be closed. The man, who was
+tried and fined $25, afterwards gave up the business and signed the
+pledge.
+
+April 14th, 1874, out of a population of fifteen hundred, eight hundred
+had enrolled their names on the pledge. The five saloons in active
+operation at the beginning of the Crusade were all closed; hard cider
+banished from the restaurants, and the druggists pledged to sell only
+for mechanical and medicinal purposes. The women thanked God and took
+courage. Liquors were reshipped or sold by the sheriff. Only one of
+all the saloonists visited talked defiantly and insultingly. He was
+promptly arrested and dragged before Justice A. J. Southard, there to
+answer for his misdemeanor. All his courage forsook him, and under the
+pretence of seeking a witness in the hall, he left the court-room,
+dashed down the steps, and away, and was lost to the court and the
+town. The next day two of the ladies, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Showman, took
+the train in which he was making good his escape. In great terror, he
+thought of jumping from the cars, but was restrained by a friend. He is
+now honestly laboring in an adjoining town for a livelihood.
+
+The effect, however, of the tax law was to revive the hopes of the
+liquor party, and make it more difficult to resist the tide of evil.
+But these noble women are holding the fort, and hopefully persevering
+in their labors for universal sobriety.
+
+ HATTIE E. S. COLE,
+ Chairman of Committee on History of Woman’s
+ Temperance Crusade.
+
+
+HOWELL, MICHIGAN.
+
+A society was organized at this place, April, 1874. Saloon visitations
+followed. At first every door was closed against the women, and
+meetings were held on the sidewalks. No indignities were offered to
+the ladies except at the hotel of Mr. Johnson, but he was arrested
+and taken to prison. After this, the saloon doors were opened, and we
+held meetings in the saloons for ten days, when all the saloon-keepers
+agreed to close. The ladies were bound to believe these promises, but
+every art that wicked men could devise was resorted to, to carry on
+the traffic secretly. When interrogated in regard to the reports, they
+would invariably deny that they were selling. A committee was appointed
+to obtain evidence, and at the session of the grand jury, June, 1874,
+over one hundred witnesses were sworn, and testified to having drank at
+the saloons after the promise was given to the ladies to quit selling.
+Every saloon-keeper in the village was indicted. They were required
+to give bail, and there it ended. A number of suits for violation of
+the law were held before a justice of the peace, E. B. Gregory. All
+were lost by the disagreement of the jury, except one. The board of
+supervisors withheld the fees of Squire Gregory, because he was a
+temperance man.
+
+All hopes of accomplishing anything in this direction were cut off.
+The ladies, though defeated in human courts, were as determined as
+ever. Tracts were written and printed, and distributed throughout the
+town and county. Temperance prayer-meetings and mass-meetings were
+held, a children’s organization was formed, and petitions and pledges
+circulated, and still they work on and pray on, and victory is crowning
+their efforts.
+
+ Mrs. R. V. HUNTINGTON,
+ Mrs. H. G. W. FRY,
+ Mrs. S. T. LYON.
+
+
+ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN.
+
+The ladies began in this town, February 19th, 1874, by sending a
+postal card to each of the saloon proprietors, urging them in the
+name of law and order to cease their illegal traffic, assuring them
+that if they did not do so, more decided measures would be taken. The
+town was canvassed for workers, and on Wednesday morning, March 4th,
+a consecration meeting was held at the Presbyterian Church. From the
+church they marched to Cook’s saloon, and finding the door closed, they
+held their prayer-meeting in the street, singing as their battle-song,
+“We’re listed in the holy war, battling for the Lord;” and, “I’m glad
+I’m in this army.” From thence the band proceeded to H. S. Strong’s
+saloon. Above the door was a black placard bearing the words, “Closed
+for Prayers.” The ladies were admitted, and treated with deference.
+All the saloons were visited. At the close of the week there were two
+less saloons. Another man returned his stock of liquors, and engaged in
+other business. The proprietor of the City Hotel, being notified by the
+owner of the building to cease the sale of liquors, stated that he had
+decided to keep a temperance house. A German saloon-keeper was visited:
+he was very uncivil and abusive, and went on with the sale of liquor
+in their presence. The ladies entered complaint before Justice Babbit,
+and by his own admission he was convicted as a common seller, and fined
+fifty dollars and costs. Other suits followed, seven of them damage
+suits for large amounts. In the meantime the Crusade band continued to
+visit saloons, and hold religious exercises, and by the fourth week the
+saloons were virtually closed. A petition was presented to the common
+council for a prohibitory law, but the council dallied, deferring
+action from week to week; a committee of ladies waited upon them
+with a petition, signed by two hundred of the best citizens, urging
+prompt action, but when action was taken, it was adverse. This gave
+great encouragement to the liquor-dealers. Strong, who had temporarily
+abandoned the business, rented a building, and flaunted from an upper
+window the American flag dishonored by the black token of defiance.
+The ladies visited him, but as he expressed a determination to go on
+with his business, they purchased some of his liquors, and held him to
+trial before Judge Babbit, but being defeated they carried it up to
+the Circuit Court. Strong paid his fine without trial. In a short time
+twelve other dealers reopened their saloons. They were so cautious in
+the beginning, that it was difficult to obtain evidence; but in a short
+time the ladies commenced suit against all in the business; some were
+gained, others lost, or the jury disagreed.
+
+Through all the discouraging circumstances they still maintain their
+work, and pray and wait for victory.
+
+M. T. McMartin, Secretary, prepared the report from which I have
+gleaned this.
+
+
+IONIA, MICHIGAN.
+
+A meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, the 15th March. At
+this meeting it was affirmed that there were one hundred men ready
+to sustain the cause, but when their zeal was put to a test it was
+found there was scarcely one who was true. The ladies organized and
+visited the saloons; some of the saloon-keepers were moved to tears,
+and expressed a regret that they were in the business. One dealer,
+when they asked the privilege of praying in his saloon, said: “If
+there is any of you without sin, let her pray.” The ladies, feeling
+that they were in the right, did not hesitate to offer prayer. One
+prominent wholesale dealer said, that if there were thirty business
+men in the city who desired that he should close his saloon, he would
+comply; others made the same promise; _the thirty men, however, could
+not be found_. The ladies then petitioned the common council: _their
+petition was laid on the table_. Undismayed the ladies then went out
+into the saloons, and forbade the sale of liquor after the 1st of May,
+which so intimidated the dealers, that no liquor was sold publicly for
+several weeks. During the time, agents from liquor-houses visited the
+city, but were unable to sell a single barrel for three months. One of
+these agents offered a prominent lawyer $1,000 if he would desert the
+cause of the ladies, and come out in favor of the saloonists, which,
+be it said to his honor, he steadily refused to do. While liquors
+were not sold publicly, the ladies were confident that it was sold
+with closed doors. They decided to employ a detective; Mr. Willlngton
+C. Page offered his home as head-quarters of this official, and when
+suits were brought against the saloonists, such an excitement was
+created, that Mr. Page was obliged almost to risk his life in behalf
+of the detective. The detective proved to be a failure, which greatly
+discouraged the ladies in their active work; yet their prayer-meetings
+and efforts are kept up, and the subject is kept before the people.
+Three of the saloon-keepers have gone to try the realities of another
+world; two have sold out, and two have abandoned the business.
+
+
+HUDSON, MICHIGAN.
+
+During the excitement caused by the Crusade in Ohio, the women of
+Hudson became interested in the temperance movement, and some time
+in February, 1874, formed a society known as “The Ladies’ Temperance
+Union.”
+
+The object of this society was to develop a better public sentiment,
+and by directing attention to the great evils of intemperance to
+promote the cause of temperance.
+
+About one hundred ladies joined the Union, and worked ardently.
+
+The pastors of the different churches gave their support, and did all
+in their power to help on the good cause. It was soon discovered,
+however, that there was an element of conservatism manifesting itself,
+and many of the workers were influenced by it, and fell away. But there
+was a faithful few, who, believing that this work was not of _man_, but
+of God, worked right on.
+
+The town was canvassed for signers to the pledge. They met with much
+opposition; but about seven hundred signers were secured.
+
+On election day the ladies visited the saloon-keepers, and urged them
+to close their saloons. Some of them did as the ladies requested; but
+when they refused, pickets were left on watch, so that if any did
+drink they would have to do so in the presence of the ladies. At one
+place they were ordered by the proprietor to leave, who gave them just
+three minutes in which to do so. But one little woman, with a good
+stock of moral courage, refused to leave, maintaining that it was a
+place of public resort, and that if her husband and brothers could come
+and stay there, so could she, and she would do so.
+
+Several saloons closed; but one place where they promised to close,
+but did not, the ladies went on picket duty. The proprietor sent out
+for a lot of rowdies, and offered segars free to all who would smoke.
+They smoked until the people outside thought the place was on fire. The
+ladies were asked to leave, but declined to do so unless the saloon was
+closed. Finally, when the men could stand it no longer, the saloon was
+closed.
+
+The ladies entered suit against a saloon-keeper for selling to a
+young man contrary to the prohibition law, and won the suit; the
+saloon-keeper having to pay the fine and costs.
+
+The ladies did not do much saloon visiting, but have quietly worked on
+in whatever way they felt that the Lord called them.
+
+Nearly all owners of real estate signed a pledge not to rent their
+property to be used for the purpose of selling intoxicating liquors.
+One saloon-keeper, on going to pay his rent, and renew his lease, to
+his disgust, found that his landlord had signed the woman’s pledge, and
+could not let him have it. A lawsuit ensued, but the saloon-keeper was
+ejected, and the room thoroughly cleaned and repainted, and the first
+use made of it was for a strawberry festival given by the ladies of the
+Union.
+
+There is a better temperance sentiment here than when the Union was
+organized. The temperance workers are watching and praying for a day
+when the friends of temperance can praise the Lord who giveth the
+victory to those who trust in His almighty power.
+
+
+MORENCI, MICHIGAN.
+
+March 18th, 1874, the ladies organized a Woman’s Temperance Union,
+with their membership numbering thirty-seven, which was subsequently
+increased to over one hundred. After some preliminary work, they began
+to visit the saloons, but the proprietors all refused to sign the
+pledge. These visits to the saloons continued till March 28th, when
+three of the principal dealers signed the dealers’ pledge. There was
+great joy and thanksgiving over this. The next day being Sabbath,
+a praise meeting was held. In the midst of the praise meeting, a
+gentleman arose and said that he had been informed, that in violation
+of their pledges, in less than ten minutes after they left, the
+dealers were selling. One of them was present, and was appealed to.
+He personally denied it, and said that he would rather beg than sell
+intoxicating drink; but afterwards they proved this man guilty of
+selling in violation of his pledge.
+
+The dealers were prosecuted, but the work was greatly hindered by
+unfaithful officers. The women are looking to God, and with strong
+cries and tears are pleading for the overthrow of this traffic.
+
+ Mrs. E. G. DAY.
+
+
+FLINT, MICHIGAN.
+
+A young lady in this city who had consecrated herself to the Foreign
+Missionary work, and was very much beloved for the purity of her life
+and her Christian zeal, coming out of the church one night, just before
+she left for heathen lands, a man addicted to drink accosted her
+and gave her ten dollars. She with others commenced praying for his
+conversion, and shortly afterwards he went to the pastor of one of the
+churches, and with deep emotion asked, “What shall I do to be saved?”
+He was saved, and the church was stirred with interest for others.
+Still no one thought of organizing for the work, until the proprietor
+of the City Hotel sent an invitation for a prayer-meeting to be held in
+his sitting-room. This was regarded as a very peculiar request coming
+from him; the house was considered the lowest place in town--a whiskey
+den. His wife was a Roman Catholic. A lady volunteered to go and see
+if he was in earnest; she found that the invitation was given in good
+faith, and that the wife concurred; an appointment was made for the
+next morning, but when the ladies went to hold the meeting, none but
+ladies were there, and the proprietor could not be persuaded to enter
+the room. Out of this movement grew the Crusade.
+
+A meeting was called, a society organized, and the ladies held a series
+of mass-meetings in the Presbyterian Church for about a week; but on
+Saturday night following these gospel mass-meetings, the church was
+fired by the hand of an incendiary. The people were astonished and
+indignant; they decided at once to commence the Crusade. Their first
+visit was to the saloon where they had held the prayer-meeting, but
+they were not admitted. They went from saloon to saloon day after day,
+until whiskey-selling and whiskey-drinking were exceedingly unpopular
+in Flint. Mrs. C. Morrison bought the stock of liquors of one man who
+was willing to sell out, breaking the first bottle herself. As the
+liquors were emptied into the gutter, a poor, bloated wretch, scooping
+the dirty stuff in his hands, drank it, utterly regardless of the filth
+it had passed through. Some one told Mrs. Morrison she had “paid too
+much for that liquor.” Looking him earnestly in the face, she replied,
+with great composure, “I know that, sir; I should have been cheated if
+I had only paid twenty-five cents.”
+
+One dealer turned his saloon into a temperance restaurant, but was
+still greatly influenced by the liquor-dealers. Prosecutions were
+commenced, but efforts in that direction were found to be useless. The
+ladies are praying and waiting, hopefully, patiently, for the coming
+victory.
+
+ Mrs. E. CLARK, Secretary.
+
+
+LESLIE, MICHIGAN.
+
+The women of this town, aided and encouraged by the pastors of the
+several churches, organized April 1st, 1874. A canvass of the town was
+made for pledges. A petition, largely signed by the citizens, asking
+for a prohibitory ordinance, was presented to the city council by a
+committee of eighteen ladies. It was graciously received, but never
+acted upon.
+
+April 23d, the ladies commenced saloon visitations. Their first visit
+was to Daniel Mitchell’s, who refused admittance, but conducted them
+to his hotel; so their first meeting was held in the Allen House.
+Other saloons were visited during the day. On the 25th, they went
+from the prayer-meeting with the purpose to visit every saloon. At
+the Metropolitan saloon, Mr. Mitchell himself rudely helped each lady
+out of his saloon, but they continued in prayer on the pavement,
+unconscious of the jeering, mocking crowd gathered about them. To
+the eye of faith, to-day, as in Joshua’s time, giants become as
+grasshoppers. At the second saloon, they were reluctantly admitted, and
+allowed to hold their services without violence.
+
+At one hotel, McDaniels, the proprietor, ordered the ladies from his
+waiting-room into the parlor, and did not hesitate to push them over
+some who were already kneeling in prayer. At a drug store where liquor
+was sold in all quantities, the ladies were refused the privilege of
+prayer. Of course the devil was very much insulted, and raged and
+foamed, because his business was interfered with; but the grace of God
+was sufficient for His workers. That evening Mr. Brown, the proprietor
+of the best hotel in the town, sent in a notice, to be read in the
+church, that he had closed his bar. The large audience arose and sang,
+with the Spirit,
+
+ “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”
+On Monday evening, April 27th, every bar was closed, and
+with joyful hearts the workers gave to their God all the glory; for
+the same power that stopped the mouths of lions closed these gates of
+death. But in the midst of victory and thanksgiving, one of our leaders
+and counsellors suddenly became fearful, and full of sympathy for the
+rum-sellers. He feared a mistake had been made on the part of the women
+in not waiting for the rum-sellers to become converted. So he began to
+prophesy that the work would not last, which comforted and encouraged
+the enemy, and brought sorrow and trouble to the friends of temperance.
+But only one saloon continues to sell, and they are laboring and
+praying for its overthrow, and they expect that saloon will be closed,
+if not through the mercies, by the judgments, of God.
+
+ Mrs. HENRIETTA TAYLOR, President.
+ Mrs. PHEBE EARL, Secretary.
+
+
+DOWAGIAC, MICHIGAN.
+
+The work began in this town in the spring of 1874. An organization
+was effected April 24th of the same year. Mass-meetings were held in
+several churches alternately; liquor-dealers were visited, and urged to
+abandon their disreputable business, but with no results. Finally the
+prosecution of liquor-dealers under the prohibitory law was determined
+upon. Ninety-eight temperance men came forward and pledged their
+influence in the movement. A committee of gentlemen was appointed to
+assist the ladies in securing information to convict the law-breakers.
+The prosecuting committee worked with great zeal, but were constantly
+embarrassed, and often thwarted, their persons and property being in
+danger from the cowardly and malicious attacks from the rum-seller and
+the band of ruffians and robbers who stood ready to do his bidding. As
+vigilant and zealous as were these prosecutors, they were more than
+matched by the whiskey-sellers. A rumor was started that the taxes of
+the county would be largely increased by these trials, with a view of
+alarming tax-payers. The following figures from the official records
+will show how baseless this assertion was. The fines and collections
+secured through the Crusade were $803.85; while the costs to the county
+were only $148.02; leaving a balance, $655.83. Thus it will be seen
+that the experiment of enforcing the prohibitory law was not a failure.
+No less than five of those who were selling, when the work began, had
+been effectually closed up, while the others were forced to transfer
+their business to prevent action that would take them to the county
+jail.
+
+The passage of the tax law, which was equivalent to the repeal of
+the prohibitory law, again gave the rum-sellers hope, and once more
+the front doors were thrown open, and the work of death carried on
+publicly. But the women are earnest and hopeful, and are longing and
+waiting for the time when a great people in their wrath shall decree
+the overthrow of rum.
+
+ Mrs. SARAH M. FARR, Secretary.
+
+
+COLON, MICHIGAN.
+
+The ladies of this place went into the Crusade work with heart and
+hope, being well backed up by the men, who promised to furnish money
+for prosecutions, and to protect them from insult.
+
+One instance is worthy of notice. It was town-meeting day, and three
+ladies were sent to the hotel to try to get signatures to the pledge,
+and to persuade those who came in not to drink. Their presence very
+much incensed the proprietor, who sent out for segars and offered
+them free to all who would smoke with him. A number of half-drunken,
+low fellows, complied with his request, and soon the room was dense
+with smoke, but the ladies paid no attention to it. Cayenne pepper
+was then put upon the stove, and, finally, asafœtida. The men coughed
+and sneezed, and had to rush out in self-defence, but strange to say,
+not one lady either coughed or sneezed the whole five hours they were
+confined in the room.
+
+They have succeeded in elevating public sentiment, and know that they
+have effected permanent good in their town.
+
+
+MISCELLANEOUS.
+
+The work of the Crusade was carried forward with more or less success
+in the following towns: Tecumseh, Rockford, Rollin, Clinton, Ann Arbor,
+Hillsdale, Olivet, Mason, White Pigeon, Whitehall, Big Rapids, and Hart.
+
+During the year 1877 Dr. Reynolds labored in Michigan. The work began
+at Adrian, the home of Mrs. Geddes, Vice-President of the National
+Union, who aided greatly in securing its success. Tens of thousands of
+men of all classes signed the pledge and donned the red ribbon. Reform
+Clubs were organized in nearly every town, and such was the enthusiasm
+that followed, and so thoroughly aroused were the masses of the people,
+that the Legislature of the State passed a concurrent resolution, by a
+unanimous vote, thanking Dr. Reynolds for the services he had rendered
+the State, in emptying the jails and almshouses, and in lessening crime
+and disorder. Many of the men who fought against the Crusade, and
+helped to sustain the liquor-dealers, are now pledged temperance men.
+
+Mrs. J. M. Geddes reports nearly two hundred Reform Clubs, with a
+constituency of a hundred thousand; public sentiment strongly on the
+side of temperance; pulpit and press favorable; churches and ministers
+co-operating; unfermented wine almost universally in use; temperance
+societies in a flourishing condition; and reading-rooms connected with
+most of the Reform Clubs.
+
+
+
+
+WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+WISCONSIN.
+
+MRS. S. J. STEELE, Vice-President of the National Union, says:
+
+By the persistent aid of the women of our societies in some localities,
+the voters have been able to elect non-license boards, and there is a
+growing sentiment throughout the State in favor of such legislation.
+The cause has been presented before the State S. S. Convention,
+Congregational Association and State Christian Assembly at Geneva Lake.
+The tone of the press is improving, and churches are more pronounced in
+their advocacy of active temperance work. Five temperance reading-rooms
+are connected with as many Unions, and at Racine a self-supporting
+lunch-room is added; and a boys’ reading-room, which is well patronized
+by the class for whom it is designed.
+
+
+RIPON, WISCONSIN.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. C. B. Woodward, and the Ripon papers, for the
+following facts:
+
+Ripon is a bright little city of about four thousand inhabitants.
+Being the seat of Ripon College, many cultured families had settled
+here to avail themselves of the unsurpassed educational facilities
+afforded by this institution, which, in addition to the usual
+endowments, has an observatory, a fine telescope, and an astronomical
+clock. Like other Western cities, there is a large German element. In
+common with other towns, the blight of the liquor traffic is found here.
+
+Feeling the bitterness of this curse, Christian women had watched the
+progress of the Ohio Crusade with mingled emotions of fear and hope,
+and while it gathered volume and strength, felt that they could never
+engage in a work so unwomanly. Yet conscience whispered, “If God makes
+that work your duty, you will not refuse.”
+
+The ladies responded to a call for a meeting, and preliminary steps
+were taken for the formation of a society. Other meetings resulted
+in the organization of the Ripon Woman’s Temperance League, Mrs. E.
+H. Merrill, of Ripon College, being President. At one of the first
+meetings an invitation from a saloonist was received, for the ladies to
+hold a meeting in his saloon. Volunteers were called for. All honor to
+those who first stepped into the then untried waters, namely, Mesdames
+Harris, Strong, Wirt, Sherman, Jones, Cunningham, and Miss McAssey and
+Miss Chittenden. They went out, as they go who offer sacrifice, and
+those who remained knelt in solemn awe and implored God to protect and
+bless these their sisters. The meeting was successful, for surely the
+presence of the Lord was with us.
+
+Invitations from other saloons were responded to, and the praying
+band increased in numbers, until it counted forty, seventy-five, and
+one hundred. Mrs. Wirt, Mrs. Merrill, and Mrs. Smith were appointed
+leaders. A room on the street was provided, from which, after an hour
+of prayer, the band would issue, two and two, receiving the salutations
+of the brethren who had assembled to pray during their absence,
+and await their return, bringing with them a multitude that always
+followed. Then an hour or more would be spent in singing, prayer, and
+appeal, mostly by the women, who soon found that upon them God had laid
+this work.
+
+Often, the very women who had declared that they could not go to the
+saloons would be seen marching with the band, and kneeling in a saloon.
+Women who had never even tried to speak or pray outside of their own
+homes were moving rough men to tears with words of tender eloquence.
+Every afternoon the city was thronged by eager, wondering crowds; and
+many wept as the consecrated ones passed by, with calm purpose and
+measured tread.
+
+A report for a Milwaukie paper says, March 30th:
+
+“Ripon seems likely to vindicate a claim to be the leader in the
+temperance war in Wisconsin, being the theatre of the first organized
+effort in this State to quell intemperance by what is known as ‘the
+woman’s movement.’ Besides the eagerness everywhere apparent to read
+the latest published accounts, private letters are received from all
+quarters, asking for information on all points.
+
+“It is but justice to the ladies to say, that no woman has violated
+any propriety, on account of which she need, on mature reflection, to
+be ashamed. The saloons, during the meetings, have been crowded with
+rough and unfortunate men, but the ladies have uniformly commanded
+their attention, the larger part of the meetings being given to little
+temperance addresses. During these appeals the attention has been
+absolute, the stillness profound, and eyes that rarely weep have been
+filled with tears.
+
+“A band of ladies kneeling on the street, praying Heaven that the
+venders of liquor would quit their business, while not more than a
+hundred feet from them, on the other side of the street, a crowd of
+excited men are ‘devising ways of baffling the traffic at the polls,’
+is a sight, the like of which few have seen.
+
+“To see these same women enter an underground room, filled with men of
+low desires and aspirations, and with song, prayer, and pleading, in a
+few minutes reduce them to the state of teachable children, standing
+waiting for orders, with their hats under their arms, is a lesson well
+worth the learning. These things are seen here, and a hundred others,
+that no one can tell with the force they carry to the eye. To some,
+these things wear the aspect of sublimity; to others, of fanaticism and
+bigotry. This gentleness and persuasiveness of appeal has re-enacted a
+scene memorable of old: ‘The poor have the gospel preached to them.’
+This one result has probably paid for all the cost thus far. The most
+persuasive and gentle preaching has reached the rudest ears, and if
+some are not reformed, it is safe to say that others will be better
+men for the rest of their lives.”
+
+But some have been reformed, and some converted.
+
+“Another patent result is the effect on public sentiment. Men are
+taking sides in a way to suggest the force of the old Washingtonian
+revival; and many that were before half-and-half on the subject, now
+chivalrously and openly declare for the cause of the ladies. And this
+avowed sentiment is now focussed on the saloons and their incorrigible
+supporters, in such a way as to deal most stinging rebuke. It is known
+that the sample gentlemen are deeply troubled, some of them ashamed,
+and would doubtless quit the business, if they did not hope this storm
+would soon blow over.”
+
+Many young men, and old ones too, feared to enter a saloon, lest two or
+three ladies might call and find them there; and one evening a rumor
+that the ladies were going to make the rounds, was sufficient to empty
+every saloon in the city.
+
+“Mrs. Cook and Mrs. Graham expressed ‘a firm determination to trust
+in God and go forward, even if arrested,’ as was then threatened and
+expected. Gentlemen were in full sympathy, ‘and in a few minutes
+pledged $1,080, and any further amount that might be needed to protect
+and defend the sisters.’
+
+“An enormous mass-meeting was held, which, perhaps, was the most
+extraordinary ever held in this section of the State. Addressed by Mrs.
+Tracy, Mrs. Haire, Mrs. Woodward, and Mrs. Cook. President Merriman, of
+Ripon College, dealt out facts and arguments, right and left, with a
+closing appeal to voters, which will not soon be forgotten.”
+
+A petition to the liquor-dealers, signed by nearly six hundred names,
+was presented to them, but in vain. Pledges for business men were
+signed by many. An intemperate man, “who must stop or die,” signed
+this pledge and was saved. Personal pledges were circulated, and young
+ladies fell into line with their pledges. As the city election drew
+near, the excitement increased. Being shut out of the saloons, on the
+plea “that the ladies were ruining the business,” the Crusaders knelt
+on the pavement, using great care about obstructing the way.
+
+One day a German, with consternation depicted on his pale face, and
+with drooping figure, muttered, while a lady was praying before his
+saloon: “What sall I do? If dese vomans keeps comin’ here I must go
+away!” A druggist, who sold liquor covertly, was literally prayed
+out of the city, and retreated in confusion, selling his stock, for
+“those Amazons had ruined his trade, by making him so conspicuous.”
+The meetings increased in interest and solemnity every day, while
+the streets were thronged with people and teams. The liquor traffic
+decreased seventy-five per cent. The mayor sympathized with the work,
+and insured order by the presence of a strong police force, while
+the band was out, although some of the saloonists encouraged men to
+disturb the meetings, and gave liquor to such as wished, without
+charge. One day, finding that a saloonist was encouraging men to jostle
+and incommode those who were kneeling, two ladies stepped into the
+doorway, at his side. “Sir, will you be kind enough to close your
+door?” He continued to open it, to let men in and out, by thrusting his
+hand behind the ladies. “Sir, shall we pass right in?” “No! No! Mein
+house is mein castle. You go not in. You go not too far!”
+
+“Then please keep your door shut.” He carefully obeyed. At another
+time a respectable (?) man urged his horse upon the band as they were
+marching.
+
+The animal broke the carriage in his frantic opposition to the oaths
+and lash of his master. It was said, “an angel” restrained the horse.
+And his owner declared that “those women would not scare ----!” Not a
+breath came quicker, not a foot faltered, or missed step, but on swept
+the consecrated ones, with placid brows, and gentle mien; and quietly
+the voice of singing and prayer was heard before a saloon underneath
+the hotel owned and occupied by this man’s son.
+
+On election day, April 7th, the Crusaders spent the hours of voting, in
+prayer at their room; and in quietly visiting voters and circulating
+tickets. Two of them called on an old man, sick, poor, and intemperate.
+
+They solicited his vote for temperance; a saloonist and satellite
+enters; one lady retires, and the new visitors speak in honeyed words
+to their victim; while engaged in convincing “Josh” of the importance
+of voting for his liberty and his cigar, a carriage appears at the
+door, and the ladies invite “Josh” to ride. The combat becomes warmer
+and warmer; soon another vehicle appears; this has no lady-driver.
+“Josh” must decide; “Josh” reflects; thinks of the life the saloon
+men have led him, and agrees to vote the temperance ticket. The lady
+and “Josh” ride; they arrive at the polls; the poor man is too weak to
+ascend the stairs; but the ballot-box can go down-stairs to “Josh,”
+which it does, and he deposits a temperance ticket; his last work. The
+Crusaders cared for his comfort a few weeks, then followed him to his
+burial.
+
+A large importation of voters defeated the temperance ticket, and
+whiskey was jubilant.
+
+The new council was visited, and addressed by Mesdames Smith, Wirt,
+Jones, Harris, and Haire, petitioning that body to use its power to
+lessen the liquor traffic in the city. Their pleading was in vain;
+inasmuch as the majority of the city fathers favored the use and abuse
+of intoxicants. Neither could the Crusaders hope for protection as
+heretofore.
+
+But undismayed the ladies continued the meetings before the saloons,
+although greeted with bells, gongs, etc., by the now exultant saloon
+men. Threats of arrests and of riots were frequent. An alderman said to
+one, “I don’t like to have you go where we can’t protect you.” “Sir,
+I call upon you as a city officer to protect me: I shall infringe no
+law.” He advocated license.
+
+The point long mooted of placing a watch on saloons was tested, three
+ladies volunteering to sit in one for fifteen minutes, which they did.
+The proprietor led them out one by one, taking the greatest care to do
+so in the most gentle manner.
+
+Patrols, consisting of ten ladies in each, of seven bands, were
+organized for street work. Many amusing incidents enlivened the work,
+which was continued as long as the heat of the summer permitted. Many
+men lost their morning bitters through vigilance of the early morning
+watch. Many baskets were carried, ostensibly for shavings or groceries,
+long before shop or grocery was open. Men who were out often apologized
+for being on the street so early, and saloonists were kept in a state
+of agony, at the loss of their morning trade, and watched the lady
+patrol from every corner. At one saloon a large dog was ordered to
+guard a piece of meat that was laid on the walk. When the two ladies
+walked close by him, he wagged his tail in recognition of the hand that
+caressed him at a saloon meeting; but he bit the next passer-by.
+
+Eggs were dropped from upper windows, but failed to hit. Dirty water
+and sprinklers were got ready, but failed in execution. Threats of
+pitfalls and broken limbs were heard, but no one was injured.
+
+Early in the work pledges of $10 were solicited from ladies, and about
+$700 was obtained, with which a room was rented and furnished for a
+free reading-room. Papers and good popular reading were provided, and
+the library of the Young Men’s Christian Association was loaned to the
+room.
+
+A gospel temperance meeting was instituted in the reading-room, in the
+winter of 1875, and with few interruptions has been continued with
+increased interest until the present time. An open meeting is held
+under the leadership of Mrs. Woodward, with Mrs. Sherman, singer. Young
+Christians who like to “_sing for Jesus_,” kindly assist in vocal and
+instrumental music, winning the attention and presence of many Sabbath
+loungers.
+
+During the last year, a record of requests for prayer, with their
+answers, has been kept. God has honored this record by answering
+seventy-five per cent. of the requests written there. On one occasion
+three men requested the leader to record their conversion, in answer
+to petitions placed there. Mention might be made of men reclaimed
+and converted, of saloons obliterated, and of noisy demonstrations
+silenced; but it is enough to say, that earnest Christians utter the
+prayer of faith, taking God’s promises just as they are given: and they
+find them “yea and amen.”
+
+A Band of Hope was organized in the spring of 1875, which soon numbered
+about 200 members, and is a pleasant and profitable meeting for the
+children.
+
+The Crusade is still moving on, though constantly changing in mode
+of work and action. The principle is active, and, like the woman’s
+“leaven,” will permeate the whole mass of human thought. The
+reading-rooms, the social organizations, the gospel meetings, and bands
+of hope, are all necessary branches of _one noble work_.
+
+Men and women of to-day can never stand where they did three years
+ago. Public sentiment has been and still is fast deepening and
+widening--each day receiving new additions of light and power. The
+growing and alarming necessity of _cleansing_ the fountain, of
+legislating on the great sin and curse of the times, is now freely
+acknowledged.
+
+“The evidences of the Crusade cannot be obliterated.” Its full results
+can never be estimated in earthly numbers, or sketched with mortal pen,
+but must be left to eternity to disclose.
+
+
+MINNESOTA.
+
+Mrs. M. J. Hackett, Vice-President State Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union, reports:
+
+Local Option prevails in Minnesota. The tone of public sentiment and of
+the press is favorable to temperance.
+
+The Sons of Temperance and Good Templars have organizations in all
+towns of any considerable size. Reform Clubs have been organized during
+the past five months in all the large towns, and there are a few
+Juvenile Temples.
+
+The Woman’s Christian Temperance Unions in the State number 271;
+$1,009.35 have been raised by the local Unions; two temperance
+reading-rooms have been established, and three petitions circulated. In
+the Sunday-school 17,000 children have been pledged.
+
+The main work of the year 1877 has been done through Mr. Thomas N.
+Doutney, brought here by the Women’s Unions. Never before has there
+been such activity in the cause.
+
+In towns settled by Americans there is usually a public sentiment
+in favor of temperance, and in larger towns, since Mr. Doutney’s
+work began, the prevailing feeling inclines toward Prohibition. The
+Sunday-School Temperance League now numbers 17,000, having obtained
+7,000 pledges the past year.
+
+
+IOWA.
+
+Mrs. J. H. Stevens, Vice-President, reports:
+
+Seventy-five auxiliary Unions. The total membership is 2,000.
+
+Seven thousand four hundred and seventy-one have signed the pledge
+since 1876; thirty juvenile organizations have been formed, with over
+3,000 members.
+
+Over $2,000 have been raised by the Unions; $247 paid to the State, $38
+to the National Society. There are twenty Temperance Reading-Rooms, one
+Friendly Inn or Coffee-House.
+
+Mrs. M. J. Aldrich has been employed as State Organizer. The Reform
+Clubs are multiplying. These are doing a grand work--searching saloons
+and emptying whiskey-barrels. They know just where to find and how to
+deal with whiskey.
+
+Petitions have been prepared and circulated widely. Frequent
+conventions and mass-meetings have been held; public conventions by
+reformed men; temperance sermons by the clergy; weekly temperance
+prayer-meetings--all these efforts have been made not without success.
+
+The Conferences of the M. E. Church have been visited, also of the
+United Brethren, the Presbytery, the Congregational State Association,
+the State S. S. Assembly, the State Medical Society, and the State
+Agricultural Society, all with success and encouragement, save the
+last-named.
+
+As a rule, unfermented wine is used in the churches for communion
+purposes. The Good Templars are actively engaged in the work.
+
+Taken all in all, the cause of temperance in Iowa has gained
+twenty-five per cent. since 1876.
+
+The Secretary reports:
+
+A correct record of the results of the Crusade in Iowa must include its
+influence upon the legislation of the State.
+
+The law is nominally prohibitory, but beer and wine of home manufacture
+are exempted from this prohibition. Municipal corporations are,
+however, allowed to regulate or prohibit the sale of these liquors.
+In those sections of the State where the women have been most earnest
+and persistent, there the law has been the most clearly prohibitory,
+and its execution the most thorough. In some instances women in large
+numbers have gone to the courts during the process of suits brought
+under the liquor law. They have sat quiet listeners, while men who were
+sworn to defend the constitution and laws of the State of Iowa have,
+with oily tongue and plausible speech, “justified the wicked for a
+reward.” But judge and jury, by the presence of Christian women, have
+been reminded that they were responsible to the Higher Law, and that a
+day of final reckoning wilt come, in that court from which no appeals
+are taken.
+
+In one instance the women had been instrumental in the prosecution of a
+druggist who was known to sell to minors. They attended the trial in
+large numbers. In order to put them to inconvenience, and to obtain a
+trial before a justice more favorable to the liquor party, the druggist
+took a change of venue to a justice of the peace who held his court in
+a little farm-house some four miles from the county-seat.
+
+Thither, through rain and mud, the women went. During the progress of
+the trial, one witness, hardly more than a boy, denied ever having
+taken a drink at the place in question. A comrade who had drank with
+him, and was astounded at his wilful perjury, sprang to his feet, and
+with livid face and trembling lips exclaimed: “Oh, Charley, how can you
+lie so?”
+
+The scene in that little room, that was _supposed_ to be a court of
+justice, was mockery. Faces paled and hearts stood still, as the
+terrible lengths to which this iniquity will carry its allies appeared.
+But the scene changed in a moment: conscience was silenced--appetite
+and avarice regained the reins.
+
+“The wicked flee when no man pursueth.”
+
+In one little town, where a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union had been
+organized, and in much fear and trembling had held one meeting, the
+whiskey men had nominated an unprincipled man for mayor. Hearing of the
+women’s prayer-meeting, they withdrew the nomination, saying, “We never
+can elect that man if the women are going to work.”
+
+
+MANCHESTER, IOWA.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. J. H. Stevens for the following report of work:
+
+As we met for our monthly missionary meeting the first week in
+January, 1874, a lady presented a paper containing an account of a
+wonderful temperance work just commenced by the women in Hillsboro’,
+Ohio, remarking that she did not know as it would be appropriate for
+the occasion; to which the president replied, “It may aid us to do
+missionary work at home, perhaps as much needed as in heathen lands;”
+and her heart leaped for joy, as in memory she went back thirty years
+to a little hamlet among the Green mountains of Vermont, where she went
+out to solicit aid to clothe some poor children for the Sunday-school.
+Everywhere she met this response: “D., and G., and A. ought to be made
+to clothe them, for they take all the earnings of their fathers for
+_rum_.” In reply she said, “Let us tell them to their faces what we say
+behind their backs: it may do more good.”
+
+We wrote a petition, obtained the names of nearly every woman in the
+place, then carried it to the dealers, and with favorable results.
+
+Some twenty-five years later, she tried to do the same work in
+Manchester, Iowa, her new home; here her heart was pained at the havoc
+whiskey was making in society, especially among the young. She wrote
+petitions to the dealers entreating them to give up their deadly work;
+she asked aid in circulating them, but the ladies all said, “It will do
+_no good_,” and for want of faith the petitions had lain by for five
+years; yet she still trusted that God would, in his own time and way,
+open the way for effectual work to save the poor inebriates who were
+thronging our streets.
+
+And, now, most welcome was the intelligence that women in Ohio had
+dared to declare war with the monster intemperance. We read it with
+deep interest, and decided to present it next day at our Ladies’ Aid
+Society; we did so, and after consultation we agreed to meet in the
+parlors of the M. E. Church, to prepare for action. After organizing,
+one of our first resolutions was, that we would work as Providence
+opened the way, seven days in the week, and fifty-two weeks in the
+year, against this demon.
+
+We prepared a petition to the dealers, praying them to desist from
+their terrible work. A committee was appointed to canvass the town for
+signatures, but just here we were met by this difficulty: can we ask
+the dealers to give up their lucrative business, for which they have
+paid their money into the public treasury, when we are sharing the
+benefit of their ill-gotten gains? We wrote a second petition to the
+city council, imploring them to receive no more _license money_ into
+the public treasury, thereby making us responsible for the crimes we
+had aided them to commit. We obtained one hundred and thirty names
+to this petition, and went _en masse_, about fifty, to the council,
+then in session, and presented it. They were surprised, but treated us
+courteously, referred our petition to a committee, and there it rested.
+
+A committee of eight ladies was appointed about the 1st February, 1874,
+to carry the first petition, containing a long list of names, to the
+dealers, some ten or twelve in number, some of whom gave us hope of
+success and all treated us kindly.
+
+From this time we held daily and weekly prayer-meetings, and
+mass-meetings often, the clergy and most of the Christian men
+co-operating with us, which aroused an opposing element, and frequently
+the battle waxed warm; for while we petitioned, prayed, sung, and
+published in the press, we also prosecuted many for violating the law.
+
+Toward the last of April, 1874, encouraged by the success of others,
+we decided to go _en masse_ to the saloons, petition, sing and pray,
+which we did frequently, until about the middle of May, when nearly all
+of the dealers, who had not unconditionally surrendered, said if the
+suits pending could be withdrawn, or favorably settled, they would quit
+the business. Amicable arrangements were made, and the women sung the
+doxology over their conquests.
+
+But we soon learned that our foe was not to be conquered so easily;
+avarice, appetite and law united to give their power to this dragon.
+The liquor interests outvoted us.
+
+The council agreed to resuscitate the beast with deadly wound, and it
+was not long before it seemed invigorated afresh to plot and execute
+more hellish deeds than ever. This called for faith and patience on
+the part of the workers; some faltered, but a faithful few toiled on,
+believing that if we could not remove the difficulties, perchance we
+might undermine their defences; if we could not close the saloons or
+save the drunkard, we might save the children and youth. Our hearts and
+hands have often been strengthened and encouraged, as we have welcomed
+trophies from the ranks of the enemy.
+
+We have now a flourishing Band of Hope, a lodge of Good Templars, and
+last but not least, a Reform Club, numbering more than one hundred and
+sixty; for all these things we thank the Lord. But we have learned
+by past experience that it is not safe to _stop_ to rejoice over
+victories, while the enemy is still in the field, lest while _we wait,
+they work_, and by-and-by we have no victories to rejoice over.
+
+May we each and all so fully share the Divine anointing, that, through
+our instrumentality, many may yet be saved, and the enemy be forced
+from his last hiding-place, the protection of law.
+
+
+WILTON JUNCTION, IOWA.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. S. B. Rider for the following facts:
+
+When the Crusade movement reached us, a mass-meeting was called, and a
+committee of six ladies appointed as leaders to canvass the town, which
+was under whiskey rule. The town had about 1,600 inhabitants, with five
+saloons in _good running order_.
+
+The question of a petition for an ordinance of prohibition was warmly
+discussed. Public opinion was for license, as far as could be discerned
+by human eye, and having had some experience a year or two previous
+in trying to get a petition before the council, we thought to wait on
+the mayor and other members of the council, asking them if they would
+support such a measure. They finally assured us that if we could get a
+majority of _legal voters within the city limits_, to sign a petition,
+asking that the license ordinance be repealed, a prohibition ordinance
+should be granted.
+
+Resting on the honor (?) of the honorable board, our committee
+thoroughly and carefully canvassed the city, and much to our surprise,
+and greatly to our joy, we found, on comparing the list of the number
+of voters enrolled, that we had a large majority, and these names, in
+nearly every case, had been cheerfully given to the petition.
+
+We carried with us a pledge, which we also presented with the petition,
+receiving many signatures. We visited the saloon-keepers, presenting
+both petition and pledges, which were refused. We asked them if they
+could be induced to give up the business. Some of them promised to
+consider the question, others told us to go home and get dinner for our
+husbands.
+
+When the time arrived for presenting the petition to the mayor and
+council, a party of forty ladies marched double-file to the council
+chamber, followed and supported by a number of our best citizens, as
+well as by many others. We were courteously received by this honorable
+body, and Mrs. I. K. Terry addressed them, presenting the petition
+signed by the voters. Much to their chagrin the council found, after
+investigating every name, a large majority in favor of prohibition.
+“_Sold_,” was plainly depicted on every face, for they had pinned the
+committee down to the small point of legal voters inside the city
+limits, not thinking we would succeed. However, they promised to grant
+the petitions, voting on it while we were present, and then the ladies
+retired.
+
+A few months must yet pass before the licenses already granted would
+expire. So we prayed, worked, and hoped on, only to be insulted by
+three of the licenses being granted the 1st of August.
+
+When we inquired what it meant, the mayor said he could never get
+a quorum when they wanted (?) to discuss the subject. Albeit, the
+recorder, who was the only one who stood by his word, wrote the
+ordinance, signed it, but the mayor always had something else on hand
+when it was presented. An indignation meeting was held, and the board
+were loudly denounced, even by members of their own party, for all the
+voters knew of the promise given to the ladies.
+
+Our vigilance committee was on the alert during the summer, and one of
+our druggists was indicted for selling liquors to minors, but we failed
+to do anything with him.
+
+Hoping to secure a temperance council in the spring of 1875, our ladies
+met in caucus with the gentlemen, nominating such men as we thought
+would work for the welfare of the community.
+
+On election day five brave women held a prayer-meeting in a room above
+the ballot-room, then adjourned to the street to work for their ticket,
+which they did faithfully all day, others joining them. But at night
+the license party had a majority of _one_, and that was afterwards
+confessed to be illegal. But our temperance men did not take interest
+enough to contest the election, so it went by default, and so until
+last spring (1877) we were under whiskey rule.
+
+I must not forget to tell you of an amusing incident that occurred on
+that election day. The leaders of the license party were making every
+effort, buying votes in every imaginable way, while I must say, to the
+disgrace of the temperance men, the women worked _alone_. A wealthy,
+drinking, license man, not knowing the ladies were at the polls,
+undertook to support by his arm, a poor, bruised, and degraded Irishman
+to the polls, walking slowly and confidingly by his side, until within
+a few steps of the window where they cast ballots, when, to his dismay,
+he discovered the ladies in groups, with hands full of tickets,
+handing them out to the voters. He stared in amazement, and all at
+once comprehending the situation of affairs, he dropped the poor man’s
+arm, and suddenly disappeared around a corner, leaving the Irishman
+bewildered on the walk, with not a friend to explain, and with a mind
+too much muddled by drink to carry his ticket to the box. Suffice it to
+say, neither were seen at the polls that day. Quiet reigned about the
+polls all day, and we were treated with the utmost respect.
+
+Last March the license party divided, and so we have a temperance board
+now.
+
+
+VILLISCA, IOWA.
+
+Early in January, 1876, the ladies secured the services of Brother
+Murphy. About five hundred signed the pledge; a Reform Club was
+organized; and, on January 5th, a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,
+with forty-four members.
+
+We secured a building that had formerly been a saloon, adjoining
+another one; and what had once been the house of midnight revelry was
+now a house of prayer; and over the _same counter_ coffee and lunch
+were given by temperance women, the ladies taking turns in keeping the
+room open evenings.
+
+We remained there until the saloon-keeper’s license had run out, and he
+could not renew, as we had a no license board. Then we secured a more
+eligible place, on the public square.
+
+There was a man led to sign the pledge through the instrumentality of
+our Union, who would not go to hear Mr. Murphy. A few of us went to
+his house, held a little prayer-meeting, after which he and his family
+signed the pledge, and he has kept it; and now the home that was once
+so desolate has many comforts.
+
+We secured the passage of an ordinance removing screens from saloon
+doors and windows; and when that was done the billiard saloon left,
+that had been selling sweet cider.
+
+Our Reform Club is a healthy one, the Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union and Juvenile Society acting in concert. We have now one thousand
+names to the pledge. Although this year we have a license board
+(secured by illegal votes), yet we hold our ground.
+
+We have one hundred and twelve volumes in the library.
+
+We have raised in money, since organization, near $250. We hope we have
+sown seed that in after years may spring up and bear an hundred-fold.
+Reported by the society.
+
+
+VINTON, IOWA.
+
+I am indebted to M. E. Gaston for the following report of work:
+
+The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized April 17th, 1874.
+The attendance was good, and much interest was manifested for several
+months.
+
+We did not crusade any, but called on persons to desist from renting
+buildings for saloons, and persuaded venders to quit the business.
+
+We canvassed the town with the pledge, and secured many names. There
+were ten saloons in full blast. The prayers offered by our Christian
+men and women were fervent, but still the traffic was carried on in
+defiance of the temperance sentiment.
+
+Our society thought prayers and works combined might mitigate the evils
+surrounding us.
+
+By this time the enthusiasm of the majority had died out, and a small
+number of praying women resolved to enforce the liquor law of our State.
+
+At one drug store the liquor was emptied in the street. Two others we
+prosecuted, but found it impossible to find witnesses or lawyers to
+crown our efforts with success.
+
+The temperance sentiment was gaining ground, and the city council
+ordered a vote to be taken, and by a small majority it was decided not
+to license saloons. One saloon-keeper moved outside the city limits,
+and the balance quit the business. But Satan always finds workers: beer
+clubs were formed to evade the law. We employed counsel to close the
+beer traffic.
+
+At the expiration of the first year, another vote was taken, and
+a large majority again decided against license. Our town of three
+thousand inhabitants had gained a reputation for sobriety and morality
+over any other county-seat in eastern Iowa.
+
+In the meantime, a new city council, after three months of power,
+ordered another vote to be taken, and a majority decided to raise the
+city revenue by licensing the soul-destroying evil to curse us again.
+We all felt this to be unjust, but what could we do?
+
+Three saloons were opened.
+
+We have raised $800 for the prosecution of our work. We have had a
+reading-room open for one year, hoping to save the young men from the
+evil associations of the saloon, and create a higher standard of morals
+in our vicinity.
+
+Our organization still exists, with about twelve earnest, praying
+women, who, with the eye of faith, still look to God and hope for good
+results. God’s promises are sure.
+
+
+CLINTON, IOWA.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. M. B. Young for the following facts:
+
+In the month of October, 1873, the women of Clinton were moved in
+spirit to organize a temperance society, with Mrs. J. E. Foster as
+President, and named it the Woman’s Aid Society for the suppression of
+intemperance.
+
+Our city was cursed by the illegitimate sale of intoxicating drinks,
+and the women thought they could--better than the men, who had their
+business interests--pursue these saloon-keepers with the lash of the
+law. We met weekly, and prayed much, as well as discussed matters
+connected with the work we had taken in hand. During this year, and
+in 1874, we brought charges against several saloon-keepers, and got
+judgment against them. We also held mass-meetings to stir the people,
+and create a temperance sentiment. We attended court while poor,
+distressed wives were trying to get damages out of saloon-keepers for
+selling whiskey contrary to law to their drunken husbands, and in
+nearly every case the saloon-keepers were punished.
+
+About this time we had a committee wait upon the judge, expressing
+desires that the full extent of the law should be meted out to
+offenders. The same committee waited upon the district attorney, urging
+upon him the necessity of seeing that the papers were promptly served
+upon these criminals. Of course all this had the effect of enraging
+saloon-keepers and their sympathizers, who threatened desperate things.
+And indeed about this time our President, Mrs. J. E. Foster, who is a
+lawyer, and was engaged in several of the prosecutions, had her home
+burned down in the night, and she, with her husband and children,
+escaped only with their lives. It was supposed to have been the work of
+an incendiary.
+
+We circulated a petition, which was largely signed by our citizens,
+asking our city council to repeal the license on beer and wines; and
+although our petition was not answered, still it got a respectable
+hearing, and they doubled the license. This was a questionable
+improvement, but it showed that sentiment was rising, and they must
+consider it.
+
+In 1875, our meetings were not so well attended, and our society
+relaxed effort, a good many of the members getting discouraged at not
+making more manifest progress; but a few held on, and in the fall of
+that year they concluded to send for Mr. Murphy. The ladies rallied,
+canvassed the city, carried bills to every house, urging people to
+come out and hear this temperance apostle. The result was, the largest
+hall was filled to overflowing, and hundreds could not get in. He gave
+three lectures, and a wonderful awakening followed. After paying all
+expenses, we had a fund left, with which we opened a reading-room, on
+the 1st of January, 1876. We received donations of books, pictures, and
+some furniture, as well as journals and papers from citizens. During
+winter, we kept it open all day and evening; in the summer, evenings
+only.
+
+In February of this year (1876) we adopted the constitution of the
+Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, and also its name, since which time
+we have been auxiliary to the State Union.
+
+Our system of raising money was by districting the city, and appointing
+collectors to solicit monthly subscriptions for the support of the
+reading-room. This, with an occasional public meeting for its benefit,
+has been sufficient for all purposes.
+
+Mrs. Foster found it necessary, on account of having to be much out of
+town, to resign her position, and Mrs. Brindell took her place.
+
+We keep a pledge-book in the reading-room, in which over 600 names have
+been signed. Some have broken and renewed their pledge, but very many
+have been reclaimed, who prove steadfast.
+
+We have not done much saloon visiting, but we have distributed tracts
+through the saloons, as well as through the city. We also got our Iowa
+temperance law printed, and distributed it, to enlighten the people as
+to what power they already possessed to hold in check the saloon-keeper
+in his heartless work of selling drink to minors and drunkards.
+
+The ministers have greatly encouraged us, by frequently preaching
+temperance from the pulpit, especially before elections. Religious
+service is held every Sabbath in the reading-room. Since we opened the
+reading-room, January, 1876, until August, 1877, we have received in
+money $658.91.
+
+We still meet once a week for prayer and consultation, and once a
+month for business. With all our labor, saloons still thrive, and men
+go down to drunkards’ graves, while “moderate drinkers” hurry in to
+fill the gaps. We intend to labor on, and as the years roll by, the
+temperance public shall learn more and more how to utilize this power,
+and every hand, as well as every heart, shall help to turn the current
+of sentiment in favor of total abstinence. But until then we must watch
+and wait, labor and pray.
+
+
+MISSOURI.
+
+Mrs. Mary M. Clardy, Vice-President, W. N. C. T., reports:
+
+The law of the State is for license, and the press is anti-temperance.
+The attitude of the political parties is also opposed to prohibition
+and temperance legislation.
+
+The churches and clergy seem lukewarm, in their advocacy of active
+work, though during the past few weeks, owing to the presentation of
+the interests of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union before several
+religious bodies, the outlook is more hopeful. In Missouri, as in
+all Southern States, public sentiment is strongly against the public
+work of women, and this is an embarrassing feature in the effort to
+establish Unions throughout the State. During a recent Sunday-School
+Convention, one gentleman having a large supervision of Sunday-school
+interests, laid down the law of the land, that a woman might be allowed
+to teach an infant class in the Sunday-school, but must not speak or
+pray in public.
+
+Still, temperance women are not utterly cast down, but promise hard
+work for God and temperance.
+
+Two friendly inns at St. Louis, not under the care of the Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union, are well sustained, and prayer-meetings are
+kept up at these places with good attendance and results. Thus far,
+individual effort, alone, has thrown its tiny pebble at the giant,
+Intemperance, but organization is sure to be the outcome.
+
+[Illustration: MRS. MARY C. JOHNSON,
+
+First Recording Secretary Woman’s National Christian Temperance Union.]
+
+
+CARTHAGE, MISSOURI.
+
+The Crusade in Carthage was a success. The rage of the saloon-keepers,
+and the results, moral and political, all indicated it.
+
+For more than ten weeks the good women of that little city, led by
+Mrs. H. R. Miller, wife of the Methodist pastor, carried the battle
+to the enemy’s gate. Almost every evening they held meetings at the
+saloons, singing, praying, reading the Scriptures, sometimes addressing
+the crowds themselves and sometimes securing the services of ministers
+to preach.
+
+They suffered nameless and almost innumerable indignities. At their
+first appearance they were assaulted with tin horns blown in their
+faces, _which horns were bought and paid for by the mayor of the city
+for that purpose_. A saloon-keeper caused fiddling and dancing by
+roughs, while the women sang and prayed before his saloon. Another
+with a force-pump and hose threw water by the barrel on them, while
+they sang and prayed in the street before his establishment. The
+women protected each other as well as they could, some standing over
+the praying woman, and taking the water while she prayed. The storm
+was braved heroically, and they, undismayed, retired. They were also
+assaulted with stones, good and bad eggs, but still they persevered,
+and success attended their work. As they could not be suppressed with
+violence, the mayor and council undertook the work by law. They enacted
+an ordinance forbidding them to pray on the sidewalks, and requiring
+them to go ten feet from the sidewalk into the street. They obeyed;
+sang and kneeled in the mud in the street. But the indignation of the
+citizens at the action of the council caused them to meet together the
+next morning and repeal the ordinance.
+
+Three weeks more passed, and such was the success of the work of
+the women that the council met and passed an ordinance forbidding
+singing, praying and preaching on the street, on any week-day or
+night, without consent of the mayor, under penalty of from twenty to
+one hundred dollars fine for each offence. This the women regarded
+as an act striking down their dearest liberties, and they raised the
+standard of revolt. The same evening of the passage of the ordinance,
+fourteen ladies, accompanied by Revs. Miller, of the M. E. Church, and
+Pendleton, of the Baptist Church, moved to a saloon and sang, after
+which Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Dr. Wilson prayed. They were then arrested
+and marched to the police judge’s office, whither they went, singing:
+
+ “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”
+
+Their names were taken, and all released to appear next morning for
+trial. They proceeded to the street, moved in front of a saloon,
+commenced singing again, and were immediately arrested. The ladies were
+then tried, but released on a technicality, which also bore on the case
+of the ministers, but was overruled. The indignation of the masses was
+aroused at the base treatment of the women, and the authorities dared
+not fine them in consequence, as they declared their intention to go
+to jail rather than pay a fine. They continued to sing and pray on the
+street. The council repealed the ordinance, and the good work went on.
+It was thought that the county, on a direct issue, could be carried for
+temperance. A powerful temperance sentiment was created by the work of
+these women.
+
+
+
+
+CALIFORNIA
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+The friends of temperance in this State, after a long and earnest
+conflict, secured the passage of a Local Option law by a decided
+majority.
+
+This law provided that on the call of a certain number of voters a
+special election should be held and a vote of the town be taken, for,
+or against license. At several points signal victories had been gained;
+the temperance women of the State giving active aid and sympathy to
+the cause. Sallie Hart, a young lady of San Francisco, of unusual
+ability and irreproachable character, was very active and efficient
+at the temperance meetings and at the polls. Her life was threatened,
+and she was warned to desist or suffer the consequences. But she was
+too heroic to quail before the enemies of her country and her race,
+and in the conflict that followed she came near losing her life. The
+very same class that has for years committed outrages on the Chinese
+would have torn her to pieces if it had not been for the courage and
+untiring efforts of the police, and a brave band of temperance men and
+order-loving citizens.
+
+The first great victory was at Oakland. This city is one of the most
+beautiful places in California. It is situated just across the bay from
+San Francisco, and is embowered in flowers, and shaded with live oaks.
+These beautiful trees are always fresh and green. It had become a city
+of elegant residences, but the beer-trade was ruining it, property was
+depreciating, and the property-owners were almost unanimous in the
+desire to banish the drinking-saloons.
+
+Oakland was the third city of the State. After doing all they could do
+preparatory for the contest, the women went to the polls and worked all
+day. Their methods were novel and taking. They had a large tent, where
+a free lunch was spread. Tea, coffee, and everything that was elegant
+and inviting were provided. Barrels of ice-water were at hand, so that
+no man should have an excuse to go to the drinking-saloon to quench his
+thirst.
+
+Bushels of bouquets were in readiness, and ballots “_Against License_”
+in hand, and all who would accept the ballot got a bouquet and a
+pleasant “Thank you.”
+
+The liquor men were confident that they would have a _large_ majority,
+but the ladies turned the tide, and a victory for temperance was gained.
+
+A grand mass-meeting was held in their tent in the evening, and the
+temperance people and the property-owners of Oakland were jubilant. The
+Saturday following, the ladies went in force to Brooklyn, a neighboring
+town, and aided in gaining another victory. The work went on gloriously
+throughout the State.
+
+Dr. Jewell, of Howard Street M. E. Church, San Francisco, preached a
+stirring sermon from the text: “Rise up, ye women that are at ease,
+hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear to my speech.” Isa.
+xxxii. 9; with a view to arouse the women for work in that city.
+
+On the 2d of July, 1874, an election, under the provisions of the
+Local Option law, was held in the proverbially quiet town of Alameda,
+California.
+
+I gather the following facts from well-authenticated accounts:
+
+“During the day of the election, the place was invaded by an army of
+men from San Francisco, organized in the interests of liquor, who, by
+mob-violence, took possession of the streets and avenues to the polls,
+and committed the most outrageous insults to American citizenship, both
+to men and women, that have ever yet been known in all the history of
+the State.
+
+“From the course pursued by the organized liquor interest in San
+Francisco, under whose auspices the outrages at Alameda seem to have
+been committed, it is evident that the liquor interests of our whole
+country have combined to resist _all_ law, social, moral, and civil,
+whenever and wherever such law interferes with their degrading business.
+
+“The _facts_ of the Alameda outrages ought to be made known to every
+citizen of the State and the country. They show, as nothing else has
+ever shown, the animus and purpose of the ‘whiskey interest.’ Sensible,
+sober people, want to know the truth.”
+
+The _Evening Post_ dared to publish the facts. It has exposed the
+falsehoods so widely circulated, and has denounced the outrage and the
+perpetrators in leading editorials of great force and merit.
+
+
+THE REIGN OF TERROR INAUGURATED.
+
+ _The scene as described in the Chronicle and Post next day._
+
+“Not far from the middle of the day, the train from San Francisco
+arrived and deposited upon the street one hundred and fifty members
+of the San Francisco German Saloon-Keepers’ Society, headed by the
+United States Fourth Artillery Band. Instantly it was seen that there
+was trouble ahead. The delegation was composed mostly of young and
+irresponsible men.
+
+“They at once formed in line, and being joined by as many more already
+in the street, they started for the polling-place to the music of the
+band. When the procession dispersed, a large throng at once crowded
+on the corner near the polling-place. ‘Down with Sallie Hart!’ they
+shouted, and at the same time pressed in around her. Fortunately
+several powerful gentlemen happened to be near her, or she would
+inevitably have been crushed in the excited mass.
+
+“‘Go home, you little red-head!’ ‘Get out of this, and go home!’ was
+the cry. The crowd pressed, and swore, and hooted, and yelled, and
+shrieked. ‘Down with her!’ ‘Drive her off the street!’ ‘Give her a
+kiss; that’s what she wants!’ ‘Don’t let her speak!’ In vain did the
+poor girl cry, ‘For shame, gentlemen!’ In vain did her few friends
+surge, and squeeze, and try to force an opening for retreat. In vain
+did the police shout and brandish their clubs. The crowd only hooted
+and howled their insults all the more. Finally, a narrow passage was
+made, and through it the girl was half-dragged into an adjoining store.”
+
+Thence, after a few moments, she was escorted by a strong cordon of
+police and temperance men to the ladies’ tent. The crowd caught sight
+of her as she left the store, and at once surged and pressed around,
+their yells and gestures increasing each moment in violence. Slowly the
+young lady and her escorts made their way to the tent, unable to resent
+or stop the torrent of vile epithets which assailed them. Once inside,
+Sallie sat down almost exhausted, but the crowd were not satisfied.
+They yelled fiercely, “Take Sallie Hart home or we’ll tear down the
+tent!” “She shan’t stay here!” “Say, you old Gibson; take her home,
+do you mind, or we’ll kill her.” With these remarks, the vast throng
+shook their fists and swore they wouldn’t quit the spot until Sallie
+Hart and every other woman had promised that they would not again show
+their faces. The temperance men, headed by Dr. W. R. Gibbons, Dr.
+Densmore, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Hurlburt, and others, at once took measures
+to protect the tent and the ladies in it from violence. A strong force
+of police was instantly summoned, who drew a rope around the entrance
+and endeavored to keep the excited crowd outside.
+
+One old lady of at least sixty years, with silver-gray hair, splendid
+black eyes, and a commanding figure, ventured out in the belief that
+her age and appearance would command an outward show of respect. She
+took a bundle of No License tickets and a small bouquet, and got as
+far as the street, near the polling-place. The hooting crowd made for
+her and she was surrounded in a twinkling. “Go home, old woman,” they
+shouted; “go home and mend your husband’s breeches!” Then followed a
+series of yells and groans and cat-calls, interspersed with cries of
+“Sour kraut,” “Limberger,” and “Go it, old granny!”
+
+Whenever the old lady would open her lips to speak, she would be
+instantly set upon, and her voice completely drowned. But she held out
+bravely. Mounting a piazza, her great black eyes flashing with the rage
+of a pythoness, she hurled defiance at the jeering crowd and tried to
+shame it into decency. One man filled his cheeks with tobacco-smoke and
+blew it into her face. Another spat on her dress; a third trod on her
+feet, and all pushed and jostled her in a most unmanly way. Finally,
+when some one in the crowd hurled an atrociously obscene epithet at
+her, the old lady burst into tears and shrank away in disgust.
+
+About half-past two o’clock a litter was rigged behind a building,
+a five-gallon demijohn placed on it, and alongside the demijohn was
+laid an effigy of Sallie Hart, dressed in black. In the mouth of the
+demijohn was stuck a stick, from which flew a black flag. The litter
+was lifted to the shoulders of a crowd of men with evergreens in
+their hats. An immense procession was formed, and preceded by the
+band playing the “Dead March in Saul,” it marched back and forth in
+front of the temperance tent, amid the hooting and jeering of the
+multitude. An effort was made at this time to drown the din by singing
+the Hallelujah chorus, but the effort was a lamentable failure. The
+funeral procession marched to a pile of sand near the tent, where, amid
+the waving of hats and hoarse cheers of the throng, the “body” of Miss
+Hart was prepared for interment. The litter was lowered to the ground,
+a hole dug, and then, strict silence being enjoined, Louis Kehlmeyer
+intoned _a burlesque of the Catholic burial “service.”_
+
+The _Evening Post_, on the day after election, contained the following:
+
+The brutal outrages perpetrated by German whiskey men, who went over
+to Alameda yesterday, and insulted, mobbed, and drove off ladies
+who had as much right there as themselves, will arouse a feeling of
+indignation in the heart of every right-thinking American citizen.
+California has always been noted for her chivalry to women, and every
+Californian’s face must burn that such an outrage has been perpetrated
+in a California town. Things have come to a pretty pass when a lot of
+vile brutes who have no respect for womanhood themselves, can publicly
+insult ladies in the grossest manner; compel them, under threats of
+violence, to get out of their way, and openly burlesque the most solemn
+ceremony of a Christian church.
+
+Our laws, and the American sentiment, which is deeper than all laws,
+guarantee to every woman who conducts herself in an orderly and decent
+manner, immunity from insult and outrage. To the American mind there is
+in womanhood a sacred right and essential privilege, recognized even by
+the lowest and most brutal, which gives to every woman exemption from
+insult and outrage. This sentiment the brutal wretches who insulted
+and drove off the ladies at Alameda, yesterday, appeared to have
+defied with deliberate intention. How far the general association of
+liquor-dealers may have been responsible for it we do not know; but the
+German Liquor-Dealers’ Association, which went to Alameda in a body,
+and their fellows on the ground seem to have deliberately made up their
+minds to drive off the ladies by whatever stretch of brutality was
+necessary. One of the Germans had a double-barrelled gun, with which he
+marched in the procession, and several of them had pistols. One lady
+said that a man in the crowd spit upon her, and another that she had
+liquor thrown in her face. Another lady was seated in a buggy when the
+whiskey men marched past her with the black flag, which they placed
+over the grave that held Sallie Hart’s effigy; and one of them shook
+the flag in her face and said, “Death to temperance!”
+
+Judge J. Russell said he had been in California, and had travelled a
+good deal in it, having roamed over the coast in early days, from this
+city to the mouth of the Columbia river, and visited many of the mining
+camps. He had never seen so rough a crowd as was present at Alameda.
+Mr. N. A. Hillyer said the obscenity was frightful.
+
+“I took an old lady by force from the crowd, and put her into the
+barber’s shop for protection. I saw men poke sticks under the old
+lady’s dress and raise her clothes as she stood on a tea-box before the
+mob. I also saw the mob bury Sallie Hart in effigy, and the black flag
+rising above the grave. I heard profanity and obscenity from the mob.
+I have been in all kinds of society, in Catholic and Protestant lands,
+but I never heard anything like the profanity used on that occasion. A
+pistol was drawn on me for remonstrating against license.”
+
+
+STATEMENT OF REV. O. GIBSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO.
+
+At the Alameda election, from morning till night, the air was
+filled with profanity, obscenity, and the most outrageous insults
+to pure American womanhood--not by citizens of Alameda, but by the
+representatives of the “German Liquor-Dealers’ Association,” of San
+Francisco.
+
+From twelve o’clock to three P. M. I remained in front of the
+temperance tent, aiding the friends in efforts to defend the women
+in the tent from being overrun and outraged by the howling mob which
+surrounded and threatened them. At three o’clock I passed, quietly
+and alone, to the office to send a telegram. On coming out of the
+office, I was at once surrounded by a large crowd, who seemed to be
+waiting to take the cars. My presence was the signal for howls, curses,
+and threats, such as: “Gibson, the old rooster, send him home.” “Go
+home, d--n you.” “You don’t vote right.” “We don’t want you here.”
+“We Germans be the most intelligence peoples.” “You Yankees be d--d
+fanatics,” and so on. I did not undertake to discuss the question with
+such a crowd. But they pressed upon me--one man from behind kicked
+me, another struck me, and then an effort was made to push me down. At
+last, the police succeeded in opening the crowd, and I passed out.
+
+The crowd followed, howling, for the distance of one whole block; then
+the police succeeded in getting me into a store, and I passed through
+and escaped out of their hands.
+
+On returning to San Francisco, per four o’clock boat from Oakland,
+attended by five other persons, some of whom had only been to Oakland
+on business, a party of the Alameda rioters followed us in the streets
+of this city, up as far as the post-office, with jeers and cat-calls,
+making such a demonstration as to call many people to the shop doors to
+see what was going on.
+
+Mr. J. N. Webster, in the _Post_, of July 9th, says:
+
+Mr. John Gunn, one of our best and most respected citizens, had his
+coat torn off his back because he dared to advocate the right.
+
+Sallie Hart remained on the field, doing all the good she could, until
+there were _certain signs_ that they intended to kill her, when she was
+taken away.
+
+William F. Kellett, in the _Post_, of July 12th, tells us:
+
+At Alameda, on last Thursday, scenes were enacted which are absolutely
+unparalleled in the history of our elections, and with which the
+opinions of the parties therein had nothing whatever to do. Yet in some
+of the papers not a single word of censure has been uttered, while some
+have actually justified them. That murder was not committed was because
+the threatened did not dare to lift a hand, while other things were
+done which would almost have justified the death of the offender on
+the spot, and which I cannot name, however remotely.
+
+
+AFFIDAVIT OF OFFICER KRAUTH.
+
+I told the reporter about the crowd hooting and yelling, and trying
+to get into the ladies’ tent, and endeavoring to create a disturbance
+all the time, and trying to pick quarrels with the people and police.
+I told him that the rope around the tent was cut seven times, and gave
+him other information of a similar character. From the time the San
+Francisco crowd arrived, there was one continuous scene of disgraceful
+riot, until they left, late in the afternoon. I believe there were two
+trains of cars, with eight cars each, all filled with people, who came
+from San Francisco and Oakland; and we had but fifteen officers to try
+and preserve order. It was impossible to arrest anybody, owing to the
+crowd, and all that we could do was to prevent fighting. I have read
+the report of the occurrences at Alameda on the day of the local option
+election, as published in the _Post_, and it is substantially correct.
+
+ F. K. KRAUTH, JR.
+
+Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 13th day of July, 1874.
+
+ SAMUEL S. MURFEY, Notary Public.
+
+These outrages passed unpunished, and the whole liquor force rallied
+against the Local Option law. They were not willing that majorities
+should rule, but determined to force drink, against the express will
+of the people, upon them, and compel the protesting legal voters and
+tax-payers to submit to a depreciation of the value of their property,
+and support the paupers and criminals, the result of their traffic.
+
+They therefore carried a case to the courts, and obtained a decision,
+that _the Local Option law was unconstitutional_. A wide-spread opinion
+prevailed at the time that the court was corrupted; but there was no
+redress. Nothing was left but to work, and pray, and wait, till the
+public sentiment was strong enough to master the rowdyism of society,
+and hurl from power the officials that truckle to the base demands of
+the liquor oligarchy.
+
+
+OREGON.
+
+I gather the following thrilling facts from a published account by Mrs.
+F. F. Victor:
+
+A meeting was called at the Baptist Church, Tuesday, March 10th, to
+consider the methods used in the Crusade movement. From this time
+on, meetings were held daily, morning, noon, and night. The subject
+of temperance was discussed from every possible standpoint, and,
+after much thoughtfulness and prayer, the ladies decided to visit the
+saloons. The gentlemen organized a society to assist the ladies.
+
+On the 17th of March, a printed appeal was sent to the liquor-dealers,
+copies of which, in large type, were posted around the city. The
+ministers of the town, Revs. Medbury, Baptist, Atkinson and Izer,
+Methodist, and Eaton, Congregationalist, by frequent and stirring
+addresses, and in every possible way, assisted the ladies.
+
+The first visit to saloons was made in small companies, two and two,
+going quietly. In most of the places they were politely treated, Mr.
+Moffett being the exception. Two elderly ladies, mothers in Israel,
+called at his door to leave the dealers’ pledge, when the brutalizing
+influence of the liquor business upon those who sell was conspicuously
+exhibited. When they entered, Mr. Moffett, on the alert, without giving
+them time to announce their errand, seized them each rudely by an arm,
+and thrust them into the street, exclaiming, “Get out of this. I keep a
+respectable house, and don’t want any d--d wh--s here.”
+
+Long and earnest prayers had given these women a preparation which Mr.
+Moffett had not calculated on. Mrs. Reed, one of the two thus insulted,
+turned and looked up over the door to ascertain what sort of a place,
+kept by what sort of a man, this might be, and the name struck her with
+horror.
+
+“Walter Moffett!” she exclaimed. “Can this be Walter Moffett? Why,
+Walter Moffett, I used to know you; and I prayed with your wife for
+your safety, when you were at sea years ago!”
+
+“I don’t want any of your d--d prayers; I want you to get out of this,
+and stay out. That’s all I want of you. I don’t keep a wh--e house.”
+
+If any suppose it does not require an utter consecration to prepare
+pure-minded ladies to encounter such base and ruffianly assaults as
+these, they are in error; for the most patient and persistent laborers
+in this field are meek and quiet Christian women, who have seldom or
+never spoken aloud in their own churches; humble women who have never
+essayed to lead in anything, not even the fashions.
+
+After this quiet canvass, the ladies visited the saloons in force.
+Often the saloons were closed against them, and they were compelled to
+hold their services on the street. This only brought them the larger
+audiences. Often, too, they were assailed by abusive language, and even
+roughly handled. This, too, opened the eyes of many to the brutalizing
+effects of drink, and led them to declare, that if that was what
+whiskey brought men to, they would never drink another drop.
+
+At the Oregon Exchange very often, when a visit from the ladies was
+anticipated, some ridiculous or scandalous performance was gotten
+up, to divert them from their purpose; such as a man fantastically
+dressed, _a la_ negro minstrels, dancing, drinking from a bottle, etc.
+One of the worst places visited was kept by two women. With these the
+ladies felt they must succeed. On their second visit, as the ladies
+approached, one of the women flew in a rage to close the door; the
+other woman objected, and they were admitted. One of them was penitent,
+and listened tearfully to their words, and promised to lead a different
+life.
+
+At one German saloon the proprietor rushed out when he saw the ladies
+coming, and swinging his arms and shaking his fists in the most excited
+manner, exclaimed: “Vot you vant here? You shust go vay! Get off mine
+sidevalk! Vat you come here so mooch, braying and singing, and making
+my license so pig? You shust go vay! I vill not haf it! Vat you vant?
+You make a church of mine house! Ruin mine pizness! No, no, you can do
+dat; you moost come here no more. You shust come here vonce more, you
+vill see vat I vill do mit you! My Piple says you moost not bray on de
+street corners, but you moost bray at home. You go home to bray.”
+
+The band commenced singing a hymn, and the irate German retreated
+into his saloon. As they were passing on, he gazed after them as if
+horror-stricken:
+
+“Vell if dere is not a burty young girl mit dose vimmen! Vot a shame!”
+Probably, he thought, a hurdy-gurdy house a better place for a “burty
+young girl” than “mit dose vimmen.”
+
+At the more respectable houses they were treated with civility, and
+were allowed to hold services in the saloons and the billiard rooms,
+and no drinks were sold during their stay. But from the beginning of
+the Crusade, the opposition of the liquor-dealers, both wholesale and
+retail, was steady and united. Secret meetings were held from time to
+time to consider the most effectual means of combating the growing
+temperance sentiment. The loss of money and the loss of reputation
+was the burden of their complaint. What transpired in these secret
+sessions can only be judged by the plans they adopted publicly. It
+seemed to fall to Mr. Moffett’s share to try the effect of fire,
+water, and noise, in “abating the nuisance of prayer and singing.”
+On one occasion, when the ladies visited the Web Foot saloon, Mr.
+Moffett made such demonstrations as drew about them a great crowd of
+people and obstructed travel. This was just what he desired, as it
+gave him an excuse for calling in the police, who were ordered to
+disperse the crowd, meaning the women. One of the officers, acting on
+the instructions given him, began not only to order away the women,
+but laid violent hands on them, and, without respect to the gray hairs
+of some, pushed them rudely about, bruising the shoulder of one lady
+against the post of the awning.
+
+As they were compelled to yield to force, without a word of
+remonstrance they started back toward the church. But one lady put her
+arm through the officer’s arm, and told him with much firmness, that if
+_she_ went, _he_ should go too! to which he was constrained to submit.
+The occasion was improved to the edification of that officer, who was
+met at the church and confronted, not with Crusaders only, but a goodly
+number of indignant friends.
+
+The next day they were out as usual, and were arrested before the Web
+Foot saloon, and taken to the city jail, where they spent a couple of
+hours in prayer and song, to their own refreshment, and the delight of
+the other prisoners. Counsel was not lacking who volunteered to defend
+them. A special session of the court was called, Messrs. C. W. Parish
+and H. Y. Thompson appearing for the accused. After a hearing of the
+complaint, Judge Denny decided that there was no ordinance under which
+they could be held, saying, in substance, that had there been such an
+ordinance it would have been illegal, as the Constitution of the State
+of Oregon and of the United States permitted every person to worship
+God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
+
+The arrest of the ladies created, of course, a strong feeling of
+indignation in the community among their friends, and rejoicing among
+their enemies.
+
+On the afternoon of the 16th of April, 1874, the Crusaders, sixteen
+in number, paid another visit to the Web Foot saloon. But no sooner
+had they appeared in front of his place, and asked permission to pray
+and sing there, than Mr. Moffett blew his policeman’s whistle, and
+by means of gongs, drums, hand-organs, etc., collected a large crowd
+which soon entirely surrounded them; in this situation they maintained
+their calmness and endeavored to carry on their devotional exercises.
+The noise of gongs and drums, tin cans and hand-organs, together with
+the murmurings and shoutings of the mob, was so great that they were
+not heard even by themselves. But still they sang and knelt in prayer,
+keeping a serene and joyous trust in God.
+
+The scene which was then and there enacted rivalled pandemonium. Many
+of the friends of the ladies anxious for their safety hurried to the
+place, augmenting the crowd already collected, thereby increasing
+the apparent danger. A large proportion of those present were street
+idlers, some of them roughs and blackguards; but even the roughest,
+if not intoxicated, felt the course Mr. Moffett was taking to be
+uncalled-for and outrageous, and were disposed to fight in behalf of
+the women.
+
+The ladies, on their part, could not be heard, even in remonstrance.
+To escape from the crowd would have been nearly impossible, if they
+had made the effort. But they did not make the effort. Their faith in
+the protection of God, and His very presence with them, never wavered.
+Although they could not communicate with each other, because of the
+roar and clamor of the mob, each one of them felt so firmly impressed
+with the sense of security in Divine assistance, that not one of them
+betrayed or felt any fear. Pistols and knives were drawn, furniture
+thrown about, and windows broken. One lady was struck by a tumbler
+thrown out of the saloon, and another had a pistol held at her head by
+Mr. Moffett himself.
+
+This strange scene was prolonged from half-past two o’clock in the
+afternoon until six in the evening--until the gong-beaters, drummers,
+and organ-grinders had become exhausted, and the mob was weary of
+its own riotousness. When the way was cleared, the ladies took their
+leave, having endured for three and a half hours such things as would
+commonly have driven them mad with fright, or caused them to faint or
+go into convulsions. If there are those who do not believe in Divine
+interposition in certain cases, here is a problem for them to solve.
+
+More than one man that day was convinced of his sins; and quite a
+number of drinking men declared themselves converted to temperance,
+simply by witnessing the depths of degradation to which the habit of
+selling liquor could bring a man.
+
+The wife of an Irish drayman said to a friend of the Crusaders, “My
+husband is a drinking man, and many is the dollar he has spent at
+Moffett’s, but he says he will never buy another glass at that place.”
+
+Among the children whom Mr. Moffett was trying to press into his
+service was a little son of one of the Crusaders. Being told to beat
+a drum, he took the sticks and threw them among the crowd. On being
+threatened with punishment if he did not recover them, he ran in among
+the crowd as if to look for the lost sticks, but instead made his way
+to his mother, who was kneeling in prayer, and remained by her side
+until she left the place.
+
+It may be asked, what were the police doing all this time?
+
+On the previous occasion Judge Denny had dismissed the complaint, so it
+seemed of little use to arrest the ladies, and they allowed Mr. Moffett
+to conduct his riot in his own fashion.
+
+On the following morning they visited the saloons, and in due time
+appeared before Mr. Moffett’s; immediately a crowd was attracted to
+the spot in expectation that the scenes of the day before would be
+repeated. But they were disappointed. Mrs. Moffett was there with one
+of her children, and no disturbance was raised. She appealed to the
+ladies to leave her husband to his own ways; but was met by an eloquent
+counter-appeal by one of the band, whose father had perished by drink,
+and whose son, though carefully reared, was on the road to ruin from
+the same cause.
+
+At half-past eleven, Chief-of-Police Lappens appeared, bearing a
+warrant, which, upon being shown to the ladies, they obeyed by
+accompanying him to the jail. An immense crowd followed to the very
+entrance of the building, to which the Crusaders gave no heed, but
+entered, singing,
+
+ “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”
+
+At one o’clock P. M., the court convened. The usual dock was filled
+with ladies as well as half the usual audience-room outside the bar.
+The charges against them were made by Mr. Moffett, for “wilfully and
+unlawfully conducting themselves in a disorderly and violent manner, by
+making a loud noise, and creating a disturbance whereby the peace and
+quiet of the said city was disturbed.” _Mr. Cronin_ was Mr. Moffett’s
+counsel, and Messrs. Parish, Northrop, and Shoup defended the ladies.
+This, as will be seen, was a charge made by Mr. Moffett himself, who
+had prepared for and conducted the riot himself, while the ladies stood
+as silent witnesses of the scene. Mr. Cronin opened the case. Mr. Gibbs
+responded. He said processions had marched through the town, blockading
+the streets; the gospel had been preached to listening crowds at the
+street corners; Chinamen had come out on the public thoroughfares,
+beating gongs, exploding fire-crackers, and making hideous noises; and
+for all this there never had been an arrest. It would be shown that if
+the peace and quiet of the city were disturbed, that they did not do
+it; that they broke nobody’s window, harmed no man, woman, or child,
+and that they were not responsible for the beating of gongs, or the
+sounding of trumpets, and the hooting and howling of disorderly men.
+
+Moffett was the first witness. I can only give a part of his testimony.
+Being cross-examined, he said:
+
+“There was a great crowd, probably a thousand persons, two or three
+fights took place, and a man was stabbed. At the time the disturbance
+was going on, the women sung very loud.”
+
+“But did you see the defendants do anything?”
+
+“They would not move when I asked them.”
+
+“What were you doing?”
+
+“Trying to keep the peace.” (Laughter.)
+
+“Did you have a pistol to keep the peace with?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“Now I ask you if you did not have a pistol in your hand at the time
+this occurrence took place?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Then when you stated a while ago that you did not have a pistol, you
+did not state what was true?”
+
+“I did not have it to keep the peace with, but for protection; they
+were stealing my property.”
+
+This is a sample of Moffett’s testimony.
+
+Allen Griffith testified for the defence, to having seen Moffett’s
+barkeeper, Good, throw water, by means of a hose, on the sidewalk, at
+the saloon, while the ladies were present; also saw Good in a row--saw
+him close to the ladies.
+
+Mr. Shoup.--What was he doing at that time?
+
+Witness.--One of the times when he was particularly near to them he was
+holding a gong within a few inches of a lady’s ear, and beating it very
+loudly. I saw him lift her veil at one time.
+
+C. H. Williams spoke of having been attracted to Moffett’s saloon,
+April 16th, by the noise of gongs and drum-beating.
+
+Mr. Cronin (Moffett’s attorney).--Was your wife among the ladies that
+day?
+
+Witness.--She was not; I only wish she had been.
+
+Mr. Cronin asked Thomas A. Royal, of the Portland Academy, another
+witness, if he had counselled the women not to go to Moffett’s saloon.
+
+He answered: “I have not, but I have asked my wife to go.”
+
+This, though a small part of the testimony, will show the drift of the
+trial, which lasted four days. The testimony was clear as to the pure
+moral character and good behavior of the women; the speeches for the
+defence of the women were able. The case was one of the clearest that
+ever went before an American jury.
+
+Judge Denny briefly charged the jury, reminding them that all they were
+called upon to decide, from the evidence, was, whether the defendants
+were guilty, as charged in the complaint, of wilfully and unlawfully
+making a loud noise, whereby the peace and quiet of the city was
+disturbed. They were also advised that it would be their duty to give
+the prisoners the benefit of any reasonable doubt. The jury was out
+several hours, but returned with a verdict of “guilty,” but recommended
+to the merciful consideration of the court. Upon the request of Mr.
+Parrish, the judge consented to stay sentence till the next morning, to
+give defendants time to file a motion to arrest judgment. The motion
+to arrest judgment being overruled, the ladies presented the following
+protest:
+
+“_Your Honor_: We do protest against any sentence being passed upon us,
+for the following reasons:
+
+“1. That the verdict was contrary to the testimony, and to the charge
+of your honor, in that the testimony clearly shows, by numerous
+witnesses, that we were quiet and orderly in the midst of disorder and
+confusion. To such an extent did some of us preserve quiet, that we did
+not so much as open our mouths, either in song or in prayer, as your
+honor will observe by referring to the testimony.
+
+“2. We, as temperance women, do earnestly protest against being
+sentenced on the finding of a jury composed in part of liquor-dealers,
+who, according to the words of their oath, had already prejudged us.
+
+“If we may be allowed to mention the work in which we are engaged, we
+should like to do so. The crime being supposed to be in the intent, we
+would remind your honor that the husbands and fathers of the land are
+being stricken down on every side by this vile traffic against which
+we wage war, and that the sons of the land are so beset by temptation
+that very many of them fall early into a drunkard’s grave, and many
+more who live on, but live to disappoint the fond hopes which are
+centred in them, and which, but for this fell destroyer, they might
+fulfil. These evils, your honor, are not in far-off lands, but at our
+own doors, as that wife can testify, who a few months since went to a
+prominent saloon in this city and plead with the proprietor to sell her
+husband no more liquor, as her life was in danger whenever that husband
+came home under its influence, and she was coldly told: ‘O, well, if
+I do not sell him liquor some one else will.’ Of that other wife whose
+twenty years’ experience has deprived her of everything the heart holds
+dear, ‘but her trust in God,’ whose husband can go and keep the books
+at this same saloon, and Saturday night take his pay in this cursed
+fire-water, and go to his home to make it such a hell upon earth that
+the children must be sent from the house and the wife remain in terror
+of her life. Such instances are not rare; and it is in behalf of these
+suffering sisters that we act. We have not power to amend the laws; but
+since the day when woman was first at the sepulchre, it has been her
+conceded right to pray, and this right we claim as inalienably ours.
+
+“The jury have kindly recommended us to mercy; we ask no mercy--we
+demand JUSTICE.”
+
+
+THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION.
+
+The judge, with evident embarrassment, replied that the jury had been
+fairly and “impartially selected in accordance with law.” He also took
+occasion to advise the ladies not to attempt to overcome the evil they
+were warring against by such means as they had been using, but to go to
+the “fountain head.”
+
+The penalty was five dollars fine each, or one day’s imprisonment. The
+ladies refused to pay the fine or allow the gentlemen present to pay
+it for them, electing to go to prison. They were shown to their common
+apartment in the jail, and gave up their only weapon, their Bibles.
+There was an indignation meeting in one of the churches that night, and
+between eight and nine o’clock, fearing the people, an officer came to
+the jail and rudely ordered them to leave. The ladies hesitated about
+going out into the darkness alone, expressing a preference to remain,
+to which he replied, “I’m boss here; you leave.” Thus thrust out, they
+made their way to the church. The first intimation the audience had
+of the release of the ladies was their presence in the church. Such
+enthusiastic cheering took place as had never been heard within those
+walls. When the tumult had subsided, some of the ladies made short
+addresses, in which they recounted the circumstances of their dismissal
+and their hesitating flight.
+
+The Crusade work continued without any abatement of zeal. The
+liquor-dealers held meetings to devise means to protect their rights.
+Their doors were closed, and the women met with universal coldness
+and hardness. Mr. Moffett persisted in his open insults, treating the
+ladies with great personal indignity. At last forbearance gave way,
+and Mr. Moffett was arraigned for insulting conduct toward Mrs. H.
+B. Stitzel. The case was tried before Justice Ryan, with a jury of
+liquor-men. Mr. Moffett was discharged. Another complaint was entered
+by Mrs. Alice Fain, for assault, by making her ill by burning some
+poisonous substance in her face. In both these cases Mr. Moffett was
+defended by E. A. Cronin, who seemed to be inspired by the spirit of
+his employer, and grossly insulted the ladies by telling them, in his
+speech, that he believed they were as base and corrupt in heart “_as
+any woman in this town, no matter what her calling or character_.” The
+jury in this case, which was tried before Justice Crich, consisted of
+four liquor-men and two Germans. Moffett was again discharged.
+
+An enthusiastic meeting of ladies was held, and able speeches
+were made, and published. The better class of citizens, and the
+Congregational Church, in council, gave the Crusaders their formal
+indorsement. In the meantime the usual work of visiting the saloons
+went on; petitions were circulated; and public sentiment thoroughly
+aroused.
+
+On the 18th June, the mayor approved an ordinance, which had been
+secured mainly through their influence, raising the license from $50 to
+$100 per quarter, and requiring $1,000 bonds to keep orderly houses,
+with some other restrictions. This aroused the liquor-men to still
+greater opposition. One gentleman, whose wife was connected with the
+Crusade, was notified to take his wife off the street or suffer the
+loss of his business, through the enmity of the liquor association.
+“Very well,” he replied, “it took a higher power than I to place her on
+the street, and it will require a higher power to remove her. If you
+want to ruin my business, you can try it. I will certainly fight yours
+as long as I live.”
+
+But they had many kind words, and much to encourage them in their
+difficult work. Mrs. A. C. Gibbs arose in a ladies’ meeting one day,
+and told the Crusaders, for their encouragement, that during a visit
+to Puget Sound, from which she had just returned, she had learned,
+to her surprise, that the temperance movement had produced the best
+effects over there. In a conversation between the captain of a Sound
+steamer, and other gentlemen, it was asserted that the liquor traffic
+had fallen off one-third; that he knew it by the less amount he carried
+on his boat. Also, that whereas all the men on his vessel used to take
+their grog, none of them did so now; and that a drinking-stand, kept on
+one of the wharves for the express convenience of this class of men,
+which used to make a profit of twenty-seven dollars a day, dwindled
+in its receipts to three dollars, and finally closed. Such a fact was
+certainly encouraging, as a result of four months of labor, no matter
+how arduous.
+
+
+MURDER IN A SALOON.
+
+On the Saturday evening immediately preceding the city election, at
+nine o’clock, a certain lady was reciting to the audience at the church
+an incident that came under her notice four years previous, of a
+woman’s shooting a man in a Portland saloon because he failed to vote
+as he was instructed, after having been furnished free drinks for a
+month at her place.
+
+Almost at that very moment, a murder was being perpetrated in a place
+of similar character, but under somewhat different circumstances. In
+this case the woman had only given the murderer drugged liquor enough
+to make him either stupid or crazy. Unfortunately it had the latter
+effect, and to save herself from his pistol she had called on the
+police, and officer Schoppe entering at the moment when the deadly
+instrument was raised, was instantly shot fatally, and fell.
+
+Here was a pointed example, if such were wanting, of the criminality
+of the saloon business. It _might_ be made use of to influence the
+election on Monday. But it was not; because it happened late Saturday
+evening, and on Sunday, at one o’clock, the man was buried out of sight!
+
+
+THE ORDINANCE AGAIN.
+
+When the new councilmen came in they found the ordinance increasing
+liquor licenses signed by the mayor, and ready to go into effect with
+the commencement of the quarter beginning July 1st. An effort was
+immediately made to get an ordinance passed reducing licenses to their
+former rates; but this was prevented by the mayor, two of the old
+councilmen and one of the new.
+
+Then followed a petition from fifty-six liquor-sellers and eighty-seven
+others, to have licenses reduced to fifty dollars per quarter, and
+such pressure brought to bear upon the council that the mayor notified
+the temperance people that unless they sent in a counter-petition, the
+council might not be able to withstand it.
+
+Accordingly a counter-petition was circulated, and one hundred and
+thirty names obtained, of the heaviest tax-payers in the city, who were
+_not_ liquor-dealers. Both petitions went before the council. That same
+evening an ordinance was passed and approved by the mayor, reducing
+licenses to fifty dollars! It contained, it is true, some provision for
+bonds being given; but how soon may we look to see even that repealed?
+
+What is this power of whiskey that makes men disregard everything else?
+
+An attempt was made to pass a law against singing and praying in the
+street, but it was not successful. The council did, however, ordain
+that no drinking-houses should be kept by women. I add the names of the
+noble women of Portland, who consecrated themselves to this work, and
+pursued it so successfully, notwithstanding the apathy of the masses,
+the corruption of the courts, and the ruffianism of the saloon-keepers:
+
+Mrs. M. A. Mitchell; Mrs. Helen Sparrow; Mrs. J. H. Reid; Mrs. Jane
+Pierpont; Mrs. J. S. Briggs; Mrs. Josephine Ritter; Mrs. A. R. Medbury;
+Mrs. Catherine Sparks; Mrs. Mary C. Holman; Mrs. M. Quackenbush; Mrs.
+G. Shindler; Mrs. Maggie Wilson; Mrs. Charlotte Jean; Mrs. S. D.
+Francis; Mrs. H. V. Stitzel; Mrs. Rachel Clark; Mrs. L. F. Turner;
+Mrs. M. E. Sutherland; Mrs. E. C. Hall; Mrs. E. Watkins; Mrs. W. B.
+Fain; Mrs. E. O. Corson; Mrs. N. S. Swafford; Mrs. Dr. Atkinson; Mrs.
+G. W. Izer; Mrs. J. Smith; Mrs. T. F. Royal; Mrs. Lucy Patton; Mrs. J.
+F. Jones; Mrs. W. P. Jones; Mrs. E. Richards; Mrs. Kimberline; Mrs.
+Lillie; Mrs. J. R. Robb; Mrs. M. M. Smith; Mrs. Emma Morgan; Mrs.
+Murray; Mrs. Connell; Mrs. J. A. Robb; Mrs. L. L. Bond; Mrs. Lizzie
+Fletcher; Mrs. J. F. DeVore; Mrs. O. B. Gibson; Mrs. Dr. Sawtelle; Mrs.
+Wm. Roberts; Mrs. Benj. Thomas; Mrs. L. Blackstone; Mrs. A. Allen;
+Mrs. F. Pierce; Mrs. J. Stitzel; Mrs. A. Hurgren; Mrs. G. W. Traver;
+Mrs. Morris; Miss J. Pumphrey; Miss L. A. Mitchell; Miss Mary DeVore;
+Miss Orra Sparks; Miss Sarah Sparks; Miss Olive Padget; Miss Mary
+Harrington; Miss Mell Cranston; Miss Marion Francis; Miss Ida Francis;
+Miss Helena Holman; Miss Mary Test; Miss Eliza Richards; Miss Edith
+Sutherland.
+
+
+NEW JERSEY.
+
+The work in this State began in the city of Newark, April 16th, 1874.
+
+Newark was the largest town in the State, and a stronghold of the
+liquor traffic. But the fire kindled there has spread from town to
+town, till the whole State rings with the watchword of the Woman’s
+Temperance Union--“_New Jersey for Christ and Temperance_.”
+
+
+NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.
+
+The call that brought the ladies together was anonymous; but though
+thus unexpectedly called to face the responsibility of the temperance
+work in a great, wicked city, they were too loyal to God and the cause
+to hesitate.
+
+They prepared themselves for the work by a special and entire
+consecration, and waited before God for an open door, and the voice of
+command.
+
+The work came to them in a most unexpected manner. At the close of
+one of their meetings, a forlorn, miserable-looking sort of a man
+came dragging his feet along just within the door, and tumbled into
+the chair that was near, being then somewhat under the influence of
+liquor. After sitting a few moments, he arose with some difficulty
+to his feet, and commenced speaking quite indistinctly, as if rather
+talking to himself. The first words that could be understood were, “I
+am a poor, miserable, lost, wretched and drunken engineer, and I am
+drunk now; do you think that I can be saved?” He then went on to tell
+of his dreadful life, how for over twenty years he had been drinking,
+ruining himself and family till he had become a worthless vagabond,
+and was lost and ruined both soul and body forever. While standing in
+a half-bent attitude describing himself and his wretched condition,
+in most piteous tones, the heart of every individual who had remained
+there was melted in sympathy. He said he did not know why he came into
+that room, or how he came there, but that a conviction of his guilt
+and ruin came over him the moment that he entered it, and while thus
+speaking, he commenced to sob and weep aloud, saying: “Will you pray
+for me?” Trembling and excited he got on his knees, and in the agony of
+despair he prayed that God would save him. Those who were there to pray
+were bowed low in the dust, as never before, conscious of the power and
+presence of the Holy Spirit, all remaining on their knees in prayer,
+till he yielded his heart to Jesus in penitence and tears, when he,
+a saved and sober man, testified to the riches of Divine grace which
+could reach and rescue even a great sinner like himself. And on that
+morning of the 8th of May, 1874, he left the hall, which he entered in
+such darkness and misery, with the light and peace in his soul which
+Jesus only can give. To His dear name be all the glory!
+
+This small band, who continued to wait on the Lord, were enabled on
+that May morning to erect a signal of praise over this first marked
+and wonderful display of the marvellous power of God to save, and His
+readiness to hear and to grant an immediate answer to prayer.
+
+Some of the very worst-looking men would most strangely find their
+way into that meeting without knowing how or why they came. Almost as
+soon as they entered and heard the voice of prayer, they would rise
+and ask to be prayed for as poor lost sinners, and continue in prayer
+till they found the Saviour. Others were invited or led in, even when
+intoxicated, and were eventually saved.
+
+As the work progressed, evening meetings, cottage-meetings, and Tuesday
+afternoon services were established in different places at the houses
+of inebriates and reformed men, which were well attended, and were
+successful and blessed in their results.
+
+The number of workers was small, and the difficulties great, but God
+was with them.
+
+I take the following from a report of the work:
+
+On the second Sunday in January, 1875, Mr. John Garrabrant (who had
+been an instrument in God’s hand of great assistance to us) invited
+Mr. William Souter (who was called the drunken tailor) to come to
+our meeting. He came, forlorn and helpless as if about giving up; he
+thought and felt himself, that there was no use in trying. He was
+induced to get on his knees with us, and was told to sign himself to
+Jesus. The Holy Spirit then and there commenced the work in his heart,
+and from that moment he began a new life, and broke off entirely from
+his evil habits, and became a changed man, giving his heart to the
+Saviour. Oh, what a glorious day for him! Our rejoicing for a good
+while over him was with trembling; but oh, how we have blessed God for
+such a triumph of grace, ever since! A new beacon of hope and light was
+erected, and what an encouragement it was for perseverance in earnest
+and united prayer for that class of men! New ones found their way
+into these meetings, which awakened a greater degree of interest and
+earnestness in the work.
+
+Among the first of these special cases was the coming in of a man,
+rather small, but with such a black and wicked sort of expression of
+countenance as one would instinctively shrink from. He seemed in every
+way strangely repulsive, but my eyes were riveted to him as he took a
+low seat just back of the door, holding his head down as if to hide
+himself in his soiled and shabby garments. He came invited by the Bible
+reader, who met him in the morning. He was cold, and as he said thought
+he could get warm in there, but thought of nothing more.
+
+Very soon, as I watched him, he became very uneasy, moved about until
+he arose to his feet and began talking of his miserable life, and of
+the terribly wicked and abandoned condition that he was in. He said
+that he had been drinking, and was drunk when he came in there; but
+said he, I will never drink again, no, never; while I live I’ll never
+touch another drop. Is there any mercy for such a vile wretch as I
+am? And then dropping to his knees he began to pray for himself, and
+cry to God for mercy. He was truly and deeply convicted of his guilt
+as a sinner, and sought earnestly to know the way to a better course
+of life, and to give his heart to Jesus. Prayer was offered for him,
+and the meeting closed; but as he still remained I was unusually
+impressed to speak to him. But as I approached him, he was so forlorn
+and disagreeable from being steeped with rum and tobacco, that the
+first thing I asked him was, if he would give up his tobacco as well
+as strong drink. Laying my hand on his shoulder, I said, “Will you, my
+poor brother, give up everything and make a full surrender of yourself
+to Jesus, and become pure and clean, and not offensive and repugnant as
+you are now?”
+
+“I will give up the drink, but can’t say I will tobacco, for I don’t
+think I could.”
+
+I urged the point; he demurred, but finally said he would try.
+
+“No use in trying: you _must_ do it; say you _will_,” I still urged.
+
+“But it would not do for me to give up all at once when I have been
+chewing two papers every day, and often a good deal more, besides
+smoking: it would make me sick to break right off.”
+
+“Not if Jesus helps you,” I said, “and He _will_. In your own strength
+you can never do it; in either case in His strength you can. Now
+promise me you will.”
+
+“If I promise you,” he said, “I _shall_ do it, for bad as I am I never
+tell a lie.”
+
+“Then promise me, quickly,” I still urged; and never shall I forget
+the look he gave me, as for a moment he bowed his head, and then, as he
+raised it in trembling earnestness,
+
+“Give me your hand,” said he, seizing it as with a grasp of
+desperation. “Now I promise you, God helping me, that never from this
+time will I touch tobacco or drink again. Now I have promised, I shall
+keep it.”
+
+Earnest prayer was offered, and from that moment our brother, William
+N. Clark, became a sober, renewed, and changed man.
+
+What human power could have annihilated in an instant the appetite and
+all desire for strong drink or tobacco in any form, where it had been
+almost a life-long habit, indulged in without restraint day and night,
+obtained at any and every sacrifice? Who can doubt that a will like
+his was at that time brought into and held in subjection by the will
+and strength of Omnipotence? He was enabled to surrender himself, soul
+and body, into the hands of Jesus, and he left the hall, never more to
+touch, taste, or handle those two accursed things. His former appetite
+and love for both from that moment was so turned into hatred of the
+sin and its evil results, that his voice was raised in denunciation
+wherever he went. His whole life, since that hour, has been given in
+efforts to bring others from the degradation and wretchedness of sin,
+and to win them to Jesus.
+
+So many young men were now interested that it was deemed advisable to
+organize a reform club, to bind them more strongly together. Such an
+organization, in connection with the Woman’s Temperance Union, was
+completed on the 4th of March, 1875. This club has now over 600 members.
+
+A Sunday-school was commenced, and is still in progress.
+
+The 4th of July occurring on Sunday, in 1875, there were rumors of
+preparations already in progress to celebrate it as on any secular
+day, in parades, processions, martial music, and other public
+demonstrations. Some of the ladies of the Union resolved, after taking
+it to God in prayer with great earnestness and humility, to take a bold
+stand, and go as a committee to the City Hall, and petition the mayor
+to interpose in behalf of a God-fearing people, and sustain the honor
+of His law, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” It was said by
+many, “It will do no good at all; matters have gone too far.” But it
+did do good. The suggestion was very kindly received, and Mr. Perry’s
+decided and prompt action not only entirely suppressed the threatened
+fearful desecration, but gave us one of the most peaceful and quiet
+Sabbaths that we have had in this city for many years.
+
+On the 8th of September, 1875, at the regular meetings of our Union,
+we set apart a little season, just at the hour of twelve, for united
+prayer to God. And this noon-day concert of private prayer has been
+observed by our Union since that day, when, by the uplifting of the
+right-hand, as requested, to signalize the sacred compact, it was thus
+ratified by every member present.
+
+Surely God, the Almighty God himself, has allied Himself to this
+cause, not only in the treasure of His grace, but in the treasury of
+His means also, to carry it on with; for it is a marvel how we have
+been supplied and carried through such heavy expenses as came upon us
+from time to time, and are able to-day to say joyfully, that we owe no
+man anything. Not unto us be any of the glory.
+
+An humble service, if the calling to it is of God, is a high, a holy
+calling. In the death of Judge Stanboro, December 5th, 1875, we lost
+one of our firmest friends. He was enabled, at the age of seventy-two,
+to give up entirely the use of tobacco in every form, although it had
+been a habit freely indulged in for sixty years. He kept quiet on the
+subject till he could say, after the experience of months, that he was
+a happier and better man without it.
+
+One of the reformed brothers who had received his special care and
+attention, and who had never seen a Christian die, watched with him
+till the hour of his departure, and caught these his last words, as
+they fell from his lips: “Oh, those blessed women--God bless them!”
+“Oh, precious Jesus!” and immediately expired.
+
+In the winter of 1876, a Juvenile Society and Bands of Hope were
+started, and have been well sustained. Several branches also have been
+formed auxiliary to the Union.
+
+Mrs. Bundage adds the following incidents:
+
+G---- A----, a young man having all the advantages necessary to
+place him in an honorable position, his friends giving him a liberal
+education, was a student of law. But rum, that great curse, laid him
+low many times, and finally he became a confirmed drunkard.
+
+One day a minister of this city brought him into our temperance
+meeting, suffering with delirium tremens. His blood-shot eye, bloated,
+purple face, trembling limbs, quivering body, and look of despair,
+showed that rum had almost finished its work. The hardest heart was
+moved to pity.
+
+One of the sisters of the Union seated herself by his side and talked
+with him. At last he said, “My God, cannot you do something for me?”
+The sweat stood in great drops on his brow. She told him just there to
+ask Jesus to help him, and He would; how He could cure his disease,
+and cleanse from all sin. As he became more quiet, he told of his
+wicked life; how his mother could not keep him any longer, as she kept
+boarders, and he would do anything to get a drink. Whenever she gave
+him a new suit of clothes, he would go to New York, exchange them for
+an old suit, and go home intoxicated. A young lady gave him a glass at
+a party, and urged him to drink. Till then he had never drank.
+
+Christian friends surrounded him, and pointed him to the Lamb of God.
+In pity, love, and faith, they bore him to the mercy-seat. They prayed
+for him as one prays for his own soul. The Mighty to Save heard, and
+cast out the demon rum, and he was saved from that hour.
+
+Kind friends watched with him that night, and he was restored to his
+widowed mother, whom he had often found at the midnight hour kneeling
+at his bedside, pleading with a covenant-keeping God for her only son.
+He has since shown, by his walk and conversation, that the work is
+genuine.
+
+Mr. H. had a wife and six children. Like many drunkards, he was often
+very abusive, and would take the little pittance his wife earned and
+spend it for rum, leaving the children crying for bread and shivering
+with cold.
+
+At one time he sent a man to tell his wife he was arrested, and she
+must get some money some way so he would not have to go to prison. She
+did so, and he spent it for rum with his accomplice. At times he was
+very wretched and in despair, and made attempts to hang himself, and
+was prevented only by the untiring care and watchfulness of his devoted
+wife. One night, coming home, he made up his mind, as they would not
+let him hang himself, he would cut his wife’s throat first, then the
+children’s, and lastly his own. Before going to bed he slipped a razor
+in his coat-sleeve. His wife saw him do it, and stealthily left the
+house with her young infant, walking half a mile in the cold wintry
+night, through the snow and sleet, with only a thin shawl wrapped round
+herself and babe, to the house of her father-in-law, where she stayed
+all night. The father-in-law asked her why she did not leave him; if
+she would do so he would take care of her and the children, and send
+her husband to an asylum. She answered: “I cannot leave him; he is my
+husband, and your son, the father of my children.”
+
+He said to her: “I fear you will all be murdered some day by his hand.”
+
+When the husband found all was still, he arose to accomplish the
+murderous task he had contemplated. He saw the children sleeping
+quietly together, and searched for the mother. Not finding her he
+concluded it was not best to kill the children, as she was gone. He
+says it makes him shudder now when he thinks what might have happened
+if the enemy had put it into his mind to kill the children first. When
+his wife came home in the morning he asked her why she did not stay
+home. She looked up, with tears streaming down her cheeks, and replied:
+“Father, I have no home any more.” This touched his heart.
+
+When one of his children lay a corpse he borrowed money to bury it, and
+stopped at a rum-shop to get a drink, and stayed until the money was
+all gone; and his child was buried by charity.
+
+The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union heard of this man, and one of
+their number visited his house every week for eighteen months, leaving
+tracts with the family. After a while he looked for the tracts and the
+visits. Suitable clothes were promised him if he would go to church.
+He was deeply convicted of sin, and sought the Saviour, whom he found
+able to save, even to the uttermost. He has since stood firm and
+unwavering. For six months he was chaplain of the first Reform Club of
+Newark, which office he filled very acceptably. He has been called to
+several places in this State and in New York, to tell of his wonderful
+deliverance from the appetite and curse of rum.
+
+September 8th, 1877, he buried another child; but what a contrast
+in the man’s family and home!--the home now pleasant and neatly
+furnished, the family happy even in their sorrow, and the body of the
+little one lying in a neat coffin with a wreath of flowers marked
+“baby;” the man loved and respected--a kind Christian husband and
+father.
+
+Surely gospel temperance pays well, even in this life.
+
+We might speak of our gospel temperance work in the jail: how the
+prisoners sought and found the Saviour, the Lord giving us a trophy the
+first meeting; of our bands of hope and young ladies’ league; cottage
+prayer-meetings, saloon visiting, etc. But time will not permit, and
+the half we do not know here. A true record of it is kept on high. It
+is a blessed work. Unto Him be all the praise and glory forever.
+
+
+ROSEVILLE, NEW JERSEY.
+
+The society in Roseville is an outgrowth of the Woman’s Crusade work.
+As the news came to us of the Temperance Crusade in the West, a woman
+of the Roseville Church heard God calling her to join this army. Then
+the cry went up to Him, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” The Lord
+answered, “What thy hands find to do, do with all thy might.” The next
+Sunday, by the direction of the Holy Spirit, temperance tracts were
+distributed among my Mission Sunday-school class, with a prayer to
+heaven that they might send conviction to some hearts in those seven
+families which this class represented. The next week these homes were
+visited. Upon entering one house, the mother remarked, “I am so glad
+you have come, for my husband wants to see you; he read the tract you
+sent on Sunday, and has been very thoughtful since then; says he would
+like to be a better man.” “Why,” said she, “he used to own two nice
+houses, and we all had plenty; but now we are living in these rented
+rooms. He has no work, and I do not know what is to become of us, for
+we are using up the last of our hard earnings. He will go with holes in
+his shoes, and just _any way_, and spend his last cent for rum; but he
+is such a good man when he is sober.”
+
+Just then the husband, Mr. Jones, entered the room. He was a
+fine-looking man, but the mark of the beast was on his brow.
+
+The conversation then commenced about his pretty children, and my
+desire to know more of them and their parents; he smiled sadly as he
+remarked, “They have a good mother, but I am not the father I ought to
+be.” Then we talked of the follies of a drunkard’s life, all of which
+he knew only too well; but how to break away from the habit that had
+chained him down with a death-like grip was the problem he could not
+solve.
+
+He listened with joy to the “good news” of redemption through Jesus’
+blood. How Jesus came to seek and save the lost; then he told me of a
+dear minister brother in heaven: how his last prayer on earth was for
+him (his wayward brother); then of a praying mother who had gone home
+to glory; then of an aged praying father and a gentle loving sister
+whose constant prayers were for him. “Yes,” he said, “I seem to be
+wading through prayer, knee-deep, to hell.” God was working upon his
+heart. There was a hushed feeling in all that room. We felt God’s
+presence there, and when the invitation was given to kneel in prayer,
+there seemed to be a responsive echo in each heart; even the little
+two-year-old girl, knelt in a frightened sort of way, by her father’s
+side, and as the petition went up before the Throne, one could imagine
+the angels tuning their harps a little higher. Yes, there was rejoicing
+among the white-robed throng over one poor sinner, who had turned from
+his evil ways, and was learning the new song, “To Him who loved us, and
+washed us from our sins in His own blood.”
+
+We then walked together to our pastor’s study, and there he promised,
+with God’s help, never to touch intoxicating drinks, but to serve
+the Lord all the remainder of his life. Two years have rolled away
+since that memorable 3d day of September, and he is one of our most
+consistent Christian men, a good citizen, and an earnest temperance
+worker. Many poor, rum-blinded souls have been brought to the feet of
+Jesus through his faithful efforts, and in his home you will find peace
+and plenty.
+
+Mr. Jones’ conversion was soon noised about. Women told their neighbors
+of the wonderful change that had come over him, and many a sad-hearted
+wife wished that somebody would talk to her husband; and somebody did
+carry the wonderful news, “That Jesus is mighty to save,” until ten men
+had become converted.
+
+They and their wives were banded together into what is now called the
+“Gospel Total Abstinence Society.” Socials were held at their homes
+once a week, until they became so large we were forced to hold the
+meetings in the Mission Chapel. Two years have elapsed since this
+society was organized and in God’s hands. It is founded on “The Rock
+of Ages,” and has been greatly prospered. We now number about three
+hundred and fifty members. Fifty-four have been converted to Christ.
+
+Among our prominent workers are three ex-beer-saloon-keepers; also one
+who was confined at the prison for drunkenness, while we were holding
+our usual prayer-meeting at that place. He was a miserable, bloated
+German, who came, after his release, to the meetings, as he lived in
+close proximity to our work.
+
+The kind, tender words of the women, and a tract called the
+“Bird-Charmer,” set him to thinking. How he entreated us, in our little
+Friday evening meeting, to pray for him; and we surrounded him after
+the meeting and never gave him up until we saw him standing with us on
+the “Rock of Ages.”
+
+One year has elapsed since his conversion, and instead of the once
+wretched home, he is living in quite a large house, all neatly
+furnished, and his family of eight children are all walking in the
+narrow way. Through his effort two men, who had been very hard
+drinkers, were converted. They were won by his consistent life at the
+work-bench. Now they all sing together all day long, in that Catholic
+hat shop, the Moody and Sankey hymns. These three men are consistent
+members of our Roseville church.
+
+Our organization is situated in the upper part of Newark. It is
+supported entirely by the Roseville Presbyterian Church, and is one of
+the revolving wheels in the church machinery for saving souls. It has
+filled a great many otherwise empty pews.
+
+The above facts are reported by Mrs. F. T. Wiggins.
+
+
+LAMBERTVILLE, NEW JERSEY.
+
+The women arose _en masse_ in this town, and with a petition, signed
+by a large majority of the citizens of the place, went to the council
+chamber and urged that the saloons be at once closed. The demand was so
+well backed up by influential names on the petition, and the presence
+of prominent citizens, that it was acceded to at once, and rum was
+banished.
+
+Many of the young men reformed, and some of them were saved and brought
+into the church.
+
+But the dealers who had been driven out established themselves on the
+Pennsylvania side of the river, and as there was a connecting bridge,
+the point was accessible and convenient, and they went on with their
+deadly work. The people of the little village protested, and held mass
+indignation meetings; but the intruders, lost to shame, defied public
+sentiment.
+
+At the next election for city officers there was a hard contest, but
+the temperance people held their own, and kept rum out. They still
+watch and pray, and hold the fort.
+
+
+RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY.
+
+A good work was accomplished in Rahway. Sixty-five women signed the
+“iron-clad pledge,” which solemnly bound them not to use alcohol in any
+way, not even as a medicine, and not to patronize any hotel or grocery
+where it was sold.
+
+The result of this action was that some of the grocers disposed of
+their liquor at once, and invited the patronage of temperance people.
+
+Six meetings are held weekly, the ministers attending in a body the
+Thursday evening meetings, to which they have been specially invited.
+
+In the outskirts of the city, at Bloodgood Mills, a branch Union was
+started, and a reading-room established, with good results. There is
+also a temperance work among the colored people.
+
+Many have, through the labors of the faithful workers, thus been
+brought to Christ.
+
+The Reform Club numbers seventy-seven, most of whom are “steadfast,
+immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord.”
+
+I glean the following facts from the annual report:
+
+
+JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.
+
+Meetings are held in Jersey City, Bergen, Hudson City, and Greenville,
+all within the city limits.
+
+The grocers have all been visited, and urged to give up the sale of
+liquors. One man, who is a member of church, was found, who sold liquor
+by the bottle, in his grocery. When remonstrated with he insisted that
+he was doing right, and refused to give up that part of his business.
+One grocer gave up the sale of liquors, and the ladies now have a
+temperance grocery, which they feel in honor bound to sustain.
+
+
+MOUNT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY.
+
+Mass-meetings are held every Sabbath afternoon, beside evening meetings
+during the week.
+
+Appeals have been made, both personally and in writing, to the judges
+of the court, by whom licenses are issued. By this means one man who
+applied for license to open a beer saloon was prevented.
+
+There is a growing interest, and an improved public sentiment in this
+place.
+
+
+NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY.
+
+The work, which began in this town through the influence of one woman,
+lacks neither earnestness nor perseverance.
+
+Meetings are held regularly, and from the converts a Reform Club has
+been started.
+
+
+HACKETTSTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
+
+The saloons are all closed, but the ladies continue their meetings, and
+are vigilant lest the enemy should obtain entrance.
+
+At the seminary in that town, ninety young ladies and gentlemen were
+induced to sign the pledge.
+
+Trenton, Elizabeth, Burlington, Beverly, Washington, Millstone,
+Madison, Cedarville, Long Branch and a score of other towns are holding
+the fort against fearful odds, and some of them are gaining substantial
+victories.
+
+Mrs. M. C. Noble, who has travelled much over the State, and has with
+Mrs. M. R. Denman, the President of the State Union, been abundant in
+labors, adds the following:
+
+Early in the fall of 1876, there was a vigorous campaign opened
+against intemperance in the lower part of the State of New Jersey,
+and prosecuted through the counties of Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland
+and Monmouth, with great success, arousing Christian people of all
+denominations to active labor. God blessed the labor of His servants
+most wonderfully, and we feel confident that in answer to fervent
+prayers and persistent effort to rescue the perishing and lift up the
+fallen this great awakening over our State has come. To God be all the
+glory.
+
+To show the spirit of this work let me give one or two instances. It
+was wonderful to see the hearts of Christians so stirred up to work
+in all ways, and by all means, “so that some might be saved.” One
+afternoon there came into Temperance Hall at Trenton, during the great
+revival there early in the winter of 1877, a poor out-cast, a woman,
+who in consequence of evil ways had been imprisoned, but who now
+was drawn to the hall by some unknown influence. She came again and
+again, and finally signed the pledge and said she kept it. I can never
+forget a scene which occurred at the close of one of our meetings. A
+pure-spirited girl, one of Trenton’s fairest daughters, whose heart
+was full of the constraining love of Christ, approached this woman and
+in low tones began to talk with her in regard to her soul’s salvation.
+After a few moments we saw the two, one pure as the blood of Christ
+alone can make, and the other covered with sin and shame, move to a
+remote corner of the room, and bowing together so their faces nearly
+touched, we saw the one earnestly pleading with God for His pardon for
+this poor erring sister. Oh, what a sight! Angels must have stopped in
+their flight to witness a scene like this. We passed noiselessly away
+and left them alone with God and the angels.
+
+Another: There was a man who had been a hard drinker most of his life,
+and was bringing his aged mother to her grave in sorrow. All efforts
+to save him had failed, and it seemed to all who knew him that he
+must fill a drunkard’s grave. A Christian lady anxious to work for
+the blessed Master, and to save this man if possible, thought of this
+plan. She would write him a letter praying that God would touch his
+heart. She did so, addressing him as “brother,” and signing herself his
+friend. She invited him to the Temperance Hall that night. The word
+“_brother_” arrested his attention. He said, “Is it possible that there
+is one who cares enough for me to call me ‘brother,’ and that one, a
+lady? I will go to the hall.” He did so, signed the pledge and became
+an earnest worker in the cause of temperance.
+
+Others of similar character were brought into our meetings and were
+saved; broken down family altars were rebuilt, and many new ones set
+up, we trust never to be abandoned.
+
+It was blessed to bow with these saved men at their altars of prayer,
+where in many cases children had fled from their drunken fathers in
+terror. Now they would sit upon their knee while God’s word was read,
+and all bow together in humble prayer.
+
+Through the influence of these gospel temperance meetings many saloons
+have been closed; cider mills abandoned; and thousands of precious
+souls have been saved, thereby turning aside the streams of death which
+bear down to ruin so many of our fellow-beings.
+
+God very signally owned and blessed the work at Elizabeth City, N. J.,
+and though not so many signed the pledge as in other places, yet the
+work was carried into the churches, and pastors and people united in
+the great work of saving souls, and all felt when the meeting closed
+that some had been brought to the saving knowledge of Christ.
+
+
+MARYLAND.
+
+Years ago, when a war-cry rang out in the land, thousands of womanly
+hearts thrilled responsive to the call for sympathy, for aid, and
+prayer. And when, not long after, another battle-cry pealed out in
+thunder-tones, when the voice of the Crusade, as the voice of many
+waters, came surging from the West, our hearts answered to the call,
+and everywhere throughout “our Maryland,” woman’s lips caught up the
+battle-cry, “For God, and home, and native land!”
+
+Fired by the enthusiasm of the noble women of Ohio, touched by the
+spirit of sacrifice which nerved them to deeds of heroism unsurpassed
+by any on historic page, we, of Maryland, saw, as never before, our
+responsibility as Christians, realized that “we were our brothers’
+keepers,” and, listening to the Spirit’s call, resolved to do whatever
+(God blessing our efforts) we might towards helping “the bound-in
+chains” to be free!
+
+Never before had we seemed to hear as in our very midst, all round
+about us, the wail from breaking hearts, women weeping over the
+degradation of their first-born, their poor misguided Absaloms. We saw
+our own darlings in our sheltered homes, shielded, loved, and blest,
+and, as never before, felt that it was required of us to seek out
+in their wretchedness the drunkard’s children--little children who
+scarcely knew what childhood was, looking out upon life with scared and
+wondering faces, crouching to earth, or hiding away at footsteps on a
+stair--uncertain, stumbling footsteps, heralds of night hours of vigil,
+of abuse and desolation.
+
+Women suffering a living death, in degradation, poverty and woe,
+struggling, toiling far into the night, to earn their children bread;
+these seemed to look to us with pitiful, tear-stained faces, for help,
+for sympathy, for prayer.
+
+Thus moved by the example of our sisters of the West, awakened by the
+voice of the Holy Spirit, we began to ask, “What is _our_ duty? What
+can _we_ do? Shall we stand idly looking on, while souls die that we
+might help to save? Shall we dream away our lives, fold our arms in
+peace, and give thanks that none of our beloved ones are in that army
+marching down to death?” The answer came back, “No! a thousand times
+no, no!”
+
+“What, then, should we do?” Wait for protection from our lawgivers,
+help that might never come!
+
+Nay, to the mighty Lawgiver, the Judge of all the earth, we resolved to
+carry our cause; to the mighty in battle we would fly for deliverance;
+taking courage when we remembered that “Greater is He who is for us,
+than all they who are against us.”
+
+Day after day we met for solemn consecration, for prayer, seeking
+wisdom from on high, that, led by the Holy Spirit, we might put into
+active form our yearning pity for the victims of intemperance, their
+sorrowing families, and desolated homes.
+
+In the spring of 1874, a band of Christian women under the direction
+of Mrs. Francis A. Crook, and Mrs. Dr. J. Carey Thomas, of Baltimore,
+associated themselves together under the name of “The Woman’s Christian
+Temperance Union.”
+
+During the spring and winter, prayer-meetings were held two and three
+days in the week in the different churches of the city; for in this
+work Christian women of all denominations met and worked, wept, and
+prayed together “one in Christ.”
+
+Cottage meetings were held in the suburbs of the city, in private
+houses, and even in houses of shame; dens of infamy where our pure
+women went, as the disciples of old, two and two, in little companies,
+quietly, lovingly, earnestly bearing the Master’s message of salvation,
+binding the “whosoevers and the whatsoevers” into a staff to bear up
+and on the poor sinning, sad, despairing souls, that heard them with
+new hope. God wonderfully blessed these efforts. Souls were reclaimed,
+and more than one lifted up by Christian women’s loving hands. These,
+their fallen sisters, were led to Him who saveth to the uttermost
+whosoever will come.
+
+Responding to a call issued by the President of the Baltimore Union,
+the women of the city and State met in convention, November 9th and
+10th, 1875, in this city, to plan for the future extension of the work.
+
+The result of this gathering was the organization of “The Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union,” of Maryland, auxiliary to “The Woman’s
+National Christian Temperance Union.”
+
+The following officers were elected, and at each succeeding annual
+convention, unanimously re-elected:
+
+President, Mrs. Frances A. Crook, Baltimore; Vice-Presidents, Mrs.
+Simon Parkhurst, Baltimore county; Mrs. Dr. James Carey Thomas,
+Baltimore, Congressional District; Mrs. L. H. Cochren, Frederick
+county; Recording Secretary, Mrs. E. B. Murdock, Baltimore;
+Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Georgia Hulse McLeod, Baltimore;
+Treasurer, Mrs. Alice Brooks, Baltimore.
+
+Through the years of 1875-76, the Union has pressed forward, overcoming
+many obstacles, but quietly and persistently commanding attention and
+respect, creating a still increasing sentiment in favor of temperance.
+
+We can chronicle no grand victory, rejoice over no signal success, but
+we are glad to know that from meetings held week after week, month
+after month, often through great discouragement, good has resulted.
+In public halls, in churches, in private houses, in cities, towns,
+and villages, seed has been sown which God has blessed. Some souls
+have been saved, some fallen ones reclaimed, a few bars and rum shops
+closed. Into every open door of opportunity our sisters have gone with
+their sweet message of love. Among the seamen--the old weather-beaten
+tars, the young just starting out on first voyages--on the deck of
+a man-of-war they have sung, and talked, and prayed. The memory of
+a meeting thus held, one Sabbath afternoon, will, by some, be long
+remembered. The first to sign the pledge, and place his name upon
+the prayer-roll, was an English boy, whose heart some spoken word of
+mother-love had touched.
+
+That was his last Sabbath upon earth. A fall from the yard-arm resulted
+in almost instant death. Held high in esteem by officers and mates, he
+was buried with naval honors. Tributes of respect, fragrant flowers,
+were heaped upon his coffin. A record of these tokens of friendship the
+boy had won, and a lock of soft brown hair were sent to his mother far
+away, and are all that is left now to comfort her.
+
+His life voyage was early ended, and we believe his ship is safe in
+port, where the storms never come.
+
+Temperance literature, papers, tracts, books, and leaflets were
+frequently distributed. Articles bearing on the interests of the cause
+were, from time to time, inserted in local journals. Letters were
+written to those who could be reached in no other way.
+
+From our city pulpits each year were read appeals from the Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union, urging their sisters to banish from
+Christmas and New Year’s festivals, and social gatherings, wines and
+other intoxicating drinks. These appeals were not altogether vain.
+Every Christmas tide the song of the Angel of Peace sounds louder and
+clearer. Christmas is a joy to some homes, where its gladness had been
+long unknown, and fewer hearts are saddened by long, weary watches, at
+that joyous time, for reeling forms, tottering steps, blaspheming tones.
+
+Auxiliary Unions have been formed in Baltimore and Howard counties. In
+a village in the last-named county, by the earnest, persevering efforts
+of one true Christian woman, the sale of liquor has been abandoned by
+the shopkeepers, to whom it had always been a profitable investment.
+
+In Glencoe, Baltimore county, a juvenile auxiliary has been formed,
+which promises to be a valuable acquisition.
+
+Pledges have been taken to some extent, but in this form of our work we
+meet with much opposition.
+
+Several hundred signatures have been obtained to petitions ready for
+the approaching session of our State Legislature.
+
+Delegates were appointed to the National and International Conventions.
+The latter was attended by the President, Vice-President, and
+Corresponding Secretary of the State, and by the Treasurer of the
+Baltimore Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.
+
+A public meeting, with appropriate farewell services, was held in
+honor of Mrs. Margaret Parker, President of the Woman’s International
+Temperance Union, and addressed by her on the eve of her departure for
+Scotland.
+
+In April and May daily meetings for reformed men were presided over by
+members of the Baltimore Union during the Temperance Revival Meetings,
+under the direction of Colonel Hoy, and some of the men then rescued
+from ruin have been encouraged and assisted in their every effort
+towards a maintenance for themselves and families, to whom they had
+been almost lost.
+
+This is Maryland’s brief record, far more brief than we could wish,
+but “We have done what we could.” Still hoping, praying, working,
+watching for the brighter day we know must come, when four thousand
+liquor-saloons shall no longer be a blot on the beauty of our city,
+when not one shall be found in our State from its eastern to its
+western shores, and when we shall rejoice in the fulfilment of the
+promise: “The way of the wicked He turneth upside down.”
+
+We have still much to regret, much which grieves and saddens us, but we
+have much for which to give thanks.
+
+We are still an undivided band. The Angel of Death has spared our
+ranks; the Angel of the Covenant has led, blessed, and strengthened us.
+We reconsecrate ourselves to the work, looking forward, not backward;
+up, not down.
+
+Only the smallest of the polished stones have we to bring, far outshone
+by sister States, yet may we find in the glad by-and-by, that in the
+hand of the great Master-Builder, we have found a place, and aided in
+the completion of the whole, the perfect mosaic formed of millions of
+gems, trophies won for the Master by those who love His name, and watch
+for His salvation.
+
+
+THE TRYST OF MARYLAND.
+
+ IN THE TWILIGHT.
+
+ At the hour when God’s Beloved
+ Sought the lonely mountain side,
+ Breathing out His supplications
+ In the calm, still eventide,
+ Let us bow in every home,
+ Praying, in faith, “Thy kingdom come!”
+
+ Thus spake one who loved the Saviour,
+ Weeping over sin and woe;
+ Hearts and lips a hundred answered,
+ “Thou say’st well, it shall be so.”
+ To Him who hears, we’ll always say
+ That prayer at dying of the day.
+
+ So, each twilight, they are praying,
+ Matron, maiden, wife, and child;
+ Father, in great mercy, hear us,
+ Stay this torrent fierce and wild;
+ Like a flood ’twill overwhelm,
+ If Thou dost not take the helm.
+
+ Stay the torrent in Thine clasping
+ Hands, that seek the cup to drain;
+ Show them Death is in it lurking,
+ Bring them to the light again--
+ Bring the wanderers home once more,
+ The Lord our Shepherd, we implore!
+
+ Stay the torrent, whisper now
+ To each ruler in the land,
+ Man, where is thy brother?--where?
+ God will ask him at thy hand!
+ Rouse each conscience! oh, awake
+ Souls that sleep, their peace to make!
+
+ Send a voice unto the dreamers,
+ Sleeping upon beds of down,
+ Bought with tears of wives and mothers--
+ With the price of many a home;
+ Loud be it as a trumpet’s tone,
+ Prepare to meet thy Judge--alone!
+
+ Let Thy kingdom come, our Father;
+ Save the souls so far from Thee;
+ Cleanse the earth from this pollution;
+ Set the bound-in spirit free.
+ Thy kingdom come! Thy kingdom come!
+ Hear our prayer in heaven Thy home.
+
+ Courage! ye wives, who toil and keep
+ Watch with night, so sad and lone,
+ Courage! ’tis very dark and drear;
+ But with morning, light shall come.
+ Kind hearts grieve with you to-day,
+ And for you God’s children pray.
+
+ Mothers, they who were your pride
+ Almost break your hearts to-night.
+ They have wandered far from home,
+ Far from you, from God, from right.
+ But comfort you; God sees and hears;
+ His hand shall wipe away your tears.
+
+ Little children, sad and weary,
+ Knowing less of joy than tears,
+ Do you think, amid the shadows,
+ No one heeds your griefs and fears?
+ God your Father, little ones,
+ Loves you, and His kingdom comes!
+
+ Christians, pray for rescue, pleading
+ As if hours were moments left--
+ Pray as you would pray in dying,
+ That from earth this curse be swept.
+ Pray in the twilight--yea, alway--
+ Lips, heart, and soul, oh, Christians, pray!
+
+Reported by Mrs. Georgia Hulse McLeod, Corresponding Secretary.
+
+
+CONNECTICUT.
+
+
+NEW MILFORD, CONNECTICUT.
+
+I gather the following facts from reports and letters sent me by Mrs.
+M. A. Stone, the efficient President of this local organization, and
+of the State organization, and Vice-President of the Woman’s National
+Christian Temperance Union:
+
+The ladies of this place, hearing rumors of the strange work in the
+West, began to question in their minds whether something ought not to
+be done here.
+
+We had men here who were selling without license, keeping their houses
+open on the Sabbath, and selling to minors, contrary to the law
+regulating liquor traffic. Finally, two of the ladies, after consulting
+the leading men of the place, decided to call a meeting.
+
+The meeting was held in the Congregational chapel, March 17th, 1874.
+Other meetings followed, and a petition was prepared and circulated for
+signatures, requesting the liquor-dealers to give up their business.
+Over a thousand signatures were obtained. A committee of ladies
+presented the petition to every saloon-keeper, urging them to give
+up their vile traffic; but in vain. The petition and signatures were
+published, and the ministers of the town invited to preach sermons on
+the subject, the following Sabbath, which some of them did.
+
+The subject was agitated so thoroughly that the liquor-dealers, knowing
+they were defying the law, called a town-meeting, and asked the town
+to give them license. The ladies held a prayer-meeting, in a chapel
+close by the place where they were voting, and with prayers and tears
+besought God not to permit them to have license. None who were there
+can ever forget that meeting. While they were still praying and crying
+to God, a kind brother came, and, opening the door gently, said, “We
+have a majority of sixty-nine votes against license,” and closing the
+door left us to ourselves. A thrill of joy ran through every heart.
+It would be quite impossible to describe the scene--some cried for
+joy, some thanked God for answered prayer, and all realized, as never
+before, that God was on their side. The ladies continued their meeting
+with great enthusiasm.
+
+The liquor-dealers stopped selling for a time, and then called another
+town-meeting; and the ladies called another special meeting at the
+same time and place as before. Their meeting resulted in _no license_
+again--the ladies meeting in joy and thanksgiving to God, who had again
+given them the victory.
+
+Some time elapsed before the liquor-dealers rallied for another
+conflict. This time they applied to the County Commissioners for
+license. The ladies sent a committee to the County Commissioners, to
+protest against it, on the ground that they were not fit persons to be
+intrusted with license, as they had, for more than a year, been selling
+contrary to law. Petitions from citizens were also sent in, and the
+liquor-dealers were again defeated.
+
+For some time they kept quiet; but as they continued to sell, the men
+decided to prosecute them, and in due time they were all convicted but
+one, who claimed that he had not violated his promise to the ladies,
+and had only sold for medicine (he kept a drug store). The suit against
+him was withdrawn, the rest paid their fines. Finding themselves
+thwarted on every side, they appealed to the Legislature, and by the
+cunning devices of scheming politicians secured the Local Option law,
+which was made so strong in their favor that the County Commissioners
+had no longer power to use their own discretion in granting license to
+those who might apply, when the petitioner had complied with the terms
+provided by law. At the next election the town voted license. But the
+women continued to work, and in 1876 the town again voted _no license_.
+
+A young people’s meeting was organized: D. W. Ives, President; A.
+S. Beecher, Secretary. The society increased in numbers rapidly,
+and there are now more than two hundred members. A Colored People’s
+Temperance Union was formed, which soon numbered over eighty members;
+and, last and best, a Temperance Band of Hope, with sixty-two members,
+twenty-four of whom have signed the triple pledge, to use no tobacco,
+no intoxicating drinks, and no profane language. A citizens’ club
+sprung up spontaneously, as it were, without any action on the part of
+the ladies, and many who were considered almost past reformation joined
+it. They were assisted by the citizens in procuring a reading-room.
+Books, papers and pictures were furnished, and $150, to aid in the work.
+
+In 1877, the town voted license again; but public sentiment is
+improving. All the societies are in active operation, and they are
+looking forward to the time when God shall give the victory.
+
+
+EASTFORD, CONNECTICUT.
+
+In the autumn of 1873, a mother was walking with her four children
+along one of the pleasant roads of Eastford. Much engaged and
+interested in their conversation, she failed to notice an object by
+the roadside, of which she would have gladly spared them the sight.
+Suddenly the boy clutched her dress with one hand, and pointing with
+the other to the prostrate figure, exclaimed, “Oh, mother, is he dead?”
+Looking in the direction he pointed, she saw a man, well dressed, about
+thirty years of age, lying flat upon the ground in the uneasy sleep of
+intoxication. His hat had fallen from his head, and the hot sun beat
+mercilessly upon his dusty face. “The man is not dead, but drunk,” she
+said, in answer to his question. The boy drew nearer to his mother, and
+in a low voice said, “But he will die, won’t he?” “Yes, some time; and
+after death is the judgment,” she added.
+
+They wended their way homeward. The beauty of the scene was destroyed
+by the sight they had witnessed. A new feeling of responsibility was
+awakened by that afternoon walk. What could be done to protect the
+young, and rescue the old, from the ravages of intemperance? was the
+question constantly recurring to her mind.
+
+During the following winter, the idea of a Woman’s Temperance Union
+came to her mind; and feeling sure of the beneficial results of such
+an organization, she did not rest until one was formed, in May, 1874.
+The first meeting was held in a private parlor. About forty ladies were
+present; and after a season of earnest prayer, they banded themselves
+together, under the name of the “Woman’s Temperance Union of Eastford.”
+
+The usual officers were chosen, and a committee appointed to
+canvass the town, and particularly to visit every woman, and get
+her co-operation and her name signed to the pledge. This committee
+performed their work faithfully; and at a meeting held in the vestry,
+June 17th, made their report, that none were left unvisited; they had
+met a cordial welcome at nearly every house, and had obtained _one
+hundred and eighty-two_ names. It was voted to continue to circulate
+this pledge; also to organize a Band of Hope. This was done July 17th.
+
+A public meeting was held in the Congregational Church, August 3d,
+which was crowded. The exercises were conducted entirely by women
+and children, and consisted of original addresses by the ladies, and
+singing and recitations by the “Band of Hope.” After the exercises
+were concluded, a pledge was presented to the gentlemen for their
+signatures, and received a majority of the names of those present.
+
+Temperance tracts and almanacs were bought and distributed in the
+families; subscriptions were made to various temperance papers, both
+for children and adults; every means was taken to interest the public
+in temperance.
+
+It was thought best to make an appeal to the men upon the importance
+of voting no license. This was done at a public meeting, held October
+4th. At this meeting it was manifest that there had been a great change
+in public feeling upon the temperance question. The landlord of the
+village hotel had been visited, but he was protected by both town and
+government license, and for a time he remained unmoved. But temperance
+sentiment increased, and he was forced out, and the hotel became a
+temperance house.
+
+At the next election, the town again voted license, and the hotel
+passed into the possession of a rum-seller. But it is no longer
+respectable in Eastford to sell rum, and, after the lapse of three
+years, there has been but two or three violations of the pledge.
+
+The same officers still continue in the Union. The prayer-meeting is
+held monthly, and we are waiting God’s time, feeling sure that the day
+will come when right shall be might in the strength of the Lord.
+
+
+PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. G. A. Moody for the following facts:
+
+During the summer and fall of 1874, after the ever-memorable Crusade of
+our Western sisters, the Master seemed to be calling upon the Christian
+women of our State, saying, “Go, work in my vineyard.”
+
+Meetings for prayer sprang up in various sections, almost
+simultaneously.
+
+In Plainville, a small town of only fifteen hundred inhabitants, the
+minds of some of the sisters were thoroughly exercised in this matter.
+Some eighteen or twenty earnest Christian women held a meeting, and
+much interest was manifested.
+
+Meetings were continued for several weeks, without any organization or
+much new effort. Earnest prayer was constantly offered: “Lord, what
+wilt Thou have us to do?”
+
+Immediately after the formation of our State Union, in March of 1875,
+we organized at Plainville as a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,
+auxiliary to the State and National Unions.
+
+About this time our first work was given us.
+
+The husband of one of our dear sisters owned a hotel, and rented it.
+This house seemed given to us to pray and labor for, that it might be
+redeemed from the curse of liquor-selling, and made pure.
+
+It was built for a liquor-saloon or hotel, and for thirty years or more
+a constant stream of death and destruction had issued therefrom.
+
+It seemed much to expect, but we knew that with our God all things were
+possible, and only being instruments in His hand victory was sure.
+
+We had felt at first that we could never visit saloons, as our dear
+sisters in New York and the West had done, but we were led into this
+saloon almost unconsciously. We conversed earnestly with the proprietor
+and his wife; with the young men we found there; labored with the
+owner, and looked to our great Captain for success. It was but a little
+while that we were called to wait: gloriously did the way open.
+
+One of our Christian men, in a good business, bought out the hotel,
+and having completely renovated it from cellar to attic, opened a
+temperance hotel and boarding-house, which is constantly a source of
+comfort and pride to our town.
+
+The first Sabbath after the house was thus opened a meeting for praise
+and thanksgiving was held in it, by the Women’s Christian Temperance
+Union; and when we saw the place which had been occupied by the bar
+used as a platform--saw some three or four young men who had drank at
+that bar enroll their names, and heard the songs of praise, the prayers
+and testimonies for Christ in those rooms where the bacchanalian
+song had so long resounded, we could only say, “Behold what God hath
+wrought.”
+
+In giving in his testimony at that time, the new proprietor said he
+felt something almost like a hand upon his shoulder, touching him, and
+a voice telling him to buy the building.
+
+We had none of us said anything to him about it, and did not know
+that he had any thought of such a thing, until we heard that he was
+bargaining for the property.
+
+Since that we have many times visited saloons, sometimes to converse
+with the proprietors, sometimes to help a wife to rescue her dear
+husband.
+
+God has also given us souls rescued from the power of rum--washed
+and made clean in Jesus’ blood. And just as I write, our hearts are
+rejoicing over a new work: the formation of a Temperance Corps (or
+Reform Club), by Mr. Warren.
+
+It was one of the most earnest temperance meetings ever held in
+our town. Many who were never before pledged came forward--some,
+hard-drinking men. Seven such Unions have been formed in Hartford
+county.
+
+In Bristol the dear sisters visited the saloons and conversed with the
+keepers. One of them was soon taken sick. He spoke of their visit, on
+his sick-bed, and said he should never keep a saloon again; but he was
+not spared to test his good resolution. They continue to visit saloons,
+as they feel they are led.
+
+In Southington the women have held two prayer-meetings in one of their
+saloons.
+
+I was privileged to be present at one of these meetings. Soon after it
+commenced the men came in from other saloons, until fifty or sixty men
+and boys were standing listening with earnest attention to the words
+of Scripture, songs, and prayers. Exhortations and personal appeals
+followed. The tears trickled from many eyes, and we expect results from
+that meeting.
+
+And so the work goes on. It has been said by some that the Crusade was
+over, but in “the land of steady habits” we feel it has but just begun.
+
+We, perhaps, move rather slowly, but now that we are started we intend
+to hold on in this work till every rum-shop is closed, every drunkard
+saved, and all our children are safe in the fold. In Plainville we have
+a Children’s Temperance Union, numbering seventy members. We have also
+presented a neat little pledge to each teacher in our Sabbath-school;
+these are triple pledges, including tobacco and profanity, as well
+as intoxicating drinks. For we feel, that while we labor to reform
+men, it is very necessary that we keep our children from forming
+these dreadful habits. And so we labor on as the dear Lord leads, one
+hand lifted to the throne, the other linked in with the thousands of
+Christian sisters, forming a band that encircles the world.
+
+And we shall never cease, while life shall last, to labor for Christ
+and humanity.
+
+
+NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.
+
+A meeting was called, July, 1874, by Mrs. Rebecca A. Morrill. Only four
+ladies responded to that call. Other meetings were held in the Centre
+Congregational Church, and in the First M. E. Church. Of one of these
+meetings a lady says: “As I stepped into the church, eight were bowed
+in prayer in a room where a thousand people could have been seated.
+Only eight souls responded to the call for prayer for the success of
+the temperance cause, and I said, ‘Here am I, Lord: send me.’” But the
+meetings continued, and the work went on, and these women baptized by
+the Holy Spirit went out into the lanes and alleys of the city, into
+the homes of the drunken and the sinful, to tell the old, old story of
+Jesus and his love.
+
+After some months spent in labor, a society was organized, and saloon
+visiting undertaken. While some of the women remained in the rooms
+to pray, others would go out into the saloons to invite men to the
+prayer-room. Each Saturday evening especially, this work was pressed
+with zeal. They were generally treated with respect, but sometimes
+forbidden to sing, and asked not to remain long. In other places
+singing and prayer were allowed, and men stood with uncovered heads,
+and a profound stillness was observed during the religious exercise.
+
+Most of the dealers admitted that they were doing wrong, and the
+drinkers that they were on the downward course, especially if they have
+become confirmed drunkards. There is, however, a large class of young
+men who see no danger. Sometimes they found fifty or sixty men in the
+saloons under thirty years of age. Many followed these women from the
+saloon to the prayer-room, and were saved by the power of grace, and
+are now in the church of Christ.
+
+At Fair Haven, a beautiful suburban village, a wonderful work of grace
+was wrought. Very many too poor to ride in the street cars would walk
+two or three miles in the cold December and January evenings to be
+present at the place of prayer. Scores of these were converted, and a
+Union was formed at Fair Haven.
+
+A glorious work was commenced among the children, and hundreds of
+children and youth were enrolled on their pledge-books. Neighborhood
+meetings were held, hundreds of families visited, and the interest
+of the people kept up by frequent mass-meetings. The membership now
+numbers about ninety.
+
+
+STAFFORD, CONNECTICUT.
+
+An earnest, persistent temperance work has been carried on in this
+town; Revs. J. H. James and N. D. Parsons taking the lead in the
+outdoor work. Prior to the election of 1875, women circulated the
+following appeal to voters: “We, your sisters, wives and mothers,
+earnestly pray you, our brothers, husbands and sons, and legal
+protectors, to defend our hearts and homes from the desolation of
+rum, by voting _no license_.” This petition was widely circulated in
+the village, and only three women out of 333 refused to sign it. The
+majority for license the year before had been 100, but the effect of
+this petition and their influence was to secure a no license majority
+of 124.
+
+During the month of August, 1875, while an outdoor public mass-meeting
+was being held, a party of roughs and drunkards, who had been attending
+a horse-race near a bush tavern, came to the meeting-place and stoned
+the speakers, Revs. J. H. James and N. D. Parsons. But they went
+forward with the work, for the people of Stafford were aroused that
+such an indignity and outrage should be perpetrated in their midst.
+
+One dealer in Stafford was a man of a great deal of influence. He
+persisted in following the business, notwithstanding the vote, and he
+had such influence over his customers, and used his money so freely,
+that it was difficult to get evidence; but the women prayed, and the
+men labored, and in due time he was in the clutches of the law, and the
+State fine was $300, and the United States fine $700, which ruined him
+financially and socially.
+
+
+BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.
+
+A Woman’s Temperance Union was organized February 26th, 1875, only a
+few taking an interest; the society beginning with fifteen members;
+but the few continued in prayer and work till the fall of 1876, when
+they secured the services of Dr. Reynolds. During his stay a Reform
+Club of forty members was organized. A room was opened for the Reform
+Club, in which the ladies also held their meetings. In connection with
+this a reading-room was opened, and a Sabbath-school organized for
+the reformed men and their children. Saturday evening prayer-meetings
+and Sabbath afternoon meetings have been held regularly and largely
+attended. Many of the men have been brought to feel their need of a
+higher power to help them resist temptations. The ladies have visited
+the saloons to some extent; some are visited every week. One man so
+visited gave up the business, and sent in a request for prayer. Men
+are brought from the saloons to the meeting; one man who had in this
+way been induced to attend the prayer-meetings afterwards got drunk,
+and was sent to jail, where he had time to think on the kind words of
+instruction given, and to give his heart to Christ. When released from
+jail, he went to the rooms, signed the pledge, and gave testimony of
+the power of God to save to the uttermost. He says that before his
+conversion, he had taken an oath on the Bible to stop drinking, and
+yet such was the power of appetite over him, that he would be drunk
+before night, but now the appetite has been taken away from him, and
+he hates the smell of drink. One man, sixty years old, who had been a
+saloon-keeper, and for many years a drunkard, was strangely drawn to
+their rooms, and was led to give up drink and tobacco in every form,
+and to consecrate himself to Christ. And still the good work goes on,
+and the interest is increasing.
+
+
+HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.
+
+During the winter of 1875-76, a few of the Christian women of Hartford,
+Connecticut, feeling distressed in regard to the extent of the use of
+intoxicating liquors in their city, felt it their imperative duty as
+followers of Him who came to rescue man from degradation and sin, to do
+all in their power to arrest the progress of this terrible evil.
+
+Accordingly, an association was formed in January, 1876.
+
+In the summer two places were opened by the Union for the free gift of
+cold water to the passer-by. So that the old excuse of men for drinking
+beer, or something stronger, because they could not find a place where
+they could get a good drink of ice-water in the city, might be removed.
+
+In one of these rooms a young woman was employed, for a small
+compensation, to dispense the water, and temperance papers and tracts
+were also given to all who would receive them.
+
+As the summer passed away and the colder days came, coffee was
+substituted for ice-water, and the small sum of five cents was charged
+for a cup of coffee with a roll; the ladies feeling that even the poor
+would have more self-respect if they paid for what they received. This
+little room was so well patronized, that the ladies were urged to add
+to their bill of fare, so that a cheap dinner might be furnished to
+people of small means. Soup and baked beans were added, and many poor
+laboring men were thus aided. A pledge-book was kept in the room, and
+temperance papers were placed upon the tables. On Monday evening
+of each week a temperance praise and prayer-meeting was held in the
+coffee-room, which, during the past winter, was very fully attended;
+sometimes there being sixty or seventy present.
+
+A small melodeon was hired, and the music drew in many from the street.
+A large number signed the pledge after these meetings, and some cases
+of wonderful reformation have occurred. Most of those who promise to
+give up the use of liquors do it with the determination to lead a life
+of prayer and trust in God.
+
+A small library of temperance books and stories is in one corner of the
+room, and young men and boys are invited in, evenings, to read; but as
+they have no room except the eating-room, they have not been able to
+carry out this part of the work as successfully as they hope to do at
+some future time.
+
+Early in the work of the Union a committee was appointed to visit
+the jail, and the startling fact was ascertained that _more_ than
+three-fourths of the prisoners, including male and female, were
+brought there through the influence of alcoholic drinks. The ladies
+were allowed to converse with the female prisoners, and good books and
+papers were left with them to read.
+
+Another coffee-room, with lodgings connected, was opened in February,
+1877, under the care of an earnest Christian man, who was to watch over
+and guard such reformed men as were permitted to board there. Owing to
+the _low_ state of the treasury, only a small building could be hired,
+which accommodated but six or eight lodgers.
+
+But want of means obliged the Temperance Union to give up this
+“Friendly Inn” in July last, much to their regret, for they felt it to
+be a centre of great good. The part of the city where it was located
+was filled with drinking-saloons. A temperance prayer-meeting was held
+in the room every Friday eve, and the crowds who gathered in the room
+and about the door showed their interest in it. These meetings have
+been continued since the coffee-room was closed. Many have signed the
+pledge, and some hope they have commenced a Christian life through the
+influence of the meetings. Wall-pockets, with tracts and papers, have
+been placed by the Temperance Union in many of the fire-engine houses
+in the city, and also in the State hospital.
+
+Slowly, but it is hoped surely, the little work goes on; clouds often
+gather over the pathway of those who are leading as well as those who
+are being led, but the humble work done in the name of the Master is
+laid with earnest prayer at His feet.
+
+The ladies of the following towns have engaged in the work with more or
+less success, often battling against fearful discouragements:
+
+East Hampton, Essex, Bethany, Deep River, Willimantic, Jewett City,
+West Haven, Danbury, and South Norwalk.
+
+
+DELAWARE.
+
+A good work has been done in Delaware during the last three years.
+Immense mass-meetings have been held in Wilmington from time to
+time, and petitions to the Legislature been extensively circulated.
+On Tuesday, February 16th, 1875, the Woman’s Temperance Union of
+Wilmington, joined by temperance women from other parts of the State,
+paid a visit to the State Legislature. It was my privilege to accompany
+the delegation and aid in the services. A special train was chartered,
+and two or three hundred went down from Wilmington, and the number was
+augmented at every station on the route. The excitement in Dover was
+intense; as notice of this visit had been given, people from towns and
+neighborhoods within a circle of twenty miles crowded into Dover. The
+citizens of the town met and welcomed the Woman’s Temperance Union, and
+provided entertainment.
+
+At three o’clock, by previous arrangement, they proceeded in a body
+to the State House. The building was already filled to its utmost
+capacity, but the sergeant-at-arms cleared the way for the visitors.
+The members of both houses were in waiting, and received their lady
+visitors in a cordial and gentlemanly manner. As soon as the speaker
+called the house to order, Mrs. Stevens stepped in front and knelt in
+prayer. It was a solemn moment. Every head was bowed, and every heart
+throbbed under the searching power of the Divine Spirit, and many
+eyes were wet with tears, while she prayed to Almighty God for the
+deliverance of her State from the thraldom of the liquor traffic. The
+prayer was followed by the singing of two verses of
+
+ “Nearer, my God, to Thee.”
+
+Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Israel, of Wilmington, and the writer of
+these pages, were privileged to address the Legislature.
+
+A mass-meeting was held in the evening, which was attended by nearly
+every member of both houses. One senator said, grasping my hand, “The
+effect of this will not be lost. There were some of us who could join
+your Crusade song in the beginning, but there are others who have been
+won to-day.”
+
+
+“I MADE HIM WHAT HE WAS.”
+
+About this time a saloon-keeper in Dover, Delaware, who patronized
+his own bar very liberally, stepped into a back room where men were
+at work about a pump in a well. The covering had been removed, and
+he approached to look down, but being very drunk, pitched in, head
+foremost. He had become so much of a bloat by the use of strong drink,
+that it was impossible to extricate him in time to save his life.
+
+There was great excitement in the town. Men and women who had never
+been inside of his saloon before, were the first to rush to the
+rescue, and to offer sympathy to the bereaved family. As he was being
+dragged from the well, and stretched out dead upon the saloon floor, a
+wholesale liquor-dealer from Philadelphia stepped in. After the first
+shock at thus finding one of his good customers dead, he turned to a
+prominent lady, a Crusader, and said, pointing to the wrecked victim,
+“I made that man what he was. I lent him his first dollar, and set
+him up with his first stock of liquors, and he’s now worth $10,000 or
+$15,000.”
+
+Looking him full in the face, she responded:
+
+“You made that man what he was--a drunkard, a bloat, a stench in the
+nostrils of society, and sent him headlong into eternity, and to a
+drunkard’s hell. What is $15,000 weighed against a lost soul, a wasted
+life, a wife a widow, and children orphans?”
+
+He turned deadly pale, and without a word left the house.
+
+What is all the business and all the revenue to the millions whose
+homes are despoiled, whose children are beggared, and whose loved ones
+are sent headlong to a drunkard’s grave and a drunkard’s hell? Let us
+put ourselves in the place of that mother, whose son is pursued day and
+night by this demon, till the hairs of his head become serpents, and
+live coals burn into his flesh to the very bone, and, fighting devils,
+he leaps out into eternity, and then ask, Are my hands clean? Do I love
+my neighbor as myself? Am I doing _all_ I can to stay the tide that is
+bearing so many down, and may yet bear me down?
+
+During the spring and summer of 1877, immense daily mass-meetings
+were held in Wilmington, in the Opera House, and in a large tent. The
+meetings were crowded, and 15,000 signed the pledge. Taken as a whole,
+there has been a great advance in Delaware within the last few years.
+
+
+
+
+THE OUTLOOK AFTER THE CRUSADE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+The Crusade was an assault on the liquor traffic all along the lines,
+by heroic, determined women, whose motto was, “Victory or death!”
+
+Victory after victory was achieved, until the liquor oligarchy was
+driven from the open field into its strong defences. And then the women
+organized under the name of the Woman’s National Christian Temperance
+Union, and began a siege--a well-planned, determined siege, that has
+gone on with untiring zeal and energy for the last three years, and
+will go on till the last redoubt of the enemy is captured.
+
+One by one the strongholds of the foe have been weakened; one by one
+the towers of strength are being taken down, till only one unbroken
+line of defence is left--_governmental protection_. The press, that
+mighty engine of power, that with its thousands of bands and wheels
+moves the millions to thought and action, has been mainly won to this
+cause. More than 800 newspapers have already agreed to give a column
+weekly to the temperance cause, at the request of the besieging party.
+And the press may yet reach John Bowring’s high ideal:
+
+ “But mightiest of the mighty means
+ On which the arm of progress leans,
+ Man’s noblest mission to advance,
+ His woes assuage, his weal enhance,
+ His rights enforce, his wrongs redress,
+ Mightiest of mighty is the press.”
+
+_The Pulpit_ has turned its heavy guns against the enemy. Thousands of
+ministers, who before the Crusade were silent and indifferent, are now
+champions of the cause.
+
+_The Church_ has been greatly purified, and Christian unity has been
+promoted, and the moral forces consolidated.
+
+_Fermented wine_ has been banished from thousands of churches, because
+the women in the temperance work, many of them polished pillars in the
+church of Christ, could not conscientiously partake of the alcoholic
+cup, or invite the men redeemed through their efforts to do so.
+
+_The Sunday-Schools_ are being reached. Temperance lessons have
+been secured in many of them, and through this means and regularly
+organized societies, tens of thousands of children are being trained to
+temperance principles.
+
+_The Public Schools_ have been visited, and many of the colleges of
+learning, and the work has been greatly advanced. This will be felt at
+the polls, and in our legislative hall a few years hence.
+
+_Medical Bodies_ have been visited, and their co-operation secured.
+The International Medical Congress, which met in Philadelphia in 1876,
+the most influential body of medical men ever convened, numbering four
+hundred and eighty delegates, many of them the ablest writers and
+scientists in the profession, was visited by a delegation of ladies,
+and an official letter presented.
+
+Other communications had been received, and had been laid on the table.
+But the letter from the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was not only
+graciously received and referred to a committee, but carried all the
+other communications with it for a respectful hearing and response.
+
+The reading of the letter before the committee was followed by a round
+of applause, and the whole subject was carefully and scientifically
+considered. And I have heard nothing stronger on the temperance
+platform in opposition to the use of alcohol, than in that discussion.
+And the verdict against its use was unanimous, with the exception of
+_one_ vote given by a man who receives special honors from the beer
+congress because of his advocacy of the use of beer. And this action
+was afterwards approved by the congress unanimously.
+
+The following is the letter and reply:
+
+ _To the Chairman and Members of the International Medical Congress_:
+
+ HONORED SIRS:--I take the liberty, as a representative of the Woman’s
+ National Christian Temperance Union of the United States, to call
+ your attention to the relation of the medical use of alcohol to the
+ prevalence of that fearful scourge, _intemperance_.
+
+ The distinguished Dr. Mussey said, many years ago: “So long as
+ alcohol retains a place among sick patients, so long there will be
+ drunkards.”
+
+ Dr. Rush wrote strongly against its use as early as 1790. And at one
+ time the College of Physicians at Philadelphia memorialized Congress
+ in favor of restraining the use of distilled liquors, because,
+ as they claimed, they were “destructive of life, health, and the
+ faculties of the mind.”
+
+ “A Medical Declaration,” published in London, December, 1872, asserts
+ that “It is believed that the inconsiderate prescription of alcoholic
+ liquids by medical men for their patients has given rise in many
+ instances to the formation of intemperate habits.” This manifesto
+ was signed by over two hundred and fifty of the leading medical men
+ of the United Kingdom. When the nature and effects of alcohol were
+ little known, it was thought to be invaluable as a medicine. But in
+ the light of recent scientific investigations, its claims have been
+ challenged and its value denied.
+
+ We are aware that the question of the medical use of alcohol has not
+ been fully decided, and that there is a difference of opinion among
+ the ablest medical writers. But we notice that as the discussion and
+ investigation goes on, and new facts are brought out, its value as a
+ remedial agent is depreciated.
+
+ A great many claims have been brought forward in its favor, but one
+ by one they have gone down under the severe scrutiny of scientific
+ research, until only a few points are left in doubt. In view of this,
+ and the _startling fact_ that tens of thousands die annually from
+ its baneful effects, we earnestly urge you to give the subject a
+ careful examination.
+
+ You have made the study of the physical nature of man your life-work,
+ and you are the trusted advisers of the people in all matters
+ pertaining to the treatment of diseases, and the preservation of life
+ and health.
+
+ You are therefore in a position to instruct and warn the masses in
+ regard to its indiscriminate use, either as a medicine or a beverage.
+
+ We feel sure that, true to your professional honor, and the grave
+ responsibilities of your distinguished position, you will search out
+ and give us the facts, whatever they may be.
+
+ If you should appoint a standing committee from your own number, of
+ practical scientific men, who would give time and thought to this
+ question, it would be very gratifying to the _one hundred thousand_
+ women I represent, and most acceptable to the general public.
+
+ I am, with high considerations of respect,
+
+ Your obedient servant,
+ ANNIE WITTENMYER,
+
+ President Woman’s National Christian Temperance
+ Union, 1020 Arch street, Philadelphia.
+
+ _September 6th 1876._
+
+ INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CONGRESS,
+ PHILADELPHIA, _September 9th, 1876_.
+
+ DEAR MADAM:--I am instructed by the Section on Medicine,
+ International Medical Congress of 1876, to transmit to you, as the
+ action of the Section, the following conclusions adopted by it with
+ regard to the use of alcohol in medicine, the same being in reply to
+ the communication sent by the Woman’s National Christian Temperance
+ Union:
+
+ 1. Alcohol is not shown to have a definite food value by any of the
+ usual methods of chemical or physiological investigation.
+
+ 2. Its use as a medicine is chiefly that of a cardiac stimulant, and
+ often admits of substitution.
+
+ 3. As a medicine, it is not well fitted for self-prescription by
+ the laity, and the medical profession is not accountable for such
+ administration, or for the enormous evils resulting therefrom.
+
+ 4. The purity of alcoholic liquids is in general not so well assured
+ as that of articles used for medicine should be. The various
+ mixtures, when used as a medicine, should have definite and known
+ composition, and should not be interchanged promiscuously.
+
+ Very respectfully,
+
+ Your obedient servant,
+
+ J. EWING MEARS, M. D.,
+ Secretary of the Section of Medicine.
+
+ ANNIE WITTENMYER, President of the Woman’s National Christian
+ Temperance Union.
+
+The medicine-chest has been a stronghold of the liquor traffic, but
+this action rules it out of its long-cherished place.
+
+The medical associations in very many of the States have been visited,
+and urged to discontinue the use of alcoholic stimulants, and have
+pledged themselves to do so.
+
+The respectability of the drink traffic has been destroyed. No man who
+has any regard for his personal reputation would go into the business,
+or care to be seen coming out of a saloon.
+
+And to stigmatize a business is to ruin it.
+
+The State and National Legislatures have been appealed to, without any
+apparent result, further than to keep the enemy at bay, and secure a
+sharper rendering of the laws already on the statute books.
+
+Where prohibitory laws existed, they have been strengthened. The
+granting of licenses in some of the States has been prevented, and in
+most of the States the laws are better enforced.
+
+Liquors have been banished from the Presidential Mansion, and from the
+National Capitol building, and all over the land are less common at
+receptions and state dinners.
+
+Ladies have had a gracious hearing before many of the State
+Legislatures, and before the United States Senate Finance Committee.
+
+Hope has revived in the heart of many a weary wife and night-weeping
+mother.
+
+The great Reform movement among drinking men, under the able leadership
+of Murphy and Reynolds, was made possible and successful, under the
+enthusiasm of this new dispensation of Gospel Temperance. And God has
+honored faith and prayer, as a remedial agent for the salvation of men
+from sin and appetite, throughout the land, as never before. But the
+richest blessings have come to the women themselves. In the complete
+consecration, the utter abnegation of self, needed for the work,
+they have reached a higher plane of religious experience. They have
+gained “a faith that will not shrink when pressed by every foe”--a
+moral heroism that can stand serene in the presence of ridicule, and
+contumely, and mocking.
+
+Church doors have opened before them; the pulpit has welcomed them;
+the dumb have spoken with new tongues; and woman, rising to her grand
+possibility in the church, stands, to-day, centuries in advance of the
+position she occupied before the Crusade.
+
+And say what men will about the Crusade, it was the tidal wave
+that lifted the temperance question to a gospel plane; it was the
+Pentecostal baptism that sent the women of all denominations out to
+plead the cause of God and humanity, with tongues of fire; it was
+woman’s answer to the “prayer-test” of mocking scientists; it was the
+staggering blow that sent the rum power reeling towards its fall.
+And, under another name, it is honeycombing the entire drink system;
+undermining its heaviest fortifications; planting its magazines of
+power in every city and village; and the time will come when some hand
+of faith will touch the battery of heaven, and this iniquitous business
+will go down, socially, politically, and legally, to trouble the nation
+no more.
+
+But there will be many a hard-fought battle before the victory is won.
+
+I cannot close this volume without calling attention to the relation
+of the foreign emigration to the liquor traffic, and to crime and
+pauperism.
+
+Some of the best people in our land are foreigners, honored and
+trusted by all. So I want it clearly understood that no reference
+is made to that class of law-abiding Americanized citizens who came
+from across the seas to find a home with us, and who respect our
+institutions and obey our laws.
+
+But we may not conceal the fact that _more than two-thirds_ of the
+entire liquor business is in the hands of a low class of foreigners,
+although the entire foreign population of the country constitutes _less
+than one-sixth_.
+
+A band of men connected with one of the Reform Clubs of Philadelphia,
+investigating this matter, made a thorough canvass of this city in the
+beginning of 1876, our Centennial year.
+
+Many curious facts were brought to light by this private, quiet
+canvass, bearing on the criminality of the business and the persons
+engaged in it.
+
+They ascertained that there were, licensed and unlicensed, 8,034 places
+where intoxicating liquors were sold.
+
+The nationality of those engaged in the business in this city at that
+time was as follows:
+
+Chinamen, 2; Jews, 2; Italians, 18; Spaniards, 140; Welsh, 160;
+Americans, 205; Africans, 265; French, 285; Scotch, 497; English, 568;
+German, 2,179; Irish, 3,041; unknown, 672; total, 8,034.
+
+Of this number there were 3,782 which were directly or indirectly
+connected with houses of ill-fame. Of the 8,034 liquor-sellers, as
+nearly as could be ascertained, more than two-thirds had been inmates
+of prisons and station-houses.
+
+Of the 4,805 inmates received into the House of Correction,
+Philadelphia, during the year 1875, according to official report,
+2,234, nearly one-half, were foreign born, and 75 out of every 100 were
+drunkards.
+
+Of the 12,462 adults received into the almshouses of Pennsylvania, in
+1875, more than one-half, 6,847, were foreign born, and 5,422 were
+Irish and German; 77 unknown. We are slowly learning the fact that we
+are building jails and almshouses that ought to have been built in
+Germany and Ireland, and that America is rapidly becoming a sewer for
+the moral filth of Europe.
+
+The liquor traffic of New York city is mainly in the hands of
+foreigners, and an undue proportion of arrests are recorded.
+
+There were, as I learn by an official statement from the warden, 38,036
+imprisoned in the Tombs, New York, during the year ending 1876; of this
+number nearly two-thirds, 23,842, were foreign born, 14,194, native
+born.
+
+The work-house at Blackwell’s Island, New York, received, during 1876,
+22,845 prisoners, of whom 11,250 were men and 11,595 were women. Of
+these prisoners the commissioners say: “_Drunkenness was the immediate
+cause of the incarceration of three-quarters of the former and
+seven-eighths of the latter--the predisposing cause in the cases of all
+the rest._” This is official, emphatic testimony as to the effects of
+strong drink as a cause of crime.
+
+All the mobs that insulted the women engaged in the Crusade were made
+up largely of a criminal class of foreigners who were dealers or
+drinkers.
+
+The Alameda, California, outrage, which has no parallel in the history
+of civilized nations, was perpetrated by members of the “San Francisco
+German Saloon-Keepers’ Society.” One gentleman said, “It was simply
+hell let loose. It was a constant series of howlings, cursing and
+threats. I never witnessed such a scene of riot and confusion. The mob
+actually took possession of the town, and kept it all day, howling,
+yelling, and cursing, and evidently bent on inaugurating a reign of
+terrorism to keep temperance people away from the polls.”
+
+The sight of a lady was the signal for an outburst of obscenity and
+insult, and one lady, Sallie Hart, came near losing her life, because
+she had asserted her temperance principles. The mob were like a pack of
+hyenas; if they had succeeded in getting her into their clutches, they
+would have torn her limb from limb.
+
+The _San Francisco Post_ says: “What makes this outrage the more
+unendurable is, that all or nearly all of these women insulters and
+women mobbers seem to have been foreigners, who, welcomed here to equal
+privileges and the right to vote, presume to insult and mob American
+women, who choose in a peaceable and orderly manner to exert their
+influence in the settlement of a public question.”
+
+It makes every drop of patriotic blood in my veins boil to know that
+such things as are recorded in this book can be done under the flag,
+for which my great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary war, and for
+which my grandfather fought in the war of 1812, and for which three of
+my brothers fought in the recent civil war, and for which I have risked
+life many times.
+
+I am for peace, but not when it means submission to the wrong--not when
+it means insult to the flag and the principles it symbolizes--not when
+it means the triumph of the mob element of society over honest worth,
+and the insult of virtuous American women. Then I am for war--war to
+the knife, and the knife to the hilt. Let the sword of justice come
+down like a surgeon’s knife, and cut away all this putrid mass that is
+eating like a canker into the heart of the nation.
+
+
+POLITICAL CORRUPTION.
+
+I pass to notice briefly the corrupting influence of this class on our
+political life.
+
+They have come to be a marketable commodity in politics.
+
+They make terms with party leaders, and always in the direction of
+their own interests, without regard to the welfare of the country.
+And as so large a number of them are engaged in the liquor business,
+and control the votes of their customers, they have become the most
+dangerous merchandise in which we deal--a very powder-magazine under
+the bulwarks of the nation.
+
+_The Liquor Men’s Advocate_, exhorting its whiskey cohorts to act
+unitedly under the leadership of the bartenders, says:
+
+“The good old German way of spending the Sabbath don’t suit their (the
+temperance men’s) sublime taste. Five hundred million dollars passed
+through the hands of dealers in liquors during the past year (1873).
+This shows a powerful element, which, if united, might bid good-bye to
+the fanatical prohibition laws. Every saloon averages eighty regular
+customers, and these eighty customers have eighty votes, and, if
+properly managed, every bartender might influence these eighty votes to
+a given point, decided by bartenders _en masse_.”
+
+The bartenders, then, are to decide the great moral and political
+questions of this country by marching up an army of habitual drunkards
+to the polls.
+
+This is not only the _plan_, but the _practice_. For proof of the truth
+of this, go to the polls on any general election day and see a hundred
+and fifty thousand men reel up to the polls and deposit their bleared,
+muddled ballots as the rum power dictates. Notice that the polling
+places are in or near saloons, and the moral atmosphere about them
+impregnated with tobacco, beer and whiskey.
+
+To rescue this mighty power, the ballot, from the hands of men who have
+given up their manhood, and have lost self-control, and are degraded
+and crazed by drink, is the first duty of the government.
+
+Let the privileges of the ballot be at once taken from all who can
+be shown on evidence to be habitual drunkards, until there is proof
+of thorough reformation. This will strip the liquor-dealers of their
+mightiest weapon in politics, and take out of our party contests the
+most combustible and dangerous element.
+
+And what reasonable person can object to this? No man whose brain is
+muddled by drink, who has brought himself down to the brute level,
+ought to be clothed with the power to decide the destiny of a great
+nation. If he is not capable of governing himself, he should not be
+intrusted with the duty of governing a great Republic like ours, where
+every man is a ruler.
+
+And just here is the hiding of the liquor-dealers’ power. Unmask this
+battery, and concentrate a mighty force that will capture it, and you
+take the enemy’s heaviest guns, and its main political and social
+stronghold.
+
+
+SABBATH DESECRATION.
+
+The proper observance of the Sabbath day is our “dead-line” as a
+nation. And yet this very class of dealers and drinkers are aiming
+their heaviest blows at the American Sabbath.
+
+In 1874, when this class came into power in Chicago, their first act
+was to repeal the Sunday law closing the saloons and beer-gardens on
+the Sabbath day, just as they have done in the other large cities where
+they have obtained power.
+
+But this case was the more conspicuous because of the gross indignities
+offered to Christian women by the filth-reeking, villanous mob gathered
+from the saloons to insult them. It is this element that is laying
+violent hands upon the Bible, to hurl it from the place accorded it by
+the pilgrim fathers:
+
+The Bible that came over in the Mayflower; the Bible whose teachings
+form the ground-work of English common law; the Bible which was read in
+our first Congress, and before which every officer of the government
+from that day to this has stood in awe, and sworn fidelity to the
+Constitution and to duty.
+
+George Washington, Daniel Webster, Judge Storrer, and other
+distinguished statesmen pronounce the public school, without the Bible,
+an absurdity and an outrage.
+
+President Hayes, on one occasion, made use of the following strong
+language in regard to the Bible:
+
+“To drive the Bible out of the school-house is a stigma and an insult.
+What is the witness-stand, the jury-room, or the judicial bench worth
+without the sanction of the Bible operating on the public? Degrade the
+book as unfit for our children to read in school, and its authority
+over the conscience is gone. This destroys the very foundations so
+carefully laid--the organic law. A single generation thus trained will
+be enough to accomplish that result.”
+
+These are brave, strong words in the presence of an aggressive foe.
+And we will do well to remember that the Bible is our magna charta of
+Liberty; our Public Schools the chief corner-stone of the Republic;
+and the sanctity of the Sabbath our strongest social bulwark. And that
+taking the Bible out of our public schools this generation, means
+bonfires of Bibles next generation; and the overthrow of our Public
+School system, the overthrow of the Republic a few years later, and
+the desecration of the Sabbath, the subversion of social virtue and
+good order, and the _degradation of woman_. In the presence of these
+facts is it not time for us to arouse ourselves, and take a firm stand
+for our American Institutions, while we are strong enough to cope with
+the power that threatens them? If those who come here to share the
+blessings of a republic founded on Christian principles, do not like
+our institutions, they are not obliged to stay. We can better afford
+to part with them than we can with our Sabbaths, our Bibles, and our
+Public Schools.
+
+
+PERSONAL LIBERTY.
+
+As a defence, this class has raised the cry of _personal liberty_.
+
+There is no such thing as personal liberty except among savages. In all
+civilized countries the dress, food, habits of life, and the business
+of the people are more or less the subjects of legislation.
+
+People are restrained by law from appearing on the public streets, at
+watering-places, and in public assemblies without suitable clothing to
+cover themselves with.
+
+Men may not wear women’s clothing, and women may not appear in men’s
+apparel. Some regard to common decency must be observed in public at
+least.
+
+In times of pestilence many things are ruled out of the market. Men
+may not sell diseased or decayed food. Even the fish and the birds are
+protected against the ravages of men at certain seasons.
+
+When a well or fountain is deemed unfit for use, the people are
+forbidden to drink of it, and a guard placed to secure obedience.
+
+A druggist may not sell poisonous drugs, such as laudanum or opium, at
+his discretion.
+
+In most of the States gambling is forbidden, and although a man may
+own the house in which the business is carried on, and the parties
+visiting the house may make no complaint, yet the officers of the
+law may step in, and the presence of the men and the appliances are
+sufficient proof of guilt, and they are taken to jail. The lottery
+business is forbidden in some States. Obscene books, and pictures,
+and papers may not be exhibited or sold. Places of low resort may not
+outrage common decency, unless it is done secretly and unlawfully, as
+is often the case. Prize-fighters may not beat and bruise each other. A
+man may not burn his own house, or barn, or beat his horse. He cannot
+have the small-pox just when and where he pleases; he may be taken
+from his own house forcibly and put in a pest-house, or he may be
+detained in quarantine against his will. A grocer was tried and fined
+in Philadelphia, not long ago, for keeping Limburger cheese, because
+the people who lived next door were annoyed thereby; he was therefore
+forced by law to discontinue that business. A man owning a lot in a
+city may prefer to build a frame-house, but the town authorities step
+in and stop the work, and he is forced to build of brick or stone. He
+may not open a slaughter-house, or establish a powder-magazine where
+he pleases. He may not mint his own money, although he may have any
+quantity of silver or gold. He may not charge excessive interest. He is
+taxed; is subject to military duty, and hedged about from the cradle to
+the grave by-laws. The common good demands it, and there is no safety
+for life or property without restrictive legislation.
+
+With equal justice and propriety, the government (State and national)
+has the same right to interfere with the liquor traffic. Every
+principle involved in all these restrictive laws underlies the demand
+for the abatement of liquor-saloons, and breweries, and distilleries.
+
+The Brewers’ Congress, in their effort to go down to the bed-rock--the
+basal principles of our Constitution--and rivet beer upon us, raised
+this cry of personal liberty.
+
+The people should not be deceived by it. There is no such thing as
+personal liberty outside of savagism, and the demand is not for
+personal liberty, but for a state of lawlessness.
+
+And now, in conclusion, giving God the glory for our past successes,
+and for the wonderful preservation of those who walked with the Master
+in the furnace of the Crusade, let us work, and pray, and wait with
+faith for the victory that will surely come.
+
+ “For though women’s hands are weak to fight,
+ Their voices are strong to pray;
+ And with fingers of faith they open the gates
+ To a brighter, better day.”
+
+
+
+
+SUPPLEMENT.
+
+
+NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA.
+
+The Women’s Temperance League of New Castle, Pa., was formed April 8th,
+1874. As our county was favored with the Local Option Law, our work
+differed from that in many other places. Instead of visiting saloons
+kept open by license, our only street work consisted in visiting the
+distilleries and stores of such of our druggists as would not sign
+our “Druggist’s Pledge.” Here we held prayer-meetings upon only four
+different occasions. This work was not begun, however, until the last
+of June, after having made a thorough canvass with our pledges.
+
+In May, “Mother Stewart” visited us, and insisted upon the formation of
+a “Band of Hope.” Feeling that if we could get the boys right, the men
+would be right, we undertook the work. This society has proved a marked
+success, comprising at present 900 members, while our league numbers
+800. The meetings of the band and of the league have been continued
+with little interruption and with great profit, until the present time,
+1877.
+
+In the winter of 1877-1878, we earnestly co-operated with the reformed
+men in their work, though separate meetings are still held by the
+ladies and children.
+
+ MARGARET L. AIKEN, ex-Sec.
+
+
+BUFFALO, N. Y.
+
+I am indebted to Mrs. L. M. Kenyon for the following facts:
+
+When the tidal wave of the Crusade reached Buffalo the people said,
+“What are we to do with this strange movement?” But God’s call was
+heard by his own children, and at His command who said, “Let there be
+light, and there was light,” the women went out into the highways and
+the hedges, bearing the glad tidings of salvation.
+
+The women of Fredonia had preceded us in the work, and their fire
+kindled our enthusiasm. A meeting was held at the First Presbyterian
+Church to consider the question, as to whether we should unite in the
+work of the Crusade and try to save our city.
+
+There had been formerly a ladies’ temperance society, but it had lain
+dormant for years. It was thought this might again be revived, and form
+a starting point for a new movement, but the president of that society
+did not feel that she could unite in the Crusade, and so an independent
+meeting was the result. God was with the women who engaged in the
+work, in a wonderful manner, from the very beginning. They went out
+into every part of the city two by two. In some sections churches were
+opened for their meetings. The saloons were visited, and the women sang
+and prayed, and read the Scriptures, and the power of God fell upon the
+people, and law-breakers and men hardened in transgression were seen to
+weep.
+
+No regular plan of attack was made in the beginning, but the women went
+as the Holy Spirit directed. In course of time a Woman’s Temperance
+Union was organized, auxiliary to the State Union, which has brought
+about a great change in public sentiment, although the opposition at
+times was very violent and often discouraging. But, sustained by an
+Almighty hand, they continued to push the work.
+
+A committee of three ladies was appointed to visit the Board of Excise,
+and ask them to withhold license. That body answered they had done all
+they could, so the argument did not prevail. The mayor of the city
+fixed a time when the ladies should meet the Excise Commission, but
+when the hour arrived he was absent. The interview was unsatisfactory,
+as there was a division of sentiment and a lack of courage. A long
+petition was then presented to the city council, signed by over three
+hundred of our prominent business men, several hundred prominent women,
+and men of various occupations to the number of three thousand. But all
+their efforts were of no avail. Though disappointed and discouraged,
+they were not utterly cast down, but felt that God was with them, and
+still prayed and worked on. There were not wanting those who opposed
+the Crusade movement, and advised the women to stay at their homes, and
+hinted that those who visited saloons were crazy or fanatical. Yet the
+work of saloon visiting went on.
+
+One incident in connection with this work was very touching: A
+saloon-keeper had a lovely daughter. She had heard of their visits to
+her father’s saloon, and upon the day she died, most eloquently did she
+plead with him to sell no more intoxicating liquor; never again to
+open his doors to sell, after they had carried her out to Forest Lawn.
+The father’s heart was touched, and he could not resist the pleadings
+of his dying child. He promised he would close, and he did not again
+open his saloon, but soon found respectable business.
+
+In one saloon there were about thirty men drinking and playing cards,
+and women were there in a state of intoxication. Permission to pray was
+asked, and granted; and the proprietor said, “Boys, take off your hats,
+while these ladies conduct their service!” And the audience was very
+attentive; sorrow seemed depicted upon their bloated faces, and their
+thoughts were no doubt lifted up for a time, at least.
+
+In one saloon a woman was very angry, and used insulting and indecent
+language. Said we were spoiling her man’s business, and we had better
+stay at home, and just mind our own business; while the husband treated
+us kindly, and seemed ashamed of his wife’s conduct, and asked us to
+come again. Since then the man has failed in his saloon business.
+
+The ladies held Gospel Temperance Meetings in the Friendly Inn of
+the Y. M. C. A. weekly, and one in Canterbury Varieties Theatre
+weekly. These meetings were productive of good. We had encouragement
+in our work from a man who was the owner of several saloons, and the
+proprietor of the Varieties Theatre. He gave us the use of the theatre,
+fire, light, and attention of the men attending to these things, and
+the thanks of the women are to-day given Mr. Humphreys for this favor.
+He opened his doors for the temperance women to hold meetings, and
+good impressions were made upon the minds of hundreds. Several public
+meetings were held, but the work has not been a decided success.
+
+No large contributions of money have ever been received. The little
+given has been distributed with care in aiding the families of
+drunkards.
+
+Election days have been days of prayer and fasting with them. “At one
+election, we believe,” says the writer, “one candidate was defeated
+because of our prayers.” He was a saloon-keeper. In the morning one
+of the women of our city said to him, “You will not be elected.” “Why
+not?” said the man. “Because the women of the praying band are in
+their rooms praying for your defeat.” “I’ll take the risk upon it, and
+you’ll see.” All day long we prayed and fasted; our room was full. In
+the afternoon a gentleman came in and said, “Keep on praying: there
+is confusion at the _polls_. Men are carrying their votes in their
+hands--have not yet voted: they are confused.” “Praise God, from whom
+all blessings flow” was then sung. Our meeting did not close till six
+o’clock. The saloon-keeper was not elected. During the day a _third_
+man had been put in and was elected. The saloon-keeper “cursed those
+women and their prayers.”
+
+We have had assistance from the Good Templars of our city. They have
+extended courtesy toward us, especially making it pleasant for the
+gathering of our State Union. They have always encouraged us in our
+work. A committee of ladies visited the Roman Catholic bishop for
+the purpose of getting the ladies of that church to co-operate in the
+putting down of the traffic in Buffalo. He advised us to call upon them
+ourselves, as he did not control the ladies of his churches--in fact
+they did not take part in such organizations; but he most cordially
+received the committee, and said he would do all in his power to aid
+the people here to put down this curse of the church and State.
+
+Voices cried unto us, saying: “When will deliverance come?” The reply
+was, “Wait patiently upon the Lord.”
+
+Ministers were visited, and requested to use unfermented wine at the
+Lord’s Supper. To this several responded favorably; others said: If a
+person is not so changed as to take his desire for strong drink away,
+he would fall just as quickly out of the church as in it.
+
+Sunday-schools were visited, and the children in these and day schools
+pledged.
+
+A Gospel Temperance meeting found many ready to listen. Said one man,
+“I have drank liquor for forty years: forty years of hell have I had.
+Why ask me to reform? I can’t!” Mothers said, “Pray for my son! Oh,
+save him, Lord! by the help of these women.”
+
+A man who was a noted gambler, jig-dancer, negro minstrel and
+drunkard, gave himself up to the service of the Master, and went about
+imploring men to reform. His own old mother, a depraved woman, he was
+instrumental in saving.
+
+The villages near us contributed their share of true Crusade fire, and
+in some cases the liquor-dealers were prosecuted, and injunctions put
+upon this accursed traffic. Angola, Eden, North Collins, Tonawanda,
+Buffalo, amid every discouragement, struck for a release from the
+license law, and, in a few cases, hotel and saloon-keepers did not
+renew their licenses.
+
+No effort was made to establish Friendly Inns, but in the ward meetings
+men signed the pledge, especially at the Friendly Inn of the Y. M. C. A.
+
+The wealthy women of the city were not generally enlisted, yet by the
+power of God many a young man was saved and many homes made happy. The
+Crusade fire is still burning, and only needs to be fanned to kindle a
+blaze of temperance enthusiasm.
+
+
+XENIA.
+
+During the second week of the Crusade, Friday was set apart as a
+day of fasting and prayer, services being held at the Presbyterian
+Church during the entire day. While this meeting was going forward,
+the ladies were on duty, and at nine o’clock the “Hole in the Wall,”
+in the rear of the Ewing House, kept by Manus O’Donnell, capitulated
+unconditionally, and in a few minutes, more than sixty gallons of bad
+whiskey went to wash the sin-defiled alley of Whiteman; O’Donnell
+himself, amid the cheers of a thousand spectators, and the band of
+praying women, knocking out the bungs to give it flow.
+
+It was a complete and unconditional surrender of a man of all his
+earthly possessions, acknowledging his wrong and throwing himself upon
+the public for support in some other calling. Still in the rear of
+this saloon was the “Den of Iniquity,” from out of which, while yet the
+rejoicing proceeded, Warwick, the colored proprietor, was seen emerging
+with a little dirty white rag on a broomstick, bearing it aloft as a
+token of his surrender. Cheer after cheer went up; the ladies filed
+into his den, and brought forth his bottles and kegs of whiskey, and
+emptied their contents into the gutter. The proprietor of another
+saloon consented to close. His wife was temporarily absent; she was a
+woman who had a very vile tongue, and when she returned she was very
+indignant that the saloon should be closed, and immediately reopened
+it. The ladies renewed their visits, and while they were praying before
+the saloon, and she was indulging in a blasphemous tirade, one of the
+women was led to pray _that the Lord would still her tongue_. The
+prayer was answered. She was afterward struck dumb, and remained so for
+two years, when she died.
+
+Mrs. M. C. Bristow adds the following: Mass-meetings were held every
+evening; union meetings in which all our ministers took part; also a
+morning meeting which was largely attended not only by our temperance
+women and ministers, but by many of our principal business men. A
+mass-meeting was held Sabbath afternoon by the women. All these
+meetings were well attended until the month of April, at which time
+our city election took place. We had looked forward to this event with
+much interest: the parties, instead of being as heretofore Republicans
+and Democrats, were Temperance and Anti-Temperance. For mayor, the
+most important office to be filled, the friends of temperance nominated
+one of the best men in the city--Captain McDowell; not only an earnest
+Christian temperance man, but a man whom everybody respected. The
+other candidate was not only opposed to the new temperance movement,
+but one who habitually used intoxicating liquors. To our sorrow and
+disappointment Captain McDowell was defeated, and we were obliged
+to accept for our highest city officer one whom we had every reason
+to believe would do all in his power to oppose the progress of the
+temperance movement.
+
+The women were out upon the streets that day in full force, and at one
+of our saloons a most shameful affair occurred. A middle-aged, highly
+respectable woman, a member of one of our bands, having become weary
+from long standing and frequent kneeling, seated herself upon the steps
+of the saloon of John Glassinger, a German, to rest for a few moments.
+She was immediately ordered by the proprietor to leave the premises,
+and failing to obey as quickly as he thought she ought to, he kicked
+her off the steps by main force, and afterwards gave her blows, which
+confined her to her bed and house for several weeks.
+
+The saloon-keeper was arrested, but being a man of means, gave bail,
+and when his case finally came up before the grand jury, they being
+entirely in sympathy with him, failed to find an indictment. And so for
+four years he has been permitted to pursue his unholy traffic, without
+let or hindrance. Times without number he has been arrested for
+selling to minors, and otherwise violating the letter of his license,
+but the judgment of our court has _always_ been lenient in his case.
+
+We read in the word “that, though joined hand in hand, the wicked
+shall not go unpunished.” And just now it really seems in the case
+of this man, who has so long openly defied the laws of God and man,
+the words of Holy Writ are about to be verified. A few weeks since,
+in opening a beer barrel, the bung flew out and hit him in the eye,
+entirely destroying the sight of that eye. The other out of sympathy is
+also seriously affected, and there is every reason to believe he will
+eventually lose the sight of both eyes. His first exclamation after the
+accident was: “Now dem vimins will say, ‘dis is a judgment from God for
+my selling liquor.’”
+
+The day after the election it was a serious question with our earnest
+Christian women whether they should go out upon the streets or not,
+but after due deliberation they decided to do so. We met as usual at
+eight o’clock in the morning for prayer, formed ourselves into bands,
+and separated, each going to our appointed field of duty. We were very
+sorrowful on that ever to be remembered morning: a deep solemnity and
+unwonted fervor was apparent in every prayer that was offered. In the
+language of the Psalmist, we were led to exclaim in our extremity,
+“Vain is the help of man; unto Thee, O Lord! we lift our waiting eyes.”
+
+Shortly after our city election an opposing band was organized,
+composed entirely of Germans. Of all the saloon-keepers in the town,
+only five were Americans--two white, and three black.
+
+This German “_Mocking band_” was organized for the purpose of
+disturbing and, if possible, breaking up the temperance bands. When
+we came upon the street and commenced our labors, they came also and
+commenced theirs; in derision they sang and prayed, and once in our
+presence took communion, in their mocking, profane way, using beer
+for wine. But these proceedings were kept up for only a brief period.
+Seeing that we were undaunted, and could not be driven from the field
+by this kind of persecution, they desisted, leaving us to go on with
+our services undisturbed.
+
+The full bands were out daily for nine weeks, including picket work;
+but it was not in the nature of things that our labors on the street
+should continue. Some had already been obliged to abandon the work on
+account of failing health, others had young families requiring their
+time and attention, and thus from various causes one and another
+dropped out of our ranks.
+
+During the month of July, the heat became so intense that it was deemed
+unsafe to go out in the day time, and meetings were held in the early
+part of the morning and evening.
+
+Mrs. M. A. Wilson adds: “About this time a committee of liquor men
+visited our business firms to ascertain who were in sympathy with this
+Crusade movement, as they fully intended to withdraw their patronage
+from all who were.
+
+“The number of workers at this time was reduced to about twenty-five.
+We held Gospel Temperance Meetings in various places on Saturday
+evenings, also on Sabbath afternoons. During the active work a Woman’s
+Temperance League was organized, with three hundred and twelve members,
+which has since been merged into the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.
+
+“The Sabbath four o’clock prayer-meetings have been held regularly
+since the Crusade. A meeting is also held Sabbath at three P. M. in
+the jail, where we have reason to believe very much good has been
+accomplished.”
+
+Among those who took part in the prayer-meetings and the work were Mrs.
+Lowe; Mrs. Allen; Mrs. Monroe; Mrs. Moore; Mrs. Barr; Mrs. Hartwell;
+Mrs. Bedell; Mrs. Turnbull; Mrs. Marley; Mrs. Wilson; Mrs. Drees;
+Mrs. Bristol; Mrs. Wilson; Mrs. Luce; Mrs. Farber; Mrs. Finley; Mrs.
+Meredith; Mrs. Shearer; Mrs. Watt; Mrs. Day; Mrs. Good; Mrs. Williams;
+Mrs. Merrick; Mrs. Connable; Mrs. Ralston; Mrs. Shipley; Mrs. Conwell;
+Mrs. Hutchinson; Mrs. Ormsby; Mrs. Barlow; Mrs. Trotter; Mrs. McMillan;
+Mrs. Jacoby; Mrs. McPherson; Miss Williams; Miss Keaggy; Miss Allen;
+Miss Lauman; Miss Allison.
+
+There were scores of others, whose names we were not able to secure.
+
+
+
+
+A GENERAL REVIEW.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Organized Temperance Work is of recent date, and may justly be claimed,
+as one of the fruits of the Christian civilization of the Nineteenth
+century.
+
+The first society was formed in Moroe, Saratoga county, N. Y., in the
+beginning of the nineteenth century, by two earnest men--a Christian
+minister and a Christian physician.
+
+From this little beginning, a blessed tidal wave of influence has swept
+around the world, and Temperance organizations may now be found in
+every civilized and semi-civilized country on the globe.
+
+One of the most singular facts in the history of this reform is, that
+more than fifty years of earnest effort was put forth by men, before
+women began to take very much actual interest in the work. The Good
+Templars were the first to open their doors, and invite, and secure
+their co-operation. But it was not till that mighty Spiritual cyclone
+that we call “the Crusade” swept over the land, that any large number
+of women came aggressively into the work.
+
+With the power of this Pentecostal baptism upon them, and the heroism
+of a divine faith to sustain them, they were almost irresistible.
+
+Timid women, unused to missionary work, went out as flaming heralds
+of the Cross, carrying the gospel of the Son of God into the saloons,
+and down into the slums of vice. And these ministrations were attended
+with wonderful power and success. Whole towns were cleared of the
+liquor traffic in a few days; hundreds of men who had been in the trade
+for years, closed their saloons, and renounced the business forever;
+thousands signed the pledge; many who were going down rapidly to ruin,
+reformed, and became champions of the cause; women unschooled in
+oratory, spoke with tongues of fire, moving the masses by their burning
+words of eloquence, and stirring society to its very depths.
+
+As to what the result might have been, had the women continued on these
+lines of work, we dare not speculate. But this we do know, that just
+in proportion as they have had power with God, they have had power
+with men; and just to the extent that they have wandered away from the
+Divine source of strength, and “put their trust in princes and in the
+son of man, in whom there is no help,” to just that extent they have
+failed to secure unity and success.
+
+The brilliant dash of the Crusade, that so discomfited the enemy all
+along the lines, was followed by organization.
+
+The new society, which was called the Woman’s National Christian
+Temperance Union, was organized in Cleveland, Ohio, in November, 1874,
+by representatives from most of the Northern and some of the Southern
+States.
+
+The growth of the society was unprecedentedly large. Branch unions
+were formed in all the large towns and cities, and in many of the
+villages of the land.
+
+Soon the work extended beyond our own lines, and a Canadian Woman’s
+Temperance Union, and a British Woman’s Temperance Association were
+effected, which have extended the work to India, Africa and the Islands
+of the sea, so that wherever the English language is spoken, the names
+of these societies are a household word.
+
+In the early years of the work, there was entire unity in the plans of
+these societies, which was one of the marks of its Divine origin. They
+all worked after the pattern shown them on the mount of faith.
+
+Another evidence that the pattern was of Heavenly origin, is the fact
+that it was complete in outline, and that they were enabled to take
+such a wide view of the field, and grasp with such masterly hands, the
+instrumentalities to be used.
+
+
+WORK AMONG THE CHILDREN.
+
+In the very beginning, the importance of pledging and training the
+young was emphasized. This work has been pushed with great zeal and
+energy, till it has extended far beyond their own lines.
+
+The society has, perhaps, fewer children directly under its training,
+but they are more carefully taught.
+
+Regular training schools with every facility for scientific teaching,
+have taken the place of oral lessons and pledge signing, so common in
+the beginning when the children gathered by hundreds. And they have
+pushed the work beyond their own lines, out into the Sabbath schools,
+and into the Public schools and colleges.
+
+A wonderful impulse was given to this thorough, systematic training,
+by the publication of Dr. Richardson’s Lesson Book, and Julia Colman’s
+Alcohol and Hygiene, by the National Temperance Publishing Society of
+New York. So that in reviewing the past, it is safe to say that the
+general work has been greatly advanced.
+
+
+TEMPERANCE LITERATURE.
+
+As an important auxiliary in efforts to reach all classes, especially
+those who do not attend religious and Temperance meetings, the
+distribution of Temperance literature has been most helpful. The work
+from the very first has been pushed with zeal and persistence, and has
+gone steadily on, till the volume of literature produced and circulated
+gratuitously, is enormous. Instructive tracts and Temperance hand-bills
+are being distributed by _millions_.
+
+Many of them are of high order, and contain the most reliable
+scientific information. These tracts may be found at railroad stations,
+post-offices, and work-shops, and at other points where men congregate;
+and, like the leaven the woman hid in the meal, is rapidly leavening
+the whole lump.
+
+
+FRIENDLY INNS.
+
+The need of a safe place of resort for the thousands, who during the
+Crusade were led by Divine power to abandon their cups, was deeply
+felt, and many of the Unions undertook to meet the demand.
+
+They were well patronized by the classes for whom they were intended,
+and by others who felt an interest in such generous enterprises.
+But owing to the labor involved, and the responsibility incurred,
+many societies, after a few years, turned the work over to private
+parties, who assumed all risk, and gradually these Friendly Inns became
+Temperance Restaurants, and Hotels for the accommodation of the general
+public, and a more respectable class of customers. There are but few of
+these institutions now, directly under the control of the society which
+inaugurated the work in this country so grandly.
+
+
+THE PRESS.
+
+The change in the attitude of the Press has been most favorable.
+
+Before the Crusade, it was difficult to secure entrance for Temperance
+literature, into the secular newspapers of the country, and little
+was found in the religious journals. But the Crusade movement was so
+unusual and exciting, and the people were so anxious to secure the
+latest information, that correspondents were kept in the field, that
+the latest news might be furnished.
+
+That the Press has maintained a more independent attitude towards the
+liquor traffic since the Crusade than ever before, cannot be denied.
+The friends of Temperance have a fair field; the newspapers of the
+country are as accessible to them as to the friends of the trade, and
+their contributions more often appear. Large numbers of papers have
+conceded a column weekly to the local unions, and they are edited by
+members of the society, while the regular Temperance papers have been
+much better sustained.
+
+On the other hand, liquor-dealers have established their own organs,
+and the pen-fight, all along the lines, waxes fiercer and hotter as the
+years go by.
+
+The religious press is outspoken, and may be relied on in the coming
+contest, as a mighty power. The secular press, though divided, will
+grandly reinforce the work, as the question of the total prohibition of
+the liquor traffic comes more and more to the front.
+
+
+YOUNG WOMEN’S WORK.
+
+The organization of Young Women’s Unions has not been general. But
+large numbers have come into the work as co-laborers with their older
+sisters, and a more decided temperance sentiment has obtained among
+them.
+
+
+PRISON VISITATION.
+
+The sick, and those in prison, have been visited; and many in jails,
+for crimes committed under the influence of drink, have signed the
+pledge, and been redeemed inside prison walls.
+
+
+GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MEETINGS.
+
+During the early days of the Crusade, while the breath of a Divine
+inspiration was upon them, the women inaugurated Gospel Temperance
+Meetings.
+
+Their watch-fires, kindled in almost every village, glinted with light
+the darkest caverns of sin and degradation; and thousands, lost in the
+mazes of drunkenness, guided by their beacon fires, found their way to
+the cross of Christ, and to a new and redeemed life.
+
+In no work has God’s power been more clearly displayed than in these
+meetings held by the women in the early years of their work.
+
+These meetings had so much of Christ’s gospel in them, and were so
+effectual in saving the ungospeled masses, that the name of Gospel
+Temperance Meetings was given them--a name that has become a household
+word among all Temperance workers in all lands.
+
+The rude halls and mission chapels, where the workers held their
+meetings, seemed favored places of Heaven, where God let down His
+ladder, for the swift feet of the angels of mercy and forgiveness.
+Thousands were redeemed, not only from drunkenness, but from all their
+vile and sinful habits.
+
+If we could turn over the pages of the Book of Life, we would find
+opposite many a name unknown to fame, the words of Jesus, in letters
+of living light, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of
+these, ye have done it unto Me.”
+
+During the first three or four years of the work, these meetings for
+the reformation and salvation of the drinking classes, were most
+earnest and successful. During one year special reports showed that
+over _fifteen thousand_ had been saved through these Gospel Temperance
+Meetings.
+
+The Woman’s Temperance Union was born of prayer, and must be sustained
+by prayer. When we substitute any other agency for prayer we will be
+shorn of our strength, and fall apart. Nothing but the Divine grace
+that comes in answer to much prayer can cement, in strong, enduring
+bonds, human hearts for such work as this.
+
+As they gather about the cross to pray, they are drawn nearer to the
+Master, and nearer to each other. The reflex influence upon the workers
+themselves, has been a most blessed result.
+
+But as the years have gone by, the character of the work has somewhat
+changed. Gospel Temperance Meetings are still held, and drinking men
+brought in and saved; but the meetings are not so frequent, and are not
+so largely attended by crowds from the slums.
+
+Bible Readings, and Consecration meetings, have become more frequent,
+and the workers themselves are seeking teaching. At the seventh annual
+meeting of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, held at Washington,
+D. C., October, 1881, there were present 216 delegates, representing
+twenty-seven States, besides the District of Columbia and the Territory
+of Dakota.
+
+The Treasurer’s exhibit showed $2,557.69 received and disbursed; and
+the Corresponding Secretary’s report showed a vast amount of work
+accomplished.
+
+But, as large as the work may appear, we may not conceal from ourselves
+the fact that we have only touched the rim of the womanhood of this
+country, as yet. Millions of women are idle and indifferent, and
+thousands are under the power of the habit, or in the liquor business.
+
+Unity of plans by which these masses could be reached, would greatly
+advance the Temperance cause.
+
+One of the great needs of the country, and of this cause, is good,
+sober, intelligent mothers, who, with strong hands, would mould society
+in its beginnings.
+
+If we would have good government in the country, we must have good
+government in the homes where government begins.
+
+Women are the governors of the race for the first and best half of
+human life. They are the character builders for the future generations,
+and we shall have won a great victory for the cause when we may count
+the mothers of the land on the side of the Temperance host, and their
+home teaching backs up legal enactments.
+
+
+PROHIBITORY LEGISLATION.
+
+We can no longer admit of compromise measures in dealing with the
+liquor traffic. The whole iniquitous business is wrong; a sin against
+God, a cruel crime against society, that no amount of revenue can
+condone. To admit that crime legalized is no longer crime, is absurd.
+The moral code is written not only in the Book of God, but on human
+hearts. Every fibre of soul and body is under laws that, violated, must
+meet the penalty, no matter how men legislate. And there is not one
+sentence in the whole moral code that does not fall upon the liquor
+traffic and traffickers in heavy condemnation. We must adjudge this
+crime as we would other crimes.
+
+There is no ground to justify compromises. As well might we advocate a
+law making it _optional_ with the people whether crime such as theft,
+or murder, or arson, should be committed under protection of law.
+
+There is not a principle involved in English common law that is not
+violated by the emissaries of the liquor traffic. Human comfort and
+happiness, the safety of life and property, and the perpetuity of
+government, are involved.
+
+As Temperance sentiment has increased, the demand for Prohibitory
+legislation has become more and more imperative, and the most radical
+measures are brought forward.
+
+Prohibition by constitutional amendment has become the rallying cry in
+nearly every State. The people propose to take the matter into their
+own hands, and divest it of all political complications, and settle it
+on its own merits, by an exercise of their constitutional rights.
+
+This seems the easiest, quickest, and most permanent plan that has
+ever been brought forward, and is in perfect harmony with our American
+institutions.
+
+A decision by a majority of the legal voters of the State, in favor of
+putting Prohibition down in the bed-rock of State law, would carry the
+necessary public sentiment for the enforcement of the law.
+
+The example of President and Mrs. Hayes in banishing liquor from the
+White House during one Presidential term, was most praiseworthy. And
+the beautiful tribute of the Woman’s Temperance Union, was a suitable
+recognition of the heroic stand for Truth and Temperance, made by
+Mrs. Lucy W. Hayes. And the fact that during President Hayes’ term of
+office the unused wine glasses gathered dust in the cellar, while the
+Bible was in constant use in the parlor, will stand out as a gem in
+history, long after the liquor traffic of the Republic is overthrown,
+and _Prohibition written on the door-post of the White House, and over
+the portals of the Capitol buildings_.
+
+ “The crisis presses on us,
+ Face to face, with us it stands,
+ With lips of solemn question,
+ Like the Sphynx of Egypt’s sands;
+ To-day we fashion destiny--
+ The web of fate we spin,
+ To-day forever choose we,
+ Or holiness or sin.
+ By the future that’s before us--
+ By all the lights that cast
+ Their dim and flickering beams across
+ The darkness of the past,
+ And by the blessed thoughts of Him
+ Who for our ransom died;
+ Oh, my country! oh, my brothers!
+ Choose ye the righteous side.”
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+[1] When the praying band went out for saloon visitation, the
+_brothers_ remained in the College building in prayer-meeting, and at
+the close of every prayer, the College-bell was tolled.
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber note
+
+
+Spelling and punctuation errors have been corrected.
+
+Italic text has been enclosed in underscores.
+
+Smallcap text has been capitalised.
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77878 ***
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+
+
+/* Illustration classes */
+.illowp45 {width: 45%;}
+.x-ebookmaker .illowp45 {width: 100%;}
+ </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77878 ***</div>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_001" style="max-width: 37.5em;">
+ <img class="w100" src="images/i_001.jpg" alt="">
+ <figcaption>
+ <p>MRS. ANNIE WITTENMYER,</p>
+ <p>First President Woman’s National Christian Temperance
+ Union.</p>
+ </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p>
+
+<h1>
+ HISTORY<br>
+ OF THE<br>
+ WOMAN’S TEMPERANCE<br>
+ CRUSADE.
+</h1>
+
+<p class="center p4">
+A Complete Official History of the Wonderful Uprising of the Christian
+Women of the United States against the Liquor Traffic, which
+culminated in the Gospel Temperance Movement.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center p4">
+ BY MRS. ANNIE WITTENMYER.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-size: small;">
+ AUTHOR OF “WOMAN’S WORK FOR JESUS,” “A JEWELED
+ MINISTRY,” ETC.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center p4">
+ INTRODUCTION<br>
+ BY MISS FRANCES E. WILLARD.
+</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_002" style="max-width: 18.75em;margin-top: 4em;">
+ <img class="w100" src="images/i_002.jpg" alt="">
+</figure>
+
+<p class="center p4">
+ PUBLISHED BY<br>
+ JAMES H. EARLE,<br>
+ 178 WASHINGTON STREET,<br>
+ BOSTON, MASS.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="r65" style="margin-top: 6em;">
+<p class="center">
+Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by<br>
+MRS. ANNIE WITTENMYER,<br>
+In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.<br>
+</p>
+<hr class="r65" style="margin-bottom: 6em;">
+
+<p class="center p6" style="font-size: small;">
+ BOSTON<br>
+ W. F. BROWN AND COMPANY, PRINTERS<br>
+ 218 FRANKLIN STREET
+</p>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">
+TO<br>
+<br>
+THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN,<br>
+<br>
+<i>Who counted not their lives dear unto themselves, but followed<br>
+the Master into the Saloons, and Gambling Dens, and<br>
+homes of sin, and sorrow, and went joyfully<br>
+to prison for Christ’s sake</i>,<br>
+<br>
+AND TO<br>
+<br>
+THE WOMAN’S NATIONAL CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION,<br>
+<br>
+THIS VOLUME<br>
+<br>
+<i>IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="right" style="font-weight: bold;">
+ THE AUTHOR.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a><a id="Page_5"></a>[Pg 5]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">
+ PREFACE.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>This book is a carefully-prepared official history, of the
+wonderful movement known as the Woman’s Temperance
+Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>There has been no effort at literary excellence; yet many
+of the thrilling experiences narrated in these pages in simple
+words, will live in song and story as long as God and Truth
+are honored among the children of men.</p>
+
+<p>The women who walked with God in the fiery furnace of
+the Crusade have been allowed as far as possible to tell of
+their work in their own words, and they should be accorded
+a gracious hearing.</p>
+
+<p>In this record there are glimpses of home life, “like apples
+of gold in pictures of silver,” for these women are true home-makers;
+there are scenes in churches where the awful solemnity
+is broken only by the sobs of strong men, as women
+with lofty, heaven-born heroism, go out as God’s chosen leaders
+in this holy war; there are scenes in the streets, where
+bands of pure, true women, surrounded by a howling mob,
+kneel in the snow, and with the light of the excellent glory
+on their faces, pray as did their Master for just such another
+blaspheming, mocking mob: “Father, forgive them, they
+know not what they do,” and then out of the jaws of death,
+out of the mouth of hell, guided by an invisible hand, sheltered
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span>by unseen wings, pass through the jeering, filth-reeking,
+angry crowd, unharmed.</p>
+
+<p>There are many things in this book that will tax the credulity
+of the reader, but <i>the statements it contains are well-authenticated,
+and must be accepted as facts</i>. Nothing, perhaps,
+could be more incredible than the accounts, oft-repeated, of the
+base and cowardly indignities heaped upon American women,
+in their own land, by foreigners, who were protected in their
+outrages by the stars and stripes, for which many of these
+women had given their husbands, sons and brothers.</p>
+
+<p>The liquor traffic of this country is mainly in the hands of
+a low class of foreigners, and they are responsible for all the
+mobs, and nearly all the insults offered to the Christian
+women engaged in the Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>These pages have been prayerfully written, and the facts
+they contain are earnestly commended to all who love God,
+and Truth, and Justice.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span class="smcap">Annie Wittenmyer.</span>
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS">
+ TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<table class="autotable">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl"></td>
+<td class="tdr">Page</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Introduction</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER I.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Outlook at the Beginning of the Crusade</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Nation Living on her own Vitals</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Calcium Light turned on the Liquor Traffic</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">OHIO.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER II.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Beginning of the Crusade in Ohio</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Response to Dr. Lewis’ Appeal</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Mrs. Thompson’s Story</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The First Saloon Prayer-Meeting</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Saloon-Keeper in Tears</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Battle with Dunn, the Druggist</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Lawyer Confounded by Prayer</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Prayer answered after Fifty Years</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Baptized in Whiskey</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Victory at Washington Court-House</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Kneeling in the Snow</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Furious Dutchman</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Facing the Dealer and his Lawyer</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Surrender of every Saloon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Wine banished from State Dinners in Ohio</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Work in Wilmington</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A General Surrender</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">New Vienna</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Kenton, Gallipolis, and Greenfield</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Franklin</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Morrow</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Oxford</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">McArthur</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Georgetown</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Logan</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">McConnelsville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Marysville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Findley</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Jamestown</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Mount Vernon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Warren</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Steubenville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Youngstown</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Alliance</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">New Philadelphia</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">OHIO.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER III.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Cleveland</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ladies Beaten by a Mob</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Mock Prayer-Meeting</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Fierce Dogs subdued by Prayer</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_156">156</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Millersburg</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Zanesville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Painesville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ladies Imprisoned in a Saloon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ashland</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Bellevue</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Bucyrus</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Drunken Mob</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Brutal Treatment of the Ladies by the Police</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Arrest of the Ladies</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Tried and Condemned</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Elyria</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Athens</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Columbus</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_220">220</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Indignities offered to the Ladies</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Meeting in the State House</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_224">224</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Van Wert</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Cincinnati</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Crusade Dog</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_230">230</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Meeting at the Esplanade</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_232">232</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Cannon brought out</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_235">235</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Mayor knocked down by the Mob</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Forty-three Ladies Arrested</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Story of the White Shoes and White Dresses</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">What a Picture did</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Clyde</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_251">251</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Cedarville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Marietta</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Xenia</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_258">258</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Waynesville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">New Concord</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_267">267</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ravenna and Marion</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_273">273</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">West Union and Felicity</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_278">278</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Lebanon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_279">279</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Grandville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_280">280</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Leesburg and Blanchester</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Goshen, Zaleski, and Troy</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Mansfield</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_283">283</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ripley</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Tiffin</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_296">296</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Bellefontaine</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_298">298</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Springfield</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_301">301</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Newark</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_310">310</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Urbana</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_318">318</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Dayton</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Piqua</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_329">329</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Circleville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_330">330</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Madisonville and Delaware</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_332">332</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Portsmouth</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_334">334</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Stryker</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Chillicothe</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_339">339</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">INDIANA.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER IV.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Shelbyville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Jeffersonville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_348">348</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Chestertown</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_356">356</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Thorntown</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_363">363</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Crawfordsville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_366">366</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Evansville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_368">368</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Madison</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_377">377</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Indianapolis</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_391">391</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Richmond</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_396">396</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">ILLINOIS.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER V.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Chicago</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_399">399</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Visit to the City Council</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_401">401</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Mob of Five or Six Thousand</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_402">402</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Origin of the Daily Temperance Prayer-Meeting</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_405">405</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Jacksonville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_412">412</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Rockford</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_417">417</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Bloomington</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_421">421</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Moline</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_424">424</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">WEST VIRGINIA.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER VI.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Wheeling</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_442">442</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Visit to Laramie’s Variety Theatre</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_444">444</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Laramie’s Harangue</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_445">445</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Visit to the Dancing Girls</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_447">447</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Laramie’s Den Closed</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_448">448</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Savegaut’s Brutal Treatment of the Ladies</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_449">449</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Dealer Checkmated</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_450">450</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Captain Jack and Temperance</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_451">451</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_452">452</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Saloon closed by the Judgments of God</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_455">455</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Forgeries in obtaining Licenses</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_457">457</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Securing the President’s Veto</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_458">458</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Distinguished Paupers in the Poor-House</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_459">459</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">PENNSYLVANIA.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER VII.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Pittsburgh</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_465">465</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">First Arrest of the Ladies</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_469">469</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Their Acquittal</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_470">470</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Rearrested and taken to Jail</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_471">471</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Mob—The Ladies Arrested the Third Time</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_472">472</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Carried to the Court of Common Pleas</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_473">473</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Acquitted—Singing and Praying not Unlawful</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_475">475</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Acting Mayor in the Penitentiary</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_476">476</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Allegheny</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_478">478</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Williamsport</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_482">482</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Judgments meted out</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_484">484</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Blossburg</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_487">487</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Warren</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_488">488</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Philadelphia</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_491">491</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Graduate of Yale Redeemed</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_498">498</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">God can Save a Tramp</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_499">499</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Marvellous Answer to Prayer</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_500">500</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Montrose</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_504">504</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Susquehanna and Troy</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_505">505</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ashley</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_506">506</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">NEW YORK.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Fredonia</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_507">507</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">First Visit to Saloons</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_509">509</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Auburn</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_511">511</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Plattsburg</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_512">512</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Albany</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_514">514</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Syracuse</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_516">516</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Rochester</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_518">518</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Oswego</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_520">520</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Hornellsville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_525">525</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Utica</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_527">527</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Rome</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_531">531</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">New York City</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_533">533</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Scene to melt the hardest Heart</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_538">538</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Meetings in a Dance-House</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_540">540</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Walls about New York City</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_543">543</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Brooklyn</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_544">544</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Strange Telegram</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_546">546</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Man Redeemed</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_548">548</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Every Saloon closed where they held Prayer-Meetings</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_551">551</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Captain Oliver Cotter’s Conversion</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_553">553</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Wonderful Saloon Prayer-Meeting</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_554">554</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Binghampton</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_557">557</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Poughkeepsie</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_559">559</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Geneva</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_563">563</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Peekskill</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_565">565</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND R. ISLAND.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER IX.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">VERMONT.</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_569">569</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">No Saloons in St. Johnsbury</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_570">570</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Mechanics growing Rich</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_571">571</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Schemes to evade the Law</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_572">572</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">St. Albans</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_573">573</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">NEW HAMPSHIRE.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Concord</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_575">575</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Portsmouth</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_578">578</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Presentation of Flags to Sailors</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_580">580</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">RHODE ISLAND.</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_581">581</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Visiting the Saloons in Pawtucket</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_583">583</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Visit to the Legislature</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_585">585</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Ladies Victorious</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_586">586</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Reform Club Movement</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_588">588</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">MASSACHUSETTS.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER X.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Convention at Worcester</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_591">591</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Results of Work</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_592">592</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Protest against Wine-Drinking at Public Dinners</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_594">594</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Interview with the Mayor</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_595">595</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Memorial of W. C. T. U.</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_596">596</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Response of the Mayor</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_598">598</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Action of the City Council</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_604">604</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">MAINE.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Bangor</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_605">605</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Petition to the City Council</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_606">606</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Establishment of a Club and Reading-Room</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_607">607</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Reformation of Dr. Henry A. Reynolds</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_608">608</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Augusta</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_609">609</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Stroudwater</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_611">611</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Portland</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_614">614</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Opening of a Friendly Inn</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_616">616</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Flower and Diet Missions</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_617">617</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Old Orchard</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_618">618</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">MICHIGAN.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER XI.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Adrian</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_619">619</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Lansing</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_625">625</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Jackson</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_627">627</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Grand Rapids</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_631">631</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Cold Water and Eaton Rapids</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_633">633</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">New Boston</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_635">635</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Portland</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_641">641</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Howell</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_642">642</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Allegan</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_643">643</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ionia</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_645">645</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Hudson</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_647">647</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Morenci</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_649">649</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Flint</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_650">650</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Leslie</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_651">651</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Dowagiac</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_653">653</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Colon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_655">655</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER XII.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">WISCONSIN.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ripon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_657">657</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Invitation to a Saloon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_658">658</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Praying in Underground Rooms</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_660">660</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Druggist driven away</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_662">662</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Josh and the Election</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_663">663</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Indignities offered</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_665">665</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">MINNESOTA</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_667">667</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">IOWA</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_668">668</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Manchester</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_670">670</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Wilton Junction</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_674">674</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Villisca</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_677">677</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Vinton</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_678">678</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Clinton</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_680">680</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">MISSOURI</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_683">683</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Carthage</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_684">684</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CALIFORNIA <span class="allsmcap">AND</span> OREGON.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">CALIFORNIA</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_687">687</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER XIII.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Victory at Oakland</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_688">688</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Mob at Alameda</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_689">689</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Reign of Terror</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_690">690</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Sallie Hart Assailed</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_690">690</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">An Old Lady Insulted</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_691">691</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Effigy of Sallie Hart Buried</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_692">692</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">German Liquor-Dealers Responsible</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_693">693</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Statement of Rev. O. Gibson</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_695">695</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Affidavit of Officer Krauth</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_697">697</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">OREGON</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_698">698</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Visit to Moffett’s Saloon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_699">699</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">An Irate German</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_700">700</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Brutality of the Police</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_702">702</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Mob at Moffett’s</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_703">703</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Pistols, Knives, and Gongs</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_704">704</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Ladies Arrested</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_705">705</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Trial</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_706">706</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Convicted</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_708">708</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Ladies Protest</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_709">709</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Sent to Prison</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_710">710</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Driven from the Jail</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_711">711</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Encouraging Words</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_712">712</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Murder in a Saloon</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_713">713</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">NEW JERSEY.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER XIV.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Newark</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_716">716</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Drunken Engineer Saved</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_717">717</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Drunken Tailor Redeemed</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_718">718</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Miracle of Grace</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_719">719</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Giving up Rum and Tobacco</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_720">720</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Reform Club Organized</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_721">721</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Delirium Tremens Cured</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_724">724</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Drunken Husband Reached</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_725">725</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Roseville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_727">727</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Lambertville and Rahway</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_731">731</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Jersey City</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_732">732</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Mt. Holly and New Brunswick</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_733">733</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Hackettstown</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_733">733</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Trenton</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_734">734</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">MARYLAND</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_736">736</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Wail of Women and Children</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_737">737</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Organization</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_738">738</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">State Convention</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_739">739</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The English Sailor-Boy</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_740">740</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Farewell Meeting for Mrs. Parker</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_741">741</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Smallest of the Polished Stones</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_742">742</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Tryst of Maryland</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_743">743</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CONNECTICUT.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">New Milford</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_745">745</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Battle—License or No License</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_746">746</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Eastford</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_748">748</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Plainville</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_750">750</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">New Haven</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_754">754</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Stafford</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_755">755</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ministers Stoned</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_756">756</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Bridgeport</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_756">756</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Hartford</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_758">758</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="1">DELAWARE</th>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_760">760</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Visit to the Legislature</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_761">761</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">I made him what he was</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_762">762</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Dealer Confounded</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_763">763</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Mass-Meetings at Wilmington</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_763">763</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">OUTLOOK AFTER THE CRUSADE.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">CHAPTER XV.</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Watchword</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_764">764</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Pulpit</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_765">765</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Sunday-Schools</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_765">765</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">International Medical Congress</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_766">766</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Correspondence of W. C. T. U.</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_766">766</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Views of Drs. Mussey and Rush</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_767">767</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Answer of International Congress</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_768">768</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Alcohol Ruled out of its cherished Place</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_769">769</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Important Advancement</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_770">770</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">What the Crusade was</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_771">771</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Relation of Foreign Emigration to the Liquor Traffic</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_771">771</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Nationality of Dealers in Philadelphia</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_772">772</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Nationality of Prisoners and Paupers</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_773">773</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Outrages that stir Patriotic Blood</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_774">774</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Political Corruption</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_775">775</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">The Bartender to Manage Election Matters</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_776">776</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Sabbath Desecration</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_777">777</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">President Hayes’ View of the Bible</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_778">778</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Personal Liberty</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_779">779</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Hedged about by Law</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_780">780</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Work, and Pray, and Wait</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_781">781</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION">
+ INTRODUCTION.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>Ours is a famous country for protection. There is
+the tariff to protect industry, while the patent laws are
+a safeguard to invention. There are the land grants
+for railroads, subsidies for steamship companies, charters
+for corporations. In many of the States we have
+societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and
+in nearly all, laws for the protection of game. Busy
+with all these gentle, wise, and patriotic measures,
+there is one place our brothers have forgotten adequately
+to protect, and that is—Home. The Women’s
+Temperance Crusade, embalmed in the pages that
+follow, was a protest against this forgetfulness and this
+neglect. It was the wild cry of the defenceless and
+despairing, whose echo rose to Heaven and still resounds
+in every ear that is not deaf. At the height
+of that wonderful uprising, a sweet-voiced Quaker
+woman led her band to the chief saloon in an Ohio
+village. “What business have you to come here?”
+roared the affrighted dealer. Going to the bar she
+laid her Bible down and said: “Thee knows I had five
+sons and twenty grandsons, and thee knows that many
+of them learned to drink right in this place, and one
+went forth from here maddened with wine and blew
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span>his brains out with a pistol ball; and can’t thee let his
+mother lay her Bible on the counter whence her boy
+took up the glass, and read thee what God says: ‘<i>Woe
+unto him that puts the bottle to his neighbor’s lips?</i>’”</p>
+
+<p>The saloon-keeper had but to point to the wall
+behind him, where hung his “License to sell,” bearing
+the names of prominent citizens of the village, and
+emblazoned with the escutcheon of the Commonwealth.
+They all met in that little scene—Gospel and Law,
+man’s failure, woman’s grief; while the reason why,
+and the place in which they met, gave ample answer
+to the question heard so often: <i>What did the Crusade
+mean?</i></p>
+
+<p>There is another question quite as often asked:
+<i>What did the Crusade do?</i> One of its leaders made
+this reply to the Temperance Sojourner, who writes
+these lines: “Well, let me answer from my own experience.
+Until it swept over our place, though I had
+lived there twenty years, I knew so little about this
+drinking business that I couldn’t have pointed out a
+saloon in the whole town. I thought the queer-looking
+places with blinds and screens were barber-shops.
+Since then I have found out that they are shops where
+men get shaved—not of their beards, but of their
+honor. Since then, too, I took my little four-year-old
+boy to market with me one morning, and feeling his
+clasp of my hand tighten, I looked down and saw his
+head turned backward apprehensively. ‘Why, Willie,
+what’s the matter?’ I exclaimed. There were volumes
+of meaning in the reproachful roll of his solemn
+blue eyes as he whispered: ‘Didn’t mamma know that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>her little boy was a-passin’ a saloon?’ Surely it was
+the crowning achievement of the Crusade that it opened
+the eyes of millions of women and children in this land
+to the existence and the dangers of the rum-shop. In
+consequence of this the public finger points to-day with
+imperious gesture at the saloon, and woman’s voice
+in tones of irresistible persuasion cries, ‘Look there!’”</p>
+
+<p>What did the Crusade do? Take another illustration.
+In front of a saloon that had refused them entrance,
+knelt a crusading group. Their leader was also
+the most prominent Methodist lady of the community.
+Her head was crowned with the glory of gray hairs;
+her hands were clasped, her sweet and gentle voice
+was lifted up in prayer. Around her knelt the flower
+of all the churches of that city—Congregationalists,
+Baptists, Presbyterians—many of whom had never
+worked outside their own denominations until now.
+At the close, an Episcopal lady offered the Lord’s
+prayer, in which joined Unitarians, Swedenborgians,
+and Universalists; and when they had finished, a dear
+old lady in the dove-colored garb of the Friends’ Society
+was moved to pray, while all the time below them
+on the curbstone’s edge knelt Bridget with her beads
+and her Ave Marie.</p>
+
+<p>“Going out on the street” signified a good deal
+when one comes to think about it. First of all, it
+meant stepping outside the denominational fence,
+which, properly enough, surrounds one’s home. The
+Crusaders felt that “unity of the Spirit” was the one
+essential, nor feared to join hands with any who had
+the Bible and the temperance pledge for the two articles
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>in their “Confession of Faith”—who rallied to
+the tune of “Rock of Ages cleft for me,” or had for
+their watchword: “Not willing that any should perish.”</p>
+
+<p>Best of all, “going out on the street” brought
+women face to face with the world’s misery and sin.
+And here I may be pardoned a bit of personal reminiscence.
+Never can I forget the day I met the great
+unwashed, untaught, ungospelled multitude for the first
+time. Need I say it was the Crusade that opened
+before me, as before ten thousand other women, this
+wide, “effectual door?” It was in Pittsburgh, the
+summer after the Crusade. Greatly had I wished to
+have a part in it, but this one experience was my first
+and last of “going out with a band.” A young
+teacher from the public schools, whose custom it
+was to give an hour twice each week to crusading,
+walked arm-in-arm with me. Two school-ma’ms
+together, we fell into the procession behind the experienced
+campaigners. On Market street we entered
+a saloon the proprietor of which, pointing to several
+men who were fighting in the next room, begged us
+to leave, and we did so at once, amid the curses of the
+bacchanalian group. Forming in line on the curbstone’s
+edge in front of this saloon, we knelt, while an
+old lady, to whose son that place had proved the gate
+of death, offered a prayer full of tenderness and faith,
+asking God to open the eyes of those who, just behind
+that screen, were selling liquid fire and breathing curses
+on his name. We rose, and what a scene was there!
+The sidewalk was lined by men with faces written all
+over and interlined with the record of their sin and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span>shame. Soiled with “the slime from the muddy banks
+of time,” tattered, dishevelled, there was not a sneering
+look or a rude word or action from any one of
+them. Most of them had their hats off; many looked
+sorrowful; some were in tears; and standing there in
+the roar and tumult of that dingy street, with that
+strange crowd looking into our faces—with a heart
+stirred as never until now by human sin and shame, I
+joined in the sweet gospel song:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Jesus the water of life will give</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Freely, freely, freely!”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>Just such an epoch as that was in my life, has the
+Crusade proved to a mighty army of women all over
+this land. Does anybody think that, having learned
+the blessedness of carrying Christ’s gospel to those
+who never come to church to hear the messages we
+are all commanded to “Go, tell,” we shall ever lay
+down this work? Not until the genie of the Arabian
+Nights crowds himself back into the fabulous kettle
+whence he escaped by expanding his pinions in nebulous
+bars—not until then! To-day and every day
+they go forth on their beautiful errands—the “Protestant
+nuns” who a few years ago were among the
+“anxious and aimless” of our crowded population, or
+who belonged to trades and professions overfull—and
+with them go the women fresh from the sacred home-hearth
+and cradle-side, wearing the halo of these loving
+ministries. If you would find them, go not alone to
+the costly churches which now welcome their voices,
+while to those who are “at ease in Zion” they gently
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span>speak of the great, whitened harvest. But go to
+blacksmith shop and billiard hall, to public reading-room
+and depot waiting-room, to the North End in
+Boston, Water street, New York, the Bailey coffee-houses
+of Philadelphia, the Friendly Inns of Cleveland,
+the Woman’s Temperance Room of Cincinnati,
+and Lower Farwell Hall, Chicago, and you will find
+the glad tidings declared by the new “apostolic succession,”
+dating from the Pentecost of the Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>There is another question often asked, to which this
+thought of woman’s temperance work conducts us, viz.:
+<i>What is the Crusade doing now?</i></p>
+
+<p>Those who ask it with supercilious glance furnish an
+added illustration of the immense power of the human
+mind to resist knowledge.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">But his soul is marching on.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>Just so with the Crusade. It has come and it has
+gone—that whirlwind of the Lord—but it has set forces
+in motion which each day become more potent, and
+will sweep on until the rum power in America is overthrown.
+There was but one Pentecost; doubtless history
+will record but one Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>A phenomenon no less remarkable, though certainly
+much less remarked, has succeeded that wonderful
+uprising—indeed, is aptly termed its sober, second
+thought. This is the phenomenon of <i>organization</i>. The
+women who went forth by an impulse sudden, irresistible,
+divine, to pray in the saloons, became convinced,
+as weeks and months passed by, theirs was to be no
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>easily-won victory. The enemy was rich beyond their
+power to comprehend. He had upon his side the
+majesty of law, the trickery of politics, and the leagued
+strength of that almost invincible pair—Appetite,
+Avarice. He was persistent, too, as Fate. He had
+determined to fight it out on that line to the last dollar
+of his enormous treasure-house, and the last ounce of
+his power. But these women of the Crusade believed in
+God, and in themselves as among his appointed instruments
+for the destruction of the rum power. They loved
+Christ’s cause; they loved the native land that had been
+so mindful of them; they loved their sweet and sacred
+homes. And so it came about that, though they had
+gone forth only as skirmishers, they soon fell into line
+of battle; though they had innocently hoped to overcome
+the enemy by a sudden assault, they buckled on the
+armor for the long campaign. The Women’s Praying
+Bands, earnest, impetuous, inspired, became the
+Women’s Temperance Unions, firm, patient, persevering.
+The Praying Bands were without leadership save
+that which inevitably results from the survival of the
+fittest; the Women’s Unions are regularly officered.
+The first wrought their grand pioneer work in sublime
+indifference to prescribed forms of procedure; “So say
+we, all of us,” being the spirit of “motions” often
+“made, seconded and carried” by the Chair, while the
+assembled women nodded their earnest acquiescence;
+the second are possessed of good strong “Constitutions”
+(with By-Laws annexed), and follow their
+“Order of Business” with a dutiful regard to parliamentary
+usage. The Praying Bands, looking for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span>immediate deliverance, pressed their numbers into
+incessant service; the Women’s Unions, aware that
+the battle is to be a long one, ask their members only
+for such help as can be given consistently with other
+duties. Enthusiasm—“a God in us”—enabled the
+Praying Bands to accomplish prodigies; patient purpose,
+with the same faith that inspired the Crusade, is
+conducting the Unions to victory—distant, but sure.
+To-day twenty-three States are organized, with
+thousands of local auxiliaries, and all confederated in
+a National Union.</p>
+
+<p>It is safe to say that never did any form of philanthropic
+work afford scope for so great diversity of talent
+and of method as this branch of the temperance reform
+“of the women, by the women.” In the days of the Crusade
+a dear old grandmother said: “I’m of no use
+except to go along and cry,” and in the same spirit a
+negro servant said to the lady for whom she worked:
+“I be’ant good for much, but I kin hold the ole ombereller
+over you;” and even the family dog sometimes
+walked with stately step beside his mistress as she lead
+her “Band.” So, in these blessed days that have succeeded,
+and which have brought such inspiration to our
+lives that “I’m glad I’m alive!” is a frequent exclamation,
+there is a place that seems “just made on purpose”
+for every honest heart and helpful hand. Some
+feel a special call to the gospel work, and others to
+the execution of the law; some give their time to
+organizing Unions, others to canvassing for subscribers
+to our paper; some raise money, others raise the
+tone of public sentiment; some work among the children,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span>others labor for the men who drink and sell, and all
+are warmly welcomed and find abundant “elbow-room.”</p>
+
+<p>It was the great Iconoclast, that wonderful Crusade!
+It broke down sectarian barriers; it taught women
+their power to transact business, to mould public opinion
+by public utterance, to influence the decisions of
+voters, and opened the eyes of scores and hundreds
+to the need of the Republic for the suffrages of women,
+and made them willing to take up for their homes and
+country’s sake the burdens of that citizenship they
+would never have sought for their own.</p>
+
+<p>But best of all, it revealed to the mothers and
+daughters in our Israel their opportunity and duty to
+employ the growing leisure which our advancing
+civilization and multiplied mechanical contrivances
+afford them, in building up Christ’s empire on the
+earth. It is a very plain, practical matter to help
+organize the kingdom of heaven in a human breast.
+It is a business enterprise based on an eminently
+practical treatise known as the New Testament. Replace
+the brandy flask in the pocket of a drinking
+man by the Bible—get him to read with sincere wish
+to understand the words that are spirit and life, and
+you have set in motion the forces of a new dispensation
+in his heart. You have built him up within
+instead of propping him from without. To give him a
+loaf of bread, if hungry, would be a good thing, but to
+put him on track of getting one for himself by feeding
+him with heavenly bread, is better. To put a broken
+arm in a sling is a kind act, but if one could by an
+electric touch make that arm whole, that were the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span>supreme benefaction, and analogous to that is the loving
+“gospel work” by which we help to enthrone conscience
+and enshrine Christ in a man’s soul. The
+process is plain and simple as the Rule of Three.
+The geometric formula that “all the angles of a triangle
+equal two right angles” is not more demonstrable upon
+the blackboard than this rule is demonstrable in a life,
+namely: Prayer will cause a man to cease from sinning,
+as sin will cause a man to cease from prayer. The
+whole problem of “how to do it” was wrought out
+over and over again by the women of the Crusade.
+They proved anew to the great church militant that its
+solution involves, and ever must, the individualism of
+Christ’s own way of working; that “the masses” are
+to be lifted up one by one, and not otherwise. It is a
+question of contact. It is “elbow heathen” the Crusaders
+reached, just because they found them at their
+elbows. They acted on the principle that the man and
+woman in the next alley to us are a part of our parish
+in the geographical nature of things. Some people
+spend a lifetime chasing after “the masses,” and are in
+such hot pursuit they cannot stop to capture the unit
+of the mass—and that’s the nearest and the neediest
+man. The masses elude us; the next door neighbor
+couldn’t if he would, and wouldn’t if he could. The
+masses are a glittering generality; the man, poor,
+needy, wicked, sad, is a most unglittering fact. It is
+the way an army is recruited—one by one; it is the
+way commerce marches across a continent and captures
+it for civilization—one by one; it is the way Christ’s
+church adds to its members, and heaven to its souls—one
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span>by one. And first, best, and most sacred of the
+lessons taught by the Crusade, was <i>this lesson of individual
+work for Christ</i>, which must be learned by every
+disciple before Christ comes as King in government,
+in society and individual life.</p>
+
+<p>Travelling through Ohio two years ago, and resting
+for a night in some dear temperance woman’s
+home, how many times I said: “Now talk to me of the
+Crusade,” and how significantly uniform was the reply:
+“O, that was something only to be felt and lived; to
+be wept and prayed over—it wasn’t to be told.”</p>
+
+<p>But as you, dear sisters of Ohio, Indiana, and other
+States both east and west, were helped to do a work
+so wonderful, even so, as I believe, has our dear President
+of the National Union, which grew out of the
+Crusade, been helped to be its faithful Chronicler.
+We, who can but claim to be eleventh-hour laborers
+at best, may never see the passion flower that
+burst into such splendid bloom before your eyes,
+but evermore we shall be grateful to her whose patient
+hands gathered up its scattered petals and preserved
+them for the herbarium of our memory. Nay,
+not for ours alone. Posterity will listen to the story
+and place its heroines in the Pantheon of undying
+fame. And yet how well I know you have not wrought
+for this; nor is it a regret to you that, as in this History
+our friend has written, so in later times the record
+shall embalm your deeds, but not your names. One
+human life and work signifies little to the world. But
+O, if we have tried to bless the lives about us, whether
+in the sweet evangelism of our homes or in the grand
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>philanthropies by which society becomes the foster-parent
+of thousands who are worse than motherless,
+we shall not have lived in vain. Wherever in the
+nobler future of the land we love, there are safe and
+happy homes, they will be safer and more happy
+because we have lived and toiled. Wherever little
+children grow to maturity with less to lure them into
+sin, and tempted manhood finds more helpful hands
+outstretched to save, there we shall still be blessing,
+there we shall still be blessed, though our names may
+be forgotten. O, “may we join the choir invisible,”
+whose voices, sounding onward through the ages, shall
+speak to sad humanity of Him who yesterday, to-day,
+forever, abides the same!</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“In the cross of Christ I glory,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Towering o’er the wreck of time;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">All that’s bright in human story</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Radiates from its form divine!”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="right">
+ FRANCES E. WILLARD.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p><span class="smcap">Chicago</span>,</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_026" style="max-width: 37.5em;">
+ <img class="w100" src="images/i_026.jpg" alt="">
+ <figcaption>
+ <p>MISS FRANCES E. WILLARD,</p>
+ <p>First Corresponding Secretary Woman’s National
+ Christian Temperance Union.</p>
+ <p>Elected President in 1879.</p>
+ </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ HISTORY<br>
+ OF THE<br>
+ WOMEN’S TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">
+ CHAPTER I.
+</h2>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak">
+ THE OUTLOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CRUSADE.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>We are a nation of God’s own right-hand planting.
+The Lord has given us a goodly heritage—a land literally
+flowing with milk and honey. It is estimated
+that our grain fields are broad and rich enough to
+supply the people of all nations with bread. We have
+mineral wealth in rich abundance; and cotton, and flax,
+and wool, and silks and furs with which to clothe ourselves
+in royal apparel. Our scheme of government is
+wise, and just, and humane—the best that was ever
+vouchsafed to any people. And God has been with
+us in his providence in a marked and wonderful manner;
+so that all our enemies have been subdued before us
+by the breath of his power. At his word steam has lent
+her wings, and the lightnings their voice, and heaven
+spread the wires of her whispering gallery, like a network,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span>over the continent, to help on the cause of liberty
+and human progress.</p>
+
+<p>Under these favorable circumstances, we might have
+been the strongest and richest nation in the world had
+not our rulers in their unwisdom encouraged the
+liquor traffic, and adopted a scheme of raising public
+revenue in connection therewith which has been destructive
+to our moral, industrial, and financial interests.</p>
+
+<p>To avoid imposing a direct tax for the support of
+the government, Congress in 1794 recognized and
+taxed the liquor traffic as a branch of commerce.
+State legislatures soon followed the same unwise and
+suicidal course. From that time on, protected and
+encouraged by the government, which shared in its
+spoils, the traffic in intoxicating drinks increased rapidly.
+In 1873, the beginning of the crusade, according
+to the estimate of Dr. Young, Chief of the Bureau of
+Statistics, our annual drink bill reached the enormous
+sum of $600,000,000! This was an annual tax of
+over $15 per capita for every man, woman, and child
+in the country. If the government had levied a direct
+tax to secure the amount she realized from this business,
+the cost to the people per capita would have
+been less than $1.80 instead of $15. And then the
+government would have saved the immense sum
+expended annually in sustaining a standing army of
+revenue officers, detectives, and gaugers required in
+connection with the liquor business.</p>
+
+<p>This enormous tax, which reached all grades of society,
+fell heaviest on the laboring classes—upon those
+who could not afford to pay it; and poverty and ruin
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span>came to millions. The whole land was filled with beggary
+and crime, and a bitter wail of want and woe
+without surcease went up to God. Millions who ought
+to have been producers and bread-winners, became
+consumers, tramps and criminals. Men, mad with
+strong drink, reeled through the streets; women,
+grown old before their time, toiled in their comfortless
+homes in dumb despair, and little half-starved children
+hid away in fear from their brutal fathers. It was with
+us as it was with the Egyptians—there was one dead
+in almost every house.</p>
+
+<p>But the liquor-dealers were so intrenched behind
+law, so sheltered in politics, so guarded and sustained
+by the government, that they were an oligarchy that
+could dictate to statesmen, and control legislatures, and
+defy public sentiment. Restrictive laws in most of the
+states were weak and inoperative, and the demand for
+“free rum” and a “free Sabbath” was fierce and loud,
+and many of the old barriers against drunkenness and
+lewdness and crime were being broken down. The government
+of our large cities was largely in the hands of
+liquor-dealers or the creatures of their choice, and the
+police force under their control; many of the courts
+were overawed or corrupted; Justice was perverted,
+and Right and Truth trampled under foot. There was
+no redress anywhere for those who had been wronged
+and ruined by the liquor traffic; for the liquor oligarchy,
+which was largely made up of foreigners, had the
+government by the throat, and compelled her “to drink
+of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”</p>
+
+<p>Spies were in the secret chambers of the government;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span>men high in places of trust guarded the liquor
+interests; enormous frauds were planned and carried
+forward year after year; men who ought to have been
+in the penitentiary were lobbying their schemes for
+plunder through legislative bodies; the air of the
+national council chamber was reeking with alcohol and
+tobacco. There seemed no hope for us or our country.
+Congress was so much under the influence of the
+rum power that they refused even to look into the
+matter when “a commission of inquiry” was asked for
+by <i>hundreds of thousands of the best people in the land</i>,
+lest they should give offence to the liquor oligarchy.
+Party managers were careful to lay down their platforms
+so that liquor-dealers could stand securely on
+every plank, no matter how many honest, worthy citizens
+were crowded off.</p>
+
+<p><i>The nation was living on her own vitals.</i> For every
+thousand dollars received from the liquor oligarchy,
+the government sacrificed one of her own citizens.
+Sixty millions of dollars received—sixty thousand men
+sacrificed annually on this putrid altar of sin.</p>
+
+<p>This was asserted over and over again till the whole
+land rang with it, but the government was too much
+under the control of liquor-dealers, who counselled
+silence and secrecy, to investigate the charge. Legislatures
+cowering before the liquor power spent their
+time making laws for the protection of the beasts of
+the field, and the birds of the air, and the fishes of the
+sea, while thousands of men and women who were “of
+more value than many sparrows” were going down to
+death. Men were fined for allowing Canada thistles
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span>to grow on their land, but saloons were allowed to
+scatter the thistle-down of profanity, lewdness, theft,
+robbery and murder broadcast. And any attempt to
+stop the ruinous work was branded by liquor-dealers
+as a gross usurpation of authority.</p>
+
+<p>So the people were intimidated, and the drink curse
+fitted down into every fold of society, and rested like
+a heavy, crushing weight on every heart and home.
+The darkness was intense. None but the angels of
+God, whose wings of light parted the clouds of gloom
+as they came down on errands of mercy—none but the
+white-robed saints, who went with weary feet bearing
+the lamp of truth into the habitations of cruelty, into
+the saloons, and brothels and jails—knew, or guessed
+half of the sin and sorrow curtained away behind the
+black folds of the liquor traffic.</p>
+
+<p>The slaves of appetite were not the only ones who
+writhed beneath the iron heel of rum, and felt its hellish,
+fiery breath. The innocent suffered with the
+guilty. This black, fathomless gulf of death swept
+right alongside of Christian homes, and children trained
+in the lessons of truth with loving care, consecrated
+at family altars and in the church, were swept away
+from purity, home, mother and heaven, and cursing
+God, went down, down with the mighty throng into the
+dark abyss of a drunkard’s grave and a drunkard’s hell.</p>
+
+<p>The church, in the presence of these evils she was
+commissioned to overthrow, was criminally silent and
+inactive, and many of the watchmen on the walls of
+Zion were dumb, and gave no warning voice when they
+saw the approach of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p>
+
+<p>Temperance was not popular. Many who were
+abstainers said: “It is folly to war against the drink
+system; men will sell as long as men will drink, and
+no power can stop men from drinking.” Temperance
+societies that had labored heroically for nearly a half
+century were holding their own against fearful odds—fighting
+the battle single-handed.</p>
+
+<p>The women were hopeless. Oh, the agony, the
+tears, the sleepless nights, the heart-breaking anguish
+that wives and mothers suffered during those long,
+bitter years of sorrow and silence, when few seemed
+to care that the demon had come into their houses and
+was doing his bloody work. When their hearts were
+breaking, if they cried out in their agony or ventured
+a protest in the saloon or court, the liquor oligarchy
+howled them down with the “mad dog cry” of “Strong-minded,”
+“Unwomanly,” “Go home, old woman, and
+mend your husband’s breeches,” “Go home and darn
+your stockings;” and the world joined in the laugh
+of scorn, and the church made no defence of the
+wronged and broken-hearted. And so the money that
+ought to have come to them to buy new clothing, went
+into the tills of the liquor-dealers, and they stayed at
+home till the home was gone, and mended garments
+till there were no garments to mend. No pen can
+portray the utter hopelessness of the women into whose
+homes the drink curse had come. The men who had
+sworn at the altar to protect and honor them had become
+demons from whom they fled in fear; the white-souled
+children they had nurtured with tenderest care,
+and cradled with prayer and Christian song, had become
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span>loathsome sots, too low and brutish for companionship.
+They had been robbed of all—property, social
+position, brothers, husbands, sons, love and hope.</p>
+
+<p>Nor were their more fortunate sisters free from care.
+The gulf of ruin was near each door, and an undefined
+dread, an awful foreboding, was in the heart of every
+thoughtful wife and mother lest all she loved should
+be swallowed up in its black depths.</p>
+
+<p>Countless unspoken prayers went up to God. Women
+weeping and praying through the long night-watches
+appealed their cause, lost in so many of the
+courts of earth, to the <i>Supreme Court</i> of Heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the world was startled by a flash of
+heavenly light. Hands of faith had touched the hem
+of power, and a mighty spiritual swirl came down upon
+the people. Christian women, many of whom had
+never spoken or prayed in their own churches, under
+this Pentecostal baptism went into the streets and
+saloons preaching the gospel of Christ, and the people
+gathered by thousands to listen to the truths that fell
+from their lips.</p>
+
+<p>The air seemed surcharged with spiritual forces.
+The angel of the Lord that John the Revelator saw
+was before the altar, “and there was given him much
+incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all
+saints upon the altar which was before the throne.
+And the smoke of the incense which came with the
+prayers of all saints ascended up before God out of
+the angel’s hand.</p>
+
+<p>“And the angel took the censer and filled it with fire
+of the altar, and cast it into the earth, and there were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span>voices and thunderings and lightnings and an earthquake.”</p>
+
+<p>The whole nation was stirred. Never before had
+men so trembled under the power of prayer, or stood
+in such awe of the fierce lightnings of God’s wrath.
+Never before had society been so shaken by a moral
+earthquake.</p>
+
+<p>The women who kept step with God in his grand
+onward marching were calm and serene. To them
+the thunder and lightning was but the roll and rumble
+of God’s artillery turned against their enemies, and the
+earthquake the tread of their Captain and his mighty
+hosts. Inspired by a heaven-born heroism, they went
+into the saloons, and facing the liquor-dealers in the
+midst of their deadly work, entreated them in God’s
+name to give up their business and seek pardon and
+salvation in Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Delicately nurtured women, who had not felt the
+awful evil in their own homes, and who had passed by
+on the other side and hardly ventured to look toward
+the dens where their neighbors’ children were being
+murdered by the slow tortures that kill soul and body,
+marched boldly into the saloons and on into the back
+rooms where the awful secrets of sin and debauchery
+are hid away, and preached to the spirits in prison
+there. Men who walked among the tombs heard
+through them the voice of the Master and were delivered.</p>
+
+<p>Public attention was directed to the liquor traffic as
+never before. A calcium light had been turned upon
+it, and the mass of the people were horrified at what
+they saw and heard.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></p>
+
+<p>Liquor-dealers writhed under this close scrutiny—under
+this blaze of light—like serpents in the fire,
+spitting forth their venom and stinging themselves in
+their fury. But when Mrs. Thompson and the seventy
+women who followed her went out of the Presbyterian
+Church at Hillsboro’, Ohio, singing,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Give to the winds your fears;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Hope and be undismayed:</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears:</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">God will lift up thy head—”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">they heralded a new dispensation in the temperance
+work—a union of the moral forces of earth with the
+invincible forces of heaven, and victory was assured.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade, then, was God’s method of arousing
+public sentiment and consolidating the moral forces of
+the land, and women His chosen instruments for this
+important and unusual work.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ OHIO.<br>
+ THE BEGINNING OF THE CRUSADE.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">
+ CHAPTER II.
+</h2>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="HILLSBORO_OHIO">
+ HILLSBORO’, OHIO.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="center">I am indebted to Mrs. Dean K. Fenner for this able report; I have added but
+little to it.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 23d December, 1873, there
+might have been seen in the streets of Hillsboro’, Ohio,
+persons singly or in groups wending their way to
+Music Hall, where a lecture on temperance was to be
+delivered by Dr. Dio Lewis, of Boston, Massachusetts.</p>
+
+<p>Some account of the town and people of Hillsboro’
+is necessary in this connection. It is a small place,
+containing something more than 3,000 people, and
+situated in a beautiful part of southern Ohio. Owing
+to the educational advantages of the place—there being
+two colleges for young ladies there and a large public
+school—the inhabitants are rather better educated than
+is usually the case in small towns, and its society is
+indeed noted in that part of the country for its quietude,
+culture, and refinement.</p>
+
+<p>But Hillsboro’ was by no means exempt from the
+prevailing scourge of intemperance. The early settlers
+of Hillsboro’ were mostly from Virginia, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span>brought with them the old-fashioned ideas of hospitality.
+No sideboard was considered properly furnished
+unless the usual supply of decanters and
+glasses was there. The habit of drinking was almost
+the rule. For many years previous to the crusade the
+professional men, and especially of the bar, were nearly
+all habitual drinkers, and many of them very dissipated.
+Of course the influence of their example was felt
+everywhere about them, and extended to the next
+generation. When a few earnest temperance men,
+among whom was Governor Allen Trimble, initiated a
+total abstinence movement in or about the year 1830,
+the pulpit took up arms against them, and a condemnatory
+sermon was preached in one of the churches.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was that although from time to time men,
+good and true, banded themselves together in efforts
+to break up this dreadful state of things and reform
+society, all endeavors seemed to fail of any permanent
+effect. Outside appearances were indeed better. The
+farmers could get their harvests in without a keg of
+whiskey, and the family grocers no longer sold it with
+their tea and sugar. But in many homes the light of
+hope was gone out. Mothers were heart-broken and
+wives worse than widowed. Sighs and tears were
+continually poured out from sorrowing souls, who saw
+no hand stretched out for their deliverance.</p>
+
+<p>The plan laid down by Dr. Lewis challenged attention
+by its novelty at least. He believed and argued
+that the work of temperance reform might be successfully
+carried on by women if they would set about it in
+the right manner—going to the saloon-keeper in a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span>spirit of Christian love, and persuading him for the
+sake of humanity and his own eternal welfare to quit
+the hateful, soul-destroying business. The doctor
+spoke with enthusiasm; and, seeing him so full of
+faith, the hearts of the women seized the hope—a
+forlorn one, ’tis true, but still a hope—and when Dr.
+Lewis asked if they were willing to undertake the
+task, scores of women rose to their feet, and there was
+no lack of good men who pledged themselves to
+encourage and sustain the women in their work.</p>
+
+<p>A meeting for the further development of the plan
+was agreed upon, to be held in the Presbyterian
+Church at ten o’clock next morning, Wednesday,
+December 24th, and at the time appointed there was
+gathered a solemn assembly. A strange work was to
+be done, and by unaccustomed hands.</p>
+
+<p>On bended knee, and with uplifted hearts, they
+invoked the blessing and guidance of Him “who knoweth
+the end from the beginning,” and then proceeded
+to the business of the hour.</p>
+
+<p>Rev. W. J. McSurely, pastor of the Presbyterian
+Church, was called to the chair. A committee was
+appointed to prepare an appeal which was to be presented
+to the liquor-sellers; also a druggist’s pledge
+and a dealer’s pledge.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_041" style="max-width: 37.5em;">
+ <img class="w100" src="images/i_041.jpg" alt="">
+ <figcaption>
+ <p>MRS. ELIZA J. THOMPSON,</p>
+ <p>Leader of the First Crusade Band.</p>
+ </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Officers were then elected: Mrs. Eliza J. Thompson,
+President; Mrs. Sally McDowell, Vice-President; Mrs.
+Mary B. Fenner, Secretary.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Thompson is the daughter of ex-Governor
+Trimble, of Ohio. She is a lady of culture, about sixty
+years of age, of modest and pleasant appearance and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span>very agreeable manners. She speaks with great simplicity,
+in a conversational style, and with a quaintness
+that is peculiarly attractive. Whenever she addresses
+an audience she is sure of an attentive hearing.</p>
+
+<p>Her recital of</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+“THE FIRST CRUSADE”
+</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">is somewhat on this wise: “On the 22d of last December
+Dr. Dio Lewis lectured before our lyceum. It was
+a literary lecture, and the subject was ‘Our Girls.’ I
+wasn’t there. My boy came home and said, ‘Ma,
+they’ve got you into business;’ and went on to tell
+that Dio Lewis had incidentally related the successful
+effort of his mother, by prayer and persuasion, to close
+the saloon in a town where he lived when a boy, and
+that he had exhorted the women of Hillsboro’ to do
+the same, and fifty had risen up to signify their willingness,
+and that they looked to me to help them to carry
+out their promise. As I’m talking to you here familiarly,
+I’ll go on to say that my husband, who had
+retired, and was in an adjoining room, raised up on his
+elbow and called out, ‘Oh! that’s all tomfoolery!’ I
+remember I answered something like this: ‘Well,
+husband, the men have been in the tomfoolery business
+a long time; perhaps the Lord is going to call us
+into partnership with them.’ I said no more. The
+next morning my brother-in-law, Colonel ——, came
+in and told me about the meeting, and said, ‘Now, you
+must be sure to go to the women’s meeting at the
+church this morning; they look to see you there.’
+Our folks talked it all over, and my husband said,
+‘Well, we all know where your mother’ll take this case
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span>for counsel,’ and then he pointed to the Bible and left
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>“I went into the corner of my room, and knelt down
+and opened my Bible to see what God would say to
+me. Just at that moment there was a tap on the door
+and my daughter entered. She was in tears; she held
+her Bible in her hand, open to the 146th Psalm. She
+said, ‘Ma, I just opened to this, and I think it is for
+you,’ and then she went away, and I sat down and
+read</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+THIS WONDERFUL MESSAGE FROM GOD.
+</p>
+
+<p>“‘Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of
+man, in whom there is no help. Happy is he that
+hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in
+the Lord his God; which keepeth truth forever; which
+executeth judgment for the oppressed; the Lord
+looseth the prisoners; the Lord openeth the eyes of
+the blind; the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down;
+the Lord loveth the righteous; the Lord relieveth the
+fatherless and the widow—<i>but the way of the wicked he
+turneth upside down</i>. The Lord shall reign forever,
+even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye
+the Lord!’</p>
+
+<p>“I knew that was for me, and I got up, put on my
+shoes, and started. I went to the church, in this town
+where I was born. I sat down quietly in the back part
+of the audience-room, by the stove. A hundred ladies
+were assembled. I heard my name—heard the whisper
+pass through the company, ‘Here she is!’ ‘She’s
+come!’ and before I could get to the pulpit, they had
+put me ‘in office’—I was their leader.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Many of our citizens were there, and our ministers
+also. They stayed a few minutes, and then rose and
+went out, saying, ‘This is your work—we leave it with
+the women and the Lord.’ When they had gone, I
+just opened the big pulpit Bible and read that 146th
+Psalm, and told them the circumstance of my selecting
+it. The women sobbed so I could hardly go on.
+When I had finished, I felt inspired to call on a dear
+Presbyterian lady to pray. She did so without the
+least hesitation, though it was the first audible prayer
+in her life. I can’t tell you anything about that prayer,
+only that the words were like fire.</p>
+
+<p>“When she had prayed, I said—and it all came to
+me just at the moment—</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+‘NOW, LADIES, LET US FILE OUT, TWO BY TWO,
+</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">the smallest first, and let us sing as we go,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Give to the winds thy fears.”’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“We went first to John ——’s saloon. Now, John
+was a German, and his sister had lived in my family
+thirteen years, and she was very mild and gentle, and
+I hoped it might prove a family trait, but I found out
+it wasn’t. He fumed about dreadfully and said, ‘It’s
+awful; it’s a sin and a shame to pray in a saloon!’ But
+we prayed right on just the same.”</p>
+
+<p>That the choice was dictated by God we must believe,
+for in all the trials and discouragements which
+have beset us, and they have been many, her trust in
+God has never failed. She had tested his faithfulness
+through many years of heavy and sore trouble, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span>had proved that his promises are “Yea and amen, to
+them that believe.” And no other woman could have
+kept up such a spirit of courage and hopefulness in
+the little band of devoted women, who have met week
+after week, all these years, to pray for God’s blessing
+on the work.</p>
+
+<p>After the election of officers, came the plan for work.
+It was decided to go to the drug stores first, so that
+the saloonists might not plead their example as an excuse
+for themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. J. M. Boyd was chosen to present the appeal
+on that visit. All the druggists signed the pledge
+except Mr. Dunn, of whom more hereafter.</p>
+
+<p>Next day the ladies held another meeting, but decided
+not to make any visitations, it being Christmas-day,
+and the hotel-keepers more than usually busy and
+not likely to listen very attentively to our proposition.</p>
+
+<p>On the 26th, the hotels and saloons were visited;
+Mrs. Thompson presenting the appeal. And it was on
+this morning, and at the saloon of Robert Ward, that
+there came a break in the established routine. “Bob”
+was a social, jolly sort of fellow, and his saloon was a
+favorite resort, and there were many women in the
+company that morning whose hearts were aching in
+consequence of his wrong-doing. Mrs. Thompson
+presented the appeal, another lady read a selection in
+the Bible, and then Mrs. Thompson began to talk to
+him; and she did it with her heart all stirred up by the
+memory of the wrongs the man had done to many
+whose weakness he had taken advantage of, dragging
+them down to disgrace and ruin. Ward was evidently
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>touched. He confessed that it was a “bad business,”
+said if he could only “afford to quit it he would,” and
+then tears began to flow from his eyes. Many of the
+ladies were weeping, and at length, as if by inspiration,
+Mrs. Thompson kneeled on the floor of the saloon, all
+kneeling with her, even the saloonist, and prayed,
+pleading with indescribable pathos and earnestness for
+the conversion and salvation of this and all saloon-keepers.
+When the amen was sobbed rather than
+spoken, Mrs. Washington Doggett’s sweet voice began,
+“There is a fountain,” etc., in which all joined;
+the effect was most solemn, and when the hymn was
+finished the ladies went quietly away, and that was the
+first saloon prayer-meeting.</p>
+
+<p>This is a fair specimen of the saloon visiting as
+carried on in Hillsboro’ for more than three months.
+Then the doors were locked and the prayer-meetings
+were held on the pavements; extreme care was taken
+not to obstruct the passage-way.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. W. H. H. Dunn, the druggist, who refused to
+sign the druggist’s pledge, and who was known to be
+selling whiskey for drinking, and to minors, too, in disobedience
+of the law, became very much incensed at
+the continuous effort on the part of the women to persuade
+him to sign the pledge, and I may say here that
+not the women alone plead with him; a petition signed
+by a large number of the leading men of the place
+was presented to him by two of the oldest and most
+respected citizens, without the least effect. Let it be
+said as some excuse for him that he had bad advisers,
+and that large sums of money were sent him by the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span>Whiskey Ring, that he might be able to fight the Crusaders
+in the courts.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing done was the issuing of a “pronunciamento,”
+forbidding the women to sing and pray on
+his store steps, or on the sidewalk in front of his store.
+This was printed on slips of paper, and copies scattered
+over the town, and about the front of the drug
+store in question. This was early in the morning of
+the 31st January, 1874, and when the hour came for the
+usual prayer-meeting, there was a great questioning
+as to what was to be done; finally, some of the gentlemen
+said the ladies should go on the street as usual,
+and that by the time they had gone the round of the
+saloons, a place would be ready in front of Mr. Dunn’s.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, in an hour or two, there was erected
+in front of the drug store a covered structure, made
+of boards and canvas, enclosed on three sides, and
+open on the side next the store. The ladies soon took
+possession and held a prayer-meeting.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Dunn could not stand that, so he applied to
+Judge Safford, then presiding at court in Hillsboro’, for
+an injunction against this “tabernacle.” The injunction
+was granted, and a notice served on Mr. Sayler,
+a very active temperance man, after he had gone to
+bed. It was Saturday night, and in order that he
+might obey the law and still keep the Sabbath, he
+dressed himself, procured some help, and had everything
+removed by twelve o’clock. An appeal was made
+at once by the temperance people for dissolution of the
+injunction; the case was heard by Judge Steele, at the
+February term of court, and the injunction dissolved
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span>on the finding of a legal flaw in the application of the
+plaintiff. But Mr. Dunn was not to be quieted. He
+now brought a suit for “trespass” against the Crusaders,
+and asked $10,000 damages.</p>
+
+<p>This suit was heard before Judge Gray, at the May
+term of court, 1875. Able counsel was employed on
+both sides. The question was felt to be a vital one,
+and the court-room was crowded to overflowing for
+<i>seventeen days</i>. The examination of witnesses occupied
+thirteen or fourteen days, though not nearly all
+of the two hundred were called to the stand.</p>
+
+<p>One incident of this trial must be told. It happened
+during Judge Safford’s speech, one of Mr. Dunn’s
+counsel. There was in the court-room a dear old lady,
+Mrs. Margaret Foreaker, a genuine mother in Israel,
+who, full of faith, prayed much during the trial, and
+while Judge Safford was speaking, prayed especially
+that he might be “confounded.” He had been going
+along swimmingly, and entirely to the satisfaction of
+his friends, when suddenly he seemed to lose the
+thread of his argument, dropped his eye-glasses two or
+three times, could not find his references, made quotations
+not bearing on the points he was trying to establish,
+and his embarrassment was so obvious that Mrs.
+F. said afterward she did not know but she had
+“prayed too hard.” The judge did not recover himself,
+and one of Dunn’s friends went over to the hotel
+and reported the case as “lost,” that Judge Safford
+had ruined it.</p>
+
+<p>The jury were compelled by the ruling of the court
+to bring a verdict against the defendants, and laid the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span>costs on them, with $5 damages. Counsel for the defence
+made a bill of exceptions to the rulings of Judge
+Gray, and the case was carried to the Supreme Court
+of the State. It is still pending, but will probably be
+dismissed, as Mr. W. H. H. Dunn is now a <i>bankrupt</i>.
+<i>Mr. Sayler owns</i> the store, and Mr. Dunn’s assignee
+will not defend the suit in Supreme Court.</p>
+
+<p>The “street work” was not resumed after the Dunn
+suits began. It was thought best not to defy the law
+even in appearance until the decision of the courts
+should be known. But there was plenty to do. The
+new constitution was about to be presented to the
+people of Ohio, and “License” or “No License” was
+the great question. The women girded themselves for
+the strife. Into the school districts and smaller towns
+they went in little parties, held meetings, organized
+leagues, circulated petitions, and kept on praying.
+The license clause was defeated.</p>
+
+<p>A few miles north of Hillsboro’ is the little village
+of L——. It is quite a pleasant little place; the people
+are intelligent; there are two churches, good
+schools, and a few stores, etc. But there was one
+drawback to the peace of the community, and that was
+the drinking-saloon attached to the hotel. The proprietor
+was one of the oldest citizens, and when the
+Crusade began it was hoped that he would at once
+come over on the temperance side. But as he did not,
+there was a meeting called in the little white church to
+consider what should be done. The meeting was large,
+and after a prayer, a visiting committee of ladies went
+down to Mr. ——’s saloon. He met them at the door,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span>and very kindly invited them into the parlor with his
+amiable wife and daughter. There they talked the
+matter over, but he refused to sign the pledge. The
+next day they called again, and he was very angry and
+locked the door; but on the third day, seeing that the
+whole community was roused, he grew calm, and said,
+“Ladies, I will not sign your pledge; but I will promise
+you in the presence of God that I will never sell
+another drop of liquor in this town after the 20th of
+this month, and if I violate my word you may have
+every cent I am worth. I will walk out and you may
+walk in.” He kept his word for a while, but the temptation
+to put a few more dimes in his pocket was too
+strong, and he secretly bought another barrel of whiskey.
+Just at this time several of the leading temperance
+women were sick and could not visit him, but
+“God met him.” The quiet village was alarmed by
+the cry of “fire!” It was the <i>hotel</i>. It caught from a
+segar thrown into a sawdust spittoon in the <i>saloon</i>.
+While it was burning, a lady said, “O, dear! our town
+is built so compactly, it will all burn.” “Never thee
+fear,” said a good Quaker sister, “not a building will
+burn but that one. Don’t thee see? not a leaf is moving;
+the flames go straight up, and the sparks fall
+back on the house.” She was right. The hotel, store,
+saloon, and all belonging to it were entirely burned,
+while not another house caught fire. Unappalled by
+this judgment, Mr. —— built a room on the same lot
+in which to sell whiskey, but became paralyzed, and in
+a short time died a miserable death. There is no
+whiskey now sold in L——.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p>
+
+<p>I want to relate one or two little incidents that show
+the hardening effect of liquor-selling on the dealer.</p>
+
+<p>There was a saloon-keeper brought from Greenfield
+to H—— to be tried under the Adair law. The poor
+mother who brought the suit had besought him not to
+sell to her son—“her only son.” He replied roughly
+that he would sell to him “as long as he had a dime.”
+Another mother, an old lady, made the same request,
+“lest,” she said, “he may some day fill a drunkard’s
+grave.” “Madam,” he replied, “your son has as good
+a right to fill a drunkard’s grave as any other mother’s
+son.” And in one of the Hillsboro’ saloons a lady saw
+her nephew. “O, Mr. B——,” said she, “don’t sell
+whiskey to that boy: if he has one drink he will want
+another, and he may die a drunkard.” “Madam, I will
+sell to him if it sends his soul to hell,” was the awful
+reply. The last man is a peculiarly hard, stony sort
+of man; his lips look as if chiselled out of flint, a man
+to be afraid of. One morning, when the visiting band
+reached his door, they found him in a very bad humor.
+He locked his door and seated himself on the horse-block
+in front in a perfect rage, clenched his fist,
+swore furiously, and ordered us to go home. Some
+gentlemen, on the opposite side of the street, afterwards
+said that they were watching the scene, ready
+to rush over and defend the ladies from an attack, and
+they were sure it would come; but one of the ladies,
+a sweet-souled woman, gentle and placid, kneeled just
+at his feet, and poured out such a tender, earnest
+prayer for him, that he quieted down entirely, and
+when she rose and offered him her hand in token of
+kind feeling, he could not refuse to take it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></p>
+
+<p>But it was not always stormy; sometimes it was
+summer-sunshine, as witness: One bright Saturday
+afternoon, while we were singing the sweet songs of
+Zion and offering prayer, an old gentleman, a stranger
+to us all, stood at a little distance from our band, and
+while listening to us was led by the Spirit to give his
+heart to God. He went to his home bearing the glad
+tidings to his friends. He told it in church the following
+Sabbath, and a revival began then which resulted
+in many conversions.</p>
+
+<p>As I go over these facts of a time so full of interest,
+I recall the figure of a venerable, dignified old gentleman,
+full of vigor and enthusiasm, though the frosts of
+seventy-five winters had whitened his head; this was
+General Jos. J. McDowell, the husband of our vice-president.
+His interest kept pace with the work, he
+was at nearly all the meetings, and had ever a word
+of counsel or encouragement for the women. But
+there was one thing lacking. He was not a professing
+Christian, and his many friends grew sad when they
+saw that he was drawing so near the close of life without
+the only hope that can lighten the pathway to the
+tomb. The time came, however, for the Spirit to do
+its work. The ladies had been holding a series of
+religious meetings in their consecrated league room,
+morning after morning, for two months (January and
+February, 1876). The presence of the One Mighty
+to save and strong to deliver was gloriously manifesting
+himself, and on one of these mornings General
+McDowell came in and took his seat. Mrs. Thompson,
+who was leading the meeting on that occasion,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span>after a very touching hymn had been sung, Scripture
+read, and prayer offered, proposed spending a short
+time in testimony. One and another had spoken, when
+Mrs. T—— said, in a kind, familiar way, “General
+McDowell, we are most happy to have you with us
+this morning, and as you have so often encouraged
+our hearts in our temperance work, we should love to
+hear <i>you speak</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>He arose slowly, and in a very solemn manner said,
+“I do not feel worthy to speak on sacred subjects
+before you good women.” After some hesitation he
+resumed, “I have been a great sinner; for many years,
+especially during the war, I had almost come to the
+conclusion that there was no such thing as religion,
+but seeing the spirit of divine love displayed by the
+crusading ladies of our town, as they have knelt <i>on
+snow</i> even, in front of the barred doors of these worse
+than murderers, to pray for their souls; and as in the
+churches I have watched the tears stream down their
+cheeks as they have prayed the divine blessing upon
+them and their families, I have felt my heart soften.
+<i>Now</i> I feel that I can say <i>I love the Saviour</i>.” The
+scene that followed can be better imagined than
+described, as that devoted wife, who had prayed for
+her noble husband for more than fifty years, received
+him a new creature in Christ Jesus. All were baptized
+afresh by the Holy Spirit, and we grasped with
+firmer hold the hand of our Almighty Friend who had
+bidden us walk upon the untried waves, December
+23d, 1873.</p>
+
+<p>Since the departure of this dear friend of the Crusade
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span>to the “Home of the Soul,” for which home he was
+<i>rapidly matured</i>, wonderful developments of divine
+mercy have been displayed in our highly-favored town,
+Hillsboro’. Last spring a gracious revival resulted
+from the “union services” of the Quaker Evangelists,
+Nathan and Esther Frame. Scores of young men
+were converted during these meetings who had been
+the objects of our <i>earnest</i> and special prayers. Many
+a mother’s heart was made glad, and the churches all
+received their dead raised to life again.</p>
+
+<p>Thus God prepared our community for the glorious
+dawn of the Murphy movement, and wonderfully
+qualified by <i>reformation based upon conversion</i>, our
+Congressman elect, Hon. Henry Dickey, for its inauguration.
+The first Murphy meeting was held on the
+evening of May 15th, 1877, and the first men to sign
+the pledge were some of our prominent citizens in
+every profession; but pre-eminently the lawyers, men
+of talent and influence, but whose habit of intemperance
+had long been a source of grief and anxiety to
+their friends. Three hundred signed the pledge upon
+the first evening; within two weeks over two thousand
+names were upon the roll; some of the most energetic
+workers in the movement were men who were foremost
+in opposing the Crusade, unsparing and bitter in
+their invectives against all concerned. That which
+fills us with astonishment and devout thanksgiving is
+the desire evinced by these men, that old scores be
+wiped out, and Christian women come to the front and
+help in the cause by their presence and sympathy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span></p>
+
+<h3 id="BAPTIZED_IN_WHISKEY">
+ BAPTIZED IN WHISKEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Among the many interesting incidents of work reported
+at the Woman’s Temperance Camp-Meeting
+at Ocean Grove was the following, related by Mrs.
+E. J. Thompson, of Hillsboro’:</p>
+
+<p>“During the Crusade, a saloon-keeper consented to
+close his business. There was a great deal of enthusiasm
+and interest, and we women decided to compensate
+the man for his whiskey and make a bonfire of it
+in the street. A great crowd gathered about the
+saloon, and the barrels of whiskey were rolled out to
+the public square where we were to have our bonfire.
+Myself and two other little women, who had been
+chosen to knock in the heads, and had come to the
+place with axes concealed under our shawls, went to
+our work with a will.</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t know I was so strong, but I lifted that axe
+like a woodman and brought it down with such force
+that the first blow stove in the head of a barrel and
+splashed the whiskey in every direction. I was literally
+baptized with the noxious stuff. The intention
+was to set it on fire, and we had brought matches for
+that purpose, <i>but it would not burn</i>! It was a villanous
+compound of some sort, but we had set out to
+have a fire, and were determined by some means or
+other to make it burn, so we sent for some coal oil and
+poured it on and we soon had a blaze. The man who
+could sell such liquors would not be likely to keep the
+pledge. He is selling liquors again.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p>
+
+<h3 id="VICTORY_AT_WASHINGTON_C_H">
+ VICTORY AT WASHINGTON C. H.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Most of the facts in the following history of the
+work at Washington C. H. have been gleaned from
+the official report of the secretary, Mrs. M. V. Ustick.</p>
+
+<p>It will be seen that the Crusade began in this town
+only two days later than at Hillsboro’. And Washington
+C. H. was the first place where the Crusade was
+made prominent and successful.</p>
+
+<p>On Friday morning, Dec. 26th, 1873, after an hour
+of prayer in the M. E. Church, forty-four women filed
+slowly and solemnly down the aisle, and started forth
+upon their strange mission with fear and trembling,
+while the male portion of the audience remained at the
+church to pray for the success of this new undertaking;
+the tolling of the church-bell keeping time to the
+solemn march of the women, as they wended their
+way to the first drug store on the list. (The number
+of places within the city limits where intoxicating
+drinks were sold was fourteen—eleven saloons and
+three drug stores.) Here, as in every place, they
+entered singing, every woman taking up the sacred
+strain as she crossed the threshold. This was followed
+by the reading of the appeal and prayer; then earnest
+pleading to desist from their soul-destroying traffic
+and sign the dealer’s pledge.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, all the day long, they went from place to place,
+without stopping even for dinner or lunch, till five
+o’clock, meeting with no marked success; but invariably
+courtesy was extended to them; not even their
+reiterated promise, “We will call again,” seeming to
+offend.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span></p>
+
+<p>No woman who has ever entered one of these dens
+of iniquity on such an errand needs to be told of the
+heart-sickness that almost overcame them as they, for
+the first time, saw behind those painted windows or
+green blinds, or entered the little stifling “back room,”
+or found their way down winding steps into the damp,
+dark cellars, and realized that into <i>such places</i> those
+they loved best were being landed, through the allurements
+of the brilliantly lighted drug store, the fascinating
+billiard-table, or the enticing beer-gardens, with
+their syren attractions. A crowded house at night,
+to hear the report of the day’s work, betrayed the
+rapidly increasing interest in this mission.</p>
+
+<p>On the 27th the contest really began, and, at the
+first place, the doors were found locked. With hearts
+full of compassion, the women knelt in the snow upon
+the pavement, to plead for the divine influence upon
+the heart of the liquor-dealer, and there held their first
+street prayer-meeting.</p>
+
+<p>At night the weary but zealous workers reported
+at a mass-meeting of the various rebuffs, and the success
+in having two druggists sign the pledge not to
+sell, except upon the written prescription of a physician.</p>
+
+<p>The Sabbath was devoted to union mass-meeting,
+with direct reference to the work in hand; and on
+Monday the number of ladies had increased to near
+one hundred. That day, December 29th, is one long
+to be remembered in Washington, as the day upon
+which occurred the first surrender ever made by a
+liquor-dealer, of his stock of liquors of every kind and
+variety, to the women, in answer to their prayers and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span>entreaties, and by them poured into the street. Nearly
+a thousand men, women, and children witnessed the
+mingling of beer, ale, wine, and whiskey, as they filled
+the gutters and were drank up by the earth, while the
+bells were ringing, men and boys shouting, and women
+singing and praying to God who had given the victory.
+But on the fourth day, “stock sale-day,” the campaign
+had reached its height, the town being filled with visitors
+from all parts of the county and adjoining villages.
+Another public surrender, and another pouring into
+the street of a larger stock of liquors than on the previous
+day, and more intense excitement and enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>Mass-meetings were held nightly, with new victories
+reported constantly, until on Friday, January 2d, one
+week from the beginning of the work, at the public
+meeting held in the evening, the secretary’s report announced
+the unconditional surrender of every liquor-dealer,
+some having shipped their liquors back to wholesale
+dealers, others having poured them into the gutters,
+and the druggists as all having signed the pledge.
+Thus a campaign of prayer and song, had, in eight
+days, closed eleven saloons, and pledged three drug
+stores to sell only on prescription. At first men had
+wondered, scoffed, and laughed, then criticised, respected
+and yielded.</p>
+
+<p>Morning prayer and evening mass-meetings continued
+daily, and the personal pledge was circulated
+till over one thousand signatures were obtained. Physicians
+were called upon to sign a pledge not to prescribe
+ardent spirits when any other substitute could
+be found, and in no case without a personal examination
+of the patient.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span></p>
+
+<p>Early in the third week the discouraging intelligence
+came that a new man had taken out license to sell
+liquor in one of the deserted saloons, and that he was
+backed by a whiskey house in Cincinnati, to the
+amount of $5,000, to break down this movement. On
+Wednesday, the 14th, the whiskey was unloaded at his
+room. About forty women were on the ground and
+followed the liquor in, and remained holding an uninterrupted
+prayer-meeting all day and until eleven
+o’clock at night. The next day, bitterly cold, was
+spent in the same place and manner, without fire or
+chairs, two hours of that time the women being locked
+in, while the proprietor was off attending a trial. On
+the following day, the coldest of all the winter of 1874,
+the women were locked out, and stood on the street
+holding religious services all day long.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning a tabernacle was built in the street,
+just in front of the house, and was occupied for the
+double purpose of <i>watching</i> and prayer through the
+day; but before night the sheriff closed the saloon,
+and the proprietor surrendered; thus ended the third
+week.</p>
+
+<p>A short time after, on a dying bed, this four days’
+liquor-dealer sent for some of these women, telling
+them their songs and prayers had never ceased to ring
+in his ears, and urging them to pray again in his behalf;
+so he passed away.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>Early in the work Mrs. George Carpenter, Mrs. A. C. Hirst, Mrs. A. E. Pine
+and Mrs. Ogle, who were appointed to draw up an appeal, presented the following</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+APPEAL.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>Knowing, as you do, the fearful effects of intoxicating drinks, we, the women
+of Washington, after earnest prayer and deliberation, have decided to appeal to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span>you to desist from this ruinous traffic, that our husbands, brothers, and especially
+our sons, be no longer exposed to this terrible temptation, and that we may no
+longer see them led into those paths which go down to sin, and bring both body
+and soul to destruction. We appeal to the better instincts of your own hearts, in
+the name of desolated homes, blasted hopes, ruined lives, widowed hearts, for
+the honor of our community, for our happiness; for our good name, as a town;
+in the name of the God who will judge you, as well as ourselves; for the sake
+of your own souls, which are to be saved or lost, we beg, we implore you, to
+cleanse yourselves from this heinous sin, and place yourselves in the ranks of
+those who are striving to elevate and ennoble themselves and their fellow-men;
+and to this we ask you to pledge yourselves.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>This appeal was adopted, and was afterwards extensively used in other parts of
+the State, and in other States.</p>
+
+<p>A property-holders’ pledge was also circulated—pledging men not to rent, or
+lease property, to be used as saloons, nor to allow any dealings of the liquor
+traffic to be carried on upon any premises belonging to them. This pledge was
+generally signed by holders of real estate.</p>
+
+<p>During this week came a plea for help from Hillsborough. In answer to that
+call, on Monday, January 12th, a committee, consisting of Profs. Morehouse and
+Dean, and Mrs. M. G. Carpenter, Mrs. Judge McLean, Mrs. Judge Priddy, and
+Miss Annie Ustick, went to Hillsborough, spent the evening in attendance upon a
+mass-meeting there, and next forenoon in prayer and conference with the workers,
+returning in time to attend the mass-meeting at home, bringing with them encouraging
+words.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the new method of fighting whiskey began to attract the attention
+of the press and people in surrounding places; and meetings were announced
+to be held in every village and school district in the county. Committees of
+ladies and gentlemen were sent out to assist in these meetings. Committees
+were also sent, by request, into all adjoining counties, the meetings being constantly
+kept up at home, and all the while gaining in interest.</p>
+
+<p>About this time came word from Columbus, that the Adair Liquor Law was
+in great danger of being repealed; consequently the following communication
+was sent to every known Temperance organization throughout the State, by the
+Washington League:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>
+ “<i>To the Secretary of Women’s Temperance League, at ——</i>:
+</p>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Sister</span>—By order of the entire body of our Temperance League, we
+send you an urgent request that you immediately appoint a committee of not less
+than six, of the most earnest and effective workers, who shall be ready at an
+hour’s notice, to respond to the call embodied in the following resolution:</p>
+
+<p>“‘<i>Resolved</i>, That the secretary of this meeting be requested to correspond with
+the ladies in all places where the Temperance movement is now, or may be progressing,
+asking the same to appoint a delegation to appear at Columbus, when
+called, if any action of the legislature, threatening the safety of the Adair Liquor
+Law, may be contemplated.’</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Please notify us of your decision in the matter, forwarding us one name to
+whom we may telegraph if necessary.”—[Signed by the secretary.]</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Responses poured in from all Leagues addressed—the word “<i>Ready</i>.” But
+the law remained undisturbed that winter.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>The names of the following women, chosen by God and men to inaugurate this
+great work and carry it forward to success, appeared in the columns of the
+<i>Fayette County Herald</i> at the time:</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. George Carpenter; Miss Annie Ustick; Mrs. A. C. Hirst; Mrs. A. E.
+Pine; Mrs. B. Ogle; Mrs. P. E. Morehouse; Miss M. A. Love; Mrs. Wm.
+Stevens; Mrs. O. Grubbs; Mrs. J. Van Deman; Mrs. E. Milliken; Mrs. A.
+Blakemore; Mrs. Wm. Smith; Mrs. P. T. Light; Mrs. H. L. Hadley; Mrs.
+F. Nitterhouse; Mrs. D. McLean; Mrs. Allen Hegler; Mrs. T. N. Ustick;
+Miss A. E. Robinson; Miss Julia Wood; Miss Anna Cherry; Mrs. S. Lydy;
+Miss Brightie Ogle; Miss Flora Ogle; Mrs. Barnett; Mrs. Farmer; Mrs. Geo.
+Dahl; Mrs. M. Gardner; Miss Kate Foster; Mrs. Col. Maynard; Mrs. Dr.
+Dennis; Mrs. Dr. Coffman; Miss Belle Stuckey; Mrs. H. P. Cherry; Mrs. J. B.
+Priddy; Mrs. M. Blackmore; Mrs. A. E. Silcott; Miss L. Milliken; Miss
+Emma Wilcox; Mrs. H. P. Ustick; Miss Ida Dean; Mrs. J. Hopkins; Mrs. C.
+L. Getz; Mrs. T. Gardner; Mrs. Wm. Gordon; Miss A. Kephart.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>But there still remained the beer hall of Charlie
+Beck, about half a mile out. Carriages were furnished
+the ladies, free of charge, from the temperance livery-stable
+of Collins &amp; Bitzer, and in these the band made
+daily visits to Beck’s.</p>
+
+<p>At this time the Cincinnati <i>Commercial</i> sent a reporter
+to view the land, from whose graphic pen we quote
+the following:</p>
+
+<p>“I reached Washington at noon of January 20th,
+and seeking Mr. Beck’s beer garden, found him in a
+state of terrible nervousness, as the ladies had spent
+the forenoon in front of this place. He evidently
+regarded me as a spy, but was much mollified when
+assured that I was only a journalist, and made voluminous
+complaint in ‘high Dutch’ and ‘low English.’</p>
+
+<p>“‘I got no vitnesses. Dem vimens dey set up a shob
+on me. But you don’t bin a ’bitual drunkard, eh?
+No, you don’t look like him. Vell, coom in, coom in.
+Vat you vant, beer or vine? I dells you, dem vimens
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span>is shust awful. By shinks, dey build a house right in
+the shreet, and stay mit a man all day a singin’ and
+oder foolishness. But dey don’t get in here once agin
+already.’</p>
+
+<p>“In obedience to this invitation, I had entered by
+the side door—the front was locked and barred—to
+find four customers indulging in liquor, beer and pigs’
+feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Beck kept open house nearly all that night;
+the sounds of revelry were plainly heard in town, and
+in the morning several drunken men came into town,
+one of whom tumbled down into a livery-stable, and
+went to sleep on a manure pile, from which he was
+carried to the lock-up. Matters were evidently coming
+to a crisis, and I went out early; but the ladies reached
+there in force just before me. I met Mr. Beck hurrying
+into town to consult his lawyer, or, as he phrased it,
+‘to see mein gounsel ven I no got a right to my own
+broberty.’</p>
+
+<p>“The main body of the ladies soon arrived, and took
+up a position with right centre on the doorstep, the
+wings extending each way beyond the corners of the
+house, and a rearward column along the walk to the
+gate. In ludicrous contrast the routed revellers, who
+had been scared out of the saloon, stood in a little
+knot fifty feet away, still gnawing at the pigs’ feet
+they had held on to in their hurried flight, while I
+took a convenient seat on the fence. The ladies then
+sang—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">‘Oh, do not be discouraged, for Jesus is your friend;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">He will give you grace to conquer, and keep you to the end.’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span></p>
+
+<p>“As the twenty or more clear, sweet voices mingled
+in the enlivening chorus—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">‘I’m glad I’m in this army,’ etc.—</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">the effect was inspiring. I felt all the enthusiasm of
+the occasion, while pigs’ feet party, if they did not feel
+guilty, certainly looked so.</p>
+
+<p>“The singing was followed by a prayer from Mrs.
+Mills Gardner. She prayed for the blessing of God
+on the temperance cause generally, and in this place
+particularly; then for Mr. Beck, his family and friends,
+his house, and all that loved him, and closed with an
+eloquent plea for guidance in the difficult and delicate
+task they had undertaken. In one respect the prayer
+was unsurpassed; it was eminently fitting to the place
+and the occasion. As the concluding sentences were
+being uttered, Mr. Beck and his ‘gounsel’ arrived.
+The ladies paid no attention to either, but broke forth
+in loud strains,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">‘Must Jesus bear the cross alone?</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">No, there’s a cross for me,’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">when the lawyer borrowed some of my paper, whispering
+at the same time, ‘I must take down their names.
+Guess I shall have to prosecute some of them before
+we stop this thing.’</p>
+
+<p>“I should need the pen of an Irving and pencil of
+a Darley to give any adequate idea of the scene. On
+one side, a score of elegant ladies, singing with all the
+earnestness of impassioned natures; a few yards away
+a knot of disturbed revellers, uncertain whether to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span>stand or fly; half way between, the nervous Beck,
+bobbing around like a case of fiddle-strings with a
+hundred pounds of lager beer fat hung on them; and
+on the fence by the ladies, a cold-blooded lawyer and
+excited reporter scribbling away as if their lives depended
+on it. It was painful from its very intensity.</p>
+
+<p>“The song ended, the presiding lady called upon
+Mrs. Wendels, and again arose the voice of prayer—so
+clear, so sweet, so full of pleading tenderness, that
+it seemed she would, by strength of womanly love,
+compel the very heavens to open and send down in
+answer a spark of divine grace that would turn the
+saloon-keeper from his purpose. The sky, which had
+been overcast all the morning, began to clear, the
+occasional drops of rain ceased to fall, and a gentle
+south wind made the air soft and balmy. It almost
+seemed that nature joined in the prayer.</p>
+
+<p>“Again the ladies sang—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">‘Are there no foes for me to face,’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">with the camp-meeting chorus,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">‘Oh, how I love Jesus,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Because he first loved me.’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“As the song concluded, the lawyer suddenly stepped
+forward, and said:</p>
+
+<p>“‘Now, ladies, I have a word to say before this performance
+goes any further. Mr. Beck has employed
+me as his attorney. He cannot speak good English,
+and I speak for him here. He is engaged in a legitimate
+business, and you are trespassers on his property
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span>and rights. If this thing is carried any further, you will
+be called to account in the court, and I can assure you
+the court will sustain the man. He has talked with
+you all he desires to. He does not want to put you
+out forcibly; that would be unmanly, and he does not
+wish to act rudely. But he tells you to go. As his
+attorney, I now warn you to desist from any further
+annoyance.’</p>
+
+<p>“Again the ladies sang—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">‘My soul, be on thy guard,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Ten thousand foes arise.’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">And Miss Annie Ustick followed with a fervent prayer
+for the lawyer and his client; but they had fled the
+scene, leaving the house locked up. After consultation,
+the ladies decided to leave Mr. Beck’s premises
+and take a position on the adjoining lot. They sent
+for the ‘tabernacle,’ a rude frame building they had
+used in front of Slater’s saloon. This they erected on
+the adjoining lot, put up immense lights to illuminate
+the entrance to the beer garden, and kept up a guard
+from early morning till midnight.</p>
+
+<p>“For two weeks religious services were held in the
+tabernacle day and night, and the women were constantly
+on duty; at the end of which time an injunction
+was granted Mr. Beck and the tabernacle was taken
+down.</p>
+
+<p>“Temperance was still the pulpit theme on the Sabbath,
+and on Monday morning, February 9th, all the
+business houses were closed from 8 to 9 to attend
+the business men’s prayer-meeting. Large delegations
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>were present from adjoining villages at that early
+hour. At the meeting there came a messenger from
+this man stating that he would give up his business,
+which announcement was received with cheers. It
+was then decided that all who were not enjoined from
+so doing should march out to Mr. Beck’s beer garden,
+where the proprietor met them at the gate, and after a
+brief consultation with a committee appointed for that
+purpose, he publicly announced: ‘You comes so many,
+I quits. I will never sell any more beer or whiskey.’
+Again the crowd gave vent to their feelings in cheers.
+Messengers were despatched to the women who remained
+praying in the church, to join them. All the
+bells commenced ringing, and the procession, numbering
+two hundred strong, started out to Sullivan’s beer
+house, now the only remaining saloon in the township.
+Marching up Court street, the numbers increased, and
+amid the most profound silence the men and women pursued
+their journey. About half way there the man in
+question was met and interviewed. He asked two days
+to consider, which were granted. The procession then
+returned, the bells all the time ringing out their chimes
+upon the crisp morning air. Meetings, morning and
+evening, continued with unabated interest, and at each
+came to us the cry from other points, ‘Come and
+help us.’</p>
+
+<p>“On Wednesday morning, February 11th, at mass-meeting
+in the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Sullivan came
+in and publicly pledged himself to ‘quit <i>forever</i> the
+liquor business.’ A general rejoicing and thanksgiving
+followed this surrender of the ‘last man.’</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Thus, through most of the winter of 1874 no alcoholic
+drinks were publicly sold as a beverage in the
+county.</p>
+
+<p>“The summer was given up to the defeat of the
+license clause in the new constitution which was to
+come before the people on the 18th of August.</p>
+
+<p>“Mass temperance picnics were a prominent feature
+of the season, and the untiring zeal of the workers was
+crowned with success on election day.</p>
+
+<p>“During the two intervening years weekly temperance
+league-meetings have been kept up by the faithful
+few, while frequent union mass-meetings have been
+held, thus keeping the subject always before the people.</p>
+
+<p>“To-day the disgraceful and humiliating fact exists
+that there are more places where liquors are sold than
+before the Crusade. Does any one ask the result of
+all this labor, and if the movement was a failure? We
+answer to the first question of results: The idea that
+<i>women</i> are to take an active part in the great conflict
+between religion and the rum power, was evolved by
+this very Crusade. None saw quicker than the women
+themselves the weak and strong points of the movement,
+and these praying bands have become thoroughly
+organized <i>Women’s Christian Temperance Unions</i>;
+and reform clubs, reading-rooms, coffee-houses, and
+friendly inns are the outgrowth of these ‘unions.’
+Other countries have felt the impulse, and the best
+women of Europe and Canada are being organized into
+‘leagues’ and ‘unions.’</p>
+
+<p>“Was this movement, then, a failure? No! No!
+The long list of reformed lives; the restored happiness
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span>and prosperity of once desolated homes; the still
+longer list of our noble young men, who were arrested
+in their first downward steps in the path of intemperance
+and ruin, and whose upright and useful lives will
+be standing monuments of good for years to come.
+Who dares to compute such results? The improved
+public sentiment, banishing the wine cup from the
+social circle, from the sideboards and cellars of respectable
+homes—the awakening and uniting of all
+Christian hearts in one grand work for God and
+humanity. All these are the outgrowth of a reformation
+which has since belted the world—the most far-seeing
+being utterly unable to grasp its results.</p>
+
+<p>“An incident recently under the observation of the
+writer is in point. During the winter of 1876 a grand
+banquet was given the Ohio General Assembly, judiciary,
+and military officers by some of the prominent
+citizens of our capital city. No labor or expense was
+spared in ministering to the comfort or pleasure of the
+guests, yet no wine was to be found in all that banquet
+hall. One of the hosts of the evening remarked that
+‘before the “Women’s Crusade” the giving of such an
+entertainment without wine would have been impossible.’</p>
+
+<p>“A failure? No! Eternity alone will unfold the
+glorious success of that work. To have banished
+liquor from the land, as at first the movement seemed
+to promise, would have been a miracle, and God does
+not now work in such manner; and the work we feel
+he meant to do in this Crusade was to rouse up his
+people to a sense of their duty; to awaken his church,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>which seemed to be strangely indifferent and asleep to
+this terrible evil. Thus He crowned the movement
+with success; and while His followers believe and trust
+Him, the good work will go on to completion, for</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“‘Right is right, as God is God,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">And right the day will win;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">To doubt would be disloyalty,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">To falter would be sin.’”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+
+<h3 id="WILMINGTON_OHIO">
+ WILMINGTON, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>We are indebted to Rhoda Worthington and Mary
+Hadley for the following history of the work in Wilmington:</p>
+
+<p>In pursuance to the call of the pastors of the different
+churches of Wilmington, a large and earnest assemblage
+of citizens gathered at the M. E. Church, on
+Saturday evening, January 3d, to devise some plan of
+procedure, by which all lovers of the race might be
+brought to work in harmony for the suppression of
+the sale of intoxicating drinks within the limits of the
+corporation of Wilmington.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was called to order by the Rev. William
+Runyan, pastor of the M. E. Church. After the
+singing of the hymn, “All hail the power of Jesus’
+name,” the audience were led in prayer by the Rev. S.
+H. Bingman, pastor of the Christian Church. The
+meeting was then addressed in a stirring and thrilling
+appeal in behalf of the movement, by the Rev. A. C.
+Hirst, of Washington C. H., Ohio. Mr. Hirst, in the
+course of his remarks, set forth the main features of
+the plan pursued by the people of Washington, but
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span>thought that, if the people of Wilmington would take
+hold of the matter with the one object in view, viz., to
+suppress the liquor traffic in our midst, some plan
+suited to the local requirements of the case would
+develop itself. At the close of Mr. Hirst’s address,
+remarks on the duties of the hour were made by W.
+E. Prichard and others. A temporary organization
+was then effected. Mr. William H. Cole, superintendent
+of public schools, was called to the chair, and J.
+H. Grove was nominated as secretary.</p>
+
+<p>A committee of five, consisting of Messrs. Hildebrant,
+Zeigler, Albright, Gaskill, and Outcalt, was appointed
+to secure the names of such men as were
+willing to pledge themselves to support the ladies in
+efforts to suppress the sale of intoxicating drinks
+within the limits of Wilmington.</p>
+
+<p>On the suggestion of Mrs. Mary N. Hadley, a minister
+in the Society of Friends, it was moved, that all
+women interested in the cause of temperance be requested
+to meet in the Friends’ Church, Sunday, January
+4th, at four o’clock <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, and that all men willing
+to aid the ladies in this movement be requested to meet
+in the Baptist Church, at the same hour, for prayer
+and consultation.</p>
+
+<p>At the women’s meeting at four o’clock, Sabbath
+evening, there was a good attendance. Rhoda C.
+Worthington was called to act as president of the meeting.
+She came forward and said, “As the children of
+Israel did not see the Red Sea open before they came
+to it, nor the prophets see the waters of Jordan roll
+back until the soles of their feet touched the brim of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span>water, so it seems we must go forward in this work,
+trusting that a way will be made for us.” Rachel MacGregor
+and Lizzie C. Runyan were then called on to
+act as secretaries. Huldah C. Estes was elected
+leader, and Sarah S. Walker secretary of the field of
+labor, who was to make the report of our proceedings
+to the public mass-meetings at night.</p>
+
+<p>At 10 <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span>, sixty-three ladies, some of them the
+tearful wives of dissipated husbands, solemnly marched
+forth amid the peals of all the church-bells of the town,
+to visit the places where liquors were sold in Wilmington,
+and pray for and with the dealers, and implore
+them to desist from this work of destruction. Most
+of the men of the congregation remained, and engaged
+in prayer and supplication to God, that the
+great mission of the mothers, wives, and sisters of
+Wilmington might be successful.</p>
+
+<p>One young man told his mother that he placed himself
+on a corner to see the fun as the women passed
+along, “but,” said he, “they all came weeping, and I
+wept, too.”</p>
+
+<p>In the congregation, as we passed out, aged men
+bowed their heads, tears were seen to drop to the
+floor; none seemed to notice, or scarcely know, that
+others were weeping. The first place we entered was
+Brown Bro.’s drug store. A hymn was sung, three
+prayers were offered, and the pledge presented and
+signed, the druggist shedding tears while he signed.
+“Glory, hallelujah, our God is marching on,” was sung,
+and we passed out.</p>
+
+<p>We made many visits before we obtained all the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span>signatures of the dealers, continuing eight days in the
+work, our numbers increasing to more than one hundred
+women.</p>
+
+<p>We then had four drug stores and nine saloons.
+During all the preliminary meetings, a number of
+persons who manifested a deep interest in all proceedings—men
+and women, too—were persons whose
+faces had not often been seen inside of church walls.
+But they tarried, not seeming to tire at the most
+lengthy exercises. There was a greater unanimity
+on the part of the different societies than had ever
+before been observable in any movement looking
+to the good of the general community. The feeling
+as the women filed out of the church, two by two, was
+of the intensest kind. It was no common errand on
+which they started, and their appearance on the streets
+awed to silence those whose hearts beat no responsive
+thrill.</p>
+
+<p>From drug store to drug store, and from dram shop
+to dram shop, these brave women went during four
+hours and a half, daily, pleading, singing, and praying,
+in behalf of those who were engaged in the unholy
+traffic of rum-selling.</p>
+
+<p>The meetings were continued in the church until the
+return of the women at half-past three in the afternoon,
+when, after a short time spent in consultation
+and devotional exercises, the meeting closed. At
+night the church was packed in every part. Extra
+seats had been procured, and the aisles and vestibule
+were filled to such an extent that egress was an impossibility.
+After a season spent in devotional exercises,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span>the report of the work done by the women during the
+day was read by Sarah S. Walker, and was listened to
+with breathless attention.</p>
+
+<p>The remainder of the evening was occupied in the
+transaction of business, speaking, singing, and prayer,
+and securing signatures to the total abstinence pledge.
+Some of these meetings were the most remarkable
+ever held in Wilmington, and their influence cannot be
+computed or gainsaid.</p>
+
+<p>On other days the same procession of earnest, devoted
+women filed out of the church amid the ringing
+of bells, and the supplication and prayers of their
+fathers, husbands, and brothers, through snow and
+sleet; and when the procession returned to the church
+there was awaiting them a large meeting of men, to
+give them a prayerful reception.</p>
+
+<p>The rain, sleet, and snow in an unusual degree kept
+on falling, but the meeting at the Friends’ meeting-house
+showed the indomitable purpose of the good
+people who were engaged in this work. At one of the
+many meetings the following appeal, having been prepared
+by the women engaged in the work of visitation,
+was read and adopted:</p>
+
+<p>“Sisters—Feeling greatly encouraged at the results
+of yesterday’s work, and thanking God our Father,
+who giveth us the victory through Christ, our crucified
+but risen and glorified Redeemer, and feeling that,
+from the character of the men engaged in the liquor
+traffic, the amount of capital and financial interest employed
+in the same, and the silent yet powerful influence
+of many members of our community in backing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span>up these men in their unholy calling, that we may have
+a long siege—therefore, let us call upon all our Christian
+brothers and sisters in the country surrounding
+Wilmington, to at once earnestly identify themselves
+with this great <i>Christian temperance movement</i>, by organizing,
+and placing themselves in communication
+with us, and thus be ready to help us in carrying forward
+the work.”</p>
+
+<p>The Crusaders, as they went out on their mission of
+love, were urged forward by the prayers and tears of
+the active Christian community, and aided by the moral
+sentiment of very many who made no pretensions of
+religion. The unity of effort, fixedness of purpose,
+and hearty support given to the work procured entire
+success.</p>
+
+<p>As the women were engaged all day in their work,
+arrangements were made for them to have lunch every
+day during this protracted effort.</p>
+
+<p>Superintendent William Cole and Sheriff Hackny
+took the lead in this matter. It was announced each
+night, at the mass-meeting, where lunch would be
+given, and who would pay for it. A correspondent
+says: The saloon-keepers weakened in their efforts
+to stem the tide of public opinion. Several were ready
+to sell out and quit the business, but the women were
+not willing to buy. J. R. Hawley, a colored saloon-keeper,
+announced in the meeting that he was resolved
+to quit.</p>
+
+<p>The ringing of all the bells in the town announced
+to the people that the lines were broken, and victory
+was only a question of time. The women were vigilant,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span>and regardless of the weather, went bravely on
+with the work.</p>
+
+<p>Half-way promises were made, but they desired a
+complete surrender. Thomas Young, a colored man,
+who had a saloon in Clarktown (a part of Wilmington,
+over the railroad), signed the pledge, amid the ringing
+of bells, and singing of songs of praise, that the outposts
+were surrendering.</p>
+
+<p>It was resolved at this meeting, “That the business
+men be requested to close their houses between the
+hours of nine o’clock <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span>, and three o’clock <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, of
+the following day.” This was generally done, and the
+meeting held in the Friends’ meeting-house was largely
+attended during the day. The procession was larger
+than ever, and their influence correspondingly increased.
+Whenever they found a saloon closed against
+them, praying and singing was carried on in the street.
+From Main to South, and up and down South street,
+the procession moved as the ladies thought best for
+the accomplishment of the good work in which they
+were engaged. Mr. J. J. Stagg, of the Gates House,
+generously entertained the women in the procession;
+that day one hundred and thirty took dinner there.
+That day the last place we visited before dinner was the
+court-house, court being in session. We spent some
+time in religious service there, but some of the members
+of the bar made it convenient to be absent.</p>
+
+<p>One day before that, just after we had taken lunch,
+we came out and stopped on the court-house steps,
+and Lizzie C. Runyan led in prayer. We afterward
+heard that a liquor case was just then being tried, that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span>the court became demoralized for a time until we went
+away, and the lawyer who lost his suit accused his
+opponent of making an arrangement with us to go
+there; but we knew nothing of what was going on, and
+acted only under the impression of the moment, many
+of us not knowing we were going there until the one
+leading stopped.</p>
+
+<p>At night the meeting was densely packed. At this
+meeting a plan of work was arranged for Saturday,
+somewhat different from the previous days; we divided
+into as many companies as there were saloons, having
+a few who could sing and some who would pray in
+each company.</p>
+
+<p>Saturday’s meeting was held in the Baptist Church,
+and the procession, large and formidable in appearance,
+started out, and a regular detail went to each of
+the saloons to watch and pray. It was arranged that
+every fifteen minutes the church-bell would be rung,
+and each company would then pass on to the next
+saloon; that day our enemy became exasperated. Before
+they were rid of one company another would be
+seen coming. We soon became too earnest to hear the
+bell, but went on from place to place. When any one
+of the unfortunate fellows was discovered on the
+street, a delegation of earnest, devoted women would
+surround him, and escape seemed hopeless. Never
+before had our town witnessed such a scene. Men
+dry for drinks, who had come in expecting no trouble,
+wandered disconsolately about the streets, and went
+home at night-fall in a different condition from what
+had been their habit on previous Saturdays, and the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span>bowls of egg-nog already mixed up for their use were
+still standing unmolested. They would see a company
+of us at one place and think these were the Crusaders,
+and they would go on hurriedly to another shop, perhaps
+enter the door before they perceived women
+were there, too; then some would very unconcernedly
+ask for a half-dozen apples or something else, and
+pass out. Through the vigilance of the women but
+little liquor was sold during the day, and at night
+all of the saloons were temporarily closed, and the
+chances were much against any open purchase of
+liquor. The week had been one of intense excitement
+and active work, and such an up-building of public
+sentiment as had never been manifested here before.</p>
+
+<p>Union service was held at the Friends’ Church on
+Sabbath morning and evening. At the morning hour
+Rev. James Kendall preached one of his characteristic
+sermons, which was listened to attentively by as large
+an audience as could be packed into the house. The
+evening service was very good, made up of singing,
+praying, and general speaking.</p>
+
+<p>Monday meetings were held at the M. E. Church.
+The attendance was prompt and the procession moved
+early, and took possession of the saloons. Men who
+had been brave all the week before, gave in and surrendered.
+Thomas Norton, Fred. Hineman, George
+Lauber, Henry Getz, Washington Champ, and Patrick
+Egan, gave up the business, and while they did not all
+sign the pledge, they all promised to quit. Norton
+and Hineman emptied their saloons.</p>
+
+<p>As an episode of the day’s work, the capture of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span>Xenia ale-wagon and the frightened driver will long
+be remembered. He entered town and was replenishing
+saloons, while the attention of all were taken up
+by the pouring out of a half-barrel of gin, given up for
+that purpose.</p>
+
+<p>G. Thomas Young had signed the pledge, and his
+liquors were poured into the gutter from the court-house
+pavement; some poor fellows drank from the
+gutter, taking it up with their hands; one ran up and
+caught some in his hat and drank it, although his hat
+was not a new one. The crowd dispersed: some went
+home, but most of the temperance women and men
+went to the M. E. Church.</p>
+
+<p>When it was announced that the ale-wagon was in
+town and M. N. Hadley was beside it, it was soon
+overtaken by a vast crowd. A colored boy caught hold
+of the horses; the wagon was soon surrounded by the
+women; earnest prayer was offered, and just as we had
+a pledge written, to present to him, to sign, not to
+enter our place again on such an errand by day or by
+night, the city marshal told the boy to quit his hold of
+the bridle, and the driver lay whip to the horses and
+fled. We telegraphed to Salina, and they were ready
+to receive him by the time he arrived there.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting that night was a joyful one, and the
+work was reported in a much more forward condition
+than any one could have expected. Thursday found
+all ready for work, and there being a suspicion that
+the saloon of Conners had been open during the night,
+a delegation met early and was ready to take possession,
+as soon as it was opened for business. The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span>meeting was held in the Baptist Church, and the procession
+came out promptly. During the day Edward
+Conners and Alice Bourke signed the pledge, thus
+closing all the drinking-saloons or places in the town.
+The men engaged in the work not feeling entirely
+satisfied with the fulfilment of some of the pledges,
+kept a watch.</p>
+
+<p>All the saloon-keepers signed the pledge except
+Norton and Getz, and they both closed under the
+promise not to sell again. Norton finally sold out at
+auction, and poured out his beer and turned himself
+into the street.</p>
+
+<p>Many individuals who worked without ceasing during
+this effort we would gladly mention by name, but
+not having room for all, we do not desire to discriminate.
+The work encouraged all good citizens, and a
+brotherly feeling has been wonderfully developed
+among the different churches.</p>
+
+<p>It was estimated from freight books, that during the
+six months beginning with July 1st, and ending December
+31st, 1873, that the sum of twenty-five thousand
+dollars was spent in this place for liquors.</p>
+
+<p>The above will give our readers some idea of the
+immense injury which our town has suffered from the
+sale of intoxicating liquors; over one hundred and forty
+dollars a day.</p>
+
+<p>After the closing up of the saloons, the people on
+the streets were universally sober, and in marked contrast
+to former times. We are informed by one whose
+duty it is to extinguish the street-lamps, that there is a
+wonderful change in the order on the streets since
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span>the closing of the saloons. Previously, disorder and
+drunkenness was the rule night after night, but now
+he will go around the town without any sign of disturbance.</p>
+
+<p>The Lebanon <i>Star</i> says, “In Wilmington, Clinton
+county, there were, a week ago, we are told, twelve
+saloons. On last Monday night there was but one
+remaining. The women did it. No suits were brought;
+but as we understand it, they just talked and sung and
+prayed, and the hearts of the liquor-sellers (many of
+them have hearts) gave way, and they quit the business.
+As the walls of Jericho fell at the sound of rams’ horns,
+so will the liquor traffic vanish in the presence of a
+healthy public sentiment properly manifested.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="RESOLUTION_OF_THANKS">
+ RESOLUTION OF THANKS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The following resolution was unanimously adopted
+by the women, at the last meeting held by them at the
+close of their arduous labors in putting down the
+liquor traffic in our town. It is a resolution which
+fully explains itself, and we give it without further
+comment:</p>
+
+<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we return our sincere thanks to our
+Heavenly Father for putting kindness into the hearts
+of the pastors, and so many of the brethren of all
+denominations amongst us, together with our friend,
+M. Rombach, and those who claim alliance with no
+church organization, to so cordially co-operate with,
+and encourage us in the performance of the duties of
+the last few days by their prayers and sympathy; also,
+kind attention in the bountiful provision for the sustenance
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span>of our bodies, and care for our comfort and
+convenience by improving street-crossings, etc. And
+again we will thank him for the silent breathing of
+“God speed the work,” which we felt was with many
+of our citizens and neighbors who had no opportunity
+to manifest their interest and co-operation therein, and
+in humility we desire to thank and praise his holy
+name for causing the saloon-keepers with whom we
+have labored, to treat us with such profound respect and
+gentility. And last, but not least, we most devoutly
+thank him that he has enabled us to work thus lovingly
+together, until the language of our hearts is, “Truly
+is it the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes.”</p>
+
+<p>On behalf of the women of Wilmington and vicinity.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span class="smcap">R. C. Worthington</span>, President.
+</p>
+
+<p>There were many women who attended our league-meetings
+regularly, who never went on the street as
+Crusaders. When we would start out they would go
+home, or remain at the prayer-meeting.</p>
+
+<p>These were led by ministers: W. E. Prichard, S. H.
+Bingham, Wm. Runyan, and Friends.</p>
+
+<p>A relief committee was appointed, consisting of
+both men and women, which did much to relieve the
+poor of our town. The children of the public schools
+were invited to come out.</p>
+
+<p>We taught them the following pledge:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">A pledge we make, no Wine to take,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Or Brandy red, to turn the head;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Or Whiskey hot, to make the sot;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">Or fiery Rum, that ruins home;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">Nor will we sin, by drinking Gin;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">Hard Cider, too, will never do;</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Or brewers’ Beer, the heart to cheer.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">To quench our thirst, we’ll always bring</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Cold Water, from the well, or spring.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">Also, from Tobacco’s use we plead excuse;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">The filth and scent thus we prevent,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">That does accrue from Snuff and Chew;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And Smoke, we abhor, from Pipe or Cigar.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">To this Pledge we live, for the joy it will give</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">To Fathers and Mothers, our neighbors, and others.</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>Wilmington, Clinton county, Ohio.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Some of the saloons were open, but claimed to be
+selling cider only. One had protested that he did not
+sell whiskey, and tried hard to convince us of the fact.
+His door opened into an alley. The children stopped
+before his front window, and began repeating the
+pledge; he raised the window, put his head out, and
+said, in an impatient voice, and with an Irish brogue,
+“What are ye all a doing here?” The children all
+turned their sober little faces toward him, repeating
+on. What he heard was just the line,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Or Whiskey hot, to make the sot;”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">when down went the window. It was very amusing,
+but none laughed at the time.</p>
+
+<p>One place we visited was a livery-stable, where
+many had been seen drinking and drunk. The
+keeper was greatly incensed to think we had stopped
+on his pavement—talked rather roughly; said, “If we
+came there just once more, he would sell out, and
+set up in the liquor business, and would show us he
+could sell if he wanted too.” This was all the rough
+language we had spoken to us, except by one druggist,
+who was so thrown off his dignity to think we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span>dared go to him; he asked us to sign a pledge that
+we would not steal anymore, then he would sign ours;
+many of them answered him they would, but he did
+not present any: but we found afterward that John
+Deck, the livery-man, perhaps would have been elected
+our marshal had it not been for the way he talked to
+us. How glad we were then that we suffered, that the
+right man might be elected; some men said they expected
+to have voted for him, but would not because
+he talked so roughly to us.</p>
+
+<p>Mary N. Hadley, a minister in the Society of Friends,
+may be said to have been one of our most indefatigable
+private, as well as public, laborers at home and
+abroad; while we have many whose faith and untiring
+zeal and energy are worthy of a record, although
+their share of the work was done in so quiet a way,
+that eternity alone will recognize it all, and give it its
+due reward of honor and praise.</p>
+
+<p>Lizzie C. Runyan, wife of the minister of the M. E.
+Church, was, after she fully entered the work, most
+gifted in prayer and public speaking.</p>
+
+<p>Some time after we had quit all visiting of the
+dealers, either by committees or otherwise, on the day
+of the spring election we met in the M. E. Church,
+and continued most of the day in the capacity of a
+prayer-meeting. The mayor, marshal and councilmen
+we desired were elected, and served their time out
+faithfully.</p>
+
+<p>In the beginning we felt ourselves, as it were, thrust
+into the work by our Allwise Father, for we were
+allowed no time to consult as to qualifications, or convenience,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span>or scarcely of how to proceed until we found
+ourselves in the work. Truly can we say: “This is the
+Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” One
+of the most striking features of it to us, and one
+which plainly shows the hand of Deity, is, that it is not
+those who have suffered most directly, or are most likely
+to suffer thus, from the evils of strong drink, who are
+first to enter the field. As God sent his own Son to
+give his life a ransom for his fallen children, even now
+he calleth those who profess to be his followers to exercise
+in their measure (though too small to bear comparison)
+the same spirit of unselfish love. “Greater
+love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
+life for his friends.” While we look upon the incomplete
+condition of our work in this place, we are not
+discouraged; we can say, hitherto the Lord hath helped
+us, and in his own time he will again visibly move
+onward.</p>
+
+<p>Wilmington was the third town to enter the Crusade,
+and the first to cry Victory! and we felt the reaction
+as deep and sore as any.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_VIENNA_OHIO">
+ NEW VIENNA, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Crusade fire which came down like an electric
+cloud upon Hillsboro’ and Washington Court-House,
+Ohio, spread rapidly from town to town.</p>
+
+<p>New Vienna, a small railroad village, was one
+among the first to become conspicuous, because of the
+wickedness of one of its liquor-dealers, and the persistent
+faith of the women engaged in the work.</p>
+
+<p>The last saloon to surrender was the “Dead Fall,”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span>kept by John Calvin Van Pelt. The building was a
+miserable one-story frame structure near the railroad
+depot, and Van Pelt had the reputation of being “the
+wickedest man in Ohio.” In appearance he looked
+like a prize-fighter, and in behavior he acted like one
+possessed of devils.</p>
+
+<p>The very first visit of the ladies enraged Van Pelt
+beyond anything they had ever seen. In his fury, he
+threatened that if they came to his saloon again, he
+would “hang, draw, and quarter them every one.”
+And he looked bloodthirsty enough to undertake any
+murderous deed.</p>
+
+<p>But, fortunately, these women were imbued with a
+heroism that comes from above, and had a faith that
+would not shrink in the presence of bodily peril. And
+the next day about fifty of them marched down to the
+“Dead Fall,” as though no threat had ever been made
+against them.</p>
+
+<p>Van Pelt had made special preparations for them.
+In one of his show-windows an axe besmeared with
+blood was placed; in the other an unusually fine display
+of whiskey-bottles; over the door jugs and bottles
+were hung, and a black flag conspicuously surmounted
+all; while within doors, Van Pelt could be
+seen walking the floor and flourishing a club at invisible
+foes. Now this was all very consistent—whiskey,
+a <i>rowdy</i> to serve it; the black flag and the axe, the
+symbols of the trade.</p>
+
+<p>The sight of the flag and the axe, nor even the
+hostile demonstrations of Van Pelt, deterred the women;
+they moved right on without halting, or a quiver
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span>of fear, under the black flag of piracy and death, into
+the very presence of the man with the axe and club.</p>
+
+<p>Van Pelt stood back in amazement, and the women
+began to sing and pray. A great crowd had gathered
+in the street about the saloon, but, notwithstanding
+their presence, while the ladies were at prayer, and
+one of them was earnestly praying for him that he
+might be baptized with the Holy Ghost, with a horrid
+oath he said, “<i>I’ll baptize you!</i>” and commenced
+dashing buckets of dirty water over them.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd of men were enraged and threatened him,
+but the ladies plead that he might not be punished.
+But some of the fathers and husbands of the women
+who had been drenched with beer and dirty water
+had him arrested, and for a week he had time for reflection
+in the quiet of the jail. He came forth, however,
+more bitter and furious than ever.</p>
+
+<p>He had the audacity to go to the Friends’ Church,
+where the ladies were holding a meeting, and try to
+engage them in a public controversy.</p>
+
+<p>“Why did the Lord put the stimulant in the corn
+and grape if it was not for the use of man?” he
+shouted, furiously. His question betrayed his ignorance,
+and they might have answered him that the Lord
+did not put it there, but that it came only with decay
+and rottenness, but instead, they sang:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“My soul be on thy guard,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Ten thousand foes arise,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And host of sins are pressing hard</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">To draw thee from the skies;”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">and prayed for him especially.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p>
+
+<p>On the 26th of January, when the ladies visited the
+saloon, he met them at the door, and told them they
+might come in and hold a prayer-meeting on condition
+that he would be allowed to make every other prayer.
+The women were amazed, but consented, and the
+prayer-meeting began. A lady was the first to pray,
+and she was followed by a long, blasphemous harangue
+by Van Pelt.</p>
+
+<p>“He asked the Lord to have mercy on the women,
+whom he classed with the brutes, and to teach them
+wisdom and understanding. Woman, he said, first
+caused man to sin, and there was great need of prayer
+in their behalf. He said the Lord opened the first
+distillery, and made the first wine, and that he was following
+the example of the Lord, and other like words
+of blasphemy.” The women, although filled with
+amazement, prayed on, until Van Pelt had made three
+long blasphemous prayers. They looked to see him
+struck dumb by the divine power, but God is merciful
+and long-suffering, and one week from that day he
+surrendered.</p>
+
+<p>He had given some intimation that he would surrender
+at two o’clock. Boys ran through the streets
+ringing hand-bells, and crying at the top of their voices,
+“Everybody meet at Van Pelt’s saloon at two o’clock,
+and hear his decision.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a general gathering of the people, who
+closed up their stores and shops and rushed to the
+saloon. When the ladies arrived, Van Pelt presented
+himself, and with a good deal of feeling said, “I do
+not yield to law or force, but to the women, who have
+labored in love.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span></p>
+
+<p>Then ordering the men to stand back, he rolled out
+his stock of liquors, and taking the axe besmeared
+with blood, with which he had tried to terrify the
+women, he knocked in the head of every cask, and
+sent the contents gurgling down the gutter.</p>
+
+<p>Then drawing himself up to his full height, he said,
+most solemnly, “Ladies, I now promise you to never
+sell or drink another drop of whiskey as long as I
+live, and also promise to work with you in the cause
+with as much zeal as I have worked against you.”</p>
+
+<p>He also remarked that he hoped the women of the
+United States would never cease until every drop of
+whiskey was emptied upon the ground, as his was.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the train from Cincinnati arrived. The
+crowd set up a deafening cheer. A photographist
+caught the scene, and preserved it to posterity. The
+women gathered around Van Pelt, shaking his hands,
+and congratulating him, and the glad news spread
+through the town, creating great excitement.</p>
+
+<p>The doxology was sung, and all the bells of the
+town were rung in honor of the occasion. That
+evening Van Pelt spoke at a mass-meeting and confessed
+his wickedness, and denounced the business.
+He referred to his saloon as a low doggery, saying,
+“Yes, I’ll call it a low doggery, for no man can keep a
+high one.” He had often taken the last ten cents
+from a man for whiskey when he knew that the money
+had been earned by his wife or child. Every man who
+sells whiskey does this. Little faces thus robbed had
+often appealed to his heart with greater force than
+any words of man. He was now determined to quit
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span>this business forever, and throw his strength on the
+other side of the question.</p>
+
+<p>Thus New Vienna was cleared of grog-shops.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="KENTON_OHIO">
+ KENTON, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Crusade work began early in January. The
+town was canvassed, and a large number of personal
+pledges obtained, and by the 2d February ten saloons
+had surrendered, and two were closed by law.</p>
+
+<p>General Robinson, during the work, made a most
+eloquent and impressive address, showing up the
+whiskey-ring in a way that made them instantly quail.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="GALLIPOLIS_OHIO">
+ GALLIPOLIS, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>This town was settled by the French, in 1790, and
+from that day on whiskey flowed freely.</p>
+
+<p>Early in January, the women commenced Crusade
+work, and by March 2d, three saloon-keepers had
+yielded. Mr. Crowley allowed them to take down his
+sign and empty his whiskey into the gutter. Three
+hundred habitual drunkards signed the pledge. All
+sects and parties united in the great reform; and at
+the annual election a majority in favor of a prohibitory
+ordinance was secured, and five out of six of the seats
+in the council, and all the school board, and most of
+the minor offices were filled by temperance men.</p>
+
+<p>The result was, that sixteen saloons closed, and <i>the
+police-officers reported crime lessened nine-tenths</i>.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="GREENFIELD_OHIO">
+ GREENFIELD, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The secretary gives the following statement of work:</p>
+
+<p>Our league began the work January 12th, 1874,
+and continued until the latter part of March.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span></p>
+
+<p>For nearly three months we visited saloons almost
+every day. At the end of that time there was <i>but one</i>
+saloonist who had not made some concessions to us;
+and, except by the drug stores, and this one saloon,
+there was no liquor sold in our town.</p>
+
+<p>Few of these, however, had signed the pledge, but
+from outside pressure abandoned it for the time being.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="RESULTS">
+ RESULTS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>How we in our weak human nature love to <i>see the
+results</i> of our work for Jesus!</p>
+
+<p>To-day, three years and a half after, we find four of
+the fifteen places where liquor was sold have kept
+their pledges; a number of moderate drinkers reformed
+have stood fast. But the greatest and grandest result
+is that of the change of public sentiment. Four years
+ago a temperance lecturer, of no mean ability, could
+scarcely find a respectable sized audience to listen to
+him; but at any time since the Woman’s Crusade the
+simple announcement of a temperance mass-meeting
+would insure a crowded hall. Our League in all these
+years has still prayed that in some way God would
+carry on the work. One earnest petition was that
+God would raise up some <i>one in our midst</i> who would
+be a “sharp arrow,” and last May, God answered our
+prayer, and Senator Dickey came over from the ranks
+of King Alcohol, and from under the power of sin, into
+the temperance army and into the fold of Christ.
+<i>This man</i> inaugurated the Murphy movement in
+Greenfield, which we feel to be the outgrowth of the
+Woman’s Crusade. Many who have always scoffed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span>at the Crusade now refer to it with the deepest
+respect, and acknowledge it to have been a fore-runner
+of this great thing which <i>we know</i> is
+also of the Lord. I want to add that our ladies
+were always kindly treated by the saloonists; we
+have no thrilling experiences to tell or hair-breadth
+escapes to relate; also that the gentlemen “held
+the rope” <i>always</i>.</p>
+
+<p>When we met at the church to start to work, they
+met with us, and while we went to the saloons they
+prayed, or rather had all-day prayer-meetings, often
+expressing their sympathy by ringing the bell.</p>
+
+<p>Then, too, we had messenger boys, who would carry
+little notes from the league to the church, reporting
+various stages of the work to our brothers at the
+church. At the close of the day we returned to the
+church to sing, perhaps, “One more day’s work for
+Jesus,” before we went to our homes.</p>
+
+<p>Clinton, the worst man engaged in the business,
+whose place was named “The Den of Iniquity,” said,
+after his surrender, “I thought I had sand enough in
+my craw to stand anything; but the prayers of these
+women did stir me up; they were enough to sink a
+wooden man.” Thirteen saloons in all were closed.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="FRANKLIN_OHIO">
+ FRANKLIN, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>There were six saloons in this village, when the
+Crusade commenced, January 21st. Webber, a German
+saloon-keeper, sent for a brass band to drown the
+voices of the praying women, but prayer and tears
+silenced the band, and they fled from the field, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span>Webber himself signed the dealer’s pledge and gave
+up the business.</p>
+
+<p>Five thousand dollars were raised to keep saloons
+out of the town, and a library and social hall established,
+and eighteen hundred dollars raised to purchase
+books, and to pay the rent of the hall. The rent of
+the hall was prepaid for twenty years.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MORROW_OHIO">
+ MORROW, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The ladies of Morrow commenced the street work,
+January 26th, to encounter seventeen drinking-places,
+fourteen of which were regular saloons.</p>
+
+<p>They labored unceasingly till all but two insignificant
+doggeries were closed; these held out persistently.</p>
+
+<p>A correspondent of a Cincinnati paper gives the
+following account of the town, which had been blasted
+by rum:</p>
+
+<p>“Population, eleven hundred; drinking-places,
+fifteen; increase of population in ten years, two
+hundred persons; increase of municipal taxation, one
+hundred and thirty per cent.; decline in business
+reported at twenty-five per cent.; manufactures
+nothing, and no increase in the value of property;
+eighteen vacant dwelling-houses, and numbers of the
+best citizens removed. Such are the facts given me
+by the ‘old and reliable.’ Verily it was time for the
+law or the gospel to do something. The place has a
+beautiful and romantic site. They have three railroads,
+and expect connection soon with a trunk line
+to the East. On one side is the river, and on the
+other the beautiful hill, with hundreds of sites for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span>palatial residences. In the neighborhood is good
+fishing and hunting, and all around is scenery unsurpassed
+in the State of Ohio. Apparently this is just
+the place for a favorite summer resort.</p>
+
+<p>“Twenty-five years ago Morrow had aspirations.
+There were, and are, unsurpassed facilities for manufacturing—still
+unimproved. Three large hotels at
+that time were filled most of the summer with families
+and visitors from Cincinnati. The society was good;
+church, school, and lyceum were thoroughly organized;
+and besides the manufacturing interests which were
+being established, the place expected to become a city
+of elegant retired country-seats. Somehow the
+saloons got the start, the manufacturers took the
+alarm, the expected good families did not come, and
+many that were here moved away. If the place has
+improved in twenty years, that fact is not apparent to
+the naked eye. Still there are many good families in
+Morrow. They have borne the demoralization and
+tyranny of the whiskey power until it has become a
+question of life and death with them; and they have
+entered on this struggle in the spirit in which patriots
+fight for their homes, feeling that unless they conquer,
+they must emigrate. It is not a question of philanthropy
+alone, and other people’s good, here, as in
+some places: they must conquer or die.”</p>
+
+<p>Wilmington, a neighboring town, had been cleared
+of the traffic, and Mrs. Runyan, the wife of a Methodist
+minister, and Mrs. Hadley, a Quakeress, went over
+from that place to Morrow to aid their sisters in the
+Crusade. There was great enthusiasm; over fifty
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span>ladies rallied around them, and the work commenced
+in earnest.</p>
+
+<p>There were many hard cases among the saloon-keepers.
+Looskins threatened to shoot the first
+woman that crossed his threshold.</p>
+
+<p>A notice was posted up conspicuously in Opes’ and
+Goepper’s saloon, “No singing and praying women
+allowed here.” Martin Fath brought out his sewing
+machine and ran it violently during their stay. Some
+of the saloons locked their doors.</p>
+
+<p>Henry Scheide, who was a young man of some
+culture, and kept the most respectable saloon in the
+place, proved to be one of the hardest cases.</p>
+
+<p>A Cincinnati reporter gives us the following sample
+of Scheide’s rambling talk:</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll worry ’em some, though I’m the only one
+that lets the ladies in. It don’t bother me much; they
+only sing and pray, and slay about half an hour. I’ll
+open every time they come, shutting doors on nobody.
+There’s no rowdies come into this place. Those
+ladies don’t understand it: they have a foolish prejudice
+about this business. Now I can run this establishment
+just as nice as a dry goods store, and I
+do.... O, if they’d stay all day, I’d soon stop that.
+This is my business, and I won’t let anybody interfere
+with it. There’s a State law against selling by the
+drink, but nobody pays any attention to it. We run
+that risk. No man but a low sneak, who has a spite
+against you, will drink in your house, and then go and
+make complaint against you. The council won’t
+make any order here. They’re men of too much
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span>sense. I tell you a town must have a decent saloon,
+or it won’t prosper. All the farmers nearly in the
+country, when they go to sell their grain or buy goods,
+are going where they can get a dram. They will
+have their beer or ale. Stop the sale here, and two-thirds
+of our travel leaves us. Maybe, though, if no
+town had saloons, it might make it even; but the
+others will have them.</p>
+
+<p>“Women get along in all these towns because they
+have no opposition. Mayor and officers and lawyers
+are all with them, because it was a new thing. But
+here we’ve got some rights. Our lawyers are with us.
+It’s politics that’s really at the bottom of this thing.
+It’s been tried here.”</p>
+
+<p>I glean the following facts from the writings of
+T. A. H. Brown, in “Fifty Years’ History of the Temperance
+Cause.”</p>
+
+<p>On the 17th of February, Henry Scheide went
+before Judge Gilmore, of Eaton, with the following
+petition:</p>
+
+<p>“The said Henry Scheide, plaintiff, prays that each
+and every one of the said defendants, individually,
+jointly, and collectively, be restrained, prohibited, and
+enjoined from molesting, disturbing, or hindering the
+said Henry Scheide in the prosecuting and conducting
+his said business, upon any pretence or pretext whatever,
+and invading, or meeting in or about his
+premises, to obstruct his said business; and also prays
+judgment against all of said defendants for the sum
+of one thousand dollars, and prays for all other proper
+relief in the premises.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span></p>
+
+<p>The said defendants were—</p>
+
+<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
+ <li>Mrs. E. R. Grim,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Frank Forshnell,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Geo. W. Davis,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;John Hanford,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oscar T. Hanford,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. F. Wilson,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H. J. Coffeen,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Josiah Fairchild,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Porter Corson,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jas. H. Jeffery,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W. P. Hanford,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;J. T. Welch,</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">and one hundred and four other ladies and gentlemen,
+among whom were Dio Lewis and Van Pelt.</p>
+
+<p>The trial came off at Lebanon, the 28th of February.
+It was a great day in Lebanon. The whole town of
+Morrow came over. A public dinner was given by
+the Lebanon ladies to their persecuted sisters. Forty
+of the defendants marched to the court-house in
+solemn procession. Every inch of space in the
+building was packed full.</p>
+
+<p>After noticing the first two points at length, the
+judge decides on the third point of the case as follows:
+Judge Smith presiding. “But there is another ground,
+which, in my judgment, effectually disposes of this
+motion. That is third, viz.: That the allegations of
+the petition are not true. He alleges that he kept a
+house where he conducted business according to law.
+From the nature of the case, the character of this
+business in this respect is directly in issue, and from
+the proof it is perfectly clear to my mind that instead
+of this it was a place where intoxicating liquors were
+habitually sold, in violation of the laws of the State,
+and where gambling was constantly being carried on.</p>
+
+<p>“Such a place as this our statute expressly declares
+to be a public nuisance, and which being shown in a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span>proper case would have to be ordered by the court to
+be shut up. Now, the doctrine is perfectly well
+settled that a nuisance, either public or private, may
+be abated even by force, so no breach of the peace is
+committed. Surely, then, the means used here, with
+the view of abating this nuisance, were not unlawful or
+in derogation of the rights of the plaintiff; for, as the
+keeper of such an establishment, the maintainer of a
+public nuisance, and a gambling-house, he can have
+no standing in a court of equity, when he asks to be
+protected in his unlawful and criminal business. The
+injunction will be dissolved at plaintiff’s costs.”</p>
+
+<p>Thus the women triumphed in the only injunction
+case of the Crusade that was decided on its merits.
+There was great rejoicing at Morrow. A correspondent,
+writing from there under the inspiration of the
+good news, gives the following graphic description of
+the scene:</p>
+
+<p>“As I write, the band is playing and marching
+through our streets, followed by an immense throng
+of men, women, and children, shouting and rejoicing.
+Every church-bell, school-bell, etc., in town is ringing,
+and two or three locomotives are creating a terrible
+noise, whistling and ringing their bells. In fact, the
+entire town is wild with excitement. Hundreds of
+country people, hearing the noise of the bells and
+general tumult, are flocking to town from all quarters,
+many thinking the village was in flames. An immense
+meeting is now in progress at the Presbyterian
+Church, in addition to the immense throng upon our
+streets. Speeches are being made, and cheer upon
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span>cheer is rending the air. Morrow never had such an
+awakening, everybody being happy except the lawyers
+who defended Scheide, and four or five saloon
+patrons.”</p>
+
+<p>It was too much for Scheide. He shut up his establishment,
+and left the town; and thus ends the history
+of the “only respectable saloon in Morrow.”</p>
+
+<p>The women were out every day, in constantly increasing
+numbers. Enthusiastic mass-meetings were
+held every night. Almost every man, woman, and
+child in the vicinity, not engaged in the liquor business,
+signed the total abstinence pledge. One after another
+the saloon-keepers gathered their traps about
+them and silently stole away, until the number was
+reduced to three or four.</p>
+
+<p>One of these was Max Goepper, a brother of the
+wealthy Cincinnati brewer, who kept a low place close
+by the depot. To this the women devoted their attention,
+and passengers on the Little Miami trains might
+see them at almost any hour, from six in the morning
+until ten at night, kneeling on the steps before the
+door with their piteous faces upturned, and pleading
+with the Almighty to have mercy upon that saloon-keeper,
+and change his heart. Just within the door
+stood Goepper, with a cigar in his mouth and a
+sardonic grin on his face, winking at the train men, or
+at some old customer whom he saw in the crowd. In
+the window hung a caricature of a dead man being
+carried off on a bier, and underneath the inscription,
+“This man was prayed to death.” It was a sight that
+brought tears to the eyes of many a traveller, at the
+same time that it provoked a smile.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p>
+
+<p>At last, on a morning early in March, the ladies
+came as usual, and found only the empty shell of the
+old shanty. Goepper and his effects had disappeared.
+The bells were rung loud and long, and the patient
+and persistent workers wept for joy. It was one of
+the most signal victories of the campaign.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="OXFORD_OHIO">
+ OXFORD, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Oxford, with a population of 1,800, had twelve saloons.
+The women commenced Crusade work January 31st,
+1874, and by the 27th of March every saloon was
+closed but one.</p>
+
+<p>One noble woman, Mrs. Sheard, over seventy years
+of age, put out her washing before daylight on that
+morning, so that with home work all done, she might
+be able to go with the Crusade band into the streets;
+other ladies were equally energetic and determined.</p>
+
+<p>Wertz and Barraclough, after closing their saloon,
+sold out their fixtures at auction.</p>
+
+<p>The wealthier citizens purchased them, and presented
+them to the ladies as mementos. Glasses
+brought as high as $1.50, and other things in proportion.</p>
+
+<p>March 31st, the last saloon-keeper, Mr. Taylor,
+signed the pledge. Thus in just two months of prayer
+and effort every saloon in the town was closed. A
+jubilee festival was held, to which the saloon-keepers
+and their families were invited.</p>
+
+<p>During the Crusade, out of a population of 1,800,
+1,200 signed the pledge.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="McARTHUR_OHIO">
+ McARTHUR, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>McArthur is the county-seat of Vinton county; has
+a population of 800. At the commencement of the
+Crusade five saloons were in full blast; four of them
+were closed in one week.</p>
+
+<p>One of the worst places was a gambling and faro-bank.
+A correspondent gives us the following graphic
+account of the closing of this den:</p>
+
+<p>Fifty women singing and praying in a faro-bank is
+calculated to cause quite an interest in almost any
+place, and especially in our usually unaccustomed-to-excitement
+village. The rooms were crowded to overflowing
+by curious and interested spectators. The
+proprietor had boasted that the ‘praying band’ had
+not enough ‘religion’ and too little ‘faith’ to visit him,
+and even threatened violence should such an action be
+attempted. After the conclusion of the evening services
+at the churches, the ladies formed in line of
+march, accompanied by the marshal and one or two
+others, in case their services were needed in an
+emergency, and the attack was made. They were
+received without opposition. Crowds followed, the
+rooms were filled, and a large number remained below
+on the sidewalk. Singing and prayer were held for
+about an hour, when the band took their leave, thanking
+the proprietor for his courtesy, and he in turn
+requesting them to return; but this they had not the
+opportunity of doing. The next day he closed his
+establishment, sold his tables and chairs, and decamped,
+saying that being prayed out of town was a
+new experience to him, and that he had best leave.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="GEORGETOWN_OHIO">
+ GEORGETOWN, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>This is an old aristocratic town; like Hillsboro’,
+many of the early settlers were from Virginia or
+Kentucky, and had the same ideas of hospitality.</p>
+
+<p>My earliest recollections of Georgetown are of its
+splendid monthly balls, and the fashion and gayety of
+the people who attended them, coming many of them
+from long distances.</p>
+
+<p>The inhabitants suffered terribly from the drink
+ravages, and yet drinking was deemed respectable.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade commenced late in January, and on
+February 28th the last saloon closed.</p>
+
+<p>We give the following incidents of the Crusade from
+a correspondent:</p>
+
+<p>“One man, on being approached by the ladies, had
+nerved himself for the shock with the electrifying fluid
+of his own establishment. By his side sat a glass half
+full, ready to be swallowed as soon as the burning
+effects of the first had cooled. When asked if he
+would quit selling liquor, his response was, suggested,
+no doubt, by the inward burning: ‘No! not till h—l
+freezes over.’ Since then the wicked of this community,
+before whom the lake of fire has been a dreadful
+reality, have had great occasion to rejoice.</p>
+
+<p>“At the second place visited, the proprietor, fearing
+the prayers of the ladies would annihilate his stock,
+had it rolled out on the sidewalk and labelled ‘Cincinnati.’
+He told them, in answer to inquiry respecting
+the cessation of his business, that they might
+report him closed. This, however, was only a dodge
+to evade the pressure of this movement. He afterwards
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span>closed, however, and allowed his liquors to be
+emptied in the street.</p>
+
+<p>“The proprietor of another saloon wept during the
+first visit of the ladies; said he was a Christian man;
+could not quit the business at present, as he had
+bought property, and his word was out to pay for it;
+said also that he could not let his wife and children
+suffer for food and clothing. He gave a written
+pledge, however, that he would never sell another
+drop of intoxicating liquor after the present was gone.</p>
+
+<p>“Judging from the professions of the next man, we
+would classify him with an ancient order of people.
+‘He is not as other people; he prays twice a day; was
+foreordained from all eternity to sell liquor; considers
+it no more harm than to sell calico.’ A few days
+afterwards, we thought his Calvinism knocked end-ways,
+as he solemnly pledged the temperance people
+he would never sell again. But nickels were too
+tempting. The next day he was discovered selling.
+Had this not been a ruse to secure the intercessions of
+the ladies before the court in his behalf, his return to
+his foul business would have verified the old proverb.
+He persists that there was a mistake in his promise;
+that it embraced a condition. We are happy to record
+he has since closed up unconditionally.</p>
+
+<p>“At another place, the proprietor said as he was a law-abiding
+citizen, and sold only according to law, that he
+would lose every drop of blood in his body before he
+would give up the business. This was severe on the
+ladies. Until then they had not perceived they were
+warring against legitimate business. But the next
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span>day, on learning that some one had indicted all of these
+<i>law-abiding men</i> before the grand jury, their conscientious
+scruples vanished. At this place, too, temperance
+triumphed and no blood was shed.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WHO_ARE_THESE_WOMEN">
+ WHO ARE THESE WOMEN?
+</h3>
+
+<p>In all adjacent towns, the wildest rumors are afloat
+as to who the praying women are. Some say they are
+strangers sent here to do this work. Those not in
+sympathy with us say they are from the lower strata
+of society, and that among them are women of questionable
+character. Let the liquor-dealers of Georgetown
+be asked, and, if men of veracity, they will say
+they are the women of Georgetown, and the very best
+of its female inhabitants. They are the wives and
+daughters of the ministers, bankers, judges, lawyers,
+merchants and mechanics of this place.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="LOGAN_OHIO">
+ LOGAN, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The following was reported by Mrs. John Walker:</p>
+
+<p>“Logan, the county-seat of Hocking, with two thousand
+inhabitants, contained, before the Crusade, eighteen
+saloons, most of them doing a profitable business.
+Much of the wealth of the town was in the hands of
+prominent liquor-sellers, and men in other business
+quailed before them. Our lawyers and office-holders,
+with scarcely an exception, were in their interests. But
+God had a chosen few who caught the inspiration of
+the Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>“It is a remarkable fact that several towns took up
+the work simultaneously, and, with but little knowledge
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span>of what the others were doing, worked substantially in
+the same manner, as we found in comparing notes
+afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>“We were, as we supposed, the fifth town in point
+of succession, but found that other towns had commenced
+at the same time. We felt the magnitude of
+our work, for many of these liquor-dealers were our
+neighbors and friends—some of them the magnates of
+our town.</p>
+
+<p>“And I speak what I know of our women, when I
+repel the accusation since made against the Crusade,
+that one element in its work was a spirit of persecution.
+So far as our work was concerned, all bitterness was
+laid aside. We felt called to work for the Master, and
+with as much of his spirit as possible. Our meetings
+were solemn; our processions well ordered; our work
+determined and telling; for God seemed to come so
+near to us that we touched his guiding hand. No
+woman among us, who entered into the spirit of it,
+doubts for a moment the Almighty guidance. I can
+never describe my own feelings as the leader of it. I
+seemed under a mighty inspiration, so calm, so peaceful,
+so fearless, so trustful, and with remarkably clear
+views of God’s truth, so that I would select passages
+for public reading without hesitation. I received
+threatening letters. My husband was advised to compel
+me to stay at home, as I would ruin his business
+(banking, which was never harmed).</p>
+
+<p>“Country people flocked into our town and were
+amazed; there was so much power in the work—power
+from on high. It was a spiritual phenomenon, unexplainable,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span>even to ourselves. ‘How our hearts burned
+as we talked of Him by the way!’</p>
+
+<p>“Our Master walked with us. In three weeks, we
+had the four drug stores under pledge, and all the
+saloons closed except one. That one was upheld
+by wholesale dealers in cities, and by the Catholic
+priest at home. We labored with the priest, but he
+steadily told us that he interfered with no man’s
+business.</p>
+
+<p>“Our Lutheran minister also upheld his people
+who sold liquor. Now for the results:</p>
+
+<p>“Although some of these liquor-sellers gave us their
+hand before the crowd, and with tears promised they
+would never sell liquor again, after a few months they
+returned to it again, and as much liquor was sold as
+before. There is a kind of brotherhood among them,
+and they fear and influence each other.</p>
+
+<p>“But was the Crusade a failure, as some have said?
+By no means. We gave the liquor business a blow in
+<i>this town</i>, from which <i>it never has and never will recover</i>.
+Some of our Germans in that business I think had
+no idea until then how disreputable it was in the eyes
+of Americans. They <i>feel</i> it <i>now</i>.</p>
+
+<p>“It is neither respectable to sell nor drink whiskey in
+this town now, although much of it is done; for so long
+as there is money in the business, it will be continued.</p>
+
+<p>“Public opinion has taken an <i>immense</i> stride. One
+of these wealthy liquor-dealers has recently died, leaving
+orders that no liquor should ever again be sold at
+his place of business, and a nice hardware-store now
+fills its place. Another young man has left the business,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span>and opened a furniture store. Several others are
+now shut for want of custom.</p>
+
+<p>“It was a fearful reaction which followed the Crusade—the
+mighty wave threw up the mire and filth in
+the community. This element festered, and in sheer
+bravado many of them have tried to show <i>these women</i>
+that they <i>will</i> sell and drink in spite of them. But our
+‘boys in blue’ are coming to the rescue. Each temperance
+revival seems to be an outcome of the preceding
+one.”</p>
+
+<p>We add the following from D. Little:</p>
+
+<p>“But two of the twenty liquor hells in our town, that
+surrendered, possessed any interest to those who do
+not believe in the efficacy of prayer.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Barnhardt, the day of his surrender, knelt with
+the ladies, and tearfully promised them that he would
+never sell any more spirituous liquors; that he was
+convinced that it was a great sin to do so. He hoped
+they would be as successful at all the other saloons as
+they were at his. He has been, ever since his surrender,
+one of our best temperance men.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Rohler’s surrender was the same as Mr. Barnhardt’s.
+Upon his surrender, the ladies sang ‘Praise
+God,’ etc.</p>
+
+<p>“One of the most remarkable cases of God’s answering
+prayer is told by our good sister F. Her husband
+is a kind-hearted man, a good mechanic, and,
+until he commenced drinking, was one of our most
+thrifty mechanics. He ran through with all the accumulation
+of years, and but for the hand-work of his wife,
+his family would have suffered for bread.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Mrs. F. felt that there was no safety for her husband
+without God would take from him his appetite
+for whiskey. She believed that God would do it, if
+she asked him. She prayed that God would take from
+him the desire for whiskey. At this time he had not
+taken any stimulant for a week. He would walk the
+floor of his shop in the greatest distress, and in going
+to and from his meals, he went through the alleys,
+in order to avoid the saloons, knowing, as he says, he
+could not resist the temptation.</p>
+
+<p>“After about a week of such suffering, his desire for
+whiskey was taken away, and he says he has no more
+taste for it now than when he was a child. He is
+happy, cheerful, industrious, and says he will never
+drink any more.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="McCONNELSVILLE_OHIO">
+ McCONNELSVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. Eva R. Sprague writes of the work at this
+point:</p>
+
+<p>We organized February 14th, 1874, under the name
+of McConnelsville Women’s Temperance League;
+officers: president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary.</p>
+
+<p>The usual constitution, by-laws, and pledges were
+adopted, and one hundred and thirty signatures
+obtained.</p>
+
+<p>We owed largely our success, under God, to our
+venerable president, Mother Paxton, who, although
+bending under the weight of years (she was at the
+time seventy-seven), was, nevertheless, prompt in attendance
+at each of our meetings, and in the street work,
+no matter how inclement the weather.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span></p>
+
+<p>As a result of our efforts, with the blessing of God,
+every saloon in our town was closed. (There are now
+six saloons in the place against which we are battling.)
+Some of the persons who were then dealing out death
+to their fellow-creatures are now efficient members of
+Christ’s visible church. So manifest was the presence
+of the Holy Spirit in our meetings and work, that denominational
+lines seemed to have melted away, and a
+heavenly union “like to that above” prevailed.</p>
+
+<p>A blessed revival of religion and an ingathering of
+members to the churches followed, as a matter of course.
+Our meetings were kept up for several months, and
+were seasons of great soul-enjoyment to those who
+attended, and the savor of their influence will, we
+hope, never be lost upon the members of the League,
+and the Christians of McConnelsville.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MARYSVILLE_OHIO">
+ MARYSVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>On Wednesday evening, February 14th, 1874, an
+interesting mass-meeting was held in Union Hall;
+every available foot of room was packed. This meeting
+was the means of developing much temperance
+feeling, which rapidly grew; and on Thursday, Friday,
+and Saturday, devotional meetings were held at the
+Congregational Church.</p>
+
+<p>Monday afternoon, thirty or forty ladies formed into
+line, and marched to the saloons. At the places where
+the saloons were closed against them, the devotional
+exercises were gone through with, on the pavement,
+in front of the saloon. Monday afternoon, Mother
+Stewart, of Springfield, paid us a visit. In the evening,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span>she made a two hours’ address, at the Methodist
+Church, and was listened to by a crowded house. A
+subscription was started for the purpose of prosecuting
+all violations of the liquor laws. About six thousand
+dollars were subscribed. On the whole, the
+people were terribly in earnest.</p>
+
+<p>While a committee of ladies was visiting the saloons,
+with the view of having an understanding with the
+keepers, concerning their continuing to sell liquor, a
+few young men, with more impudence than brains,
+entered the saloon and called for drinks.</p>
+
+<p>At one of the evening meetings in the hall, the
+cry of <i>fire</i> was raised; the audience became much
+alarmed, and made a rush for the door. It was soon
+discovered that a barn had been set on fire near the
+depot. It was supposed to have been set on fire for
+the purpose of breaking up the meeting. The same
+ruse was employed a second time during the meetings.</p>
+
+<p>The druggists signed a pledge which they prepared
+for themselves. On a Saturday, a beautiful day, the
+ladies were out in full force; one hundred and
+seventy-two in all. Large numbers of persons were
+in from the country as silent spectators of the solemn
+scene. Many stout-hearted men were melted to
+tears, and all expressed themselves as singularly
+affected.</p>
+
+<p>Not a word was spoken in derision of the movement,
+nor was there a smile to be seen on the countenance
+of any one. It was a wonderful work.</p>
+
+<p>The last week in February, 1874, was the memorable
+week in the history of Marysville. It will be
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span>remembered as the week when every saloon in the
+place was closed.</p>
+
+<p>Photographs, cabinet-size, of the ladies’ prayer-meeting
+in front of the “City Beer Saloon,” were
+taken, and became objects of historic interest.</p>
+
+<p>Monday evening, March the 2d, our citizens, to the
+number of about three hundred, met at Mr. Peter
+Baugh’s residence, and took supper with him. Peter
+was among the first to yield to the wishes of the ladies.
+He sacrificed all his liquors, by spilling them out on
+the ground; then tore out his saloon-fixtures, cleaned
+up his room, and spread a table capable of seating
+eighty persons at a time.</p>
+
+<p>It was a pleasant evening, in the way of genuine
+enjoyment. After supper, addresses were made by
+Mr. Stephenson, Mayor Kennedy, Rev. Mr. March,
+Dr. Hamilton, Mr. Piper, and Mrs. Woods. All rejoiced
+together that deliverance had come to those
+who were in bondage.</p>
+
+<p>The supper given at Mr. Raugh’s proved a success.
+The sum given so cheerfully and liberally amounted
+to five hundred dollars. The kindly feeling which
+prevailed convinced all that it is better to be ruled by
+love than by law.</p>
+
+<p>Reported by order of the committee. <span class="smcap">E. J. March.</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="FINDLEY_OHIO">
+ FINDLEY, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Sarah A. Strothers, writing of the work in this
+place, says:</p>
+
+<p>“In the month of February (about the 27th) the
+great wave of the temperance revival, now known as
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span>“The Crusade,” reached Findley, Hancock county,
+Ohio. A meeting was called to be held in the Presbyterian
+Church, where the wonderful events that had,
+and were transpiring, at Hillsboro’, and Washington
+Court-House, were talked over, until the people were
+enthused to such a degree, that, for the time being,
+all other things seemed void of interest.</p>
+
+<p>The great incubus of intemperance that was crushing
+us socially, and as a nation, was about to be overthrown,
+by the great lever of faith—Faith in God. It
+was claimed that at this day He would hear and answer
+the supplications of His children, as He did in other
+years, when He brought them out of the land of bondage.
+The people assembled every day for two weeks.
+The church was crowded. All were anxious that the
+women should go out as their sisters were going in
+other places.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of the 14th of March, the work of
+organization commenced. A president and two vice-presidents,
+and other officers were chosen. One of
+the ministers present suggested that consecration was
+necessary before we could work effectively. All
+seemed to feel that this was indeed needed, and for
+two weeks longer we met daily in the church for
+prayer.</p>
+
+<p>The interest increased. Crowds came from our
+county, and from towns and cities of the country adjacent
+to these meetings. The baptism of power
+came upon us. We then sent committees to the
+saloons, to ask the dealers to cease their work of
+death; and to say that if they did not abandon the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span>traffic, prayer-meetings would be held in their places
+of business. There were thirty-two retail and one
+wholesale liquor store, in our village of four thousand
+inhabitants. Although evidently much disturbed, not
+one of them would promise to give up the traffic,
+claiming that there was too much money in it; that
+the government was kept up by the revenue derived
+from the traffic in intoxicants. To be told this by a
+foreigner was enough to make every American blush
+for his country.</p>
+
+<p>When the committees returned, the church was
+filled with women bowed in prayer; and, as one expressed
+it, the very atmosphere seemed to be filled with
+the Spirit. They had been blessed as were the disciples
+of old, with a pentecostal baptism.</p>
+
+<p>All denominational lines were gone, and they
+were as the Saviour prayed that his followers might
+be, one in Him. The leader of the band went to the
+front of the church to make the report. She said:
+“My sisters—We have met with a defeat equal to
+that of the army of the Potomac at Bull Run. Let
+us once more bow before God, and ask for direction
+and strength for the contest that is evidently before
+us.” We then signed the pledge to work until the
+victory was won, or till death should release us.</p>
+
+<p>At the evening meeting, held in the court-house,
+many of the dealers were present, and so learned that
+on the morrow we would move upon their works,
+armed with the weapons of Christian warfare—Love
+and Faith, backed by the power of Almighty God.</p>
+
+<p>At eight o’clock in the morning the church was filled
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span>with persons anxious to take part in the work, or to
+see what was going to be done. After devotional
+exercises, the men present pledged themselves to aid
+by their prayers, their means, and influence, until the
+work was accomplished. The leader now requested
+all who were willing, and felt moved by the Spirit to
+go out, to rise. Two hundred and twenty signified
+their willingness to go. We then had a few minutes’
+silent prayer, after which we formed a procession.
+The leader then said: “My sisters, we are going forth
+in the strength, in the spirit of our Master, to follow
+Him in trying to save men, and it may be going even
+to death. Let us all feel that, following Christ, all will
+be well. Let us leave all in His hands—life, friends,
+reputation—all that is dear to us, in His hands.”
+Persons were stationed in the Protestant churches to
+ring the bells as soon as the M. E. Church bell would
+ring. As we walked two and two out of the church
+five bells commenced ringing. The streets were
+crowded with men and boys, all excited over the
+strange scene. It was, indeed, like a great funeral
+procession.</p>
+
+<p>The first place we visited the proprietors had closed
+the doors and fled. We sang “All hail the power of
+Jesus’ name,” and offered two prayers. A man, in
+giving his experience afterwards, said that that prayer
+and hymn were the means of his conversion.</p>
+
+<p>The third place we visited was kept by a wounded
+soldier. He had once known the Saviour. As we
+sang he wept, and knelt when we prayed. All the
+time we were out those who remained at the church
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span>were praying. At the close of each prayer, the bell
+would be rung, thus notifying us that they were holding
+us up by their faith.</p>
+
+<p>The next place we visited was a billiard saloon. As
+we filed into the room the players were startled; they
+were not looking for us. One woman exclaimed:
+“Merciful heaven, this is the gilded hell that is destroying
+my sons!” The owner said: “We never sell
+anything that will intoxicate.” Another mother present
+answered: “I don’t see how that can be; my boys
+come in here sober, and I have to help them home—they
+are too drunk to take care of themselves.” He
+was now becoming angry, and a sister, standing with
+her hand on the billiard-table, said: “Let us pray.”
+She prayed that his little son might never have the
+temptations to evil that he was offering to her children;
+that the father might become a Christian ere his boy
+would know anything of his life. The pledge was
+then presented. He said he would not sign it till the
+Day of Judgment. He, however, came to the church
+in the morning, and not only signed the pledge but
+asked us to pour his liquor into the street. Oh! the
+crowds that came to witness the funeral of the vicious
+compound. We had a very joyous time; God was
+with us in great power. Several of the dealers gave
+up the business, and the five bells were rung, and
+great rejoicing was heard all over the town. At one
+saloon a sister was asked to lead in prayer; she was
+a shouting Methodist, and she rejoiced with a loud
+voice, to the astonishment of the beer vender.</p>
+
+<p>At one place we were in the habit of singing “Come
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span>to Jesus,” and “Rock of ages.” An old German was
+much disturbed by this. “What did des Rock of ages
+mean?” he said. “He dakes mine shleep all de night.
+I durns over, I hear <i>Rock of ages</i>, and den I hears
+<i>Come to Jesus, all de time</i>; vat does it mean?”</p>
+
+<p>A man, a German, was in his place one day; a boy,
+whose mother was a Crusader, was standing by the
+stove. He did not observe the boy, but said to the
+man, “Come now, haf a glass of peer, dem vemens
+will not drouble me any more already. I dalked so
+cross dey will not comes agin.” The beer was poured
+out, but just as the man was raising it to his mouth,
+“Rock of ages” sounded through the air, sung by a
+hundred voices. “Quick, shut the door! mine Got,
+dis dem vemens agin.”</p>
+
+<p>Most of the places we visited we held our meeting
+inside, but the wholesale dealers would not suffer us
+to come inside. One or two would go in to talk with
+the proprietors. When the door was opened one
+morning, five or six slipped in and commenced praying.
+Oh! what a meeting we had—one good short
+inside meeting, and a large one outside. We then
+commenced picketing saloons; some rich scenes transpired
+in this work. After we had enough evidence
+accumulated (we had the McConnelsville ordinance)
+we concluded to try the law. We had an old German
+arrested and tried; <i>he was sentenced to fine and imprisonment</i>.
+The Germans banded together, and took
+him out of the prison, and there seemed no help but
+to submit to a lawless mob.”</p>
+
+<p>What a confession! <i>A few German dealers defy
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span>public sentiment and override the decrees of the court</i>.
+And American men, who outnumber them <i>ten to one</i>,
+submit to this lawlessness and insult, and allow the
+triumph of vice over virtue; mob over the law.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="JAMESTOWN_OHIO">
+ JAMESTOWN, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Reported by Mattie B. Long.</p>
+
+<p>In the early part of February, 1874, the citizens of
+Jamestown, Ohio, met at Christian Church of that
+place; the object of the meeting being to organize a
+band to go in the streets, into saloons, or wherever a
+war might be waged against the liquor traffic. After
+prayer by one of the ministers present, and some
+remarks upon the necessity of the work now about to
+be engaged in, a league was promptly organized, with
+Mrs. Mattie B. Long as president, Mrs. Elizabeth
+Davis vice-president, and Mrs. H. R. Brown secretary.</p>
+
+<p>A spirit of enthusiasm pervaded all classes. The
+pastors of the three churches entered heartily into the
+work, and were, as well as other Christian men, very
+valuable allies in the warfare. While the women went
+forth weeping, trembling, praying, these men remained
+in the church praying for their success in the work
+until they returned and reported.</p>
+
+<p>A band of about fifty ladies went forth, visiting first
+the only drug store in the village, where they were
+kindly received. The president asked permission to
+have prayer, when an earnest, eloquent petition was
+offered by Mrs. Mary Perryman, the first prayer,
+perhaps, that had ever ascended to heaven from a
+place where ardent spirits were sold as a beverage in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span>this town. This drug store and two saloons were the
+only places in the village where liquors were sold.</p>
+
+<p>These places were visited daily for a week or more
+before either of the proprietors agreed to desist; one
+saloon-keeper finally yielded. Then the druggist, and
+then the other saloonist “unconditionally surrendered,”
+and gave permission for his premises to be searched.
+All his liquors were given to mother earth to drink.
+So that in the space of three weeks our village was
+for the time freed from the curse.</p>
+
+<p>The experience of all engaged in the work was
+that, while laboring for the good of others, their own
+souls had been greatly blessed.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MOUNT_VERNON_OHIO">
+ MOUNT VERNON, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mount Vernon, with a population of 6,000, had
+thirty-one saloons.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade work commenced the 16th of February;
+in the short space of twelve days of prayer
+and persuasion, twenty-three saloons closed their
+doors, and the saloonists agreed never to enter into
+the business again. The Catholic priest expressed
+his sympathy with the movement, and organized a
+society in his own communion.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. E. A. Wright wrote, April 2d, 1874: “Our
+success up to the present time has far exceeded the
+expectations of the most sanguine; out of twenty-two
+places where intoxicating drinks were publicly sold,
+only six remain, and those doing but little. A great
+change has been wrought in the outside element. If
+a popular vote had been taken the first day of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span>Crusade, whether we should retire from the streets, or
+continue with our prayers, we would have been obliged
+to disperse; to-day, thank God, so great is the change
+that nine-tenths of the people bid us God speed in our
+work, and would regard it as a public calamity, should
+we cease our efforts. Men who hitherto had been
+enslaved have, like true men, come up and with
+trembling hands signed the pledge, that they might
+be free, while their tear-dimmed eyes spoke the gratitude
+that welled up from their hearts.</p>
+
+<p>Surely God is with us: he will not fail us, but his
+work, like a mighty wave, will continue to increase
+in volume and power until its boundaries shall only be
+determined where the love of mother, wife and sister
+cease to exist; where <i>such love dwells</i>, there shall the
+standard of temperance be uplifted; not only uplifted,
+but sustained. We may not live to see the glorious
+consummation of this work, but I believe in God’s
+own time this evil shall cease to be in our midst.</p>
+
+<p>A very stringent ordinance passed by the city
+council has awakened terrible fears in the minds of
+those who still continue the traffic, ordinances covering
+so much ground, that they will be obliged to surrender,
+if not from principle, from loss of profit. The council
+stand nine to one (a saloonist) in favor of temperance.</p>
+
+<p>Let us educate our daughters to fill up the ranks
+when we fall, looking always to God for support, going
+forth in His fear, with His love in our hearts, to do
+battle against this awful enemy of mankind, being
+determined that not until the last rum-hole is closed,
+will we rest.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span></p>
+
+<p>On the 21st of February, Mr. McFeely, who kept
+the finest restaurant and billiard hall in southern Ohio,
+made a full surrender. After rejoicing over this great
+victory, the women proceeded through the rain to the
+Commercial Hotel, where they found the white flag,
+the symbol of surrender, hanging out. After holy
+praise to God, Mr. McFeely and the proprietor of the
+Bergen House (which had surrendered a few days
+before) invited them to dinner, while the owner of one
+of the livery-stables sent hacks and omnibuses to
+convey them to their homes. This generous courtesy
+of those who had given up their business at the
+solicitation of the women was a token of the kindly
+feeling existing between the parties. After Mr.
+McFeely gave up the traffic, he had an elegant motto
+put up in his dining-hall, inscribed with the sentiment:
+“God bless our noble women.” A reporter shortly
+afterwards visited him, and gives the following interesting
+account of the interview:</p>
+
+<p>“With some curiosity as to what the late liquor-sellers
+thought of the movement and its effects, I went
+to a billiard-room which, when I was here before, was
+the most popular drinking-place in town, being
+crowded every night with young men who rank high
+in Mount Vernon society. The proprietor, an Irishman,
+with the physique of a trained prize-fighter, had
+told me that ‘the thing would never work in Mount
+Vernon,’ and that ‘they’ (meaning the ladies) ‘had
+better not try it on.’ I now found him in a much
+more tranquil state of mind, as he stood dispensing
+lemonade and soda to old topers, who have now to be
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span>content with such mild substitutes for the old-fashioned
+toddies and punches. ‘How do you feel after your
+surrender?’ I asked. ‘Never better—never so well—in
+my life,’ was the prompt reply. ‘I don’t know
+anything about getting religion, but a fellow who has
+just been converted must feel something like I have
+felt for the last week. I actually enjoy going to
+church. Somehow or other everything looks brighter.
+The best day’s work I ever did was hanging out the
+white flag on my saloon.’ ‘But you will go into the
+old business again when this excitement dies out?’
+‘Not if I know myself. I wouldn’t be able to hold
+my head up if I did; I couldn’t look a lady straight in
+the face. No, sir, I don’t know what’s come over me,
+but whiskey-selling don’t appear to me now as it used
+to. Besides, everybody seems to look on me so
+different now. The very men that used to drink at
+my bar think more of me; and as to the ladies—why,
+sir, some of the best ladies in this town have been
+in my dining-room with their husbands to dinner since
+I closed out.’ I could hardly realize that I was talking
+to the man who a few days ago had, with angry tone
+and defiant eye, wished the ladies to ‘try it on,’ and
+who over this same counter tried to induce me to take
+something in the way of cold-weather alcoholic drinks.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WARREN_OHIO">
+ WARREN, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A Woman’s Temperance organization was effected
+in Warren, February 28th, 1874.</p>
+
+<p>We are indebted to a writer in the <i>Morning</i>, for the
+following facts connected with the work there:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span></p>
+
+<p>At the beginning of the work, the following pledge
+was circulated:</p>
+
+<p>“We, the women of Warren, pledge ourselves to
+use every effort in our power, (giving our presence,
+time, prayers and influence,) towards the suppression
+and total overthrow of the liquor traffic in our midst,
+and that we will never cease to labor and pray until
+the work is accomplished.”</p>
+
+<p>This pledge was afterwards circulated throughout
+the city, and signed by 500 women.</p>
+
+<p>Pledges for different classes of persons were prepared
+and extensively circulated. Our druggists were
+induced to sign the “Iron-Clad,” especially drawn for
+them. Prayer-meetings were held twice a day.
+March 10th, 1874.—A mass-meeting was held at the
+Disciples’ Church, conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Bolton,
+of Cleveland. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed at
+this meeting. After the church was filled, the crowd
+outside was so great, that an overflow meeting was
+held at the court-house. The speakers addressed
+both audiences. A citizens’ pledge was circulated and
+signed by hundreds. The influence of that meeting
+pervaded every portion of our city. Even the enemy
+could no longer be restrained, but came out boldly
+the next day in the form of two men mounted on a
+cask of beer, drawn by horses through our streets,
+drinking and dealing out liquor to all. The next day
+at the prayer-meetings all felt that <i>now</i> was the time
+to begin our warfare on intemperance, and that the
+enemy must be met on his own ground. So the first
+band of women, numbering 170, armed with God’s
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span>own peculiar weapons, singing and prayer, went out
+from the Disciples’ Church on Wednesday afternoon,
+March 11th, 1874. We visited several saloons. At
+some places we were admitted, at others not. We
+went forth in bands day by day for weeks, into these
+places of sin and degradation, carrying the love of
+Jesus in our hearts, praying and urging those men to
+give up their unlawful business. Prayer-meetings
+were held daily the first six months; the next six, three
+times a week; the last year, and at the present time,
+once a week, on Thursday afternoons. Open air
+meetings have been held Sunday afternoons, whenever
+the weather would permit. On the 4th of April,
+1874, a very large mass-meeting was held; the audience
+was addressed by four of our District Judges,
+Messrs. Freese, Conant, Canfield, and Glidden. April
+6th, Election day, was a day of great interest; the
+McConnelsville Ordinance was voted upon, a prayer-meeting
+was held from seven o’clock in the morning
+until six in the evening, the ladies going to the polls
+in all the wards, and using their influence for the
+Ordinance in every possible way. It was carried by
+a small majority.</p>
+
+<p>July 4th.—A temperance celebration was held and
+largely attended. July 14th.—A county convention
+was held in Warren, to inaugurate plans for canvassing
+the county in the interests of anti-License,
+preparatory to the election on the 18th of August.
+December 18th, 1874, the temperance women of
+Trumbull county met at Warren and organized a
+County League. This League meets quarterly and is
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span>in good working order, the interest growing deeper
+and broader until nearly every township in the county
+has organized a League. January 28th, 1875, a Soup
+House was established under the supervision of the
+ladies. April 5th, 1875, the young ladies of Warren
+organized a “Young Ladies’ Temperance League.”
+A Constitution and By-laws were drawn up and signed
+by eighty-five members. Through their efforts a Free
+Reading-Room has been established in a good location,
+attractive and comfortably furnished. It has a
+library of 200 volumes, magazines, periodicals, and a
+large number of daily and weekly papers. We feel
+that by these means many have been drawn away
+from saloons and other bad places. May 6th, 1875,
+the League made application to the editors of the
+<i>Western Reserve Chronicle</i> for a space in their paper
+to be devoted to the interests of temperance, and to
+be edited by the League. The request was kindly
+granted, and a column has been filled from week to
+week with temperance matter.</p>
+
+<p>September 25th, 1875, a Boys’ and Girls’ Temperance
+Society was organized, consisting of 175 members.
+The question would so often come up, “Am I doing
+all I can to save the boys, my own, my neighbors’ sons,
+those who in the years to come will be our glory, or
+our shame?”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="STEUBENVILLE_OHIO">
+ STEUBENVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>When the Crusade commenced in Steubenville there
+were one hundred and twenty-five saloons and liquor
+stores. Twenty-five of these were closed by the Crusade.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span>An ordinance, which became effective April,
+1874, growing out of the Crusade, closed forty more.</p>
+
+<p>The friends of temperance and good order were
+hopeful, and the prospects were bright. But in the
+midst of their work there was a “Personal Liberty”
+club formed, the object being to obtain the drink in
+defiance of law. This action gave the saloon-keepers
+new courage, and some of the saloons were reopened,
+and the traffic was carried on in defiance of law. This
+cry of “Personal Liberty,” has bewildered many.
+There is no such thing as personal liberty except
+among savages.</p>
+
+<p>The reader will find this subject fully discussed in
+another chapter of this book.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="YOUNGSTOWN_OHIO">
+ YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>We are indebted to Mary G. Moore for the following
+statement of work:</p>
+
+<p>In the winter of 1873 and ’74 strange reports
+reached us, from central and southern Ohio, of how
+women, moved by a horror of the liquor trade, were
+organizing themselves into companies, and seeking the
+men engaged in liquor-selling at their places of business,
+and by prayer and entreaty trying to persuade
+them to quit it.</p>
+
+<p>The first newspaper reports were read with a
+mixture of astonishment and incredulity. It could not
+be true. But they were soon verified. Then came
+speculations as to what kind of persons these women
+were. Fanatics surely, or women driven to desperation
+by drunkards. But no; the word came that they
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span>were generally persons of moderation and refinement,
+who were actuated by a single noble purpose to do
+something to stop drinking. Then the results were
+noted, and the progress of the work was watched with
+hourly increasing interest.</p>
+
+<p>Pretty soon the question commenced to be whispered
+as it came eastward: What if it should come here?
+As if it were not here already, and all the time; the
+iniquity and wretchedness on the one hand, and sympathy
+and Christian zeal on the other, the latter only
+waiting to be kindled into a flame by a spark from that
+consecrated fire that lighted at first the Woman’s Crusade.
+Finally, one said to another, “Let us meet and
+pray;” and early in March, a Woman’s Temperance
+Prayer-Meeting was started, which has never been
+discontinued to the present. It was at first held in the
+Methodist Episcopal Church, but for the sake of convenience,
+it was soon removed to the First Baptist
+Church. This was held daily in the morning hours, and
+daily increased in numbers, until hundreds came.
+Gradually it assumed the character of a conference
+meeting in connection with the more solemn service
+of prayer. Scores came to pray and hear the discussions,
+and commit themselves personally to temperance,
+who declared they never could and never would go into
+the streets to work. But many of these, in the after
+days, might be seen kneeling on the sidewalks in the
+immediate presence of the public; this only illustrates
+how we change our mind.</p>
+
+<p>A Woman’s League was at once organized, with a
+membership of over four hundred, and by its influence,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span>a League of the men was formed to co-operate with the
+former. A common inference from this action was that
+the women might pray, and the men would vote. The
+Woman’s League was based on the one condition, of
+taking a simple abstinence pledge from all intoxicants
+as a beverage.</p>
+
+<p>The first public work, was the canvass of the town
+with the property-holders’ pledge. This was largely
+successful at the time, and it holds yet, the majority
+who signed it. The most flagrant violators of it, are,
+in some instances, conspicuous members of society here,
+and in other cities, holding property here. When a
+pledge was circulated among druggists and physicians,
+this carried to a considerable extent also; but what
+was said of the other pledge, may be repeated of this.</p>
+
+<p>Prominent practitioners and dealers set the example
+of breaking over. Finally, after a fortnight of meetings,
+it was resolved to attack the enemy on his own
+ground. The forces were mustered, and, be it said to
+the credit of woman, very few desertions were recorded.
+A very small number made excuse “their husbands
+would not let them,” but as a rule the husbands and
+fathers and brothers, the men, nobly seconded the
+women. The meetings were presided over and the
+Crusade led by Mrs. Ashley, the wife of the Baptist
+minister, then of our city, a woman eminently qualified
+by nature and education for such an undertaking, for
+she had not only the courage and culture, but the
+Christian zeal that would prosecute such a work with
+steady enthusiasm after the effervescence of popular
+excitement had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span></p>
+
+<p>Day after day, and week after week, the women, in
+numbers ranging from fifty up into the hundreds, convened
+at the Baptist Church, where, after an hour spent
+in prayer and conference, they would form into companies
+of twenty, or thirty each, and taking different
+wards or streets, go from door to door of the saloons,
+and, where admittance was granted, by religious services
+and personal entreaty try to effect a change.
+Where they were not permitted to enter, services were
+held on the outside. This was quite common at first,
+but very few persisted in closing their doors to the end.
+And here the Crusaders counted a gain, for many had
+declared with blasphemous oaths that no meddlesome
+women should get into their establishments, who finally,
+with civility if not courtesy, invited them to enter.
+Places never before trodden by women, whose walls
+had echoed nothing but the language of bar-rooms for
+years, now resounded to the music of Gospel hymns,
+and Scripture lessons, and fervent prayers. Who
+shall say this was seed, that, though seemingly unproductive
+at the time, in the majority of cases may not
+yet bear fruit? And so the Crusade went on for about
+six weeks, and thirty-five saloons were closed—not
+particularly eventful from first to last. There was at
+once an absence of boisterous enthusiasm, and riotous
+opposition. Many of those who yielded, did it without
+ringing of bells and firing of guns, and those who held
+out, never countenanced the mob. Of course, the
+thirty-five that succumbed, were only a drop in the bucket
+to the number who kept on in the work. In a population
+of about twelve thousand, we had nearly four
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span>hundred saloons, and we probably have pretty nearly
+that number yet; but as one—not a pronounced temperance
+man by any means—remarked the other day,
+there is not the money in them that there used to be.</p>
+
+<p>So, in estimating the Crusade, we should consider
+it as formative, and developing in its results, rather
+than defined and immediate, although whiskey neither
+surrendered of itself, nor was vanquished by legislation,
+yet drinking in saloons is much less popular and
+general than it used to be. Somehow, they say, since
+1874, it has constantly been growing unfashionable.
+As for the men who closed out the business then, it is
+believed the major part have kept their promise. One
+of the men is on our police force, three are respectable
+temperance grocers, and others are doing honest labor
+in our mills and factories. Indeed, there are only two
+or three cases of returning to the business.</p>
+
+<p>But, as the labor of the Crusade seemed about accomplished,
+or, at any rate, as if no more good could
+be done by visiting saloons, the ladies cast about them
+for something else: And here I might set down what
+we, in Youngstown, have ever regarded as one of the
+first and most beneficial fruits of the Crusade, namely,
+what it did for the women themselves. It quickened
+their energies; strengthened their courage; in short,
+educated them, and at the same time opened up a
+field and showed them the harvest.</p>
+
+<p>We had long known the need of a free reading-room,
+and the ladies felt it pressing more and more,
+as the boys and young men, and many middle-aged
+men pledged themselves away from those haunts of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span>amusement and temptation, which have cursed our
+town pre-eminently, in the last dozen years.</p>
+
+<p>They resolved to open one, and run it for the benefit
+of those who would forego the dram shop for the
+daily newspapers, and fresh magazines, a bright fire,
+pictures, flowers, a standard cyclopedia for reference,
+etc. But in 1874, places were scarce, and rents high;
+so, after much discussion, they concluded to build.</p>
+
+<p>This, for us, by the way, in a manufacturing town
+where iron is the staple, pushed sorely by the hard
+times, was no little undertaking. And then the burden
+was borne by a handful. The League, by no means
+as a body, indorsed the enterprise of a reading-room.
+Most of the members said, Wait; the times are too
+hard; money is scarce; wait, wait. But they did not
+wait.</p>
+
+<p>A liberal gentleman offered them the ground-rent
+free for ten years of a most eligible location, upon
+which they immediately commenced the erection of a
+building, worth, at the lowest estimate, twenty-five hundred
+dollars. This is a two-story house, with a commodious
+room on the ground for a reading-room, and
+a business room adjoining; above, a large temperance
+hall, occupied by the Good Templars and other societies;
+and two other rooms adjoining, suitable for
+offices. This building in due time was finished, furnished,
+and dedicated, and has been run at an annual
+expense of about four hundred dollars.</p>
+
+<p>So far it meets the demands made upon it, and
+seems to answer the purpose of its design. It was intended
+to be self-supporting, and will eventually be
+put on that basis.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span></p>
+
+<p>Since its organization, our Temperance League has
+been the almoner generally, for the different charities
+of our town, and very liberally has it contributed in
+this way, its own resources. Establishing local prayer-meetings,
+visiting the poor and the sick, looking after
+those who do not attend church, and the children
+not in school, and not attending any Sabbath-school,
+is the work the League has been prosecuting all
+along.</p>
+
+<p>A Juvenile Templars’ society was organized, and
+carried on for more than a year; but during an epidemic
+of the scarlet fever, it was discontinued, and has
+not been called since.</p>
+
+<p>The Reformed Men’s movement was inaugurated
+here last winter by the Woman’s League, and was
+directed largely by their labor and zeal.</p>
+
+<p>Thousands signed the pledge and tried to reform,
+and though many have broken it, many, very many
+more, are keeping it, and are better a thousand times
+for it. And so the work goes on, as the world goes
+on, little by little, not always bright, not always on the
+crest of the wave, but always <i>advancing</i>.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ALLIANCE_OHIO">
+ ALLIANCE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>We heard reports of warfare waged by women
+against their common foe. The weapons of their warfare
+were <i>not</i> carnal, but spiritual. There was no
+sound of cannons’ roar, or crash of musketry. No
+glittering swords or bayonets were gleaming in the
+sun that shone upon the rank and file of soldiery.</p>
+
+<p>The sounds that came to us as we passed through
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span>towns, where the enemy’s forts were being stormed,
+were those of sweet <i>voices</i> singing sacred songs, and
+breathing fervent prayers.</p>
+
+<p>That new strange army’s only sword was the
+“sword of the Spirit,” and its only shield the “shield
+of Faith.” Its book of tactics was the Bible, and its
+General the Prince of Peace. Wonderful to every
+one, was the baptism of spiritual power that descended
+upon the Christian women in those days. And we
+lifted up our hearts in earnest consecration, and received
+the power and the commission for the work
+allotted us.</p>
+
+<p>Alliance and Mount Union, distinct incorporations, yet
+one in situation (the latter being a college town in which
+no intoxicants were sold), united their temperance
+forces. And on the third of March was inaugurated
+among us the new Crusade, so different in every way
+from the Crusade of the olden times. Then Crusaders
+carried red crosses on their breasts, insignia of
+their purpose to possess the burial-place of Christ.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusaders of the nineteenth century, equally
+loyal to the cross, labored not to find the place of the
+sepulchre; but realized that <i>Christ had risen</i>, and
+labored to lift up fallen ones for cleansing in the precious
+blood that was shed for all our sins.</p>
+
+<p>A brother called our first meeting, but a sister
+presided; and in it one hundred and twenty-six women
+“volunteered for the holy war.” An organization
+was at once effected; the list of names increasing
+daily, until it numbered about five hundred,
+in a population of seven or eight thousand,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span>with thirty-two places where liquor was sold in our
+borders.</p>
+
+<p>Many of us had never engaged in any public work.
+Some had never even breathed a vocal prayer at their
+own family altars.</p>
+
+<p>Realizing fully that only from Jehovah sufficient
+strength could come, we remembered the command of
+the Master to earlier disciples: “Tarry ye in the city
+of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on
+high.” And we tarried long at the foot of the cross.
+Ten days we “waited on the Lord” to renew our
+strength. Earnestly we consecrated ourselves to the
+work of turning back the tides of iniquity that were
+sweeping our loved ones from our hearts and homes.
+When the command came to us, Go out and meet the
+foe, we <i>obeyed</i>, <i>silently</i> marching <i>two and two</i>, in
+solemn procession, praying silently as we went that
+grace might be bestowed sufficient for that time of
+special need, and our mission of mercy be crowned
+with rich results.</p>
+
+<p>While we went out upon the streets, our husbands
+and brothers remained in the hall to pray for our success,
+and at the close of every prayer the college-bell
+was tolled, and we knew another petition was registered
+in the courts of heaven in behalf of the cause
+we loved.</p>
+
+<p>The pastors of nearly all our churches gave us
+sympathy and co-operation. Many of the business
+houses were closed during the morning prayer-meetings
+for a time.</p>
+
+<p>We held mass-meetings nearly every evening for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span>three months, which were very largely attended, and
+great enthusiasm prevailed. On Sabbath evenings,
+many of the churches held no regular service, but
+united in the temperance meetings, for several weeks.</p>
+
+<p>When we visited saloons, some dealers received us
+very kindly, and others locked their doors against us,
+and then we held services on the sidewalks, kneeling
+on the cold stones, amid storms of rain, or snow, and
+later beneath a burning sun. Those meetings on the
+sidewalks were attended by crowds of rough men
+who would not enter the hallowed precincts of a
+church.</p>
+
+<p>They came to mock at first, but often their jeers
+were merged into weeping, and they stood with uncovered
+heads, to hear us read from God’s own word, and
+their hearts were touched and tendered. Thus we
+were carrying the gospel to the masses, who would not
+come to hear it in the house of God. We cannot
+attempt, in the brief space allotted us, to give minute
+details of our three months’ campaign. Neither can
+we speak personally of the brave women who wrought
+so nobly. Some who faithfully performed the most
+arduous duties of the band held no offices. All cannot
+be spoken of. Therefore, knowing that consecrated
+women want the Lord to have all the glory of our successes,
+<i>we mention not a name</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The press was favorable to our work; all our
+papers reporting it fairly, and advertising our meetings
+free of charge. Three local papers gave space for
+Temperance Departments, that were edited by members
+of our league. One paragraph so clearly shows
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span>the animus of all our editors that we quote it verbatim,
+from the “Alliance Local”—“It was a scene to
+make angels weep. Amid the blinding fury of a fierce
+March storm, out in the bitter cold, their fragile forms
+shivering and swaying before the biting blast, one hundred
+and fifteen of the noblest and most highly accomplished
+ladies of our city, kneeling with tearful eyes
+and pleading tones, before the door of a drinking-saloon,
+beseeching the saloonist to cease the disreputable
+business.</p>
+
+<p>“In contrast, there stands the proprietor barring their
+entrance to his comfortable room. With scornful sneers
+he listens to their touching plea, and with obdurate
+shake of the head refuses their earnest prayer. The
+cold and storm are too severe for him to stand and
+listen to their arguments, and the door is rudely closed
+in their faces, and they left, kneeling upon the icy
+pavement, to plead in loving words that God might
+soften his hardened heart.</p>
+
+<p>“The voice of prayer ceases, and the sweet tones of
+a woman’s voice, singing ‘Nearer my God to Thee,’
+rises upon the air, and swelled by the united voices
+of the entire company, is carried away upon the wintry
+blast. And then those loving hearts, not discouraged
+by their ungracious reception, retraced their steps,
+singing beautiful hymns, with hearts full of prayer
+to the God who has commissioned them to go forth in
+this labor of love. This scene was witnessed in our
+streets on Thursday last, and wrung tears from the
+eyes of men who were never known to weep.” The
+owner of the opera house gave us the use of a large
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span>room in that building for our head-quarters, for one
+year, free of rent, which was thankfully accepted and
+the room formally dedicated to temperance.</p>
+
+<p>As time passed on many methods were tested. At
+first after the prayer-meetings (which always preceded
+street service), we would form one large band (sometimes
+numbering over two hundred), and visit saloons
+<i>en masse</i>. Again several different bands were formed,
+and various saloons visited simultaneously.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes committees of ladies, in pairs or trios,
+visited saloons for personal conversation with dealers.</p>
+
+<p>After a few visitations some of the saloonists surrendered,
+hanging out a white flag, with “Unconditional
+Surrender” printed on it. Then we would go
+in a band and sing “Praise God, from whom all blessings
+flow,” at the closed saloon. Sometimes the men
+would come to our mass-meetings, and sign the pledge
+prepared for dealers, and thus publicly thank the ladies
+for having come to them and shown them the exceeding
+sinfulness of <i>Sin</i>.</p>
+
+<p>These successes greatly comforted us, and we took
+fresh courage and went bravely forward, though often
+much wearied and worn. One day several saloonists
+told us that, if a majority of our citizens were opposed
+to their traffic, and would make it known, they would
+cease to sell the odious liquors. Acting on their
+suggestion, we wrote a petition—a kindly, earnest
+“Appeal to Saloonists”—setting forth some of the evil
+effects of their business in our community, and asking
+them, on behalf of our common good, to cease to sell
+intoxicants. We then appointed committees of women,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span>who spent days in visiting families and shops, and a
+very large number of signatures were obtained, covering
+<i>two-thirds of the voters</i> of our city, besides women
+and minors.</p>
+
+<p>One evening we invited all the dealers to come to
+our head-quarters. Many of them came, and we reminded
+them of their promises, and presented our
+petitions. They examined the names, and seemed
+much agitated, but, with utter disregard for their
+word of honor, declined to fulfil their promises.
+Then we knew how false were those with whom we
+had to do. Prayers and pleadings having failed to
+accomplish our object with them, we felt that they
+were <i>below</i> the reach of <i>moral suasion</i>, and must have
+some <i>legal suasion</i>.</p>
+
+<p>As the voices of so large a majority of our citizens
+had been disregarded, in the petitions, we felt that it
+was time for the majority to assert their authority
+over the obdurate few, through the majesty of the law.
+The gentlemen formed a separate organization, and
+subscribed funds for prosecutions. Crusaders were
+provided with blank books, one for every dealer, with
+his name upon it. Armed with those books and pencils,
+we went by twos, and taking chairs from some
+convenient friend, we would sit near saloons, and note
+down the violations of State, or municipal laws, which
+we witnessed. Sometimes the sale of liquor to minors,
+again the sale to a man already intoxicated, etc.; and
+thus, by hours of wearisome watching, much evidence
+was gathered.</p>
+
+<p>An “officer of the day” would be stationed at head-quarters—keeping
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span>the record of picket work and
+assigning places. The pickets would go out quite
+early in the morning, and continue sometimes until ten
+o’clock <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, or even later; one set of pickets remaining
+on duty from one to three hours, then being
+relieved by reserve guards. Valid testimony was
+obtained and placed in the hands of proper authorities,
+and the temperance brothers conducted the prosecutions.</p>
+
+<p>They met many failures and some successes. One
+man convicted under the State law was kept in court
+during the trial, and while the judge was preparing to
+read the sentence, he escaped from his guards, and
+left the county. After some weeks he returned and
+was rearrested, and sentenced to thirty days’ imprisonment
+on bread and water, and as large a fine as the
+law allowed.</p>
+
+<p>Some of our workers had intemperate husbands;
+these prosecuted saloonists under the Adair law, and
+some of them obtained judgment against them, and
+received damages. Thus the liquor business became
+<i>unprofitable</i>, and public sentiment was being rapidly
+raised to a temperance standard. The McConnelsville
+ordinance was passed by our city council, but
+prosecutions were not conducted under its provisions
+so successfully here as they were in some other
+places.</p>
+
+<p>The Constitutional Convention of our State had
+offered to the people a new constitution, with a license
+clause, and they were allowed to vote “License, or
+No License,” according to their own convictions of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span>right. The temperance people called conventions,
+sent an organizer into the field, and the entire State
+was organized against license: not, of course, including
+<i>all the people</i>, but some citizens of each county.</p>
+
+<p>In <i>our</i> county anti-license meetings were held in
+almost every church and school-house, and speakers
+were found not only among the brothers, but also
+among the sisters, who for the first time in their lives
+dared to lift up their voices in the congregations
+of the people, in earnest, eloquent appeals to those
+who represent us at the polls, not to legalize, by
+their sacred right of franchise, the curse we were
+laboring so earnestly to drive from our beloved State.
+Much previously unknown and undeveloped talent
+was thus brought into active service, and the defeat
+of the License Constitution in Ohio, by a large
+majority, was one of the grand results of the Woman’s
+Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>During the vigorous work of that campaign, we
+also continued our meetings at head-quarters, and
+saloon visitation, a part of the time. We held many
+open air meetings, in groves, on the public square,
+and on the platform at the Union depot.</p>
+
+<p>Later a juvenile temple was formed, which held
+weekly meetings, and soon had two hundred members.
+Another was organized in Mount Union, and the two
+held occasional union meetings, and public concerts
+and literary entertainments, and the hearts of many
+parents were reached through their children, that
+had remained indifferent to all the wonderful experiences
+of the Crusade.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span></p>
+
+<p>To recapitulate: When we ceased to visit saloons,
+seventeen men and women, who had been selling
+liquor when we commenced our work, were engaged
+in more honorable employments.</p>
+
+<p>A very large number of persons had taken the total
+abstinence pledge. A Temperance Reading-Room was
+established in Alliance. Many of our workers have
+never ceased to labor for the Temperance Reform,
+though in different ways from those of the Crusade
+days. Women’s Christian Temperance Unions are
+now in existence both in Alliance and Mount Union.
+The Crusade is not ended! but is going on with steadily
+<i>increasing power</i>, and our forces are being increased
+continually by enlisting the help of the Sabbath schools
+everywhere. This “tidal wave” of Temperance will
+go on, broadening and deepening, until it will sweep
+the Rum Power from his throne, and we will be in
+very deed a <i>free</i> people, enfranchised from King
+Alcohol.</p>
+
+<p>A number of conversions occurred at our meetings,
+and the <i>workers</i> learned to <i>trust in God</i>, as they had
+never done before. As Moses stood between the
+erring Hebrews and their God, and on Mount Sinai
+the presence of Jehovah well-nigh overwhelmed him,
+so <i>we</i> stood interceding for the fallen, and, at times,
+the glory of God shown to <i>us</i> was all that we could
+bear. The promise that “no evil should befall us”
+was verified. A saloonist threatened to place gunpowder
+under the floor, and cause an explosion beneath
+us, but we visited him, and no harm came to us.
+Another turned a fierce dog upon us, but the dog
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span>hung his head and ran away. A dealer’s wife stood
+close by a kneeling Crusader, and held a <i>hatchet over
+her head</i>, but the uplifted arm fell harmless by her
+side. Guns were loaded and flourished at the windows
+near us menacingly, and many desperate threats were
+made. But the Lord of hosts was with us. “In the
+Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: we will trust in
+him <i>forever</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>The summing up of the results of the Crusade cannot
+be perfected until the records in the “Book of
+Life” are read. Many of them are like the tender
+seed we plant in spring-time—we see them not as
+they germinate under the soil, yet they spring up, and
+bring forth fruit in their season. <i>We</i> sowed precious
+seeds of truth “beside all waters,” and we note not
+the silent germination going forward in the souls of
+those who received them, but we shall find the perfect
+fruitage in the glorious Harvest Home of the Hereafter.</p>
+
+<p>We append some incidents of our work, that we
+trust will be of interest to all our readers.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="INCIDENTS">
+ INCIDENTS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Lord truly makes the “<i>wrath</i> of man to praise
+him.” This was manifested to us on many occasions,
+one of which was the following:</p>
+
+<p>One cold wintry day we were assembled for prayer
+and conference, when word came to us that a saloonist
+had prepared a “<i>Crusader in effigy</i>,” and placed it
+at his door. We formed a band, and marched to the
+place. The novelty of the affair brought a crowd of
+listeners to hear our hymns and prayers; and as we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span>knelt around that hideous image, intended as a reproach
+to us, we seemed very near to our blessed
+Redeemer, who was mocked and persecuted, and
+<i>crucified, for us</i>, and who said to his disciples:
+“Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute
+you, and shall say all manner of evil against
+you falsely for my name’s sake. Rejoice, and be
+exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”
+Those services were blessed to our own souls, and
+those of our hearers.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards the saloonist apologized for his conduct,
+saying the image was placed there in his absence.
+We told him it did us no harm, but was overruled to
+our good.</p>
+
+<p>An extremely wicked dealer was so convicted, as to
+tremble mightily, on the occasion of our first visit to
+him, yet would not relent. Afterwards, when intoxicated,
+he accosted the ladies with such a volley of
+profanity, that a policeman arrested him. He was
+kept in the lock-up all night, and in the morning, when
+the ladies were expected to appear in police court
+<i>against</i> him, they went and plead for <i>his release</i>.
+Giving him good for evil, so deepened his convictions,
+that he came to our evening meeting and surrendered
+his business.</p>
+
+<p>One evening, a small band of women were singing
+and praying in front of a saloon, the door of which was
+closed. Inside a few desperate men were trying to
+drown the sounds of prayer by singing a parody on
+“Mother, dear mother, come home!” and by dancing,
+and drunken revelry. A Quakeress felt moved by
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span>the Spirit to effect an entrance all alone. She opened
+the door partly, when some one within suddenly closed
+and locked it, catching the front width of her plain
+full dress skirt and holding it fast in the door. The lady
+was thus held in a stiff and uncomfortable position
+until a customer from the street, whose rap was evidently
+recognized inside, caused the door to be opened;
+the Quakeress entered and the door was closed; the
+dealer raised his hands to thrust her out, but she took
+his arms in her hands and knelt quickly before him,
+and breathed an earnest prayer. A policeman followed
+her into the saloon and ordered the men to be
+quiet. The revelry ceased, and silence reigned
+among the rowdies. When her mission of love was
+completed she went forth filled with peace, and those
+men were responsible before God for one more offer
+of mercy; for when the Holy Spirit indites a prayer,
+he also convicts the hearts of those for whom the
+prayer is heard, and then as free agents they receive
+or reject the Holy Spirit.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after our active Crusade work commenced,
+the Whiskey Ring was roused to action, and they sent
+out great showy posters announcing an anti-Temperance
+Meeting. And those opposed to the “Woman’s
+Whiskey War” were invited from all the surrounding
+country. On the afternoon of their meeting we
+gathered in a church for social prayer. Some of our
+temperance men sent us word that it would not be
+prudent for us to patrol the saloons that day, as a <i>riot</i>
+was expected if our band was on the street.</p>
+
+<p>We took not “council with flesh and blood,” but
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span>asked direction of the Lord of hosts, and from Him
+our marching orders came. It was a long procession,
+and a very solemn one, that wended its way from the
+church to a point near the depot that afternoon. Three
+saloons were adjacent to each other, and we held our
+services on the street in front of those. While we
+were kneeling on the sidewalk—in two rows on the
+edge of it—leaving three feet between us for passers-by,
+a train of cars came rushing in, bringing a large
+delegation from neighboring towns. They took up
+the line of march, headed by the Mozart Brass Band,
+which accompanied them. The band struck up a
+lively tune as the procession started to pass between
+the rows of kneeling women.</p>
+
+<p>Many of them were so drunk they staggered against
+us as they walked; but our voices went on, and the
+music ceased, and the tune melted into silence unfinished;
+and a great stillness came over that crowd of
+men who were scoffers at first; and the white dove of
+<span class="allsmcap">PEACE</span> descended upon the women who had thus
+humbled themselves to kneel at the feet of a mocking
+rabble; and the living presence of the Master filled
+our souls with joy unutterable.</p>
+
+<p>The Whiskey mass-meeting resulted only in the
+passage of some resolutions, denouncing the “present
+mode of female warfare,” and declaring that they did
+not approve of <i>intemperance</i>! Two of these we quote:</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, That we <i>condemn drunkenness</i>, <i>despise
+drunkards</i>, and <i>pity</i> those who, for want of more moral
+power, try to fortify themselves against the violation
+of the laws of Temperance ordained by nature.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span></p>
+
+<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, That we are willing to support the laws
+for the diminution and <i>prevention</i> of <i>intemperance</i> as
+far as in our power; to advocate a more appropriate
+<i>punishment</i>, and the <i>correction of inebriates</i>, and to
+use our influence to <i>regulate</i> the sale of liquors by an
+effective license law.”</p>
+
+<p>The vice-president of the meeting and many of the
+audience were liquor-dealers, and such resolutions as
+these were passed by those who sell what produces
+<i>inebriety</i>, and it is their philanthropic (?) design to
+punish men for the effects produced by liquors, the
+price of which clothe their wives and children! Thankful
+we are, that Justice is with God, and <i>will</i> be <i>dispensed</i>
+to us all in the eternal ages!</p>
+
+<p>One gloomy April day, as we sat in council, a message
+came to us that a wholesale dealer from Cleveland
+was in town for the purpose of selling liquors
+to the dealers here. He was a very portly, pompous
+millionaire, we heard, and was boasting that the Crusaders
+in his city were afraid of <i>him</i>, and dared not
+molest <i>his</i> place of business. Desiring to prevent
+him from supplying liquor to be sold in our town, we
+went in a band down Main street. He saw us coming,
+and sought refuge in a clothing store. We followed,
+and before he could escape, he was literally <i>surrounded</i>
+by kneeling women; a prayer was offered and
+a hymn was sung. He then crowded past us into the
+street; we followed in procession; he went into a
+hotel, but as we were about to enter, he did not wait
+to transact any business <i>there</i>, but felt an immediate
+call to visit a neighboring saloon: <i>so did we</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span></p>
+
+<p>He evidently hoped to enter alone and lock us out,
+but when the door opened wide enough to admit his
+<i>corpulent</i> figure, it was wide enough for two small
+Crusaders to find entrance, which they did so very
+close behind him, that when the door was quickly
+locked, it was <i>astonishing</i> to him that his fair followers
+were <i>also</i> there; he turned a woful face towards the
+back door, but lo! <i>they</i> were coming! the Crusade
+band! The <i>front</i> door was thrown open and in came
+<i>another</i> division of the band, and they knelt, and the
+persecuted nabob was again in the centre of a lively
+prayer-meeting, which continued until he forced a
+passage to the street; we followed in solemn order,
+singing a hymn. We kept close behind him, going
+up Main street until he found a buggy standing idle,
+with a driver, and he was driven rapidly away, while
+we went quietly on to head-quarters as though we had
+no other intent. We considered and felt certain the
+warm reception we had given him would remind him
+of pressing business at home, that he must reach by
+the next north-bound train. Near train time a Crusade
+band was at the station. Soon after our arrival,
+a guest of a hotel near by, came to us and said, “The
+man you are <i>Crusading</i> is hidden in an upper room
+at the hotel; I heard his plans, they are going to take
+him out the back way to the train.”</p>
+
+<p>After a time we saw a frightened-looking individual
+of great avoirdupois, accompanied by a very small Jew
+for protection, coming up the railroad track from the
+rear, having taken a long walk down back alleys, to
+avoid the public thoroughfares. They entered the back
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span>door of the car, puffing with exhaustion; and just as
+our <i>hero</i> drew a breath of relief, thinking how <i>shrewdly</i>
+he had evaded his pursuers, he noticed some Crusaders
+entering at the front door of the coach; he
+turned to flee, but others came in at the back door,
+and in despair he sank into a seat. The aisle was immediately
+filled compactly with women. The terrified
+man threw up a window seeking egress, but it would
+not do, his body was too large to pass through the
+aperture, and besides—— <i>What</i> greeted his bewildered
+vision? An immense crowd of men and
+women—Whiskey Ring, saloonists, and temperance
+workers—<i>all had come</i> to the <i>prayer-meeting</i>. Crusaders
+to right of him! Crusaders to left of him!
+Crusaders everywhere! And close at his side a
+solemn voice was uttering an earnest prayer.</p>
+
+<p>We exhorted him to cease his sinful trade in Rum,
+and we sung Crusade hymns, the conductor detaining
+the train for our services. The passengers in
+the car <i>wept much</i>, and cried aloud, “<i>God bless the
+women!</i>” We finally made our adieux to the dealer,
+telling him we were his friends, and inviting him to
+return and we would give him another meeting! A
+telegram was sent to Crusade head-quarters at Cleveland,
+asking the band of ladies there to meet him at
+the train and escort him home, which they did, following
+him singing Crusade songs.</p>
+
+<p>The whole transaction here was conducted with the
+<i>utmost</i> solemnity, and the prayers were full of spiritual
+power. The ludicrous aspect of the proceeding never
+<i>occurred</i> to <i>us until it was all over</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span></p>
+
+<p>There was a large billiard hall in the opera house,
+just across the hall from our head-quarters. We
+found that liquors were sold there, in a quiet way.</p>
+
+<p>We visited the proprietor in a band and he was
+very courteous, though unyielding. One <i>night</i> two
+women “on picket duty” stood by his door. He
+grew very angry and roughly <i>pushed</i> them out into
+the hall. Next day the leader of the band was
+warned, that it would be unsafe to go there, he seemed
+so wickedly disposed. After praying about it, the
+band leader felt especially impressed to visit him that
+very day; the band went, the leader rapped at his
+door and asked timidly, to be allowed to hold a prayer-meeting
+there. He gave a reluctant permission, and
+after a hymn had been sung he said to the leader,
+“Will you read a portion of Scripture that I will select
+for you?” She gave an affirmative reply, and he
+found the sixth chapter of Matthew and asked her to
+read the first eight verses. She did so, silently
+praying all the time, that Christ would lead her to act
+wisely.</p>
+
+<p>Having read it she proceeded to speak from it:
+saying, “We do not think we are ‘doing alms’ when
+we carry the gospel to our sinful brothers for whom
+Christ <i>died</i>, neither do we expect to gain any glory
+for having knelt in saloons and on the unclean streets
+in prayer; on the contrary, it is the greatest cross that
+we have ever carried, to thus humble ourselves before
+the people. Yet, we are made willing to do so <i>for
+your sakes</i>, and the sake of the fathers and sons you
+are poisoning with alcohol!” She then gave a brief
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span>exhortation to the <i>unsaved</i> to come to Jesus. Thrilling
+prayers were offered and hymns sung, and it
+seemed to the worshippers that the Shekinah itself
+hovered over them.</p>
+
+<p>The proprietor was much affected. Several men
+who had ceased playing billiards at our entrance, gave
+eager attention, and many eyes were <i>red</i> with weeping,
+when the little band departed.</p>
+
+<p>Some weeks later the leader of that band was
+speaking to a congregation in the African Church.
+At the close of her remarks, a white man arose and
+asked permission to speak. “Once,” he said, “I was
+a liquor-dealer, but I saw the error of my way, and
+changed my business, but I never was converted,
+until the day you visited the Opera House billiard
+hall, and you read the sixth chapter of Matthew and
+spoke from it—<i>then</i> and <i>there I was converted. I will
+never doubt</i> my <i>conversion</i>,” etc., and he has ever
+since continued a faithful member of a Christian
+church. Reported by M. E. G.</p>
+
+<p>Rev. William Hunter, at that time Editor of the
+<i>Pittsburgh Christian Advocate</i>, residing at Alliance, and
+working in the Crusade meetings here, composed the
+following beautiful hymn, which we used very often in
+our temperance meetings. He has since been called
+“up higher,” to sing the songs of the redeemed.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+“BATTLE-HYMN OF THE WOMEN CRUSADERS.”
+</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">The light of truth is breaking,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">On the mountain top it gleams,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Let it flash along the valleys,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Let it glitter on our streams,</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Till all our land awakens</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">In its flush of golden beams,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent6">Our God is marching on.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!</div>
+ <div class="verse indent10">Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!</div>
+ <div class="verse indent10">Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!</div>
+ <div class="verse indent10">Our God is marching on.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">With purpose strong and steady,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">In the great Jehovah’s name,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">We rise to save our kindred</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">From a life of woe and shame,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And the jubilee of freedom</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">To the slaves of sin proclaim.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent6">Our God is marching on.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">From morning’s early watches</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Till the setting of the sun,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">We will never flag nor falter</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">In the work we have begun,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Till the forts have all surrendered,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">And the victory is won.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent6">Our God is marching on.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">We wield no carnal weapon,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">And we hurl no fiery dart,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">But with words of love and reason</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">We are sure to win the heart,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And persuade the poor transgressor</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">To prefer the better part.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent6">Our God is marching on.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">When dawns the day of terror,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">And the awful trumpet’s sound</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Shall waken up the sleepers</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">From beneath the quaking ground,</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span> <div class="verse indent0">May no blood of fallen brothers</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">On our startled souls be found.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent6">Our God is marching on.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Our strength is in Jehovah,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">And our cause is in His care,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">With Almighty arms to help us</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">We have strength to do and dare.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">While confiding in the promise</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">That the Lord will answer prayer.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent6">Our God is marching on.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>The following poem was composed by Mrs. M. B.
+Reese, at that time President of the Alliance League,
+and sung in our mass-meetings, to the tune, “Tenting
+on the old camp-ground:”</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+“THE COLLEGE-BELL.”
+</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">A lowly consecrated band,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Who loved the Master’s name,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">With patience waited on the Lord,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Until the answer came.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Many a form has bent ’neath the <i>storm</i>,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">The burden of souls to tell;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent6">Many are the hearts gladdened to-day</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">The burden of souls to tell;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent6">Listening alway, for chimes that say,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent8">Your brothers pray as well.&#x2060;<a id="FNanchor_1_1" href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Go forth, ye trusting ones, He said,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">In faith to sing and pray,</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span> <div class="verse indent0">No evil shall your steps befall,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">I have prepared the way.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Many a form, etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Dark shadows swept the wintry sky,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">The tempest echoed loud;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">But, oh! we know our Father’s face</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Smiled on us from the cloud.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Many a form, etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">No threats disturbed, no fears oppressed,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Nor care, least man should mock;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">We only heard the Shepherd’s call,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">“Fear not, ye little flock.”</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Many a form, etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">His love hath kept, His hand hath led,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Our footsteps day by day;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And victory soon will crown our cause</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">If we but watch and pray.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0"><i>Chorus</i>—Many a form, etc.</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+
+<h3 id="INCIDENTS_1">
+ INCIDENTS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Two ladies were sent to interview the priest, hoping
+to gain his gracious permission for the women of the
+Catholic Church to work in the saloon visitation. He
+received them courteously in his private parlor. But
+on learning the object of their visit, his denunciations
+were bitter. The ladies felt the exceeding uncomfortableness
+of their position and politely offered to withdraw
+their request, also their presence. In an excited
+manner he commanded them to be seated while he
+proceeded to explain that Christ’s commission was
+given to the Apostle, through whom it was delegated
+to the Pope, thence to the Priesthood; and sneeringly
+added, “Where did you get your commission to go on
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span>the streets and teach men the gospel? Tell me,
+woman, <i>I demand it</i>; where did you get your commission?”
+Remembering that she must not “deny
+the faith that was in her,” with coolness, she replied,
+simply, “I get my commission from my Bible.” Striking
+his clenched hand on the sacred word, he vehemently
+demanded, “<i>Where?</i>” Without hesitation, the
+Holy Spirit helped her to the words, “Christ says,
+‘Lovest thou me? feed my sheep.’ St. Peter’s words,
+‘The Rock of the Holy Church.’” Their utterance
+fed his anger. He reiterated, almost fiercely, “Woman,
+<i>dare</i> you place yourself on a level with St. Peter?”
+Accompanied by sneering denunciations of the work,
+again he demanded, “Where in the Bible do you find
+a commission to women to teach the gospel upon the
+street?” Again the Spirit’s quickening power enabled
+her to reply, with calmness, “On the resurrection
+morn, Christ told Mary to ‘Go tell my disciples, to go
+quickly;’ in her haste she probably ran through the
+streets, proclaiming as she went the risen Saviour.”
+He made no reply. His manner softened; with a half-apology
+for his excited words, he courteously permitted
+the ladies to depart.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly two months of the siege had elapsed. The
+light of earnest and patient labor shining within the
+haunts of vice, revealed the strong, deep shadows.
+The women, no longer invigorated by the keen, biting
+March winds, felt the pressure of household care, as
+well as the lassitude of spring-tide. The ranks were
+perceptibly thinned. The work of picketing the saloons
+grew wearisome and discouragingly monotonous.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span>An energy born of consecration alone nerved
+the faithful to carry on the desperate struggle. In the
+proceedings of the city council, an ordinance to restrain
+and prohibit ale, beer, and porter-houses, or
+shops, or habitual resorts for tippling, had passed its
+second reading. The time for the third and final
+reading drew near. The saloon-keepers hopefully
+reviewed our depleted bands, and carefully tithed each
+ounce of popular sentiment, knowing their interests
+hung in the legal scales of the city council. They did
+not recognize a Gideonite band that made them daily
+visitations. Each member, humbled with the publicity
+of street parade, felt she had laid her face in the gutter
+that her brother might walk erect in sobriety and
+virtuous manhood. If the voices were fewer that sung
+“Nearer my God, to Thee,” the strains rose higher; if
+lips faltered as they plead for strength, the prayer was
+deeper as it went from burdened hearts to the ear of
+the Great Eternal.</p>
+
+<p>At this issue, through the long afternoon, two ladies
+kept picket-guard at a notorious saloon in an obscure
+part of the city. In their conversation, the question
+arose in this immediate crisis: What can be done to
+quicken the flagging interest? A serious question.
+As they left the post of duty, they took it with them
+to their homes. One of them took it to her closet,
+and in earnest prayer besought the Lord to wisely
+direct, else a worthy cause and worthy efforts must
+suffer defeat.</p>
+
+<p>As she rose from her knees, a full conception of a
+Temperance Convention flashed upon her mind. The
+plan was laid before the presiding officer, and heartily
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span>approved. Committees were speedily at work to
+effect its consummation.</p>
+
+<p>The following Tuesday evening was the time for
+the final reading of the ordinance. That day was
+chosen for the convention. Announcements were
+freely but quietly made. The noon trains brought delegations
+from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Salem, Ravenna,
+and towns of the vicinity, where leagues had been
+formed. Mount Union College sent a delegation of
+faculty and entire body of students. Alliance Hall
+was filled to overflowing. With addresses full of devotion
+to the work, and encouragement to the workers,
+and music that stirred all hearts to renewed energy,
+the meeting was one of wonderful enthusiasm. At
+the close of the afternoon service two hundred and
+twenty-five Crusaders filed out of the hall, down Main
+street. The saloon-keepers, suddenly surprised and
+awed into submission by the number, offered no resistance,
+and an impressive street service was held.
+During the evening session the enthusiasm was at its
+height, when a messenger brought the glad tidings that
+the hotly contested ordinance had passed. The old
+college-bell rang out gleefully; the men almost lost
+decorum in sounding cheer; but the “Women of the
+Whiskey War,” with uplifted faces, sang with hearty
+earnestness, “Praise God, from whom all blessings
+flow.” Reported by A. M. B.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_PHILADELPHIA_OHIO">
+ NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Secretary of the League, Callie A. Everett,
+gives the following interesting account of the closing
+of the saloons in this town early in the Crusade:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Schmidt, a German,” proposed many times
+that the ladies buy him out; this, however, was against
+our principles, and we urged him to “dare to do right,”
+and trust to our temperance people to give him a fair
+start in something else; finally, prayers and entreaties
+prevailed, and he carried out his liquor, and showed
+the women how to open the barrels. As it streamed
+over the ground, the expression of feeling in different
+individuals was noticeable. Some wept, others laughed,
+the men cheered, anvils were fired, and all the bells in
+our city pealed forth the glad news.</p>
+
+<p>The women surrounded and overwhelmed him with
+thanks, and he, with tears flowing rapidly, assured
+them “he was glad, too.” His saloon-tables, glasses,
+etc., were at once offered at auction.</p>
+
+<p>The cheering news spread like wildfire, and a large
+crowd assembled to bid-off the various articles. One
+tumbler was sold three times to the same man, bringing
+in all seventeen dollars. At this rate he was soon
+recompensed, and has started, a number one, butcher
+shop.</p>
+
+<p>John Myers likewise poured out, or allowed the
+ladies to empty, twelve barrels of wine and whiskey
+into our streets, and as he was better off financially
+than Schmidt, did not need so much assistance; however,
+the women bought his tables, etc., and by their
+presence urged the men to buy. He has started a
+saddler shop.</p>
+
+<p>The demonstrations on this occasion were similar to
+the one mentioned before.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. John Furney asked that no public demonstration
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span>be made over his surrender, and the ladies obtained
+his name quietly, only evidencing their triumph
+by the irrepressible joy beaming from their countenances.
+Mr. Furney has started a “Temperance Restaurant”
+in connection with his grocery, and on the
+4th of April, 1874, fifty ladies ordered him to prepare
+dinner for them.</p>
+
+<p>These cases of surrender were from the very ones
+that at first opposed us in every way. At Schmidt’s,
+particularly, they danced and sung, jeered and drank
+over the women’s heads.</p>
+
+<p>The worst cases generally yielded first.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">
+ CHAPTER III.
+</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ CRUSADE IN LARGER TOWNS.
+</p>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="CLEVELAND_OHIO">
+ CLEVELAND, OHIO.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton gives the following graphic
+account of the Temperance Crusade and its results in
+Cleveland, written for the <i>Morning</i>:</p>
+
+<p>The noble work of the women of southern Ohio had
+touched every Christian heart in Cleveland. On the
+10th of March, 1874, a meeting was called under the
+auspices of the Women’s Christian Association, and
+600 of the best and truest of the city came together to
+ask their God what they should do, for the destroying
+of this evil of intemperance, and the up-building of
+His kingdom. They were women, for the most part,
+who had been active in the churches, and in all benevolent
+work.</p>
+
+<p>An organization was effected, and Miss Sarah Fitch,
+President of the W. C. A., a woman whose executive
+ability and consecration had gained for her the confidence
+of the people, was chosen President of the Temperance
+League.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span></p>
+
+<p>Immediately pledge-books were obtained, with property-owners’,
+citizens’, and dealers’ pledges.</p>
+
+<p>The city was districted, and women of influence, over
+one hundred in number, volunteered to canvass the city
+for signatures. In a short time over 5,000 women
+were enrolled members of the League, each one signing
+a pledge neither to use intoxicants, nor offer them
+as a beverage, and to discountenance their use in
+every possible way, and about 10,000 names to all the
+other pledges. The question was constantly asked:
+“Will the women of a wealthy, conservative city go upon
+the streets as a praying band?” Liquor-dealers said:
+“Let the women come quietly by committees, and we
+will receive them, but coming in a body to pray with
+us, brands our business as disreputable.” The time
+came when the Master seemed to call for a more complete
+consecration, for a higher power brought to bear
+upon the liquor traffic. When, in a large prayer-meeting,
+volunteers for Crusade work were called for,
+twenty-two brave women, several of them the wives
+of clergymen, said: “Here am I. Send me! The
+Lord’s will be done.” They proceeded directly to the
+most fashionable saloon of the city and were permitted
+to enter. “There is a fountain filled with blood” was
+sung, the first hymn that was to inaugurate a Christian
+warfare against 1,200 centres of evil. The Bible was
+read and prayer offered. Men bowed their heads
+abashed and were silent, and women, consecrated
+anew by their trust in God, and a revelation of the sin
+they were called upon to meet, went back to the
+church in the midst of a surging crowd, strong to do
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span>the unknown work before them. The next day
+saloons were visited, and again the eager crowds
+gathered, some listening tearfully to the hymns, some
+jeering and scoffing. On the third day the liquor
+interest seemed to have awakened to a full consciousness
+of the situation. The beer element began to feel
+that its liberties were being fettered. Drinkers,
+dealers, and roughs, gathered in large numbers, in the
+streets, to wait for the praying women. Beer and
+whiskey had done their maddening work with the
+brain, and made them ready for riot.</p>
+
+<p>In the central part of the city, forty women, pressed
+upon by a jeering crowd, went forward in their work
+of prayer. In the western part, a smaller number,
+refused entrance at a saloon, knelt and prayed upon
+the sidewalk. A mob, headed by an organization of
+brewers, rushed upon the kneeling women, kicking
+one badly in the side, another in the back, and striking
+others with their fists.</p>
+
+<p>A Mr. Doolittle, attempting to defend them, was
+brutally beaten, (has been obliged to keep his bed for
+nearly two years,) and would have been killed at once
+had he not been hurried away by the police, some of
+whom even were badly injured. The praying band
+were locked in a store away from the infuriated mob,
+who, by the arrival of more officers, were dispersed,
+cursing and yelling as they went.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, taking their lives in their hands, a
+large company of women went out, and similar scenes
+were enacted.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime public meetings had been called
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span>in the churches, and such throngs gathered that they
+could not find standing room.</p>
+
+<p>The clergy as one man came to the front to defend
+the Christian women, who had done nothing save walk
+quietly upon the streets and pray for men who were
+making the city and the land one vast ruin and desolation.
+True it called attention to the groans of drunkards’
+wives and the cries of drunkards’ children, and
+marked as the direct cause, the liquor-dealers, but for
+this the traffic, (not the praying women,) were at fault.
+All good citizens rose up in indignation and horror
+that their wives and mothers were at the mercy of a
+liquor mob. Business men left their stores, ministers
+their studies, and a thousand manly men went out to
+defend the women.</p>
+
+<p>The mayor was visited by a committee of citizens.
+A proclamation was immediately issued, which, while it
+did not permit the women to hold meetings on the
+sidewalk, left them free to call upon all the saloons,
+with none to molest or make them afraid. The
+military companies were ordered to be in readiness
+resting on their arms; the police force was increased,
+and the liquor interest soon made to feel that the city
+was not under their control. The mob never again
+tried its power.</p>
+
+<p>For over three months, with scarcely a day’s exception,
+the praying bands went from saloon to saloon,
+holding a prayer-meeting where the proprietor was
+willing, giving temperance tracts and cards to the
+crowds that gathered to hear the singing and the
+prayers, having warehouses often thrown open to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span>them for services when the saloons on the street refused
+to admit them; sometimes entering a vacant
+lot, and surrounded perchance by a hardened crowd,
+with none to protect them but their God (the police
+having been withdrawn), they preached the gospel of
+the Son of God, crucified for sinners.</p>
+
+<p>One man, a German, very angry at their visits in
+his street, and rude in his treatment of them, held a
+mock prayer-meeting in his shop, had his leg broken
+by his horse next day and died soon after.</p>
+
+<p>At a Jew’s saloon, a picture of Christ, crowned with
+thorns and draped with black, was held up on a pole
+before the crowd, who were drinking beer and
+blaspheming.</p>
+
+<p>On the same street, from one of the worst saloons,
+where cock-fighting was carried on, three fierce dogs
+were set upon Mrs. Charles Wheeler, who was that day
+leading the band. Without ceasing her prayer she
+gently laid her hands upon their heads, and as though
+taught of a higher power than their master’s, they
+crouched at her feet and were quiet. This saloon has
+since become a friendly inn, most inviting and beneficial.</p>
+
+<p>Often several bands visited different parts of the
+city during the same day. Again, as many as 500
+women, two by two, quietly and silently, making a
+procession of over one-fourth of a mile in length, followed
+by scores in carriages, went to the larger wholesale
+liquor-houses, club-houses, hotels, etc. Often
+they were bidden to enter. “Tell me the old, old
+story,” “Almost persuaded,” “I am trusting, Lord, in
+Thee,” were sung, and prayers uttered, whose tenderness
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span>and earnestness brought tears to eyes unused to
+weeping.</p>
+
+<p>Often a saloon-keeper with his heart not wholly
+seared by his occupation, wept like a child. Many
+gave up the business, some rich, some poor, and never
+resumed it.</p>
+
+<p>Those were wonderful days, when a city was baptized
+by continuous prayer; when women, forgetting
+the ease and luxury of their homes, went down to
+these places of desolation to save those for whom
+Christ died. Men took off their hats as the procession
+went by. Little children gathered close to the singers,
+and, catching the words, sang them months after in
+their dingy hovels. Haggard women bent their heads
+as they murmured with unutterable sadness, “You’ve
+come too late to save my boy or my husband.” Men
+dying in attics sent for the praying bands to come and
+tell them about the Saviour. Men who had lost all
+hope because of the appetite that mastered them,
+heard the glad tidings of salvation from women’s lips,
+and stretching forth their hands were lifted upon the
+Everlasting Rock.</p>
+
+<p>During these three months of Crusade work, three
+distilleries, eight breweries, thirty-one drug stores,
+thirty-five hotels, forty wholesale dealers, and 1,100
+saloons were visited, many of them again and again.
+Four hundred and fifty of these places often admitted
+the bands for services. There were seventy outdoor
+meetings in warehouses, etc. Mass-meetings on the
+Sabbath, conducted by women, were held in wigwams
+in different wards, as well as churches, and always
+crowded.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span></p>
+
+<p>Meantime the prominent men of the city, believing
+that the laws of Ohio forbidding the sale of liquors to
+be drank on the premises should be enforced, as also
+the Adair law, which makes a man responsible for the
+harm which the liquor that he sells causes, acting on
+the plan of the government in ferreting out crime,
+employed detectives, and soon had 900 indictments
+against liquor-dealers; and cases for wronged women
+and children, under the Adair law, covering $150,000.</p>
+
+<p>The Liquor-Dealers’ and Brewers’ Association report,
+1874, 5,969 prosecutions; and in the year 1875,
+4,207 prosecutions.</p>
+
+<p>Opposite sections of Cleveland, where different
+praying bands labored, show varied and blessed results
+of the work. The lower part of the city, by the river
+dock, where saloons were thick, and sin flaunted itself,
+was assigned to Mrs. John Coon, a woman of wonderful
+faith in God, and great strength of character, and
+her band of twenty or thirty devoted workers. At
+first they were refused admittance at all, or nearly all
+the saloons, but one dealer, touched by her kind spirit,
+relented and sent for her and her band to return. He
+was the son of a clergyman, finely educated; had held
+a good position in the army, and been successful in
+business till he began travelling for a wholesale grocery
+and liquor house combined. He soon went into the
+liquor trade for himself; and the descent was rapid to
+the keeper of a low saloon and a debauchee. Some
+days after, at the earnest request of his wife, he <i>signed</i>
+the pledge, and gave up his business. Among those
+present in the saloon, drinking and playing cards, was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span>a friendless and prematurely white-haired man, to
+whom the saloon-keeper had given shelter. Southern
+born, a Colonel in the Confederate army, a gentleman
+in manner, a member of the press in honorable standing
+for years, becoming addicted to drink, then gambling,
+he left his wife and little girl, and wandered
+from city to city, sinking lower and lower, a profane,
+broken down inebriate. His wife had spent long years
+in searching for him, one year using $700 of her own
+earnings to find him; but at last had given him up as
+dead. The hymn sung by the praying band touched
+his heart. He asked for one sung years before by his
+mother, and joined in the singing. At last he signed
+the pledge, and was taken to the home of a generous
+citizen. Here, some days after, wrestling with God
+one whole night in prayer, he found peace in believing.
+Some weeks later a letter was written to the wife.
+She fainted when she read it. She hurried to meet
+him; and at this house, in the presence of a hundred
+guests, the worn wedding-ring was once more placed
+upon her finger, and the marriage service, touching
+and beautiful, again repeated. Mrs. Coon led the
+exercises, different members of the band praying, and
+singing the Crusade hymns. None who witnessed it
+will ever forget this affecting scene. The closed saloon
+was at once transformed into a clean boarding-house
+called the River Street Friendly Inn. This being too
+small for the crowds who gathered at the meetings, an
+adjoining warehouse, three stories high, 25 by 100 feet
+long, was rented, the lower story made into a dining-room,
+the second into a reading-room and chapel, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span>the third into sleeping-apartments, with seven neatly
+furnished beds. The chapel walls are decorated with
+such mottoes as “Peace on earth, good will to men;”
+“The Spirit and the Bride say, Come;” “Jesus is my
+only Refuge.” Each day, after calling at the saloons,
+a meeting was held here by the band, who often repaired
+to the river docks across the street, and there,
+where as many as a thousand persons, sailors and
+others, frequently gathered, these godly women offered
+the bread of life, the only <i>sure</i> safeguard against intemperance.
+From the captains of the boats, the praying
+women received the kindest attention. A platform
+was built for them and seats provided.</p>
+
+<p>Following these afternoon meetings, a meeting for
+inquirers was held at the Inn. Scores of men would
+repair thither, more sometimes than could be conversed
+with before the evening meeting, at eight
+o’clock, held in the chapel. How many found Christ
+will never be known till the judgment day reveals it.
+Very few, as far as is known, have fallen.</p>
+
+<p>A weekly prayer-meeting was at once started, with
+social entertainment for other evenings. Both these
+prayer-meetings are still conducted by Mrs. Coon and
+her band: Mrs. Hall, Smith, Noble, Hanna, Brayton,
+Preston, Johnson, Butts, White, Saunders, Burridge,
+Mittleberger, Chittenden, and others. No time was
+wasted. Testimony is borne successively, by from
+eighty to one hundred men recently converted, of the
+power of God to keep them from falling.</p>
+
+<p>River street is a changed locality. The saloons have
+less custom, and the presence of the praying women
+is heartily welcomed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span></p>
+
+<p>Another locality, St. Clair street and its surroundings,
+was assigned to Mrs. Charles Wheeler, a woman
+loved by all; the friend and advocate of the poor, and
+well fitted for this field. After much hard work and
+many mass-meetings sustained by her, Mrs. Stephens,
+Porter, Detchon, Greene, Reese, Gilbert, Couis, and
+others, the saloon above mentioned was opened as a
+Friendly Inn, under the control of Mrs. George
+Worthington and Mrs. Wheeler, now President of the
+League, a devoted woman whose wealth has been
+generously given for the cause. Through this inn,
+families have been reunited, and lost ones returned to
+their parents and their God.</p>
+
+<p>Among the 550 families visited the past year about
+this inn, were a father and mother who had strayed
+from the fold. The father had become intemperate.
+The only son was taken ill. The temperance women
+were unremitting in their care, but nothing could save
+him. Their hands brought flowers for his burial, their
+own carriages were sent, and the only hope of his
+parents was laid tenderly away. This kindness won
+the father back to rectitude, and he and his wife are
+rejoicing again in the comforts of Christianity. Besides
+the Sunday meeting, a most interesting Bible reading
+is sustained weekly by Miss Andrews, recently our
+missionary to China; and a social gathering every
+Saturday evening.</p>
+
+<p>Broadway and its adjacent streets, a part of the
+city where thickly settled saloons have borne bitter
+fruit, was given to Mrs. W. P. Cooke, a woman of
+piety and ability. Day after day she, with Mrs. Hill,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span>Brigham, Morehouse, Tagg, Bowler, Johnson, Mudge,
+and others, did heroic and blessed work. A Friendly
+Inn resulted from these labors, under the directions of
+Mrs. Rev. Duncan, then President of the League.
+Mrs. Cooke being ill from overwork, to Mrs. Duncan’s
+executive ability, judgment, and spirituality, the Crusade,
+as well as the Friendly Inn, is greatly indebted.
+This Inn, made from two stores, each 44 feet long by
+20 feet broad, has the same general features as the
+others. Mrs. Duncan having removed to another
+city, the control came into the hands of Miss Jennie
+Duty, under whom it has been signally blest.</p>
+
+<p>A young lady of culture and indefatigable as a
+Christian worker, she has given her whole time and
+strength to the work since the Crusade began. She
+is superintendent at the Inn of a Sunday-school, numbering
+200 scholars, and is instructor of the Teachers’
+Bible Class, held every Monday evening, made up
+largely of the reformed men. A Sunday meeting,
+not excelled in interest by any in the city, is conducted
+by her, Mrs. Partridge, Ford, Cogswell, Williams, Taylor,
+Dutcher, and others, who have given devoted
+service to the cause. A free supper is given to hundreds
+every Sabbath evening. The rooms are crowded
+at the meetings. There has been one continuous revival
+for over two years.</p>
+
+<p>The past winter there have been over one hundred
+conversions. A young woman, among others, came
+to the meetings, desiring a different life. She was ill
+and afraid to die. After a few weeks all was changed.
+The aged mother watched by the bedside of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span>daughter she loved, now happy beyond expression.
+Perhaps no little room was ever more filled with the
+presence of the Saviour. After death, the women
+who had told her how to find her Lord, laid her away,
+prayed at her open grave, and went back to their work
+of leading others up higher.</p>
+
+<p>In the eastern part of the city, the 16th and 17th
+wards, where the temperance element is strongest,
+the bands did efficient work. On the 17th of August,
+1874, when the State, after an intense struggle with
+the freely spent money and influence of the liquor
+power, reiterated her vote of twenty years before, of
+“No license,” the praying bands, in a booth trimmed
+with flowers and evergreens, furnished a dinner to the
+voters. A morning prayer-meeting, started at the
+beginning of the Crusade, has never been discontinued
+for a single day. A union temperance prayer-meeting
+is held every Sunday afternoon, which <i>is
+union</i> indeed and full of spirit. At both of these,
+many have been converted. A temperance reading-room
+is sustained, mass-meetings still held, and the
+cause kept bright in the hearts of the people. The
+band-leaders have been Mrs. Ford—a noble, Christian
+woman, who stepped from out a quiet, domestic life to
+be one of the most efficient—Mrs. Bucher, who did
+valuable work till her health failed, Mrs. Sloan, Colby,
+Bolton, and others, all devoted workers, who have had
+the satisfaction of seeing their work bear precious
+fruit already. In the western part of the city, where
+the Crusaders first received violence, trusting in God,
+they went forward fearlessly to duty. Hundreds of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span>saloons were visited, some wayward ones converted,
+and public sentiment wonderfully elevated. The
+leaders in this work, that had the seal of martyrdom,
+were Mrs. Breckenridge, a brave, true, earnest woman,
+Mrs. J. C. Delamater, Sheldon, Chapman, Ingham,
+Lee, McKinney, Stork, A. H. Delamater, Janes, Jones,
+Redington, Story, Mrs. Cheney, and others.</p>
+
+<p>A Friendly Inn has recently been started here.
+Beautiful mottoes adorn the walls, and everything
+invites to temperance and virtue. At its head is Mrs.
+W. A. Ingham, to whose energy, courage, and devotion
+the Crusade owes much of its effectiveness. She
+had charge of all the praying bands, laid out the
+part of each, and with the skill of an able officer,
+carried through a vigorous warfare against a mighty
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>In still another portion of the city, the 18th ward, formerly
+Newburgh, efficient work was done under the able
+leadership of Mrs. Rev. Curtiss, Foote, Palmer, Slade,
+and others, before the Crusade work was undertaken
+elsewhere in the city. A centre for the manufacture
+of iron and steel, the saloon-keepers knew well where
+to build to tempt the workingmen. With great energy
+and persistence, the good women have held temperance
+meetings every Sabbath afternoon, in the summers
+in the open air, have speakers from abroad often,
+and have now a renovated saloon, “a home,” of their
+own. It is sustained by monthly contributions, none
+over one dollar, some as small as ten cents. They
+have nicely furnished eating and sleeping rooms, with
+an apartment above which will seat over a hundred
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span>persons. Their social gatherings, intended to offer
+an attraction other than saloons to young men, are so
+largely patronized that they have been obliged to repair
+to a large hall, where five cents admission is
+charged, and the least they have taken at the door is
+$9.45, usually three times that amount. The pledge
+is offered at all these meetings. They are now visiting
+those who drink or have drunkenness in their
+families. “I wish I could say,” writes their earnest
+and efficient secretary, Mrs. Foote, “to every feeble,
+half-dead League, no matter how small the town, how
+few the workers, start a home, a little central place,
+from which in every direction temperance sentiment
+shall radiate. It will prove to the League what a home
+is to the family.” Its chief workers are Mrs. Palmer,
+Bes, Slade, Morgan, Fish, Brown, Morton, Gladding,
+Way, and others.</p>
+
+<p>Other band-leaders and efficient workers in other
+parts of the city deserve especial and honorable mention.
+Mrs. Joseph Perkins, Adams, Strong, Sheppard,
+Lockwood, Whitney, Thomas, Starkweather, Stewart,
+Morgan, Hanna, Rose, Burge, Bradley, Southworth,
+Williamson, Witt, Canfield, Stone, Sachell, Herr,
+Pope, Wright, Nyce, Castle, Benton, Hicky, Porter,
+Ely, Talbott, Hart, Stebbins, Dutcher, Doty, Warren,
+Excell, Prather, Dissette, Mason, Edwards, Hinsdale,
+Stevens, Galbraith, Ingersoll, Massey, Francisco, and
+many others. When hundreds have given time and
+strength and life itself for the cause, it is impossible to
+write them all on paper.</p>
+
+<p>God keeps the record and a grand record it is.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span></p>
+
+<p>Another result of the temperance movement has
+been the formation of the Young Ladies’ Temperance
+League, numbering hundreds of the best young women
+of the city, pledged to discourage the use of wine, beer,
+and distilled liquors, and not to furnish them for social
+entertainment. Its president, Miss Flora Stone, only
+sister of the wife of John Hay, loves the work, and
+gives herself unreservedly to it. The moral weight
+of such an association cannot be overestimated. Temperance
+work soon led them to see that there was more
+of sorrow in the world than they had ever supposed.
+Their hearts turned toward those of their own sex
+less favored than themselves. A desirable house was
+rented, made attractive, and matron employed. Their
+object is to furnish temporary relief to poor, friendless
+girls, and help them in some way to provide for their
+own support. Since its opening, 124 young women
+have been received, and retained, on an average, eleven
+days each; 270 have been assisted to employment.
+Homes for several young girls have been found, where
+they can have an education. Sewing is furnished to
+those needing it, and the garments sold.</p>
+
+<p>A temperance fete was held by the League, from
+which $1,000 was realized. Similar gatherings keep
+the work before the people, and popularize the cause.
+Prominent in this League have been Mrs. Lovis, Ingersoll,
+Fuller, Younglove, Prentiss, Hall, Andrews,
+and many others. Much work is done among the
+children.</p>
+
+<p>A new generation trained in the belief that the use
+of intoxicants is a <i>sin</i>, will change most effectually the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span>habits of society. Temperance literature, showing the
+effects of whiskey or beer as beverages, and the total
+disuse of them as medicines by many of the best physicians,
+showing the duty of the church on this question,
+is being extensively circulated. Cities, countries,
+States, and counties are being thoroughly organized;
+and the women of Cleveland uniting with them, abating
+none of their interest, still holding over twenty
+gospel temperance meetings weekly, are working and
+praying and waiting for the Master to give the victory
+over evil.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MILLERSBURG_OHIO">
+ MILLERSBURG, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The temperance movements of the ladies of Millersburg
+was inaugurated by meetings at private houses,
+from time to time. During the month of January, 1874,
+mass-meetings were held, pledges were presented, by
+committees appointed to visit every house and place
+of business in the town.</p>
+
+<p>Prayer-meetings were held daily, alternately at the
+different churches, for two or three weeks, preceding
+the commencement of the street work. On the 19th
+of February, 1874, the first regular visiting of the
+saloons was begun. At that time <i>ten</i> saloons, and
+three drug stores, comprised the number of places
+demanding attention.</p>
+
+<p>At first we were allowed to enter all of these places.
+In addition to singing and prayers, personal appeals
+were made to the proprietors, and selections of Scripture
+read in their hearing. The proprietors of the
+three drug stores signed the pledge; after the first
+visit, regular visits were made, almost daily, until the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span>middle of April, by which time all the saloons but four
+were closed.</p>
+
+<p>These were all kept by Germans. A strong effort
+was made to elect municipal officers, at the spring
+election, who would enact the McConnelsville ordinance.
+In this, we were unsuccessful.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WORK_IN_ZANESVILLE_OHIO">
+ WORK IN ZANESVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. J. T. Ohe, in the <i>Morning</i>, says: The wave of
+temperance agitation did not reach the staid city of
+Zanesville till most of the neighboring towns and the
+country communities had been thoroughly aroused.</p>
+
+<p>Early in March, 1874, the first meetings, called in
+Second Street M. E. Chapel, enlisted the deep sympathy
+of the women of the city; and here, as in so
+many cases elsewhere, those the most shrinking, unknown
+to public effort of any kind, became the most
+efficient and inspiring leaders. The first organized
+effort was toward the enactment of a municipal law
+to restrain and prohibit a certain low class of tippling
+shops. Petitions were circulated through every ward—many
+of the first women of society going from shop
+to shop, urging signatures, and obtaining them, too,
+where men would have utterly failed.</p>
+
+<p>The petition was more than eighty feet long, and
+contained nearly 5,000 names. The city council,
+strongly influenced by this demonstration of sentiment,
+passed the law. During the six months it was
+well enforced, the drinking shops decreased in number
+from 118 to 50. Many of those retaining licenses
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span>reported greatly diminished sales, and “a gratifying
+scarcity of victims of the police courts was another
+feature of the change.” On the 4th of July, 1874, notwithstanding
+it was a general holiday, and in this
+manufacturing community, <i>not one case of</i> drunkenness
+on the streets was noticed, nor any arrests. If only
+the men of the place had stood firmly to <i>their work</i>, as
+conservators of the public good, these benefits would
+have been permanent. But some reaction took place,
+and a fort so strongly intrenched was not to be dislodged
+by one year’s siege. At the very outset of this
+movement, the Liquor-Dealers’ Association, under the
+lead of a notorious wholesale dealer, put forth a most
+offensive and insulting manifesto, threatening to ostracise
+all citizens whose wives were identified, etc., etc.,
+the sole effect of which was to rouse the men to support
+the women <i>gallantly</i>.</p>
+
+<p>But little “Crusading” on the public streets was
+done; the members of the League preferring to go
+quietly, in twos or threes, to interview the dealers, and
+with very few exceptions, they met courteous treatment,
+and felt assured that their visits would bear good
+fruit.</p>
+
+<p>One of the most estimable women of our city, as the
+leader of a band of six or seven, was arrested, (under
+the ordinance against obstructing the streets,) by complaint
+of a woman who had for years kept open a
+drinking-place, the terror of the neighborhood. Under
+the protecting ægis of the Dealers’ Association, she
+appeared in court to annihilate the offending Crusaders.
+But here, as in so many other cases, the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span>cause visibly triumphed, and the irate madam departed
+breathing threatenings. The whole scene in the court
+was “one for a painting.”</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. H. G. O. Carey, writing June 6th, 1876, says:
+“I believe no city of its size in the State, accomplished
+a more thorough closing of the saloons than did Zanesville.
+For seven months no one could get a glass of
+beer in the city, except by stealth; and in real fear of
+prosecution, our dealers became very cautious. The
+internal revenue office showed that sales were reduced
+during all that time, until the repeal of the ordinance,
+forty to forty-seven per cent. The improvement
+in morals was most apparent: a public sentiment was
+created which made it possible to punish the guilty.
+Our work was almost entirely done by small parties on
+the alert everywhere, supported by constant prayer
+and faith in God. League prayer-meetings have never
+been omitted to this day, and I believe no man either
+drinks, or sells liquor of any kind without compunctions
+of conscience to which formerly he was a stranger.”</p>
+
+<p>It was in this town that a young lady, connected with
+one of the bands visiting the saloons, said, when reproved
+for doing so: “Where my brother goes to drink,
+I certainly ought to be allowed to go to pray.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PAINESVILLE_OHIO">
+ PAINESVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>We have gathered the following facts from the
+Painesville papers published at the time:</p>
+
+<p>Pursuant to a call for a “Temperance Mass-Meeting,”
+the large audience-room of the Congregational
+Church was filled to overflowing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span></p>
+
+<p>The audience numbered over one thousand of our
+best people, and showed by the deep interest manifested
+that the “tidal wave” had indeed reached this
+place.</p>
+
+<p>Rev. T. R. Peters offered prayer, and was followed
+by able speakers.</p>
+
+<p>At the ladies’ meeting, on Tuesday morning, there
+was a very large attendance. After singing and prayers,
+addresses were made by several ministers of
+Painesville.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies enlisted for the war, and are still engaged
+in active service.</p>
+
+<p>One evening, at eight o’clock, they formed into three
+large bands, at the church, and went by three different
+routes to three of the largest saloons.</p>
+
+<p>The first, led by Mrs. Hitchcock, was received, and
+held a good meeting among the crowd of billiard
+players.</p>
+
+<p>The second, led by Mrs. Curtis, not gaining admission,
+held a meeting on the sidewalk.</p>
+
+<p>The third entered Stacy’s and commenced services.
+During prayer the doors were locked and the keys removed;
+a hot fire was built, and pepper thrown liberally
+on the stove, the fumes of which made the place
+almost intolerable.</p>
+
+<p>But the songs and prayers were exultant, triumphant,
+and the appeals to the bartender very feeling and
+earnest.</p>
+
+<p>Their songs were heard a square away. Friends
+came and released them, after having one of the best
+meetings they ever held.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span></p>
+
+<p>They had a list of twenty-eight saloons furnished
+them. Four of these they found had quit the business
+in consequence of fines imposed by the court. Everywhere
+they met with a courteous reception. They
+were evidently expected: some had waited more than
+a week for them, some had expected a larger band,
+but liked this better. No doubt they did. Most of
+the saloons were as clean as soap and water could
+make them, and often not a thing could be seen at the
+bar more contraband than a box of segars. In fact,
+if we may believe the word of the dealers, there did
+not seem to be a place in Painesville where whiskey
+or rum could be bought to be drunk on the premises.
+Everything is claimed to be done strictly according
+to law.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly every one wished himself out of the business,
+and would be glad to sell out at a fair valuation;
+but very naturally, none were ready yet to sacrifice
+their property for the public welfare.</p>
+
+<p>At McFarland &amp; Hazen’s saloon, they were kindly
+received. Spectators were excluded, and they proceeded
+to hold a prayer-meeting. At the close of the
+exercises the pledge was presented to Mr. McFarland,
+which he refused to sign; but said he would be willing
+to close if any one would take their lease off their
+hands, but they were paying much more than the
+rooms would rent for, for other business.</p>
+
+<p>They next visited Mr. Hennessey’s saloon. He
+said he would be glad to leave a business of which he
+is ashamed, as soon as he could find another business
+opening.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span></p>
+
+<p>At Mr. Rochat’s bakery, the meeting was a very
+affecting one. He and his wife seemed almost persuaded.
+He also had a bar, and said he had been
+trained to the business, and knowing no other, could
+not sign, and thus throw himself out of employment,
+and people would not buy the lunch without the beer.
+But on their next visit, after prayers and singing,
+and while they were deeply affected, Mr. Rochat and
+his wife yielded so far as to pledge themselves to sell
+no liquor for the space of one month, and <i>never</i> to do
+so if he could support his family by his legitimate business,
+and gave them permission to pour the liquor he
+had on hand into the street. There was deep feeling
+over the occurrence, and all felt that God had heard
+and answered prayer. Seven or eight ladies laid hold
+of the cask, carried it up-stairs to the pavement, and
+amid much rejoicing and enthusiasm poured the liquor
+into the street.</p>
+
+<p>Messrs. Warner, Garfield &amp; Jewell, of the Cowles
+House and Brewery, said their capital was invested in
+the business, and no business man would expect them
+to sacrifice this without compensation. They would
+be glad to sell out the brewery, and stop both the
+manufacture and sale of liquors. When they entered
+this business, it was considered as respectable as any
+other, but public sentiment had changed, and now it
+was difficult to find a purchaser. If our public-spirited
+men would make a stock company, and convert the
+brewery into a tannery, for which it was well suited,
+they would sell for $5,000 less than its appraised value,
+and also take stock in the new business.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Sullivant, who opened a saloon near the depot,
+admitted that it was a bad business—a lazy business,
+but said her husband might as well have his liquor
+at home where she could watch him, as elsewhere and
+keep her going after him. She refused them admittance,
+so they held a prayer-meeting in the yard. Mr.
+Babbitt, of the bakery, said he could not think of signing
+our dealer’s pledge, as <i>one barrel of beer</i> was worth
+more to him in his business than <i>ten barrels of flour</i>
+made up into bakery products, and so refused to admit
+them, but they held their prayer-meeting on the sidewalk
+in front of his bakery.</p>
+
+<p>The dealers near the depot claimed that their patronage
+came mostly from the road, that they spent
+more money in Painesville than they took from it, and
+they would not be controlled by the people of the
+place.</p>
+
+<p>At the close of an interesting meeting Mr. Dayton
+pledged himself never to sell another drop of intoxicating
+drink. The women were hopeful, as the following
+will show: “Our hopes for the future are
+great. It is not with us, as I have heard it said, ‘A
+noble impulse sheltered behind a because,’ but an earnest
+resolve, born of much thought and prayer and
+self-consecration.”</p>
+
+<p>This reminds us of an incident that occurred in
+Columbus.</p>
+
+<p>John had stayed at home to take care of baby, while
+Mary was praying in the saloons, and when she came
+back John says, “Well, Mary, the baby has cried all
+the time you were gone; I don’t know but it’s all
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span>right, but home isn’t what it used to be when you
+stayed at home.” “Well, John,” Mary answered, “it is
+better that baby should cry for me now than that I
+should cry for baby twenty years hence.”</p>
+
+<p>It has been emphatically true of women, that feeling
+little responsibility beyond home, their prayers have
+not gone out largely for others. We must all be
+better patriots, as well as Christians and philanthropists.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ASHLAND_OHIO">
+ ASHLAND, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Crusade terminated here after four days only
+of street work, and nothing of special interest, other
+than the one great cause for which the ladies labored,
+transpired.</p>
+
+<p>There were five saloons, three drug stores, two
+hotels, and one billiard-room where drink was sold.
+The druggists signed on the first presentation. The
+saloonists had determined to resist their prayers and
+pleadings, and were under the leadership of one of
+their number, a man of influence in the German
+church, who kept the most <i>respectable</i> place in town; a
+place where the young men congregated, and where
+many of the older ones found it pleasant to linger.
+He was the only one who refused the ladies admittance,
+compelling them to sing and pray upon the
+pavement before his door. He was the man whom
+they expected would be the last to yield. A man
+of iron will, they expected to besiege him daily, perhaps
+for weeks; they looked for insult and abuse,
+yet he was the first to sign a petition presented by a
+score of our citizens, (some of them in the habit of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span>visiting his saloon,) asking him to discontinue the
+traffic. When he signed, all the rest were ready to
+sign also.</p>
+
+<p>One saloonist has opened a grocery, another has
+bought a stock of boots and shoes, a third is looking
+for a farm, in the meantime has left his old quarters
+entirely, one (a woman) keeps a restaurant, and he
+whom they feared most of all, confines himself exclusively
+to his grocery trade. The conquest was easy
+and complete.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BELLEVUE_OHIO">
+ BELLEVUE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>There were several unconditional surrenders in
+Bellevue, none of which present any features of striking
+interest. West received the committee pleasantly,
+and acknowledged that he did not approve of the business.
+Two days afterward, when the ladies called on
+him in a body, he told them he would quit in a day or
+two, and sign the pledge, but was not prepared to do
+so at that time.</p>
+
+<p>The next day he sent word to the association that
+he was prepared to surrender his liquor and sign the
+pledge, which he did. Four kegs of wine and one of
+beer were thrown into the street; his whiskey was
+sent back. He and his wife attended several of the
+mass-meetings, and took a share in the league fund.
+He afterwards found the Saviour, and commenced a
+better life. He looks like a new man.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ailer also received the committee when they
+called in a body in much the same way as did West,
+and the next day sent word that he wished a conversation
+with Mrs. Goodson and Mrs. Sawseer. He felt
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span>willing to close out, but did not feel able to throw away
+his liquors: said he would send back all he could if
+the society would pay him for the rest.</p>
+
+<p>After considerable persuasion he agreed to sign the
+pledge the next day, which he did, throwing away nine
+gallons of blackberry wine, twenty-nine gallons of
+cherry wine, three of gin, seven of whiskey, and two
+barrels of ale.</p>
+
+<p>Seth Cook was a young man, just married, and all
+he had was invested in a billiard-room and tables. He
+told the committee, at first, that he was bitterly sick of
+the business, and was willing to sign the pledge and
+throw away his liquors, if he knew what disposition to
+make of the rooms. He allowed the ladies to come
+whenever they chose, and was respectful.</p>
+
+<p>After two calls he sent word that he had concluded
+to throw away his liquors, which he did.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BUCYRUS_OHIO">
+ BUCYRUS, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The account of the work at Bucyrus is, in its detail
+of events, almost verbally copied from the weekly narrative
+in the <i>Bucyrus Journal</i>. The editor of this
+paper was, in sentiment, opposed to the Crusade, but
+he defended the ladies in their heroic sacrifices. Anticipating
+that hereafter the Crusade would form a
+most important era in our social history, he was careful
+to publish in his paper, from week to week, a most accurate,
+impartial, and detailed history of the movement,
+giving everything of importance concerning it.</p>
+
+<p>Bucyrus, a town of four thousand inhabitants, is situated
+in the northern part of Ohio, on the Pittsburgh,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span>Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad. It is the county-seat
+of Crawford, a county which obtained a national
+notoriety by the treasonable actions and sentiments of
+a portion of its citizens, during the late war of the rebellion.
+This place was the scene of more ruffianly
+disorder, and the ladies suffered more abuse at the
+hands of the saloon-keepers and their friends, during
+the Crusade, than in any other town in the State. Bucyrus
+contained at the time of the Crusade eight churches—four
+English and four German. The Presbyterian,
+Lutheran, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, and German
+Methodist Churches, and a few of the members of the
+German Reformed Church, joined in the work of this
+great reform movement, and the bond of union between
+them was never so strong as when, in a combined
+effort, the members of these churches united
+against their strongest enemy—the liquor traffic. The
+German Lutheran, German Catholic, and most of the
+members of the German Reformed Churches, sympathized
+with the saloon-keepers, and aided and encouraged
+them by their counsel and influence. When the
+Crusade was first inaugurated, the town contained
+twenty saloons, one brewery, and one wholesale liquor
+establishment and sample-room. Before the street work
+was discontinued by the ladies, the wholesale
+establishment and four of the saloons had quit the
+business.</p>
+
+<p>On Monday evening, March 2d, 1874, a public meeting
+was held at Rowse’s Hall, for the purpose of considering
+the advisability of inaugurating the Crusade at
+Bucyrus. The hall was crowded, and great enthusiasm
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span>prevailed. A committee, composed of two from each
+church in the place, was appointed to prepare a plan
+by which to conduct the temperance movement in
+Bucyrus, and this committee reported at a second
+meeting, which was held in the Presbyterian Church,
+March 9th. The report made contained the following
+resolution, which was adopted with great applause:</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, Inasmuch as the efforts of the women
+have proven the most efficient means, under God, of
+closing the saloons in many places where they are
+organized and at work, we therefore pledge to the
+ladies of our town our sympathy and hearty co-operation
+at any time they deem it proper to inaugurate the
+movement here.”</p>
+
+<p>Saturday, March 7th, the saloon-keepers and their
+friends held a meeting, at which they resolved to lock
+their doors when the women came around, and, at the
+approaching spring elections, to vote for no man who
+favored this temperance reform. The conversation of
+this meeting was mostly in German; many were excluded
+from it, and the proceedings were kept as
+secret as possible. March 9th, they held another
+meeting, and resolved to issue a printed card, pledging
+themselves, hereafter, to conform strictly to the law,
+and they drew up a pledge to this effect, which all the
+saloon-keepers, twenty in number, signed.</p>
+
+<p>Tuesday morning, March 10th, a committee, composed
+of two ladies from each church, was appointed
+to organize the ladies, and every afternoon during the
+week they assembled for prayer. March 14th, the
+druggists were visited, and asked to sign the druggists’
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span>pledge. Two of them consented, the third refused.
+The saloon-keepers were also visited, and asked to
+quit, but without success. Every evening, union temperance
+meetings were held at the different churches,
+and numbers signed the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>Tuesday morning, March 17th, an immense crowd
+gathered at the M. E. Church, and upon the streets
+were many scattered groups of restless citizens, who,
+by their constant uneasiness, would have betrayed to
+a stranger that something unusual was transpiring,
+even if it had not been well known that the women
+were about to appear. Promptly at ten o’clock the
+church-bell began to toll, and forth from the church
+came one hundred ladies, among whom were those,
+who, for their unaffected piety, for their exemplary
+lives, and by the position and character of their husbands,
+were the very first women of the community.
+By special invitation of the proprietors, the ladies first
+visited the saloon of Everett &amp; Ricketts, who were at
+that time making arrangements to close their business,
+as the lease of the room they were occupying had
+been refused them for another year. The ladies were
+refused entrance to several of the saloons, but were
+treated politely by the saloon-keepers. While they
+were holding their exercises in front of Jahn’s, some
+of the German women who were looking on made
+some very objectionable remarks in German. While
+the second prayer was being offered in front of Bieber’s,
+a young man, under the influence of liquor, spoke
+loudly and said, “Pray, God d—n you, pray! Jesus
+Christ! why don’t you pray louder?” But when he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span>saw the marshal approaching, he stopped his oaths.
+Some of the saloon-keepers were visibly moved when
+the friends and companions of their youth, knelt before
+them and offered fervent prayers for their wives and
+children.</p>
+
+<p>The second day, Wednesday, March 18th, the ladies
+continued their good work, and the crowds around the
+saloons were quiet and orderly until late in the afternoon,
+when they were in front of Mollenkopf’s. The
+proprietor of this saloon had a musical clock, which
+was wound up and started as the ladies approached,
+and a large crowd of men and boys assembled in the
+saloon and commenced to sing, and the prayers of the
+ladies were drowned by these indecent noises; but one
+of the ladies beautifully reported:</p>
+
+<p>“We felt in our hearts that our prayers reached His
+ear to whom they were addressed, and it seemed as if
+the sound of those noble, manly voices in so bad a
+cause, only made us the more anxious to labor for their
+conversion, and to pray that some day they might be
+heard in prayer and praise.”</p>
+
+<p>This sort of a reception only strengthened the ladies
+to more earnest devotions. Soon a good woman
+offered a prayer in German, and instantly all noise
+within ceased, showing that the hearts of those men
+were not utterly hardened, and that they had tender
+memories of woman’s dear voice raised in the tones
+of fatherland to the Father of all, and every noble
+woman outside felt encouraged. Even the unseemly
+riot and song thus proved a blessing, for it was followed
+by such a strange stillness, that the calm seemed holy,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span>and the prayers glowed with increased fervor, and
+every heart beat in unison; and at the next saloon the
+exercises were so unusually fervent that one of the
+ladies afterwards reported:</p>
+
+<p>“It seemed as if each of us sensibly realized that
+God was supporting us, and sending His Holy Spirit
+to comfort and sustain us.”</p>
+
+<p>The exercises under such influences impressed the
+careless bystanders with a solemnity exceeding anything
+previously experienced. During the time the
+ladies were on the streets, a prayer-meeting was in
+constant progress at the church.</p>
+
+<p>March 19th and 20th, the ladies continued their
+exercises at the different saloons without any disturbance,
+and were either kindly treated by such of the
+saloon-keepers as admitted them, or ignored by the
+majority, who closed their saloons when the women
+approached.</p>
+
+<p>Saturday evening, March 21st, while a band was
+holding religious exercises in front of Donnenwirth’s,
+the proceedings in the saloon were very boisterous.
+Two women were inside, and several men, and their
+actions were such as to demonstrate the effects of the
+saloon business in a style not calculated to elevate it
+in public estimation.</p>
+
+<p>Monday, March 23d, the weather was cold and raw.
+In the morning the women, in bands of four, visited
+various places and people and labored in the work of
+the great reform without any street exercises. In the
+afternoon they were out in three bands. Tuesday
+morning a German saloon-keeper and baker named
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span>Pfleiderer admitted the ladies to his parlor and then
+stood at the door, and, representing to the ladies that
+he had been injured in his business, by reports that
+had been circulated about his having struck and kicked
+one of them, refused to let them out until it had been
+proved that the report was without foundation.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of March 25th, William Shaw, a
+candidate for street commissioner for the third term,
+in order to gain the good will of the saloons, placed
+himself in front of a praying band at Hesche’s and
+commenced a loud and blasphemous harangue and
+prayer in which vulgar allusions and oaths were mingled,
+to the horror of every respectable person. The
+scene was awful, and involuntarily excited in the minds
+of many an expectation that such a bold, bad, blasphemous
+man would be struck dead for his startling
+defiance of the living God, whom he was violently
+professing to worship. But the insulted women continued
+their exercises and even prolonged them. Upon
+moving to another saloon Shaw followed them, and
+proceeded again with his violent indecency. In the
+afternoon he followed the ladies, and at every saloon
+where they held exercises, excepting two where the
+proprietors refused to let him speak, the indecent and
+disgraceful actions of the morning were continued, but
+it seemed as if the ladies only became more fervent
+under such brutal treatment. At Mollenkopf’s this
+man repeated his ribald, blasphemous, brutal harangue,
+while citizens stood horrified all around the square,
+realizing for the first time how degrading, how injurious
+to society, and how dangerous to the best interests of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span>the nation must be a traffic, which had to resort to such
+unparalleled brutality in a vain endeavor to stop a
+band of devout and earnest women from praying and
+singing. Close at hand and supporting Shaw, were
+many of the saloon-keepers, and on the outskirts of
+the crowd was a body of men and boys, many inflamed
+by liquor, cheering, yelling and hallooing when some
+remark unusually brutal, profane or outrageous, fell
+from the lips of this saloon orator, who seemed to think
+he was doing a noble act, in bullying and abusing praying
+women—the teachers of his children in the Sunday-school,
+and the mothers of their companions. At
+Peters &amp; Lauderbach’s the scenes enacted were even
+more disgraceful than before. Not only did Shaw
+repeat his harangue, but, as a most painful variation, a
+woman appeared with two children and some beer,
+and tauntingly gave it to the children to drink in the
+presence of the women who were laboring that those
+children might be preserved from the terrible effects
+of the liquor traffic. (The husband of that woman and
+the father of those two children committed suicide
+several months afterward while in a fit of despondency
+caused by excessive drinking.) She also brought beer
+and gave it to Shaw, and then threw the dregs over
+the band of ladies before her. The saloon-keepers and
+their friends dared any one to attempt to arrest Shaw,
+and the mayor of the town, all the time declaring that
+these violent proceedings must be stopped, never once
+realized that it was his duty to order Shaw to desist
+under penalty of being arrested if he did not. Passing
+from these violent and disorderly scenes the band proceeded
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span>to Thomas Fuhrman’s, where they had always
+been kindly treated, and, as usual, he admitted them
+and then locked the door, and, as one of the ladies reported,
+“enabled them to feel that they were once more
+alone with their God, and to implore Him for strength
+to endure the terrible ordeal to which they were being
+subjected.” Other bands had been visiting other
+saloons, and when they met at the church there was
+an impressive sight not soon nor easy to be forgotten.
+Half the women were in tears at the brutal treatment
+they had experienced, but a more resolute band of
+heroines, a body of women more resolved to hold
+together and continue to the end, it is safe to say were
+never before assembled in Bucyrus. One could realize
+the effect of persecution on the martyrs of old, and
+could plainly see <i>how</i>, as well as understand <i>why</i>, the
+blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church, as he
+looked upon and studied those resolute women and
+heard them speak; yet not a word of anger, not an
+unkind, not an unchristian thought. It was as if each
+now, for the first time, realized the extent of the depravity
+of the saloon business, and was more than ever
+convinced that, before her God, it was her duty to
+labor on to the end.</p>
+
+<p>These are not the speculations or opinions of the
+writer, but the actual facts openly presented, and
+affording material for wonder and astonishment as well
+as for the most earnest thought.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening the usual immense temperance mass-meeting
+was held. The saloonists also held a meeting
+for consultation. On the morning of the 26th, three
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span>large bands of women appeared on the streets, and
+during their exercises the disgraceful scenes of the
+day before were repeated. At noon a warrant was
+issued for Shaw’s arrest, and instructions were given
+that it should be executed in case he did not behave
+himself. Shaw, upon being notified that the mayor
+had issued the warrant with these instructions, decided
+that it was time for him to quit; and in the afternoon,
+when the ladies continued their exercises, the crowds
+who witnessed them were quiet and orderly. In the
+evening the town council held a special meeting, and
+passed a resolution which closed as follows: “We are
+impelled to instruct our executive officer, the mayor,
+to appoint such additional police force, as, in conjunction
+with the marshal, may be necessary, mildly but
+persistently, to prevent any person or persons being for
+any length of time around, about, in, or in front of any
+place of business or private house, within the limits of
+the incorporated village of Bucyrus, Ohio, without consent
+of the owner or occupant of the same, for the
+purpose of singing, praying, or making speeches, or in
+any way annoying the prosecution of any branch of
+business, or disturbing the quiet of any citizen, or impeding
+or interrupting the means of passage upon the
+sidewalks or streets.” The next day the resolution
+and a proclamation by the mayor to the same effect
+was published and circulated throughout the town.
+The women appeared on the streets as usual and issued
+the following:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">
+WOMEN’S PROCLAMATION.
+</p>
+
+<p>“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine
+a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves,
+and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord,
+and against his anointed, <i>saying</i>, Let us break their
+bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
+He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord
+shall have them in derision.” Psalms, chap, ii., v. 1
+to 4.</p>
+
+<p>“And they called them, and commanded them not
+to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But
+Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether
+it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you
+more than unto God, judge ye.” Acts, chap. iv., v.
+18 and 19.</p>
+
+<p>“We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts,
+chap. v., v. 29.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+TO THE PUBLIC.
+</p>
+
+<p>“In the Temperance movement we have undertaken,
+we have had no purpose to violate the laws of
+the State, or interfere with the rights of any citizen.
+We have malice in our hearts toward none, but charity
+for all. We believe we have the right to persuade
+men from strong drink, and to plead with the liquor-seller
+to cease from his traffic. Believing, too, that
+God has called us to the high duty of saving our
+fellow-men, we will not cease to pray and labor to this
+end. It is our solemn purpose, with love in our hearts
+to God and man, to go right forward in the work we
+have undertaken, and if the hand of violence be laid
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span>upon us, we make our humble and confident appeal to
+the God whom we serve, and the laws of the State,
+whose faithful citizens we are.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ “<span class="smcap">Executive Committee.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p>“In behalf of the ladies engaged in the Temperance
+movement, Bucyrus, Ohio, March 27th, 1874.”</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>The mayor, at first, experienced some difficulty in
+obtaining men to serve as a special police, and the
+ladies were pleased to learn of strong remarks made
+by those, who, when offered the position, declined to
+aid the mayor in his dirty work. When the mayor
+announced that the police were not wanted to molest
+the ladies but to protect them, he found no trouble in
+securing men.</p>
+
+<p>Saturday, March 28th, the women were out in full
+force, and also on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
+of the next week, although at times the weather was
+very cold and disagreeable, the authorities making no
+attempt to enforce their resolution. Wednesday
+evening a band of ladies surprised several saloons,
+and caused no little consternation by walking in and
+holding an evening service. At one saloon a number
+of young men and boys were found drinking and
+gambling. Thursday, April 2d, the ladies were encouraged
+by the surrender of J. R. Miller. In the
+afternoon he hung out the white flag, and the ladies
+marched up in full force and held a final meeting in
+front of his establishment. The church-bells were
+rung, and many steam-whistles united to create a jollification.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span>That afternoon they were treated with great
+discourtesy at the saloon of Peters &amp; Lauderbach’s,
+one of the proprietors laying his hands on one of the
+ladies, and, in the admirably chosen words of the
+council resolution, “mildly and persistently” trying to
+make her leave.</p>
+
+<p>Monday, April 6th, was election day. The ladies
+remained at the church all day holding a prayer-meeting,
+and praying most earnestly for the success of the
+temperance ticket, and the defeat of the ticket supported
+by the saloon-keepers and their friends.</p>
+
+<p>It is in order to remark here, that all the outrages
+hitherto committed by the saloonists were in defiance
+of the authorities. The disgraceful scenes of March
+25th and 26th were permitted by the mayor, because
+he supposed he was powerless to stop them. But
+when Shaw was defeated at the Democratic primaries
+for the nomination of Street Commissioner, because he
+had acted in such an outrageous manner; and a strong
+citizens’ movement had been organized, and a citizens’
+ticket nominated, the candidates for the council being
+men who would close the saloons under the law commonly
+called the “McConnelsville Ordinance” (now
+repealed) if they were elected, the authorities who
+were seeking a re-election became alarmed, and they
+would permit no further outrages because they “feared
+the people.” The election, however, resulted in the
+defeat of the temperance ticket, and the mayor and
+council, having been re-elected, had nothing to fear,
+and they permitted their friends, the saloonists, to
+conduct themselves as they pleased. When the result
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span>of the election was known, the whole of the north end
+of town, where most of the saloons are situated, became
+one blaze of excitement, and a perfect saturnalia
+of drunkenness appeared to prevail until midnight.</p>
+
+<p>Tuesday, April 7th, the women appeared on the
+streets, and commenced their exercises. The saloon-keepers
+had hired a travelling brass band of Hessians,
+and when the ladies prayed, the band struck up, but
+the ladies continued their devotions until the melodious
+Hessians were well-nigh exhausted. They then
+followed the weakest band of women from saloon to
+saloon, constantly becoming more and more fagged
+out, while the ladies gained more and more strength.
+At Lindser’s, some miscreant was about to throw a
+hatchet at the ladies, but his arm was caught by Mr.
+Lindser, and he was dragged inside. In the afternoon
+the saloon-keepers rigged up a platform on a wagon,
+hitched four horses to it, and having put the Hessian
+band and representatives from all the saloons (except
+Fuhrman’s and Steinberg’s) upon the platform, they
+drove out to the brewery, and were treated by the
+proprietors to all the beer they could drink. In about
+two hours they appeared on the square, and announced
+they were having a jollification over their victory at
+the election. While they were at the brewery, the
+women left the church in three large bands, and commenced
+their exercises. A dense crowd gathered
+around the little band of heroines who were singing
+and praying in front of Rettig’s. On the doorstep of
+this saloon was a young man, his face flushed with
+liquor, the slobber oozing from his mouth, and a bottle
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span>of whiskey in his hand, from which he occasionally
+took a sup, and he all the time talking blackguard
+slang in German, which the ladies could not understand,
+and jabbering in broken English, to the astonishment
+and disgust of over five hundred people. Seated
+on the steps, in a maudlin, blear-eyed condition of
+drunkenness, was another young man, and every few
+minutes they would drink from the bottle. Here was
+a young man who stood brandishing a bottle of whiskey,
+blaspheming and drinking, the very picture of
+drunken daring, and offering stimulus to the other
+young man, who was too far gone to stand up, and not
+far enough to keel over in a drunken stupor. Near
+him pure and earnest women knelt and prayed, or
+gazed in horror on the hitherto unrevealed depths of
+depravity yawning before them; near by were men
+talking about this frenzied brute having as much right
+to curse, blackguard, and drink as the ladies had to
+cry and sing and pray; while on the outskirts stood a
+dense crowd, receiving the full force of the practical
+temperance lecture presented to them; while the
+young man stood brandishing his bottle, striking the
+thick end violently on the house, blowing a dog-whistle,
+blear-eyed, besotted, staggering and contending for
+the right of such as he to degrade himself. This
+young man followed the ladies around and repeated
+his disgraceful actions at several saloons. When the
+ladies were in front of Mader’s, the wagon-load of
+saloonists appeared, and stopped nearby; the Hessian
+band, by this time nearly exhausted, played as long as
+they could. Then Shaw, who was on the wagon, commenced
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span>a loud and violent harangue, and a disgraceful
+scene of confusion ensued that should be seen only
+to be realized. A wagon-load of men far the worse
+off for liquor, some too drunk to stand, others compelled
+to hold lest they should fall, helping to cause
+all this confusion, because a few weak women dared
+publicly to pray Heaven that the evils of the saloon business
+might be stopped. Witnessing these disgraceful
+scenes at a safe distance, stood prominent
+citizens, who, by their votes the day before, had helped
+create this infernal spectacle, and who, by their sullen
+silence, approved it—men, any one of whom could,
+by a word, have stopped it, and who let it continue.
+The ladies proceeded to Peters &amp; Lauderbach’s, only
+to experience the same treatment, and in addition,
+some of them were drenched with foul water, and the
+disgraceful scenes were continued until they retired to
+the church, having finished the rounds as laid out by
+their committee.</p>
+
+<p>Wednesday, April 8th, the Pilgrims appeared, and
+so did the Hessian band, but the latter were forbidden
+by the mayor from annoying the ladies, and the day
+passed quietly. Every saloon was visited, and the
+crowds who witnessed the exercises kept the best of
+order. Thus the tardy order of Wednesday demonstrated
+who was responsible for the disgraceful disorder
+of Tuesday—not the women, who continued
+their exercises as usual, but they who sought to interrupt
+them, and the guardians of our peace, who permitted
+peace and good order to be sacrificed at the
+expense of their oaths of office and the good name of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span>the town. Thursday, the Hessian band, in some instances,
+was inside the saloons when the ladies approached,
+and they played lustily during their presence
+outside, but there was no excitement, no crowd, and
+no event of special note. In the afternoon the ladies
+entered the store of George Ritz, who endeavored
+violently to eject them, and in closing the door he
+injured one of them so that she could not move her
+arm. Several days afterwards the doctor discovered
+that her shoulder-blade had been broken. She was a
+very frail young lady, the youngest daughter of the
+Baptist minister, Rev. L. G. Leonard, D. D., and the
+accident was very much regretted by Ritz.</p>
+
+<p>About this time the ladies adopted the picket system,
+which consisted in two or more ladies remaining
+in front of a saloon, and taking the names of all who
+entered. The pickets were on duty two hours at a
+time. This system was carried on for several days,
+during which time the bands of ladies continued to
+carry on the work with more or less activity. At
+several of the saloons these pickets were furnished
+with chairs. Some of the ladies on picket duty were
+insulted and subjected to mean remarks made to them
+by coarse and vulgar men.</p>
+
+<p>When the Crusade was inaugurated in Bucyrus,
+petty politicians proclaimed that the ladies had been
+sent out by certain men in order to create an excitement
+by which the spring elections could be carried,
+and they sneeringly declared that as soon as the election
+was over the ladies would discontinue their work.
+But when the women continued their exercises before
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span>the saloons day after day, the saloon-keepers became
+alarmed, for their business had fallen off fully one-half,
+and they demanded of the authorities that the Crusade
+should be stopped. The town council and the mayor,
+having been elected by the saloon-keepers and their
+friends, were their willing tools, and on April 17th, an
+ordinance was passed by which the Crusade could be
+stopped. This ordinance was to take effect May 2d.
+The ladies did not appear disturbed at the prospect
+before them, but continued their work. Union meetings
+were held at the different churches, addresses
+being delivered by prominent workers from all parts
+of the State. Tuesday evening, April 28th, the Ladies’
+Executive Committee met the town council, and explained
+to the members of that body that while they
+could not discontinue their street exercises, it was
+from no want of respect for the council, who represented
+the constituted authority of the town, but
+because they considered themselves conscientiously
+bound to continue, from a sense of duty to a higher
+authority than the town council. The council,
+through the mayor, gave the ladies to understand that
+the ordinance would be enforced and they would be
+arrested. One of the members of the council read to
+the ladies from Romans, 13th chapter, verses 1 and 2:
+“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.
+For there is no power but of God: the powers that be
+are ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth
+the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they
+that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
+One of the ladies turned immediately to the second
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span>chapter of Romans, and read the third verse: “And
+thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do
+such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape
+the judgment of God?” And also verse 21: “Thou
+therefore which teachest another, teachest not thou thyself?
+Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost
+thou steal?” Meanwhile the Christian women were
+fervently in earnest, relying on their own conscientious
+sense of their duty to their God, while the council
+were shamefully determined to cast their whole power
+in favor of drunkenness, crime, systematic violations
+of law, full poor-houses, crowded jails, and overflowing
+penitentiaries, and to crush out temperance, virtue,
+happy homes, and the Christian women who adorn
+them. The women were informed by the Hon. Judge
+Scott, who was a member of the Supreme Court of
+Ohio for fifteen years, that the ordinance was unconstitutional,
+and they were advised to pay no attention
+to it. During the three weeks which intervened between
+April 9th and May 2d, the ladies were permitted
+to continue their exercises; very little attention was
+paid to them by the proprietors of the saloons, and but
+few or no spectators attended them. This profound
+calm continued until Friday night, May 1st, and the
+ordinance was to take effect the next day.</p>
+
+<p>Saturday, May 2d, the town was filled with an
+unusually large crowd; the ladies, having previously
+determined, that, as they seldom appeared on the
+streets Saturdays, they would not go out on the 2d
+day of May. Sunday evening an unusually large
+temperance mass-meeting was held at the Lutheran
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span>Church. Monday morning the weather was inclement
+and very damp, and the ladies did not appear. In the
+afternoon four bands, of about twenty each, left the
+M. E. Church and proceeded to the saloons of Messrs.
+Ritz, Mollenkopf, Hesche, and the Alcorn House, at
+the western side of the public square. At the three
+latter places the exercises were held, and no attention
+was paid to the women. At Ritz’s saloon a large
+crowd collected, and the ladies were well-nigh surrounded,
+but there was no special force or disturbance
+used by the extra police, who were active in keeping
+order, in requesting the women to move on, and in
+taking the names of such as refused, and they succeeded
+in getting all their names. The appearance
+of these four bands on the square at the same time
+and the sound of their voices in singing was unusually
+fine. Passing from the square the four bands proceeded
+to Fulton’s drug store, to Mader’s, and to
+Peters &amp; Lauderbach’s. At Fulton’s the clerk came
+out and commenced to speak roughly, and to push the
+women, when one of the special police immediately
+caused him to desist, and not create confusion. Some
+earnest urging and rather rough handling was experienced
+from some of the other specials, but nothing
+serious, and the exercises proceeded. At Peters &amp;
+Lauderbach’s there was considerable confusion and
+some roughness, but after a short time the ladies held
+their ground and the exercises proceeded. At this
+place, while one of the ladies was kneeling with her
+companions, one of the specials, three several times,
+lifted her up and carried her to the railroad (several
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span>rods from her companions); each time she rebuked
+him in the most earnest terms, and each time returned
+immediately to the band. Finally, her censures
+and rebukes were so earnest that the fellow got
+ashamed of himself, and retired from his post, vowing
+he would make no further attempts to oppose the
+ladies. Thus the noble women went on with their
+good work, and in the evening returned to the church.
+It was a matter of general surprise that no arrests
+were made, but it finally “leaked out” that no provision
+had been made by the council for trying the
+ladies; and in case they demanded a trial by jury, to
+which they would be entitled, the authorities would be
+powerless, for no provision had been made for forming
+a jury. The mayor, therefore, instructed the
+special police, to keep the women “moving” but make
+no arrests.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, Tuesday, May 5th, commonly
+called “Black Tuesday,” by the Crusaders of Bucyrus,
+the pilgrims appeared. A band of them approached
+Ritz’s saloon. Immediately a scene took place that no
+power or words can adequately describe. A swarm
+of specials almost instantly appeared, and when the
+noble women prepared to stop, they were seized, and
+pushed, and pulled, and hustled, and driven, and
+dragged in a most outrageous and brutal manner, until
+they were finally gotten to the pavement in front of
+Morgan’s barber-shop. Here they stood bravely at
+bay, and told the specials that if they intended making
+any arrests they would offer no resistance, but they, the
+specials, had no right to interfere with them or touch
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span>them in any other manner—that Morgan had not ordered
+them away, and they had a right to remain. The
+unfortunate specials, each one, with a few exceptions,
+armed with a regular hickory bludgeon—a sign far
+more of his cowardice than of his authority—realized
+their want of power, and the brave ladies proceeded
+with their exercises. These being concluded, they
+passed on to the adjacent saloon of Mollenkopf’s.
+Here the same scenes of outrageous violence were re-enacted
+with increased brutality: the women were
+pushed, and pulled, and hustled, and dragged, and savagely
+assaulted, and openly abused, with vituperations
+and oaths by wretches who were not worthy to dust
+the shoes of these women. They experienced, literally,
+every indignity but a square blow. Such cowardly
+blows as could be secretly given, seizures and
+violent pushes, amounting in effect to blows, were
+given continually, but the brave band held its ground,
+by retiring from the pavement to the curb in front, and
+then stood at bay and defied the cowards, who, if they
+had any manhood whatever, would have suffered themselves
+blows and kicks without number rather than thus
+to have outraged their manhood by such treatment of
+women. One miserable wretch, who has not done an
+honest day’s work for years, approached two ladies,
+and standing opposite to them, after they had brought
+the specials to bay, and defied them, cursed and blasphemed
+in vindication of his manhood, and said to
+them; “You are a d—d pretty set of Christians, you
+are! you’re a d—d set of hypocrites; that is what you
+are!” Such detestable conduct from a miserable coward,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span>sworn to preserve order, was exceedingly abominable.</p>
+
+<p>While these scenes were being enacted, another
+band of ladies was being treated in the same outrageous
+manner in front of Donnenwrith’s saloon. Citizens
+who expostulated with the ruffians were seized and
+hurried from the crowd. A stranger by the name of
+Furguson, a gentleman from Delaware, Ohio, who
+committed the heinous enormity of saving a lady from
+falling down a cellar, into which she was being pushed
+by one of the mayor’s pets, was taken before that illustrious
+magistrate and fined five dollars. Another brave
+policeman captured a youth of sixteen, and the only
+reason was, the bully wished to arrest some one, and
+young Howenstein was delicate, quiet, and easy to
+take. Still another arrest was made by a special, and
+when he appeared with his prisoner before the mayor,
+the only charge he brought against his man was, “that
+it was Bill Trimble, who was a good temperance man.”
+A young man was struck down with a billy, and the
+blows six times repeated on the nape of the neck, as
+each time he attempted to rise. This act was wanton,
+without any provocation whatever. During that morning,
+at every saloon they visited, these atrocious outrages
+were perpetrated by this band of ruffians, acting
+as a special police, who were, with a few exceptions,
+the “scum” and the “off-scouring” of the community.
+Women were thrown down, were dragged and wrenched
+by brute force from posts and rails to which they clung;
+were seized by ruffians who were intoxicated, and carried
+several rods from their companions. The police
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span>would join hands, and the brutal crowd behind them
+would push, and the power exerted by this solid force
+of men was sufficient to fairly sweep everything before
+them, and they thus succeeded in making the women
+“move on.” All the time these helpless ladies were
+demanding to be arrested if they had done wrong, but
+protesting against such violent treatment, but of no
+avail: at every saloon the same odious acts and detestable
+proceedings were enacted, until the whole town
+trembled on the verge of a bloody riot. A more
+atrocious, abominable, iniquitous series of outrages
+were never offered to ladies; and these the wives,
+daughters, and mothers of the best men of the community!
+suffering such infamous treatment because
+they dared to publicly sing and pray against the evils
+of the liquor traffic.</p>
+
+<p>At noon, citizens appeared before S. S. Caldwell,
+justice of the peace, and entered complaints against
+several of the specials, and warrants were issued for
+their arrest, on charges of assault and battery. In the
+afternoon a test trial was held before the same officer,
+and one of the specials was bound over to appear before
+the grand jury. The editor of the <i>Journal</i>
+earnestly and indignantly remonstrated with the mayor,
+against the acts committed by his specials, and finally
+obtained from that officer the following declaration,
+which he immediately printed and circulated: “My instructions
+to the special police are, to use no violence
+either to the women, or to the men; and, if any such
+violence has been used, I shall instruct the police immediately
+to desist from it.” In consequence of these
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span>instructions and the effect produced by the arrest of
+several specials, the ardor of the willing police was
+cooled, and the afternoon passed without any further
+disturbance, except in front of Shaw’s. This man,
+who is a sensible, orderly citizen, when sober, was inflamed
+with liquor; he had just opened a new saloon,
+and was most indecent in his treatment of the ladies.
+He told them in plain terms, in a violent harangue,
+that they were no better that the vilest women of the
+street, whereupon, Mr. Furney, a livery-stable-keeper,
+of Mansfield, who had a wife and daughter among the
+Crusaders of that place, caused him immediately to
+“take it back,” which Shaw did. Excepting this indecent
+insult, the afternoon passed without any serious
+disturbance.</p>
+
+<p>Wednesday, May 6th, large crowds followed the
+women, but the best of order prevailed, and they were
+permitted to continue their exercises free from insult
+or injury, save at the saloon of Peters &amp; Lauderbach.
+The wives of these men had prepared for the ladies,
+and in some cases literally drenched them with water.
+Some of the citizens, indignant at such treatment,
+could hardly be restrained from sacking the house;
+but prominent men interfered, better counsels prevailed,
+and the excitement subsided. Thursday, Van
+Amburgh’s show exhibited in Bucyrus, and the ladies
+did not appear on the streets. In the evening the
+council passed two ordinances to amend and correct
+the deficiencies of the former ordinance, which two
+were to take effect on the 18th day of May, and until
+that day the ladies continued their work, no further
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span>obstacles being placed in their way by the authorities.
+The women desired to test the ordinance by a trial,
+and having retained Judge Scott to defend them, they
+discontinued their work in front of the saloons for a
+few days, because the judge could not devote his time
+to their case until court, which was then in session,
+adjourned. During the next ten days they held religious
+exercises in front of business establishments, in
+different quarters of the town, permission having been
+obtained of the owners. The ladies presented a very
+fine Bible to Mr. Harvey E. Morgan, a colored barber,
+for kindly permitting them to remain in front of his
+shop, and continue their exercises on Tuesday, May
+5th, after they had been swept from the pavement in
+front of Ritz’s, by the overpowering force of the
+brutal police. Having granted them permission to
+hold a prayer-meeting on his pavement, he was seriously
+injured in his business by twenty-five of his
+customers removing their shaving-mugs from his
+shop.</p>
+
+<p>The street work was all but discontinued, and many
+of the ladies had virtually abandoned the work as
+hopeless; but they desired to place the responsibility
+where it belonged—with the town council; and on
+Monday, June 1st, they renewed their exercises in
+front of the saloons, having, since May 18th, held exercises
+at the most public places of the town, and all
+around the saloons, without creating any disturbance
+whatever, and, therefore, demonstrated that street-praying
+and singing, in and of itself, did not cause any
+disturbance. In the evening they visited Lindser’s,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span>who was evidently completely taken by surprise, and
+exclaimed, somewhat roughly, in effect, if not in words,
+“See here! Get out of this! I thought this thing was
+played out. I won’t have you here.” The ladies
+moved to the edge of the sidewalk, and finished their
+exercises, and proceeded to Jahn’s, Rettig’s, and then
+to Shaw’s, who commenced with his usual ruffian indecency,
+and a large and disorderly crowd commenced
+to assemble. A scene of intense excitement and
+confusion immediately took place. The ladies were
+violently interrupted. The indecent crowd, whose
+faces had become familiar to them, began to jostle and
+jam and swear and riot in the old style. Shaw ordered
+the ladies away, and, as they did not go, he proceeded
+to take their names. The ladies continued
+their exercises, subject to these interruptions, and
+retired to the church.</p>
+
+<p>Shaw complained to the mayor, and the following
+indictment was preferred against Mrs. Trimble, one
+of the ladies:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="center">
+AFFIDAVIT.
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span class="smcap">The State of Ohio</span>, Crawford County, <i>ss</i>.<br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 0em;">Incorporated Village of Bucyrus.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p>Before me, James M. Van Voorhis, Mayor of said incorporated
+village of Bucyrus aforesaid, personally appeared William R. Shaw,
+who being duly sworn, according to law, deposeth and says, that
+on the first day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand
+eight hundred and seventy-four, at and within the incorporated
+village of Bucyrus, aforesaid, one Kate Trimble, then and there
+being, upon one of the streets of said incorporated village, did then
+and there, unlawfully and wilfully disturb the peace and quiet of
+said village, and the citizens thereof, by then and there unlawfully
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span>and wilfully hallooing, vociferating and singing upon the said street
+of said village, in violation of section three of an ordinance of said
+incorporated village, entitled: an ordinance to preserve good order
+within the limits of Bucyrus, and prevent annoyance to business,
+disorderly conduct, noise and disturbance within said village,
+passed April 17th, 1874.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ W. R. SHAW.
+</p>
+
+<p>Sworn to before me, and subscribed in my presence by William
+R. Shaw, this 1st day of June, 1874.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ J. M. VAN VOORHIS. [Seal.]
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Mrs. Trimble appeared before the mayor, and by
+her counsel demanded a trial by jury. The case was
+adjourned until Wednesday afternoon, in order that
+the necessary arrangements might be made, and then
+readjourned until Thursday morning. The mayor,
+after considerable hesitation and parleying, consented
+to hold the trial in the court-room, in order that all
+who desired might attend. Thursday morning the
+jury was formed, and the trial began. It extended
+through three days, and was a perfect farce, committed
+in the name of justice. Throughout the trial the corrupt
+mayor, by his partial decisions and the most
+unjust rulings, aided his friends, the saloon-keepers,
+to the full extent of his power. The jury was packed,
+and everything else had been arranged for the conviction
+of Mrs. Trimble. Friday afternoon Judge Scott
+delivered a very long and able speech in behalf of the
+ladies. Saturday afternoon the jury rendered a verdict
+of guilty, and Mrs. Trimble was fined $15 and
+costs, amounting to $100 more; (this was paid by the
+Men’s League.)</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span></p>
+
+<p>The counsel for the ladies filed a bill of exceptions
+to several of the rulings of the mayor, and upon being
+carried to the Supreme Court, the decisions were
+reversed, and a new trial granted. Owing to the
+crowded condition of the docket of the Supreme Court
+of Ohio, this case was not reached until several months
+afterwards, and a new trial was not pressed, but the
+case was dropped. After the verdict was rendered,
+Mrs. Trimble refused to pay the fine, and refused to
+take security, which was offered by several, preferring
+to go to jail. She was advised to do this by a number
+of the ladies, but their counsel protested against such
+a course, and the security was accepted by her, and
+she was discharged. A number of the ladies were in
+favor of continuing the work, and suffering the penalty,
+but they were advised by prominent temperance men
+that it would be useless, and the street work was discontinued.
+The ladies still continue their union temperance
+prayer-meetings, and are waiting and praying
+for the time when every knee shall bow to, and every
+tongue proclaim the glory of their great Leader—Emanuel.</p>
+
+<p>Although but three years have passed since the
+ladies of Bucyrus were so shamefully treated for praying
+that the saloons might be closed, three of those
+saloon-keepers have passed to another world. One
+died from old age; another was thrown from his wagon
+and sustained injuries which caused his death a few
+days afterwards; the third, while under the influence
+of liquor, committed suicide by shooting himself
+through the brain and heart. Shaw, who abused the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span>ladies so terribly, signed the pledge during the Murphy
+movement, and has since that time been a new
+man.</p>
+
+<p>Our ladies have discontinued their “street” work,
+but their prayers have never ceased to ascend to the
+God who preserved his chosen people for forty years
+in the wilderness, until he finally permitted them to
+enter the land of promise. The liquor-dealers are
+more powerful, more corrupt, and more defiant than
+ever before; but the “soul” of the Crusade is “marching
+on,” and it will continue to march on, until every
+saloon and brewery and distillery in the nation has
+been closed, and America is free from the terrible
+curse of intoxicating liquors.</p>
+
+<p>In connection with the disgraceful scenes which the
+impartial historian has been forced to record in the
+history of the work at Bucyrus, I desire to call attention
+to the subject of European emigration and the liquor
+traffic, discussed in another chapter.</p>
+
+<p>The liquor traffic is mainly in the hands of a degraded
+criminal class of foreigners—a class who,
+although clothed with the rights and privileges of
+citizenship, are enemies, open and defiant, to American
+institutions and usages, and noted for lawlessness. As
+a class, they are criminals and criminal-makers.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ELYRIA_OHIO">
+ ELYRIA, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The following facts were furnished by the Society,
+through Mrs. S. C. Ely:</p>
+
+<p>The great temperance wave that swept over Ohio
+reached Elyria, on the evening of March 5th, 1874.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span>An enthusiastic mass-meeting was held, and an appointment
+for a meeting of the women of the place
+was made for the next morning at the Presbyterian
+Church. The large edifice was well filled, and an
+attentive audience was addressed by a lady from
+Cleveland, and other speakers.</p>
+
+<p>The women of our staid little town were moved as
+never before. They had hitherto obeyed most faithfully
+the apostolic injunction to “keep silence in the
+churches;” but the flood-gates were about to give
+way. Lips were unsealed on that occasion; voices
+were consecrated to the cause of truth that still ring
+out in its defence with no uncertain sound.</p>
+
+<p>Among those present were many who had borne
+the heavy yoke imposed by intemperance, and touching
+were their appeals for help against their mighty
+foe.</p>
+
+<p>All the strong woman-heart responded in the solemn
+affirmative to the question, “Shall we organize a
+Woman’s Temperance League in Elyria?” To many
+the answer contained the martyr’s heroic decision, so
+repugnant seemed the warfare; but the unwillingness
+to meet the solemn duty of the hour was still more
+awful.</p>
+
+<p>An organization was effected, and seventy names
+secured. Encouraged by able and devoted Christian
+pastors, the movement was baptized in prayer, and
+has ever since held on by the same strong arm for
+its support.</p>
+
+<p>At the opening of the Crusade there were sixteen
+saloons, one brewery, and four drug stores where
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span>liquor could be purchased, in Elyria. The first visit
+was made to the druggists, and after a few days the
+names of the four were enrolled on a stringent druggists’
+temperance pledge.</p>
+
+<p>On March 9th the first saloon was visited. A procession,
+consisting of seventy-five ladies, passed slowly
+along our principal streets, two by two, producing a
+solemn spectacle, watched by many with uncovered
+heads and tearful eyes. It was decided to visit first the
+largest and strongest fortress of the enemy, and as the
+long company filed into the bar-room the interest became
+intense. All was quiet at our approach, and even
+solemnly did the landlord and his wife receive us.
+After permission to hold religious services, which was
+always gained before proceeding in our exercises, the
+whole band broke forth into the hymn, “Nearer, my
+God, to Thee.”</p>
+
+<p>The contrasting scenes served to give a fresh meaning
+to the words, throwing them into bold relief, and
+thus aptly expressing the old conflict between good
+and evil. Prayers, earnest and full of inspiration, followed;
+and argument and entreaty were used. Then
+began the pleas so constantly put forward afterwards:
+debt, the necessity of continuance in the business for
+the support of the family, overtures to sell out at fabulous
+prices—till it began to seem that the Crusade
+might be turned into a vast relief agency for the benefit
+of bankrupt saloonists.</p>
+
+<p>That March afternoon witnessed the same long file
+wending its way down the principal street, filling another
+saloon with sacred influences, and raising the look
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span>of wonder and awe in faces unused to praise. At last
+the bolted doors of two saloons in close proximity demanded
+the necessity for services upon the steps. A
+crowd gathered eagerly around the band, hymns were
+sung, and in that bleak March air, prayers went up for
+the inmates of those saloons. Pledges were afterwards
+circulated among the crowd, and many names
+secured. Earnest appeals were made to all, and a
+solemn influence was felt, as if Heaven were very near.
+One more saloon visited, and the first day of the Crusade
+was over.</p>
+
+<p>The opposing forces were now fairly met, and their
+strength vaguely measured.</p>
+
+<p>From this time on, for six weeks, two daily prayer-meetings
+were held, from which committees went forth
+to plead, with prayer, song, and argument, with the
+men who dealt out these destructive drinks.</p>
+
+<p>Evening visitations were often conducted. Quietly
+but suddenly a band of women would stand in the
+midst of drunken revelry; the coarse, brutal jeer
+only stimulated the women to greater effort, and made
+them feel the full force of the giant evil they were combating;
+and deeper grew the power and solemnity of
+their appeal to God, that He would exorcise this fearful
+demon, and restore order and beauty to His creation.</p>
+
+<p>Many touching remarks were made among the bystanders
+at the saloons. Said one man: “Men have
+worked forty years to accomplish what women, aided
+by the Spirit of God, have done in one month.” Another:
+“Oh! that they had begun this movement ten
+years ago—before I was bankrupt in body and soul,”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span>And often from fevered lips a murmured “God bless
+you!” gave a fresh impulse to effort.</p>
+
+<p>After three weeks of constant labor, the first surrender
+was effected. Solemnly was the name written
+to the dealers’ pledge, followed by prayers within and
+ringing of bells without, while “Praise God from whom
+all blessings flow,” broke forth spontaneously as the
+beer was poured into the gutter. Another dealer, at
+the same time, signed the pledge for three months, but
+soon after sent word he would sign it for life. The
+full force of the Crusade, one hundred and twenty-five
+ladies, met him and received his final pledge. In the
+general enthusiasm, amid a great throng, the barrels
+were rolled into the gutter, while “Glory, Hallelujah!”
+filled the air. Following this, an aged lady, whose life
+has been an intellectual, and a spiritual benediction to
+this people from their earliest days, offered prayer.</p>
+
+<p>Being small of stature, a pulpit was quickly improvised
+from a beer barrel, and never did priestly altar
+serve a grander purpose. Her spiritual face and form
+lifted above the crowd, with outstretched arms, as if
+accepting the opportunity as the crowning gift of a
+long and useful life, she gave utterance to one of
+those inspired petitions that have their birth in a moment
+of spiritual exaltation. The troubled sea before
+her seemed to feel a divine influence, and to hear the
+voice saying: “Peace! be still!”</p>
+
+<p>Yet other victories were gained, until eight saloons
+had closed their doors.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, no stone was left unturned in the
+great struggle. Campaigns, flank movements, military
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span>stratagems and surprises, worthy of the brain of a Von
+Moltke, were planned and executed. The Catholic
+priest and the two German pastors were visited and
+appealed to for their influence in their different
+churches. They were all interested in the success
+of the cause, but were not quite sure of the means
+used, nor of the propriety of removing a temptation,
+which, in the mind of one of them, had a divine origin.</p>
+
+<p>German citizens were visited, and a commingling of
+nationalities took place never before known, and
+though much antagonism was created, each learned
+to view the situation from the other’s standpoint more
+clearly than ever before, and to make allowance for
+difference of opinion.</p>
+
+<p>To the question of an intelligent German saloonist,
+“Why should the women of America feel more on this
+subject than the women of Germany?” the answer
+was made, “In your country men and women alike are
+under one central power—one emperor controls you
+both. Here <i>you</i> are all emperors, while <i>our</i> part in
+this great government is simple obedience. Now there
+is one right we women <i>must</i> be allowed, and that is, to
+see to it as far as we can, that you carry a clear brain
+and a true heart along with this power.”</p>
+
+<p>The McConnelsville ordinance prohibiting the sale
+of ale, beer and wine by the glass, was passed March
+28th, creating much irritation, for though not directly
+the work of the Crusade, it was charged to it, and the
+saloonists intrenched themselves behind what legal
+rights they had left, more strongly than ever, and for a
+time, visiting saloons seemed powerless for good.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span></p>
+
+<p>At this period our membership amounted to 209;
+114 calls had been made, and 519 signatures to the
+pledge had been secured.</p>
+
+<p>April 29th marks a golden day in our calendar, for
+that evening, Temperance Hall, an old saloon which
+had been fitted up attractively with pictures, papers,
+magazines and a musical instrument, was dedicated
+as a home for those we had rescued, and a rallying
+point for ourselves, the crystallization of our work.
+Here, for two months, a meeting for prayer and business
+was held every afternoon, and from them, bands
+were sent forth to visit. A committee for each week
+provided for the evening’s entertainment of music,
+readings, etc., and during the summer the hall was
+liberally patronized. A prayer-meeting was also sustained
+here during the entire year on Saturday eve.
+Saloon hours were observed, and many a young man
+was brought under religious influences, and signed the
+pledge and dates the new life from those days.</p>
+
+<p>The McConnelsville ordinance being manifestly disregarded
+and disorder prevailing, these earnest workers
+felt they could not give up the ground they had so
+courageously fought for, and began the arduous and
+unpleasant duties of “picketing.” This proving very
+exasperating to many in our community, all objectionable
+features were removed, and a “visitation” was
+substituted by which bands would ask admittance to
+the saloons, and, if allowed, would remain many hours
+in conversation with the saloonist and his friends,
+urging the great duty of the hour. Many times, it is
+true, he would retaliate, and ladies found themselves
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span>prisoners, but always employed the time to the best
+advantage. Persecution also showed itself at Temperance
+Hall; stones were thrown into the room
+through the windows, and angry crowds collected at
+the doors.</p>
+
+<p>On June 2d, the Lorain County Temperance Society
+was organized at a lively meeting held in Elyria of
+representatives of nearly all the towns in the county,
+and continues a vigorous organization. Reports
+showed that twenty-one out of the thirty-nine saloons
+in the county had been closed. At this time a county
+visitation was provided for, Elyria being assigned six
+towns to visit before the August election for the new
+State constitution, with a license clause to be added
+or rejected. Thirty meetings were held in the different
+towns and school districts, addressed mostly by women,
+though often carrying ballast in the form of minister
+or lawyer, (more often one who combined all the professions,)
+to satisfy the shrewd farmers, incredulous of
+the mental capacity of women to expound the weightier
+points of the law.</p>
+
+<p>Visitation from house to house was kept up for
+many weeks previous to the election, and in the house
+and by the wayside, much temperance seed was sown.
+The result, so well known, strengthened the hearts of
+the laborers.</p>
+
+<p>The Elyria <i>Republican</i>, one of the best weekly
+papers in northern Ohio, and a sterling advocate for
+the temperance cause, was started in October, 1874,
+and grew out of the Woman’s Crusade. The order
+from the Lake Shore Railroad Company prohibiting
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span>their employés entering a saloon, was the result of the
+temperance agitation of northern Ohio.</p>
+
+<p>During the ensuing winter of 1874-75, the spirit
+of work being upon us, but laws unobserved, and
+public sentiment unfavorable to direct temperance
+effort, a Relief Committee for the poor of our place
+was added to our League. The town was districted
+and thoroughly visited. The sum of $358.11 was
+raised, besides numerous articles of comfort contributed
+and distributed among our poor, with the exception
+of $63.47 sent to the relief of Kansas sufferers.</p>
+
+<p>A large and commodious room was secured in
+place of the old one, and occupied April 1st, 1875,
+and Temperance Hall still continues to be an important
+institution in our midst. A Tuesday afternoon
+prayer and business meeting is always held there, and
+so much of importance requires attention on these
+occasions, that three hours are often spent by the
+faithful ones, who never fail to attend.</p>
+
+<p>The Temperance Lyceum, composed of sixty-seven
+young people, often attracting many more to their
+lively debates and entertainments, on Tuesday evening
+of each week, is the most hopeful feature of the winter
+of 1875-76. A jail visitation has also been added
+to our work during the past winter, from which reports
+have been of deep interest.</p>
+
+<p>And now, as we cast our eyes over the years, we
+miss the beloved faces of many who started with us in
+this work. The patriarch whose constant presence
+and prayers at our meetings were a ceaseless benediction;
+the voice, sweetest of all in its pleading tones
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span>for the right, now caught up into the angel choir; the
+aged mothers in Israel who led in feeble strains our
+earthly petitions, now strong in the life above, and,
+with the door scarce closed between us, the man of
+God, who strengthened us by every good word and
+work—“All folded their pale hands so meekly,”
+“Spake with us on earth no more.”</p>
+
+<p>And our work—what shall we say of that? To the
+superficial view the result is humiliatingly meagre.
+Broken promises lie scattered along the past, thick as
+dead leaves in autumn; friends grown cold and faithless,
+enemies defiant and triumphant.</p>
+
+<p>But to the vision opened by faith a fairer view is revealed.
+In that unseen realm, where every true
+prayer here, sparkles with its own divine radiance, and
+every struggle for God and humanity is wrought into
+beauteous form and color; there may we see, undimmed
+by the mists of earth, the glorious fabric we
+have helped to weave.</p>
+
+<p>Let us then be up and doing, and by all the experience
+of the past two years—richest of our lives—and
+by the memory of our cherished dead, renew our vows
+and clasp hands again for the work, as long as a
+brother man lies in the sepulchre of drunken degradation,
+and we have power from God to work.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ATHENS_OHIO">
+ ATHENS, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Miss Helen Walker for the
+following facts: The temperance wave touched our
+place on the evening of February 4th, when in a little
+company of Christians, a letter from McArthur was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span>read, speaking of the work there, and urging the
+women of Athens to attempt a similar one here.</p>
+
+<p>A prayer-meeting was appointed for eight o’clock
+the following morning, to which came a number of
+earnest women, and a few men ready to encourage
+them. Women came who knew what it was to see
+loved ones cast away strength, and talents, and all
+fear of God, and lie down in a drunkard’s grave; and
+women came, who in secret, with tears, had been crying:
+“How long, O Lord?”</p>
+
+<p>Since the commencement of this work, an aged
+mother in Israel has often remarked: “No one knows
+how the evil of intemperance has burdened my heart
+during the past winter. Though not suffering from it
+in my own family, yet to see so many young men
+yielding to its influence made one tremble for the future
+of our country. Oh! how many nights I have
+besought God to stay this evil. There were times
+when I could pray for nothing else.”</p>
+
+<p>No doubt other Christians in our land had this subject
+pressed home to their hearts in the same way,
+and the foundations of this wide-spread temperance
+revival lies in such prayers.</p>
+
+<p>Well, the women who met on that morning of
+February 5th, 1874, organized their meeting, chose
+President, Vice-President, and Secretary, drew up
+pledges, and talked of the work before them. But
+beyond all that they cried to the Lord their God, and
+set themselves to walk carefully before Him, and seek
+His guidance. Other prayer-meetings followed until
+the day fixed upon for going forth to the saloons.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span>Ah! then there was sinking of heart, and shrinking
+and trembling.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of the 10th of February they signified,
+by rising to their feet, their willingness to go
+forth. How weak they felt, yet how courageous, and
+what a <i>strange</i> courage is that which accompanied
+trembling limbs and tear-bedimmed eyes. Then was
+illustrated Paul’s paradox, “When I am weak, then am
+I strong.” But with some the shrinking so prevailed
+over faith, that they went not up to the battle in the
+beginning. With slow steps and prayerful hearts
+they left the church, after joining in the solemn hymn:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“A charge to keep I have,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">A God to glorify.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>They walked under a heavy burden that morning, but
+trusting in the Lord, they went forth feeling in their
+souls, that “He had sounded forth the trumpet which
+should never call retreat.”</p>
+
+<p>Three saloons were visited, but no signatures obtained,
+but an unseen Leader strengthened their
+hearts. One of the number said, “When I first opened
+my lips to pray, my heart grew light, and never before
+did I experience such a sacred nearness to God.”</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon the band increased in numbers,
+and they visited five places, still no signatures. The
+following day, February 11th, five saloons in the edge
+of town were visited, and one signature obtained on
+the dealers’ pledge; at the end of the week three
+druggists and two dealers had signed the pledges
+presented to them; a third dealer had given his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span>promise not to sell, and a fourth had closed his saloon.
+These two names were afterwards placed upon the
+pledge.</p>
+
+<p>During the next week prayer-meetings were held
+in four different saloons, which also had been visited
+the previous week. Two saloons closed this week,
+one saloonist putting his name on the pledge. On
+Friday, February 27th, one dealer signed the dealers’
+pledge, and the personal pledge for one year. The
+following Monday, March 2d, still <i>another</i> dealer
+signed. No name was obtained from <i>this</i> time until
+three weeks had elapsed, but on the afternoon of
+March 25th the last druggist signed the pledge, and
+our work seemed drawing to a close. But much yet
+remained to be done to give permanence to what had
+been already accomplished, and to crown the work
+with complete success.</p>
+
+<p>But still they keep praying for those who had
+agreed not to sell or drink intoxicating liquors. They
+were often remembered in prayer by name, that God
+would keep them faithful to their pledges.</p>
+
+<p>One day when the workers were gathered in a
+place which seemed strange and unfamiliar, one of our
+number spoke In these words: “Ever since I engaged
+in this work I have seemed to see before me my
+Saviour hanging on the cross. I see Him with His
+bowed head, suffering, dying for me, and I want you
+all, with me, to think of this when our work seems
+heavy to us, and the way grows weary. He has done
+so much for us, let us do somewhat for Him.” After
+that sweet appeal their hearts burned within them,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span>and did they not draw nearer to the dear cross? At
+other times, when the flesh was weary, and faith
+drooped, how a few words from the Bible would cheer
+them! “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from
+whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the
+Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord shall
+preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, from this
+time forth even forever more.”</p>
+
+<p>Time would fail to recall the many incidents and
+memories connected with this work. We have been
+more than repaid for all our weariness and anxiety, by
+our sweet Christian communion with each other, and
+with Jesus, and by seeing this cause, which is of the
+Lord, prospering, and we pray that he will still carry it
+on to a sure completion.</p>
+
+<p>Laura Ballard adds the following:</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade work in our town was characterized
+by great earnestness and spirituality; and those of us
+who were engaged in it will never cease to thank the
+Lord for the part we were permitted to take in it.
+The sin of intemperance is very far from being done
+away with in our town; but when some sneeringly tell
+us, “the woman’s work did no good, things are worse
+than before,” we can only say, we don’t understand
+just how, and why it is; but we <i>know</i> that, that work
+was of the Lord, and we were called to it, and the
+Lord never makes mistakes.</p>
+
+<p>A temperance prayer-meeting has been kept up
+ever since that time, and is now well attended. We
+meet during the warm weather at eight <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span>, on Friday
+morning. It is cheering to see twelve or fourteen
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span>mothers and housekeepers lay aside their morning
+work for an hour of earnest pleading with the Lord
+for a blessing on those who never pray for themselves.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="COLUMBUS_OHIO">
+ COLUMBUS, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The gospel wave of temperance had cleared many
+of the villages of Ohio of rum, before the larger
+towns engaged in the movement. The work in the
+cities was undertaken with many misgivings. The
+saloons were so numerous, and the foreign population
+so large, and because of appetite, or interest so identified
+with the liquor business, that many worthy
+Christian people advised against saloon visitation. A
+mob and bloodshed might be the result.</p>
+
+<p>But in Columbus, Ohio, the women met daily to
+counsel with each other, and to pray. And on the 3d
+of March, while at prayer, in the First Presbyterian
+Church, the baptism of the Holy Spirit came down
+upon them, and fifty women, consecrated to God and
+His work, rose from their knees and marched forth
+from the church to the saloons. Not, however, till
+they set the great bell, hanging in the steeple, to
+ringing.</p>
+
+<p>The tolling of the bell attracted the attention of the
+people, and the news that the women had begun a
+Crusade against rum, spread like a flash, and in a few
+moments vast crowds of people were following them.</p>
+
+<p>After visiting the principal hotels and saloons, they
+returned to the church, and a rousing prayer-meeting
+followed. Many who had not been accustomed to
+hear the gospel, were there to listen to the songs and
+prayers.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span></p>
+
+<p>The next day the number of Crusaders had increased
+to three hundred, and there was great enthusiasm
+among the better class of people. As the women
+slowly filed out of the Presbyterian Church, many of
+the church-bells were rung. Thousands of people
+lined the streets, and many a “<i>God bless you</i>” followed
+them. But the German beer-dealers were very angry,
+and were determined to break the matter up, or turn
+it to ridicule, if possible.</p>
+
+<p>One saloon-keeper had provided a brass band, and
+when the ladies appeared before his saloon, the band
+struck up, “Shoo, fly, don’t bother me,” and many of
+the drunken roughs joined, with inharmonious voices.
+But the ladies, not the least disconcerted, sang one of
+their sweet gospel songs; and many a tear was
+brushed away from manly cheeks, as amid the jargon
+they lifted their gentle voices to God in supplication
+for these wretched lost ones, who gloried in their
+shame. The band, however, changed to “Home,
+sweet home,” and they were followed by laughter and
+jeers, as they moved away.</p>
+
+<p>The saloon-keepers rallied their forces. Their
+wretched victims, crawled out of their dens, to join in
+the hooting and howling with which they greeted the
+purest and best women of the city, and mock prayer-meetings
+were held, after which beer was freely dispensed,
+without pay. It was evident that Satan’s kingdom
+was stirred, and a strong stand would be made
+against the Crusaders.</p>
+
+<p>Passing through Columbus, about this time, I caught
+a little of the spirit of the movement, and heard many
+interesting facts.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span></p>
+
+<p>A Boston gentleman, who boarded the train at
+Columbus, but who looked back wistfully as we moved
+out of the city, told me that he went there prejudiced
+against the whole movement. He could not reconcile
+it with his ideas of social propriety, or womanly delicacy.
+But curiosity led him to their meetings, and he had
+followed them, day after day, through the streets, till
+all his prejudices were gone. It had given him a new
+view of Christianity, as an aggressive power against
+sin. He never had been so impressed with gospel
+truth in all his life, as in these meetings held in the
+streets and saloons. The solemnity of the judgment
+day rested down upon the masses of the people:
+others acted as if possessed with devils.</p>
+
+<p>It was an awfully solemn sight, to see arrayed on
+the one side, the best and truest Christian women of
+the city, with earnest, solemn faces bending in prayer,
+and appealing in gentle, eloquent words to God, in
+behalf of those who reviled them, and who were ruining
+their homes and their city; while, on the other
+side, men of avarice leered at them from behind their
+counters, and the bleared and bloated victims of rum,
+with the leprosy of sin written all over their faces,
+mocked at the truths which alone could save them
+from a drunkard’s grave and a drunkard’s hell.</p>
+
+<p>“With all my prejudices against women speaking
+and praying,” said he, “it didn’t take me long to determine
+which side I would take. I have stayed a week
+here, since getting through with business, to enjoy the
+Crusade, and marvel at the wonderful works of God.
+<i>Thank God for the Crusade!</i>” he added, reverently.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span></p>
+
+<p>A German, who had listened with unconcealed interest,
+now broke in upon the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>“You b’lieves in dem Crusaders? I dinks dem
+vimins has besser be at home mit der chil’ren. I has
+von goot frien’ in Columbus, and dese vimins spile
+hees pisness entirely already. Mine frien’ is von nice
+man, has much riches already, and von fine house and
+carriage, and everyding so nice. But dese vimins
+come so much singin’ and brayin’, and so much foolishness,
+that he loses much money already, and dey
+most set him crazy mit der brayin’.”</p>
+
+<p>“What business is your friend in?” I inquired.</p>
+
+<p>“He keeps von nice lager peer saloon.”</p>
+
+<p>“How is it that he loses money? The women don’t
+take it.”</p>
+
+<p>“He give away so much peer already to get the
+peoples to come dere and drink, so that the vimins will
+be ’fraid, and go way purty soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“The women don’t want him to give away his
+beer.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, dey rob him; dey trive the people from der
+schop.”</p>
+
+<p>“How many horses and drays were sold, and how
+many women and children did he rob, that he might
+buy a carriage?”</p>
+
+<p>He took the hint immediately, and spoke up with
+some spirit—</p>
+
+<p>“Dat is dere pisness. He dakes gare of hees own
+wife and chil’ren.”</p>
+
+<p>“And these women are taking care of their business
+and their families, by breaking up his trade.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Dis is von strange countre—I never vonce see
+vimins do zat in Schermany. Zis is no free countre
+any more. Good-day, madame, I goes into de schmoking-car.”</p>
+
+<p>It was very evident that the mass of ladies and gentlemen
+near us were in sympathy with the Crusaders,
+from the undisguised pleasure they took in the hasty
+withdrawal of the knight of the beer mug. I saw his
+face no more.</p>
+
+<p>On the 20th of March two or three hundred of the
+women of Columbus, marched in a procession to the
+State Capitol, and held a meeting in the rotunda.</p>
+
+<p>The members of both houses left their seats, and
+stood reverently, with uncovered heads, during this
+meeting. The women were preparing for a struggle
+that they foresaw would come, and they went to their
+work boldly. A bill was introduced in the legislature
+to protect the sale of ale and beer.</p>
+
+<p>The women met it with counter-petitions, and mass-meetings.
+Delegations came from all the neighboring
+towns, and the capitol building was crowded during
+every session with the friends and enemies of temperance.
+It was a hand-to-hand fight with the rum power,
+and the women gained the victory.</p>
+
+<p>On the 18th of April they had the satisfaction, after
+the midnight hour, of seeing the legislature adjourn
+without doing anything in the interest of rum.</p>
+
+<p>Columbus contains a large foreign element, and the
+work was, therefore, the more difficult and dangerous:
+the men hooted, blasphemed, and even spit upon the
+kneeling women. While the women were at prayer,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span>before a saloon, one day, a German shouldered a keg
+of beer, and marched through the prayer-circle, and
+the men and boys set up an unearthly shouting and
+screaming. But good results followed: several saloons
+closed out business, and liquors of all kinds were banished
+from the Union Depot; many men reformed, and
+many citizens signed the pledge, among them James
+G. Bull, mayor of the city. At a State dinner, soon
+after, where every luxury was provided, wine was banished;
+such was the advance made in public sentiment.
+A State dinner without wine would not have
+been thought possible before the Crusade. And so
+the women work on, looking for the time when complete
+victory shall crown their efforts.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="VAN_WERT_OHIO">
+ VAN WERT, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work began about the 10th of March, 1874.</p>
+
+<p>The following officers were chosen: President,
+Mother Webster; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Elcock, Mrs.
+Hines, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Sevinford, Mrs. Richey;
+Secretary, Mrs. M. J. McFadden; Executive Committee,
+Mrs. M. M. Minger, Mrs. M. Harnly.</p>
+
+<p>The Spirit of the Lord seemed to move upon the
+hearts of the women. A meeting was called to be
+held at the M. E. Church. I doubt whether any one
+had any definite plan in view.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dr. Hines (one of the faithful workers), in
+relating her experience of those days, says: “I heard
+of the meeting, felt quite undecided about going; but
+I felt a restlessness, and could not be satisfied to stay
+at home. I took my seat in the back part of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span>church, thinking I would not say a word. Very soon
+some one called out, ‘There is Mrs. Hines: let us
+hear what she thinks of this movement;’ and then,
+without a moment’s hesitation, I said, ‘I thought the
+work would be a success, that God was about to answer
+the prayers of those crushed women and children,
+who had felt the power of the demon drink so
+long, through those that should have been their protectors;
+and from that day to this the work of the
+Crusade has been dear to my heart.’ Another says:</p>
+
+<p>“As for myself, I remember well when I first heard
+the work talked off. I thought if it ever came here, I
+would do all that I could, <i>quietly</i>, so that it would not
+be noticed; but firmly determined in my own mind
+that I never would go into a saloon to pray, nor go
+out upon the streets, under any circumstances, or
+appear in public, but would be a silent worker. But
+nothing could make me believe that the Crusade was
+not the direct power of God upon the hearts of His
+children. The work was inaugurated at that first
+meeting I spoke of, and almost before I had time
+to think, I was addressing an audience of hundreds.
+God gave me power, and for a year, with others, I
+went to different places in the country helping to defeat
+<i>license</i>. Ohio gained this victory through the
+Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>“Although of a very delicate constitution, I, with my
+sisters, went through mud and slush, standing or
+kneeling in the snow, going to meetings night after
+night, visiting saloons in the daytime, and through it
+all, and all the opposition, God preserved us by His
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span>mighty power, and to His name be all the glory. After
+a while the number thinned, until but the faithful few
+remained. Our prayer-meetings have been kept up
+until the commencement of the reformed men’s movement
+this spring.</p>
+
+<p>“Our aged President, Mother Webster, was always
+a power in the Crusade, faithful to the last.</p>
+
+<p>“During the first week of the work in Van Wert,
+one saloon-keeper, a German, who had always been
+accustomed to drink beer, refused the ladies admittance,
+while his wife made sport, and laughed mockingly
+at the ladies. But one morning, when the band
+stopped at his door, he admitted them, and told the
+ladies he had sold his last drop. Then there was
+such a joyful hand-shaking, and a prayer-meeting of
+thanksgiving.</p>
+
+<p>“Another German, who was poor and had a family
+of interesting children, was very much opposed to the
+ladies’ visits. For some time they were refused admittance,
+and prayers were offered in German and
+English. About a week afterward, he disposed of his
+liquors, put out his white flag, and started to meet the
+ladies, telling them he had sold his last drop of liquor.
+It was a sacrifice, for he was dependent upon his daily
+labor for the support of his family.” We are indebted
+to Mrs. M. Harnly and Mrs. Elcock for the above
+facts.</p>
+
+<p>The contest, with various successes, continued until
+the 6th of March, when a decided victory was gained
+at the municipal election. The ladies worked and
+prayed, and many of the temperance men were energetic
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span>and persistent. The issue was squarely made,
+“whiskey or no whiskey.” The temperance candidates
+won a decided victory. When the result of the election
+became known, the bells rang out a joyous peal,
+and the new mayor-elect, Mr. T. S. Gilliland, rolled out
+a barrel of apples that were in his office as a temperance
+treat. A prohibitory ordinance was passed, and
+the saloons were closed.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_234" style="max-width: 37.5em;">
+ <img class="w100" src="images/i_234.jpg" alt="">
+ <figcaption>
+ <p>MRS. SARAH KNOWLES BOLTON,</p>
+ <p>First Assistant Corresponding Secretary Woman’s
+ National Christian Temperance Union.</p>
+ </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<h3 id="CINCINNATI_OHIO">
+ CINCINNATI, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>There was much prayerful interest in Cincinnati.
+Many of the best women of the church, bending low
+at the dear Christ’s feet, were asking: “What wilt thou
+have me to do?”</p>
+
+<p>The difficulties in the way seemed more formidable
+for saloon work there than at any point in the State, or
+perhaps in the country. But these consecrated women
+were ready to follow the Master wherever He led.</p>
+
+<p>Cincinnati was a great manufacturing centre. The
+annual trade in spirituous and malt liquors amounted
+to over $33,000,000, and there was immense capital
+invested in massive buildings and machinery.</p>
+
+<p>One-third of the population of the city were Germans,
+accustomed to beer-drinking, which tended to
+make the traffic respectable.</p>
+
+<p>Any interference with the trade was regarded as an
+attack upon their personal liberties. Many of them
+were ignorant bigots or infidels, who were ready, on any
+pretext, to cry out against the Bible and Puritanism,
+and many of them belonged to the criminal classes, as
+the police records will show.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span></p>
+
+<p>To meet this class in the saloons and beer-gardens,
+when the city council was made up largely of men interested
+in the traffic, and the mayor of the city was
+ready to do the bidding of the liquor oligarchy, was a
+fearful risk. But Christ led the way and gave the
+courage.</p>
+
+<p>The first saloon visited was a fashionable resort,
+called the “Custom House,” next door to the Merchants’
+Exchange. The house was well patronized by
+first-class drinkers.</p>
+
+<p>The time chosen was the lunch hour, when many of
+this class were lingering over their cups.</p>
+
+<p>The women, unheralded, were in the saloon before
+any of them had time to escape. In a moment an immense
+crowd was surging about the door, and escape
+was impossible. A prayer-meeting was held, which
+lasted about half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>The proprietor, affecting indifference, invited them
+to “come again,” an invitation which they accepted;
+but when they visited that saloon again it was like “a
+banquet hall deserted:” the merchants and fashionable
+drinkers were careful not to be caught there again.</p>
+
+<p>The trade began to be interfered with, which aroused
+bitter opposition, and the saloons were closed against
+them.</p>
+
+<p>The Esplanade, a large, paved square in the heart
+of the business part of the city, and the market-places,
+became praying-stations, and many a season of prayer
+was held on the curbstones opposite saloons.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="A_CRUSADE_DOG">
+ A CRUSADE DOG
+</h3>
+
+<p>A lady in one of the bands had a large Newfoundland
+dog, that always accompanied her.</p>
+
+<p>He seemed to know their business. He would walk
+before them with stately mien, till he came to a saloon,
+and then stop and turn around, as much as to say:
+“Here is work for you.” He would walk back and
+forth before the saloon while they sang; but as soon as
+they knelt to pray he would go and set himself down
+on his haunches beside the woman who lead in prayer,
+no matter if she were a stranger, and reverently maintain
+his position till the prayer was ended. Then he
+would start briskly off to look for another saloon.</p>
+
+<p>It is said that he showed a decided preference for
+only <i>one</i> prayer at each saloon. Perhaps he knew that
+there were nearly three thousand in that great city, and
+feared that they would not make the rounds, unless he
+hurried them.</p>
+
+<p>A German saloon-keeper tried to set his dog on one
+of the bands, (not this one,) but the poor brute had
+more sense, and politeness, and humanity, than his
+master, and wouldn’t even bark, but hung his head in
+shame.</p>
+
+<p>One day the crowd about the Esplanade was very
+large and threatening. Every foot of space was occupied,
+and all the streets approaching it were filled.
+But the ladies had advertised a meeting there, and
+they went forth, in the name of Christ, to face the howling
+mob.</p>
+
+<p>They marched right on, two and two, as though no
+crowd menaced them. Many temperance men, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span>order-loving citizens, were there mingling with the
+crowd, determined to prevent, if possible, a riot. Mrs.
+Leavitt led the band. The crowd parted as they
+approached. A scissors-grinder had been hired by
+the rum party, for twenty-five dollars, to push his cart
+through the crowd, ringing his bells. He undertook
+the job, but his cart was broken into a thousand pieces,
+and he was arrested and marched off to jail, and subsequently
+fined fifty dollars. So his enterprise did
+not pay. Mrs. Leavitt gave the following graphic
+account of the beginning of the <i>Crusade</i>, at one
+of the mass-meetings held in connection with the
+annual meeting of the National Union at Newark,
+which was reported by Miss M. E. Winslow for <i>The
+Morning</i>, from which we copy:</p>
+
+<p>“People at the East have little idea of what the
+Crusade really was. One of our local papers described
+its opening in these terms: ‘Hell on earth! The
+devil woke up! The women on their knees!’ I
+always knew that liquor was an awful thing, but I felt
+no responsibility about it, and when I first heard of the
+Crusading in Hillsboro’ and Washington Court-House,
+I felt in my heart, though I did not say so, that it was
+a prostitution of prayer. But there came to <i>that city
+of 3,000 saloons</i>, (open twenty-four hours of every day,
+and seven days of every week, with an average of
+15,000 men pouring out death by the glass all the time,)
+a call for the women to meet and consider the subject
+in a certain church. I went to my room and asked
+the Lord what I should do. It was a short prayer, for
+in ten minutes I was at the corner with my hat on, on
+my way.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span></p>
+
+<p>“The church was fuller than I had ever known it,
+women, old and young, rich and poor, praying and
+sobbing; and such prayers I had never heard. In an
+hour or two about eighty of us started—I hardly know
+how we did it—for one of the most fashionable saloons.
+The wealth represented by those eighty women being
+over $3,000,000. We walked two by two; some men
+blessed us as we passed, and some cursed. We went
+into the ‘sample-room,’ and asked permission for a
+moment of prayer, which was granted. You can
+imagine the praying we did, as we agonized that Jesus
+Christ would come and convert that rum-seller. Eight
+thousand people had gathered outside in a few
+moments. I had never opened my mouth to pray in
+public before, but God opened it now. We were there
+thirty or forty minutes, and then went out, where men
+pointed a finger of scorn at us, and every one thought
+we would be crushed. But we never felt so near
+heaven as we did then. We walked homeward, singing,
+‘There is a Fountain filled with blood.’ Every
+day after that we met at nine o’clock, and went out in
+bands every hour, visiting different saloons, hundreds
+following us.</p>
+
+<p>“One day I led a band of eighty, or a hundred to the
+Esplanade. The authorities had said this must be put
+down, and the mayor had privately given orders to
+the police to ‘be scarce where the women were.’
+We did not know that; and after visiting fourteen
+saloons, we marched towards the Esplanade, where we
+found a dense mass of several thousand men awaiting
+us. I heard a man say, ‘<span class="smcap">Jack, a woman’s foot shan’t
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span>touch the Esplanade to-day</span>!’ And I said, ‘Lord,
+give us the Esplanade.’ One great brutal-looking
+fellow stood in my way, debauched and degraded, yet
+with a look which told there was a heart somewhere.
+I took it for granted this was Jack. Bless God for
+woman’s intuition. I walked right up to him and said,
+‘Jack!’ He started as if he wondered how I knew
+his name. ‘Jack, we are a band of broken-hearted
+mothers and wives, weeping and praying because you
+are all going to hell as fast as you can go. We want
+to pray here, right by this fountain, and I want you to
+make way for us and keep the men still till we get
+through our service.’</p>
+
+<p>“First he looked like thunder; then he looked foolish;
+then I smiled sweetly at him (always smile at a
+man if you want him to do what he don’t want to),
+and he said, with a fearful oath, ‘I’ll do it. Make
+way for the Crusaders!’ and as he forced his great,
+brawny shoulders through the crowd, many voices
+shouted,</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+‘GOD BLESS THE CRUSADERS!’
+</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">I never asked the Lord for a policeman again. I’d
+rather have Jack. At last we stood close to that
+central fountain, which is the glory of Cincinnati, and
+sang, ‘<span class="smcap">Jesus</span> the water of life will give,’ and I think
+there must have been joy among the angels of God
+at the chorus that rung through the square. Then
+we sang ‘Rock of Ages,’ and then I talked to the
+crowd. I forgot all about the liquor-saloons, and
+thought only of Jesus Christ upon the cross, I then
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span>called upon all who wanted to be saved and have us
+pray for them to kneel down, and 2,000 men, mostly
+reeking with the fumes of rum and tobacco, knelt
+there on the pavement seeking Christ, with tears and
+sobs.</p>
+
+<p>“The next day our church was so full that we were
+obliged to have some place to hold an overflow meeting,
+and we telegraphed to Rev. Mr. Beecher (nephew
+of Henry Ward Beecher), that we must have his
+church in ten minutes. ‘Ten minutes, do you say?
+You shall have it in five,’ was the answer, and in ten
+minutes it was packed to overflowing; and afterward
+we held two daily meetings.”</p>
+
+<p>One of the regular meeting-places of the praying bands
+of Cincinnati was a large, open market-house.
+Thousands gathered there daily. The place and all
+the avenues leading to it were usually well filled.
+But one day, as the band of women approached, they
+found an unusually vile and belligerent crowd. Butchers
+fresh from their stalls, with their sleeves rolled
+up, and their bloody aprons on, and their butcher
+knives in their hands; villanous-looking men with
+ugly pistols protruding from their pockets; and women
+debased by strong drink, uttering curses, were all
+huddled together, while just across the street a cannon
+had been placed so as to sweep the market-house if
+fired.</p>
+
+<p>Altogether, the circumstances were anything but
+encouraging. But the women marched right on to
+their usual meeting-place in the centre of the open
+space and began to sing:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“There is a fountain filled with blood,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And sinners plunged beneath that flood</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Lose all their guilty stains.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>The crowd was somewhat hushed into respectful
+silence by the singing. Mrs. Leavitt, who led the
+band that day, made the opening prayer. As they
+knelt on the paving stones she found herself facing the
+cannon, with a possibility of its being fired.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd, that seemed to expect such an event,
+surged to either side so as to be well out of the way.
+But her consecration to God covered all that, and she
+remembers saying to herself: “If God wants to take
+me, as He did Elijah, to heaven in a chariot of fire, I
+would just as soon go that way as any other.” And
+she thought no more about the cannon or the vile
+men with knives and pistols, but prayed straight up to
+God for the perishing multitudes about her. And
+there came down upon the people such mighty awakening
+power, that the most desperate and unbelieving
+bowed their heads, and tears streamed down many a
+sin-scarred face.</p>
+
+<p>And when the meeting was over, and they invited
+the people to come with them to the house of God,
+many followed them to the church, and hundreds remained
+to pray.</p>
+
+<p>The placing of the cannon was a trick to frighten
+the women, but it did not succeed; and as they took
+no notice of it, the experiment was never repeated.
+The falling off in the liquor traffic in Cincinnati was
+very great; the trade in the leading houses in that
+business losing tens of thousands of dollars.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span></p>
+
+<p>During the first six months of the Crusade, in the
+United States Revenue District in which Cincinnati is
+situated, the falling off In the revenue on liquor alone
+was about $3,000,000. And such was the interest,
+that one day the Merchants’ Exchange suspended, at
+least for a time, their business, to follow a few women
+who modestly and quietly sang and prayed on the
+Esplanade, or before the large saloons near by.</p>
+
+<p>At first, the manufacturers and dealers laughed at
+the attempt of the women to call public attention to
+the traffic. But when they saw that this was effectually
+done, and that they were losing by thousands, they
+were wild with rage.</p>
+
+<p>I overheard a conversation between two Cincinnati
+liquor-dealers at the time.</p>
+
+<p>They were seated just behind me in a railroad car,
+so I could but choose to hear; and the curses they
+heaped upon Christian women were loud and deep;
+almost every word was emphasized with an oath.</p>
+
+<p>“We must do something to stop this horrid thing,
+or we are ruined,” said one.</p>
+
+<p>“The press has played the mischief with us,” exclaimed
+the other, “by publishing their movements.
+We must buy up the press. If they don’t stop writing
+about it, we must withdraw all our advertisements.
+Let this be a united thing with us, and they will soon
+have to look after their own bread and butter. These
+women have cut down my sales more than $20,000
+this spring.”</p>
+
+<p>“The mayor and city council ought to do something
+before the city is ruined. They are a pack of fools
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span>to let a few praying women ruin our business in this
+way.”</p>
+
+<p>And then they talked and planned earnestly. The
+press was to be dealt with, the mayor brought to issue
+a proclamation against the women, forbidding their
+singing and praying on the streets, etc.</p>
+
+<p>The mayor and city council were quite willing to
+serve the rum cause, as results show.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies soon after were informed that they could
+no longer hold meetings in the streets, but must confine
+themselves to the public squares and market-places,
+unless a saloon-keeper chose to open his doors
+to them.</p>
+
+<p>They obeyed orders, and went on with their work
+in the places designated. But one day, while one of
+the bands was quietly walking up the street, they were
+met and surrounded by a mob of the vilest men and
+women in the city. They were, no doubt, sent out by
+the dealers to intimidate the women, and received their
+reward in strong drink on their return.</p>
+
+<p>The mayor also, accompanied by his private secretary,
+came to them and earnestly appealed to the ladies
+to quit their work and go home.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll not be responsible for your safety unless you
+do. For God’s sake, ladies, desist.”</p>
+
+<p>The ladies in turn appealed to him to disperse the
+mob. They were quiet, unoffending citizens, walking
+the streets, which was their right; and as for their
+lives, they relied on God, not on him. All the while
+this parley was going on, the vile drunken mob was
+hooting and howling.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span></p>
+
+<p>No attempt was made to disperse them. But the
+mayor was exceedingly annoyed with the violence and
+obscenity of a German woman near him, and turning
+upon her he commanded silence. “Shame! shame!
+such indecency.” But the words were scarcely out of
+his mouth till she began cursing him, and the mob
+uttering a horrid yell rushed toward him. He raised
+his hand, waving them back; but they came on like a
+herd of wild cattle, pushing each other forward, whirling
+him like a top from the sidewalk into the gutter.
+His secretary ran like a frightened deer, and the
+mayor, as soon as he could gather up himself and find
+his hat, followed suit. They remembered Lot’s wife,
+and never looked behind them. Some of the women
+of the band had been knocked down; but they soon
+fell into line, and now that the mob was behind them,
+marched down into the heart of the city, singing,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Nearer, my God, to Thee,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Nearer to Thee,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Even though it be a cross,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">That raiseth me.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>The insults offered to the ladies aroused a feeling
+of indignation, and an address was prepared, and a
+committee of gentlemen appointed to present it to the
+mayor. The reading of the paper brought on a discussion,
+in which the mayor said it would take all the
+police force within twenty-four square miles of the city
+to protect the ladies.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Payne—“Do we understand you to say that
+you are powerless in the hands of a mob?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mayor Johnson—“It would appear so from the
+practical experience of yesterday afternoon.”</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Payne—“Then, sir, it is high time that the pulpit
+began to thunder, and that all good men should arise,
+and see that men are elected who will enforce the
+law.”</p>
+
+<p>The committee then entered upon a defence of
+the rights of women to go upon the streets as they
+had been doing, notwithstanding the riotous crowds
+which surrounded them, and the disorders consequent
+thereon, which point the mayor met by saying, that he
+believed with Lincoln, that the blow should be aimed
+at the cause.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Payne—“Yes, but the cause is the liquor traffic,
+not these women.”</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Taylor—“We only claim their rights, and if
+women cannot be protected by law, the result will be
+that neither can we, and the blow that strikes them,
+strikes us. If they be prosecuted for praying, so may
+I. The same mob spirit that attacked women yesterday,
+may attack citizens. If we cannot obtain protection,
+by addressing you, where shall we go?”</p>
+
+<p>In the course of the conversation, the mayor said,
+that the whole Board of Police Commissioners were
+opposed to the women.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately following this interview the mayor
+issued a proclamation, addressed: <i>To the ladies composing
+the Temperance League</i>; forbidding them to hold
+meetings on the streets, basing this action on an old
+sidewalk ordinance that had been a dead letter for
+years.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span></p>
+
+<p>I quote again from Mrs. Leavitt’s speech.</p>
+
+<p>“By this time there was such a falling off in the
+liquor trade that the mayor and common council,
+twenty-three of whose members were in the liquor
+trade, said the Crusade must be stopped; so they
+raked up an old sidewalk ordinance which said that no
+group of more than three should occupy the sidewalk
+at any one place and time. But we knew nothing of
+it, and we went to a saloon where we were denied
+admittance, so we knelt outside. The pavement was
+eighteen feet wide, of which we occupied about thirty
+inches. I was leader that day, and gave out, ‘Rock
+of Ages, cleft for me,’ when a policeman laid his hand
+on my shoulder, and said, ‘<i>Mrs. Leavitt, you are under
+arrest!</i>’ ‘All right,’ said I. ‘Let me hide myself in
+Thee.’ And then we prayed for that policeman, and
+for the others, and for the crowd. We tried the
+patience of that policeman a little, for our service
+lasted sixty minutes. Some shouted, some cried, but
+all were happy; and then we rose and walked in an
+orderly manner, two by two, about two miles, to the
+station-house. As soon as we got there we kneeled
+down and prayed again, and then they asked our
+names, nativity, and ages. They took mine first, and
+while they were taking the others, I thought may be
+the Lord had something for me to do there; so I went
+round to the cells and talked with the inmates. In
+one I found a boy of eighteen, who said, ‘I wouldn’t
+have my mother know I am here for all the world. I
+came in under an assumed name. Did you?’ So I
+visited every cell, and pointed every prisoner to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span>Christ. I tried to guess a conundrum (I never
+guessed one in my life), and I will give it to you.
+‘How is it that every one I spoke to was put in for
+drunkenness, and we forty-three women were brought
+there for trying to put it down?’ We expected to be
+sent to the work-house for thirty days; so presently
+the husband of one of our number came in, and asked
+in the most touching tones, ‘<i>What shall I do with the
+baby?</i>’ ‘Go home and feed him,’ said his wife, ‘I
+wouldn’t be got off for twenty babies.’ Then the
+mayor came in. You have heard of the man who
+drew the elephant in a lottery, and then didn’t
+know what to do with it. The mayor looked just
+like that man. At last, when we had stayed two
+hours, the common council excused us till Monday
+on parole. So we marched back to the church, and
+gave our report, and it seemed as though the roof
+would come off with the ring of the doxology that followed.</p>
+
+<p>“On Monday morning we went to the police court,
+and while they were trying the prisoners for drunkenness,
+we who were arrested for trying to stop them from
+drinking went round, preached Christ, and got twenty
+signatures to our pledge. When our turn came they
+did not know what to do with us. We had put on all
+our best things, and though I say it, were <span class="allsmcap">FORTY-THREE
+OF THE PRETTIEST-LOOKING WOMEN YOU EVER SAW</span>, and
+all just as happy as could be. Six of us were ministers’
+wives, three wives of rich bankers, and all the
+rest of wealthy citizens. At last they told us we had
+been naughty, but they would forgive us this time
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span>if we wouldn’t do so any more. We went back to the
+church, and a few of us went out crusading.</p>
+
+<p>“But we didn’t want to break the law, and just at
+this time the Crusade began to change its form from
+active crusading into steady, organized work; so we
+only went out in parties of three or four, and we have
+been doing this ever since.”</p>
+
+<p>The city officers and the police force were in the interests
+of the liquor traffic, and the arrest of the ladies
+was a part of a well-concerted plan to break down the
+temperance work.</p>
+
+<p>We must not omit to give the names of the forty-three
+women arrested and thrust into the common jail:</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Rev. S. K. Leavitt, Mrs. Rev. W. I. Fee, Mrs.
+Rev. C. H. Taylor, Mrs. D. H. Baldwin, Mrs. Charles
+Folger, Sarah Shipley, Mary Whitaker, Mrs. May A.
+French, Mrs. Olive Roseboom, Mrs. Lottie Oldrieve,
+Mrs. Lizzie R. Harvey, Mrs. A. F. Whiteman, Miss
+Ellen King, Mrs. S. E. Massey, Miss Kate M. Warden,
+Miss Helen Russell, Miss Susan Sutton, Miss
+Annie Nunn, Mrs. J. R. Squire, Mrs. Mary J. Montford,
+Mrs. Ellen Hewson, Mrs. Whitredge, Mrs. Rev.
+C. H. Payne, Mrs. Rev. A. McHugh, Mrs. Dr. Carter,
+Mrs. S. J. H. Elstner, Mary White, Mrs. Kate Traugh,
+Mrs. Maria Stevens, Mrs. A. V. Crum, Mrs. H. Robinson,
+Miss Lottie Nunn, Mrs. Lucy M. McKenzie,
+Mrs. May Francis, Miss May Talbot, Miss Jennie
+Forbes, Miss Mary Scott, Mrs. E. B. Dalton, Miss
+Eliza Hughes, Mrs. Frederick Hanbold, Mrs. Mary
+Warner, Mrs. E. H. Mance, Mrs. Wealthy Fisk.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Fowler, of Chicago, who happened to be in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span>city at the time, and went with them to the jail, at a
+mass-meeting said: “Although I do not belong to this
+city, I say as an old heathen said, ‘Whatever concerns
+mankind, concerns me.’ Not only the immortal forty-three,
+but every woman in the land went down into
+the streets yesterday, and was scoffed and jeered at
+by those who stood in the saloon doors. You are not
+alone. All the good people of the land say, ‘You are
+fighting our battle,’ and from 10,000 pulpits are going
+up prayers for those who have made one bright page
+on the records of the police courts. The day may
+come when you can sell that page for money, enough
+to buy all the saloons in the city.” (Applause.)</p>
+
+<p>Stirring, eloquent speeches were also made by Dr.
+C. H. Payne, Mr. Rowland, Rev. S. K. Leavitt; and
+Mrs. Leavitt followed with a solemn, earnest appeal,
+that brought nearly all the men and women in the
+house to their feet.</p>
+
+<p>There was a meeting of citizens of the first ward,
+and a protest was prepared and sent to the mayor
+and city council—a protest, strongly condemning their
+action and calling upon them to maintain law and
+order.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly all the pulpits of Cincinnati thundered
+against the liquor traffic, a strong public sentiment
+was created, and the women have gone steadily on
+with their work from that day to this. A large number
+of meetings are sustained in various parts of
+the city, and at Walnut Hills; tens of thousands have
+signed the pledge, and it is no longer respectable to
+sell or drink intoxicating liquors in Cincinnati.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span></p>
+
+<p>A large hall has been secured for head-quarters,
+where meetings are held daily, and their influence is
+felt throughout the entire city.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WHITE_SHOES_AND_WHITE_DRESSES">
+ WHITE SHOES AND WHITE DRESSES.
+</h3>
+
+<p>One morning, during the Crusade, a drunkard’s wife
+called on Mrs. Leavitt. She carried a babe in her
+arms only six weeks old, and was pale and weak from
+sickness and fasting, and this was her pitiful story:</p>
+
+<p>“My husband is drinking himself to death; he is lost
+to all humane feeling; our rent is unpaid, and we are
+liable to be put out into the street, and there is no
+food in the house for me and the children. He has a
+good trade, but his earnings all go into the saloon on
+the corner near us; he is becoming more and more
+brutal and abusive. We seem to be on the verge of
+ruin. How can I, feeble as I am, with a babe in my
+arms, earn bread for myself and children?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why not have your husband converted?” questioned
+Mrs. Leavitt, as the drunkard’s wife finished
+her sad story.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, there is no hope of such a thing. He cares
+for nothing but rum.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll come and see him this afternoon.”</p>
+
+<p>“He’ll insult you.”</p>
+
+<p>“No matter; my Saviour was insulted, and the servant
+is not above his Lord.”</p>
+
+<p>That very afternoon Mrs. Leavitt called at the little
+tenement house. The husband was at work at his
+trade in a little back room, and one of the children
+was sent to tell him that a lady wished to see him.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span>The child, however, soon returned with the message:
+“My pa says he won’t see any one.”</p>
+
+<p>“You go back and tell your pa,” said Mrs. Leavitt,
+in her energetic way, “that a lady wishes to see him
+on very important business, and she must see him, if
+she has to stay till after supper.”</p>
+
+<p>She knew there was nothing in the house to eat.
+A moment afterward a poor, bloated, besotted wreck
+of a man stood before her.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you want?” he demanded, as he came
+shuffling into the room.</p>
+
+<p>“Please be seated and look at this paper,” she
+answered, pointing to a vacant chair at the other end
+of the table at which she was sitting, and handing a
+printed pledge to him.</p>
+
+<p>He read it slowly, and then, throwing it down upon
+the table, broke out violently:</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think I’m a fool? I’ll drink when I please,
+and let it alone when I please. I’m not going to sign
+away my personal liberty.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think you can stop drinking?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes: I could if I wanted to.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think you’re a slave to the rum-shop down on
+the corner.”</p>
+
+<p>“No!”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you love the saloon-keeper’s daughter better
+than you do your own little girl.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, I don’t, either.”</p>
+
+<p>“When I came by the saloon-keeper’s house I saw
+his little girl coming down the steps, and she had on
+white shoes, and a white dress, and a blue sash. Your
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span>money helped to buy them. I come here, and your
+little girl, more beautiful than she, has on a faded,
+ragged dress, and her feet are bare.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s so, madam.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you love the saloon-keeper’s wife better than
+you love your own wife.”</p>
+
+<p>“Never; no, never!”</p>
+
+<p>“When I came by the saloon-keeper’s house, I saw
+his wife come out with the little girl, and she was
+dressed in silks and laces, and a carriage awaited her.
+Your money helped to buy the silks and laces, and
+the horses and the carriage. I come here, and I find
+your wife in a faded calico gown, doing her own work:
+if she goes anywhere, she must walk.”</p>
+
+<p>“You speak the truth, madam.”</p>
+
+<p>“You love the saloon-keeper better than you love
+yourself. You say you can keep from drinking if you
+choose; but you helped the saloon-keeper to build
+himself a fine brick house, and you live in this poor,
+tumble-down old house yourself.”</p>
+
+<p>“I never saw it in that light before.” Then, holding
+out his hand that shook like an aspen leaf, he continued:
+“You speak the truth, madam—I am a slave.
+Do you see that hand? I have a piece of work to finish,
+and I must have a mug of beer to steady my nerves,
+or I cannot do it; but to-morrow, if you’ll call, I’ll sign
+the pledge.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s a temptation of the devil; I did not ask you
+to sign the pledge. You are a slave, and cannot keep
+it. But I do want to tell you this: <i>There is One who
+can break your chains and set you free.</i>”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I want to be free.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, Christ can set you free, if you’ll submit to
+Him, and let Him break the chains of sin and appetite
+that binds you.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s been many a long year since I prayed.”</p>
+
+<p>“No matter; the sooner you begin the better for
+you.”</p>
+
+<p>He threw himself at once on his knees, and while
+Mrs. Leavitt prayed she heard him sobbing out the cry
+of his soul to God.</p>
+
+<p>The wife followed Mrs. Leavitt in an earnest prayer.
+The words were simple and broken with sobs, but
+somehow they went straight up from her crushed heart
+to God, and the poor man began to cry in earnest for
+mercy.</p>
+
+<p>“O God! break these chains that are burning into
+my soul! Pity me, and pity my wife and children, and
+break the chains that are dragging me down to hell.
+O God! be merciful to me, a sinner.” And thus out
+of the depths he cried to God, and He heard him and
+had compassion upon him, and broke every chain and
+lifted every burden; and he arose a free, redeemed
+man.</p>
+
+<p>When he arose from his knees he said: “Now I will
+sign the pledge, and keep it.” And he did. A family
+altar was built, the comforts of life were soon secured—for
+he had a good trade—and two weeks after this
+scene, his two little girls came into the Sunday-school,
+with <i>white shoes, and white dresses, and blue sashes on</i>,
+as a token that his money no longer went into the
+saloon-keeper’s till.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span></p>
+
+<p>But the lesson that should impress us most is, that
+this disciple, helped of God, devoted <i>less</i> than two
+hours to this service of redeeming a family for time
+and for eternity. Go, thou, and do likewise! <i>The
+Master is waiting for you</i> in many a desolate home.
+Go, speak in His name, and He will be with you, and
+help you.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WHAT_A_PICTURE_DID">
+ WHAT A PICTURE DID.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The heading of <i>The Reform</i>, an illustrated tract
+paper, is composed of three pictures. The first represents
+a drunkard staggering home to his family.
+In his hand he holds a bottle; his wife, with her babe
+in her arms and her little boy clinging to her dress, is
+shrinking from him. Terror and fear are depicted
+upon the countenances of the three.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture represents the same man, standing
+at a table, a woman holding out a pen to him with
+one hand, and with the other a paper upon which are
+seen the words, “Temperance Pledge.”</p>
+
+<p>In the third picture we see the same man, well
+clothed, walking erect, with a cane in his hand, and
+leading a little boy up a flight of steps to a nice house,
+in the door of which stands the wife, with beaming
+smile upon her face, and hardly able to hold the baby,
+who is overjoyed at seeing the father.</p>
+
+<p>A bundle of these papers was sent to one of the
+ladies in Cincinnati, who distributed them in the
+market, at the hospital and jail.</p>
+
+<p>Two months afterwards she was stopped on the
+street by a German woman, who told her the following
+story:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</span></p>
+
+<p>“You shoost stop von minute vile I tells you vot is
+in mine heart. You come von day to mine stall in de
+market, you give mine old man a paper, and you gives
+me a paper.</p>
+
+<p>“Ven I goes to mine home, mine children dey cries
+for dere dinner. I says, ‘You shoost keep still, and I
+vill give you von paper a vomans give me in de
+market.’ So dey spreads a paper on de floor, und
+dey kicks up dere heels, und dey looks hard at de
+pictures. Vile I gets mine dinner, dey visper. Mine
+leetle boy he says: ‘Dat is pap mid the bottle! dat
+leetle boy vot hides hind his mudder’s dress is me, ven
+I’m skeered at pappy, und de baby is Helwig, cause
+dat is shoost de vay he hides hind mudder’s ear when
+pappy’s drunk.’ Den dey say, ‘Mudder, vat dat
+voman do mit de table?’ I says, ‘De temperance
+voman vants de man to sign de pledge, and says he
+drinks no more beer or whiskey, den his wife and children
+be no more feared of him.’</p>
+
+<p>“Dey looks hard at de picter, den dey vispers and
+dey say, ‘Mudder, will pappy look nice like de udder
+picter, would he sign de pledge?’</p>
+
+<p>“And I says, ‘Yes, childrens, your fadder would
+look shoost like dat if he goes no more to saloons.’</p>
+
+<p>“Mine old man den he comes in to his dinner. He
+loves his children ven he is sober. My children dey
+see he no drunk, so dey runs to him mid de papers,
+and dey say, ‘Pappy, that is you mid de bottle, and
+dot voman is mudder, and de baby wot hides hind his
+mudder’s ear is Helwig. Pappy, vont you go to de
+temperance voman’s mit de table, and sign de pledge,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</span>and den you will look shoost like dat nice man mit de
+cane, and Helwig he will look shoost like dis baby vot
+tries to jump out of his mudder’s arms and is so glad
+to see his pappy?’ Mine old man he gets so mad,
+and he says, ‘I eat no dinner, I hates de temperance, I
+hates de temperance,’ and my children dey cry, dey be
+so scared. My old man he slams de door, and he
+goes off. He comes home to supper and he say de
+first ting, ‘I hates de temperance, I hates de temperance,’
+and he no speak to de children, and dey be so
+skeered.</p>
+
+<p>“After supper mine old man he makes de children
+go to ped, and he smokes, and he scolds, and he gets
+so mad he no goes to de saloon, like he always does
+all his life mid me.</p>
+
+<p>“Ven it vas bed-time mine old man he lay down his
+pipe and he says: ‘Old woman, I’s no been good to
+you; I gets drunk no more; I goes no more to
+saloons; mine heart is sick mit what mine children say.
+I loves mine wife, I loves mine children ven I gets no
+drunk.’ Den I put mine apron to mine eyes, and I
+cries, and mine old man he cries. Den we stand by
+de childer’s bed, and mine old man he kiss me, and he
+kiss de children, and he says, ‘Mine heart is so sick
+all de day mit vat de children says to me.’</p>
+
+<p>“I tells you I loves dat leetle paper, mine heart is so
+glad dat you gives it to me. I folds it up shust so
+nice and I puts it mit a handkerchief round, and I puts
+it in mine under-drawer in mine bureau mit mine children’s
+tings what died.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CLYDE_OHIO">
+ CLYDE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The women worked and prayed faithfully for five
+weeks. During the first two weeks, two saloons
+closed, one dealer disposing of his liquors, the other
+giving them up to the ladies to be emptied into the
+street. They were poured into the gutter amid great
+rejoicings, and the singing of the doxology.</p>
+
+<p>While one of the women was pleading with Carroll,
+a saloon-keeper, she referred to the fact that her boys
+were becoming drunkards. “Oh!” said he, “I do not
+think I ever sold your boys any.” “But,” said the
+noble woman, with tearful emphasis, “you sell to somebody’s
+boys.”</p>
+
+<p>One Saturday evening, as the ladies approached one
+of the most prominent saloons, the proprietor came
+out and informed them that they could not hold services
+in front of his house; that he would spill his last
+drop of blood before they should do it. He had his
+back yard and saloon full of help. The ladies immediately
+commenced their exercises, and he called
+his rabble out to hoot; a pail of cold water was splashed
+into the face of the one who was praying. She never
+broke a sentence, but said: “O Lord, we are now
+baptized for the work.” The effect was good, it was
+a most complete victory. All became quiet, and the
+saloon-keeper accompanied them to the church, and oh,
+such earnest prayers as were offered in the church for
+that man. Mass-meetings were held every Wednesday
+evening, and the pressure of public sentiment
+became so great, that the saloon-keepers closed for an
+indefinite time.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CEDARVILLE_OHIO">
+ CEDARVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>In 1873, the ever-memorable time, in the history of
+the women Crusaders of Ohio, we in Cedarville were
+aroused to work by the call from our Father in heaven.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as though a few of the sisters here, were
+called out for the work, even before the sisters in Hillsboro’.
+We had our first meeting announced, and a
+speaker engaged, and had of ourselves determined to
+organize for work. But by a providence of God we
+were kept back to let the sisters at Hillsboro’ and
+Washington Court-House commence first.</p>
+
+<p>January 2d, our first meeting was held, and we were
+fully equipped for visiting the saloons. We did not
+need to wait, and hold our prayer-meetings in the
+church; the Lord had prepared us before, in our
+homes, so we went at once to the saloons to hold
+prayer-meetings; we felt the Lord had made such a
+distinct call for us to go, that we had no fears: we
+knew that He would lead us. Our mouths were filled
+with song and prayer; our sympathies were awakened
+to such a degree, it seemed nothing on earth could
+have stopped us from going on in the path the Lord
+had laid out for us. Thanks be to the Lord for the
+faith He gave us.</p>
+
+<p>We felt that we must do something; that if we did
+not, our homes would be made desolate, our hearts
+would be broken, our sons would all perish. The
+words, “What wilt thou have me do?” were spoken so
+plainly that we felt we <i>must</i> do something to help the
+wretched souls out of their bondage. My husband
+being a zealous temperance man, was easily aroused
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span>to action; he sent for a lecturer, Dr. Watt: he came,
+and spoke earnestly for the cause; the next day we
+made our first visit to the saloons, through the snow
+and bitter cold, but we were not cold; we went early
+and late until all our saloons were closed.</p>
+
+<p>We had three saloons and two drug stores—one of
+the drug stores was as bad as any of the saloons, and
+we thought worse, for there our best young men went
+to drink, when they would not have been seen at a
+saloon. One of the druggists signed the pledge, but
+one would not, notwithstanding we prayed and plead
+earnestly with him. He had a suit pending in the Supreme
+Court at that time, and he was very much embittered
+against us. A lady of our town had sued
+him for selling liquor to her husband, and had gained
+it in the county court; but he had appealed it to a
+higher court, so we did not expect him to give up
+very soon, but we made him a special object of prayer;
+he was not an ignorant foreigner, but a native of this
+place, and had been taught better things, and knew
+the power of prayer, and knew too, that we were
+praying earnestly for him, that his wicked business
+might be stopped. We think he wanted to be clear of
+the whiskey, but he didn’t want to lose a dollar, so he
+sold it all in a lump; and for a short time we were
+clear of the traffic.</p>
+
+<p>But as the whiskey men found their cause was in
+great danger, they put forward a man and sustained
+him. We made a powerful effort to stop him, got out
+a petition and tried to get all we could to sign it, but
+some we had depended on as being firm friends of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span>temperance, failed us, said there was no use trying:
+if the people couldn’t get whiskey here they would go
+to “Xenia” to get it.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding all our efforts, the saloon was
+opened, and in a short time another one. Then we
+were in great trouble, but concluded we had better hold
+prayer-meetings again at the saloons. Some thought
+the time was past for that, but a few of us felt we <i>must</i>
+pray for their removal, and it was not long until one of
+these men took fits: he was taken sick about four o’clock
+in the afternoon, and died at two o’clock that night.
+In our meeting that day we had prayed especially for
+him. As we watched these saloons every evening from
+dusk of evening until about ten o’clock, (that being the
+time when most of the drinking was done,) and prayed
+they might be removed, it did seem as though the
+Lord answered our prayer in a marvellous manner.
+Nor was this all: just about that time the other saloonist
+had some sort of a strange spell which was pronounced
+fits; he took them just when the women were praying
+for him, he got frightened, closed his saloon, and went
+into the grocery business. He thought that would save
+him, but he still has fits. In answer to our prayers both
+saloons were closed.</p>
+
+<p>We still have our prayer-meetings; they have been
+kept up regularly ever since the Crusade. We still
+have one saloon, but there is not one-third the quantity
+of whiskey sold now. Many have reformed; it has
+become unpopular to be seen going to a saloon, and
+none will go, except those who care nothing for their
+reputation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span></p>
+
+<p>We see great results from our temperance work
+here, but still we expect to work on, while there is a
+saloon in operation.</p>
+
+<p>We have a temperance fund; some have subscribed
+as much as $500: I think over twenty have subscribed
+that much. There is about $38,000 in the bank; ten
+per cent. of that money can be drawn to defray any
+expense the association may have in law suits, etc.;
+the men have a business committee to look up cases
+for prosecution, and to watch the saloons to see whether
+they sell according to law. Thus it will be noticed we
+have public sentiment in our favor.</p>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. R. O. Stewart for the facts in
+this account.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MARIETTA_OHIO">
+ MARIETTA, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. J. M. Eells for the following
+account of the work in Marietta: It has been my
+privilege to be engaged in the cause of temperance
+for many years, but never have I seen the power of
+God so manifested as in the Crusade, and the recent
+reform movement. Previous to the work here in
+Marietta, many groaned under the heavy burden of
+the sin of intemperance. Feeling that something must
+be done, and that prayer would avail, yet we did not
+lay hold on the means of grace as we should have done
+until stimulated by the persevering efforts of our sisters
+in Washington and Hillsboro’.</p>
+
+<p>Thanks be to our Heavenly Father for the great
+good that has been accomplished by our feeble efforts.
+When our work commenced, if I am rightly informed,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span>the number of saloons amounted to about sixty in this
+place and vicinity—kept mostly by Germans. Our
+sympathy embraced all classes of drinking men; but
+our efforts were more closely drawn to the saloonist
+for a time.</p>
+
+<p>With prayers, tears, songs, and entreaties we went
+from the house of God to the doors of the saloons, and
+we trust to the hearts of the saloonists, though few
+surrendered, until affliction laid them low: six have
+gone to their final account.</p>
+
+<p>There is one remarkable incident connected with
+our work. A young man, of upright character in society,
+was engaged in dealing out to others <i>that</i> which
+he would not drink himself, though from childhood he
+had been employed in a saloon. During all this time
+he was never known to touch a drop of intoxicating
+drinks. The ladies labored with him, endeavoring to
+show the inconsistency of such a course, pressing the
+question: “Are you doing by others as you would that
+others should do to you?”</p>
+
+<p>The answer would invariably be: “This is my way
+of getting a living. People will drink. I might as well
+sell it as any one else. I know what I am about. I
+read my Bible—attend church with a hope of heaven.”</p>
+
+<p>We left, saying we feared he was deceiving himself.
+He kept on and on until, in the stillness of night,
+his house was wrapt in flames. We thought he had
+lost his all, but a few days later we were invited to call
+at his new establishment, fitted up in fascinating style,
+to allure the weak. At this crisis he was attacked with
+a disease which, in a few days, numbered him with the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span>dead. In his ravings he was heard to cry, “<i>I cannot,
+I will not die.</i>”</p>
+
+<p>Our encouragement in laboring with drinking men
+has been great, especially when we hear them in our
+gospel meetings testifying to the goodness of God in
+reclaiming them from a life of sin, and taking away their
+appetite for strong drink.</p>
+
+<p>Through the efforts of the ladies, and the recent
+Reform movement, many, very many families have been
+made happy and provided for well, by the reclaiming
+of a father, husband, son, and brother. Yes! we have
+seen the tattered, reeling, profane man clothed and in
+his right mind; also the weeping mother and half-starved
+children with their tears wiped away, and fed
+and clothed; and the rough, defiant saloonist bathed
+in tears.</p>
+
+<p>Something like two thousand signed the pledge
+during these movements.</p>
+
+<p>Words of cheer often come to us in these late days,
+from one and another who were blest during the Crusade.
+One man said he wished the ladies had thought
+of the poor drunkard long before; it would have saved
+<i>him</i> ten years of wretchedness. He never met with
+anything that went to his heart as their appeals did.</p>
+
+<p>We are encouraged more, by seeing in our walks,
+places where a bar had been kept changed to a neatly furnished
+sitting-room. We like to enter and converse
+with the occupants. They always invite us to call
+again, saying, “Doesn’t this room look better than when
+the bar was in it?”</p>
+
+<p>Our work is still going on, under the influence of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span>Good Templars, gospel meetings, and the Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union. The work has gone on
+here very much as in other places.</p>
+
+<p>We still hold it to be God’s work, and pray that He
+will bless all efforts put forth by His people for the
+overthrow of the monster vice, Intemperance.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="XENIA_OHIO">
+ XENIA, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>This city, beautiful for situation, is the pride of
+southern Ohio, and contains a population of about ten
+thousand inhabitants. At the commencement of the
+Crusade there were one hundred and twenty places
+where liquor was sold—one saloon to eighty-three
+inhabitants.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Dio Lewis assisted in organizing the movement
+in this city. Temperance soon became the all-absorbing
+topic of conversation among all classes. The
+women organized under the leadership of Mrs. Colonel
+Lowe. The women of wealth and culture came at
+once to the front, to take their share of the burden of
+the work. Denominational lines were broken down,
+and women accustomed to psalm-singing joined heartily
+in gospel songs.</p>
+
+<p>One of the worst saloons in the place was the
+“Shades of Death,” kept by a young man named
+Phillips, who kept a liquor shop and gambling den
+of the worst character, although he had been well
+brought up.</p>
+
+<p>A special correspondent of the <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>
+gives us the following graphic account of the work at
+this saloon:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span></p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ “<span class="smcap">Xenia, Ohio</span>, February 13th.
+</p>
+
+<p>“At the close of my letter yesterday the women
+held the ‘Shades of Death’ in close investment. It
+was agreed by the ladies to adjourn for dinner, and so
+I announced; but there was no adjournment. The
+determined women could not find it in their hearts to
+leave, and they did not until near five o’clock. Such
+as found it necessary to go home to their families did
+so, but were early back to the place of prayer.</p>
+
+<p>“This saloon is a brick house on the corner of
+Whiteman and Second streets, having one door on
+each. Under the back room there is a deep cellar,
+where much of the gambling is carried on, quite out
+of sight. At first the women held their station on the
+two sidewalks, but at length discovered a third door
+in the rear, through which some of those caught in
+the saloon had already made good their escape. This
+outlet was quickly occupied by the women, and so the
+place was surrounded. The keeper, Phillips, was not
+prepared for this, and came to the door and remonstrated
+vigorously; but the response came in spiritual
+song:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“‘A charge to keep I have.’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“In vain Stephen assured the women that their
+praying would do no good. They only sang the more
+fervently,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“‘To patient faith the prize is sure.’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“A fiddle was played inside, and some dancing
+attempted, but this did not last long. Through a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span>broken window the services outside were distinctly
+heard inside. The proprietor sent for a glazier, and
+had the missing glass replaced. The faces of bloated
+white and colored men appeared at the windows side
+by side.</p>
+
+<p>“The representatives of six wholesale liquor-houses
+were here yesterday, offering the saloonists all the
+liquors they can make use of, while the campaign lasts,
+free of charge.</p>
+
+<p>“One of these gentlemen was in the ‘Shades of
+Death’ when it was invested. About two o’clock he
+came to the front door to tell the women that they
+were helpless, and could do nothing; that they did not
+know where their own sons and husbands might be at
+that moment. His own wife had no idea he went to
+such places. An estimable woman of God began to
+pray for him, and, as he retreated through the door,
+they followed him in. Phillips came out about three
+o’clock, accompanied by his brother, to draw the crowd
+away. A part followed him across the street, but the
+siege was not lifted.”</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p class="right">
+ “<span class="smcap">Xenia, Ohio</span>, February 19th, 1874.
+</p>
+
+<p>“Just as I sealed my letter, I heard a great shout in
+the street, and soon after all the church-bells in the
+city commenced ringing. At the same time there
+arose a prolonged cheering from the Grangers’ Convention,
+just across the street from the hotel, and it
+was evident that something unusual had happened.
+Going on the street for the news, I saw crowds of
+people thronging towards Whiteman street, and heard
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</span>on every hand in joyful accent, ‘The “Shades of
+Death” has unconditionally surrendered.’ The good
+news, as the temperance people considered it, proved
+true, and I found Whiteman street thronged with people.
+At a little before three o’clock, as it appeared
+from the general account, Mr. Steve Phillips, proprietor
+of the ‘Shades of Death,’ invited the ladies to enter,
+and announced that he gave up everything to them,
+and would never sell anything intoxicating in Xenia
+again. Then the ladies, joined by the spectators, sang,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“‘Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">while the liquors were rolled into the street. A half-barrel
+of blackberry brandy, the same of highwines, a
+few kegs of beer, and some bottles of ale and whiskey,
+were soon emptied into the street, amid the shouts of
+an enthusiastic multitude. The leading lady then
+announced that if Mr. Phillips went into any other
+business in Xenia, they should feel it a duty to support
+him. A despatch was sent to the Grangers,
+eliciting three cheers, and all the bells were set ringing
+in honor of the first great victory. When I arrived,
+the liquor had mostly collected in one depression in
+the street, and such a stench went up—‘a rank offence,
+that smelt to heaven’—as made me think it a very
+fortunate thing for somebody’s insides that the liquor
+had been poured out. Of the women around, some
+were crying, some laughing, a few alternately singing
+and returning thanks. One elderly lady in the edge
+of the crowd was almost in hysterics, but still shouting
+in a hoarse whisper such as one often hears at camp-meeting:
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</span>‘Bless the Lord! O-o-o, bless the Lord!’
+She had the appearance of a lady in good circumstances,
+and a citizen informed me that she is ordinarily
+one of the quietest, most placid of women.
+One of her sons died of intemperance, and another is
+much addicted to liquor. On every side nothing was
+witnessed but smiles, laughter, tears, prayers, hand-shaking,
+and congratulations.”</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>Phillips opened a meat-market at his old stand, and
+was most liberally patronized.</p>
+
+<p>The good work went on. At the close of the second
+week, twenty-five out of the forty-seven saloons were
+closed, some permanently, others during the war.
+The street prayer-meetings were kept up without
+intermission for over a month, when the ladies decided
+to try the picket work, which proved quite effectual.</p>
+
+<p>But at the municipal election, the whiskey party was
+triumphant; not because there was a lack of temperance
+sentiment, but for lack of unity, and earnest
+effort on the part of moral and temperance men.</p>
+
+<p>The liquor element became defiant and insulting.
+While Mrs. Monroe’s band was at Hollencamp’s brewery,
+a man came out with a mug of beer in his hands,
+and stopping a woman in the midst of her prayer,
+offered her a drink; holding out the foaming beer, he
+told her it was Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>One day, while the ladies were holding services,
+Bloom, Altschul, and other liquor-dealers, with their degraded
+customers, surrounded them, and the interruptions
+became so boisterous and threatening, that Mayor
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</span>Keever and Marshal Riley interfered for the protection
+of the ladies.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding all these discouragements, the
+ladies continued their work, <i>and will continue till a complete
+victory is won</i>.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WAYNESVILLE_OHIO">
+ WAYNESVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>“Waynesville is a quiet village in Warren county, of
+strong Quaker proclivities. It is situated on a gentle
+slope which descends to the little Miami river. Across
+the stream is the little village of Corwin, named after
+the illustrious governor and statesman of Ohio. Together
+these two towns boast that they have a population
+of twelve or fifteen hundred. The groups of
+white houses form a very quiet, pretty picture.”</p>
+
+<p>The women of this quiet little village commenced
+public work January 17th, and maintained one of the
+most protracted and determined campaigns of the
+Crusade. There were three saloons in the two towns:
+two in Waynesville, and one in Corwin.</p>
+
+<p>The first real work of the Crusade was the circulation
+of a petition, which was largely signed, and sent
+to the town council, asking them to prohibit the sale
+of ale and beer. The desired ordinance was passed.
+In the meantime the ladies held prayer-meetings, and
+prepared for street work, if that should be necessary.
+A report having obtained that the women intended to
+commence crusading on Saturday, Timothy Liddy
+printed and circulated the following notice, which I
+give <i>verbatim et literatim</i>.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Notice.</span>—As it has come to my hearing that there
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span>is a rumor in circulation that some of the ladies in and
+about Waynesville, O., are about to visit my grocery
+on Saturday, the 17th inst., for the purpose of holding
+a prayer-meeting, I advise all the ladies concerned in
+the movement to keep clear of my grocery, and keep
+within the bounds of the law, as my grocery is not a
+place of worship.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ “<span class="allsmcap">TIMOTHY LIDDY.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Waynesville</span>, O., Jan. 16th, 1874.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The women accepted it as a challenge, and marched
+at once to Mr. Liddy’s saloon for a prayer-meeting.
+Mr. Liddy was very obstinate, and his wife maintained
+a threatening attitude.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll scald yez! I’ll scald yez!” she cried. But the
+women had enlisted for the war, and were not deterred
+by her threats. The other saloon in Waynesville was
+kept by William F. Raper; the saloons were on
+diagonally opposite corners, which was a great convenience
+to the ladies, as with their large band they
+could keep up a continual prayer-meeting in both
+saloons. Mr. Liddy declared that “These wimmen
+are worse than haythens.” Both saloon-keepers closed
+their doors against the women, and on the 7th of February,
+with the ground covered four inches deep with
+snow and the snow still falling, they sang and prayed
+again and again in front of Raper’s saloon, and some
+of them afterwards declared that it was a most delightful
+meeting.</p>
+
+<p>As the weather continued inclement, a few of the
+ladies took shelter in covered carriages drawn up in
+front of the saloons for their use, while on picket duty;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span>a vacant room on the third corner was fitted up for the
+use of the band, so the siege went on with a degree
+of comfort. Books were kept in which the name of
+every man entering either saloon was registered; the
+result was a large falling off in the patronage.</p>
+
+<p>The house occupied by Liddy was finally bought over
+his head, and he was forced to close, and Raper soon
+afterwards surrendered. He wrote Miss Esther Pugh
+the following letter:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“<span class="smcap">Miss Pugh</span>:—I have thought the matter over, and
+have come to the conclusion to let the ladies empty
+the ale.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ “<span class="smcap">William F. Raper.</span>”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>There was great rejoicing, and immense enthusiasm,
+and in response to the letter, the ladies marched
+through a pouring rain to the saloon. Mr. Raper very
+graciously assisted the women in rolling out his liquors
+on the pavement. But the enthusiasm of the women
+was so great, that they didn’t wait for assistance, but
+seized the kegs of ale in the cellar, and by almost
+superhuman effort carried them up the steep cellar-stairs
+into the street; and their contents were soon
+poured upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The whole force was now concentrated upon Tom
+Franey’s saloon, at Corwin. Tom was noted for his
+politeness. The ladies who came to pray in his saloon
+were treated with great consideration, and when the
+prayer-meeting was over, and he had shaken hands all
+around, an omnibus was at the door to carry the ladies
+back to Waynesville. The ladies were not turned
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</span>from their purpose by his blandishments, but continued
+their work till it began seriously to interfere with his
+business. His saloon was the only one now in the
+centre of a large district, dotted over with villages.
+But the country people ceased to come with their
+jugs and bottles, and the polite Franey became ungracious,
+and went so far as to threaten to sue the
+Society for damaging his business. After securing
+legal advice, he changed his mind, and closed his doors
+against the Crusaders; but they sang and prayed
+beside his door until he, too, surrendered unconditionally.</p>
+
+<p>The officers of the League which did such valiant
+work were: President, Esther Pugh; Vice-Presidents,
+Mrs. Devitt, Mrs. Rebecca Randall, Mrs. Levi Cook,
+Mrs. Kate Allen; Secretary, Miss Annie Fisher.
+Among the workers were, Miss Phebe Bailey, Mrs. John
+Fetter, Miss Addie Keys, Miss Eliza Bunting, Mrs.
+Israel Wright, Rachel Hopkins, Mrs. Dr. Way, Eliza
+Nedry, Jane Jones, and others. It was the habit of
+these ladies, when visiting a saloon, to fall at once upon
+their knees, and remain kneeling most of the time
+during their stay. The company was made up of all
+denominations, members of the Society of Friends pre-dominating,
+Orthodox and Hicksites commingling, and
+all sang together gospel songs. Their meetings were
+characterized by deep religious feeling, and were intensely
+solemn. The siege, that resulted in closing all
+the saloons in these two villages, was protracted <i>forty-nine
+days</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_CONCORD_OHIO">
+ NEW CONCORD, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>We are indebted to Mrs. E. J. Oxley for the facts
+in this report.</p>
+
+<p>The Christian Women’s Temperance Union of New
+Concord, Ohio, was organized March 18th, 1874, at a
+meeting held in the Presbyterian Church. Prior to
+this time, a few of the Christian women of the village
+had met several times in the capacity of a temperance
+prayer-meeting.</p>
+
+<p>A temperance mass-meeting was held in the Reformed
+Presbyterian Church, on the evening of the 27th.
+Two of the ministers were staunch temperance men who
+had nobly battled against intemperance for many years.
+These men, hand in hand, and shoulder to shoulder,
+did much to assist the women, who pledged themselves
+to labor for life against intemperance, and
+adopted as their watchword, “eternal vigilance and
+perseverance.”</p>
+
+<p>These meetings were well attended, partly because
+the people were becoming excited on the temperance
+question, and partly because it was the “Woman’s
+movement.”</p>
+
+<p>The novelty of women holding public meetings,
+perhaps, drew out some who would not otherwise have
+attended a temperance meeting.</p>
+
+<p>In the latter part of May, committees were appointed
+to canvass the town with copies of the <i>pledge</i>, in order
+to obtain all the signatures that could be secured, and
+leave all without an excuse. The canvassers met
+with unexpected success. In a short time our pledge-book<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span>
+contained 277 signatures to the citizens’ pledge,
+and 60 to the “Band of Promise” pledge.</p>
+
+<p>A “Band of Promise” was organized May 5th, 1874.
+Its pledge prohibited the use of intoxicating liquors of
+any kind as a beverage, the use of tobacco in any
+form, and also stipulated that the subscribers would
+refrain from the use of profane language.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the parents who were quite willing to have
+their children become members of the Band of Promise,
+objected to their signing the pledge, because they said
+<i>they</i> could not keep it, but it was not long before the
+children were allowed to sign it. This Band proved a
+great benefit, not only to the children themselves, who
+were receiving a course of thorough temperance
+training, but also to their parents, many of whom
+could not have been induced to attend any of the other
+temperance meetings, but were eager to attend the
+children’s mass-meetings, to hear their own dear little
+boys and girls sing or speak their particular pieces:
+proving that this is the <i>great field</i> for temperance
+workers: the field where the seed now sown will, at
+some not far distant day, yield “an hundred-fold.”</p>
+
+<p>The entertainments by the Band of Promise were by
+far the most Interesting temperance meetings held in
+the place; their music was sweeter and more attractive
+than any other, and their performances were more
+highly appreciated than the most eloquent speakers who
+could be brought forward, simply because the people
+were generally interested in children. They are the
+hope of both church and state.</p>
+
+<p>Although there was no saloon in our village, there
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span>was one just a little out of town, in one of the best
+places for that business that could well be found—outside
+of the corporation, out of view from town, and accessible
+by four different ways. This was kept by
+Wm. Wylie, who claimed to be selling according to
+law, and could not be gotten rid of until the summer
+of 1875, when at last he grew tired of the frequent
+visits of the “preachers and temperance women,” and
+closed out.</p>
+
+<p>Prayer-meetings and temperance visitors had made
+his <i>trade dull</i>, so he concluded to give up the business
+and try to earn an honest living by the “sweat of his
+brow.”</p>
+
+<p>The last visit, and perhaps the one productive of
+most good, was made about the last of July, 1875, when
+a procession of fourteen or fifteen women, accompanied
+by five men, three of them ministers—Revs. M’Arthur,
+M’Clurkin, and Murch—marched out one afternoon.
+On arriving there they found the house closed, as if
+there was no one at home; but they soon had evidence
+that the family were there, and proceeded to hold a
+prayer-meeting in front of the saloon. After a while
+Mr. Wylie came out, and they had an opportunity of
+talking with both him and his partner. He threatened
+prosecution, and <i>did</i> come to town to try to get <i>law</i>.
+Soon after this he quit selling liquor, and has since
+signed the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>The only street or outdoor work this League ever
+had to do was on the 23d of May, 1874. This was
+Saturday, the day of an “animal and circus show.”
+It was also a communion season with the people of
+the Reformed Presbyterian congregation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</span></p>
+
+<p>Early in the morning some of the League received
+information that a man from a neighboring village
+had brought a wagon-load of liquors, and was
+prepared to sell near the show grounds. He had
+selected a very good place for his business, a short distance
+out of the corporation, by the roadside, and was
+doubtlessly anticipating a <i>fine day’s work</i>; but before
+he had time to make many sales the temperance women
+were on the grounds, too, to <i>watch</i>, and to see, at least,
+that he did not sell to any of their friends, or any others,
+if they could prevent.</p>
+
+<p>This little band of eight or ten women, led by Mrs.
+Murch, first vice-president, and accompanied by perhaps
+half a dozen of the <i>good</i> old temperance men, as a kind
+of <i>escort</i>, at first tried to persuade Mr. Davis to go
+away, but they could neither induce him to sign the
+pledge, sell out to them, nor accept any proposition
+which they could make. He seemed invincible, determined
+to <i>sell</i>, “according to law,” as he said. Soon a
+large crowd of men, women, and children had gathered
+to see what this little handful of temperance women
+would or could do with a man who seemed to defy
+both them and “<i>their law</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>Other women continued to come, until by afternoon
+the few who had gone out in the morning were pretty
+strongly reinforced, and as the day wore on Mr. Davis
+learned that temperance women and those restrained
+by their presence, were not very good customers.</p>
+
+<p>But not until late in the afternoon did he show any
+signs of retreat. The law protecting persons holding
+religious services being found, was read to him by Mrs.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</span>Murch; he being within the limits prescribed by that
+ordinance, as the Reformed Presbyterian people were
+holding religious services in their church. Soon after
+the law was read to him, he began very reluctantly to
+pack up his kegs, boxes, and other saloon arrangements,
+and turned his face homeward, followed by a
+large and promiscuous crowd, some of whom followed
+him entirely out of town.</p>
+
+<p>The shades of evening fell upon a quiet and peaceful
+village, and many hearts rejoiced that there had
+not been one intoxicated man in town that day.</p>
+
+<p>This day’s labors strengthened the temperance
+women, and brought them into favor with some who
+had before thought they were transcending woman’s
+proper sphere. During the summer of 1874 frequent
+public mass-meetings were held, at which the question
+of “License or No license” was freely discussed, there
+being one article in the new Constitution which was to
+be submitted to the vote of the people of Ohio on the
+18th of August. <i>Union</i> temperance prayer-meetings
+were held almost every week in some one of the
+four churches, through this summer, fall and winter.</p>
+
+<p>These meetings were called union meetings, because
+the different pastors had been invited to conduct them,
+and a general invitation was extended. These soon
+became very interesting, large numbers attending.
+On the 18th of August, an all-day prayer-meeting was
+held, the object of which was to plead that God would
+guide the voters throughout the State, to cast their
+ballots in favor of “<i>No license</i>.” Their prayers were
+heard—the decision was, <span class="smcap">No License</span>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span></p>
+
+<p>A most interesting entertainment by the Band of
+Promise was given October 26th, in College Hall,
+about sixty girls and boys taking part. In this meeting
+there were some from almost every family in town.
+This entertainment consisted of music, temperance
+songs, declamations and select essays. They were
+highly appreciated, some of which would have done
+credit to much older boys and girls. The children
+were not only benefited, but highly delighted, so much
+so that in a few weeks there were many anxious “little
+folks,” inquiring of the committee of arrangements,
+who had drilled the class, when there would be another
+children’s mass-meeting.</p>
+
+<p>This was the <i>first</i> of these “Temperance Exhibitions,”
+but not the <i>last</i>. They were held as often as
+once in three months, and sometimes oftener.</p>
+
+<p>In January and February, 1875, petitions to Congress
+and the Legislature, asking for temperance legislation,
+and also petitions to the Centennial Commission,
+asking that no brewery or distillery be allowed on the
+Centennial grounds, and that the gates be closed on
+the Sabbath, were circulated with unexpected success.</p>
+
+<p>Again, in January, 1877, petitions to Congress and
+the Legislature, asking for prohibitory laws, were again
+circulated with still better success, this time securing,
+in the village and country neighborhoods around, 868
+signatures to one petition, and 800 to the other. The
+winter before, only about 300 names were obtained.</p>
+
+<p>The W. C. T. U. still hold weekly prayer-meetings,
+but with much depleted numbers. Instead of forty
+and more members, as at first, there are but ten or
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span>twelve of the Crusade members, and a few others.
+Many do not think it is necessary to keep up a temperance
+organization when there is no public work to do.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="RAVENNA_OHIO">
+ RAVENNA, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>An organization was formed in Ravenna, March
+12th, 1874. It was called the Woman’s Temperance
+League, Mrs. M. A. Woodbridge, President, Mrs. R.
+B. Witter, Secretary. The features of the work were
+similar to those throughout the State. Daily prayer-meetings
+were held, from which bands of women went
+forth in the name of the Lord to visit saloons, a portion
+of the League remaining in supplication at the church
+until their return, much good resulting therefrom.
+These meetings were held continuously for many
+weeks, with frequent mass-meetings in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>After the close of the Crusade, the meetings were
+held regularly, with more or less frequency, as circumstances
+required, until early last year, when the League
+was suspended, and the commencement of the present
+year a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was
+formed, auxiliary to the State Union. Most excellent
+temperance work has been done in the town and
+county, for which we give God the glory.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MARION_OHIO">
+ MARION, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>“For weeks before we took any forward step in the
+temperance work in our own place, our hearts had
+been fired by reading of what had been done in other
+places. Hillsboro’ and Washington Court-House
+seemed the scenes of miracles. Other towns and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</span>villages fell into line. But we halted. Could we do
+anything?”</p>
+
+<p>At last an informal meeting was held on February
+23d. It was resolved to circulate two petitions, one to
+our State Legislature, asking that “no change be
+made in the famous Adair Liquor Law,” and one to
+the Constitutional Convention, praying that our legislative
+bodies have the right reserved to them of enacting
+prohibitory laws with regard to the sale and
+manufacture of all alcoholic liquors. Twelve hundred
+and twenty-five signatures were obtained to the first
+of these petitions, and twelve hundred and fifty-five to
+the second.</p>
+
+<p>A large and enthusiastic mass-meeting was held on
+Sabbath, <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, and on Monday, March 2d, a business
+meeting. Most of the places of business were closed,
+and the largest audience-room in the place was packed
+almost to suffocation. One hundred and eighty-five
+women pledged themselves to co-operate in the
+“Women’s Temperance Movement,” until the sale of
+intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, was abolished.
+One hundred and sixty men pledged themselves to
+sustain the women in their work. It was decided to
+hold a daily prayer-meeting “during the war.”</p>
+
+<p>“March 6th, Mother Stewart was with us. The
+following note of the day is in the words of our Secretary
+at that time:</p>
+
+<p>“Although the day was exceedingly inclement, we
+decided the trial-moment had come, and we marched
+upon the street with Mother Stewart at our front.
+We went with trembling, but God’s grace, which never
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</span>faileth in the hour of need, strengthened us by the
+way, and as we knelt upon the muddy pavement, we
+felt God’s Spirit overshadowing and leading us. Four
+saloons were visited, but the doors were barred against
+our entrance. We prayed that the Spirit which can
+work, and no man hinder, might enter there.</p>
+
+<p>“At a mass-meeting on the evening of March 9th, we
+were cheered by our first unconditional surrender. A
+stock guarantee fund of forty thousand ($40,000) dollars,
+afterwards increased to fifty thousand, was also raised
+at this time. The object of this fund was, so it was
+stated, was to prosecute liquor-dealers, and it could
+only be used for prosecutions, and for defending the
+women in prosecutions, should any arise; and great as
+has been our need of funds at different times, not a
+cent of it has ever passed into our hands.</p>
+
+<p>“As the days and weeks passed by we received other
+promises from liquor-dealers to stop selling. Six
+ceased entirely, though some of them have since resumed
+the traffic. New ones have started up within
+the past two years, so that we are often met with the
+taunting question, ‘What good did your Crusade do?
+The town is worse off than it was before.’ But looking
+back, we can see good that has been accomplished.
+Daily the bands visited the saloons, and the voice of
+prayer and praise was heard from such unaccustomed
+places, for a brief while each day, though often the
+sounds of cursing and revelry mingled with the
+prayers. One such scene the writer remembers distinctly.
+It was Saturday afternoon, and the village
+was thronged with people from the surrounding country,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</span>full of curiosity to see the ‘praying women.’
+One of the bands entered a saloon on the busiest part
+of Main street. Coarse, rough men, others quiet,
+observant, and boys eager and interested, thronged
+the pavement. The rear part of the saloon was full
+of men, one degree coarser than those without, smoking,
+drinking, swearing, scoffing. As the band entered,
+one of our sweet Crusade hymns rose on the air.
+We were told to ‘be brief. They were very busy,
+and wanted no interruption.’ A few verses of Scripture
+were read, and a sister led in prayer, and <i>such a
+prayer</i>. The wife of the proprietor told her to stop,
+but she prayed on; finally, she shook her, but the
+prayer flowed calmly and earnestly on, as if the air
+carried no sound but her own voice to the listening
+ear above. A German sister immediately followed,
+and while she prayed the door was locked. Whatever
+may have been the intention, the door was opened
+while we sang at the close of her prayer, and we
+passed out. Committees of two or three were also
+sent at times to talk with saloon-keepers.</p>
+
+<p>“We had at this time two hundred and sixty-two
+women pledged to the work.</p>
+
+<p>“Early in April, pickets were stationed at the principal
+saloons. This work was kept up more or less
+closely until the Crusade work ceased.</p>
+
+<p>“April 6th, being our local election day, and the
+saloons closed by law, was devoted to an all-day
+prayer-meeting. We began at six o’clock in the
+morning, and during the hours of the day, earnest
+prayers went up, that the cause of right and temperance
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</span>might triumph, and the Lord show His power in
+controlling the affairs of men. The liquor interest
+made a desperate fight, but the victory was essentially
+ours, though much of the good we hoped from it was
+lost by the mismanagement of men.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing daunted the ladies prepared and presented
+to the council a petition, signed by three hundred and
+sixty-five men and four hundred and sixty-one women,
+praying that a prohibitory ordinance be added to our
+municipal code, but though there was a majority of
+the voters, the council was divided against itself, and
+our petition was lost.</p>
+
+<p>“May 20th, the chairman of the executive committee
+of the guarantee fund requested that the ‘ladies
+should retire from the streets.’ After considerable
+discussion, it was decided to do so for a time. We
+never resumed the work in that form.</p>
+
+<p>“July 9th, officers were elected, and constitution
+adopted for permanent organization. Weekly prayer-meetings
+have been held ever since.</p>
+
+<p>“The county has been thoroughly canvassed twice;
+once against the license clause of the new constitution,
+and once in the endeavor to thoroughly organize it.</p>
+
+<p>“After the formation of the Woman’s National Union,
+we changed our name of League, to Women’s Christian
+Temperance Union, of Marion, Ohio.</p>
+
+<p>“We feel that we have done, and can do, oh, <i>so</i> little;
+but we can pray, and ‘prayer moves the arm that
+moves the world.’”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WEST_UNION_OHIO">
+ WEST UNION, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>This little village, of only four hundred inhabitants,
+had four saloons. For years and years they had been
+doing their deadly work, paralyzing business and
+wasting the resources and ruining the homes of the
+people.</p>
+
+<p>The women of this staid old town had never thought
+it possible to change this order of things. But as soon
+as the success of Crusaders elsewhere became known,
+they rallied to the work with such zeal and earnestness
+that in a very short time the whole town was ablaze
+with temperance enthusiasm, and <i>every saloon was closed</i>.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="FELICITY_OHIO">
+ FELICITY, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Felicity, a quiet little village, a few miles back from
+the Ohio river, and thirty miles by road from Cincinnati,
+had one saloon.</p>
+
+<p>The women had watched the desolating work of
+that saloon, and encouraged by the example of their
+sisters in other places, they determined, if possible, to
+close it.</p>
+
+<p>A meeting was called, and the women met and consecrated
+themselves for any part of the work God
+might demand of them.</p>
+
+<p>But while they yet prayed, He answered; and when,
+a few days later, the band visited the saloon, they found
+that terror had taken hold of the dealer, and that he
+had shipped his liquors back to Cincinnati, and the
+room was being cleaned and put in order for other
+purposes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="LEBANON_OHIO">
+ LEBANON, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Lebanon was noted for its morality.</p>
+
+<p>The town contained about four thousand inhabitants,
+and had nine churches, and only three saloons.</p>
+
+<p>It had been, from the very beginning of its existence,
+a temperance town, and a prohibitory ordinance
+had been passed years before by the town council.</p>
+
+<p>These men, in defiance of law, were selling liquors;
+but the municipal authorities did not put a stop to the
+traffic.</p>
+
+<p>A great deal of enthusiasm had been created by the
+trial of the ladies of Morrow, which took place in this
+town. Many of the citizens of Morrow had accompanied
+the ladies to the court, and the Lebanon ladies
+provided dinner for them, and rejoiced with them when
+Scheide was defeated. But the ladies were slow to
+begin the Crusade work.</p>
+
+<p>They believed that the men, who had the law on their
+side, ought to shut up all three of the saloons without
+their help. And perhaps the men thought so, too, but
+it was not easy to get evidence.</p>
+
+<p>Rev. E. B. Burrows, a young Congregational minister,
+went to Cincinnati, secretly, and employed a detective.</p>
+
+<p>The detective, after lounging about the saloons for a
+few days, had proof enough to sustain a prosecution,
+and Brady and Glady were arrested. Brady owned two
+saloons. The liquor-dealers rallied the roughs and
+drunkards to bully the court and carry through the
+case after the usual style. But the temperance element
+was aroused, and the building was crowded with
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</span>the best and wealthiest citizens of the town. The two
+men were convicted, fined, and sent to prison.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately they began to negotiate for a compromise—“If
+the fines and imprisonment were remitted,
+and the prisoners allowed to go free, they would
+leave the town.”</p>
+
+<p>And so a compromise was made, and two of the
+saloons closed their doors.</p>
+
+<p>The other saloon-keeper, Nate Wood, was arrested,
+tried, fined, and imprisoned. He paid his fine, served
+out his time in jail, and went back to his business as
+though nothing had happened. But he now confined
+himself to legal sales. Under the law of the State,
+liquor must not be sold to be drunk on the premises.
+He filled little bottles for his customers, and they could
+pass out to a vacant lot or some convenient corner and
+take their drinks.</p>
+
+<p>The women organized and visited his saloon, and
+entreated him to stop. At last, after much boasting
+that he had plenty of money and could stand the siege,
+he closed his saloon and left the town.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="GRANVILLE_OHIO">
+ GRANVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>There were only four saloons in Granville. One
+of the dealers being a Jew, would not, on “account of
+his religion,” allow the ladies to come into his saloon
+to pray. But he spread carpeting on the sidewalk,
+and brought out chairs for their accommodation, and
+they held their prayer-meetings daily in front of his
+saloon.</p>
+
+<p>One hotel-keeper closed his doors against them, but
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</span>standing by the closed door they sang: “Behold a
+stranger at the door.” A lady who was present said:
+“It seemed as though the words had been prepared
+for the occasion, and O’Kane had written the music
+for just such a time and place: it can never sound to
+me again as it did that day.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a woman who kept a saloon and grocery
+just outside of the corporation limits. Just before
+leaving the church to visit her saloon, the women were
+told that she was a rough and dangerous character,
+that she had whipped her husband and driven him
+away, and that the parish priest, for she was a Roman
+Catholic, could do nothing with her. But trusting in
+God, the women went forth to visit her. They found
+her son in charge of the store; she was in the back
+yard very angry. The ladies went out to her, but she
+told them she had no time to talk with them.</p>
+
+<p>When they next visited her saloon, the liquors had
+all been sent away; and she was willing to talk to the
+ladies in a respectful manner.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusaders then visited the brewery. Mrs.
+Thomas Adams gives the following graphic account
+of that visit: “Two ferocious dogs were kept by the
+brewer, which he let loose upon us, but the dogs
+would not harm us. The man paced to and fro like
+an enraged lion in his cage, and raved like a mad
+man.”</p>
+
+<p>In a short time all the saloons were closed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="LEESBURG_OHIO">
+ LEESBURG, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Crusade, which commenced January 29th, closed
+out all the saloons in two weeks, and $50,000 was subscribed
+as a guarantee fund to keep it clear. A correspondent
+wrote: “The last spike was driven in the
+coffin of King Alcohol to-day.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BLANCHESTER_OHIO">
+ BLANCHESTER, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work commenced in February, and the little
+village of 600 was soon cleared of the traffic.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="GOSHEN_OHIO">
+ GOSHEN, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Crusade was successful in this place, and when
+the last saloon closed, all the bells in town were rung.</p>
+
+<p>The overjoyed people, who were in their homes at
+the time, ran bareheaded into the streets, to join the
+praying band; the children of the public schools were
+dismissed, which added to the enthusiasm. The only
+keg of beer found in the saloon was rolled out, and
+the bung knocked in, and its contents poured into the
+gutter. The enthusiasm was so great, that many embraced
+each other and wept for joy.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ZALESKI_OHIO">
+ ZALESKI, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>All the saloons in this little village were closed by
+the Crusade.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="TROY_OHIO">
+ TROY, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>On the 18th February, 1874, the Christian women
+of Troy came together <i>with one accord</i> to pray for the
+removal of the curse of intemperance. They numbered
+fifty-three. Their number increased from day to-day, as
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</span>continued meetings were held. A wonderful degree
+of the Holy Spirit was manifest.</p>
+
+<p>On the 22d, a Temperance League was formed by
+the simple election of a President (Mrs. J. B. Riley),
+and Secretary (Mrs. E. B. Meeks), and the adoption
+of the solemn agreement to “<i>Make common cause
+against the common enemy, Intemperance.</i>” To this
+pledge were signed 737 names. That pledge has been
+kept until the present date, September 20th, 1877.</p>
+
+<p>Daily meetings were held for two years; since that
+they are semi-weekly. Many have been reformed. To
+God be the glory forever.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MANSFIELD_OHIO">
+ MANSFIELD, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. Fanny W. Leiter, State
+Secretary, for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>The deep interest on the subject of Temperance
+which had been aroused in the hearts of our citizens
+by the spirit which was abroad in the land, found relief
+in action about the 25th of February, when a petition
+was circulated, receiving 600 signatures, and presented
+to the mayor, praying for a better enforcement of our
+Sunday laws.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately following this, a few of our earnest
+women assembled at the residence of one of their
+number, and, as a result of this gathering, on Sunday,
+March 1st, notices were read in all the churches, calling
+for a meeting of the women, to be held in the
+basement of the Methodist Church on the following
+afternoon. Before the meeting was called to order
+every chair was occupied and standing room was in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</span>demand. The faces of that audience would have been
+a study for an artist. Deep earnestness was the prevailing
+expression, varied by every shade of emotion,
+such as curiosity, doubt, fear, credulity, enthusiasm,
+hopefulness. Young faces took on an unusual gravity;
+older ones were lighted by new and strong feeling;
+even women, bowed by three-score years and
+ten, seemed filled with youthful ardor, and added dignity
+and animation to the scene.</p>
+
+<p>The petty distinction of wealth and social standing
+was forgotten, as swayed by one common impulse,
+all minds were busy with the question: “What can
+we do to destroy this common evil of intemperance?”</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. McVay stated the reasons that seemed to
+demand such a gathering of the women of our city.</p>
+
+<p>After the appointment of a temporary chairman,
+many short and telling speeches were made by women
+who, perhaps, had never before expressed their minds
+to an audience, and, as a forward step, a committee
+of seven ladies was directed to call upon the mayor,
+and see what he could do to aid us. This committee
+met on Tuesday, and after prayer, proceeded to visit
+his honor, the mayor. His signature was obtained to
+a paper promising to do all in his power to enforce
+the laws bearing upon the sale and use of intoxicating
+liquors.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting of April 5th was held in the Methodist
+Church, filling the audience-room.</p>
+
+<p>After some preliminary discussion the “Women’s
+Christian Temperance League,” of Mansfield, was
+organized with the following officers:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</span></p>
+
+<p>President, Mrs. J. H. Reed; Secretary, Mrs. Fannie
+Leiter; Corresponding Secretary, Miss M. Brinkerhoff;
+Treasurer, Mrs. G. W. Geddes.</p>
+
+<p>A Vice-President from each of the twelve churches
+in the city, was also appointed.</p>
+
+<p>A strong personal pledge was passed around, and
+signed by nearly every one present. Letters were
+read from several of the ministers of the city, expressing
+sympathy with the movement, and bidding us
+“God speed.”</p>
+
+<p>Restrictive pledges, signed by most of the physicians
+and druggists, were handed in, unsolicited.</p>
+
+<p>Women held morning prayer-meetings, which were
+largely attended by business men who had agreed to
+close their places of business during one hour in the
+forenoon.</p>
+
+<p>The men agreed to raise a fund, if possible, amounting
+to $100,000, to be assessed, not to exceed more
+than one per cent. This was a very substantial proof
+of the interest the men took in the work of reform,
+and the women were very thankful for the means to
+carry on the work. Prayer-meetings were held both
+forenoon and afternoon, and largely attended by men
+as well as women. Committees appointed to visit
+saloons, by twos, performed their work faithfully.
+One of them, the smallest one too, said she had “seen
+the giants” and was <i>not affrighted</i>. All seemed of
+one mind that the time had come to visit saloons in
+bands, and pray for saloon-keepers face to face. The
+President expressed her willingness to do so if enough
+were agreed as touching this one thing. After some
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</span>talk and a few moments spent in silent prayer, the
+question was put, and over one hundred rose to their
+feet, though with manifest trembling.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies who went to Ashland returned and made
+a favorable report of the street work being done there.
+The desire to undertake a similar work here was acted
+upon. All of the advisory committee approved, and
+on taking a vote of the League, all rose to their feet.
+Feeling had <i>intensified</i> and <i>conviction deepened</i> until
+many who, at the outset of the work, shuddered at the
+thought, were willing to take the course so strongly
+pointed out to them by Providence. The weather was
+very inclement, and physical as well as moral courage
+was in demand. A feeling of great solemnity prevailed
+as the procession, headed by the president and
+secretary, moved out upon the street. The band was
+formidable in point of numbers, nearly five hundred,
+many who were not members of the League, joining
+in, to express their approbation of the movement.
+All the saloons on each side of Main, down to Fourth
+street, were visited.</p>
+
+<p>The first three compelled us to hold our services
+upon the pavement, all kneeling during the prayers.
+The proprietor of a fourth was willing to admit the
+ladies, but the room, an underground apartment, was
+already so packed with men and boys, who had congregated
+for the purpose of witnessing, and thwarting
+the effort, that it was impossible for more than twelve
+or fifteen to gain access; and the uproar of the multitude
+proclaiming for their idol, seemed to defeat, for a
+little time, our purpose. Finally, one of the band,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</span>pressed in spirit, stepped upon a chair,—in the very
+presence of that rebellious crowd. They were hushed
+in a moment to profound stillness, as she poured forth
+her soul in behalf of the perishing people.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies, as many as could get in, were admitted
+in several other places, and treated with respect.</p>
+
+<p>The convictions that followed the experiences of
+this day proved the turning-point with many women,
+who, previous to this, were undecided as to their duty
+in this matter.</p>
+
+<p>March 13th.—The ladies went in two columns and
+visited all the drinking establishments from Fourth
+street to the railroad. Exercises were conducted
+mostly on the pavement, large crowds of people
+standing around; some listened reverently and others
+talking angrily; the angry tones were mostly in a foreign
+tongue. Some declared that if this thing was to
+go on long, they would go back to Faderland, where
+they could drink their lager in peace, with no <i>vimmen</i>
+to “molest or make them afraid.”</p>
+
+<p>March 14th.—We divided our forces into smaller
+bands—organizing six, with the more active ones as
+leaders. Three bands met together in the morning,
+spent an hour in prayer, and then an hour or two in
+singing, praying, and talking temperance, either in
+saloons, or on the pavement, or gutter in front of
+them. This programme was repeated with little variation
+in the afternoon. They were warned against <i>concentration</i>,
+and threatened with the contents of beer
+barrels; nevertheless they continued to <i>concentrate</i>, and
+“bearded the lion in his den” so long as seemed unto
+them good.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</span></p>
+
+<p>The McConnelsville Ordinance, somewhat modified,
+was passed March 17th, to the great joy of many
+friends of temperance and the sorrow of others, who
+believed that prayer was the only weapon to be used
+in this warfare, and that the rum-sellers themselves
+were quite as open to its influence as the executors of
+the law. Election day, April 5th, was observed by
+the members of the League as a day of fasting and
+prayer. There was undivided joy over the result of
+the election, which gave a majority, considered in favor
+of temperance, and left the council as before—three
+against and five for the ordinance.</p>
+
+<p>April 1st, the day when the ordinance should have
+gone into force, saw every saloon closed, at least in
+appearance, and silence reigned in our streets for
+the space of half a month, save an occasional meeting
+in one of the wholesale liquor-houses. Several saloonists
+had agreed, previous to this, to quit the business—two
+of them women. Eighteen less licenses for
+selling liquors were taken out on May 1st, 1874, than
+on May 1st, 1873. Official returns showed a great
+decrease In the amount of liquors of all kinds sold in
+the month of February, March and April, of 1874.
+A property-holders’ pledge was circulated and generally
+signed. Druggists’ and physicians’ pledges were
+pressed earnestly and signed, with but a very few exceptions,
+by the men of influence. A petition against
+license received nearly 1,000 signatures. Personal
+pledges were made by many, the turning-point to a
+better life. Our all-day sessions of the League, the
+four mass-meetings a week at the Opera House, the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</span>Sunday afternoon prayer and conference meetings,
+were all attended and participated in by a very large
+number of the better class of our citizens.</p>
+
+<p>In a word, a strong tide of temperance sentiment
+prevailed, which, taken at the <i>flood</i>, by those who
+should, for the sake of humanity, have ruled our city
+in the fear of God, would have led on to the entire
+overthrow of the liquor traffic and its consequent evils.
+This fortunate end was not reached.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, in the language of one of our beloved
+co-workers, Mrs. Wilson, “God honors the smallest
+particle of faith in Him.” We hesitate not to claim
+the undeniable good wrought in our midst as answers
+vouchsafed to the many believing prayers offered by
+earnest and untiring workers in the cause of temperance.
+We heard more than one ex-saloonist say that
+he was glad he had quit a business which did harm
+to himself and customers. Our hearts were gladdened
+every Sabbath by seeing those seated among us,
+clothed and in their right minds, who, one year before,
+were estranged from church, family and friends by that
+destroyer of all the better faculties of the soul—<i>intemperance</i>.
+Many of our faithful and devout sisters
+gave it as their experience at the close of the year,
+that it had been the richest and noblest of their lives.
+“Good measure, pressed down and running over,”
+was given them by the rewarder of the faithful.</p>
+
+<p>The daily meetings of the League, the visiting of
+saloons in bands, or as committees, the circulation of
+the various pledges and petitions, the distributing
+of tracts, the visiting of those sick, and in prison, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</span>a large amount of private temperance work, took a
+great deal of time and strength. This work was
+done, mostly, by women whose domestic cares had,
+heretofore, occupied their time and thoughts. It was
+a work <i>added to</i> the <i>more important</i>, and done in place
+of the less important duties of wives, mothers and
+sisters, but it was done promptly and cheerfully, and
+not <i>one of them all died</i> from the overwork or exposure.</p>
+
+<p>We have yet to learn that any member of the house-holds
+represented, were <i>materially injured</i> by the reduced
+fare of their tables, or the depleted state of
+their wardrobes. Still, after so long a time as eight
+weeks, the fact was recognized that the Crusaders
+were not blessed as the wandering Israelites, “whose
+garments waxed not old upon them, whose shoes
+waxed not old upon their feet, and whose bread
+dropped from heaven!” Working-time was at first
+reduced one-half; then three meetings a week were
+held, and this continued until the 1st of August. The
+work upon the street changed its form several times,
+to suit the change in the impressions of the workers,
+as to the better mode of conducting such services.
+The last direct appeals to the saloonists, were made on
+the 27th of May—nearly three months from the beginning
+of the work. The dealers in liquors, both wholesale
+and retail, who, at first, were at least polite, and
+often apologetic, in their talks with the ladies, offering
+to quit the business if any other employment could be
+found, or to sell out at half or one-fourth the value,
+again revived their courage, under the failure to enforce
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</span>the ordinance, and evident cooling off of some
+advocates of the movement, and closed their doors
+and ears to all appeals. Outdoor meetings were held
+in various parts of the city, in the daytime conducted
+by the women, and on Friday evening in the Park,
+mostly addressed by our ministers and lawyers, who
+were not yet afraid to speak their minds on the subject
+of temperance. Meetings of this kind were kept up
+as long as the weather permitted. Then prayer-meetings
+in private houses were undertaken, under
+the auspices of the League, which have been fruitful
+of much good.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Leiter, an active member of the League, was
+chosen as Secretary of the State Temperance organization.
+A convention, held in the interest of the
+cause, made up of delegates from the several townships
+of Richland county, convened in the Opera House,
+June 13th, 1874. A permanent county organization was
+effected, with Mrs. McVay, President; Mrs. Patterson,
+Secretary; Mrs. Mercer, Treasurer, and one Vice-President
+from each township.</p>
+
+<p>This was the beginning of a good work for this
+county; men and women going miles into the country
+to talk temperance up, and license down. The majority
+against license was largely increased by the vote
+of Richland county. A temperance picnic, held on the
+4th of July, and addressed by “Mother Stewart,” was
+a success in every way. On July 25th the trial of Wm.
+Etz, for breaking the Ale and Beer Ordinance, was
+begun, and occupied the attention of the people for
+five days, being held in the court-room. The temperance
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</span>women attended, both as witnesses and spectators,
+and were compelled to hear more unkind remarks, and
+to receive more discourteous treatment, than during
+the entire campaign, up to that time. The water
+showered on them, from a down-town saloon, was (to
+speak in a figure) but a <i>drop</i> to the <i>buckets full</i> dashed
+at their devoted heads by these vigorous defenders of
+the beer-keg. To have their own <i>favorite weapons</i>, the
+words of <i>holy writ</i>, arrayed against them by their enemies,
+was both a surprise and a grief. The verdict
+rendered in the case was a death-blow to any hope of
+the ordinance being of use under the existing administration.
+Nothing was really lost but much gained
+by the trial; among other things a better knowledge
+of the foes of our cause, who stand as well behind the
+bar of justice, as the bar of the saloon.</p>
+
+<p>At the beginning of the second quarter a constitution
+and by-laws were adopted. Previous to this a
+simple pledge served to bind us together. At this
+time, also, a reporter was appointed, who gave to the
+public, in a series of articles, such work of the League
+as seemed of general interest.</p>
+
+<p>Several temperance meetings were held on Sunday
+afternoon, especially for children; but this important
+branch did not receive the attention it merited until
+after the close of the first year. In the latter part of
+August the League meetings were reduced to one
+each week, and these have since been held regularly
+upon Wednesday afternoon. At least one general
+temperance meeting was held each month during the
+year.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</span></p>
+
+<p>During the winter a permanent place of organization
+came into effect. Committees were appointed
+to canvass the city for members, presenting at the
+same time two petitions for signatures—one to be
+sent to the Ohio Legislature, praying against the
+repeal of the Adair law; the other a memorial to
+Congress, asking for restrictive laws in the manufacture
+of alcoholic drinks in the District of Columbia,
+and the Territories.</p>
+
+<p>Three assessments were collected in part, on the
+$30,000 of stock actually taken by the temperance
+men of Mansfield, for the use of the League. At the
+time of permanent organization the stockholders were
+released from further assessment.</p>
+
+<p>However much the work fell short of the desired
+end during the months usually denominated the existence
+of the Crusade proper—whatever weakness
+was manifested in plan or performance, we are sure
+of one thing: it was done in the fear of God and for
+love of humanity.</p>
+
+<p>The great <i>mistake</i> committed by some, was in considering
+the <i>Crusade ended</i> when the street work
+ceased. That was a striking feature of the work, but
+a feature <i>only</i>, not the soul or body, as the following
+months have demonstrated.</p>
+
+<p>Of the enthusiastic 500 who went forth upon that
+eventful day in March, 1874, the majority are not with
+us in active work at this time, having either from
+necessity returned to imperative home interests—though
+their hearts are still in the work; or, with the
+ebbing tide of popular sentiment, drifted to the open
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</span>sea of indifference, but continuing in readiness to help
+swell the next oncoming wave.</p>
+
+<p>A score and more of earnest laborers have continued
+faithful, through some opposition and many discouragements,
+during the past three years, guarding
+with a jealous care, the true interests of this great
+reform; and to-day ask no greater reward, than the
+consciousness that they have been following the path
+of duty.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="RIPLEY_OHIO">
+ RIPLEY, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>This beautiful town is situated on the Ohio river,
+and contains about 3,500 inhabitants.</p>
+
+<p>The place became prominent during anti-slavery
+times, because of its “<i>underground railway</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>If a fugitive slave once set foot on the streets of
+that town, he was safe, no matter if his pursuers were
+at his heels. Somehow or other he was spirited away,
+and though every house was searched with a lighted
+candle, he could not be found.</p>
+
+<p>My first recollections of Ripley were in this connection.
+I lived in Maysville, Ky., a neighboring town,
+which was an important slave market, and often whole
+families would escape from their masters and find a
+refuge there; and though so hotly pursued that they
+were in sight when they entered the town, nothing
+more would be heard of them.</p>
+
+<p>But while fighting human slavery so heroically and
+successfully, that all southern Kentucky was in a
+measure stripped of her slaves, the other slavery—the
+worse slavery of the drink habit, was carried on
+without restraint in their midst.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</span></p>
+
+<p>But early in the Crusade movement, the women
+rallied to this work, and carried it on heroically.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade began in Ripley, February 5th, and in
+nine days seventeen saloons were closed. Some of
+the German dealers were so frightened and disgusted,
+that they returned to the “Faderland.” The German
+minister who tried to rally them for the conflict, was
+soon prayed out of town.</p>
+
+<p>A correspondent writing from there while the contest
+was going on, gives the following graphic account
+of one day’s work:</p>
+
+<p>“Saturday we went to Sprenger’s with an advance
+guard; for we had heard most bitter threats that he
+had made. Imagine our delight when he met us in
+the most cordial way, and, after singing and prayer,
+gave us his name to the dealers’ pledge. Mr. Hauser,
+the German druggist, who first declined to sign the
+pledge, sent for the ladies and gave his name most
+willingly. Mr. Scholter promised, by his country, his
+God, and his wife, never to sell another drop of intoxicating
+liquor, and we know he has kept it in the face
+of strong entreaty to the contrary. Mr. Reinert received
+the ladies the first day, but the second closed
+his door. Down on their knees the ladies fell upon
+the pavement, in snow and sleet, with a most pitiless
+wind blowing. Men stood with uncovered heads, and
+the crowd wept. A commander of our navy, who
+has faced death and danger, said he could not endure
+this sight, and tears coursed over his face. Close
+against the pane a mother bowed in prayer, and a
+moment later the door was opened, and Mr. Reinert
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</span>said, ‘Ladies, I will quit the business; send a committee
+of your business men to me.’ They went, and
+he arranged to dispose of his stock.”</p>
+
+<p>Rev. Granville Moody, a Methodist minister, who
+had been a colonel in the Union army during the war—a
+man of wonderful courage and possessing great wit
+and power, was stationed there at the time, and backed
+up the work by his influence. His wife, a talented
+leader, was prominent and efficient in the work.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies entered every open door.</p>
+
+<p>The steamer <i>Wildwood</i>, which plied daily between
+Maysville and Cincinnati, received a share of their attention,
+because of the bar on board.</p>
+
+<p>One day, as she came in from Maysville, a large
+crowd of Crusaders were awaiting. When she blew
+her whistle they responded with sacred song: “Shall
+we gather at the river.”</p>
+
+<p>Captain Powers, a born gentleman, received the
+ladies politely, and conducted them on board the boat,
+where they held a prayer-meeting. Captain Powers
+signed the personal pledge, as did many others, and
+“the barkeeper promised not to sell to citizens of
+Ripley.”</p>
+
+<p>All the meetings in this town were remarkable for
+spiritual power, and the prayerful efforts of the women
+in their work were crowned with a good degree of
+success.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="TIFFIN_OHIO">
+ TIFFIN, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>This town, with a population of nine thousand, had,
+at the beginning of the Crusade, sixty-five saloons.</p>
+
+<p>After visiting the saloons for some time, in bands, the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</span>ladies changed their tactics, on the 31st of March, and
+placed pickets at nearly all the saloons in the city. At
+some they were admitted, at others locked out. Several
+of the saloons closed on account of the pickets,
+and the proprietors went to the country.</p>
+
+<p>The city marshal, at several places where the guards
+were denied admittance, opened the doors, and told
+the ladies to enter and stay as long as they pleased.
+The traffic dropped off wonderfully. Christian Mueller,
+the principal brewer, said that if the Crusade continued
+thirty days longer he would be compelled to
+shut down.</p>
+
+<p>The second saloon surrender took place April 7th.
+It was kept by D. Bartell, and was one of the worst
+saloons in the city. The proprietor signed the pledge,
+and the ladies emptied the stock of liquors in his cellar,
+into the gutter.</p>
+
+<p>Wagner &amp; Brickner, proprietors of the distillery,
+were driven almost to desperation. They were compelled
+to redeem from the bonded warehouse $5,000
+worth of whiskey per week until the 1st of May, and
+their sales were too slim to aid them in the task.</p>
+
+<p>A public meeting was called, April 8th, in the city
+hall, to take measures to get the mayor, to issue a
+proclamation forbidding the women the right to carry
+on the Crusade any longer. The meeting was a failure;
+only about one hundred and fifty saloon-keepers
+and bummers congregated, while the temperance mass-meeting
+at National Hall was overcrowded.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies, besides going to the saloons in bands,
+resorted to the picket system, and smaller bands remained
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</span>at the saloons, from eight <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span> till ten <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, the
+pickets being changed every hour.</p>
+
+<p>This proved, during the Crusade, to be the most
+effectual way to break down the traffic. None but men
+lost to shame will go into a saloon in the presence of
+Christian women, and over their remonstrances and
+prayers, to drink.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BELLEFONTAINE_OHIO">
+ BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. I. S. Gardner, April 6th, 1874, wrote the following
+in regard to the work:</p>
+
+<p>The first surrender of special consequence was that
+of J—— J——. Mr. J—— is of Irish descent, and has
+been used to liquor-selling all his life. He was one
+among the first that was visited, and while he treated
+the band with respect, he was very loud in his denunciations
+against this interference in his business. His
+place was considered one of the worst, as a general
+resort, for those not only long addicted to drink, but
+also for those just commencing. The ladies had reason
+to suppose it would take a long siege to convince him
+of the wrong, much less induce him to quit the business.</p>
+
+<p>On Monday the first visit was made. On Wednesday
+he began, under the influence of Mother Stewart’s
+talking, to show signs of weakening. He had prepared
+himself for a vigorous biblical controversy, having
+his Bible in hand and passages selected which seemed
+to him to support his position. But she speedily
+knocked the props from under him, and left him without
+the support he had counted on. At the morning
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</span>meeting on Thursday he made his appearance, and announced
+his readiness to surrender, and at the suggestion
+of those in whom he had confidence, made it complete
+by signing the pledge not only to cease selling, but
+also to abstain from drinking. The scene was impressive.
+Every heart that sympathized in the movement
+was full, and the ladies of the League, and others, filed
+by where he was standing, and taking him by the hand
+bid him “God speed.” Since then he has made some
+very telling speeches, and given evidence of a contrite
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>The other case is that of Mr. T. L. M——. Even
+before any visits were made to him, it had been reported
+that powder and lead would be used in case
+of interference with his trade, and a band went there
+with considerable doubt, but with brave hearts. For
+about a week, visits were made under various conditions;
+sometimes noisy demonstrations were made,
+as well as rudeness offered, and again a better show
+of respect. There were many interesting incidents
+connected with this case, which would take too much
+time and space to relate. Finally, one afternoon, he
+hung out a white flag, and it was supposed to be a
+token of surrender, but on being visited by a band, he
+refused to sign the pledge, nor would he let the ladies
+stand near the door. On the next day a similar scene
+was enacted. At his request a committee of gentlemen
+visited him, and settled the matter, so that, on
+Wednesday evening of the week following the first
+visit, he made his appearance at a mass-meeting and
+signed the pledge. On the following Sabbath he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</span>attended church for the first time, it is said, in five
+years. It is believed by every one that he will remain
+true to his pledge. Mr. M. was a wholesale and retail
+dealer.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. R—— is the only one who holds out, under, it
+is believed, the support of dealers in Cleveland and
+Cincinnati, but the women are as determined as the
+dealers, and have the advantage, in being at no expense.
+The dealers may as well succumb, as the
+women say they have started out on this Crusade for
+<i>life</i>, if necessary, to stop the traffic, and will instruct
+their daughters to keep it up. The only work performed
+here is picketing Mr. R——’s establishment,
+which is done more to redeem the hard drinkers, who
+are about the only ones that visit the place, than with
+the expectation of closing it up. This latter is merely
+a matter of time.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span style="margin-right: 9.0em;"><span class="smcap">Mrs. I. S. Gardner</span>,</span><br>
+ President Ladies’ League, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>I glean the following from the <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>:
+April 4th.—“Roades declares that only law can prevail
+against him. Monday’s election will be an exciting
+one. Ladies are calling on voters and urging them to
+do their duty on Monday.”</p>
+
+<p>April 9th.—“The election passed off quietly, although
+some of the offices were hotly contested.
+Mayor Walker was re-elected. The women are untiring
+in their work against whiskey. Judge West
+addressed a large audience on Tuesday evening, and
+Judge Cole will speak to-night.”</p>
+
+<p>“The women of this town have settled down to
+solid, earnest, persistent work.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="SPRINGFIELD_OHIO">
+ SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The following facts are gleaned from the <i>Springfield
+Republic</i>, the special correspondence of the <i>Cincinnati
+Gazette</i>, and from Mother Stewart’s statement:</p>
+
+<p>“The first mass-meeting mentioned occurred January
+23d, 1872. Allen Hall was well filled, on Monday
+evening, on the occasion of an address on the liquor
+traffic, by Mrs. E. D. Stewart. The speaker gave an
+interesting and able address.” <i>Springfield Republic.</i></p>
+
+<p>The editor of this paper, Mr. C. M. Nichols, a
+member of the Congregational Church, was a staunch
+friend of temperance, and in every way, before and
+during the Crusade, gave aid to the cause.</p>
+
+<p>Several suits, brought by the wives of drunkards to
+recover damages, under the Adair law, from liquor-dealers,
+added to the general interest.</p>
+
+<p>Mother Stewart hearing accidentally that a woman
+had such a suit pending in court, in company with
+Mrs. John Foos, went to the court-room, and the
+attorney for the plaintiff induced her to make the
+opening plea to the jury.</p>
+
+<p>The case was won, and the wife was awarded one
+hundred dollars damages.</p>
+
+<p>In October, 1873, another case was brought to her
+notice. A woman in deep distress, with streaming
+eyes, told her a sad story of suffering and want. Her
+husband was a drunkard.</p>
+
+<p>This woman belonged to a worthy family, was the
+sister of a distinguished minister in the South, who at
+that time was president of a college; she had always
+been accustomed to plenty, till robbed of all by the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</span>liquor-dealers. Knowing Mother Stewart’s connection
+with the case above mentioned, she appealed to her.</p>
+
+<p>To fight this matter through the courts was not a
+pleasant task, and she was about to turn away from
+the woman; the lines of wretchedness on that sad,
+tearful face, arrested her. “No, I dare not do that;
+she will haunt me in my dying hour,” was the thought
+that brought her to a decision. So she not only
+accompanied her to the law office of Mower &amp; Rawlins,
+and secured the aid of one of the firm, but she
+stirred up the ladies of Springfield in behalf of this
+woman, so cruelly wronged and robbed by liquor-dealers.</p>
+
+<p>The trial was fixed for the 16th of October, and
+many ladies were in the court-room, but the defence
+secured a postponement till the 21st. The papers
+took up the matter, general interest was excited, and,
+when the day of trial came, the court-room was
+crowded with the best men and women of the city.
+The excitement was intense. Mother Stewart made
+a plea, and charged the jury. The suit was gained,
+and $300 awarded to the wronged wife as damages.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime a petition to the city council was
+circulated, and the names of six hundred ladies and
+sixty men were secured, asking the council to enforce
+the laws for the suppression of intemperance. This
+petition was presented by the ladies, and Mother
+Stewart and Mrs. J. A. S. Guy addressed the council
+in its behalf. The committee, to whom this petition
+was referred by the council, made the following report,
+which shows that they were “men of <i>words</i>, if not of
+<i>deeds</i>:”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</span></p>
+
+<p>“We also give it as our deliberate judgment, that
+the matters to which this petition refers is one of such
+transcendent importance as to demand of this council
+the exhausting of every means within its power to
+divest it of its capacity for making misery and crime
+within our midst.</p>
+
+<p>“The universal sense of the Christian world condemns
+drunkenness as a crime.... And if
+this be so on recognized principles, measures are
+demanded to prevent it and punish it.</p>
+
+<p>“The temperance movement throughout the land
+has suffered more from the indiscretion of its friends
+than from the open opposition of its enemies.</p>
+
+<p>“We are therefore not in favor of recommending
+council to grant what is asked for by the petitioners.”</p>
+
+<p>The city council formally adopted the following:</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, That the indulgence in intoxicating drinks,
+whereby neglect and want are brought home to the
+family, is a crime against nature, and it is expedient to
+exercise any authority, or impose any punishment,
+necessary to prevent it.</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, That it is an apparent and acknowledged
+fact that there is an indulgence in intoxicating drinks
+in this city, which deprive families of peace, comfort,
+and a proper support, and there are those who take,
+in exchange for their drinks, the money known to be
+needed for family support, contrary to law.”</p>
+
+<p>These bombastic resolutions did not frighten the
+rum-sellers. They went on with their illegal sales
+without fear. They had learned long before, that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</span>these official utterances were to quiet the public conscience,
+and shield law-makers from well-deserved
+contempt.</p>
+
+<p>The Bible in the pulpit of one of the Methodist
+churches was stolen and sold for drink in a saloon.
+In the meantime, Mrs. Guy, after a night of watching
+and prayer, wrote a resolution, and presented it to the
+City Benevolent Association.</p>
+
+<p>The result was, a committee was appointed to confer
+with the ministers, and secure their co-operation in
+holding mass-meetings. The ministers were called
+upon in their weekly meeting, and a union mass-meeting
+arranged for in the Lutheran Church. This
+first meeting took place December 2d, 1873. The
+second mass-meeting occurred December 17th, and
+was addressed by Revs. J. W. Spring and Allen, Mr.
+Jackson, and Mother Stewart. Every seat in the body
+of the Central M. E. Church was filled, and the aisles
+were seated, and every foot of standing room taken.</p>
+
+<p>The speeches were strong and spirited, and there
+was a great deal of enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Nichols was called on to speak, he asked
+that the audience might be addressed by Mother
+Stewart instead. When she came forward, carrying a
+glass tumbler full of liquor, and told where and how
+she got it, the interest was intense. It was against
+the law to sell liquors on the Sabbath day; but everybody
+knew, and the city authorities knew well, that this
+law was being broken every week. On Sunday
+morning, December 16th, she had disguised herself
+with an old circular cloak and sun-bonnet, and gone
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</span>into a saloon through the back door. She found a
+number of young men and old buying liquors. Approaching
+the counter, she asked for a drink. And
+when asked what she would have, she said, “Sherry
+wine.”</p>
+
+<p>The barkeeper poured it out; she questioned him
+before the men as to what it was, etc., and then laying
+a ten-cent piece on the counter she took the glass and
+rushed from the room with all possible speed.</p>
+
+<p>She appealed to the men as to whether they would
+prosecute this case, and several hands went up.</p>
+
+<p>Weekly meetings were decided upon, and the next
+mass-meeting was held December 24th, in the Presbyterian
+Church.</p>
+
+<p>On January 7th, 1874, a Woman’s League was
+formed, with the following officers:</p>
+
+<p>Mother Stewart, President; Vice-Presidents, 1st
+ward, Mrs. Wm. Barnett; 2d ward, Mrs. Dr. Tee-garden;
+3d ward, Mrs. Thomas I. Finch; 4th ward,
+Mrs. John Foos; 5th ward, Mrs. James Kinney; Secretary,
+Mrs. J. A. S. Guy; Treasurer, Mrs. James
+Cathcart.</p>
+
+<p>Springfield was a large town, larger than any of the
+towns where the Crusade had been made successful,
+and there was a general feeling that the plan of saloon
+visiting, introduced elsewhere, could not be carried
+out in cities.</p>
+
+<p>But the women, who were following the pillar and
+the cloud, on Tuesday, January 11th, commenced street
+work. The first day there were only thirty or forty
+ladies in the band, but the second day the number
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</span>was doubled. The first visit was to the Lagonda
+House Saloon. Admission being refused, the ladies
+held their services before the door, Mrs. Cosler making
+the first prayer, and Mother Stewart addressing
+the crowds of people gathered to see the strange
+sight. The next day they were in the street again.
+They were admitted at the Lagonda House, but the
+crowd was locked out. The prayer-meeting was
+held in the billiard-room.</p>
+
+<p>At the next saloon they were not admitted, and
+when Mother Stewart attempted to talk to the crowd, the
+saloon-keeper came out and shrieked, “Get away: get
+away, every one of you; I don’t want any trespassers
+on my premises; you shan’t stand on my steps!”
+But the people cried, “Go on! go on!” and a policeman
+took the irate saloonist in charge and restored
+order.</p>
+
+<p>That evening Dio Lewis spoke in Springfield. The
+Opera House was packed, and the meeting, which was
+addressed by Van Pelt, Dio Lewis, and Mother
+Stewart, ended in a blaze of enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, at nine o’clock, the Central
+Methodist Church was crowded with ladies. Dio
+Lewis and Van Pelt were present, and a still larger
+number of ladies were enlisted for the work. Not
+long afterwards Mrs. James Kinney was chosen as
+leader of the band. Hundreds of women engaged in
+the work, and labored hard and long. Among the
+prominent workers were Mrs. Kinney, Guy, Foos,
+Cathcart, Banes, and many other noble women whose
+names cannot be mentioned, but whose record is on
+high.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mother Stewart was called out much into the general
+work, and did efficient service during the canvass
+against the “<i>License Clause</i>,” in the new Constitution,
+which was defeated by the efforts of the women of the
+Crusade, and the zeal they inspired among temperance
+men.</p>
+
+<p>The State was thoroughly canvassed, and the victory
+won.</p>
+
+<p>A State Temperance Convention was held in Springfield,
+February 24th. About one thousand delegates
+were present. Dio Lewis acted as temporary chairman
+and organized the meeting.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. H. C. McCabe, of Delaware, was elected permanent
+president, a position she was well calculated to
+fill, and which she has held ever since.</p>
+
+<p>There was great enthusiasm in the convention, and
+many of the heroic workers, who met each other for
+the first time in this, the first State convention of women,
+have, in the years that have followed, worked
+and planned for the extension of the cause like sisters,
+with loving trust and confidence.</p>
+
+<p>April 3d, a county organization was formed in Clarke
+county.</p>
+
+<p>The convention was held at Springfield, in Black’s
+Opera House. Four hundred and fifty women marched
+from head-quarters in procession to the hall. Mother
+Stewart was elected President; Vice-Presidents, Mrs.
+Bennett and Mrs. Cathcart for the city, and one for
+each township outside of the city; Secretary, Mrs. J.
+A. S. Guy; Treasurer, Capt. Penny Stewart.</p>
+
+<p>This is said to have been the first county organization
+in the State.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</span></p>
+
+<p>On April 6th the spring election for municipal officers
+took place. The claims of temperance had been
+pressed, and the ballot-box, it had been urged, was the
+most effectual way to curtail the power of alcohol. The
+election was one of the most exciting the city had ever
+known. On Saturday evening previous, large mass-meetings
+of workingmen were addressed by Mrs. M.
+W. Banes and Mother Stewart; and on election day
+an all-day prayer-meeting was held.</p>
+
+<p>The temperance ticket was carried by a fine majority.</p>
+
+<p>The plan of work soon after changed, the picket system
+being resorted to. The guards were relieved
+every two hours. But as there were, at the beginning
+of the Crusade, about one hundred and thirty saloons
+scattered over a town of fifteen thousand inhabitants,
+to station such an army over the town demanded a
+heavy force and great sacrifices. The traffic fell off
+wonderfully. Some saloons were closed, a better public
+sentiment prevailed, and a more faithful execution of
+the laws against beer and tippling houses was secured.</p>
+
+<p>The men in this town stood gallantly by the women
+in their work. Special mention should be made of the
+faithful labors of C. M. Nichols, editor of the <i>Springfield
+Republic</i>—a fearless advocate of temperance and
+anti-license; Dr. Cloakey, of the U. P. Church, who
+was always ready to help the women with prayer or
+counsel, or a speech, and who brought forth treasures,
+new and old, from his rich storehouse of scripture
+knowledge, with marvellous aptness and effect. Though
+very aged and feeble, he seemed as enthusiastic as in
+the prime and fire of youth. He has two sons in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</span>ministry; both follow in his footsteps, and are ardent
+temperance workers. Rev. J. W. Spring, of the Methodist
+Church, was an earnest, capable worker, and a
+competent adviser; and Rev. M. W. Hamma, of the
+Evangelical Lutheran Church, a most enthusiastic
+worker and eloquent speaker. Many of the laymen
+did effective service, and contributed largely to the
+success of the women’s work in Springfield.</p>
+
+<p>These pages are not devoted to the workers, but to
+the <i>work</i>; and yet, when the names of heroic workers
+are known, they are recorded.</p>
+
+<p>It seems eminently proper in this connection to
+refer to the services, abroad, of Mother Stewart, which
+resulted in great good, and, with the co-operation of
+Mrs. Parker, the organization of a “British Woman’s
+Temperance Union.”</p>
+
+<p>She was met and welcomed at Liverpool; and at
+almost every town she visited in England, Ireland and
+Scotland, grand receptions were given her, at which the
+dignitaries of the towns presided and made speeches.
+The greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and large audiences
+greeted her everywhere. In London an audience rose
+to their feet and waved their handkerchiefs and cheered
+enthusiastically when she was introduced as “<i>A Crusader</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the most magnificent reception given her
+was in Glasgow, Scotland, in the Queen’s room, which
+had been most elegantly draped with white flounced
+lace curtains and American flags, and flags of various
+nationalities, looped up with roses and ivy; while the
+rarest exotics ladened the air with perfume. Six
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</span>hundred of Glasgow’s most prominent and respected
+citizens were there, as a select company, to give
+addresses of welcome, and partake with her the sumptuous
+feast provided. Mrs. Margarete E. Parker was
+very active in securing for her a favorable hearing.</p>
+
+<p>Every American woman has reason to be proud and
+thankful, for the marked attention shown to one of her
+countrywomen, but especially the women who worked
+in the Crusade; as the respect and attention shown to
+Mother Stewart was very largely due to her connection
+with that wonderful movement, which at the time
+won a world-wide fame, and which future generations
+will commend, and embalm in song and story, as the
+Woman’s Crusade.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEWARK_OHIO">
+ NEWARK, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>This town contains about 3,000 inhabitants, and is
+situated at the intersection of the Baltimore and Ohio,
+and Pittsburgh, Chicago and St. Louis railroads.</p>
+
+<p>At the beginning of the Crusade there were in this
+little town <i>fifty saloons</i>, or one for every sixty of its
+inhabitants.</p>
+
+<p>The writer of these pages has occasion to remember
+the miserable tumble-down old building where unfortunate
+passengers were forced to wait to make connection,
+and the whiskey saloon, called a “Restaurant,”
+near by. One night detained at this place till midnight,
+the drunkenness and revelry and profanity were
+positively alarming.</p>
+
+<p>The yelling, hooting, wrangling and fighting were
+kept up with little intermission till the midnight train,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</span>that bore us away, came in. The fumes of tobacco
+and whiskey as that crowd of men gathered at the
+depot were almost stifling.</p>
+
+<p>Fifty or sixty men, in all stages of intoxication, reeled
+out from their midnight orgies to see the train come
+in and block the passage-ways.</p>
+
+<p>But early in March the Crusade began. At first
+there was a strong feeling against the movement.
+Men were afraid their business would be injured.
+Some went so far as to forbid their wives having anything
+to do with it. But it was not long till all this
+opposition broke down, except on the part of dealers.</p>
+
+<p>The women went to the church, and there consecrated
+themselves to God, and marched out right past
+their homes, right past their husbands’ stores, and
+banks, and offices; and as the solemn procession filed
+into the saloons, singing gospel songs, irate husbands,
+melted to tears, all anger, all opposition gone, stood
+reverently, with uncovered heads. It was not long till
+the railroad saloons were closed by the companies,
+and those horrid dens of iniquity broken up.</p>
+
+<p>A correspondent gives the following:</p>
+
+<p>“Yesterday was the Ides of March in whiskey in
+Newark. It is as assuredly inaugurated there as the
+rebellion when the first red-hot ball leaped from
+Sumter’s wall, and upon its panoply is already written,
+‘Mene, tekel upharsin.’ The Fort Sumter of the
+whiskey war was the first prayer proclaimed from
+woman’s lips at Washington Court-House for the
+Great Father above, who presides over our destinies,
+to assist them to abolish that which has enervated the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</span>mightiest minds, and brought ruin and desolation to
+many a happy and prosperous family. Never shall
+I forget the touching and imposing spectacle that burst
+upon my view as I beheld, walking calmly, solemnly,
+and deliberately, over two hundred ladies, representing
+our best society, enshrined with silence and beautified
+by tears. The streets were crowded by thousands
+as they moved, and many a head was uncovered as
+the ladies passed, as if they had a special power from
+God.</p>
+
+<p>“Soon they stopped before one of our saloons, and
+the ladies were received there, as at other places, with
+politeness and consideration. Failing to get the signature
+of the proprietor to a petition, they knelt in fervent
+prayer, and, with eyes raised to heaven, asked the
+God of love to help them. There was in the attitude
+of those women, with eyes raised to heaven, something
+far more powerful and touching than speech; for even
+if God had turned a deaf ear to their earnest entreaties,
+yet in that attitude they would have been dignified.
+Men stood there, not in ridicule, that probably never
+heard a fervent prayer, with uncovered heads and
+tearful eyes, as if impressed that the angels of heaven
+were hovering above them. On several occasions, as
+our ladies took some of our saloonists by the hands,
+tears could be seen streaming down the cheeks of both
+men and women, and as eyes met eyes, they dropped
+in reverence, as if to conceal their thoughts. Even a
+laugh at such a time seemed to jar discordantly on
+such enchanting silence, for they seemed, in that
+touching immobility, as if in communion with God.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</span>Laugh, as I have, ye that may read my letter, at its
+magic power; but when one reflects that it is our
+mothers, our sisters, our wives, that are praying, weeping,
+beseeching, and asking in the name of humanity,
+in the name of God, to overcome an evil that has
+ruined millions of the human race, and filled our jails
+and prisons, unless one be destitute of feeling, they
+cannot look upon such scenes unmoved. As the
+ladies passed a house yesterday, the husband stormed,
+and the wife laughed; but no sooner had that multitude
+of solemn women commenced to sing,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“‘Nearer, my God, to Thee,’</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">than the husband burst into tears, and, throwing his
+arms around his wife, he said, ‘My dear wife, I cannot
+resist that song. I am now convinced that it is the
+power of God that moves that column. Go and join
+them, and may God bless you.’ Bulwer says, ‘The
+pen is mightier than the sword.’ I declare that prayer
+uttered from woman’s lips is mightier than the law. I
+hope that moderation and consistency may ever
+accompany these movements, and nothing transpire to
+mar their dignity or true nobility. The epoch that
+crowned this movement will never be forgotten. It is
+just in its infancy; it will not only sweep over the
+republic, but knock at all the doors of Europe for
+admission, and women will at last, by this movement,
+have an epitaph written upon that which is less perishable
+than marble—upon the hearts of untold millions—by
+the touching pencil of gratitude. Our women, as
+I close, are again on the march. They have divided
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</span>into squads, and their songs and prayers constantly
+fall upon the ear, thence to be borne aloft upon the
+invisible chords, and rehearsed to the courts of God
+by the heavenly harpists.”</p>
+
+<p>The enthusiasm became so great that the church
+was crowded every morning long before the hour for
+meeting had arrived. Business houses were closed,
+and a solemn silence pervaded the streets.</p>
+
+<p>A friend of mine visiting Newark during the Crusade,
+reached there on the nine o’clock train. The
+streets were empty, the doors of the business houses
+nearly all closed.</p>
+
+<p>She hastened to the church, which she found
+crowded to its utmost capacity. Pushing through the
+group about the door, she obtained a view of the
+audience. A deep solemnity pervaded the place. The
+very air seemed surcharged with spiritual influences.
+Many were weeping.</p>
+
+<p>She kept her position by the door till the band arose
+to move out on the street. A passage-way was
+cleared by a motion of a hand, and the ladies marched
+out two and two, like a funeral procession. She fell
+into the procession, and went with them to the saloons,
+and saw what she had never seen before, a hand-to-hand
+fight with the powers of darkness, led on by
+<i>Christian</i> women. The struggle was too intense to
+last long; but victory turned on Israel’s side, and
+many saloons were closed.</p>
+
+<p>Visiting the town the following autumn, it seemed
+transformed.</p>
+
+<p>No saloons about the depot; no drunken men reeling
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</span>through the streets; but a degree of thrift and
+good order was visible on every side.</p>
+
+<p>The week before there had been a county fair, and
+liquor had flowed freely there, and many of the weak
+had fallen into the snare.</p>
+
+<p>But the town authorities, if they were not diligent in
+punishing the men who had sold to minors, and drunkards,
+contrary to law, were very prompt in arresting
+the victims, and thrusting them into the jail.</p>
+
+<p>In company with other ladies, I visited the jail. It
+was a cold, frosty morning.</p>
+
+<p>The massive iron door closed behind us with a
+heavy clank, and was locked. But there was still another
+wall of iron lattice-work between us and the
+prisoners, which was opened, and we were ushered
+into the presence of the inmates, and the iron gate
+locked behind us. The atmosphere was stifling.
+Groups of men and boys were sitting on the stone
+floor, for <i>there were no chairs</i>. They arose when we
+entered. It was a pitiful sight. Most of them were
+ragged and filthy and unkept. There was no chance
+for personal cleanliness, and little for fresh air. No
+books, papers, or anything to encourage thoughts
+of a better life, or give comfort. With a hearty
+“Good-morning, brother,” we shook hands with each.
+We told them that we were the friends of Jesus, and
+came in His name to tell them that He loved them,
+and wanted to be their Friend in this the time of their
+need. As we talked, many were moved to tears.</p>
+
+<p>We sang “Rock of Ages, cleft for me,” and knelt on
+the cold, hard, stone floor to pray. Some knelt, others
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</span>crouched down on the floor, and hid their faces in
+their ragged sleeves, and sobbed aloud as we told
+God all about their need of Him as a Friend and
+Helper.</p>
+
+<p>“What can you sing?” inquired one of the ladies.
+“Shall we gather at the river?” several responded,
+and most of them joined in the singing. They had
+learned it in the Sunday-school. Looking around,
+we saw curious iron cages across the entire end of the
+room, and eyes glaring at us like the eyes of animals,
+and fingers thrust through the iron lattice like claws.
+Human beings thrust into these dark cells, with stone
+walls on seven sides of the room, and only the iron
+grating on one side for light, and heat, and air. And
+for what crime? Drunkenness. Every man and boy
+in that jail, and there were about fifteen, was there for
+drunkenness, but one. He was there for forgery, and
+he too confessed that he drank freely. Going to one
+after another of these cages, unfit for animals, and
+pressing my face against the iron bars, I could see
+that the rooms were about seven by four or five feet.
+More than half of the prisoners were under age.
+Where were the saloon-keepers who sold them liquor
+in violation of law? Why were they not behind these
+bars instead of these boys? Perhaps at that hour
+they were hob-nobbing with some politician as to how
+they would carry the next election, and break down
+the Crusade and all law. I could only thrust two of
+my fingers through the grating in an attempt to shake
+hands, as I said, “Good-morning, brother.”</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the fingers were clasped by the hand
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</span>of the inmate, and the sad eyes lighted up with a look
+of welcome.</p>
+
+<p>“You are very young to be here,” I said to one, <i>a
+mere boy</i>, who held on to my finger tips, while his eyes
+filled with tears. “Have you a mother?”</p>
+
+<p>“No. She died when I was a baby.”</p>
+
+<p>Oh, what a story of neglect and heart hunger and
+temptation <i>that</i> little sentence told.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you a father?”</p>
+
+<p>“No. Leastwise I dun no’ if he’s alive. He never
+paid no attention to me. He never cared for nothing
+but whiskey.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hope you don’t drink.”</p>
+
+<p>“I take a spree sometimes. I took too much at the
+fair, that’s the reason I am caged.”</p>
+
+<p>I talked to him kindly and lovingly; the tears ran
+down my face, till the iron bars were wet, while he
+sobbed as though his heart would break, and the dear
+women about me were all in tears, and many of the
+men were weeping, when we knelt there to pray in
+his behalf, that the All-pitiful Father would look on
+this orphan boy with compassion, and pleaded for His
+mercy upon them all.</p>
+
+<p>When we bade him farewell he sobbed out, “I’ll
+never drink any more.”</p>
+
+<p>Oh, that God would hasten the time when liquor-dealers
+will be put behind iron bars for selling intoxicating
+liquors, instead of boys for drinking them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="URBANA_OHIO">
+ URBANA, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The facts that make up this report are gleaned
+mainly from a <i>Temperance extra</i> published daily, furnished
+me by the Society.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade wave reached this place March 9th,
+and found the Christian women ready to obey the
+Master’s word, “Go ye also into my vineyard and
+labor.” They too had, with feelings of grief and
+terror, seen the ominous cloud of intemperance
+settling down over the fair cities and happy homes of
+our land, and had called aloud upon the Lord for deliverance,
+and he had heard them.</p>
+
+<p>In response to notices given in the different
+churches of the city, a large meeting of the women
+was held in the Presbyterian Church, at three o’clock
+<span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, March 9th, 1874. After singing and prayer, they
+organized with the following officers: President, Mrs.
+G. W. Hitt; Vice-President, Mrs. M. G. Williams;
+Secretary, Mrs. T. D. Crow; Treasurer, Mrs. James
+Anderson. They felt that the time for work had
+come, and from mansion and cottage alike, they went
+forth, with faith and courage, strong to accomplish
+the work assigned them in that part of the Lord’s
+heritage, and in His name to “rescue the perishing.”
+Their hearts were aflame with the love of Jesus,
+and they were yearning for the opportunity to “tell
+to sinners round, what a dear Saviour they had
+found.” And for more than three months they labored
+daily, from <i>four</i> and <i>five o’clock</i> in the morning
+until nine o’clock at night.</p>
+
+<p>Thursday, March 12th, was the first day that saw
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</span>the Crusaders upon the streets of Urbana. A day
+long to be remembered by those who went forth,
+the willing instruments in the hands of the Lord, for
+the accomplishment of His work; and there were not
+wanting those who, in fear and trembling, bid them
+“God speed.”</p>
+
+<p>The ladies met, that morning, in the First M. E.
+Church. Mrs. Jennings read the Scriptures; and after
+singing that grand old hymn, “All hail the power of
+Jesus’ name,” Mrs. Patrick prayed a short, earnest
+prayer. After the singing of another hymn, Mrs. Hitt
+gave the word to go forth. It was a solemn moment;
+and as they followed Mrs. Kimber and Mrs. Shyrigh,
+ladies who led them that day, their hearts were lifted
+up to God for guidance and wisdom.</p>
+
+<p>Out into the bitter blasts of a strong east wind they
+went, their hearts warm with the love of the sinner’s
+Friend. Old women, with bent forms and silvery hair,
+walked with feeble steps. Young women, radiant
+with beauty, purified by Christian faith and love,
+moved along with light and eager step.</p>
+
+<p>The first place visited was the Weaver House
+saloon. The saloon-keeper had been warned of their
+approach, so the ladies found themselves barred out.
+But they went on with their singing and prayers;
+kneeling down upon the cold hard stones of the pavement,
+determined to do their duty, notwithstanding
+the winter blasts and hard hearts of the men. As the
+sweet notes of “I need Thee every hour,” floated out
+upon the wintry winds, a crowd began to gather to
+witness this strange sight; men who believed their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</span>work was God-given, gathered close around, trying to
+shield them from the wind.</p>
+
+<p>The next place visited was Henry Fulwiler’s beer
+saloon, on South Main street. This place was also
+closed against them. From his warm quarters this
+man heard all the loving, tender petitions, that went
+up to God for him, but was unmoved. Miss Saddie
+Thompson, Miss Belle Stayman, and Miss Emma Long
+stood in the doorway and sang, “Jesus, Lover of my
+soul;” after which Mrs. Jennings read the sixth chapter
+of Ephesians, and Mrs. Hitt prayed. A crowd
+had followed them, which grew larger every moment,
+until the streets were filled; and from every window,
+and from the house-tops, the people gazed upon this
+earnest band of godly women, praying for the souls
+of men who had never prayed for themselves. While
+they were praying, three men, who were in the saloon,
+raised their glasses of poison and drank confusion to
+the souls of the ladies. No violence was offered them
+by the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>From this place the Crusaders proceeded to Samuel
+Wheritt’s saloon. This place was closed, also. A
+man named Joe Pence came along, and made a disturbance,
+and demanded that the pavement be cleared.
+He was so disrespectful towards the ladies that he was
+marched off to the calaboose. The ladies, to avoid
+any more trouble on this account, divided into two
+lines, one close up to the house, the other on the curbstone,
+and so continued their meeting. This was the
+last place visited that day. The ladies returned to the
+church, where a large company was waiting for them,
+and received their account of their work with joy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</span></p>
+
+<p>The ladies concluded to divide up into several small
+bands, and follow each other. Band No. 1 was led by
+Mrs. J. M. Boul; No. 2 by Mrs. Dr. Goddard; No. 3
+by Mrs. West; No. 4 by Mrs. J. G. Hedges. These
+bands numbered about thirty each, and were led by
+elderly ladies, and each numbering among its members
+some of the younger ladies to lead in the singing.
+The bands left the church about twenty minutes apart,
+and followed each other, so that about the time one
+band was leaving a saloon another would be in sight.
+And so they kept the enemy within his stronghold, in
+rather bad humor, it is feared.</p>
+
+<p>A laughable incident occurred one day, at Owen
+Coughlin’s. This man has a saloon and a bakery adjoining.
+He did not understand their management of
+forces, and one day he watched the first and second
+bands come and depart, and looked upon the arrival
+of the third band. In the meantime, band number four
+had come up and joined its head on to the rear of number
+three. As the third moved off, Coughlin came to
+his door, and, looking up and down and seeing no more
+advancing, thought he would now have a respite, and
+stepped out, with an air of relief, upon the pavement.
+But when the head of column four reached his door, it
+halted and began a hymn. A look of mingled astonishment
+and despair came over his countenance, as he
+turned and entered his door again. We should think
+he would conclude that baking was his best chance for
+a living.</p>
+
+<p>The saloon of Mrs. Breslin was visited, and when
+the band entered they beheld the whole family standing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</span>in the background, dumb with amazement and terror.
+Mrs. B. informed the ladies that if there was any
+legitimate business by which she could earn a living for
+herself and twelve children, she would quit liquor-selling.
+She stated that she had worked out; but, one day,
+upon coming home, she found that the children had set
+fire to the house. So she began business in her own
+house.</p>
+
+<p>After the work had been in progress some two
+weeks, Mrs. Hitt called for volunteers to go on picket duty
+at the doors of the saloons. Women, young and
+old, willingly offered themselves for this very trying
+duty. Promptly each day these soldiers of the cross
+took up their positions, and held them in spite of wind
+and weather. Groups of citizens would gather round
+the pickets when they were on duty. Men brought
+chairs and seated the ladies who were shut out of the
+saloons. Robes were provided to throw over them
+while they quietly noted down the names of those who
+had the hardihood to enter in their presence. One
+night, when it was extremely disagreeable, and the
+picket outside of Murphy’s had remained to a late
+hour, that gallant Irishman could not stand against
+such devotion any longer, and coming out said: “Now,
+ladies, if you will go home, I will lock-up, and will not
+open again to-night.” And so, believing him sincere,
+the guard departed.</p>
+
+<p>Mass-meetings were held every week, which were
+well attended, and full of interest; and such an enthusiasm
+was aroused in the cause of temperance as
+never was known in the history of Urbana. As evidence
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</span>of interest awakened, an ordinance, prohibiting
+ale, beer, and porter-houses, was passed by the city
+council, and a public sentiment was aroused which sustained
+the enforcement of the ordinance in several
+notable instances.</p>
+
+<p>When the warm weather came, it was thought best
+to have the bands go out in the morning at five o’clock,
+and in the evening at seven, remaining out for one
+hour each time, and visiting as many saloons as possible
+in that time.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies of the League addressed political meetings
+all over the country, which doubtless contributed
+largely to the defeat of the license clause in the county.</p>
+
+<p>There were twenty-seven liquor-dealers in Urbana
+when the Crusade began. At the time for renewing
+their license only <i>five</i> presented themselves. Some
+who promised to quit selling are faithful to their
+promises.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="DAYTON_OHIO">
+ DAYTON, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Dayton is a beautiful, well-built town, in central
+Ohio. Its streets and avenues are broad and well-paved.
+It has handsome residences, fine churches,
+substantial public buildings, and massive business
+houses. But many of its palaces are red with the
+blood of murdered innocence, and many of its massive
+edifices have been built with the price of souls. For
+liquor-making and liquor-selling has been no inconsiderable
+part of the business of the place. At the beginning
+of the Crusade there were not only the usual
+array of saloons, and gambling-dens, and brothels,
+where liquors were sold and drank, but there were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</span>massive breweries, and great wholesale houses, that by
+their influence and money sustained the traffic; and
+the business was largely in the hands of a rough class
+of foreigners, mainly Germans. This class, in the
+towns already reached by the Crusade, had been insulting
+and riotous.</p>
+
+<p>Against all this array of evil—this wickedness in
+high places—a few women were praying and crying to
+God. Encouraged by the success of the Crusade work
+at Hillsboro’ and Washington Court-House, and other
+towns, they set themselves to walk carefully before
+the Lord, and to know His will.</p>
+
+<p>Dayton had a population of about forty thousand.
+At the beginning of the Crusade there were in this
+town over five hundred saloons, or one to every sixty
+of its inhabitants; or, divided into families of five each,
+<i>one saloon to every twelve families</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Large and enthusiastic mass-meetings were held; but
+it required more than ordinary courage to go out into
+the saloons, and face liquor-dealers in their own dens,
+and meet the class that congregated in these places,
+many of them speaking a strange tongue. But there
+were not wanting women in Dayton, pure, consecrated,
+Christian women, who were ready to take their lives in
+their hands, and go forth in God’s name, and speak
+and pray in the saloons, and on the streets.</p>
+
+<p>A permanent organization was effected February
+20th, and a private canvass of the saloons made by
+small companies of ladies, but no results followed.
+Mass-meetings were held daily; two hundred women
+were enlisted for active aggressive work, and on the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</span>morning of the 6th of March, two companies, led by
+Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Weakley, filed slowly and
+solemnly out of the church, to visit the saloons. The
+rain was falling steadily, but the women were sheltered
+under water-proofs and umbrellas. The saloon doors
+were closed against them.</p>
+
+<p>T. A. H. Brown, correspondent of the <i>Cincinnati
+Gazette</i>, in “Fifty Years’ History of the Temperance
+Cause,” gives the following:</p>
+
+<p>“Saloon after saloon was visited, services generally
+being held before the doors; and at last one man, who
+had a light stock of liquors, offered to surrender if
+they would pay him first cost. The vile compounds
+were then emptied into the gutter, amid much rejoicing.
+In the afternoon the two bands exchanged territory,
+so that the same saloons received two visits.</p>
+
+<p>“The excitement now began to increase. The
+bands increased in numbers, and more favorable
+weather brought out great crowds of people to witness
+the strange spectacle of women actually praying
+on the streets. The rabble began to grow turbulent
+and threatening; saloon-keepers saw the matter was
+putting on a serious aspect, and fought every inch of
+ground by the most unscrupulous means. It soon
+came to be known that the visit of the ladies to a
+saloon meant free beer and whiskey at that place, and
+there ‘the boys’ rallied in force like vultures over a
+dead carcass. The result was, more drunken men on
+the streets than had been seen since the 4th of July;
+and as if this round about warfare was not sufficient,
+direct insults were heaped upon the ladies. The voice
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</span>of prayer and song were drowned by those of ribaldry
+and blasphemy. Bits of bologna and crackers were
+thrown at the kneeling women, who bore these indignities
+meekly, with no word of reproof. One of the
+worst elements in the noisy mobs was women, mostly
+of foreign nationalities, who joined their screaming to
+the shouting and swearing of their male relatives.</p>
+
+<p>“The result of this unseemly mocking and jeering
+was to inflame the public mind, and bring thousands
+out to the evening mass-meetings, where the reports
+of the day’s proceedings were read, and commented
+upon.</p>
+
+<p>“Under such dire persecutions, the band steadily
+increased in size, and grew more determined.”</p>
+
+<p>Another correspondent says:</p>
+
+<p>“The women form for action near the curbstone,
+and are speedily encompassed by the crowd, who
+watch with varying manifestations and emotions.
+Lines of men file into the bars to quench real or
+affected thirst, and the clink of foaming glasses chimes
+in with the soft, pathetic notes of the worshipping
+women. But the plaintive voice of prayer, when the
+women on bended knees supplicate the mercy of God,
+produces an instant and indescribable hush even in
+the bar-rooms; and as the eloquent pleadings ascend,
+the influence quickly strikes the nearest rank of spectators,
+and penetrates to the outermost rim of the
+ragged semicircle formed about them. There are
+moments, when the women weep and pray, that their
+influence is thrillingly impressive, and men even, who
+do not approve of the saloon devotions, are unconsciously
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</span>but irresistibly affected. Excepting among
+the depraved, there is not the remotest suggestion of
+levity in the scene. It is touchingly solemn.”</p>
+
+<p>Becker, one of the saloon-keepers, admitted the
+ladies; but insisted that none should pray in his
+saloon unless they were without sin.</p>
+
+<p>On the 6th of April, the municipal election was held,
+and by the help of the dealers, and bummers, Butz, the
+whiskey candidate, was elected over Houk, the temperance
+candidate; and a majority of councilmen elected
+were in favor of whiskey. This was taken by the
+saloon-keepers as a verdict for free whiskey.</p>
+
+<p>Undeterred by the results of the election, the women
+met at Grace M. E. Church, determined to go on with
+their work. But they were met with the following
+proclamation from the Board of Police Commissioners:</p>
+
+<p><i>Whereas</i>, It has become apparent to this board, that
+the visits of the recently organized bands of ladies to
+the various saloons in the city, and the occupation by
+them of the sidewalks and streets for religious exercises,
+have, on several occasions, attracted large crowds
+of riotous and disorderly persons, who assembled in
+the vicinity in such numbers as seriously to threaten
+the peace and good order of the city, and materially
+to obstruct the free and proper use of both the sidewalks
+and the streets; and,</p>
+
+<p><i>Whereas</i>, It is, by the laws of this State, unlawful for
+any person or persons, by agent or otherwise,</p>
+
+<p>1. To sell, in any quantity, intoxicating liquors (except
+wine manufactured of the pure juice of the grape,
+cultivated in this State, beer, ale, or cider), to be drank
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</span>in or upon the premises where sold, or in or upon any
+adjoining premises connected therewith;</p>
+
+<p>2. To sell any intoxicating liquors whatever, without
+exception, to minors, unless upon the written order of
+their parents, guardians, or family physician;</p>
+
+<p>3. To sell intoxicating liquors, of any kind whatever,
+to persons intoxicated, or in the habit of getting intoxicated;
+and,</p>
+
+<p><i>Whereas</i>, All places where liquors are sold in violation
+of these laws are declared public nuisances, and
+upon conviction of the keeper thereof, are required to
+be shut up and abated as such; therefore,</p>
+
+<p>Be it known, that orders have been issued to the
+police force of this city to prevent the use and occupation
+of the streets and sidewalks as aforesaid, and to
+give special and careful attention to the enforcement
+of the said laws, and make prompt arrest of any and
+all persons violating the same.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span style="margin-right: 7em;">By order of the Police Board.</span><br>
+<br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 7em;"><span class="smcap">Wm. H. Sigman</span>,</span><br>
+ <i>Mayor and ex-officio President Police Board</i>.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>After consultation it was decided best not to go into
+saloons in large bands, and thereafter saloon visiting
+was carried on by bands of three or four. Wherever
+they were admitted, they conversed with the proprietors
+and their guests. The saloon-keepers were generally
+averse to these visits, and insisted that the election had
+settled the question, and the people had indorsed their
+business at the polls. But the ladies were not deterred,
+but pushed their work in every possible direction.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</span>Women’s meetings were held daily for prayer and consultation,
+followed by mass-meetings at night. Enthusiastic
+meetings for children were held, and the better
+class of people were thoroughly aroused. The men
+began to bestir themselves, and a guarantee fund was
+raised for the enforcement of the law.</p>
+
+<p>And so the women go on with their work against
+fearful odds, assured that victory in due time will
+crown their efforts.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PIQUA_OHIO">
+ PIQUA, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work at Piqua commenced early in the Crusade,
+and was carried on with great enthusiasm and determination.
+As the women knelt in front of saloons on
+the sidewalk, the mighty power of the Spirit was displayed.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Stephenson was chosen as the leader. The
+ladies held a meeting, and by ten o’clock of the same
+day they were out on the streets. They seemed to be
+urged on by an invisible power to the work for which
+they had consecrated themselves.</p>
+
+<p>The first day three of the druggists signed the
+pledge. There was much to contend with in Piqua; a
+large German population; heavy wholesale liquor-houses,
+and wealthy men who rented their property to
+liquor-dealers. The opposition was violent, the crowds
+in the saloons disorderly; men mocked, while women
+prayed. But insult and opposition tended to increase
+their zeal, and greatly augmented their numbers.</p>
+
+<p>Their way of conducting these visitations was to go
+to the door of a saloon, and ask if they could come in.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</span>If they were answered in the affirmative, they went in
+and held a prayer-meeting. If they were refused admittance,
+they held their meeting on the sidewalk in
+front of the saloon. The ladies found that, although
+the saloons were closed against them, their prayers
+could penetrate the doors. Many saloon-keepers gave
+up the business, others became violent and insulting,
+and offered indignities to the ladies. In one saloon a
+mock prayer-meeting was held and the Lord’s Supper
+celebrated with beer and crackers by saloon-keepers
+and their drunken customers.</p>
+
+<p>It may be proper in this connection to state, that the
+men who were engaged in this mock service have
+nearly all died violent and awful deaths.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies were arrested, and held to trial for praying
+on the streets. But their trial was postponed, and
+the better class of citizens, who were now thoroughly
+aroused, petitioned the council for a prohibitory ordinance,
+and before the day of trial came on a prohibitory
+ordinance was passed, which effectually broke down
+the opposition.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies, very much encouraged, went on with the
+battle, and still continued the contest in a more permanent
+and quiet form of organization.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CIRCLEVILLE_OHIO">
+ CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>In justice to a few faithful workers, Circleville deserves
+mention.</p>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Lizzie W. Scovile, Secretary, for
+the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>We have nothing thrilling to relate, and cannot
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</span>point to such marked results as some are able to do.
+The Crusade was entered upon very reluctantly, in
+this place. Daily meetings for prayer had been held
+in the church nearly two weeks previously, but on the
+18th day of March, 1874, the Spirit descended in
+power, and the women went forth to visit the saloons.
+All through the summer the work was prosecuted in
+various forms, visiting saloons in bands, picket work,
+daily prayer-meetings at our League Room, open air
+meetings, etc. Several saloons were closed, but, with
+only two or three exceptions, were again reopened.</p>
+
+<p>We can point with certainty to but one conversion,
+and that was of one of our ladies, who, though not a
+Christian, went with the band to help sing, and was
+converted in one of the saloons during one of our first
+visits.</p>
+
+<p>When the street work was first entered upon, our
+numbers were so large it was thought best to form
+two bands—one under the leadership of Mrs. S. H.
+McMullin, wife of the minister of the First Presbyterian
+Church, and the other under Mrs. Dr. Ray, a good
+old mother in the Episcopal Church.</p>
+
+<p>A Presbyterian gentleman, noticing that a number
+of ladies of his denomination had been assigned to
+Mrs. Ray’s band, said to her, “You will have to furnish
+our ladies with prayer books.”</p>
+
+<p>Many went out, thinking they could do nothing but
+uphold the hands of others, but the spirit of prayer
+descended, and prayer books were not needed: the
+dumb spake.</p>
+
+<p>Numbers of these ladies had never prayed in public,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</span>until they offered prayer in saloons, or upon the
+street. Now, at the end of three and a half years,
+although the numbers have fallen off, there still remains
+enough of the faithful to sustain the prayer-meetings,
+generally two each week, and prosecute
+other branches of work. As to results, we can point
+to the brotherly love which has grown out of this
+union work: the churches of different denominations
+are united, as never before, and woman’s prayer-meetings
+and missionary societies have received fresh
+inspiration from the Crusade.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MADISONVILLE_OHIO">
+ MADISONVILLE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work commenced in this town on the 19th of
+February, but the Crusaders met with an obstinate
+resistance, especially from the German dealers. One
+of them, Hendel, told the ladies, “he would not quit
+selling whiskey till hell froze over.” Other saloon-keepers
+deluged their sidewalks with water, and they
+were soon a glare of ice, but women living near tore
+up their carpets and brought them for the use of the
+Christian workers, and the songs and prayer and work
+went on in spite of all opposition.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="DELAWARE_OHIO">
+ DELAWARE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Delaware, the Athens of Ohio, only a few miles
+from Columbus, has a population of about six thousand
+inhabitants. The moral sentiment of the town was
+opposed to the liquor traffic, and yet at the beginning
+of the Crusade twenty-three saloons went on with
+their deadly work, day and night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</span></p>
+
+<p>Dio Lewis was invited to lecture for the Chi Phi
+Society of Wesleyan University. A large audience
+assembled to hear him, and at the close of the lecture,
+he pressed upon them the importance of the temperance
+cause, and pledged the women to the Crusade
+work. The women held a meeting at William Street
+Methodist Episcopal Church the next day, and a permanent
+organization was effected, with Mrs. A. S.
+Clason as President, and Mrs. Bishop Thompson as
+Secretary. All classes came forward to engage in the
+work. The pledge was freely circulated. Nearly a
+hundred young men of the Wesleyan University refusing
+to sign the pledge, great excitement and indignation
+followed. The young ladies of the town were
+so aroused, in view of this, that they formed a league,
+pledging themselves not to associate with any young
+man who had not signed the pledge. The young men,
+who had not counted on this, were speedily brought
+to terms, and most of them signed the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>The saloon-keepers tried to compromise with the
+women, offering to sell nothing but beer, if the women
+would withdraw from the work. This the women refused
+to do, and the good work went on. Saloon
+after saloon surrendered, and the women were in a
+fair way to close all the saloons by prayer, when the
+men came forward on election day, and elected the
+entire temperance ticket. The greatest enthusiasm
+prevailed. All the bells of the town were rung,
+cannons were fired, and a praise meeting held in
+the Opera House, which was crowded to its utmost
+capacity.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</span></p>
+
+<p>The next day the women were on the street, as
+usual, determined to continue their work until every
+saloon was closed.</p>
+
+<p>This town is the home of Mrs. H. C. McCabe, the
+able and efficient President of the State Union.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PORTSMOUTH_OHIO">
+ PORTSMOUTH, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Portsmouth is a beautiful town on the Ohio river,
+near the mouth of the Scioto. It was one of the first
+points of settlement in the State, and from the day the
+first shanty was built, whiskey had flowed freely, without
+a protest, until the Woman’s Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>Men came with their jugs and bottles weekly from
+the rich valley of the Scioto, and from the farming
+districts up and down the Ohio river, to get them filled
+with intoxicating liquors. And it was not uncommon
+for them to drive out of town too drunk to manage
+their horses.</p>
+
+<p>Distilleries were built, and the products of the
+immense corn-fields of the valley of the Scioto, one of
+the richest valleys in the world, instead of being turned
+into bread, were sent to the distillery, and turned into
+the waters of death; and while the people grew poor,
+and the town began to put on a dilapidated appearance,
+the distillers and the liquor-dealers grew rich, built
+themselves fine houses, and became the nabobs of the
+town.</p>
+
+<p>The people had groaned under the heavy burdens
+of the liquor traffic—crime and pauperism; and women
+with tears and prayers had cried unto God for deliverance,
+but all in vain. Despair had settled down on
+almost every true heart.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</span></p>
+
+<p>The tidings of the Crusade inspired them with fresh
+hope, and the women, after meetings for prayer and
+consecration, went out from the church into the saloons.
+They met with great opposition on the part of saloon-keepers
+and their customers, and the business men of
+the city refrained from taking any active part in the
+temperance work, for fear of losing trade and influence
+with the liquor party. The ladies, however, went on
+with unabated zeal in their work until the 6th of April,
+when the whiskey candidates were elected by an
+average majority of only forty-five, which the temperance
+men might have overcome if they had sustained
+the women in the work. Weaver, a colored barber at
+the Bazaar Hotel, was elected as a member of the
+Board of Education, the colored folks all voting for the
+whiskey candidates.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies, undeterred by the liquor vote, were out
+on the street the next day, in larger numbers than ever.
+John Price, a saloon-keeper, whom they had visited,
+and prayed with frequently, but who claimed to sell
+only according to law, was soon after indicted for
+illegal selling, and tried before Hon. Judge Harper,
+and fined seventy-five dollars, put under bond for one
+thousand dollars, and sent to jail for thirty days. The
+severe penalty inflicted on Price by Judge Harper put
+a check upon the illegal traffic.</p>
+
+<p>A correspondent of the <i>Cincinnati Gazette</i>, ten days
+after the election, gives the following report of the
+work there:</p>
+
+<p>“The interest in the work here has greatly increased
+since the city election. The determination on the part
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</span>of the temperance people to put down the traffic in
+our city is stronger to-day than it has been since the
+work began. The street work commenced Monday,
+March 16th. Since then the Ladies’ League have
+held over ninety street prayer-meetings each week, or
+nearly four hundred and fifty since the work began.
+Our success has not been as great as we had hoped
+for. The first surrender here was that of Mr. Redenger,
+who kept the most respectable saloon in the city.
+At that time we had fifty-two licensed saloons, nine
+wholesale liquor stores, and eight drug stores, which
+were in the habit of selling liquors without asking any
+questions. This gave us sixty-nine places where
+liquor was sold. Since then nine saloons have been
+closed, and all the druggists have signed the druggists’
+pledge. The steamer ‘Granite State,’ one of our
+regular packets, has removed its bar; all our physicians
+but one have signed the physicians’ pledge; and one
+wholesale dealer the personal pledge. Hundreds of
+our citizens have signed the personal pledge. In
+addition to the above, our liquor men admit that their
+sales have fallen off from one-half to two-thirds. This
+work the ladies feel has been done in answer to the
+prayers of God’s people. The street work still goes
+on, with increasing strength and numbers. All day
+prayer-meetings are still held every day (Sundays
+excepted); mass-meetings every night, except Wednesdays
+and Saturdays; mass-meeting also on Sunday
+at three o’clock. From the above you will see that
+the war is not over in our city.”</p>
+
+<p>Passing through the town since the Crusade, I could
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</span>but notice the great change that had come over the
+place, and the improved moral atmosphere everywhere,
+although the distilleries and the saloons were still
+doing business. Just after the Crusade, there was a
+great flood in the Scioto and Ohio rivers, which
+destroyed nearly all the corn, and much other grain
+and property. The feeling was so intense against the
+distilleries on account of the scarcity of grain, and
+the high cost of bread-stuffs, that one wealthy distiller
+promised not to use up their grain in that way, a
+promise which, if reports are true, was not kept.</p>
+
+<p>The women continued faithful through all the discouragements
+and successes, and are still at work.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="STRYKER_OHIO">
+ STRYKER, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A REMARKABLE SCENE.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. R. R. Wallace wrote from Stryker, Ohio, April
+18th, to the <i>Western Advocate</i>:</p>
+
+<p>“The ladies of our village have organized themselves
+into a ‘Woman’s Temperance League.’ We have not
+as yet visited the saloons, but are laboring in a different
+way. We meet as a band every Tuesday and
+Friday afternoon for prayer and speaking, and once a
+week prepare an entertainment or general mass-meeting
+for all interested in temperance. We held our first
+meeting on Friday evening, April 17th, and a more
+impressive scene was never witnessed in Stryker.
+The room was crowded to its utmost capacity. Several
+of our most prominent saloon-keepers were
+present. Our meeting was opened by singing and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</span>prayer; then a short address by Mrs. Lindsley, President
+of the League. We were next entertained by
+some very able and appropriate remarks by Colonel
+E. D. Bradley. While he was speaking, the husband
+of our president, who is a confirmed drunkard, came
+staggering toward the platform. With shame, mortification,
+and deepest anguish depicted on her countenance,
+the wife sprang to intercept him, not knowing
+what he would do. He pushed by her and reached
+the rostrum. Just as he passed her, she slipped the
+protruding bottle from his pocket, and placed it on the
+table at her side. In the meanwhile, the drunken,
+half-insensible husband returned to the audience and
+sat down. All was still as death; rising to her feet,
+and holding the bottle up to view, the half-frenzied
+wife exclaimed: ‘Here is the cause of my sorrow!
+Here are the tears—yea, the very life-blood of a
+drunkard’s wife. Look at it, rum-seller: Here is the
+poison dealt out by you to the once loved husband of
+my youth; but now (pointing to her husband) behold
+the remains—nothing but the remains—of what was
+once a noble and honored man. Love, truth, and even
+manhood itself has fled. Now behold him! And here
+(pointing to the bottle) is the cause.’ She stopped for
+a moment, and nothing was heard but the sobs of the
+audience; then turning her pale, anguish-stricken face
+toward heaven, she exclaimed, ‘How long, O Lord, shall
+intemperance reign—blighting our dearest earthly hopes
+and draining our very life’s blood!’ Then, turning to
+the audience, ‘Can you wonder why I raise my voice
+against this terrible evil? Sisters, will you help me?’
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</span>Cries of ‘Yes, yes!’ came from almost every lady in
+the house. She sat down pale and exhausted. The
+meeting concluded, but impressions were made that
+can never be erased. Sisters, take courage! the Lord
+is on our side, and right must prevail.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CHILLICOTHE_OHIO">
+ CHILLICOTHE, OHIO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Chillicothe is one of the oldest towns in the State.
+It was settled while the Indians still had possession of
+the territory. Like Hillsboro’ and Georgetown the
+early settlers were largely Kentuckians and Virginians,
+and the same idea of hospitality obtained. From
+the first settlement up to the present, whiskey has
+abounded.</p>
+
+<p>Forty years ago, there was a large number of distilleries
+in the county. But public sentiment had gradually
+improved, and drinking became more and more
+disreputable, until the Crusade put its stigma upon it.
+Situated in the valley of the Scioto, this town will
+remain an important station between the corn-fields
+and the distilleries, till the traffic is overthrown.</p>
+
+<p>Chillicothe has the honor of being the birth-place of
+Mrs. President Hayes, who sympathized with the Crusade
+movement, and has since done signal service by
+banishing liquors from the Presidential mansion.</p>
+
+<p>Saturday, April 5th, the Ross County Temperance
+Alliance met in Chillicothe, and although the ground
+was covered with snow, and the morning cold and raw,
+there was a large attendance of men and women. In
+the afternoon four bands of women, of about forty in
+each band, went on the streets, while the fifth band
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</span>remained in the church for prayer. They drew large
+crowds upon the streets to witness their visits, but
+for a while the voice of prayer and praise sounded
+out upon the comparatively still streets. The bystanders,
+although curious, were respectful, and only
+inside the saloons from which the women were excluded
+was there anything like opposition. At some places
+there was whistling, singing and dancing, while the
+women were singing and praying.</p>
+
+<p>The women of this town, finding that Sabbath was
+the best day for the sale of beer and whiskey, continued
+their Crusade work on Sundays as on other days.</p>
+
+<p>At the municipal election, the whiskey power was
+successful. But the ladies continued their work with
+increased zeal, regardless of the defeat at the polls;
+petitions and pledges were circulated, and finally a
+Women’s Temperance Union organized, with a view to
+a long and determined siege.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="OTHER_TOWNS">
+ OTHER TOWNS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The following towns had a part In the Crusade, and
+were more or less successful: London; Logan’s Gap;
+Pomeroy; Middleport; Lancaster; South Charleston;
+Sydney; Loveland; Middletown; Higginsport; Milford;
+Nelsonville; Frankfort; Upper Sandusky; New
+Lexington; Cadiz; Toledo; Berea; Darrtown; Woodstock;
+Somerville; Hamilton; Walnut Hills; Plymouth;
+Norwalk; Galion; Dennison; West Jefferson;
+Harmony Village; Yellow Springs; West Milton;
+Hanover; College Corner; Mechanicsburg; Mount
+Carmel; Fort Ancient; Mount Sterling; Sunbury;
+Osborn; Alpha; Ironton; and Sandusky.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size:large;">
+ INDIANA.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">
+ CHAPTER IV.
+</h2>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="SHELBYVILLE_INDIANA">
+ SHELBYVILLE, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. Prof. Harrison for the following
+facts:</p>
+
+<p>On the 20th of January, 1874, a number of earnest,
+devoted women first made their appearance on our
+public square, to prosecute the glorious work of the
+Crusade. It is true, faithful men had been engaged in
+the cause forty or fifty years previous to this; and a
+noble work they had done, both for temperance and
+religion. We would honor the names of the workers
+in such a blessed cause.</p>
+
+<p>During this time various societies had sprung into
+existence. First, there was the Total Abstinence
+Society; then the Washingtonians; next the Good
+Templars, and so on.</p>
+
+<p>But all this time women, for the most part, remained
+in the background, hoping and praying at home, and
+in their closets, for the success of the efforts of their
+faithful husbands and brothers.</p>
+
+<p>But previous to the opening of the Crusade, things
+grew very dark and discouraging to some of the wives
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</span>and mothers in Shelbyville; and, hearing of the success
+of their sisters in Ohio, they resolved to ascertain
+whether Indiana liquor men had yielding consciences
+like those of Ohio. So, after careful and prayerful
+consideration, a mothers’ meeting was called, to determine
+what had best be done. No one but those
+who were present at that meeting could conceive how
+wonderfully they were encouraged to go to work, trusting
+in the Lord for success. It seemed as if they had
+an inspiration from Heaven for their great undertaking.
+At a meeting of the Good Templars, held the next
+evening, some of the gentlemen present suggested
+that a committee of ladies be appointed to visit an individual
+who was talking of opening a new saloon,
+never dreaming that out of this the Women’s Crusade
+would commence in Indiana. Volunteers were called
+for, and ten Christian ladies offered their services. The
+next morning all met at the house of a devoted sister;
+and there, in solemn, fervent prayer, invoked Divine aid.</p>
+
+<p>From this fact it will be seen that they did not go
+out under improper excitement, or without calm and
+deliberate consideration. The rain was pouring down
+freely, but this did not deter them: in fact, they thought it
+was a suitable time for cold water workers. Accordingly,
+a speaker for the occasion was appointed, and the roll
+called, and all fell into line to visit the individual referred
+to. They met with good success. The man’s
+heart was touched to tenderness. They were then assured
+that God was in the work; and a proposition was
+made to visit another place where liquor was sold in
+great quantities. At once the proposition was acceded
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</span>to. And, if there be such a place as Pandemonium on
+earth, that certainly was the place. More than a dozen
+men were drinking at the bar, as we entered. Two or
+three were past walking, and they lay on a table,
+dead-drunk. With those more sober, religious conversation
+was held, and we trust that the faithful words
+spoken that morning produced good that eternity alone
+will reveal.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies now resolved to visit every saloon in the
+place, which was accordingly done. That night, we
+believe, but few families offered prayer who did not remember
+the ladies on their mission of love and mercy.
+All Christians were in sympathy with this wonderful
+work of God, and encouraged true Christian women
+to labor for the suppression of the gigantic evil of intemperance.
+Soon they had a host of co-workers—about
+two hundred were added to the number. They
+were encouraged by numbers of noble Christian men,
+coming forward with their money and influence to assist
+in the work of reformation. The ladies continued
+earnestly laboring in the cause.</p>
+
+<p>The first saloon which surrendered was converted
+into a union chapel, and about seventy-five ladies
+marched, in line, from one of the churches to the new
+place of worship.</p>
+
+<p>Language would fail if I should attempt to describe
+the scene. Suffice it to say, a low, wretched, sin-cursed
+saloon was turned into a temple of prayer and praise;
+and a sweet little girl living there wished those ladies
+would sing and pray all the time—it was so much
+pleasanter than cursing and quarrelling.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</span></p>
+
+<p>But I must refer to one earnest minister who spoke
+on that occasion: I mean a lady minister. Crowds of
+hard-drinking men were her audience in the room,
+and on the sidewalk were other crowds witnessing the
+scene, all listening to her eloquent appeals. This
+sister said she had a talented brother, whom to know
+was but to love, and yet, notwithstanding his noble
+and generous nature, he fell a victim to the vice of
+intemperance; and she was certain, if he could only
+come out of his grave, he would most faithfully warn
+every one, of the terrible evil, and most earnestly
+beseech all to sign the pledge, never, never to touch
+intoxicating drink. But this could not be permitted;
+and she felt it her imperative duty to do all in her
+power to promote the blessed work of temperance
+amongst those around her as neighbors and friends.
+She then poured forth a stream of eloquent Christian
+words, such as few had ever heard before. Surely
+the Spirit of God was in that wonderfully changed
+place at that solemn hour. The work went on with
+varied success for several months, and a number of
+inebriates were reformed, who have stood firm to this
+day, and the friends of the cause were strengthened in
+the faith.</p>
+
+<p>We ought to add that the saloon which was closed
+was used for prayer-meetings and a reading-room,
+until it passed into other hands, when the temperance
+society moved to one of the churches, where the meetings
+have been held ever since. Several meetings
+have been held in different parts of the county, at
+which excellent addresses have been delivered and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</span>powerful appeals made, and an amount of good done
+which we have not space to relate. A great many
+meetings have also been held in our city, which have
+been addressed by Governor Cumback, Mr. Baxter,
+and other distinguished speakers from abroad, as well
+as several at home. Among the home speakers we
+would refer to the late Judge Wright, a man who was
+well skilled in argument, had a fluent speech, and,
+moreover, was never ashamed to avow his sentiments.
+If all lawyers and men of talent had the independence
+and moral heroism that he had, in a very short time
+the death-blow would be given to intemperance, and
+our glorious country, nay, the whole world, would
+be forever free from its terrible and demoralizing
+influence.</p>
+
+<p>The society is now working under the Womens’
+Christian Temperance Union, of Indiana, praying for
+the suppression of intemperance, visiting drunkards’
+families, circulating pledges, and canvassing for signatures
+to petitions to send to legislative bodies. Over
+one thousand names have been sent last winter and
+this, praying that something may be done effectually
+for the destruction of this great national evil. Many
+persons that frowned and spoke unpleasantly a year
+or two ago, when asked this year, would sign gladly,
+and express the wish that the dreadful business was
+stopped at once and forever. And now we hail with
+joy the district convention in our midst, attended by
+such talented Christian women to assist us. And we
+fervently hope during the coming year that many
+more Christian ladies will join our society, and unite
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</span>their influence with ours for the entire removal of the
+greatest evil that now curses our land. We are aware
+that there are some persons who are opposed to this
+work, especially as carried on by the women; but if
+the Saviour, our great Exemplar, could approve of
+women working, and even commend them for their
+efforts to do good, we feel perfectly safe in going forward
+in His name. He that is for us is more than all
+that can be against us. To Him be all the glory.</p>
+
+<p>I gather from newspapers published at the time, the
+following additional facts:</p>
+
+<p>Shelbyville contained one large distillery of “Corn
+Whiskey,” a brewery of poor ale, five doggeries,
+licensed under the Baxter law, five drug stores, three
+unlicensed liquor shops, and three or four houses of
+ill-fame, a total of public places of drunkenness of
+nineteen or twenty. The principal liquor family in
+town bears the name of Deprez. They came from
+Cincinnati about twenty years ago, and have grown
+rich selling liquor. Three of the principal licensed
+doggeries are run by two brothers and a sister of this
+family. The old stock were German Presbyterians in
+faith. “Gus” (as he is familiarly called) keeps the
+original establishment opposite the I. C. &amp; L. Railroad
+depot. George had a substantial brick concern
+on the public square, and their sister, and her husband,
+Silas Metzer, are located on a principal street, adjoining
+the Baptist Church.</p>
+
+<p>Robertson &amp; Nickum had a wholesale liquor house
+and dram shop beside. Robertson was the county
+treasurer lately, and belongs to a reputable family.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</span>Gid. Keck is the remaining licensed keeper. Captain
+Maze and O’Conner had the principal unlicensed rum
+depots.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies made daily visits to these places. The
+first of these visits was made by about a dozen elderly
+and middle-aged ladies.</p>
+
+<p>At Metzer’s they were met with insulting language
+and impertinence. George Deprez denied them admittance.
+Robertson, of the firm of Robertson &amp;
+Nickum, treated them very rudely and contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>No more visits were made for four days. During
+that time, however, the ladies were getting organized,
+and when they again went out they were led by Mrs.
+Elliott, and were about fifty strong. They again
+visited George Deprez; this time they were very
+kindly received and were invited in, and held a prayer-meeting,
+but could get no one to sign the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>The saloon of Maze was visited. They were admitted
+and found about a dozen men in the saloon.
+They were a motley crew. One or two bore lingering
+traces of former intelligent manhood. Others were
+the sad pitiable wrecks of alcoholic poison. Not one had
+reached middle life. They held their prayer-meeting,
+and before they left every man was in tears, and the
+proprietor gave a conditional promise to surrender.
+The second visit to this place Captain Maze signed the
+pledge and gave up the business. He went into
+another business, and his place became the head-quarters
+for the Crusaders.</p>
+
+<p>They organized under the following pledge:</p>
+
+<p>“We, the undersigned ladies of Shelbyville and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</span>vicinity, do hereby organize ourselves into a league,
+to be called the Women’s Temperance Union, for the
+purpose of suppressing the liquor traffic, and we
+solemnly pledge ourselves to use all just and honorable
+means in our power to accomplish this object.”</p>
+
+<p>Among the hundred names signed to this paper are
+those of Mrs. Elliott, wife of the President of the First
+National Bank, Mrs. Judge Wright, Mrs. Rev. G. P.
+Jenkins, Mrs. Dr. Green, Mrs. Professor Harrison,
+Mrs. Dr. Robins, Mrs. Dr. Parrish, Mrs. Dr. Clayton,
+Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Hattie Robbins, Mrs. Sprague,
+Mrs. Lide Shaw, Mrs. Cumback, Mrs. Geo. H. Dunn,
+Mrs. Jeffras, and others.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="JEFFERSONVILLE_INDIANA">
+ JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dr. Seymour furnishes the following interesting
+facts of the work in Jeffersonville:</p>
+
+<p>At ten o’clock <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span>, February 12th, 1874, about one
+hundred of the ladies of Jeffersonville met in Wall
+Street Sunday-school room, for the purpose of organizing
+a Women’s Temperance Union. After a statement
+of the object of the meeting, and a free discussion,
+an organization was effected. The following
+pledge was signed by a large number of the ladies
+present:</p>
+
+<p>“We pledge ourselves to be at every meeting, if
+possible, and assist in this work of mercy. We also
+pledge ourselves to pray three times, <i>daily</i>, for this
+special work.”</p>
+
+<p>At the afternoon session of the same day the following
+resolutions were presented and adopted:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</span></p>
+
+<p>“<i>Whereas</i>, We believe that a crisis has been reached,
+in which true popular sentiment demands the cessation
+of the liquor traffic; <i>and, whereas</i>, We have at heart
+the real interest of the seller, as well as the buyer of
+alcohol, therefore</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, 1. That we, the women of Jeffersonville,
+organize ourselves into a Women’s Temperance
+Union.</p>
+
+<p>“2. That our object shall be, by moral suasion, to induce
+liquor-dealers to abandon their business, for their
+own welfare, and that of humanity; that, in our efforts,
+we will maintain an humble dependence upon Divine
+influence, knowing that without that we can do nothing.</p>
+
+<p>“3. That, uniting our prayers, we will never cease
+pleading until our object is attained.</p>
+
+<p>“4. That we invite the active co-operation of every
+true woman in the city, whether a Christian or not;
+and that we ask the prayers and moral support of all
+good men.”</p>
+
+<p>It was resolved that the officers of this Women’s
+Temperance Union be constituted an Executive Committee,
+who shall have the direction of the movements
+in which we are engaged, seven of whom shall constitute
+a quorum.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding a blinding storm of rain, which continued
+all the afternoon, a large number of ladies assembled
+in Johnson’s Hall the next day, February 13th,
+to perfect further the work of the organization. A
+greater part of the time was spent in fervent prayer,
+for the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in
+the difficult work we had undertaken, and the comforting
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</span>assurance was given to many hearts that the Lord
+of Hosts was with us.</p>
+
+<p>It was resolved to hold a secret session on the following
+day at Wall Street Church, to which none but members
+of the Union should be admitted. By this time,
+one hundred and fourteen ladies had signified their intention
+to engage in the active work of the Union, by
+signing the pledge before referred to.</p>
+
+<p>As agreed, the Union met on the afternoon of February
+14th. After a short season of solemn prayer, in
+which every soul was stilled, as in the visible presence
+of God, the officer presiding said: “During the silent
+watches of the night, while engaged in prayer, the conviction
+had come to her, that we ought to begin active
+work at once.” Several others said they had been
+similarly impressed. The president then read Matt.
+x. 32, 33—“Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me
+before men, him will I confess, also, before my Father
+which is in heaven; but whosoever shall deny me
+before men, him will I also deny before my Father
+which is in heaven”—immediately following it with
+the request that every lady who was willing to go to the
+saloons to hold meetings, and go at once, would rise
+to their feet. Over sixty responded. We were soon
+formed in line, and silently and solemnly we went forth,
+with trembling but trustful hearts.</p>
+
+<p>By the time we reached our first point of attack,
+Stauss’ saloon, the alarm had spread, every door and
+window was bolted and barred, and a rabble waiting
+in front to receive us. In response to our knock, the
+barkeeper appeared, trembling and as white as a ghost,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</span>and said Mr. Stauss had gone over the Falls, and he
+could admit no one in his absence. Here we held
+our first street prayer-meeting, amid the angry taunts
+of the crowd assembled to intimidate us.</p>
+
+<p>From here we passed on to Font’s, one of the largest
+saloons, and the <i>only</i> one in the city kept by a native
+American. Here we were received with a show of
+politeness, and invited in; but, as the event proved,
+only with the purpose of heaping upon us every indignity
+they dared offer. The sale of liquors never
+ceased for a moment; rude, half-drunken men crowded
+about us, with oaths and songs, attempting to drown
+the voice of prayer and praise.</p>
+
+<p>By the time we reached Klispie’s, the fashionable
+drinking-place of the town, we were surrounded by an
+angry mob. Here we were invited to enter, which we
+did, and began our prayer-meeting. We could not
+kneel, for the crowd pressed so closely upon us; our
+voices were drowned in the terrible din; barrels of
+beer were broken open, and their contents distributed;
+glasses, when emptied, were thrown up in the air, and
+came down upon the counter or floor with a deafening
+crash; the barkeeper sprang upon the counter, and
+led in a ribald song, in which his companions joined
+him; men beat upon the doors and empty beer barrels,
+and yelled with rage; they glared upon us with
+eyes full of deadly hate, but they dared not touch a
+hair of our heads, or a thread of our garments, for
+God was around and about us as a wall of fire: we felt
+as safe and secure as we ever did sitting about our
+own quiet firesides—a new and wonderful sense of our
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</span>Father’s protecting care over us, came to us as we worshipped
+amid that pandemonium; and as we passed
+out, unharmed, feelings akin to those experienced by
+the Hebrew children, as they emerged from the fiery
+furnace, stirred our breasts.</p>
+
+<p>We returned to the church, to bow in humble gratitude
+before Him who had been our Guide.</p>
+
+<p>Such was the history of the first day’s work among
+the saloons. Days, and weeks, and even months passed,
+in which these scenes were repeated, though rarely
+were the powers of darkness so rampant as on this
+first day.</p>
+
+<p>On Monday morning, February 16th, we visited a
+number of the saloons again. We were not expected,
+and held our meetings without any disturbance. In
+the afternoon we held a praise and prayer-meeting,
+while a mob of five thousand people, who had gathered
+from our neighboring city, Louisville, raged with
+disappointment without. The street about the church
+was so crowded that our policemen were obliged to
+clear a way for those who wished to enter or leave the
+meeting. Hour after hour they waited for the Crusaders
+to appear, until the darkness of coming night
+drove them home.</p>
+
+<p>The heart experiences of those days can never be
+told. <i>We walked with God.</i> His presence made it
+light all about us; we <i>knew</i> the <i>blessedness</i> of being
+reviled and persecuted for Christ’s sake; the most
+timid among us grew strong and brave enough to
+bear any cross, and we all felt it was sweet not only to
+work, but to suffer for His sake.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</span></p>
+
+<p>As the result of the first month’s work, all the
+druggists of the city signed the druggists’ pledge; all
+the physicians but <i>two</i> signed pledges to use liquor in
+their practice in cases of emergency only.</p>
+
+<p>Total abstinence pledges had been generally signed.
+There was such an awakening upon the subject
+of temperance as was never known before. The
+liquor traffic was reduced at least sixty per cent.
+Ninety-one street and saloon meetings had been held.
+Though no saloon had been closed, most cheering
+moral results had been attained, and the workers felt
+that their labor had not been in vain.</p>
+
+<p>Efforts were made by the saloon-keepers to bring
+the law to bear upon us, to prevent our holding street
+meetings. With this in view, Judge Bicknell, of the
+Circuit Court, published a card, stating, among other
+things, that “Mob law enforced by women is no better
+than mob law enforced by men. Also, no crowd has
+a right to assemble in a man’s place of lawful business
+to interrupt that business by praying, or anything else.
+Further, that violation of natural or social rights, if
+encouraged, generally end in riot and bloodshed.”</p>
+
+<p>On Saturday, March 28th, the only American saloon-keeper
+in the town signed the pledge and closed his
+saloon.</p>
+
+<p>In September, we held a Martha Washington tea
+party, which brought $325 into our treasury. A large
+part of this was expended in securing temperance
+speakers from abroad to assist us at our mass-meetings,
+which were inaugurated at the beginning of our
+work, and held semi-weekly for a year and a half.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</span></p>
+
+<p>On June 9th, the Secretary of the Union made the
+following record:</p>
+
+<p>Since February 12th, the Ladies’ Temperance
+Union of Jeffersonville has held 152 street prayer-meetings,
+beside a large amount of committee work
+done, visiting saloons, offering pledges, conversing
+with saloon-keepers, trying to persuade them to give
+up their unholy business, and in many instances praying
+with and for them.</p>
+
+<p>When the Union commenced its work, there were
+forty-two places in the city where liquor was sold.
+One saloon has closed, and several others been compelled
+to cease selling. We have circulated pledges
+in every ward in the city, and in most of the wards
+have secured the names of a majority of the voters
+against signing permits for license. We feel that for
+three months, at least, we have tried earnestly to work
+for the advancement of the cause of Christ, and to
+hasten the coming of His kingdom. We feel that we
+have received rich supplies of grace day by day, as we
+have gone forth to work in this vineyard, and humbly
+trust our works may prove a blessing to our city, and
+to the cause for which we are laboring.</p>
+
+<p>A week or two later, one of the leading lawyers of
+the city stated publicly that there were eight times as
+many cases in the city court in the same length of
+time in 1873 as in 1874. He attributed this fact to
+the womans’ movement; it spoke for itself; he had
+had but two fees in a month.</p>
+
+<p>We continued our saloon work at intervals during
+the winter, generally visiting them in committees of
+three or more.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</span></p>
+
+<p>Temperance literature was secured and distributed
+broadcast. Much was accomplished by individual
+effort. Our last visit to the saloons was made March
+5th, 1875, after which date our Union ceased to exist
+as an active organization. A large part of our members
+have since identified themselves with the Ribbon
+Club, or other similar organizations, and are engaged
+in temperance work in some way.</p>
+
+<p>Last Saturday there was a meeting called for the
+purpose of reorganizing our Union.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+A VOICE FROM THE PRISON HOUSE.
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span class="smcap">Jeffersonville, Indiana.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Wittenmeyer</span>:—Your astonishment will doubtless
+be great at receiving this letter, when I tell you
+it is from a convict. Your excellent paper (<i>The
+Christian Woman</i>) has reached me by the hands of
+Mrs. B. F. Osborn, who sometimes visits this prison
+as a missionary. Your paper has been a bright light
+in a dark cell, by pointing me to the Lamb of God, that
+taketh away the sins of the world. I have nothing
+stirring to communicate—stern realities pertaining to
+the welfare of the soul demand my utmost attention. To
+take one glance at the 537 uniformed convicts, filing into
+the dining-room in long, sad lines, and to know that this
+mass of thieves, murderers, and adepts in all kinds of
+villany, owe their condition remotely or immediately
+to the thousand-toothed demon called the worm of the
+still, is a temperance lecture more eloquent than ever
+thrilled an audience of Gough, Malloy, or Benson.
+<i>And I am one of them.</i> Oh, how it makes my heart
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</span>ache to realize this awful fact. Never can I wrap
+myself in the shroud of oblivion. As I look back upon
+my past life, it seems to be a cesspool of iniquity; a
+trackless desert, inhabited only by the spirits of past
+opportunities; an ocean of the soul, wrapt in all the
+horrors of Stygian darkness; and swept incessantly
+with the dread simooms of remorse.</p>
+
+<p>I am but a youth, comparatively speaking; but my
+life has been a life of dissipation. I have seen and
+felt enough of intemperance to make me regard it
+with detestation.</p>
+
+<p>This confinement has been a God’s blessing to me.
+Liberty is sweet, friends are dear, but if I knew that I
+had to live my past life over, I would rather remain
+here the remainder of my days. Please remember me
+kindly in your prayers. Now, may God bless you,
+and your labor, above all I can ask or think, is the
+humble and sincere prayer of</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ A. S. J.
+</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CHESTERTOWN_INDIANA">
+ CHESTERTOWN, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. C. S. Jones for the following
+facts:</p>
+
+<p>About the first week in March, 1874, we organized
+our first Crusade band. We met at the M. E. Church
+several days, before we ventured out on the street.
+We were few in number; only twenty-two at first, but
+our number increased. There was a mighty work before
+us, for our town was of whiskey-birth; as the first
+erection was a whiskey-barrel, then a house, then a
+saloon.</p>
+
+<p>When we organized, there were five places where
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</span>intoxicating drinks could be had in our little village,
+and three up the railroad at the next station. Some
+said, “You will never see the day when there will not
+be a saloon in Chestertown,” but we all did. In connection
+with the band, we held two meetings a week,
+in which we obtained signers to the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>We conducted our meetings in the way that the M.
+E. Church does its love-feasts. We did not send off
+for help, but went at it ourselves, and by the aid of the
+great Helper we succeeded in closing six saloons, two
+drug stores, and one place where they sold in connection
+with their groceries. This was completed in
+six weeks. So Chestertown led the van in Porter
+county.</p>
+
+<p>There were some amusing circumstances connected
+with our work, which, perhaps, will be interesting to
+some of our readers. When we first met, some said,
+we had better wait until they get through at Valparaiso,
+and get them to come and help us; but the Spirit
+said work, and we could not wait, not knowing how
+long we should have to wait. And as they appointed
+me as their leader, I thought, perhaps, it would be best
+to visit Valparaiso, and learn their method of work.
+So I started, and leaving the depot, walked up-town,
+and there were the faithful Christian temperance
+women at the door of a saloon, praying and singing,
+with hearts full of love for their fellow-creatures. A
+hearty welcome was given, and for two days we
+worked together.</p>
+
+<p>Returning home with still stronger convictions, we
+went to work in earnest, but some said, “Remember, I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</span>have no faith,” and others, “I will join if you will not
+go out on the street;” consequently, we had to move
+slowly at first, until their courage arose. As I told
+them we were not going in the street until we got
+ready, we did not, but after meeting a few times, they
+were all ready, and we started, and, as in other cases,
+the very dogs were ready to help, for as one of the
+number owned a nice, white dog, it took the lead,
+and as we walked the street, it advanced of its own
+accord, and cleared the way. It was amusing to see
+it, and as we desired solemnity, it required no little
+effort to suppress laughter. Thus we passed down
+Main street, and back to the church, everybody running
+to see us.</p>
+
+<p>Each day we met, we tried to take the saloonists by
+surprise, and often did. We had articles of agreement
+drawn for the different dealers in the traffic, and
+finally presented them, and they were duly signed,
+although it took much persuading to get it done. In
+one instance, the owner of the property that was
+rented for a saloon, threatened to take hold of the
+keeper for the rent, but the Lord softened his heart,
+and he relented; he said he would put his beer in the
+cellar, and drink it himself, and when that was gone
+he would get more; if he could not get it in America,
+he would send across the ocean.</p>
+
+<p>But this man’s family were all, except one, stricken
+down by disease, and lay near death, himself dying, so
+he did not live to drink the beer. I hope the Lord
+had mercy on his soul, for his wife told me (as I visited
+her in their affliction), that he thought he should not
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</span>live, and that he read his Bible constantly, as long as
+he could, and he requested Mr. Jones to visit him,
+which he did, reading the consoling promises to him,
+and conversing with him; he stated that his trust was
+in Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>After we had closed all the saloons, some proposed
+to have this poison delivered at their cellars by means
+of a beer-wagon driven by one of the distillers of
+Valparaiso. This way of evading the law they thought
+would match us. Luckily, we espied the first arrival.
+We were at the church. Those who had made their
+previous purchase were not at home, and as their wives
+belonged to the temperance band, they were forbidden
+to leave it, and they were defeated. At other places
+they left the beer if they were enough in advance of
+the band.</p>
+
+<p>However, we did not get discouraged. We resolved
+that the first one that saw the beer-wagon was to ring
+the church-bell, and no matter what we were doing,
+or at what hour, we were to run to the rescue. One
+morning ring, ring, ring; louder and louder pealed
+forth the call from the old bell. True to our resolution,
+we all ran. The old, gray-haired grandmother,
+the maid, and the children (for we were drilling our
+daughters). We met and followed the beer-wagon,
+now up one street, then down an alley; lifting up our
+banner in the name of the Lord, and He helped us to
+triumph.</p>
+
+<p>The driver had started very early, even before
+breakfast, and we gave him no peace; he had to retreat,
+and go back to Valparaiso. A gentleman coming
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</span>from Valparaiso said that he saw him, and tried to
+get him to come back, and take a load of carpenters
+with him: his reply was, “I would not go back to
+Chestertown for a thousand dollars.”</p>
+
+<p>This is what became of the travelling saloon, but
+the driver fell into the hands of the Lord; for death
+followed close at his heels.</p>
+
+<p>A German kept liquor in the house where he kept
+the post-office, and he said that he never would give
+up to these “vimmens.” But we found the quickest
+way to get a German to yield was to get at his money.
+He had violated the law, the officials arrested him, and
+they told him if he would sign the women’s paper, and
+not sell any more, and give them his license, they
+would pardon him; so rather than lose his money, he
+said: “Send dem vimmens, and I will sign der
+bapers.” They brought him to my house, and he was
+glad to sign our papers, and give us his liquor license,
+which we keep as a proof of the work we had done.</p>
+
+<p>It was common for saloon-keepers to make threats,
+but we often found that they were the greatest cowards,
+and they were the most easily overcome when
+approached in the right way. One at Porter said that
+he would shoot us, and his wife said she would scald
+us, but two of us went to the saloon, and he gave us
+his license and signed our papers without any trouble.
+Thus we closed our work at home and vicinity. Then
+the Macedonian cry came from Lake, Miller, Hobert,
+and other stations, “Come over and help us.” As we
+felt it to be our duty, we said we would come. As Lake
+was first in order, we sent them an appointment, a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</span>band-meeting in the day, and mass-meeting at night.
+The day arrived; four of us went up in the morning,
+organized the band the best we could. In the evening
+there were about twenty members of our society
+left the train, and were met by the best of the citizens,
+and escorted to tea, after which we repaired to the
+school-house for mass-meeting. We opened our
+meeting, as usual, with reading of the Scripture and
+devotions, and singing by our temperance glee club.
+During the speaking the opposite party made quite a
+noise, and finally it was almost a mob. Some became
+frightened, but we kept them quiet as possible. We
+offered them a chance to defend their cause, but they
+did not seem to be disposed to do so.</p>
+
+<p>When they found that they could not break up our
+meeting, some left the house and joined the rabble
+out-doors, firing guns, and groaning to make us think
+some one was hurt, and thus cause us to leave. But
+we had met to hold a temperance meeting, and we
+did. When we were ready we circulated the pledge,
+and obtained about thirty names, several of whom
+were drunkards. Several signed because they saw
+the effects of liquor, and were ashamed of their party,
+and I am happy to say, that in returning to the cars none
+were hurt, although the roughs escorted them to the
+train with tin cans,—anything that would make a noise.
+But one of their own company met them at the depot,
+drew his coat, and ordered them to let the temperance
+folks alone, throw down their clubs, and behave themselves
+as they ought to. This ended our first day and
+night’s work at Lake Station. However, our Crusade
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</span>band did not all go; several stayed until the next day,
+to assist in getting into working order the newly organized
+band.</p>
+
+<p>According to appointment we met, and started out
+to visit the drinking-saloons. First, we obtained the
+signature of the keeper of the hotel. While our
+committee were in, the rest stood on the sidewalk
+singing; a train arrived, and the train hands seeing
+them there, left the train, secured clubs, and marched
+toward the band, swinging and flourishing them, but,
+as the women sang on and stood firm, they slackened
+their pace, dropped their clubs, and returned to the
+railroad again. One more victory achieved, with renewed
+strength we proceeded to the next place, it
+being a saloon. The wife met us at the door. We
+told her we wished to see her husband. She said he
+was sick. We mistrusted what ailed him, and said we
+would come in. She opened the door, and we went
+in. He seemed frightened; he finally said he would
+re-ship his liquor and quit.</p>
+
+<p>He always got sick when the Crusade came around.
+As this station had so hard a name, the temperance
+people had sent for an officer from Crown Point to
+guard us; and he, having arrived, went with us to the
+next saloon. It being the hardest place in town,
+some advised us not to go, as they considered it not
+safe, but we went, our guard at our side. The saloon-keeper
+was not at home; his wife was up-stairs, and
+talked to us out of the window. In the adjoining lot
+there was an old house filled with men, but no harm
+was done us. We did not succeed at this place in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</span>closing all the saloons, as we could not stay, and the
+band at this town met with things that they thought
+they could not overcome; yet there was a good work
+done, and many saved. We held other mass-meetings
+at this place, but were not disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>Our next point was Hobart. We organized a band
+in the Methodist Episcopal Church, held a mass-meeting
+at night, had an interesting meeting, and obtained
+about thirty more names to the pledge, and left the
+work to them. There is one thing that should not
+be overlooked, and that is: the first year not one
+of our company died, but five of our opposers were
+suddenly stricken down. Different ones sent me word,
+on their dying beds, that they were wrong, and the temperance
+folks were right. I felt to say, “The Lord
+called, but ye would not hearken.” There were about
+five hundred signed our temperance pledge.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="THORNTOWN_INDIANA">
+ THORNTOWN, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Caroline E. Haworth furnishes the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>The tidal wave which struck Thorntown, the 16th
+of March, 1874, was preceded by the Holy Spirit, or
+perhaps the Awakening Angel, who visited some three
+or four of our number.</p>
+
+<p>Never shall I forget one night about midnight, when
+I was aroused from my slumber, as if some one was
+shaking my pillow, and I heard a voice, an audible
+voice, saying: “What hast thou done for me? I have
+died for thee,” and a mighty trembling seized my
+whole being, for I knew it was the voice of the Lord.
+The words were repeated; I became alarmed; upon
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</span>being asked what was the matter, I repeated what I
+had heard, and said I did not know but the Lord was
+going to send me away as a missionary or something,
+I did not know what; I could not sleep, I was in such
+terrible agony: I tried to say, “Lord, Thy will be done,
+not mine,” but my rebellious heart would not surrender.
+The next night the whole scene was re-enacted,
+then I partially surrendered, telling the Lord, I would
+do what I could, for I felt I could endure it no longer,
+and he knew me altogether, and would not require
+more of me than I was able to perform.</p>
+
+<p>The next night Mrs. Henderson, in a meeting, related
+a similar experience, and said she had promised
+the Lord she would go to a drug store, which was
+selling intoxicating liquors, and offer up prayer, and
+if there was a sister in the house who would go with
+her, she would please rise: four arose to their feet.
+Night came and six Christian mothers might have
+been seen wending their way down the street to the
+drug store. A hymn was first sung, then all knelt
+down by the door. Mrs. Henderson led in prayer,
+then Mrs. Hines. After singing another appropriate
+verse, Mrs. Milhouse, of precious memory, with pale,
+earnest, upturned face, in a solemn, truthful manner,
+pleaded that God would hear and answer His
+children.</p>
+
+<p>On leaving the place the proprietor said he wished
+it distinctly understood, that we were “not to come
+again on these steps; you profess to be sent here by
+the Spirit of God, but I think your God is in h—l.”
+At that the hissing crowd rushed around him, while
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</span>these timid women walked quietly away, nothing
+daunted, believing it was better to obey God rather
+than man. The next night the little band numbered
+twenty, and repaired to the place and knelt just off
+of the pavement down in the snow, and there supplicated
+a throne of grace. The third night the praying
+band had increased to about fifty, the crowd still increasing
+in proportion.</p>
+
+<p>Not only the town people, but for miles around in
+the country, the people came to see and hear.</p>
+
+<p>A daily prayer-meeting was held in one of the
+churches, for over one year; then a prayer-meeting
+was held every Thursday afternoon. Mass-meetings
+were held, public speakers engaged, remonstrances
+and pledges circulated, and the work kept on increasing
+and steadily advancing.</p>
+
+<p>A Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized,
+with Mrs. Milhouse as President.</p>
+
+<p>One of the leading spirits in this Crusade, a great
+sufferer from intemperance, one on whom the Spirit
+of God rested, was “Grandma Boyd.” She was instant
+in season and out of season, and being a natural
+orator, could fight the enemy hand-to-hand, and face
+to face; then, as she often expressed herself, mounting
+her light horse (which was her prayer charger), she
+would go direct to the great white Throne, and there
+with strong faith, take hold of the horns of the altar.
+At such times she seemed almost to bring heaven
+and earth together.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CRAWFORDSVILLE_INDIANA">
+ CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Miss Mary D. Naylor furnishes the following brief
+sketch of the temperance work done in Crawfordsville:</p>
+
+<p>In the winter of 1874, when the ‘Woman’s Crusade’
+began in Ohio, and spread over the State like a
+wave of the sea, the women of Indiana watched and
+waited for the results with intense interest. And, with
+‘bated breath,’ said one to another, “What if this ‘tidal
+wave’ rolls over into Indiana! Are we ready for it?
+And have <i>we</i> not as much reason for this work as our
+sisters of Ohio? Have we not saloons in our midst,
+and is not the liquor traffic bringing ruin and desolation
+to many homes? And is not this the ‘call of
+God’ to the women of our land to put away this evil
+from us?”</p>
+
+<p>A mass-meeting of the temperance people of the
+city of Crawfordsville was called to meet in Centre
+Presbyterian Church, at three o’clock <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, March 11th,
+1874. This “call” was largely responded to, by the
+ministers of the various churches, and the leading men
+and women of the city.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was called to order, and opened by
+singing the hymn, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name,”
+followed by a fervent prayer for God’s blessing upon
+the work, by Rev. R. F. Caldwell—and then the beautiful
+song, “Shining Shore,” was sung. Rev. John
+Safford, pastor of the church, assured us of his hearty
+co-operation in the work; and gave as a motto, “Push
+things,” as one worthy to be accepted as our battle-cry
+in this great and glorious work of exterminating the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</span>liquor traffic, never forgetting that in God is our
+strength and help.</p>
+
+<p>A Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was
+organized that day, with the following officers elect:</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Joseph Milligan, President; Mrs. Maria L. Naylor,
+Vice-President, 1st Ward; Mrs. Wm. Enoch, Vice-President,
+2d Ward; Mrs. Dr. Purviance, Vice-President,
+3d Ward; Mrs. J. P. Campbell, Treasurer; Miss
+Mary D. Naylor, Secretary.</p>
+
+<p>This official force, with the many earnest Christian
+men and women ready for work, met often in the
+various churches (which were <i>freely</i> opened to them),
+for prayer and counsel, as to the best methods for
+furthering our cause. It was not deemed best to
+“Crusade” on the streets; but to avail ourselves of the
+Baxter law, (local option,) and prosecute the cases in
+our courts. Whenever petitions were presented for
+license, to file a remonstrance, and with proper witnesses
+to testify as to the “moral character,” etc., of
+the applicant; with our temperance men and women
+present in the court-room, an unprecedented influence
+was thus brought to bear, and one case after another
+defeated. In fact not one of the many applicants
+received license.</p>
+
+<p>Much good was done in this way—not only by shutting
+up the saloons, and preventing the opening of
+new ones, but also by the building up of a public
+sentiment on the subject of temperance, and a stirring
+up of the temperance element, and bringing to a <i>decided
+opinion many</i> who heretofore were <i>conservative</i>,
+and had felt no <i>individual responsibility</i> in the matter.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</span></p>
+
+<p>Good Templar Lodges have been revived and increased
+by the labors of the Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union, both in our city and throughout the
+county. Some saloon visiting was done; but not to
+any great extent. We worked in any and <i>all</i> ways, to
+overcome the enemy. We have been permitted to see
+men taken from the gutter, become sober, Christian
+men, “clothed and in their right mind,” who attribute
+their conversion to the efforts of the Christian temperance
+workers.</p>
+
+<p>Eternity alone can reveal <i>all</i> the results. The “Crusade”
+is not dead, the work still goes on. That the
+“little leaven” will finally “leaven the whole lump,” is
+my unwavering faith.</p>
+
+<p>Truly, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders
+to perform.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="EVANSVILLE_INDIANA">
+ EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The officers of the Union furnish the following facts:
+We have been called the Sevastopol of intemperance
+in comparison with other places in the State. Whether
+we deserved this name or not, it is a fact that intemperance
+prevailed to an alarming extent; and while its
+ravages were all around us, few seemed to realize the
+danger.</p>
+
+<p>Some of our ladies had been reading of the Crusade
+work in other places, and were awakened to the subject,
+but were hesitating as to the expediency of inaugurating
+the work here, where we had such a mixed
+population, when the ministers, at their monthly
+meeting, drew up resolutions, calling upon the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</span>Christian women to take active steps in the matter.
+This decided them, even the doubting ones feeling
+they could not hold back, without being allied to the
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Our first meeting was held March 14th, 1874, twelve
+churches being represented. After organizing, and
+electing officers, our first aggressive work was to enlist
+the various county officials, members of the bar, etc.,
+by presenting a petition for their signatures, asking
+their sympathy and indorsement of the movement,
+and their co-operation in the enforcement of the existing
+temperance laws.</p>
+
+<p>This petition was largely signed by the members of
+the bar, and it may also be a matter of surprise to
+know that our county commissioners were the first to
+put their names to the paper. But it is a fact, and
+stands out in strange contrast to the course they afterwards
+pursued. It clearly shows the wonderfully
+potent effect that mere personal interest, and political
+pressure, has upon our officials, to warp their better
+judgment, and turn them from their honest convictions.</p>
+
+<p>As our work progressed, it seemed to shape itself
+more into a determination for the enforcement of the
+liquor law, and the toning up and educating of public
+sentiment, rather than saloon visitation and street-praying,
+as in many other places.</p>
+
+<p>In accord with this fact, morning prayer-meetings
+were established, public mass-meetings were held, and
+a total abstinence and a voters’ pledge were circulated
+for signatures. In canvassing, our ladies had some
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</span>racy as well as trying experiences. Some of our
+German women seemed to understand just enough of
+English to say, “No temperance! no temperance!”
+and I am sorry to say they were not the only ones, for
+some of our own people, yea, some of our church
+members, said the same thing, “No temperance!”</p>
+
+<p>In the lower part of the city, as two of our ladies
+were out with pledges, they came near being mobbed.
+At first they were followed by one saloon-keeper only,
+who insisted on their buying him out. Soon he was
+joined by one and another of his companions, hooting
+and yelling as they went along. The ladies, becoming
+alarmed for their safety, rushed to the nearest friendly
+house for shelter, and there remained until the crowd
+dispersed.</p>
+
+<p>In many places in the State, temperance workers
+found a vast amount of fraud practised, in the way the
+liquor petitions were gotten up. Names of persons
+long since dead, and of others living out of the ward,
+as well as of those who had never authorized such use
+of their signatures, were all found attached to these
+petitions. Thinking these irregularities might also
+exist here, our Union employed counsel to investigate
+the matter. On the assembling of the county commissioners
+on the first of June, a large number of ladies,
+attended by their legal advisers, appeared before
+them. One of our number offered a fervent prayer.
+Our President, Mrs. A. L. Crosby, addressed them,
+setting forth these irregularities, and asked that a
+thorough investigation might be made before granting
+any permits.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</span></p>
+
+<p>The following Friday was set for the hearing of the
+case, and in the meantime quite an excitement was
+stirred up. On Friday the commissioners found their
+own room too small, and adjourned to the one usually
+occupied by the Circuit Court, which was soon filled
+to overflowing.</p>
+
+<p>After the morning session, as the ladies were leaving,
+they were met by an excited mob; and here I
+quote, as authority, from the <i>Evening Herald</i> of that
+date, as perhaps the description is more graphic than
+I can give:</p>
+
+<p>“After rendering this decision, the commissioners
+adjourned till the afternoon. At half-past one, the
+audience, which had by this time increased to a great
+number, then left the court-room, and a great portion
+of them, mostly saloon-keepers and their patrons,
+stationed themselves along the aisles from the court-house
+to the sidewalk, through which it was supposed
+the ladies would have to pass.</p>
+
+<p>“Judge Robinson was the first one to run the gauntlet,
+and his appearance was greeted with hisses and
+scoffs, some of the participants going so far as to push
+him rudely from one side to the other. Then the
+ladies prepared to make their exit; the buzz and
+clamor of the mob in the yard could be plainly heard.
+As they descended the stairs led by Rev. Mr. Webb,
+of Ingle Street Church, they saw the men, and desiring
+to escape them, they turned to make their exit
+through the side door opening to Main street.</p>
+
+<p>“It was here that August Brauns, a man who, by
+some peculiar and unaccountable line of circumstances,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</span>has been awarded the responsible position of Deputy
+County Auditor, showed himself. He saw the movement
+the ladies were about to make, and hurriedly
+running to the door, cried out: ‘Here they go around
+this way.’ With a yell the mob started around in
+front.</p>
+
+<p>“The ladies faltered, and dared not venture out into
+that yelling, hissing, scoffing mob, when suddenly our
+gallant sheriff, Add. Plafflin, sprang to the front, and
+cried out that he would see that those ladies were not
+hurt. Drawing his billy, he rushed into the street,
+and cried out, ‘Stand back or somebody will get hurt.’
+The mob stopped, not a man moved. Held by the
+power of one man’s bravery this select assembly of
+transplanted American citizens, who a few moments
+ago had, with unparalleled bravery, bristled about a
+feeble gray-haired old man, and who an instant before
+were prepared to assault the ladies, stood speechless.</p>
+
+<p>“In an instant the deputies had rallied to their chief;
+and under the protection of the corps, the ladies
+walked down Main street and dispersed to their
+homes.”</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon most of the ladies returned, and
+during the rest of the trial, which lasted several days,
+the number increased. At first we imagined we
+should have a fair and impartial hearing; everything
+was evidently in our favor. In one petition we found
+names omitted, but still numbered; names repeated
+several times. Thirteen swore positively, that they
+never authorized such use of their signatures, and
+when asked to do so had refused. Still, in the face
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</span>of all this, these very petitions were granted. In fact
+it was a kind of a wholesale business, for as many as
+seventy permits were granted in one day.</p>
+
+<p>It was remarked to the president of the board of
+commissioners, that he would be met on this question
+at the polls, and it is pleasant to know that he was met
+there at the late fall elections and <i>defeated</i>.</p>
+
+<p>One of the inspired said, “When the wicked beareth
+rule, the people mourn.” We find this as true to-day
+as it has been in all ages past.</p>
+
+<p>Through the summer our weekly prayer-meetings
+were kept up. The subject of youth’s temperance
+societies was often under discussion, but deferred from
+time to time. In December, 1874, we circulated two
+petitions, one issued by the State Temperance Alliance;
+the other by the Ladies’ Temperance Union, of Indiana.
+Both of these petitions received a good number
+of signatures, and were presented to our Legislature,
+by Mrs. ex-Governor Wallace, of Indianapolis.
+We also circulated a memorial to Congress, asking
+for restrictive legislation in the District of Columbia,
+and the Territories.</p>
+
+<p>This in brief is a summary of our first year’s work.
+The question has often been asked, What does all this
+effort and self-sacrifice amount to? That more prayer,
+more faith, and more zeal could have produced greater
+results, cannot be denied; still our efforts have not
+been in vain. Of this we are certain, though we may
+be unable to measure ultimate consequences. Some
+tempted souls have been led to form better resolutions,
+and our own children even, may have had their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</span>feet turned unto the right path by our efforts and
+examples.</p>
+
+<p>The agitation and consequent discussion of this
+subject has awakened the public mind to the enormity
+of this evil, and many who were indifferent before, are
+earnest workers now. I am told that on last New
+Year’s day, most of our ladies, who were accustomed
+previously to entertain with wines, banished it
+entirely from their boards.</p>
+
+<p>After our defeat before the county commissioners,
+as heretofore described, and the repeal of the Baxter
+law by the Legislature the following winter, the enemy
+felt that the temperance cause was entirely vanquished,
+and that they had the field. Many of our own number
+left us, and those who had never joined us seemed
+to feel a pleasure that they had never been mixed up
+with anything so unpopular. We saw there was no
+redress in human laws, and so appealed our case
+directly to the high court above, feeling assured the
+great Judge would not turn a deaf ear to our pleadings,
+but that in His own time, and His own way,
+would surely grant our petition. And so a temperance
+prayer-meeting was established, or rather continued;
+and for over two years this little band of
+sisters, often not more than enough to claim the promise,
+have met together and pleaded their cause.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, several petitions and memorials
+were circulated and sent to the Central Society, at
+Indianapolis, to be presented to the Legislature, or to
+be forwarded on to Washington. It is an old saying
+that “the darkest hour is just before day,” and so it
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</span>proved with us, for scarcely a glimmer of light shed its
+ray out over the midnight darkness.</p>
+
+<p>In May of this year our President, Mrs. M. A. Ross,
+attended the annual meeting of the W. C. T. U. of
+Indiana, held in Richmond, and there met Mr. Bontacue,
+one of the leaders of the red ribbon movement.
+She came home enthused with the subject, and soon
+after presented the cause in her own church prayer-meeting,
+getting a response from <i>one</i> brother, that he
+could stand by her in case Mr. Bontacue should come.
+And so this faithful band of sisters came together, and
+prayed over the matter; and with not a few misgivings
+as to final results, directed the message to him to
+come.</p>
+
+<p>He arrived the 19th of June, and at first the meetings
+were small, and for nearly a week very few converts
+were made to the cause. They felt discouraged,
+and talked over ways and means for success, and
+finally appointed a meeting for <i>men only</i>, in the Criminal
+Court room. When the meeting began very
+few were present, but soon the singing in such an
+unusual place attracted attention, and one after another
+dropped in, till there was a tolerably good
+audience.</p>
+
+<p>That night a young man, well known in the city, belonging
+to a family of wealth and culture, went forward,
+signed the pledge, donned the <i>red ribbon</i>, and
+made a little speech. It acted like an electric shock in
+the community. People flocked thither to see what
+was going on. Soon they were compelled to adjourn
+to a larger hall. Other young men joined, making
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</span>initiatory speeches, and hundreds were unable to get
+into the hall, and were compelled to go away.</p>
+
+<p>All this time the temperance women stood back,
+directing affairs, but were not publicly known as being
+more than other observers. Mr. Bontacue remained
+some days longer, organizing the Red, White, and Blue
+Ribbon Clubs, and then left for other fields of labor.</p>
+
+<p>Under the able leadership of the Presidents of the
+different clubs, the work is still going on. In the city
+and county, at this date, September 18th, 1877, there
+are about <i>four thousand members</i>. And so our hearts
+rejoice in the Lord, for He has done more for us than
+we could ask, or even think.</p>
+
+<p>We can hardly believe our own eyes, as we see these
+men “clothed and in their right mind,” standing before
+large audiences, pleading with church members, as well
+as with drinking men, to come and join them. We
+hope the work is just begun, and that it will go on till
+all shall be gathered, not only under the temperance
+banner, but also into the fold of Christ.</p>
+
+<p>M. A. Ross gives the following interesting incident:</p>
+
+<p>“We had a large distillery here, running in full force,
+when our work began, and one of our sisters made it
+a special point in her prayer, to ask that its wheels
+might be stopped, its doors closed, its grain given to
+feed the poor, and its men find better employment. In
+a few weeks it was closed, and has never made another
+gallon of whiskey since. It went into the hands of the
+government, and was several times offered for sale,
+finding no purchaser. It was sold a few weeks ago to
+a party who are fitting it up as a flour mill; and now,
+verily, its grain will go to feed the poor.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MADISON_INDIANA">
+ MADISON, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mary E. Sullivan, Secretary of the
+Union at this place, for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>The untold anguish of years found utterance at last
+on the morning of March 5th, 1874. Rev. W. W.
+Snyder prepared the way for the Quakeress, Mrs.
+Hunt and her husband, and others, for the Crusade in
+Madison. And as if we were to meet with the direst
+opposition from the very outset, the liquor-men, this
+same evening, met and formed an organization to
+resist the women.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Hunt, after her husband’s address, rose calmly
+and spoke to the masses crowded into the pews, aisles,
+and gallery of Old Wesley Chapel. The enthusiasm
+was intense. On the morning of March 7th, a business
+meeting came together at Trinity Church. W.
+M. Monroe gave a stirring address; proffered his aid
+to do <i>anything</i>—work that was too menial for anybody
+else, to enable him to make amends for wrongs
+committed years ago, when he kept a hotel before he
+was God’s servant. Local option prevailed in Indiana,
+and J. W. Levick urged “action.” Accordingly, after
+prayer by Mrs. Hunt, the ladies filed out, and moved
+in a body to the court-house, to visit the commissioners
+who were then in session. And now, for the
+first time, the voice of a woman was heard in prayer
+in that building, and amid the most intense interest
+and profound attention, she prayed for the court-house
+officials.</p>
+
+<p>We continued our visits to the commissioners, and
+committees canvassed the city, urging those who had
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</span>signed the petitions of saloonists to withdraw their
+names. On March 9th, the room was crowded to its
+utmost capacity, and we can do no better than copy
+from the <i>Madison Courier</i>: “Gathered about the three
+commissioners, and the opposing attorneys, who were
+seated at the table, was an audience, which, for motley
+and variegated appearance, challenges the experience
+of the oldest inhabitant. Side by side, sat or stood,
+the low, shambling debauchee, and the lady of aristocratic
+mien and person. Brewers and saloon-keepers
+with burly bodies and flushed faces, contrasted
+strangely with the pale-faced, proper-looking parsons,
+and their adherents. The ‘odor of sanctity,’ and the
+fumes of tobacco, seemed strangely intermingled, and
+there was incongruity in everything. Upon the opening
+of the case, attention was riveted upon the opposing
+attorneys, John W. Levick, for the temperance
+cause; and Judge J. R. Cravens, for Donahue.”</p>
+
+<p>Judge Cravens was counsel representing Mr.
+Charles A. Korbly, who, throughout the Crusade,
+stood like an adamantine wall against the ladies. On
+the morning of March 10th, after consulting the
+county attorney, A. D. Vanosdol, the commissioners
+refused the license to sell intoxicating liquor to Mr.
+Donahue. McLaughlin and Gaumer withdrew their
+applications.</p>
+
+<p>We continued our work quietly and steadily, and a
+great number of signers to temperance and other
+pledges were obtained during our canvass of the city.
+And all the time, the spirit of earnest prayer and deep
+devotion prevailed, and women tremblingly waited.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</span></p>
+
+<p>We knew that it was our duty to visit the saloons, and
+at our daily meetings, morning and night, as we came
+down the aisles of the various churches, each would
+scan another’s face, and anxiously inquire, “Shall we
+go?” and the answer would come, “We are not yet
+prepared.” We agreed to spend one night in prayer.
+Many wrestled all night with God, and light came in
+the morning.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning of March 13th, Mrs. Indiana Stiver
+rose in Christian Chapel and said: “Some of the
+sisters feel moved to begin the work at the saloons.
+For more than forty years I have tried to bear the cross,
+and have never felt its weight more heavily than I do
+this morning, but I also feel that I will be strengthened
+by the Lord for the work before us. I feel like Queen
+Esther—‘I will go in unto the king, and if I perish, I
+perish, for we are sold, I and my people, to be slain
+and to perish.’ As many of the sisters as feel moved
+to go to the saloons, follow me. Let us go into the
+vestibule and select the place where we will commence.
+We need a few of those who can sing to go with us.
+If any of the gentlemen have any advice to give, let
+them give it now. Let others stay here and pray.”
+Prayer was offered, and the hymn, “Guide me, O thou
+great Jehovah,” sung, when the praying band assembled
+in the vestibule.</p>
+
+<p>The reporter of the <i>Daily Courier</i>, M. E. Garber,
+Jr., politely advised us to go to the saloon of Tom
+Mullen, saying he knew Mullen would treat us well,
+and walked on before us into the saloon. This band,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</span>at first small, but afterwards increased to a hundred
+or more, consisted in part of</p>
+
+<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
+ <li>Mrs. Sarah Thomas,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp; ” &nbsp;&nbsp; Indiana Stiver,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp; ” &nbsp;&nbsp; Sarah J. Hughes,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp; ” &nbsp;&nbsp; Malvina Quigley,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp; ” &nbsp;&nbsp; Kate V. Williams,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp; ” &nbsp;&nbsp; Jewel,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp; ” &nbsp;&nbsp; D. G. Stewart.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p>Arriving at Mullen’s, our band filed in, evidently to
+the consternation of the proprietor. The evils of intemperance
+were of course depicted, and permission
+asked to pray; but Mullen said he preferred we
+would not do so. And so, thanking him for his
+courtesy to us, we withdrew; and in all our after visits
+to him, he invariably treated us politely.</p>
+
+<p>We moved on to Johnson Conaway’s, at the door
+of which stood the barkeeper, who refused admittance.
+Our entreaties proving of no effect, we kneeled on the
+pavement and prayed, the barkeeper in the meantime
+having opened the door and locked himself in. We
+then passed on to the saloon kept by Nadler, on Main
+street, whose door we found locked. Nadler was
+very rude, talking roughly, saying, “It’s no use to talk
+to me. If you want to do me any good, give me some
+money;” and walking off, locked the door behind.
+During our prayer a window opened above, and an
+old German woman cried out in mingled glee and
+wonder, “Oh, see ’em pray! Oh, they are praying!”
+The ladies now returned to Christian Chapel.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning our band left the German M. E.
+Church, and called at Frook’s saloon, the proprietor
+of which treated us well; but several men, with disgusting
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</span>bravado, stepped to the bar and drank in
+derision of the women. We next moved on to the
+Western Hotel, kept by Henry Neisse, followed by an
+immense crowd. His barkeeper informed us that the
+proprietor was not yet up, but his instructions were to
+admit no one, and we prayed on the pavement.
+Drinks were here taken during prayer. Such was our
+uniform treatment at Neisse’s. Indeed, so often were
+we told that he was still in bed, that the house acquired
+the name of “Sleepy Hollow.”</p>
+
+<p>Broadway Hotel, kept by George Smith, was our
+next destination, and the scene was terrible. Our
+band huddled together, and jeering faces closed
+around us, and a group at the bar continued drinking
+and clinking glasses, and the women of the house, in
+an adjoining room, tittering and laughing—altogether
+making a perfect Babel of confusion.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusaders were followed up street by several
+hundred people, and they halted at George Glass’, at
+which place we were greeted with a scene which we
+are sure had been studied and practised for us. Glass
+had been known to boast how he would treat us, and
+the curiosity of the mob was intense, and was amply
+satisfied in a scene which beggars description, and
+disgraces the city.</p>
+
+<p>Our leader, Mrs. Stiver, having nearly swooned on
+the way, had dropped into the house of a friend, and
+we marched on, led by Mrs. J. F. Hutchinson. The
+door was locked, and we had no escape from the
+surging circle that hemmed us in. Again we copy
+from the <i>Madison Courier</i>, adding name: “Those in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</span>the rear shoved and jostled to get forward, so the
+circle narrowed and decreased till there was imminent
+danger of the kneeling women being crushed under
+foot. Rough words were bandied about; loud Amens
+issued from the bar-room; then snatches of derisive
+song; and amid and above all the din, the orchestra
+pealed out, rattling and drumming like a steam brass
+band. But a motherly old lady (Mrs. Susan Buchanan)
+prayed on, with her hands outstretched, notwithstanding
+the hideous noise within, as sweetly and calmly as
+by the bedside of a little child. The praying woman’s
+action and utterance alike expressed her faith: ‘The
+Lord will hear us, though the crowd will not.’
+Presently Glass elbowed his way through to the doors
+and threw them open. He spoke pleasantly to the
+ladies, inviting them in, but the scene within was
+enough to deter them. A house full of burly men,
+drinking, and smoking, and acting as boisterously as
+they well could. In the ladies went, and the rush after
+them was so great that life was imperilled. They were
+greeted by the proprietor himself in a kindly manner.
+He expressed his regret that they had called Saturday,
+as this was a busy day, and he could not give
+them the attention they deserved.”</p>
+
+<p>Glass called out, “Come in, ladies, and take a drink,
+and hear the music. I paid so much for that organ.
+I keep a respectable house.” Mrs. Hutchinson replied,
+“If you keep a respectable house, you will stop
+that noise.” Upon which Mr. Glass, somewhat pacified,
+ordered, “Bill, stop the organ,” which was done.
+Beer all this time was flowing gratuitously. But we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</span>must add, to the praise of <i>One who protected each hair of
+our heads</i>, that this man’s hand was stayed, and the mob
+grew comparatively quiet, and Mr. Glass himself conducted
+himself much more gentlemanly during the
+rest of our visit, and invited us to call again. Before
+we were out of the door, however, a boisterous song
+was raised by those inside.</p>
+
+<p>The effect of this visit was varied. The monster
+Alcohol grew so hideous in its deformity to one man,
+that he renounced drink, and became a temperance
+man.</p>
+
+<p>During our frequent visits to Mr. Glass we were
+never able to make any impression for good on him.
+At one time, in response to the entreaties of Mrs. Stiver,
+he replied, “It’s no use. You can do me no good.”
+She answered, “Well, Mr. Glass, if we cannot, we will
+pray that God may.” To which he said, in response,
+“I take no stock in God.” Mrs. Electa Wilson frequently
+accompanied us in our visits here and elsewhere,
+and was very efficient in praying and exhorting the
+crowds. One morning Mrs. Joseph Todd for the first
+time accompanied us. Mr. Glass asked, in a very
+impudent manner, “What can I do? I can’t shovel
+coal.” And she replied, in a beseeching tone, “You
+had better shovel coal than ruin our sons.” She had
+known the effects of this inhuman traffic. He immediately
+proceeded to have her summoned before
+Mayor John Marsh, upon charge of “provocation.”
+Mr. Glass’s counsel refused to make any argument,
+and after a few scathing remarks from Mr. A. D.
+Vanosdol, the counsel of Mrs. Todd, the case was dismissed,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</span>when our band, who had accompanied her in
+a body, broke out in a song of thanks.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Glass afterwards made a cowardly “assault
+with intent to kill,” upon Mr. Levick, who seemed destined
+to bear the brunt of the war, and was slowly
+recovering from an accident in which he narrowly
+escaped losing his limb, and was then walking around
+on crutches.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Horning locked the doors against us, as did
+Mr. Effinger. Mr. John Kraut admitted us once,
+but never afterwards. The house kept by Kraut
+bears the reputation of being of the class called <i>fine</i>,
+with marble counters and tall mirrors; and manufactured
+drunkards by the hundreds. Mr. David
+Humphreys always received us politely, and always
+treated us well and gentlemanly, but we were never
+able to make any change in him. C. Kraut refused us
+admittance. Johnson Conaway did also, and we were
+never able to see his face. Mrs. Kinne was a reluctant
+host, but treated us well. At one time the liquor
+element felt dissatisfied with the reports of the Crusade,
+as published in the <i>Courier</i>, thinking it favored
+us, and proffered to pay a reporter themselves, if his
+productions would be published. On our part we felt
+that we were ridiculed, and on the same day sent a
+committee to request Mr. Garber, Jr., to discontinue
+his visits with us. His reply was, “That is what we
+get for carrying water on both shoulders.”</p>
+
+<p>Henry Pfeiffer’s doors closed, as also did Lohman’s.
+Mrs. Patrick Devany treated us well. Fred Winnefield
+always refused us admittance, and we kneeled
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</span>on the pavement. On April 4th we called on Fred
+Glass, Mrs. Stiver entering and inquiring for the proprietor.
+Mr. Glass started up from the rear of the
+saloon, exclaiming, “What’s here—more praying? I
+want no praying.” Mrs. Stiver answered, “But see
+here, Mr. Glass—” Mr. Glass, abruptly, “I want no
+conversation at all.” So we grouped together on the
+pavement, and Mrs. Stiver delivered an impassioned
+address, but we are compelled to add that, as far as
+we know, we were never able to produce any good
+effect on Mr. Glass. Mrs. Scheible treated us rudely.
+Leonard Klein tried how rudely he could talk to us.
+We were sometimes led by Mrs. Hutchinson, and
+sometimes by Mrs. Stiver. Great confusion was
+created on one occasion by Mrs. Thomas, an old lady
+eighty years of age, and loved by everybody, familiarly
+spoken of as “Aunt Sally,” stepping into the doorway,
+and kneeling down to pray. Klein hurriedly ran forward,
+and rudely drove her up and off. Aunt Sally
+was so much overcome she could not control her
+voice, and said, “Oh, excuse me, Mr. Klein, I am old
+and did not know I was doing any harm!” Mr.
+Klein frequently told us we were doing more harm
+than the saloons.</p>
+
+<p>And now we come to trying days indeed, but we
+were upheld by the power of God. Mrs. Hunt, who
+some time before this had left the city, was again with
+us, and Mrs. Stiver avowed her own willingness to sit
+at her feet and learn of her, and so under her leadership
+we concluded to visit Walnut street, along which
+almost every other house was a saloon. We had
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</span>looked forward anxiously to this time; had heard
+threats of harshness. Cheeks blanched with fear and
+voices trembled with unshed tears. But into this
+stronghold of the enemy we marched, and called first
+at Mr. Schwab’s, who treated us well, and acknowledged
+he was ashamed of his business. His wife was
+glad to see us, and received us into her own sitting-room,
+thanking us with genuine earnestness. Winters
+refused to sell while the ladies were present, and a
+young German, being twice refused, ran behind the
+counter, drew the cork from the bottle, and was proceeding
+to help himself, when Winters snatched the
+bottle from him, and made him leave. Winters firmly
+avowed his intention to sell, however. John Greiner’s
+ale-wagon stopped here while we were inside, and
+men began drinking, and one of them took a bottle
+to the door, and drank from it ostentatiously. By
+this time drays, buggies, and wagons stood at the
+saloon doors, while swarms of human beings gazed
+upon the solemn procession of sisters, who pushed
+their way through the rough crowd, and commenced
+singing at Kimmel’s, who refused to sell drinks in our
+presence. A lady at the doorway passed through a
+severe ordeal in barring out the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob Schuler’s saloon was found filled with men
+drinking noisily, and there was a perfect jam before
+and around the door as we approached, and we found
+Schuler himself intrenched in an arm-chair, haranguing
+the crowd, crying, “Clear off my pavement.”</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. Hunt said: “Brother, we were calling on
+the rest and would not slight thee,” Schuler, pacified,
+replied, “I am obliged to you for coming.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</span></p>
+
+<p>Our visit here was amusing in the extreme. Schuler,
+swearing unconsciously all the time, told of his bravery
+and exploits in the army, said he came to this country
+in “1885”—became very angry at any noise inside,
+swearing, “I can stop that, by ——,” set down quietly,
+while we prayed, but began again as soon as we arose.</p>
+
+<p>Amid yells and cries, and great confusion, we started
+for Mat. Baus’, where quite a controversy occurred between
+Baus and his wife. Baus’ wife interrupted his
+words, and took up his argument, and Baus seemed
+hugely amused.</p>
+
+<p>After singing and prayer, we discontinued our
+visits for the day, but renewed the skirmish the next
+morning, and called on S. Pfau, who was inclined to
+shut us out because we passed him yesterday. He
+talked kindly to us, and expressed a hope that we might
+succeed.</p>
+
+<p>Not being admitted at Barar’s, Mrs. Hunt made a
+stirring appeal, after which, and singing and prayer,
+we closed the Crusade for the day.</p>
+
+<p>At another time, led by Mrs. Stiver, we again went
+out Walnut street, and finding Solcher’s door closed,
+we stepped off three paces, and held our usual exercises.
+Soon a rude crowd gathered.</p>
+
+<p>At Mrs. Woodchopper’s a motley crowd of children
+by the hundred, women by the score, and men innumerable,
+all mixed in a confused mass, gathered. A
+dray with empty beer barrels, the Walnut street hose,
+country wagons, dogs, etc., completed the company.
+Mrs. Dr. Little stepped forward, and, in her own kind
+way, turning to a crowd of children, delivered them an
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</span>appropriate address. Mrs. Newel also spoke very
+effectively to some part of the crowd; and amid the
+confusion and boisterousness Mr. J. W. Levick, that indefatigable
+temperance worker, jumped into the spring-wagon
+of Mr. Auger, while Mr. A. held the horse,
+made an appropriate speech, tending to quiet the
+people, referring to his own German origin. Several
+men, in a rough, though not rude manner, interrupted
+him, asking him questions, to each of which he politely
+listened and replied. He then jumped to the ground
+and came near the ladies. During his address he was
+treated with more courtesy than we had any reason to
+expect, and one German followed him down-town, desiring
+to sign the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>And now, having given a brief account of some of
+our visits to the saloons, which our readers must take
+as an example of our work in that direction, we will
+pass on to other matters.</p>
+
+<p>On April 30th, 1874, Hon. Wm. Baxter came to
+Madison and spoke on the subject of Temperance, two
+evenings in succession. The Crusaders held a mass-meeting
+in Wesley Chapel, on the evening of May 6th.
+The church was well filled, our President, Mrs. Stiver,
+in the chair. After singing by the choir Mrs. Susan
+Buchanan led in prayer, after which Miss Emma Vail
+read a portion of God’s word. Mrs. M. E. Sullivan
+made a thrilling address.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Hutchinson read an essay, and Mrs. Johnson
+and Miss Mary Page sang solos. Miss Jennie David
+recited an original poem and when she demanded,
+“Was it <i>all</i> the fault of the suicide?” the effect was indescribable.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</span>Miss David was an indefatigable worker,
+and willingly did anything our band desired. Mrs.
+Tibbetts concluded the exercises.</p>
+
+<p>Again, on the evening of June 10th, we held another
+mass-meeting at the court-house, Mrs. Stiver in the
+chair. Mrs. Sullivan made the opening address, followed
+by an essay by Mrs. Anna Dougherty, who in turn was
+followed by an address by Mrs. Electa Wilson, who
+from the depths of an earnest soul poured forth thrilling
+words, which coming from the heart went to the
+heart. Mrs. Wilson was listened to with rapt attention.
+Mrs. Gilpin concluded by reading an essay.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime committees had circulated pledges
+and procured 2,500 signers to the total abstinence
+pledge. Our feet were blistered from the scorching
+streets, while we worked faithfully on, defeating the
+license of George Glass and others. In this place
+we must make especial mention of Mrs. Thomas
+Clark, Mrs. Elizabeth Crane Black, Mrs. Harry Colgate,
+Mrs. Berryhill, Mrs. James Lewis, Miss Mary
+McFetridge.</p>
+
+<p>We also held mass and street meetings in various
+parts of the city and county. We gratefully remember
+Mr. Nat Williams, who at one time when we held a
+meeting on his wharf boat, kindly arranged seats and
+lights, and exerted himself to make us as comfortable
+as possible. On the arrival of the Louisville and Cincinnati
+mail packet, the commander, Captain Chas.
+David, cordially received us on board, followed by an
+immense crowd. Miss Jennie, daughter of Captain
+David, again recited an original poem to an attentive
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</span>audience; and when she feelingly referred to the claim
+of the saloonists that theirs was a respectable business,
+and demanded authoritatively,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent28">“If so,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Remove all bolts and bars, and let us see</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">What gin-shops are, what drunkards do,”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">the effect was thrilling in the extreme.</p>
+
+<p>At another time we held service on board the Cincinnati
+packet, commanded by Captain Sam. Hildreth,
+who received us cordially. After singing and prayer
+by Mrs. L. J. Hughes, Mrs. Stiver spoke for some
+thirty minutes, when after some other devotions we
+retired, escorted to the shore by Captain Hildreth.
+Captain Hildreth afterwards attended one of our meetings,
+was so much impressed that he resolved he would
+“taste not the unclean thing,” and let us hope that he
+adheres to his resolution.</p>
+
+<p>A stranger meeting one of our number afterwards
+informed her that through our efforts, on board the
+<i>Buel</i> that day, he had ceased the use of intoxicants;
+and yet we must record the bitter with the sweet and
+say that the whiskey fraternity gave the United States
+Mail Company warning that if that performance was
+repeated, they would ship no more produce with them.</p>
+
+<p>And now, after all these long weary months of suffering
+and waiting, we have nothing to recall. Led by
+Jehovah’s hand we did what we could, and we leave
+the results to him. Though the good done seemed
+comparatively slight, yet we worked on, and to-day
+we recognize the recent reform movement in Madison,
+as the <i>child of the Crusade</i>, and as God’s answer to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</span>our prayers. We believe that by some agency God
+will answer our prayers and that <i>Mene, mene, tekel,
+upharsin</i>, is written over every bar-room in the United
+States as plainly as when the finger of God placed it
+over Belshazzar’s feast.</p>
+
+<p>We desire to say that we have been warmly seconded
+by most of the ministers in the city—W. W. Snyder,
+J. F. Hutchinson, B. F. Cavin, I. H. Hardin, Henry
+Keigwise and J. H. Barth. And we would especially
+mention the Rev. Dr. Little and Rev. David Stiver,
+who have firmly stood by us through all opposition and
+given their wives their warmest approval. We look
+forward to the coming day, when our victory shall be
+complete.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="INDIANAPOLIS_INDIANA">
+ INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. Dr. R. T. Brown, President
+of the Woman’s State Temperance Union, for the
+following facts:</p>
+
+<p>When the Temperance Crusade was spreading over
+the West like wildfire, in February, 1874, the Friends
+held a temperance meeting in their church.</p>
+
+<p>The Rev. Mr. Bayliss preached a sermon on Temperance
+at Roberts’ Park M. E. Church, and President
+O. A. Burges, in a sermon at Bethlehem Christian
+Church, made strong appeals to the women, spoke of
+the many saloons in the city, and told them to go out
+on the streets to work, and he would stand by them
+and give his assistance at all times, which promise he
+faithfully fulfilled. Soon after this, a call was made
+for the women to come to Roberts’ Park Church, to
+organize a temperance union. The attendance was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</span>large, and the meeting enthusiastic. A central union
+was organized, and soon after each ward in the city
+organized an auxiliary union. There was a general
+awakening in the hearts of the women. Well do I
+remember how large bodies of women met first in
+church for prayer, then walked in a long procession
+through the streets to the auditor’s office, and copied
+the petitions filed for permits to sell liquor, then again
+met in church for prayer, before going to the Commissioners’
+court to expose fraud. They asked leave
+to open the sessions of the Commissioners’ court with
+prayer, which was granted, and there they sat from
+day to-day with dozens of beer-bloated, brazen-faced
+men, gazing at them.</p>
+
+<p>One morning there were five temperance women in
+the Commissioners’ court, and an old colored man
+came in and gave the women five pamphlets, some in
+prose, some in doggerel verse, containing low, vulgar
+abuse of the Crusaders. The women hid them, and
+said nothing. When the women first met from the
+different churches, they were strangers, but they were
+soon acquainted and became lasting friends. They
+held many mass-meetings; they called the ministers
+into each other’s pulpits to make temperance addresses;
+in short, the Crusade work brought about a
+Christian union that nothing else ever had done. Prof.
+R. T. Brown said it looked like the Millennium had
+come. The Crusade has been a great blessing to the
+women of Indiana. It has developed latent powers
+and faculties which have astonished none more than
+themselves. They have circulated petitions extensively,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</span>and presented, in person, at two successive
+Legislatures, the names of more than forty thousand
+citizens, praying relief from the burden of liquor legislation.
+Besides this, there has been a growth in the
+social and Christian virtues that other means had
+failed to produce.</p>
+
+<p>The women kept liquor from being sold on the
+Exposition Grounds one year, and the next the managers
+allowed it to come in, and fifty of the leading
+temperance women pledged themselves not to attend
+the fair, and published the following card:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p><span class="allsmcap">TO THE LADY READERS OF THE INDIANA FARMER:</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sisters</span>:—Knowing our sex as we do, and its
+womanly instincts, keenly alive to all moral questions
+of conscience and duty, we appeal to you.</p>
+
+<p>Last year the State Board of Agriculture inserted a
+clause in its leases prohibiting the sale of intoxicating
+liquors at the Exposition, and thereby failed to rent
+the usual number of stands, losing, as is claimed,
+several thousand dollars, while there was probably no
+compensating increase in attendance on that account.</p>
+
+<p>Consequently, the prohibiting clause is omitted this
+year, and the sale of intoxicants will be allowed, unless
+the applicants fail to procure a license from the Marion
+County Board of Commissioners, which is altogether
+improbable.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, as is usually the case, moral sentiment has
+again been compelled to retire before appetite and
+avarice, which give to the liquor traffic all its vitality.</p>
+
+<p>It is also reported that large sums of money
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</span>($50,000 in one case) have been paid to the Centennial
+management at Philadelphia, for the privilege of selling
+intoxicants next year, where our nation, by “an
+exposition of its material, commercial, intellectual and
+political prosperity, resultant from an hundred years
+of self(?) government,” will celebrate the one hundredth
+anniversary of that day when the “Old State House”
+bell proclaimed “liberty throughout the land
+and to all the inhabitants thereof.”</p>
+
+<p>It is a sad commentary, that wherever our brothers,
+sons, fathers and husbands are expected to gather,
+there the rum-seller invariably plants himself, plies
+successfully his vocation and spreads his snares.</p>
+
+<p>He does not thus intrude upon gatherings of women
+alone, for he finds no appetite to meet his avarice.</p>
+
+<p>Now where, and by whom, shall a standard be
+raised against this burning disgrace?</p>
+
+<p>By whom, but the women and the churches? Where,
+so appropriately as at our own Indiana Exposition and
+State and County Fairs?</p>
+
+<p>Are the women of the State of no consideration to
+its commercial interests?</p>
+
+<p>Who wear its dry goods and jewels? Who change
+annually its fashions, replacing the old with the new,
+while the old is still tasteful and comparatively unworn?
+For whom do its young men dress well? By
+whose tasteful housekeeping is the demand created
+for beautiful carpets, handsome furniture and table
+appointments, pictures and other home ornaments?</p>
+
+<p>To gratify whose taste are thousands of men employed
+in building elegant homes?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</span></p>
+
+<p>Who demands sewing machines, improved coal
+stoves and other conveniences?</p>
+
+<p>For whose eye is three-fourths of the display of our
+markets, on business streets and at the Exposition?</p>
+
+<p>Verily, women have a power for weal or woe, commercially
+as well as morally, and can by combination
+make themselves felt.</p>
+
+<p>Will you not, therefore, Sisters and Christian people,
+unite with us in setting our faces like flint against
+the Indiana Exposition and State Fair, while the management
+tolerates the sale of intoxicants?</p>
+
+<p>If these gatherings are for the vicious and immoral,
+let us abandon the field to them; if for the virtuous
+and moral, let such insist upon a recognition of their
+moral sentiments; but if they are solely business
+enterprises, which must pay at all hazards, let us
+know it, and withhold our patronage as we would
+from a beer garden or saloon.</p>
+
+<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
+ <li>Mrs. Z. G. Wallace,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; J. H. Bayliss,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; J. A. Ross,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; R. B. Duncan, Sr.,</li>
+ <li>Miss Auretta Hoyt,</li>
+ <li>Mrs. H. M. Brown,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; Judge Test,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; M. M. Finch,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; T. H. Sharpe,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; F. M. Farquhar,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jane Trueblood,</li>
+ <li>Mrs. Dr. J. R Siddall,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; John Gotschall,</li>
+ <li>Mrs. Lucia S. Holliday,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; Ovid Butler, Sr.,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; D. B. Harvey,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; Ingraham Fletcher,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; M. M. B. Goodwin,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; Dr. F. G. Carey,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; John S. Newman,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; F. C. Holliday,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; H. Parrott,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; Elijah Fletcher,</li>
+ <li>Miss Annie Butler,</li>
+ <li>Mrs. Wm. H. Page,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp; R. T. Brown,</li>
+ <li>and many others.</li>
+</ul>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</span></p>
+
+<p>The consequence was that the Exposition was a
+failure, leaving the board largely in debt. Since then
+liquors have been excluded by the board from the
+fair grounds.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_403" style="max-width: 37.5em;">
+ <img class="w100" src="images/i_403.jpg" alt="">
+ <figcaption>
+ <p>MRS. MARY T. BURT,</p>
+ <p>Corresponding Secretary Woman’s National Christian
+ Temperance Union.</p>
+ </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<h3 id="RICHMOND_INDIANA">
+ RICHMOND, INDIANA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Richmond is a beautiful town, containing about
+15,000 inhabitants. Of the thirty-one registered saloons,
+only one was doing a legal business under the
+Baxter law. The town was of Quaker proclivities,
+and the Crusade was inaugurated by a few Quaker
+ladies; but the women of other denominations rallied
+around them, and the town was soon in a blaze of
+temperance enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>Among the places visited was the “Continental,”
+kept by one McCoy, which was the finest saloon in
+the city. McCoy could not stand the prayers and
+appeals of the women, but unconditionally surrendered.
+A thousand dollars was raised, and loaned to him to
+begin another business; and the “Continental <i>Saloon</i>”
+became the “Continental Market.”</p>
+
+<p>August Woeste unconditionally surrendered, and
+his liquors were poured into the gutter; a public entertainment
+was given for his benefit. Thomas Lichtenfels
+treated the ladies with the greatest indignity;
+he had a license under the Baxter law, and claimed
+that he was doing a legitimate business. The ladies
+continued their visits till one afternoon, six or eight
+ladies who had entered were locked in, and were
+prisoners from four till nine o’clock <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> The very
+worst men in the city were in the saloon at the time,
+drinking and carousing, singing, and blaspheming in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</span>mockery. Beer flowed freely, and the tobacco-smoke
+was stifling, and the attempts to frighten the ladies
+were of the most threatening character. The noise
+and the confusion was so great, that no religious exercises
+were attempted, but the women sat in silent
+prayer, while the drunken rowdies offered every insult
+but actual violence.</p>
+
+<p>The Baxter law required that all saloons should close
+at nine o’clock. When that hour arrived Lichtenfels
+released the ladies, and, closing his saloon, said: “This
+is the last time I will open my saloon—this is too much
+for me.” For a week the saloon was closed, when,
+notwithstanding his promise, he reopened again.</p>
+
+<p>The Police Board of the city had it in their power to
+close all of the saloons of the city, but the one that
+was licensed; but, instead of hunting up evidence to
+stop the illegal business, they hunted up a city ordinance
+preventing the obstruction of the sidewalk, hoping
+in that way to stop the Crusade. But the ladies,
+getting a hint of it, changed their tactics, and went out
+in small companies.</p>
+
+<p>Enthusiastic mass-meetings were held—young men’s
+meetings, young ladies’ meetings, and daily prayer-meetings—and
+a public sentiment was aroused that
+would have closed every rum-shop in the town if they
+had not been sustained by official influence.</p>
+
+<p>Richmond is the home of Mr. Baxter, originator of
+the Baxter law.</p>
+
+<p>The women continue their work, adopting various
+methods, and are waiting and praying for the victory.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MISCELLANEOUS">
+ MISCELLANEOUS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Crusade was carried on in the following towns
+of Indiana, with more or less success: Fort Wayne,
+New Albany, Dunkirk, Portland, Muncy, Frankfort,
+Columbus, Buffton, Kokoma, South Bend, Valparaiso,
+Lawrenceburgh, Union City, Terre Haute, Greenfield,
+Bedford, Lafayette, Logansport, Warsaw, Wabash,
+Franklin.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ ILLINOIS.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">
+ CHAPTER V.
+</h2>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHICAGO_ILLINOIS">
+ CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Early in March, 1874, it was announced that the
+city council had determined to repeal the law requiring
+saloon-keepers to close their doors on the Sabbath
+day. Petitions against the repeal of the law were extensively
+circulated, and the moral sentiment of the
+city thoroughly aroused.</p>
+
+<p>A meeting was called for the next Monday afternoon,
+March 16th, at Clark Street M. E. Church. The
+house was packed to its utmost capacity, the front seats
+in the gallery being filled with saloon-keepers. Many
+ministers were on the platform. Mrs. Wirts called the
+meeting to order, and Mrs. Rev. Moses Smith was
+elected chairman. There was deep interest. One
+present says: “The intensity of feeling was something
+to be felt, but can never be described.” During the
+devotional exercises every Christian heart realized
+that the Holy Spirit was present.</p>
+
+<p>The first business of the meeting was the appointment
+of a committee of fifty to present the petition to
+the common council. Mrs. Rev. Moses Smith and
+fifty others were designated to visit the council chamber.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Smith gives the following particulars of this
+visit:</p>
+
+<p>“About seven o’clock, when the streets were comparatively
+quiet, we formed in procession and marched
+silently to the council chamber. On reaching the hall,
+the door was found locked, and guarded by a drunken
+janitor, armed with a revolver and dirk. Rev. Arthur
+Mitchell, D. D., and Rev. Arthur Edwards, D. D., who
+had greatly aided in the afternoon meeting, came to our
+aid, and succeeded in getting the door unlocked, and
+with their own hands lighted the gas. As many of the
+ladies as could be seated passed in to await the coming
+of the council, while the others returned to the
+church.</p>
+
+<p>“At eight o’clock the council came to order, and the
+clerk announced the first business on the docket to be
+the final vote on the repeal of the Sunday law. Then
+ensued a struggle: the more reckless were determined
+to repeal the law before the ladies’ petitions could be
+presented; others, even of the rum party, with an eye
+to future elections, favored making the listening to the
+petition the first business in order. After a long discussion,
+the motion prevailed to listen to the petition.</p>
+
+<p>“In the meantime a mob had gathered around the
+building, pressing through the long corridors even into
+the council chamber. There was hooting and yelling,
+and throwing of bricks, and threats from some of the
+more desperate.”</p>
+
+<p>After the presentation of the petition, Mrs. Moses
+Smith was permitted to address the council. She said:
+“<i>Gentlemen of the Common Council</i>: We came not here
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</span>to address you. We desire not to take one moment
+of your time. We come with a petition bearing the
+names of 16,000 women, and we feel that we represent
+the women of the city, and that we represent the cause
+of righteousness and of God; and we feel, too, that we
+are the power behind the throne, which may be felt at
+another election, though it was not at the last. We
+only entreat you in the name of our Father in heaven,
+and as you have the personal responsibility before you,
+not to open the saloons to our young men and to our
+children on God’s day.”</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Smith was escorted from the building by Dr.
+Mitchell, preceded by an armed policeman.</p>
+
+<p>She says: “The moment I stepped out of the room
+an infuriated yell went up that fairly shook the building.”
+Saloon-keepers had offered free rum to all who would
+join the mob. Although several thousand of the most
+desperate men in the city were gathered in that surging,
+hissing crowd, the ladies passed through and
+returned to the church without any serious injury.
+Regardless of the petition, the law was repealed, but
+the mob had done more for the cause of temperance
+than the granting of the petition could have done.</p>
+
+<p>We give the following detailed account from the
+<i>Chicago Times</i>, of March 17th:</p>
+
+<p>“It was well the ladies proceeded at an early hour to
+the council chamber, though this precaution entailed
+upon them nearly three hours’ wait. As soon as they
+had been admitted, the rabble began to gather on the
+outside, blocking up all the avenues of approach.
+Adams street was crowded by, perhaps, the most ruffianly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</span>crowd ever gathered in the city—a crowd in
+duty bound to insult everybody bearing the semblance
+of a lady. It had been gathered from the saloons and
+slums of the city to give the bummer aldermen a
+moral support. The leaders had sent out the command:
+‘Rally your forces; we must counteract the
+influence of the women.’ Accordingly, every saloon
+had stood treat to all the dead-beats who would ordinarily
+be ordered out of the place, on condition that
+they would make ‘Rome howl!’ about the city hall.
+The move was a complete success, and a more unmannerly
+and disgraceful mob never outraged propriety
+and threatened the peace of the city. As soon
+as the council chamber was filled, the corridors were
+crowded with a filth-reeking crowd. The doors were
+slammed in their faces, and then a howl of indignation
+arose, that made the old rookery shake from its foundations
+to the skylights. As often as a vote resulted
+in favor of the bummers, the news was conveyed to
+the mob, and the most unearthly yells would be sent
+up, reverberating through the council chamber to the
+stopping of all business.</p>
+
+<p>“The air within was stifling, and frequently ladies
+would beg escorts from Captain Buckley to seek the
+open air. Such requests were always granted, but it
+was almost as much as their lives were worth for the
+ladies to work their way through the mob. As soon
+as the doors opened to pass them, the crowd in the
+corridors, getting sight of a bonnet, would break out
+in cheers, yells, hoots, groans, and cat-calls. This sort
+of thing was kept up until the lady reached the street,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</span>and there the cries would be taken up by the rabble
+outside, and the lady would generally be accompanied
+by a mob of several thousand, a block or two, all yelling
+like demons possessed. A number of ladies
+fainted during the ordeal. These diversions were of
+frequent occurrence, and the shouting and yelling
+were interminable during the whole time that the
+ladies were in the council chamber. But the closing
+scene was the most disgraceful of all.</p>
+
+<p>“It was the most outrageous proceeding ever witnessed
+in a civilized community. It must now be
+counted among the other delusions dispelled in this
+age, that men, no matter in what position in life, entertain
+a natural regard for the fair sex. The mob on
+last evening completely refuted this flattering unction.
+Savages would have shown more respect to captive
+Amazons. When the vote on the whiskey ordinance
+was declared carried, the ladies rose to depart. A
+posse of police then proceeded to break a way
+through the crowd. Having succeeded in this difficult
+task, the ladies filed out of the hall between two rows
+of officers. On either side stood a glaring mob—a
+shouting, a groaning, a hooting, a demoniac mob.
+The most obscene phrases were bandied about; the
+foulest epithets were applied. Women passing along
+the corridors through this lane of filth, hid their faces
+in their hands; dropped their veils; shrank within
+themselves; hurried forward on the run; stopped
+sometimes as if ready to sink, but gathering renewed
+strength, started forward again, pressed by the ladies
+behind them, all eager to reach the open air.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</span></p>
+
+<p>“But when the open air was gained, the situation in
+nowise improved. Egress was had by the door in the
+rear leading to the alley next to the Grand Pacific.
+Thousands were crammed into this space—a howling
+menagerie. The police cleared the sidewalk, but the
+crowd lined the verge, and poured a volley of blasphemy
+and obscenity at the procession of ladies.
+When La Salle street was reached, other thousands
+were awaiting their approach, and these howled even
+louder than those who greeted them in the alley.
+The noise was positively hideous, and this hooting,
+yelling, blasphemous mob, of five thousand roughs,
+the very offscourings of the saloons, flanked and followed
+them clear to the door of the church. Jostling
+them on the way; spitting tobacco juice on their
+dresses; pulling at their chignons; in some cases
+tripping them up; knocking off the hats of their escorts,—brothers,
+husbands, or sons,—giving the latter
+kicks, cuffs, and digs in the ribs; and all the while the
+hooting, yelling, howling continued, and not infrequently
+members of the procession would sink to the
+ground, swooning from very fright.</p>
+
+<p>“It was a terrible ordeal these ladies were compelled
+to pass. It is safe to say that never before, in this
+country, did an equally respectable body of ladies receive
+such brutal treatment. The rage of the mob
+following the cart of Marie Antoinette to the guillotine
+was not more demoniac, and probably far more courteous.
+For much of this, that low-bred demagogue—Hesing’s
+henchman—Jack Rehm, superintendent of
+police, is responsible. The ladies called on him for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</span>protection, and he refused it; the mob ruled in the
+very head-quarters of the police. This bummer, with
+the star of the chief, was in league with the rabble; he
+was a party to the plot to congregate all the scum of
+the city hall; no pretence at order made on the outside;
+the police, as they say in Paris, ‘fraternized’
+with the mob; they knew which side the powers that
+be were on.”</p>
+
+<p>So far from intimidating the women of Chicago, it
+made them a thousand times more determined.
+Perhaps many of them were not aware, up to that
+time, of the hideousness of the rum power, and the
+degradation and vileness of its votaries. Their eyes
+are opened. They see they have a giant to fight, and
+yet it is not for them to fight; this wonderful movement
+is <i>all of God, in answer to prayer</i>. Millions of
+prayers are going up to God, and a wonderful spiritual
+influence in answer to these prayers is being poured
+out upon the people of all lands. The temperance
+question is on the crest of this wonderful tidal wave.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Chicago Tribune</i> and <i>Northwestern Christian
+Advocate</i> give substantially the same account, and
+unite to deplore and condemn the affair as a disgraceful
+outrage on decency and propriety.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ORIGIN_OF_CHICAGO_DAILY_TEMPERANCE_PRAYER-MEETING">
+ ORIGIN OF CHICAGO DAILY TEMPERANCE PRAYER-MEETING.
+</h3>
+
+<p>After the visit to the mayor, rejection of petition,
+mob procession, etc., the temperance women of
+Chicago did not lose heart. They maintained a daily
+prayer-meeting in the lecture-room of Clark Street M. E.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</span>Church, at which numbers of drinking men signed the
+pledge, and sought “the Lord behind the pledge,” as
+one of them expressed it. During the frightful heat
+of that summer, the attendance fell off sometimes.
+Mrs. O. B. Wilson, the President, a plethoric lady, in
+feeble health, and past the prime of life, would ride
+miles in the street cars, from her home on one of the
+south side avenues, to the place of meeting in the
+Y. M. C. A. building, meeting there but one other lady,
+and she from a distance equally great on the north
+side of the city. At last, for a few weeks, the meeting
+was relinquished. When Miss Frances E. Willard,
+who had just entered the temperance work, and been
+made President of the Chicago Union, returned from
+old Orchard Beach, with the fresh enthusiasm and faith
+stimulated by that meeting, she, with Mrs. Louise S.
+Rounds, her special friend and coadjutor, proposed the
+re-establishment of the daily gospel meeting. They
+laid their plans before the ladies at the regular meeting,
+and advocated giving more publicity to the effort,
+and especially the effort to secure attendance of the
+drinking, swearing, “elbow heathen” of the streets.
+They proposed circulating a little hand-bill of invitation,
+putting out a sign with “Everybody welcome!
+Come and sign the pledge!” and also placing notices
+in the daily papers. The debate was long and animated.
+Some of the ladies said, “You’ve seen how
+difficult, almost impossible it is to sustain any sort of a
+meeting. A failure will be disastrous, and we cannot
+hope to succeed.” Others said to Miss Willard, who
+gave all her time to the office, “You’ll have to conduct
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</span>the meeting all alone; and though profitable to you,
+it will not fulfil what you are aiming at, for if nobody
+comes, you surely cannot reach the masses.” But
+at last, by a small majority, the proposition carried.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Willard, in the simplicity of her heart, went to
+Miss Cushing, Librarian of the Y. M. C. A., and
+obtained her promise that if the prediction came true,
+and she found herself absolutely without any one to
+kneel beside her in prayer, Miss Cushing might be
+called upon to help her “keep up the meeting.”</p>
+
+<p>But this exigency never arose. The first day seven
+were present, the majority of them drinking men.
+Rapidly the numbers increased, until the office, which,
+by packing, would hold forty, was crowded, and the
+doorway and hall. Then the Y. M. C. A. gave the
+use of lower Farwell Hall (where their noon meeting
+is held) and the attendance grew until two, three, and
+four hundred would convene at three <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> daily.</p>
+
+<p>Humanly speaking, the elements of success were:
+Dauntless determination; thorough advertising of
+meeting and persistently keeping it before the public—large
+placards of welcome, hand-bills circulated on
+the streets, notices of the press; accounts of the occurrences
+at the meeting, as well as mere announcement;
+having it <i>accessible</i>—in heart of city, <i>down-stairs</i>, level
+of street, good lively music and excellent instrumental
+accompaniment; regularly-appointed leaders (the week
+beforehand, so they could prepare), going into reading-room
+of Y. M. C. A., and daily inviting the loungers
+there, with utmost kindness, to attend.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. L. S. Rounds, Corresponding Secretary, gives
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</span>the following account of the work during the last
+year:</p>
+
+<p>“Since the 1st of October, 1876, I have had charge of
+the work. We have a membership of about seventy-five.
+Our daily temperance prayer-meeting is <i>the</i> feature of
+our work. Held in the very centre of the city, we have
+had, since the above date, an average daily attendance
+through the winter of two hundred and fifty, and during
+these past summer weeks an average attendance
+daily of eighty-five to one hundred.</p>
+
+<p>“These meetings are held from three to four each
+day, Sundays excepted—always led by some lady,
+excepting a few weeks during the winter, when the
+meetings were led by Brother Sawyer, Mr. Moody’s
+co-laborer.</p>
+
+<p>“The influence going out from these meetings is felt
+in all the surrounding States, and letters come to us
+nearly every day from persons who have been helped
+by them. At the close of each meeting the pledge is
+presented.</p>
+
+<p>“Besides this daily meeting, we have weekly meetings
+under our auspices, at the following points:</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Bethel Home</i>, where a meeting has been sustained
+about three years. There a <i>mighty</i> work has been
+done: <i>thousands</i> passing through the Home have been
+in our meetings, possibly, only once—others several
+times, and the seed thus sown has fallen upon many a
+poor, weary heart. The Superintendent of the Home
+says that about twenty thousand persons pass through
+the Home yearly. The larger portion of these come
+into our meetings. They are poor wanderers, going
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</span>up and down in the world, seeking work, rest, and
+homes. The most of them are drinking men. It is
+one of the most promising points of our work, and
+<i>thousands</i> of these poor outcasts have signed the
+pledge here and begun a better life.</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Burr Mission</i> is also a grand field for labor—a hard
+one, but all the more blessed, because of the joy it
+gives of seeing the cross of Christ win its way in the
+worst of places. Earnest Christian women have stood
+firm at their post here, and God has blessed them wonderfully.
+Hundreds have signed the pledge. Much
+house to house visiting is being done here, with blessed
+results.</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Twenty-fifth street and Portland avenue</i> is another
+point where we have planted our temperance work.
+Here we have much help from Christian men and
+women living in the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>“<i>At 221 West Madison street</i> we have another point
+of work. This meeting has only been in progress
+a few months, and yet the interest is remarkable, and
+much good is being done. Many Christians attend
+this meeting, held every Monday night.</p>
+
+<p>“And last, but by no means least, we have a new
+point of work in the extreme south part of the city, in
+the midst of a drinking class of people, called—</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Our Forty-seventh Street Work.</i> A gospel temperance
+meeting was started here about six weeks ago, a
+hall secured, and meetings held <i>twice</i> every week.
+The entire neighborhood seems aroused. Some opposition
+was met with at first, but the whiskey men are
+finding out that we have come to stay. A noble
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</span>Christian man, under the direction of our Union, has
+charge of the work, and we send speakers and watch
+its interests. At <i>every</i> meeting large numbers sign
+the pledge. The work here promises grand things.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+SUMMARY OF WORK.
+</p>
+
+<p>“The Chicago Union holds, <i>every week, twelve</i> gospel
+temperance meetings. At all of these, the pledge is
+presented, and the Saviour offered as the Physician
+for sin-sick souls. At all of these meetings an opportunity
+is given for any one to present requests for
+prayers either for himself or for friends, and also to
+give testimony as to what the Lord is doing for him.</p>
+
+<p>“No reformed man is allowed to take part in our
+meetings who ignores Christ’s power to save, or
+scorns His help, no matter how good a <i>temperance</i>
+man he may be. <i>We never run in debt.</i> It is an
+understood rule that we shall <i>never</i> go beyond the
+means in hand. Clinging to this, we found ourselves
+one day with only forty-five cents in the treasury, but
+all bills were paid, and before others came in the Lord
+supplied our needs.</p>
+
+<p>“Not <i>one dime</i> from our treasury goes to relief work.
+In a great city like this, constantly running the risk of
+being imposed on by untruthful and indolent people,
+we saw the wisdom of adopting this rule, and have
+adhered to it strictly. We find that those we help the
+least, <i>materially</i>, do the best for <i>themselves</i>, and this is
+a fact worthy of consideration. Much of the so-called
+<i>charity</i> of the world is but adding fuel to the fire
+which is burning out our social life. Every man
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</span>ought to be taught that he must depend upon <i>God</i>
+and <i>himself</i>.</p>
+
+<p>“Our temperance women cannot learn the lesson too
+soon, that there is <i>no end</i> to the long procession who
+care more for the bread that perisheth, than for that
+of eternal life.</p>
+
+<p>“Our objective point is the uplifting of <i>public sentiment</i>.
+Pulling drunkards out of the gutter is good
+work, but to keep them from getting in is better.
+Our hope is in the children. To this end the juvenile
+work interests us much. In nearly all the evangelical
+Sunday-schools of the city, we have introduced a
+review lesson on Temperance, prepared by Miss Kimball,
+the chairman of that department. It has proved
+<i>very acceptable</i>; and Sunday-schools out in the towns
+and villages in the State have sent to us for it.</p>
+
+<p>“God give us the children for Christ and temperance,
+is our cry; and we hear Him say, ‘According to your
+<i>faith</i> be it done unto you.’</p>
+
+<p>“To-day, at the close of this hot August month, with
+the fall and winter work close upon us, our Chicago
+Union stands bravely at the front, where, thank God,
+she has <i>always</i> stood.</p>
+
+<p>“To recapitulate:</p>
+
+<p>“We hold <i>twelve gospel temperance meetings every</i>
+week, counting in our six <i>daily</i> meetings, the attendance
+of which yesterday was 120, averaging daily
+from 80 to 100! Our regular <i>business</i> meeting every
+week. During the past <i>eleven</i> months (first three of
+which is in the last report), between 1,500 and 1,600
+have signed the pledge; and we feel safe in saying
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</span>that there have been from <i>three</i> to <i>five hundred conversions</i>.
+May God continue to bless the temperance
+cause, and to Him be all the glory.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="JACKSONVILLE_ILLINOIS">
+ JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>After an all-day prayer-meeting, the women were
+invited to meet and organize, which they did on March
+16th, 1874, enrolling at the first meeting 200 names,
+as workers. They caused to be placed on record, the
+following solemn statement: “We now buckled on
+the armor, and go forward; there is no retreat, no
+failure; we do not expect to lay down our armor
+until life’s work is done. Our motto is, Jehovah nisi:
+the Lord my banner; and with this unfurled, floating
+in the air—which is wafted from the heavens above us—we
+go forth to conquer for Him who gave His life
+for us.”</p>
+
+<p>A pledge was drawn up, and circulated among the
+druggists, to which most of them signed their names.
+Committees were appointed to visit the owners of the
+buildings where saloons were kept, hoping, as nearly
+all were church members, they would be convinced of
+the wrong they were doing. Total abstinence pledges
+were circulated throughout the city, and over two
+thousand names were enrolled on the pledge-books.</p>
+
+<p>One day, a member of the Union, seeing a man
+come out of a saloon, said, with a kind look, “My
+friend, you do not frequent the saloon at such a time
+as this?” He answered, “I have done so.” After
+some conversation, they separated; he went home and
+related the circumstance to his wife, and expressed a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</span>willingness to sign the pledge. The wife found out
+the name of the lady, visited her and urged her to
+present the pledge to her husband, which she did.
+The man wrote his name to the pledge, declaring
+solemnly that he would never break it; and has kept
+it faithfully, and taken a stand on the Lord’s side, and
+united with one of the churches.</p>
+
+<p>A man came into the meeting one day, who seemed
+very much affected and interested. He said he lived
+eight miles from the town, was in the habit of drinking,
+and had been for thirty years; as he was coming into
+town, his wife wished him to attend the meeting where
+they prayed for those who wanted to be free from the
+bondage of drink, so instead of going to the saloon, he
+went to the prayer-meeting.</p>
+
+<p>Not long afterwards, while the women were praying
+before a saloon, a wagon stopped, and the occupants
+desired to see some of the women; it was the man
+just mentioned, with his family. They all wanted to sign
+the pledge; the shadow had been lifted, they had now
+a happy home, the man had reformed.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. L. H. Washington, who was the President of
+the Union at that time, says:</p>
+
+<p>“We met daily, asking our Father to lead us, and
+use us against the evil, which threatened all that was
+precious In life. We did this, however, in the beginning,
+without any expectation of going into the saloons.
+For myself, I had an abhorrence of drinking-places,
+from which happily my father, brothers and husband,
+had kept aloof.”</p>
+
+<p>After two weeks of dally meetings, we began to visit
+the saloons.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</span></p>
+
+<p>Our band, which commenced with five, soon numbered
+seventy-five. We were almost invariably treated
+with respect, not that the saloonists were glad of our
+company, but they knew that their only hope of maintaining
+their position and business was in appearing
+as much like gentlemen as they knew how.</p>
+
+<p>There were some exceptions to courteous treatment,
+generally from those under the influence of liquor.
+One saloon-keeper, who was much intoxicated, seized
+a gun, and aimed it at the women, but it was wrested
+from him, by his patrons. When sober he always
+invited us in, (we did not enter without permission,)
+and frequently followed to other saloons with apparent
+interest. Another saloon-keeper, also intoxicated, said:
+“What do you bring your Jesus here for? take Him
+to the church, and crucify Him there. You are working
+for money, any way.”</p>
+
+<p>We immediately acknowledged that we had received
+nearly a thousand dollars to open a pleasant free reading-room,
+where all were invited, and we wanted all
+who worked for money to take good care of it, and
+make their homes pleasant, and their wives and children
+happy, and we urged all to come and partake of
+the “water of life freely, without money, and without
+price.”</p>
+
+<p>One of the most deeply solemn prayer-meetings I
+ever attended, was held in a saloon, by appointment,
+and with the consent of the proprietor. Intelligence
+and wealth, ignorance and poverty, were represented
+in the band. Anguished hearts were laid bare; wrongs
+and solicitudes which had been carefully covered over
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</span>for years, awakened ready sympathy, and all clasped
+hands against a common foe.</p>
+
+<p>Saloon patronage was greatly reduced; many unaccustomed
+to attend church, on invitation came, and
+some were gathered into the fold.</p>
+
+<p>It was almost the universal opinion, that with the
+burning eye of public sentiment turned upon the liquor
+traffic, it must go down. The saloonists were evidently
+trembling, not so much at the power of God whom
+they did not fear, as at the power of the earthly counsel,
+from whom they bought silence and favor, by paying
+$500 per annum. So insecure did they feel, and so low
+had their patronage been reduced, that they did not
+replenish their stock.</p>
+
+<p>One liquor agent, who, when he visited the city,
+usually sold from $1,500 to $2,500 worth of liquors to
+the drug stores and saloons, stated, that he could not
+sell one dollar’s worth. We afterwards learned that
+he came into our daily meeting to see what the women
+were doing, to so interfere with his business.</p>
+
+<p>I was riding in the cars one night. We reached the
+city of Peoria about midnight. This city is noted for its
+whiskey making, and a man entered, and engaged in
+conversation with a passenger, from which I learned,
+they were both engaged in the liquor business.</p>
+
+<p>“Times are dull, dull,” was the salutation that passed
+between them. A pocket flask was produced, and the
+quality of its contents tested with evident relish.</p>
+
+<p>“Doesn’t it beat the devil? You can’t sell whiskey
+in these days.” (I thought myself, that the devil was
+badly beaten.)</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Where have you been this round?”</p>
+
+<p>Several places were indicated.</p>
+
+<p>“Did you stop at Jacksonville?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but they’ve got a Crusade and a revival, too,
+and there’s no use to try to sell there.”</p>
+
+<p>“Things look rather dark.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think they do: Why, there are 30,000 barrels of
+whiskey in the bonded warehouses of Peoria, to-day,
+and no sale to speak of. B——’s distillery must shut
+down, if times don’t brighten. Why if this thing keeps
+on three months longer, every whiskey man in the
+country will be busted.”</p>
+
+<p>Alas! that the adversary of souls should have so
+many allies, and one so powerful in the love of money.</p>
+
+<p>In our city, many who commended crusading, and
+were loud in their praises, and hoped the women would
+not give up, when the time came for voting, failed to
+back their praises with their votes. “Temperance
+work,” they said, “was a Christian work, a work of
+moral suasion, and since men would drink, it was best
+and safest to make them pay for it.” And so they
+bargained for the evil, which their wives prayed to
+prevent, and hindered the good work.</p>
+
+<p>We were cast down, but not altogether discouraged.
+We wept, it is true, but had not our Master
+wept over Jerusalem? Jerusalem was destroyed, but
+His blessed cause lives, and the light then overshadowed,
+is brightening the uttermost parts of the
+earth.</p>
+
+<p>I learn from the records that on April 9th the following
+petition was prepared:
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</span>“<i>To the Honorable, the Mayor and City Council of the
+City of Jacksonville</i>:</p>
+
+<p>“The undersigned, residents of Jacksonville, respectfully
+ask that no license to retail intoxicating
+drinks shall be granted by the city of Jacksonville.
+To you who have full power to grant or deny our
+prayer we appeal as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters,
+to aid in preventing a traffic that causes evil, and only
+evil, and by which our sex and young children are the
+greatest sufferers.”</p>
+
+<p>This petition was circulated, and the names of 1,650
+women annexed, and presented to the council at their
+first meeting by a committee appointed by the Union.
+This petition was placed, by vote of said council, in
+the hands of the chairman of the committee on
+ordinances, where it slept, with naught to disturb its
+repose, until its resurrection by the Union a year
+afterwards. It is now nicely rolled up and occupies a
+place with the records kept by the Secretary of the
+temperance society.</p>
+
+<p>And yet, with all these discouragements, the Secretary,
+Mrs. E. J. Bancroft, records the purpose of the
+society in the following tender words:</p>
+
+<p>“Let us, members of the Union, keep heart to
+heart, having charity among ourselves as to ways and
+means of doing good. Work and wait, looking to Him
+who gave the cause into our hands—the burden into
+our hearts.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ROCKFORD_ILLINOIS">
+ ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, Corresponding
+Secretary, for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</span></p>
+
+<p>The city of Rockford, Illinois, on the Rock river, has
+had rather a remarkable history. About twenty years
+ago its numerous Christian counsellors set themselves
+to frame a municipal law for the liquor traffic, which,
+while it licensed, should at the same time prohibit; and
+the government was run on this double-faced principle
+for a series of years, during which manufactories multiplied,
+homes were built after the most luxurious style,
+churches were erected until they stood one for every
+thousand of her population, schools were perfected,
+and her youth grew up and entered business, and
+reared houses of their own; when it suddenly appeared
+to the women that their proud and beautiful
+city had a saloon for every church, and more than
+matched the church in point of influence.</p>
+
+<p>Under the terrible pressure of facts, the women
+came together, on the 27th of March, 1874, and organized
+a Woman’s Temperance Union, having but the
+one object, of saving the men of our city from the
+curse of rum. The wife of the mayor, Mrs. Gilbert
+Woodruff, was made the President of this organization,
+with a Vice-President from every church in the
+city. Mrs. S. M. I. Henry was elected Secretary, and
+Mrs. H. W. Carpenter, Treasurer.</p>
+
+<p>Thoroughly organized, the Union began its work—holding
+public meetings, canvassing the city with
+pledges and petitions, studying the laws of the State
+and city, looking up the city records for facts to be
+used in public and private; and, greater than any of
+these, imploring the God of heaven daily for relief
+from the death-grip of this enemy. The pledges
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</span>were signed by a good proportion of the <i>temperance</i>
+people, and a few drinkers.</p>
+
+<p>The petition to the council, not to grant licenses, was
+signed by 2,325 women, 1,357 men, over age, and was
+presented to the council by twenty-one ladies—and
+was <i>not granted</i>. We worked on one year, without
+any apparent result—passed the anniversary, and began
+the second year with nothing but faith. By very
+great efforts, we raised the means to secure the services
+of Francis Murphy, who came to Rockford, about
+the 10th of April, 1875. The people thronged to hear
+him, and thus became interested in the idea and fact
+of reformation for the drunkard. Some hard drinkers
+signed the pledge at his meetings, who have stood true
+until now.</p>
+
+<p>Just before Mr. Murphy came, the business men who
+were in sympathy with our work organized an alliance,
+which is still in good, substantial working order, and is
+a power in our city.</p>
+
+<p>In July, 750 of our Union opened rooms for temperance
+gospel work, and Mrs. Henry, the Corresponding
+Secretary, was placed in charge, in which
+position she still remains. These rooms have become
+one of the institutions of the city, and have been
+the scene of many thrilling incidents in the work of
+individual reform. A pledge-book is kept on the
+table, and about four hundred names have been enrolled,
+of those who, in the midst of a downward
+course, have resolved to reform, and sought the temperance
+rooms and called for the pledge, unsolicited
+by us. Of this number more than ninety per cent.
+stand true.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</span></p>
+
+<p>On the 15th of October, 1875, a Reform Club was
+organized in the rooms, beginning with seven members,
+all men rescued, by the grace of God, through
+the gospel temperance work, from the lowest depths.
+This club now numbers over one hundred men of like
+experience, many of whom have been converted, and
+are humbly following Christ.</p>
+
+<p>At the beginning of the second year of our Union,
+Mrs. John Backus was elected President, Mrs. Woodruff
+being first Vice-President; and Mrs. Starr, Recording
+Secretary; Mrs. S. B. Wilkins, Treasurer; the
+Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Henry, being retained.
+These officers were re-elected at our last annual meeting.
+At that meeting, the Corresponding Secretary in
+making her report referred to the strange fact, that
+not one of our members had been called away by
+death, and that no one had ever seceded from us.
+But to-day, six months after, we cannot say this: two
+of our dearest fellow-workers have gone up to represent
+us in the court of the King.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mary A. Phelps, and Mrs. Gilbert Woodruff,
+our first Vice-President. No one reading these two
+names, in this connection, can know what it means to
+us. They were beloved and honored among us, and
+we are left <i>stricken</i>, yet following on.</p>
+
+<p>Our work is peculiarly <i>gospel</i> work. During the
+years, our weekly gospel meetings for the men, our
+monthly meetings for the young people, weekly Thursday
+afternoon meetings of the Union, and weekly club
+meetings on Friday evening for men only, are all carried
+on, nothing being allowed to interfere. During
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</span>the summer, afternoon meetings are held in the public
+park, every Saturday, at three o’clock, conducted by
+the women; and occasionally some good pastor of a
+city church visits us of a Sabbath evening, with his
+people, to hold a gospel temperance meeting.</p>
+
+<p>We have done a great deal of saloon visiting, not
+crusading, and tract work, with good results. A great
+deal of relief work comes to us every winter. Last
+winter the charity of the churches was distributed
+through our agency, and we had thirty-five families on
+our list, whose comfort was the daily care of our
+Union all winter. Cause of this want—<i>drink</i>. Result
+of the gospel temperance relief work—reformation,
+and conversion in several instances.</p>
+
+<p>Out of the W. T. Union of our city have grown
+several organizations, all working in harmony with us,
+and each other, viz.: the Rockford Temperance Alliance,
+the Rockford Reform Club, Spafford Lodge, I.
+O. G. T., and the Temple of Honor.</p>
+
+<p>We were sure, at first, that our call was of God, but
+to-day, looking back over three and a half years of
+constant work in this cause, we <i>know it</i>.</p>
+
+<p>We praise Him for the past, and trust Him for the
+future.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BLOOMINGTON_ILLINOIS">
+ BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. A. E. Sanford, of Bloomington, gives the following
+account of work there:</p>
+
+<p>The two months of prayer and conference preceding
+the work of saloon visiting, was a season of earnest
+praying and patient hard work. Saloons were visited
+every day, their keepers and occupants conversed with,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</span>urged to sign the pledge, become Christians, and give
+up the miserable business of selling and drinking
+liquors. Several gave up the business, many signed
+the pledge, and much good resulted from the loving
+labors of God’s loyal women.</p>
+
+<p>April 20th, 1874, was a memorable day in the history
+of Bloomington. The city council, in answer to the
+importunate entreaties of the women to make prohibition
+regulations, had promised to leave the decision to
+the popular vote. At an early hour the ladies convened
+at the First M. E. Church, and after spending
+one hour in agonizing prayer, went out in companies
+to the different wards, to influence, if possible, the
+voters. Quiet, timid women, with calm, resolute courage,
+in many of whose faces shone the peace and trust
+born of abiding faith in God, took their places with
+hearts full of prayer, and hands full of prohibition
+tickets, and in the drizzling, cold rain, fought for the
+cause they loved.</p>
+
+<p>Ministers, Christian men and women, and the Faculty
+of Wesleyan University, all worked together tirelessly,
+for they thought much depended on that day’s work.
+Many a voter, who had little faith in the “no license
+plan,” was induced to try the experiment; many a
+poor inebriate, seeing in prohibition his only hope of
+reform, and many a man, who cared little for the result,
+was induced to vote the prohibition ticket.</p>
+
+<p>At the church the women gathered all day and
+prayed; lunch was served also there; reliefs sent to
+those who had worked at the polls till strength gave
+way. Not a word of disrespect or roughness was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</span>given to the ladies, though they mingled with rough
+men, accompanying them to the polls to see the
+proper tickets deposited.</p>
+
+<p>When the polls closed, men and women, interested
+in prohibition, gathered at the church to await “returns.”
+As the news came in, shouts of praise, and
+songs of rejoicing mingled together; and when the
+victory was declared, the grand long-metre doxology
+sung with quivering lips and streaming eyes, attested
+how deep had been the interest, and how profound
+was the thanksgiving.</p>
+
+<p>But alas! how short-lived was our triumph. The
+council, disappointed in the result, “dilly-dallied”
+about carrying the popular vote into execution, until
+in June they passed the mockery of a prohibition
+ordinance, making the sale of less than one gallon
+illegal. But even this mockery accomplished good.
+Young men and boys were less frequently found in
+saloons; drunken men were seen less frequently upon
+the streets; and a visible improvement was manifest
+until fall, when even that ordinance was repealed, and
+“license” became the rule. Those were dark days
+for the friends of temperance.</p>
+
+<p>Since 1876, nearly half the saloons which had existence
+here have been closed. The Washingtonian
+Club has grown out of the prayers and efforts of the
+Union. Every week a few sign the pledge; and
+steadily, though slowly, the temperance sentiment is
+gaining ground and winning sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies of the Union meet weekly, not in the
+large numbers which characterized the Crusade days,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</span>but a few are always there, “stretching their hands to
+God,” and believing that the right must triumph in
+God’s good time; and so we are not discouraged, but
+hoping.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MOLINE_ILLINOIS">
+ MOLINE, ILLINOIS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. M. E. Stewart for the facts
+connected with the heroic work of the women of this
+town:</p>
+
+<p>Long before the great tidal wave of temperance had
+rolled over Ohio, Indiana, and other States, there were
+anxious hearts in Moline. There were sleepless nights,
+and agonizing prayers, and many times was the question
+repeated mentally, “What, oh, what can be done
+to stay the terrible curse of intemperance?” But
+when the glad news of what was being done in our
+sister States flashed across the wires, we thanked God,
+and took courage, hoping that a spark from the spreading
+fire might alight in our own city. At length our
+desires were realized, and on the 20th day of April,
+1874, at three o’clock <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, about twenty women met
+for prayer and discussion, and, before separating,
+organized, and appointed committees for various
+duties, drafting Constitution and By-laws, and drawing
+up petitions.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was earnest and spirited, and the great
+burden of heart seemed to be that the city council,
+manufacturers and business men, should take a decided
+stand on the side of temperance, by not licensing the
+sale of spirituous liquors, and by giving employment
+to men of steady habits only, and by discountenancing
+intemperance in every form.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</span></p>
+
+<p>Our next meeting was held on the 24th of April.
+Forty ladies were present. The “Woman’s Total
+Abstinence League,” as the Society was called, had for
+its President Mrs. M. M. Hubbard, a woman of large
+motherly heart, one on whose brow were lines of
+thought and care, and whose hair was being silvered
+with age, and one whose heart was imbued with the
+work. Vice-Presidents, Mrs. M. A. Gordan and Mrs.
+M. A. Stephens. Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. M.
+E. Stewart.</p>
+
+<p>After that meeting, no time was lost, but active and
+persistent labor was ours. The city was divided into
+districts, and thoroughly canvassed with a petition to
+the city council in favor of “no license, and prohibition.”
+From house to house, from shop to shop, and from
+manufactory to manufactory did the earnest, anxious
+canvassers go, earnestly pleading with all to sign the
+petition “for no license.” Day after day they walked
+through drenching rain, snow, sleet, wind and storm,
+so that it might be completed before the election of
+new city officers.</p>
+
+<p>The roll contained 2,100 names and measured sixty-nine
+feet; and after a meeting of solemn, earnest
+prayers, a committee was appointed to carry it to the
+council room. It was presented to the mayor, who
+listened attentively, and responded by saying, that
+“both he and the council were in sympathy with our
+petition, and would do all they could to grant the
+favor.”</p>
+
+<p>The hearts of the old council had been touched, and
+to quiet conscience, they had repealed the license law,
+and left a clean page for the new officials.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</span></p>
+
+<p>The first vote taken on the matter was a tie, requiring
+the mayor’s signature or vote to decide, which he
+refused to give, fearing he might offend either party,
+and thus the question was left undecided, and for two
+months there was no license. Meanwhile we did all
+in our power to prevent action in favor of license. We
+held meetings for prayer, sent articles on temperance
+to the newspapers, plead with the manufacturers and
+capitalists, to employ only men of strict temperance
+principles; plead, too, before “our wise ones, that the
+policy of no license was, and always would be, the
+wisest political economy—a financial gain to the commonwealth.”</p>
+
+<p>Although there was no license, the liquor-selling and
+drinking went on, and law was being violated, and
+work—hard work—and prayer was our daily motto.</p>
+
+<p>The mayor and council were frequently visited,
+always after earnest prayer. Saloon-keepers were
+visited and appealed to in the kindest and most tender
+terms to give up their occupation, and engage in some
+business that might command the patronage of all.
+The druggists were visited with the pledge, which was
+signed by each of them, but alas! we only too well
+knew, that some of them did so as a mere pretence,
+never intending to keep their promise.</p>
+
+<p>The churches were also most thoroughly canvassed
+with the pledge, and, although many responded eagerly,
+yet our hearts were saddened to know that quite a
+number of God’s professed followers did not fully
+comprehend the spirit of the great apostle, when he
+said, “If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no
+flesh while the world stand.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</span></p>
+
+<p>Drunkards’ families were visited, and a kind and
+helping hand extended to the poor inebriate.</p>
+
+<p>Many little incidents occurred during such visits,
+which were worthy of note, but I shall only mention
+two, giving them in the canvasser’s own words:</p>
+
+<p>“In the northern part of our city are a number of
+poor, unfinished and unpainted houses, nothing of interest
+surrounding them. One cold, dark, dreary day,
+I called at the door of one of them: my rap was
+answered by a gruff voice from within, that seemed to
+come from some hollow cave. The door opened, and
+I stood face to face, in the presence of a man upon
+whose brow was stamped God’s bitter curse, ‘No
+drunkard shall enter the kingdom of heaven.’ I followed
+him, and found that I had entered a place of
+wretchedness and suffering. No fire, no furniture,
+except a broken table, one or two chairs, an old stove,
+and a bed of rags on the floor. Three poor children
+greeted me with kind and somewhat cheerful faces, a
+welcome indeed, in such a place of want and destitution.</p>
+
+<p>“I told them I had come to get their father to sign
+the pledge, and hoped to bring joy and comfort to
+them. After hearing the pledge read, he wrote his
+name, exclaiming as he did so, ‘No man has more
+need to sign your paper, woman, than I,’ wishing, at
+the same time, ‘that intemperance could be done
+away with;’ then, sinking upon the floor, he exclaimed,
+‘Father, have mercy, what has drink done for me!
+taken my children, my wife, my property.’</p>
+
+<p>“The oldest child, a girl of fourteen, coming and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</span>throwing her arms around my neck, inquired if I had
+‘come to save her father from a drunkard’s grave.’
+‘Would he come home once more sober?’ ‘Once more
+bring joy and comfort to his home?’ Two interesting
+children, a girl of eight and a boy of ten, came and
+took me by the hand and with trembling voices, asked
+if I had ‘come to save their father.’ I inquired for
+their mother. ‘She was dead four years since. She
+used to pray with us, for this good time coming, when
+father would be kind and have a pleasant home.’ She
+inquired if I ‘was the good angel, God had sent.’ The
+father hearing the sad, tearful voices of his children,
+came and took me by the hand, and asked me to pray
+with him. In that dark and dreary room, believing
+God would hear and answer prayer, I asked them
+to repeat with me the Lord’s prayer, ‘Our Father,
+which art in heaven.’</p>
+
+<p>“Visiting still further among the poor, I called upon
+a family in more comfortable circumstances. Poverty
+and wretchedness had not yet stamped their blight so
+plainly upon their home. Still sorrow and sadness had
+found their way, and were gnawing at the hearts of its
+occupants. An aged mother, a young wife, a beautiful
+babe; must the finger of scorn be pointed towards
+them, a drunkard’s family? I told them my mission.
+I had come to get their names to our petition. In
+bitter anguish they told me of sorrow and suffering.
+How they had waited his coming in trembling and in
+fear: how they had gone out in the darkness of the
+night, mother and daughter, wandering among the
+haunts of vice to find no comfort.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</span></p>
+
+<p>“He, upon whom they once leaned for support, was
+too intoxicated to know them. In bitter anguish they
+had returned to their home, so cold and desolate, to
+await his coming. The young wife asked if anything
+could be done to save her husband from a drunkard’s
+grave. Inquiring if they ever prayed for him, or those
+who sold him drink, I received the answer, ‘Prayer!
+What good would prayer do?’ I entreated her to
+pray for him, and for her enemies; told her prayer
+would prevail before God; to pray for the time when this
+terrible monster intemperance would be done away;
+for her son God had given her, that he might not
+follow in the footsteps of his father. Assuring her all
+our labors were backed by faith and prayer; that we
+would continue our prayers with hers, the prayers of
+the drunkards’ wives and children, until they reached
+to heaven. She threw herself at my feet, exclaiming,
+‘Let me come, then, Lord, and consecrate myself to
+Thee.’”</p>
+
+<p>Our meetings were always characterized by a deep
+devotional spirit, great zeal and earnestness in the
+work. Social positions, if they differed, were for the
+time levelled, and denominational differences forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>Our League grew, and soon numbered ninety-three,
+but only a part were willing for active service, so that
+the labor devolved upon the few.</p>
+
+<p>The ministers joined with us heart and hand, and
+in sermons, hymns and prayers, held aloft the temperance
+banner. By their enthusiasm they incited the
+people to action, and temperance meetings became the
+order of the day.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mass-meetings were held alternately in each church.
+A Union Temperance Prayer-meeting was organized,
+and sustained for a year. A part of the League had
+pledged themselves to be always there, if possible.</p>
+
+<p>And those who held on were amply repaid, for their
+own hearts were warmed and cheered, and often the
+blessed prayer-room seemed a very Bethel. After
+much prayer the saloons were visited.</p>
+
+<p>On June 2d, after earnest prayers, discussion, and
+great shrinking from so unpleasant a duty, the picket
+work began; a few only volunteering to assist in the
+labor. That great excitement was created by this
+arrangement will be seen by the following, taken from
+our city paper, the <i>Moline Review</i>:</p>
+
+<p>“A <span class="smcap">Street Riot</span>.—Every friend of good order in
+Moline must feel disgusted with the riotous crowd
+that assembled at the corner of Main and Atkinson
+streets on Wednesday evening, and, in defiance of
+law, blockaded the streets and disturbed the peace for
+hours. There was no occasion for this public disturbance;
+there is no excuse for it; and the good name
+of the city requires that a repetition shall not be permitted
+to occur.</p>
+
+<p>“But in this connection some explanation of what
+drew the crowd together is required. It appears that
+the Ladies’ Temperance League deputed two of their
+number to obtain and record the names of all persons
+who enter Shroeder’s saloon, which is located on the
+corner of the streets already named. Early in the
+morning the ladies began the duty assigned them, and
+remained at their post until noon without any notable
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</span>occurrence. In the afternoon kegs of beer were placed
+in the middle of the street, and freely drank by a
+small crowd of men. This continued until six o’clock
+in the evening, the crowd constantly swelling in numbers.
+By eight o’clock the crowd had grown from a
+score to hundreds. A wagon was placed in the middle
+of the street and beer flowed freely. The crowd
+was ordered by the mayor in person to disperse, but
+it refused to do so. By nine o’clock from 300 to 500
+men, women, and children had congregated. Shouts,
+jeers, speeches, and profanity were indulged in. Challenges
+were boldly shouted for the friends of temperance
+to defend their views by arguments; common
+decency was outraged, religion mocked, and the name
+of the Deity loudly proclaimed as authority for drinking.
+This state of affairs continued without hindrance
+until eleven o’clock, when the crowd, out of sheer
+exhaustion, dispersed.”</p>
+
+<p>It was on the evening of the general prayer-meeting
+when the above scene occurred; and, during the hour
+of prayer, could be heard, far from the place, the
+shouts and yells of the enraged bacchanalians. Earnest
+prayers went up to our Father for the poor,
+wretched votaries of alcohol.</p>
+
+<p>After that evening the pickets never remained on
+duty later than six o’clock in the evening, as we did
+not deem it wise. Notwithstanding remarks and
+severe criticisms, the pickets proved faithful, and with
+pencil and paper took notes as the hours went by.</p>
+
+<p>Many little incidents, both ludicrous and amusing,
+occurred whilst we were on picket duty.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</span></p>
+
+<p>One very hot afternoon, when two were at their
+post, a man came driving up like Jehu, and when
+near, drove clear around us, staring all the while, as
+if he had never before seen two women. He then
+turned, crossed over to the saloon, went in, and no
+doubt quenched his thirst. He then came out, jumped
+in his buggy, and came back, stopping just in front of
+us, when he took out a pencil and paper and began to
+write, as we supposed at first, but we subsequently
+learned that he was drawing our likenesses, and afterwards
+they were hung up in the saloon on exhibition,
+and when we passed by, we could hear remarks
+about the correctness of the drawings. The man
+himself, his manner, etc., during the whole scene, was
+exceedingly ludicrous, and yet he never spoke a word;
+we, meanwhile, retaining our dignity, and apparently
+indifferent to it all, and yet really peeping out from
+under our sun-hats, we could see the whole, and were
+greatly amused.</p>
+
+<p>Out of the picket work grew many rumors, incorrect
+ideas, and many unjust and unkind remarks. But
+during the whole time we were too busily engaged
+to notice, or give a second thought to anything of the
+kind. Our hearts were in the work; we had counted
+the cost; were willing to make great sacrifices, and
+knew well before we began, that we should be misunderstood
+and misrepresented; but we had also
+learned from the words of the blessed Master, that
+“The servant is not above his Lord.”</p>
+
+<p>There was one thing, however, for which we were
+not prepared. We were not ready for the unjust remarks
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</span>and criticisms of those who professed not only
+strong temperance principles, but also Christianity.</p>
+
+<p>However, the picket work proved effectual, and the
+business of one particular saloon wasted away like the
+dew before the summer sun.</p>
+
+<p>This saloon had been notorious for decoying our
+American young men within its gilded net, and because
+we were anxious to save our boys, we placed
+our heaviest guns near by.</p>
+
+<p>Men not lost to shame, would turn away when they
+saw the pickets, and young men would come to us,
+and ask us for the pledge, saying, they were disgusted
+with the drink habit, and weary of their thraldom, and
+desired to lead better lives.</p>
+
+<p>It also proved a grand discipline to ourselves, for
+some of us, who so greatly deplored the sin and misery
+of strong drink, knew but little of its heinousness or
+extent, until we learned it upon picket duty.</p>
+
+<p>The work was begun for two reasons: one, that we
+might obtain evidence of violation of law; and the
+other, that our presence might deter our American
+youth from entering and forming the habit of strong
+drink.</p>
+
+<p>But a deep and lasting impression was made upon
+ourselves. Our souls were sickened and saddened,
+and our determination deepened and strengthened,
+never to abandon the cause, until our old and young
+men should be saved from the soul and body destroying
+influence of alcoholic stimulants.</p>
+
+<p>During the picket term, we also made arrangements
+for a temperance convention and celebration, which
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</span>convened on the 4th of July, and with the help of
+our Davenport and Rock Island sisters, proved quite
+a success.</p>
+
+<p>There was also a petition presented to the county
+guardians. Though able and earnest, and signed by
+the leading ladies of Rock Island county, the petition
+was refused, and license granted.</p>
+
+<p>The appeal was signed and presented by the
+following ladies:</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. M. Hubbard, President; Mrs. M. E.
+Stewart, Secretary; Mrs. J. W. Spencer, President;
+Mrs. M. B. Hays, Mrs. M. R. McCalister, Mrs. T. J.
+Robinson, Mrs. T. F. Abbot, Mrs. C. C. Starr, Mrs.
+Margaret E. Ells, and Mrs. Helen Moffit.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of our arduous labors we did not forget
+that justice is justice, and that those men whose
+“business was licensed by law, and protected by law,
+should be of all men the most willing to be judged by
+law;” and so, accordingly, in the month of May a
+legal committee was appointed to “take notes of evidence
+of all violations of law which came under their
+notice, or to their knowledge.” An attorney was also
+retained, and the work assumed a definite form.</p>
+
+<p>Of course such proceedings called forth a variety
+of remarks, such as, “Oh! don’t use the law in your
+work,” and “What do these women know?” “They
+cannot prove anything.” “Of course, law is made for
+the lawless, and law must be enforced if men steal
+our money, or murder our citizens; but this is different;
+and really it will agitate matters too much, if
+you prosecute men for violations of the liquor law.”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</span>But we believed our Father, a God of justice as well
+as an answerer of prayer, and most wonderfully did
+He open the way for us, as the sequel will show.</p>
+
+<p>Our testimony often came from sources both surprising
+and unexpected; and through the dust and
+heat we toiled on, “occasionally gaining a word of
+cheer, but never failing to hear of our mistakes.”</p>
+
+<p>Early in July a modified and somewhat restricted
+license law went into force. Under the old law there
+was an unlimited flow of rum, brandy and whiskey;
+but this ordinance permitted only the sale of wine
+and beer. Under the old law the saloons were
+nominally required to close at eleven o’clock at
+night, but in fact ran on undisturbed by watch or
+police—rolling balls and clinking glasses—until
+twelve, one and two.</p>
+
+<p>By the new law they were required to close at ten
+o’clock, and no games of any kind were permitted to
+be played in the saloons. Under the old license there
+was paint on the windows, and screens at the doors;
+by the new ordinance, “he, the saloon-keeper, shall
+keep the windows in his said bar, or place of business,
+free of paint or any other matter, whereby free view
+of the inside of his said bar, or place of business,
+through said windows, would or might be obstructed
+from the outside thereof; that persons of ordinary
+stature, standing on such ground, can easily see the
+interior of such bar or place of business, or anywhere
+therein; whereby any obstruction would be made to
+a clear view of the interior of said bar or place of
+business, from the outside thereof.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</span></p>
+
+<p>If this was not all we could have desired, yet we
+felt it was a step in the right direction.</p>
+
+<p>The mayor also told us that instead of twenty saloons,
+there should be licensed but eight or ten. But after
+the number was complete, one unfortunate evening,
+when the mayor could not be there, the license faction
+of the council increased the number to fifteen, which
+so annoyed the opposing party that one left in disgust.</p>
+
+<p>The mayor’s ordinance, however, produced an effect,
+one which the saloon-keepers did not greatly enjoy;
+many being deterred from entering, for fear of being
+seen from the outside by the passer-by; and billiard
+playing being prohibited, much of the former charm
+was broken.</p>
+
+<p>And thus we felt that God had answered prayer.</p>
+
+<p>About this time, Dr. William Ross (since then deceased),
+an enthusiastic lecturer, came to our city, and
+by his earnestness incited the people to financial
+action and united effort to suppress all illegal traffic
+in ardent spirits. The people responded nobly, the
+result being the subscription of over $200,000, to be
+assessed at the discretion of a board of managers.
+The board was composed of some of our best men,
+who, for a time, stood firmly by their pledges.</p>
+
+<p>If any one inquired what was to be gained by our
+lawsuits, even if we did win, we answered, “Much,
+every way:” but as one definite result, we knew that
+minors and inebriates who were connected with our
+cases could not now find so easy access to the intoxicating
+bowl, and we also knew, that some unconscious
+parents were suddenly brought to a knowledge of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</span>where their minor sons spent much of their leisure
+and money.</p>
+
+<p>The picket work continued, and the days sped on.
+Many weary, oh, so weary days were ours; but One
+was ever with us, to comfort and sustain. The summer
+months passed rapidly by, for our hearts and
+hands were filled, and we scarce took note of time.</p>
+
+<p>September came, and we sent our witnesses of the
+violation of the law to the grand jury of Rock Island
+county.</p>
+
+<p>Having thoroughly proved, in the meantime, that
+“the municipal courts would grant small, if any, justice
+in cases brought to their notice by women,” we had
+had overwhelming evidence of the violations of the
+city law.</p>
+
+<p>Three cases were brought before the city court, but
+each one lost. With sadness we recall the ungentlemanly
+conduct of the opposing lawyer, in his questioning
+one of the witnesses, a most excellent Christian
+woman, who now rests from all her labors, where her
+heart is not saddened, or her ear pained, by the coarse
+ribaldry of bacchanalian revelry.</p>
+
+<p>During the trials of the cases, the same lawyer
+would leave the court-room and still further excite his
+stimulated brain. And our experience proved, that
+when the city employed its police, they were not very
+much troubled at violations of the new ordinance, and
+our only hope must be under the State law.</p>
+
+<p>The pickets took evidence of the violation of the
+State law; and a book, containing a list of names of
+witnesses of the violation of said law, was sent to the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</span>foreman of the grand jury, who refused to lay the
+cases before the jury. The State’s attorney then sent
+word to the President of the League that she or other
+members of the society must present the cases
+themselves. Accordingly, the President and legal
+committee attended court, and presented our cases,
+during which time, other members met for prayer and
+supplication to the God of justice, that we all might
+be constantly led by the Spirit.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the members of the grand jury were liquor-dealers
+and drinkers, yet such was the character of the
+testimony laid before them, that they were compelled
+to bring in twenty-two indictments against the liquor-sellers
+of Moline.</p>
+
+<p>The cases were not reached until near the close of
+the term of the Circuit Court, when five cases were
+tried. We were not allowed to retain a temperance
+man on the jury, or one who believed the selling of
+liquor to be a moral wrong.</p>
+
+<p>We watched the empanelling of the jury with great
+anxiety. How our hearts sank within us as we saw
+one after another, the friends of temperance, dismissed
+from the jury! Yet we rejoiced to know that there
+were staunch temperance men in the county.</p>
+
+<p>Three men were summoned, two of whom were
+drunk, and one idiotic. The opposing counsel fought
+for hours to retain such upon the jury; but through
+the earnest appeals of the women, and honest efforts
+of our attorneys, who were noble and staunch men,
+they were dismissed, and their places filled by liquor-men
+who were not so fully under its influence. And
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</span>before such a jury, men whose moral perceptions were
+blunted, and whose hearts were calloused, were our
+cases tried. But Jehovah remembered his people.
+Three of the five rum-sellers were convicted, sentenced
+to fine and imprisonment; one confessed, and
+one was acquitted.</p>
+
+<p>Several members of the League attended the trials,
+and were soundly berated by the opposing attorneys
+for neglecting, so they said, homes and family. So, to
+take that weapon out of their hands, some of the
+ladies took their children, knitting, etc., with them,
+thus losing no time, and yet seeing with their own
+eyes, and hearing with their own ears, the injustice
+and wickedness of men whose hearts seemed calloused
+to all that was good, pure and noble. Many lessons
+were also learned, not to be forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>Some of our witnesses were taken to saloons and
+treated by opposing lawyers, being followed to the
+doors by two of our ladies, who took cognizance of
+the painful fact.</p>
+
+<p>The testimonies of some of the witnesses were very
+touching, that of one heart-broken wife and mother
+bringing tears to the eyes of many.</p>
+
+<p>One case was tried and gained at the next term of
+court; sentence, fine and imprisonment. The next
+on the docket was that of a saloon-keeper who had
+just lost his wife, and, being left with a large family,
+his case was postponed until the next court, but,
+through the sympathies of our women in his behalf,
+was ultimately dropped.</p>
+
+<p>The trying of our cases revealed many things relative
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</span>to the liquor traffic which before were unknown
+to us, and thus our experience was enlarged, and lasting
+impressions made upon our hearts, and we said,
+“We will never give up the ship,” but will labor on to
+raise the fallen.</p>
+
+<p>Time flew on apace, and as the picket and legal
+work had frightened many of our members, the League
+was greatly diminished in numbers, and the hard
+labor was all performed by a few, who were most
+wonderfully sustained by a loving Father, through
+faith and prayer.</p>
+
+<p>Death entered our circle, and one whom we dearly
+loved passed over to her rest. Sickness and removals
+at last compelled us to suspend for a time, and ten
+long months passed by before we resumed our meetings.
+In the meantime, another mayor came into
+authority, and the screens were again placed at the
+doors, and paint upon the windows of the saloons; the
+billiard tables were returned; all law, both city and
+State, violated, and yet no one to interfere.</p>
+
+<p>But we, a little band of women, still meet to plead
+with God in prayer for a better day. And we believe
+it will come, for Jehovah, the God of Israel, is ever on
+the side of right!</p>
+
+<p>Our little band has been made auxiliary to the State
+and National Union, and our name changed to
+“Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.”</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">We are watching, waiting, praying</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">For a brighter day to dawn,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">When our watchword shall be Freedom!</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Freedom, of Jehovah born.</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</span> </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">When our loved and proud republic—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Land for which our fathers died—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Soil made sacred by the struggle</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">They encountered side by side:</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">When this land, o’er which our banner,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Symbol of the free and brave,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Floats aloft in all its glory,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Shall no longer know a slave!</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Oh, thou mighty God of nations,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">We would stretch our hands to thee;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Hear our prayer for deliverance;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Come, oh, come, and set us free!</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+
+<h3 id="MISCELLANEOUS_1">
+ MISCELLANEOUS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Crusade work was carried on with more or less
+success, in addition to the towns already named, in
+Springfield, Galesburg, Dickson, Joliet, Pontiac, Matamora,
+Oswego, Farmer City, Yorkville, and Sparta. The
+good work has gone on in Illinois. There are now
+fifty-four Woman’s Temperance Unions in the State,
+nine temperance reading-rooms, two friendly inns, and
+a large number of children gathered into juvenile
+organizations.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ WEST VIRGINIA.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">
+ CHAPTER VI.
+</h2>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="WHEELING_WEST_VIRGINIA">
+ WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>During the Crusade in Ohio a deep interest was
+felt among the Christian and temperance people of
+West Virginia for the success of the work.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, the sympathy and excitement was so great
+that the liquor-dealers were alarmed lest the tidal wave
+that was so rapidly overthrowing the traffic in Ohio
+should overwhelm them.</p>
+
+<p>I visited the State at that time, and aided in the
+work. Mass-meetings were being held, the women
+were deeply stirred, and Temperance was the theme
+of conversation in every circle.</p>
+
+<p>In Wheeling, especially, the enthusiasm of temperance
+people was very great.</p>
+
+<p>A wealthy gentleman, Mr. Hornbrooke, rented the
+Opera House, the largest public hall in the place, and
+offered it, free of charge, to the ladies, as long as they
+wished to use it. All classes attended these temperance
+meetings, which were held twice a day. Dealers,
+drinkers, and manufacturers were conspicuous in
+almost every gathering, and those who spoke had the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</span>privilege of speaking face to face with the men they
+desired to reach.</p>
+
+<p>“There are no less than eight of our heaviest liquor-dealers
+in the audience,” whispered one of the prominent
+ladies to me, just before the meeting commenced.</p>
+
+<p>“Notice that young man, standing by the pillar,
+with his hat in his hand. He is the son of one of our
+heaviest distillers; he is anxious that his father should
+get out of the business; he says it is becoming so disreputable
+that he is ashamed to be known as the son
+of a distiller,” was the passing comment of another
+lady.</p>
+
+<p>There was great freedom of speech in these gatherings.</p>
+
+<p>One evening I was speaking to an immense audience
+in the Opera House, about the awful harvest of
+crime and pauperism, the liquor traffic yielded annually,
+when I was startled by a man in the audience calling
+out:</p>
+
+<p>“If you don’t stop that kind of talk you will ruin my
+business.”</p>
+
+<p>I promptly replied: “If you are in the liquor business,
+I hope I will.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, I’m not in the liquor business; but I keep the
+jail—and the success of the jail business depends
+mainly on that.”</p>
+
+<p>The effect was electrical—the audience saw the
+point in a moment, and cheered enthusiastically.</p>
+
+<p>During the Crusade in Wheeling, among the saloon-keepers
+visited was one Laramie, who kept in connection
+with his saloon, a variety theatre.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</span></p>
+
+<p>As soon as it was known that the women were going
+to visit the saloons, Laramie invited them to begin
+their work at his saloon, and assured them that they
+should be treated with respect, and that he would see
+that they were not harmed.</p>
+
+<p>They accepted his invitation, and a large company
+of ladies marched from the church to his saloon. A
+great crowd followed them. The saloon door was
+closed against them, for the dance was still going on,
+and they could not admit respectable women to <i>such
+a dance</i>.</p>
+
+<p>While the ladies stood outside, and the wild, devilish
+revelry went on, they could plainly hear the dancing
+men and women, who were nude, at the pauses in
+the mad whirl, slapping each other, and the rude, vulgar
+crowd of men and boys cheering the indecent
+performances.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies looked at each other in utter horror
+and amazement, for a moment, and then all knelt on
+the pavement, and one of the number led in earnest
+prayer.</p>
+
+<p>After the prayer they sang, “Nearer, my God, to
+Thee.” While they were singing, the dance closed,
+the saloon door opened, and Mr. Laramie appeared
+to conduct them into the theatre. The stifling
+fumes of tobacco and whiskey that met them as they entered
+made them feel that they were near the brink of hell.</p>
+
+<p>They were taken at once on to the stage, where the
+wild, hurdy-gurdy dancers had so recently been, and
+facing the same vile audience, began their meeting.</p>
+
+<p>There was a great deal of noise and disorder at first,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</span>but as the meeting progressed, the attention of the
+most degraded was gained, and silence and respect
+were secured.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day of the meetings in this theatre, Mr.
+Laramie, who began to feel that they were interfering
+with his business, said: “Now, ladies, I have heard
+your side, and treated you with respect. I want you
+to stay and hear my side.” As they could but choose
+to hear, they lifted their hearts in prayer that the Holy
+Spirit might take hold on his heart.</p>
+
+<p>He came forward with a document in his hand,
+which he read. It was full of the most abusive and
+insulting statements. He advised the ladies to go
+home and attend to their own business. The vulgar
+crowd cheered him lustily. But the women were unmoved,
+for they felt that their business just then was
+to close up that den of vice, and rescue the souls he
+was dragging down to death.</p>
+
+<p>The power of God took hold of the man, and he
+trembled so he could hardly finish reading the paper.
+The moment his part of the performance was over, one
+of the ladies went to him, and taking him by the hand,
+said: “My brother, I have one request to make of
+you—I want you before you sleep to-night to take that
+paper and get down on your knees and ask God to
+forgive you for that false, insulting statement. You’ve
+got to meet that paper in the judgment, if you do not
+meet it here. You know you are in a bad business,
+and that you’re ruining souls. I beg you, my brother,
+to give up this warfare against God and humanity.”
+The man was so deeply moved that the tears streamed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</span>over his face, and he promised her that he would
+seriously consider the matter.</p>
+
+<p>This theatre became a regular meeting-place, and
+daily these pure, true women, some of them of high
+social position and influence, preached the gospel of
+the Son of God to the lost besotted men, who congregated
+there, and won many of them as trophies of the
+cross.</p>
+
+<p>When these meetings had been going on for some
+time, Miss Boyd and Miss Humphryville called on Mr.
+Laramie to have a quiet personal talk. He invited
+them down into the dining-room, and talked very freely
+with them. He confessed that he was in a mean business,
+but he was in it because of the money he could
+make.</p>
+
+<p>“The Lord can take the money out of it, my brother.
+Besides, there are things of more value than gold.
+Think of the value of an immortal soul; for the little
+money you get, you are ruining scores and hundreds
+of souls. Think of the young women you are degrading.
+How would you like your daughters to be led
+into such a life? Remember, these girls are daughters
+of fathers and mothers who loved them in the days of
+their purity as much as you do yours.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t want my children to come to such a life—I
+don’t allow them to come to this place at all.”</p>
+
+<p>He was deeply moved, and promised again to consider
+the matter, and urged them to visit his wife.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies asked the privilege of talking with the
+girls, and they were shown into their apartment.</p>
+
+<p>Only two of the girls were in, and the ladies sitting
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</span>down beside them engaged in personal conversation
+with each. They were beautiful, and behaved themselves
+well in presence of these visitors.</p>
+
+<p>The ears of the Christian women tingled, as they
+listened to the story of folly and sin that had shadowed
+these two young lives.</p>
+
+<p>One of the girls had been induced to run away from
+home when she was little more than a child.</p>
+
+<p>“Do your friends know where you are?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; and I wouldn’t have my Christian mother
+know where I am, and what I am doing, for the
+world.”</p>
+
+<p>She revealed some of the horrors of the life she
+was living, the mock marriages at each theatre, the
+mating of the men and women of the troupe, the
+marrying and unmarrying at pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>The women were horrified and amazed that such
+things could be done in a land of Bibles and churches.
+Say not, gentle reader, that Wheeling was a Gomorrah,
+and this place an exception. Every large city
+almost in the land has its low dens where just such vile
+men and women, amid the fumes of liquor and tobacco,
+corrupt the youth of the land by their vile performances.
+And in some of these dens the girls are as
+much prisoners as though they were in a penitentiary.
+Once in these dens they can never get away.</p>
+
+<p>A friend of mine went into one of the low dance-houses
+of New York city. She managed to speak
+with one of the young girls:</p>
+
+<p>“Why do you lead this awful life?”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t help it, I can’t get away from it.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, you can. There is the door. Can’t you
+walk right out?”</p>
+
+<p>“No. Do you see that man beside the door? It’s
+his business to see to it that none of the girls slip
+away.”</p>
+
+<p>“But couldn’t you get out at some back door or
+window?”</p>
+
+<p>“Every door and window is barred. There is no
+hope for us but in death.”</p>
+
+<p>These prison dens, and the whole vile system of
+amusements connected with them, find their chief
+stimulant in alcoholic drinks, and could not exist without
+them.</p>
+
+<p>But to return. The ladies went down to Laramie’s
+one day, to find the house closed up. The burning eye
+of the public had been turned upon the place, and
+villains who moved in respectable society didn’t like
+to be seen going there; the patronage fell off, and
+Laramie was financially ruined. God had taken the
+money out of it in answer to the women’s prayers.</p>
+
+<p>From Wheeling Laramie went to Cincinnati and
+opened the same kind of a house, but the women’s
+prayers followed him, and the Crusade was raging in
+Cincinnati, and in a very short time he became a
+bankrupt and closed.</p>
+
+<p>From Cincinnati he went to Cleveland, attended the
+temperance meetings led by women, signed the pledge,
+and resolved to lead a new life.</p>
+
+<p>In course of time, he returned to Wheeling, joined
+the reformed club, and made a public confession of
+his wrong-doing, and begged to be forgiven. He
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</span>said the prayers of the Christian women offered in his
+theatre had followed him, and been constantly ringing
+in his soul, and he desired to lead a better life. He
+offered his large hall, over his temperance restaurant,
+free of charge to the ladies, for their meetings, and he
+has remained steadfast to his purpose to lead a better
+life.</p>
+
+<p>A saloon-keeper of Wheeling, named Savegaut, invited
+the ladies to hold a meeting in his saloon. The
+band, in their rounds among the saloons, entered his
+place. They were graciously received, and chairs were
+brought for their accommodation. The crowd of
+drinking men maintained quiet during the religious
+services. The ladies sang, prayed, and talked kindly
+to the men, telling them of the power of Christ to
+save, and the joys of a Christian life. When they
+were about to leave the saloon, Savegaut said:</p>
+
+<p>“Now, ladies, I’ve listened to you; you must listen
+to me—you can’t leave here till I’m through.”</p>
+
+<p>The roughs, who had been previously instructed, immediately
+crowded in between them and the door, so
+that escape would have been impossible, if an attempt
+had been made; but no attempt was made. They all sat
+serene and self-possessed amid the disgraceful scenes
+that followed. Savegaut mounted the counter, where
+he was accustomed to deal out drink, and heaped upon
+the ladies such a tirade of abuse as none but those who
+have the poison of asps under their tongues could find
+language to express:</p>
+
+<p>One lady who was present says:</p>
+
+<p>“He literally exploded, and it was as if a putrid
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</span>carrion had bursted and poured out a mass of corruption.”</p>
+
+<p>Immediately there was a row—fights, knock-downs,
+wounds and bruises, and one broken nose, and one
+broken finger. The police rushed in and cleared the
+way with their clubs, and delivered the ladies. They
+were unharmed and unterrified, and a peace that passeth
+understanding filled their hearts.</p>
+
+<p>Such treatment of respectable women, by any other
+man than a liquor-dealer, would have been visited by
+an indignant public with sudden vengeance, and the
+man would have been glad to have escaped with his
+life. But liquor-dealers seem to have the privilege to
+commit all kinds of enormities without reproof.</p>
+
+<p>That man was not even censured, but has gone on
+from that day to this, by the authority of the city, in
+his business of criminal-making.</p>
+
+<p>Oh, chivalry, where art thou?</p>
+
+<p>One of the wards of Wheeling was free from
+saloons, and the women were determined to keep it
+clean. In the midst of their fancied security, however,
+they learned that application had been made for license,
+and the applicant had received such positive assurance
+from the city council that license would be granted,
+that he had rented a building at heavy cost, and was
+preparing to open a saloon.</p>
+
+<p>The council was to meet in two days. There was
+no time to be lost. The women got out a remonstrance
+at once, and, the men of the ward assisting
+them, every family was visited, and the name of every
+man and woman solicited. And out of a population
+of 3,000 over 2,200 signed the remonstrance.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</span></p>
+
+<p>When the council met it was presented, and in the
+presence of such strong, decided action the council
+did not dare to grant the license they had promised.
+So the saloon man was left with a heavy rent to pay,
+without hope of returns.</p>
+
+<p>The battle goes on with varying success.</p>
+
+<p>The women were somewhat diverted from their own
+legitimate work, however, by an attempt, on the part
+of the temperance men, to organize. They wanted the
+women to aid them in this. But, as it usually is in
+such cases, the men assumed the management, and
+took most of the offices, and nothing was done. So
+the women were left to gather up their wasted energies,
+and form their own plans and manage their own
+work, if the work was to go on.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CAPTAIN_JACK_AND_TEMPERANCE">
+ CAPTAIN JACK AND TEMPERANCE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. J. McK. Riley, for the following
+incident, connected with the work in Wheeling,
+West Virginia, in the spring of 1877:</p>
+
+<p>“There was a large meeting in the Opera House.
+Francis Murphy had spoken and left for the train.
+How could the crowd be held and the cause advanced?</p>
+
+<p>“A prayer was breathed to God for help. Just then
+there was a stir—a parting of the crowd, and a stalwart
+man in Indian costume came forward, and, with a
+wild Indian war-whoop, that made the blood fairly curdle
+in one’s veins, signed the pledge. Facing the audience,
+and holding up the pen, he challenged ‘Buffalo
+Bill’ to do the same.</p>
+
+<p>“‘Come on and sign, Bill: you know you ought to—you
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</span>know you drink more whiskey than is good for
+you—you and all your company ought to come forward
+and sign this pledge.</p>
+
+<p>“‘I don’t sign it because I drink—I never drank a
+drop in my life. My mother died when I was only a
+little child, and she said to me just before she died,
+‘Little Jack, I want you to promise me that you will
+never drink a drop of intoxicating drinks,’ and I promised
+her, and I have kept sacred the promise I made to
+my mother.’”</p>
+
+<p>Then turning to the audience he made a thrilling
+address, full of original thought. The audience was
+electrified. Mrs. Riley talked with him, urged him at
+once to abandon the stage, and give himself to Christ
+and his work. He was almost persuaded, but he
+pleaded previous engagements. He said that he was
+to pilot a company through the wilds of the Rocky
+Mountains this summer, and then he would throw
+himself into the temperance cause.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="DISTRICT_OF_COLUMBIA">
+ DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Anna L. Davidson, Secretary of
+one of the local societies, for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>January, 1874, two ladies, themselves sufferers by
+reason of intemperance, requested the President of
+the Woman’s Christian Association to hold meetings
+in the interest of temperance. She deeming it advisable
+to make it more general, called the women of the
+various churches to meet for prayer in the chapel of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</span>the Y. M. C. A., on the first day of the week of prayer,
+January, 1874. This room being too small, the meeting
+was removed to Wesley Chapel, where, from day
+to-day, for two weeks, large and intensely interesting
+temperance meetings were held, under the auspices
+of the Woman’s Christian Association. Many special
+subjects of prayer were presented; a deep feeling pervaded
+every meeting; the influence of the Holy Spirit
+was manifest. On Sabbath afternoon a public meeting
+was held in Lincoln Hall, Dio Lewis addressing a large
+audience. As now, the Christian mind of Washington
+seemed thoroughly roused on the temperance question,
+a representative meeting of ministers and members
+of the various churches was held in the parlors of the
+Y. M. C. A. to organize for temperance work. A
+resolution was adopted requesting the ministers of
+Washington and Georgetown to appoint, each, three
+active women to represent the different churches, forming
+a general committee, to conduct meetings and
+attend to the business of a temperance union. This
+was carried out. A meeting was also called in the Congregational
+Church to interest the masses and perfect
+a general temperance organization. This was largely
+attended, and after much discussion among the brethren
+the following plan was proposed:</p>
+
+<p>That the field be divided into five districts (embracing
+Georgetown), in each of which a daily morning
+prayer-meeting should be conducted by the women.
+A daily Union meeting in the afternoon, conducted in
+Central district by various ministers in rotation. A
+weekly meeting in Central district, representing the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</span>whole, at which reports from the different districts
+should be presented and other business of the Union
+attended to. This plan was afterward perfected, and
+successfully carried out for many months. Great enthusiasm
+prevailed. The Union meetings were largely
+attended and very interesting. Many ministers entered
+into the work and took part in the exercises. Numerous
+requests for prayer were sent to the women’s meetings
+held every morning in the five districts.</p>
+
+<p>Very successful mass-meetings, presided over and
+conducted by women, were held in various churches,
+which were crowded to their utmost capacity.</p>
+
+<p>Saloons were visited, in a quiet, unobtrusive manner,
+with some success. I mention one marked case of
+rescue from one of these dens of iniquity. Two of our
+women entering a saloon were shown into a back room
+by the keeper “to hold a meeting,” he said. They
+were appalled by the sight of a young man stretched
+upon a table dead-drunk; they fell upon their knees
+and poured out heartfelt prayers for all under that
+roof. Rising from their devotions they found the room
+filled with men from the bar-room, the keeper standing
+among them. They had entered so silently that the
+ladies were not aware of their presence. All seemed
+deeply impressed. Coming front they perceived an
+old and very respectable gentleman under the influence
+of liquor, a younger man trying in vain to persuade
+him home. They joined their entreaties; he
+finally consented to go if they would accompany him;
+they hesitated but a moment, then each giving him an
+arm conveyed him to a sorrowful wife, who met them
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</span>at the door. They retired, with the promise of calling
+next day. They did so; found him sick. On a subsequent
+visit he saw them, expressed his gratitude and
+signed the pledge, which he kept. Two others went
+into a saloon kept by a woman; she was extremely
+abusive, ordered them out, would listen to nothing
+they had to say. On leaving, one remarked: “<i>We</i> cannot
+reach you, but <i>God can</i>.” “God cannot shut me
+up,” was her reply. A few weeks afterwards, she was
+thrown from her carriage near her own premises and
+instantly killed. One of the ladies in passing that door
+found it closed, with crape on; an unfinished building,
+that she was rearing as the fruit of her gains and to
+enlarge her means of doing mischief, was also hung
+with mourning. A token of <i>God’s visitation</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Committees, also, waited upon grocers and druggists
+to reason with and persuade them to desist from the
+unholy traffic.</p>
+
+<p>In May a large public meeting was held in Lincoln
+Hall, addressed very effectively by Thane Miller. As
+summer approached, the meetings became smaller—“the
+love of many waxed cold.” Some of the ministers,
+who at first took active part, withdrew their influence.
+The odium which always attaches to any extraordinary
+effort for the salvation of men (especially
+woman’s effort) operated upon many, even Christian
+minds, and produced a great falling off in numbers.
+The Union meeting was relinquished; finally the faithful
+few reorganized, and gathered weekly for prayer,
+with the deep conviction, that the race is not to the
+swift nor the battle to the strong; the word expressly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</span>declaring that God hath chosen the weak things to
+confound the things that are mighty, and things that
+are not to bring to nought things that are. Prayer,
+earnest, persevering prayer, ascended week after week
+for special cases presented, and for the outpouring of
+the Holy Spirit on this city, in the salvation of the intemperate
+and in the overthrow of the rum traffic. We
+were favored, in many instances, by hearing of marked
+answers to prayer in special cases. Of the general
+effect, I cite one or two remarkable instances:</p>
+
+<p>During the week of prayer, January, 1875, a minister,
+who had been opposed to the woman’s movement,
+spoke to a crowded audience in Lincoln Hall on the
+effect of prayer, and said two young men of former
+intemperate habits called upon him to converse on the
+subject of their soul’s salvation. They had thrown away
+the cup and were deeply impressed by hearing that a
+few women met weekly to pray for the intemperate.
+Also, during the progress of the daily meetings, a
+liquor-dealer called on a friend, and said he intended
+giving up the sale of liquor. “Why,” said the other,
+“doesn’t it pay?” “Oh, yes, it pays well enough, but
+how can I continue to sell when 300 women are on
+their knees every day praying against the traffic!”
+What a responsibility this one fact throws upon those
+who weary in the work, as well as upon the whole
+Church!</p>
+
+<p>During the sweeping revival in this city, commencing
+in February, 1875, and continuing several months,
+scores and hundreds of drinking men, many of the
+most abandoned, were brought to the feet of Jesus,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</span>clothed and in their right mind. Some of these had
+been special subjects of prayer. The almost universal
+testimony of these was, that the appetite for strong
+drink had been removed. In one of the large churches,
+a minister stated, that he believed God was now
+answering the prayers that had been ascending for
+two years from the circle of godly women, and remarked,
+alluding to the experience of reformed men,
+as mentioned, that he had often attended their meetings,
+and heard repeatedly the fervent petition that
+the appetite might be removed.</p>
+
+<p>Though prayer has been the foundation and top-stone
+of our work, we have not been otherwise idle.
+The license law of the district makes it necessary that
+the applicant for license to open a saloon shall have
+the consent or signature of the majority of the property-holders
+and residents on each side of the square in
+which the saloon is located. By consent of authorities,
+we obtained, in the summer of 1874, the applications
+for license, with names of signers attached. These
+were all copied. Circulars were printed, calling upon
+these signers, in the name of God and humanity, not
+to lend their names and influence to such a destructive
+business. With directory in hand, four thousand of
+these circulars found their way, by mail, to as many
+citizens. Among the patrons of the saloon-keeper we
+found the names of many church members, deacons,
+elders, vestrymen, class-leaders, and one parson.</p>
+
+<p>A number of answers were received, some insolent,
+but mostly denials of ever having perpetrated so foul
+an act; many protesting that forgery had been committed.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</span>The same course was pursued the next year.
+Protests, or remonstrances were carried over the city
+to obtain signatures, but few were found willing to put
+their names in opposition to the liquor interest. Some
+were afraid of having their premises fired; others feared
+loss in business, etc.</p>
+
+<p>Repeated efforts have been made upon police commissioners,
+calling their attention to the frauds practised,
+and to the loose manner of proceeding in
+granting licenses without the legal requirement
+having been met. A committee was appointed to
+meet similar committees of the various temperance
+organizations, to investigate more closely the license
+system. In the spring of 1876 a public meeting was
+held, in which many facts we had brought to light were
+presented; one very noted was this: Of thirteen
+licenses examined, after thoroughly canvassing the
+districts represented, only one was found to have been
+legally obtained. Other facts equally strong were
+brought to prove that rum influence in the district
+dominates the law.</p>
+
+<p>In the latter part of General Grant’s term of office,
+1877, our President, Mrs. Linville, and Vice-President,
+Mrs. Dr. Noble, with Mrs. Dr. Newman, called on
+President Grant, with reference to a bill which had
+passed both houses of Congress, and which we considered
+detrimental to the interests of temperance in
+the District. They requested that he would interpose
+the veto power, and thus prevent its becoming a
+law. They were politely and cordially received. The
+bill was vetoed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</span></p>
+
+<p>The same ladies, with Mrs. General Birney added,
+called at the White House soon after the inauguration
+of President Hayes, and, in an interview with Mrs.
+Hayes, represented the views of the Woman’s Christian
+Temperance Union on the subject of the use of
+wine at State dinners, respectfully requesting her influence
+in abolishing it. We all know how nobly and
+successfully she accomplished it.</p>
+
+<p>A committee also waited upon Vice-President
+Wheeler, with regard to the sale of liquors in the
+Capitol. It is a notable fact that a Congressional
+temperance society of forty years standing has not yet
+succeeded in ridding the national legislative halls of
+this accursed traffic.</p>
+
+<p>An effort was made upon churches and ministers,
+with regard to the use of alcoholic wines in the administration
+of the Lord’s Supper. But little has as
+yet been accomplished in that direction.</p>
+
+<p>An interesting feature in our work has been, and
+continues to be, the work-house and jail visitation.
+This committee is composed of godly, self-sacrificing
+women, whose one object is to seek and to save the
+lost. Upon close inquiry, it has been found that nine-tenths
+of those confined in the jail, found their way
+there through the influence of strong drink.</p>
+
+<p>The Washington correspondent of the <i>Hartford
+Times</i> has furnished that paper with some interesting
+facts, in regard to these paupers, which we give:</p>
+
+<p>“One of the first men he met there had been at one
+time Attorney-General of Virginia. In his office a
+number of now distinguished lawyers were students,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</span>and they owe much to his advice. His father had
+been Attorney-General of the United States and left
+his son wealth. But he drank, and sacrificed distinction,
+fortune, and everything to his love for drink.
+Another distinguished pauper was an ex-Judge of the
+Supreme Court of California, and had been esteemed
+one of the most eloquent men of his time. He came
+to Washington expecting to get an office, was disappointed,
+took to drink, and drank himself out of
+pocket, mind, and friends, and into the poor-house.
+In his company the correspondent found a once
+wealthy newspaper editor and proprietor of New
+York—a man of great ability and political influence.
+This man also sunk all he possessed in whiskey, and
+has been for three years in the almshouse. Sometimes
+his friends take him out, but, says the correspondent,
+‘he drinks so much that he lies about the streets
+and is returned by the police.’ A fourth pauper had
+been only a few years ago a political power, special
+agent of the Post Office Department, and owner of
+much property in Washington and Arkansas. At one
+time he was a United States detective, but while
+drunk he ‘gave away’ the details of a case that would
+have resulted in the capture of two or three hundred
+thousand dollars in counterfeit money, presses, plates,
+etc. For this he was retired. When sober he was
+capable of doing remarkable work. In fact, fortune
+and fame were his if he had not allowed the taste for
+liquor to grow on him. In another branch of the
+institution the correspondent found an ex-Attorney-General
+of North Carolina. He made many friends,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</span>drank much whiskey, neglected his business and
+everything else, and drifted to the poor-house. Says
+the correspondent: ‘The principal reason for his being
+put where he now is, is that he stole a friend’s vest
+and sold it for whiskey.’ To such depths of degradation
+will whiskey bring the strongest and ablest of us.
+A man who was Stephen A. Douglas’ intimate friend,
+and who used to speak from the same platforms with
+him, is also a Washington pauper. When fortune
+smiled on him he used liquor as a relish, and when
+her smiles turned to frowns, he took it as an antidote
+for sorrow. It brought him temporary relief and permanent
+ruin. Coming into the almshouse in the
+‘Black Maria,’ as the correspondent left it, was an old,
+white-haired man, ‘who was at one time one of the
+leading men of the Michigan bar. He is the man
+who backed Zach Chandler, and made him, politically
+speaking, what he is to-day.’ And this man of great
+legal ability, political influence sufficient to make and un-make
+men, and much wealth, is now a pauper. Why?
+Because he allowed whiskey to obtain the mastery
+over him, as did all the others herein referred to.”</p>
+
+<p>In the work-house, a still larger proportion, if not all,
+are addicted to this vice. The latter place has been
+removed to the county; but a marked change was
+visible in their appearance and deportment. The jail
+is now the object of special attention, and the women
+visiting are truly welcome, not only to the prisoners,
+but the keepers express their approbation and afford
+every facility for the instruction of inmates. The success
+attendant upon the faithful labors of our women
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</span>is truly wonderful. Many cases of undoubted conversion
+and reformation have taken place; some that
+had fallen into a snare through strong drink and were
+unjustly incarcerated, have been restored to liberty,
+to society, and to the church; here we would observe
+that in the Young Men’s Christian Association we find
+ready helpers in restoring the lost. These same
+women do not let go the restored ones, but follow
+them up, and strive to find employment for them.
+Many from that prison will bless God to all eternity
+for the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.</p>
+
+<p>Another branch of our work which has occupied
+considerable time and attention has been the establishment
+and operation of the temperance lunch-rooms.
+The Holly Tree, at the time of its opening,
+was the only place of the kind in Washington,
+and was exactly fitted to meet a great want in this
+community. Life in Washington is more superficial
+than elsewhere. Men and women, separated from
+home and friends, a floating population, found here a
+rest and quiet not to be met elsewhere. No smell of
+rum, or fumes of tobacco, pervaded the air; no unsightly
+spittoon offended the eye; cleanliness, comfort,
+woman’s influence, gave refinement and elevation to
+the character of the place. Nor is this all. We could
+give you instances of entire reformation in the life of
+those brought under its kindly, genial influence.</p>
+
+<p>The popularity of this lunch-room (its patrons
+numbering hundreds) has led to the establishment
+of others, free from the temptation of the cup. Temperance
+dining-rooms at cheap rates, and dairy-rooms
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</span>where cheap, wholesome lunch can be procured at all
+hours, are springing up in every part of the city, so
+that we almost feel as if our work in that direction
+was accomplished, and that we shall soon be at liberty
+to give our whole attention elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>We have been striving this past year to enlarge our
+borders by forming auxiliaries, and have clearly seen
+the hand of the Lord in directing our way, have
+acknowledged His agency in removing obstructions
+and overcoming opposition. Churches that were
+closed upon us have been opened, ministers in opposition
+have not only yielded, but rendered assistance,
+and in those places where the greatest obstacles
+obtained, great favor is shown. We have gone out
+of the city into neighboring villages, held successful
+and interesting mass-meetings. Ministers have yielded
+their churches for Sabbath evening service, as we
+could reach a larger portion of the people on that
+evening. We go through the audiences to privately
+warn, and entreat to sign the pledge; some who publicly
+asked for prayers have since been converted.
+We can say of our work, as Mr. Wesley did of his,
+“The best of all is, God is with us.”</p>
+
+<p>I add the following from the report of the Secretary
+of one of the societies, Miss R. E. Hartwell:</p>
+
+<p>“We have been granted interviews by various
+officials of the United States and municipal government,
+in regard to framing new laws, and the more
+vigorous execution of those already existing. In every
+instance our petitions and statements have been courteously
+received, and we believe that in the new plans
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</span>which are being developed at police head-quarters God
+is honoring the many prayers we have offered in this
+direction.</p>
+
+<p>“And who shall determine how much the recent revival
+of religion in this, as well as in other cities, is
+owing to the prayers of earnest, faithful, loving women,
+who are so continually besieging the Throne of Grace
+for the descent of the Spirit of God and the overthrow
+and subjection of that monster—appetite for
+strong drink.</p>
+
+<p>“More than two hundred letters have been written
+to various persons on the temperance question; and
+in almost every instance where information has been
+solicited the replies have been satisfactory. I would
+refer to those addressed to committees of Congress,
+the Police Board, Board of Health, and others, and
+thank them for their uniform kindness and courtesy.</p>
+
+<p>“The use of fermented wine at the Lord’s Supper
+has deeply engaged our attention; and last autumn
+we addressed an appeal to Christian ministers, urging
+them to discard it, as several cases have come to our
+knowledge, where the recently reformed have been
+tempted at the very altar to which they had gone for
+strength to battle against the foe, and have fallen,
+in some instances never again to regain their lost
+manhood.”</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ PENNSYLVANIA
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">
+ CHAPTER VII.
+</h2>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="PITTSBURGH_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>I gather the facts of work in this city from statements
+by Mrs. J. S. Collins and Mrs. W. M. Gormly.</p>
+
+<p>After meeting in Alliance Hall several times, for
+consultation and prayer, a mass-meeting was held in
+the Third Presbyterian Church, February 26th, 1874.</p>
+
+<p>On the 2d of March an organization was effected,
+and Mrs. J. S. Collins elected President, and other
+officers chosen.</p>
+
+<p>The next meeting was held in the United Presbyterian
+Church. The large edifice was densely packed.
+The principal address was made by John B. Gough.
+In closing, he wished the women of Pittsburgh God speed
+in their efforts to overthrow the liquor traffic.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after, one hundred women, headed by the officers,
+marched, two and two, to the office of the Mayor
+of Pittsburgh, to ask him to enforce the Sunday closing
+law. After a brief interview, and prayer, the mayor
+promised, in the most solemn manner, to see to it that
+all saloons should be closed on the Sabbath.</p>
+
+<p>They then waited on the Mayor of Allegheny, to make
+the same request, which was acceded to. For two or
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</span>three Sabbaths there was a marked improvement, no
+places being visibly open for the sale of liquors. But
+very soon it was apparent that the mayor did not care
+to enforce the law, even when cases were reported to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>During all this time much discussion had taken place
+as to methods of work, and, on the 8th of April, 1874,
+the street work began. Mrs. Gormly says:</p>
+
+<p>All along the route the crowd increased, until we
+reached the Scotch Hill House, corner Fourth avenue
+and Ross street, kept by John McFadden. Permission
+was asked to hold services inside, which was
+gruffly refused. The Crusade was opened on the
+pavement by singing ‘All hail the power of Jesus’
+name,’ the band kneeling. Mrs. Youngson offered a
+fervent appeal to the throne of grace. Amid all these
+exercises a howling mob, with oaths and blasphemous
+curses, were calling for beer and whiskey. The proprietor
+and a boy were taxed to their utmost capacity
+to supply the demand. It now became necessary to
+send for aid. The acting mayor sent a detail of police.
+The scene here beggared description. Beer wagons
+drove up and were soon filled by the rabble, as were
+all the trees and tree-boxes adjacent, and high carnival
+was held in the devil’s cause.</p>
+
+<p>The next place visited was the wholesale house of
+Dillinger &amp; Stevenson, on First avenue. Here the
+ladies were admitted, and knelt and prayed between
+rows of l liquor barrels. The proprietors were urged
+to sign the pledge, which they refused. We then
+withdrew.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</span></p>
+
+<p>On Wood street, on passing a liquor house, the
+crowd had attained large proportions. We were
+treated with taunts and jeers until we arrived at our
+rooms. After lunch and devotional exercises, the line
+of march was again resumed. The first place visited
+was the Monongahela House. Mr. Crossan courteously
+received us, and tendered us the use of one
+of his parlors, in which we held our exercises—a large
+and orderly gathering being present, many signing
+the pledge. The acting mayor gave a detail of police,
+which accompanied us.</p>
+
+<p>We next visited the La Belle House, directly opposite
+the Monongahela House. Here the crowd was
+immense. Mr. Bailey, the proprietor, had sent an
+invitation to us to visit his house, and had made ample
+preparation, so far as his room permitted. Mr.
+Bailey and the police did everything in their power,
+under the circumstances, to keep order. Although
+demonstrative, the crowd was not insulting. “We’ll
+wait till Jesus calls” was sung, the proprietor joining
+heartily with us.</p>
+
+<p>Our next visit was at the Alden House, on Wood
+street, where we were cordially welcomed by the proprietor.
+The crowd was most respectful, evidently
+being of a better class. They all joined us in singing
+“We praise Thee, O God.” While we knelt in
+prayer, being led by Mrs. Youngson, a canary bird,
+hanging in a cage near a window, commenced to sing,
+and at every pathetic appeal, he sent forth his beautiful
+notes, making the event particularly impressive.</p>
+
+<p>April the 9th we visited the Lion Hotel, where we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</span>were admitted, and courtesy extended, the proprietor
+closing up the bar, suffering no liquor to be sold during
+our stay. As we were leaving this place Chief-of-Police
+Irwin presented an appearance, and announced
+that we were no longer to continue in our Crusade, as
+it was the orders from the police committee. We
+returned to our rooms for consultation.</p>
+
+<p>It soon became known that no order had been
+issued by the mayor. We obtained legal advice from
+the United States District Attorney, David Reed. He
+informed us we could not be arrested unless a proclamation
+was issued by the mayor. The sick-chamber
+of the mayor was invaded by prominent wholesale
+liquor men, and the coveted proclamation was obtained,
+forbidding us, under penalty of arrest, to hold
+services on the streets in the future. Wishing to test
+which was in power in the city of Pittsburgh—God or
+the devil—we continued our Crusade in the afternoon,
+visiting the wholesale houses of Anderson &amp; Gamble,
+Mr. Hamberger, and Littell &amp; Mechling. The members
+of the last-named firm became greatly enraged at
+our appearance, Mr. Mechling skipping over rows of
+barrels, calling lustily for the police to save them, in
+their legalized traffic, from the women, while Mr. Littell,
+in an outrageous manner, stood heaping vile epithets
+on us, and as one of our number was engaged
+in prayer on his behalf, his hands were over her face
+as if ready to tear her to pieces. His excited and
+angry talk had attracted a very large crowd, and his
+insulting words had aroused the indignation of the
+bystanders, and a riot was imminent.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</span></p>
+
+<p>The Crusade was continued for several weeks,
+without any interference from the authorities, the
+ladies enduring every indignity; dogs were set on us,
+but, to the credit of the noble animals, they refused to
+attack us; barrels of liquor were rolled toward us;
+beer wagons were driven against us; and we were
+drenched by the hose of hydrants, turned upon us.</p>
+
+<p>May 21st, while holding services at a wholesale
+liquor house, Lieutenant Hager, with two officers,
+appeared on the scene, requesting an onward move.
+The request was not heeded. A loud command rang
+out: “Policemen, keep the pavement clear.” At this
+time some high words took place between Lieutenant
+Hager and Mr. Andrew Brice, who said, “Before I
+would do such dirty work, I would tramp my uniform
+in the gutter.” The lieutenant replied: “If you don’t
+keep quiet I will arrest you and every person on the
+pavement.” Approaching us he said: “I shall have
+to obey my orders and arrest you all.” The president
+replied: “We will not go until we see the proper
+warrant.”</p>
+
+<p>After asking the ladies if they refused to consider
+themselves under arrest, Hager helped himself to a
+pledge, and on the back of it proceeded to write the
+names as far as he could succeed in getting them.
+Armed with this list he proceeded to the mayor’s
+office, and warrants were filled out for our arrest,
+which were immediately executed. The procession
+then proceeded to the mayor’s office. In the meantime
+the acting mayor and clerk were actively engaged
+in filling up information against the band for disorderly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</span>conduct, the members thereof freely giving their
+names.</p>
+
+<p>During the interim, religious exercises were held,
+and tracts and pledges were distributed to the spectators,
+reporters, acting mayor and his clerk. Upon the
+arrival of the complainants and our counsel—for whom
+we had a tedious wait—the case was opened, the burthen
+of the liquor men’s complaint being interruption
+of business. The evidence being of a sickly nature,
+we were discharged with a reprimand.</p>
+
+<p>The mayor said that he was a friend of the ladies as
+long as they obeyed the law, but if they did wrong, he
+would be compelled to enforce the law to the letter.
+Accordingly, he dismissed the case, bidding us “go and
+sin no more.” The magistrate had scarcely concluded,
+when we commenced singing, “Praise God, from whom
+all blessings flow,” and continued to sing until the
+spectators were cleared from outside the bar. Thus
+ended the first arrest.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day the Crusade was resumed.
+While holding services at Hostetter &amp; Smith’s Stomach
+Bitter house, one of the mayor’s police, Lieutenant
+Gordon, stepped up and asked for the names of the
+members of the band. They declined to accommodate
+him, but by some means he obtained the name of Mr.
+Watt Black, who always accompanied his mother, and
+proceeded at once to the mayor’s office to obtain a
+warrant for the arrest of Mr. Black and the Crusading
+Band.</p>
+
+<p>While holding services at the La Belle House, on
+Smithfield street, Detective Wilmot presented a warrant.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</span>After the arrest, the band, headed by the detective
+and other officers, marched up Smithfield street,
+singing as they proceeded, and, to our surprise, as
+well as the hundreds of spectators who were following
+us, we were led to the lock-up in Diamond alley. As
+soon as those under arrest filed in, the doors were
+closed and a strong guard placed to keep them from
+being forced open. To make it as uncomfortable as
+possible, the windows were tightly closed, and remained
+so until one of the band, being overcome, fainted, when
+they were compelled to open them.</p>
+
+<p>As the deputy mayor was somewhat tardy in presenting
+himself, religious services were conducted for
+some time. On being notified, our counsel, W. K.
+Jennings, Esq., promptly appeared. Immediately after,
+the acting mayor took his seat and commenced the
+hearing. The information only contained the names
+of three of our number, viz.: Watt Black, Esq., his
+mother and Mrs. Vanhorn. The officer, in testifying,
+stated that those three obstructed the sidewalk, by
+singing and praying. On cross-examination he stated
+there were whiskey-barrels obstructing the sidewalk,
+which he neither ordered to move on, nor arrested.
+After arguments by counsel, the mayor’s decision was
+a fine of one hundred dollars on Mr. Black; Mrs.
+Black and Mrs. Vanhorn, twenty-five dollars each—which
+was greeted with hisses. Mrs. Black arose and
+indignantly protested against paying one cent of the
+fines, saying they would go to the work-house or jail.
+The mayor here stated that the ladies must be treated
+as other prisoners, and if they wished to take an appeal,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</span>the fines must be paid. At this juncture, W. D.
+Moore, Esq., believed to be in the employ of the liquor
+league, stepped forward and gave his check for the
+amount of the fines, which was strongly protested
+against by the defendants. The mayor having received
+the money, we were discharged, and withdrew from
+the lock-up singing, “Am I a Soldier of the Cross.”</p>
+
+<p>Saturday, May 23d, we met in our room at 2 <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>,
+engaged in devotional exercises, invoking the aid of
+the Master. We then took up the line of march, visiting
+the establishment of Dillinger &amp; Stevenson, on
+First avenue. We were interrupted by the police—they
+leaving to procure warrants for our arrest. We
+proceeded to the store of Weiler &amp; Brother, on the
+same avenue, near Smithfield street. On commencing
+our exercises a scene most disgraceful ensued. As
+soon as the voice of prayer was heard, a German copper
+shop immediately opposite brought their stills and
+kettles to the front, and all hands commenced pounding
+and making a deafening noise. The friends of
+alcohol everywhere seemed to be about us, yelling at
+the top of their voices; and to complete the effort of
+the hour, ten policemen, who were detailed to arrest
+us, made their appearance, and informed us we were
+under arrest. The warrant being presented, we surrendered
+and accompanied the officers to the lock-up,
+an immense crowd accompanying us. As we entered,
+the iron gate was thrown open that the culprits might
+pass into their cells. Paul and Silas like, we prayed,
+and sang praises to God. No doubt, like the keepers
+of old, they trembled, but did not spring in to ask what
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</span>they must do to be saved. This created a great stir
+among the people. Had they known that we were
+locked behind the bars with the vagrants, the building
+would have been torn to pieces in a very short time.</p>
+
+<p>The case being opened, the usual questioning and
+cross-questioning was gone through with, and was concluded
+by the mayor imposing a fine of thirty dollars
+upon each; but subsequently finding he was not likely
+to get rid of us, he reduced it to ten dollars. A gentleman
+stepped forward and filled a check for three
+hundred and thirty dollars, and we were immediately
+discharged.</p>
+
+<p>Acting Mayor McMasters said: “T am very happy to
+announce to the ladies and the public here assembled,
+that I received this morning a writ of <i>certiorari</i> directing
+that the record in the case disposed of Thursday
+last should be transmitted to the Court of Common
+Pleas. The questions of law involved will thus be explicitly
+laid down by a tribunal whose purity and integrity
+has never been called in question. The citizens,
+and the ladies in particular, and I will, I am confident,
+abide the decision of that tribunal. In view of an early
+hearing, I have decided to defer further action in the
+cases now under consideration, until the court shall
+have rendered a decision in the case pending before
+it. I have instructed the clerk to hand back the
+money deposited for the appearance of the ladies.”</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had we emerged from the lock-up than
+a tremendous burst of applause arose from the vast
+multitude. The mayor, police, and our accusers were
+greeted with groans and hisses. As we moved away
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</span>to the Alliance rooms, the crowd increased at every
+step, the men who were standing along the curbstones
+respectfully raising their hats. Before we reached our
+head-quarters they were densely packed by an excited
+crowd, expecting to hear addresses of approbation.
+The halls and stairways were crowded, as were the
+streets also, so as to make egress or ingress almost
+impossible. As soon as order could be had, Hon. B.
+C. Christy was called upon, who arose and made a few
+congratulatory remarks, complimenting us on the
+patience and fortitude with which we had undergone
+our trials. He believed that we were actuated by
+motives true and pure as heaven.</p>
+
+<p>We then adjourned to Duquesne Way, on the
+Allegheny river, in front of Rhodes’ brewery, making
+use of one of his wagons from which to denounce their
+infamous traffic. Several enthusiastic addresses were
+made. It being late on Saturday evening, we then
+adjourned.</p>
+
+<p>On Sabbath, several sermons were preached, denouncing
+the evil, and encouraging us in the work.</p>
+
+<p>Thursday, May 27th, we met at our rooms, which
+were densely crowded. After devotional exercises,
+we formed in line and proceeded to the court-house;
+and because of the publicity the papers had given the
+case, the streets were filled with an immense throng.
+When we arrived at the court-house, the yard and
+building were so packed that the officers had great
+difficulty in opening up a passage for us to enter.
+Promptly at ten <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span>, Judges Sterritt, Stowe, and
+Collier entered and took their seats on the bench.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</span>After proclamation by the crier, the case was opened.
+The attorneys stated their pleas to the judges, who,
+upon consultation, delivered their opinions as follows:
+Judge Stowe stated, “Singing and praying upon the
+public streets is not disorderly conduct.” Further, the
+learned judge informed Mr. Coyle, the acting mayor’s
+counsel, that his argument partook of shallowness of
+pretext more than anything else. Concurred in by
+the other judges. Judge Stowe gave the following decision:
+“The decision of the acting mayor should be
+set aside; restitution awarded; fines and costs returned;
+the city pay the costs;” and we were discharged from
+custody much to the chagrin of the acting mayor, who
+was present, his countenance indicating great discomfiture.
+As we emerged from the court-house, it
+was plain to be seen on which side the sympathy was.
+Cheer after cheer greeted us. We took up our line
+of march for the Smithfield Street M. E. Church. On
+our entering, the large auditorium was immediately
+packed. Order being restored, we engaged in singing,
+prayer, and thanksgiving to Almighty God for deliverance.</p>
+
+<p>The following are the names of the thirty-three
+arrested and imprisoned: Mrs. J. S. Collins, Mr. A.
+Watt Black, Miss McClung, Mrs. Van Horn, Mrs.
+Sarah Moffett, Mrs. S. C. Matchett, Mrs. W. W.
+Morris, Mrs. Alice Gillchrist, Mrs. Macken, Miss E. B.
+Carmichael, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. M. Gray, Mrs. ——,
+Mrs. J. I. Logan, Mrs. Grace Hopeful, Mrs. M. E.
+Tutell, Mrs. A. W. Black, Mrs. A. Hill, Miss A. A.
+Starr, Miss Pearl Starr, Miss Lee A. Starr, Mrs.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</span>Youngson, Mrs. M. B. Reese, of Alliance, O., Mrs.
+John Foster, Mrs. Mary Caldwell, Mrs. Samuel Allinder,
+Mrs. W. M. Gormly, Miss E. Beeson, Mrs.
+D. N. Courtney, Mrs. Jane Nelson, Mrs. Martha
+Woods, Miss E. J. Foster, Miss Bessie Black.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade continued. “Many devices were resorted
+to by the liquor-dealers to drive us away. For
+instance, the scattering of cayenne pepper, burning
+brimstone in the vault under the pavement. This ruse
+they soon abandoned, as we caused it to recoil on
+them by covering the grating, thereby turning the
+fumes into their houses.”</p>
+
+<p>I have recently learned that Blackmore was Mayor
+of Pittsburgh during the Crusade, and Samuel McMasters
+acting mayor, Blackmore being an invalid.
+McMasters did as he pleased, and it is generally
+believed that the liquor-sellers paid him (McMasters)
+to prosecute the ladies, and bring them into disgrace,
+if possible, and thus stop the Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>The true character of McMasters, the acting mayor,
+who caused their arrest, and by whom they were tried
+and convicted, has recently been brought to light, <i>he
+being convicted and sentenced to seven years in the penitentiary,
+for the double crime of adultery and abortion</i>,
+which resulted in the death of mother and child. The
+victim, a young girl, accompanied McMasters to the
+Centennial, and he effected her ruin; and to conceal
+the black crime, he committed another, even
+blacker.</p>
+
+<p>So this official ruffian stands out before the public
+in his true light. Others who were active in opposing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</span>the Crusade have fallen into disgrace, or have been
+forced to fly to escape justice.</p>
+
+<p>The howling mob that struck terror to the hearts of
+the people of Pittsburgh during the riot of July, 1877,
+and made its streets red with human blood, was composed
+largely of <i>the very same class</i> of drunkards,
+tramps, and hoodlums that gathered at the call of the
+saloon-keepers to insult and howl down respectable
+Christian women, who dared publicly to protest against
+the liquor traffic by song and prayer.</p>
+
+<p>If the whole moral influence of the city had been
+brought to bear at that time on the liquor traffic, and
+the saloons had been closed and the business overthrown,
+the riot of 1877 would not have been possible.</p>
+
+<p>But the people sustained the rum power rather than
+the Crusade. And adown the very same streets, where
+the bands of women had marched, in the spirit of love,
+and with the songs of Zion on their lips, to win men
+from sin by prayers and tears, an angry, howling
+mob, with oaths and torches, with knives and pistols,
+surged and yelled, and rioted, with hellish hate and
+murderous intent. The city had “sown to the wind,”
+and she “reaped the whirlwind.”</p>
+
+<p>We all know now, as we never could have known
+without the bitter, costly lesson of the riot of 1877,
+how much the women of this land risked in the Crusade,
+and how wondrously <i>God shielded every one of
+them</i>, as, going forth in His name, they walked through
+these very same mobs, <i>unharmed</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ALLEGHENY_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Allegheny City Temperance Society, known as
+“Mrs. Swift’s Band,” was organized as a branch of the
+Women’s Christian Temperance Union, of Allegheny
+county, Pennsylvania, March 25th, 1874. The preparation
+for the great work differed in nowise from
+that of similar organizations in other places. Daily
+prayer-meetings were held, and faint hearts grew
+courageous, and weak hands strong to undertake
+what so appalled sensitive natures. On the morning
+of April 4th, 1874, after an unusually solemn prayer-meeting,
+the band started from Rev. Dr. Swift’s
+church, to make the first visit to saloons. The succeeding
+three months this method of working was
+faithfully adhered to, and one hundred and sixteen
+saloons were visited; forty of this number received
+two visits each, and a few even three. In addition to
+the saloons, some of the mills and work-shops, as well
+as a large number of families, were visited. In the
+case of families, the ladies went in committees of two
+or three. Many persons signed the pledge, and while
+some have not had strength to keep it, we rejoice that
+others, whose first serious impressions were received
+from the saloon and curbstone exercises of the “praying
+women,” are now leading sober and useful lives.
+The churches opened their doors for our prayer-meetings,
+and two each day were sustained. A general
+meeting in the morning, and in the afternoon for
+ladies only. We were greatly encouraged by the interest
+manifested by the clergymen of the city. Their
+prayers, their words of counsel and of sympathy,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</span>nerved the shrinking women to go on with a work
+so fraught with disheartening and revolting details.
+Carrying the meetings from church to church was attended
+with many disadvantages, and several of our
+earnest supporters conceived the idea of providing us
+with a “local habitation and a name.” A very elegant
+building had been erected in a fashionable quarter for
+the purpose of establishing a “drinking palace.” Before
+its completion, the owner became involved, and it
+was offered for sale. It was purchased by the Reformed
+Presbyterians for a Theological Seminary.
+They did not require the whole building, and rented
+for our use a large, handsome room. This very
+building, which was designed to destroy men, body
+and soul, was occupied by those whose every effort
+was to “establish, strengthen, and save them.” Our
+friends furnished the room with great comfort and
+taste, and on Monday evening, July 6th, 1874, Crusade
+Hall was formally dedicated to the service of God and
+the temperance cause.</p>
+
+<p>Many friends now suggested to us the propriety of
+becoming an independent organization, as Allegheny
+City and Pittsburgh are distinct municipalities. Considering
+the matter from every point of view, we decided
+that our best interests would be subserved by
+severing our connection with the Central Union of
+Pittsburgh, which was done, July 25th, 1874. As the
+summer advanced, our numbers rapidly diminished,
+leaving us too weak to pursue the work as heretofore.
+Our prayer-meetings were reduced to one afternoon
+and one evening meeting weekly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</span></p>
+
+<p>But the disastrous flood by which our city was
+visited, in July, 1874, loudly called for help from willing
+hands. Immediately, our temperance band offered
+its services to the relief committee, and the quiet
+room, where the gentle voices of women had ascended
+in prayer and praise, grew vocal with the hum of sewing machines,
+and Crusade Hall became one of the
+most important relief head-quarters. Immense quantities
+of material were converted into substantial
+clothing, and distributed with the utmost system and
+despatch. Numbers of families were visited, receiving
+not only material aid, but the priceless boon of a sympathy
+which thought it no toil to brave the horrors of
+the desolated district and see the victims of the disaster
+in the ruins of their once peaceful homes. The
+grand object we had in view was not lost sight of in
+these trying days. We had access to many homes
+where intemperance was no stranger, and where hearts
+were softened by great suffering seed was sown which
+we can hope has borne fruit.</p>
+
+<p>After the necessity of this work had passed but little
+was done, beyond the sustaining of the two prayer-meetings.</p>
+
+<p>As our members returned in the autumn, we again
+began to consider what we should do. It was thought
+that no further good could be accomplished by crusading
+in bands, yet we did not wish the enemy to congratulate
+itself that we were discouraged or wearied.
+So it was decided to visit the saloons in committees of
+twos and threes. The ladies were courteously received,
+and their arguments listened to with civility,
+but apparently little impression was made.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_481">[Pg 481]</span></p>
+
+<p>Again we seemed to pause, and a second time our
+work was sent to us. For some time our Friday evening
+meetings had been disturbed by a number of boys
+of the lowest class. Whence they came no one could
+tell. Whether curiosity, or a deliberate design to disturb
+the Crusaders, brought them, we could not conjecture.
+The disagreeable fact of their presence was
+all we knew about them. No one felt like assuming
+the responsibility of dismissing them, and a few earnest
+hearts resolved to make a special effort in their behalf.
+One evening each week during the winter and
+spring was devoted to their instruction. No encouraging
+results were apparent, but the pleasing reflection
+is ours, that a great desire to do them good actuated
+the ladies, who endured their rudeness with unwavering
+faith and courage. The endeavor to improve the
+boys suggested similar work for the girls of the same
+class. A most flourishing industrial school was established,
+and sustained throughout two winters. Cottage
+prayer-meetings formed an important feature of our
+work. It was the desire to hold the meetings, if possible,
+in homes which had felt the horrors of intemperance.
+This was not always practicable, but localities
+were chosen where the degraded of both sexes
+congregated, and where religious instruction was not
+given. Very soon an interest was manifested in
+the simple services, and many have anxiously inquired
+the “way of life.”</p>
+
+<p>We still have unabated interest in the work, and
+would gladly be more actively engaged. Our Tuesday
+afternoon meeting has never been interrupted,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_482">[Pg 482]</span>but we now feel ourselves “a feeble folk,” and can do
+little else than pray. The most perfect harmony has
+characterized our band, and the only change of officers
+we have made has been occasioned by the removal
+from the city of one lady, and the enforced absence,
+by serious illness, of another.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WILLIAMSPORT_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. Mussina for the following
+facts: “Before our Crusade commenced, there
+were thirty liquor-saloons within a stone’s throw of
+the court-house.</p>
+
+<p>“One of our first meetings was held in a large hotel.
+The house was full, and the street was full—there was
+a multitude all around us. We bowed before the
+Lord and offered up a petition in behalf of the proprietor.</p>
+
+<p>“The people said: ‘We thought those women were
+going to find fault with us, but they have come to do
+us good.’ From that time we felt an earnest desire
+to visit all the liquor-dealers.</p>
+
+<p>“The father of the landlord of one of the largest
+hotels sent us word to go and hold meetings in that
+house, and his son would be saved. Our street meetings
+were owned and blessed of God in the salvation
+of many. We have often been thanked by
+strangers, for holding these meetings.</p>
+
+<p>“We had a number of mass-meetings; and the
+liquor-dealers had <i>one</i>. Many of the temperance
+people thought we ought to have attended it in a
+body; but we only sent a delegation and the rest of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_483">[Pg 483]</span>us remained in the church, and prayed to a covenant-keeping
+God to confound our enemies.”</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dr. Kemble, who was appointed to visit Harrisburg
+to help save the Local Option law, furnishes
+the following incident of her escape the night before
+she started:</p>
+
+<p>“Wishing to arise early, I told the young lady (who
+was staying with me) that we would leave the blinds
+up, that we might see the daylight at an early hour.
+About midnight we heard a crash which awoke us
+both, and upon looking up, we discovered that the
+window had been broken in; and upon further search
+we found that a brickbat had been thrown through
+the window, and lay between us on the bed; but by
+the blessing of God neither of us were hurt. This did
+not deter us in the least. We prayed and worked
+with more determination than ever.”</p>
+
+<p>The most signal manifestation of God’s hand in the
+work, is the swift judgment that has overtaken almost
+every one who opposed them, as will be shown from
+the following facts sent me by E. L. Nice, who writes:</p>
+
+<p>“The first meeting was called February, 1874.
+The ladies organized twenty-five strong, and commenced
+the saloon visiting and picket work soon after.
+A coffee-house also was opened, in a concert saloon
+room, situated in the midst of the liquor-selling business.
+This room had been previously occupied as a
+saloon; but the keeper had skipped away without
+paying his rent, and thus we got it; but kept it only a
+short time, because the man of whom we rented (then
+the mayor of the city) grew afraid of the liquor men,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_484">[Pg 484]</span>when he saw our coffee-house hurt their ‘lunch-rooms,’
+and would let us have it no longer. This man has
+since gone into disgrace as a <i>dishonest</i> bankrupt, even
+losing his friends among the liquor men, who suffered
+from his failure.</p>
+
+<p>“The man who was the most insulting to us has
+since shot himself while in jail, during a fit of delirium
+tremens, and died a miserable death. Two others
+have found a home in the insane asylum.</p>
+
+<p>“Many have been sold out by the sheriff, and reduced
+to poverty. One who did all he could slyly, to
+discourage and injure us, now goes about a cripple,
+almost helpless with paralysis, and his family is reduced
+to abject poverty.</p>
+
+<p>“Our District Attorney, G. C. Hinman, who boldly
+advocated the repeal of the Local Option law, and
+denounced the work of the Crusade, left here last
+year in disgrace; ran away just in time to escape the
+penitentiary.</p>
+
+<p>“The man who was counsel for the liquor men has
+been twice at death’s door, and in fearful agony in the
+belief that he was lost. The first time, he turned to
+the Lord, and commenced a new life, but was brought
+back to his habit of sin, by his physician insisting upon
+strengthening him by alcoholic stimulants. So Satan
+still holds him, and he is still the drunkard-maker’s
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>“On the other hand, those who aided us in the
+work have been generally prospered.”</p>
+
+<p>We are furnished the following facts and incidents
+by Mrs. Olmstead:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_485">[Pg 485]</span></p>
+
+<p>March 2d, 1874, about two hundred of us went to
+the Herdic House; we held our meeting in the long
+hall, and were followed by a large crowd who pressed
+in at the door to hear.</p>
+
+<p>The next day we visited the Hepburn House. An
+<i>immense</i> crowd was around. We feared a riot, but
+God was there, and it became to them a solemn place.</p>
+
+<p>The proprietor, who had threatened many things if
+we came, wept like a child.</p>
+
+<p>We next went to the Crawford House, and then to
+the Henry House.</p>
+
+<p>We afterwards divided into four bands, and visited
+Fricker’s, Gerlach’s, United States, and the American.</p>
+
+<p>On March 7th, 1874, five saloons were visited, and
+the proprietors were much affected.</p>
+
+<p>About a week after, seven of us were at Fricker’s
+saloon, from half-past two until half-past six. This
+place seemed to me like the very door of hell.</p>
+
+<p>The sights and sounds there have laid the burden
+of this war upon me more heavily than ever.</p>
+
+<p>One poor, half-drunken man was very insulting to
+us—a plan of others to drive us away.</p>
+
+<p>We were relieved by others, who stayed until late in
+the evening.</p>
+
+<p>One saloon-keeper we visited was as furious as an
+angry caged lion. We had a pleasant talk with him
+and his wife, and left feeling that God’s will had been
+done.</p>
+
+<p>One of the saloons, where a most powerful meeting
+was held, was kept by a Frenchman, an unbeliever.
+He was very polite to us, and he soon gave up his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_486">[Pg 486]</span>business and went away, saying he should never sell
+liquor again.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the ladies visited George Koch’s saloon,
+March 7th.</p>
+
+<p>There Mrs. C. prayed that her husband, who was
+old and a drunkard, might not be allowed to take
+another drink at that place. It was a powerful meeting,
+though small, and that prayer was one to be remembered;
+that husband <i>never drank</i> <span class="allsmcap">AGAIN</span>, <i>anywhere</i>,
+and soon became a Christian.</p>
+
+<p>We had some remarkable instances of bad men
+being reclaimed and converted at that time, who are
+now in the church, and working in the temperance
+cause.</p>
+
+<p>One blessed feature of our Crusade was, that we
+never stopped to ask or think to what denomination
+we belonged.</p>
+
+<p>The court-house pavement became a Bethel to us,
+where Christ seems a little nearer than in His temple
+made with hands.</p>
+
+<p>At the commencement of our Crusade, one good
+Presbyterian pastor, who was with us heart and hand,
+expressed his sorrow that the women of his church
+were wholly unprepared for such public work, and
+said the Baptist and Methodist sisters would have it
+all to do. In about three weeks from that time he
+might have heard ladies of his own flock praying on
+the street, and exhorting the crowds on the pavement
+in front of the court-house. So wondrously had God
+poured out His Spirit upon them, and prepared them
+for His work.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_487">[Pg 487]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BLOSSBURG_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ BLOSSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The society reports the following:</p>
+
+<p>When the thrilling news came to us, that Christian
+women were carrying the gospel into the haunts of
+intemperance, and thus meeting the enemy face to face,
+our hearts were stirred in sympathy with the effort.</p>
+
+<p>Those unacquainted with mining regions may not
+know that in such communities intemperance gains a
+strong foothold, because of the influences brought to
+bear in early childhood as well as in mature life upon
+those who comprise the majority of its population. To
+contend with life-long prejudices requires courage.
+Having within the limits of our village some thirty
+places where liquor could be obtained, it seemed a
+grave question whether we should begin the warfare.
+The conviction deepened in some hearts that “now” was
+the time to work; and in the month of June, 1874, the
+first meeting was called by Rev. C. G. Lowell, and a
+ladies’ prayer-meeting appointed.</p>
+
+<p>At the first of these meetings a Ladies’ Temperance
+Union was organized. General meeting was held
+alternately in the several churches. We did not visit
+the saloons, but all our dealers were invited to sign the
+pledge. In every instance we were refused, they giving
+us frankly their reasons, viz.: that their money was
+in the business, and they preferred to run the risks of
+prosecutions for breaking the law, rather than leave
+off selling. After counting the cost of their displeasure,
+and the weight of public opinion, we decided to complain
+to the authorities in the name of the Commonwealth,
+of all who were guilty of violating the Local
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_488">[Pg 488]</span>Option law. This step brought us much unpleasant
+work, such as we would gladly have avoided, those
+engaged in the traffic giving us the full benefit of all
+the influence afforded them in points of law, to retard
+our progress. Those who frequented these places for
+drink were in danger of being used as witnesses, therefore
+we gained their displeasure. We continued to
+complain for nearly two years at each term of court,
+sometimes successfully, and sometimes failing to secure
+truthful witnesses. Some complaints were made after
+the repeal of the Local Option law. At the second
+application of our dealers for license, we remonstrated,
+being opposed in this by Christian men, who were
+certain we should be defeated. The number of applicants
+were ten, three of which were refused. At this
+point we did not see fit to make further resistance.
+Many of the dealers, during the time spent by us in
+opposing the traffic, abandoned its pursuit, leaving at
+present less than one-third as many places for drink
+as we had three years ago.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WARREN_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ WARREN, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. Annie C. Wetmore, Treasurer
+of the State Union, for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>“The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union at this
+place was organized in December, 1874, this being several
+months before the State organization was effected.
+The membership was large. The temperance women
+were impressed with the feeling that the time had
+come for action, but as none were ready to visit the
+saloons, as the women of Ohio and other States were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_489">[Pg 489]</span>doing, they hardly knew what to do, but concluded to
+do all in their power to build up a better public sentiment.</p>
+
+<p>“They applied to the editors of the two weekly
+papers, and obtained a part of a column in each paper,
+and appointed editors to fill this space with original
+notes, or selections on temperance. They held their
+Union meetings weekly, and mass-meetings as often as
+possible. Temperance papers were subscribed for and
+placed in the reading-room. Remonstrances were
+circulated against the repeal of local option, and February,
+1874, the first prosecution under the Local Option
+law was made by the women. The liquor men were
+aroused, but the women carried the suit and convicted
+one man, and the community received its first temperance
+lesson; and as success always commands respect,
+those who had ridiculed the idea of woman’s work in
+this way, began to respect them, and tremble before
+the power that was in their hands.</p>
+
+<p>“It was decided in April to appoint committees to go
+to the different towns in the county and organize
+unions, and as a result five towns were visited, and
+unions formed, and in May a county convention was
+called, and a county organization formed, which has
+continued to this day.</p>
+
+<p>“In May, 1875, after the repeal of the Local Option
+law, the women circulated resolutions against the giving
+of license to such persons as had violated the
+Local Option law.</p>
+
+<p>“The Union purchased and circulated a great number
+of temperance tracts in the county; and an effort was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_490">[Pg 490]</span>made, by the appointment of a committee for each
+Sunday-school, to introduce temperance work among
+the children, which was attended with some degree of
+success.</p>
+
+<p>“In March, 1876, a juvenile temperance society was
+organized, which was called the Centennial Temperance
+Society. Each member was provided with a
+badge of red, white, and blue ribbon; each ribbon
+representing a pledge. The meetings have been kept
+up regularly.</p>
+
+<p>“There being no town pump where a thirsty man,
+free of expense, could relieve his thirst, the W. C. T.
+U. had a well dug, and a pump set up at the corner
+of the principal street, so that thirst can now be slaked
+‘without money and without price.’</p>
+
+<p>“On New Year’s days, 1876 and 1877, the Union
+opened a Holly Tree Inn, where they received visitors,
+inviting all to come and partake freely. In the evening
+speeches were made and many signed the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>“During the years 1876 and 1877 a number of
+prosecutions were made by the Union with various
+degrees of success.</p>
+
+<p>“The liquor party have been made to feel that law is
+not to be trampled under foot with impunity, and that
+the license law should be enforced as other laws.</p>
+
+<p>“September, 1876, a committee of two were appointed
+to visit the county superintendent of public schools
+during the annual teachers’ institute, and obtain a few
+minutes during one of the sessions to talk on temperance.
+The time was cheerfully granted, and the
+teachers were generally enlisted. We asked them to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_491">[Pg 491]</span>make the subject a specialty at least once a month, and
+supplied them with tracts and catechisms on alcohol.
+Most of them have been faithful to their duty in this
+respect.”</p>
+
+<p>An incident <i>not reported</i> by Mrs. Wetmore, which
+occurred during the prosecutions of dealers in court,
+will show the animus of the liquor-dealers in Warren.</p>
+
+<p>One of the ladies very active in the work wore a
+velvet cloak. A lady from a neighboring town being
+there on a visit, went to the court-house to attend the
+trial. She, too, had on a very costly velvet cloak; the
+velvet had cost $25 a yard. Both these ladies, while
+in the court-room, or when they were leaving, had
+<i>vitriol</i> thrown on their cloaks which utterly ruined them.
+The purpose, of course, was to ruin the cloak of the
+active temperance woman, but when the agent of the
+liquor-dealers’ revenge saw two cloaks so near alike
+he made sure work by destroying both.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PHILADELPHIA_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The first meeting in this city was called through
+the public press on February 27th, 1874. The place
+of meeting was the Fiftieth Baptist Church, a small
+frame mission chapel in the northern part of the city.
+The little chapel was well filled with grave, earnest
+women, and every heart was stirred during the first
+prayer. “What wilt thou have me do?” was pressed
+upon every conscience. The object of the meeting
+was explained, and stirring appeals were made.</p>
+
+<p>One lady said on a corner near this chapel was a
+drinking-saloon of the worst character, and asked if
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_492">[Pg 492]</span>anything could be done. Another lady, who lived next
+door to the saloon, said she would throw open her
+house at once for a prayer-meeting, that this place
+might be closed. The leader then proposed that those
+who felt willing should follow her to the lady’s house,
+and hold a prayer-meeting. About half of the women
+followed her, while the others remained in the church
+to pray. As the band marched down the street they
+were followed by a great crowd. As the house would
+not hold half the people that gathered, the leader
+stood on the doorstep, and addressed the multitude.
+There was not the least disturbance, but all listened
+with breathless attention to her earnest and touching
+appeals.</p>
+
+<p>When they started from the chapel, the cry was
+raised by the crowd outside: “The Crusaders are
+coming!” The rum-seller on the corner hastened to
+close his windows and bar his door.</p>
+
+<p>March 1st, 1874 (Sunday), mass-meetings were held
+afternoon and evening in Wood’s Museum, which was
+crowded to its utmost capacity, and hundreds went
+away unable to gain admittance. The proprietor had
+received several notices that there would be a mob,
+and that the museum would be burned down if he
+attempted to hold such a meeting. But he was a
+staunch temperance man, and determined that the
+meeting should come off at any hazard. There was
+no mob and no disturbance.</p>
+
+<p>March 2d, a business meeting was held, and a
+Woman’s Union Temperance Praying Band organized,
+and the usual officers elected.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_493">[Pg 493]</span></p>
+
+<p>Meetings were held in various churches, the pledge
+circulated, and hundreds came forward to sign their
+names to the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>On Monday, March 9th, the liquor-dealers becoming
+alarmed, held a secret meeting to consider what
+they could do to check the temperance work. What
+they decided on was never known.</p>
+
+<p>On the 9th of April a general meeting was called,
+and held in one of the rooms in the Horticultural Hall.
+There was a large attendance. The officers reported
+that 112 meetings had been held; 24,870 names enrolled
+on the pledge-books, of whom 1,613 had been
+drunkards, 61 barkeepers, and a number saloon-keepers.
+Also, that 38 church members, who owned
+property which was rented for saloons, had been
+visited, and pledged not to rent their houses for such
+a purpose in the future.</p>
+
+<p>During the month of April ninety-four meetings
+were held. Several being held on the same night, it
+was necessary for the president and other members
+of the band to drive from church to church, and speak
+several times each evening. At these meetings many
+requests for prayer were sent in: some of them were
+from drunkards’ wives and brought tears to many
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>A temporary home was established for reformed
+men who were homeless and without work. It was
+soon filled, and a larger building was secured, which
+was afterward turned over to the ladies in Frankford,
+it being in that part of the city, and another started at
+the corner of Seventeenth and Francis streets; also an
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_494">[Pg 494]</span>Old Woman’s Home in West Philadelphia was opened
+by one of the managers.</p>
+
+<p>During the summer, meetings were held in a tent.
+At one of these meetings a report came that a man
+was dying on a vacant lot adjoining. He was taken
+charge of, nourishment given him, and he soon revived.
+He said he was a castaway, his friends had disowned him,
+and drunkenness had brought him to destitution, and
+almost to death. He was induced to sign the pledge,
+was converted, and afterwards became a worker in the
+cause, and, in course of time, he was restored to his
+friends, clothed and in his right mind.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Eleanor Crew, the Secretary of the band, who
+was earnest and capable, and most abundant in good
+works, giving her life freely for the salvation of others,
+fell at her post, September 4th, 1875, it is believed
+from mental strain and overwork, but the beautiful
+example of a life devoted to Christianity and temperance
+is still an inspiration to many.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, another organization had been
+formed, and efficient work was done for God and humanity
+by other earnest workers. This society held mass-meetings,
+and did other important work. But the President
+of the National Union induced the two bodies to
+unite, and a meeting was held for that purpose, January
+26th, 1875, in Dr. McCook’s church. The meeting
+was enthusiastic, and the reorganization effected.
+Many of the members feeling unprepared for the
+work, a meeting was appointed for prayer and consecration.
+At the very first meeting a poor man presented
+himself and desired to sign the pledge. They
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_495">[Pg 495]</span>were quite unprepared for this, had no pledges ready,
+but they soon learned that the most effectual way to
+consecrate one’s self is to go to work. The man and
+his family were in a wretched condition, and temporary
+relief was necessary. He was soon afterwards converted,
+and became a church member. His former
+employer, hearing of his reformation, sent for him and
+gave him employment, and a year afterwards he was
+known to be faithful and doing well.</p>
+
+<p>Cottage prayer-meetings were held, which resulted
+in great good. The ladies would secure the use of a
+house for meetings, and throw the doors and windows
+open, and commence singing. A large crowd was soon
+attracted, who would stand for an hour to listen to the
+gospel as it was proclaimed from the doorstep by one
+or more of the ladies. On such occasions an invitation
+was always extended to all who wished, to come
+inside to a prayer-meeting, which was accepted by
+many. The doors and windows were then closed, and
+the crowd, with tracts in their hands, which had been
+freely distributed, slowly dispersed, but usually the
+room was filled with those who remained for prayer,
+and many were saved.</p>
+
+<p>Public meetings were held, some saloons visited,
+much temperance literature distributed, and a home
+opened for inebriate women, especially for those who
+felt themselves to be slaves of the drink habit, but
+because of their social position and the stigma attending,
+would not enter public reformatory institutions.
+Many have found shelter there, and some have given
+evidence that these labors have not been in vain.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_496">[Pg 496]</span>This has since been detached from the work, and is
+under separate management.</p>
+
+<p>Two of the members fitted up in good style a comfortable
+lodging-house, where men, reformed through
+the efforts of the society, and others, at a low price,
+could have a tidy, cheerful home. This house accommodates
+about fifty, and has a reading-room, and is
+cheerful, well-lighted, and warm, the price ranging from
+twenty to thirty cents per night, or one dollar, or one
+dollar and a half per week. Not a profane or obscene
+word is allowed, and those who have never made a
+profession of Christianity feel the influence that is
+quietly and steadily exerted. This work is also under
+outside management, but contributes to the success of
+the society.</p>
+
+<p>March, 1877, daily meetings were established, which
+have been largely attended. These meetings, though
+led by ladies, are open to all, and are attended by men
+of all classes, often more than three-fourths of the
+audience being men.</p>
+
+<p>Quietly and reverently they wait before God, and
+the influence of the Spirit is so manifestly present that
+all hearts are solemnized.</p>
+
+<p>The hall is well filled daily, and over six hundred
+have been brought to a saving knowledge of Christ in
+the forgiveness of their sins. Some of these were
+gentlemen who came out of curiosity; others were
+prodigal sons, far away from home and God. Gamblers,
+barkeepers, infidels, drunkards, criminals fresh from
+the jail, and homeless tramps, have here found salvation.
+Some even of the most degraded, are educated
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_497">[Pg 497]</span>men, who have had the advantages of a college course;
+others are business or professional men, who have
+come down from the highest circles of society to
+poverty and rags, through drink.</p>
+
+<p>It is touching to see these men, scarred and marred
+by sin, sitting with reverent faces, listening, for the first
+time in years, to the sweet story of Jesus and his love,
+or rising to ask prayers for themselves, with streaming
+eyes. Oh, the sad stories the searching spirit wrings
+out of these penitent hearts! “For with the heart
+man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth
+confession is made unto salvation.”</p>
+
+<p>Some of these men were in utter despair, and were
+arrested when about to commit suicide; others had
+not prayed since they left their mother’s knee, and had
+not been in a church for ten, fifteen, or twenty years.</p>
+
+<p>But Jesus is mighty to save, and all his salvation
+may know, and he has revealed himself as the Saviour
+of sinners; and such mighty saving power I have never
+seen before. Gamblers have thrown away their cards,
+and pressing the Bible to their hearts, have said, with
+tears, “I take this book, instead of my pack of cards,
+for a companion and guide.”</p>
+
+<p>Families, broken up and scattered, have been reunited,
+and gathered about an altar of prayer; the
+ragged have been clothed, the hungry fed, the unbelieving
+convinced, and the broken-hearted comforted.
+Letters bearing the glad tidings across seas and continents,
+of prodigals saved, have winged their way to
+distant friends, and hundreds of homes have been
+made glad because of these afternoon meetings.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_498">[Pg 498]</span></p>
+
+<p>One young man who arose to ask prayers, said, “I
+am the son of praying parents. I had every advantage
+that wealth and social position could give me. I was
+educated at Yale College, but was expelled before I
+graduated. I shall never forget the humiliation of
+that morning when I was dismissed and sent home on
+account of drunkenness. I tried for a time to do
+better, and was sent away to medical college, where in
+due time I graduated in medicine—and drunkenness.
+While attending college, I would write home for money
+to buy books, and then spend it for rum. After I got
+my diploma I went home, but it was not long till I
+was brought, at a late hour of the night, from the
+saloon to my father’s door, helplessly drunk. When
+my condition became known to the members of the
+family, there was sorrow and weeping all over the
+house. The next day my father talked very seriously
+to me as to the consequences of the drink habit, if I
+continued in such a course. I promised to amend, but
+in a short time was brought home again dead-drunk.</p>
+
+<p>“My father turned me out of doors, for I had broken
+my mother’s heart. But one of my brothers came
+after me very soon, to say:</p>
+
+<p>“‘Come home, Harry, you have broken our mother’s
+heart; come home and see her die.’</p>
+
+<p>“I followed him, going like a criminal. My dying
+mother was surrounded by her family and friends, but
+she reached out her hands to me and said, ‘Oh, Harry,
+you have broken my heart, but if you will promise me
+that you will never drink another drop as long as you
+live, I will die happy.’</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_499">[Pg 499]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I dropped on my knees at her bedside, and promised
+her that I would never touch the accursed stuff
+again. I thought then that I never would, and as I
+followed her to the grave and heard the earth fall
+upon her coffin, I swore in my heart that I would keep
+my vow. I went to a distant western town and entered
+upon the practice of medicine. I was prospered
+in every way. I soon had a large and lucrative practice
+and moved in the best of society. I bought a
+house and was fitting up a home for a lovely woman
+who had promised to become my wife. During a
+New Year’s holiday-time I visited my old home, and
+on New Year’s day started out to call upon my friends.
+The third house I entered the lady offered me wine.
+I refused, but she insisted, and once the glass in my
+hand I drank it off and rushed from the house to the
+nearest saloon. That night I was carried to a hotel
+dead-drunk. My descent was rapid. I soon lost all
+my money and friends, and was wandering over the
+country a miserable, drunken tramp. I begged a
+ticket to cross the Delaware river to reach this city,
+and have begged my bread here from door to door. I
+have been called a <i>tramp</i> to my face since I have been
+in your city. But if God can save a <i>tramp</i>, I want
+Him to <span class="allsmcap">SAVE</span> me.” When he sat down there was not
+a dry eye in the house.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately another young man arose, and said, “I
+was a class-mate of that young man’s in Yale. I well
+remember the day he was expelled. I had not met
+him in all these years till at these meetings. I, too,
+since leaving college, have become a drunkard; but I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_500">[Pg 500]</span>have been saved by God’s mighty power in these meetings,
+and the appetite for rum has been taken away, and
+what God has done for me, He can do for you, Harry.”</p>
+
+<p>There was united prayer for that young man, and
+he was saved that very day. Or, as he puts it, “The
+ladies held on to me till I found Christ, and had the
+appetite for rum and tobacco taken away.”</p>
+
+<p>There are scores of cases equally interesting.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="A_MARVELLOUS_ANSWER_TO_PRAYER">
+ A MARVELLOUS ANSWER TO PRAYER.
+</h3>
+
+<p>One day two young men came into the meeting,
+and took seats near the door. They were very
+irreverent, and inclined to be disorderly. The lesson
+that day was on the forgiveness of sin and the witness
+of the Spirit; and those testifying spoke with great
+clearness of the cleansing power of the blood, and the
+witness of the Spirit to their acceptance. The meeting
+was very solemn, many were moved to tears; all sat
+in awe before the Lord, but these two young men. I
+led the meeting that day, and, as I was about to close,
+I spoke of the two young men who had been indifferent
+and irreverent, as eternity-bound, walking, may be, on
+the brink of destruction, and yet unsaved and unconcerned.
+We knelt to pray, and while I prayed, those
+two young men came up before me, and with earnest
+pleadings I asked God to <i>save</i> their souls—in some
+way or other to reach them—if He could not win them
+by His love, to reach and save them by His judgments—any
+way, only save their souls alive. The
+next day I was sent for by a young man in the inquiry
+room, after the meeting. The tears were running
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_501">[Pg 501]</span>over his face. Grasping my hand, he said, “Oh, do
+pray for me that no judgments may come upon me. I
+am one of the young men who behaved badly in the
+meeting yesterday.” “Where is the other man?”
+“When you prayed I felt awful bad; it was just like a
+knife going to my heart. As soon as the meeting
+closed we left. My friend said, ‘Let’s get out of here.’
+When we reached the street I told him I was afraid
+some judgment would come upon us. He laughed,
+and said he wasn’t afraid of the judgments of God.
+We walked on together up to Broad street, where he
+fell with a stroke of paralysis, and was carried off to
+St. Mary’s hospital. We are both Catholics. I did
+not think God was with you. But when I saw that
+man fall so soon after your prayer, I knew it was a
+judgment. I did not sleep any last night, and to-day
+as I walked the streets I could not help crying. A
+lady met me on the street, and seeing me weeping,
+she said, ‘Young man, you seem to be in great trouble;
+what is the matter?’ I undertook to tell her,
+but I broke down utterly. She invited me to her
+house; there I met her husband, and when I told my
+story he seemed much moved. He told me he was a
+saloon-keeper; that he kept a saloon in Camden, N.
+J., but he was going to give up the business and open
+a feed store, and that he would give me work and
+allow me to go to these meetings.”</p>
+
+<p>I bowed with the young man, and prayed earnestly
+that God would be merciful and save him. The next
+day he was gloriously saved. He immediately went
+to the hospital, to look after his friend. He found that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_502">[Pg 502]</span>he had recovered consciousness soon after reaching
+the hospital. The lessons of the day pressed upon
+his heart and conscience; especially those awful words,
+“I’m not afraid of the judgment of God.” He felt
+sure he would die, and he set himself to gain what he
+had heard spoken of in the meeting—a knowledge of
+sins forgiven, the witness of the Spirit. And the Lord
+revealed Himself to that man right there in the
+Catholic hospital, so that when the friend came to him
+he found him rejoicing in a knowledge of his sins forgiven
+and his acceptance with God. They took sweet
+counsel together, and the dying man sent this message
+back to the meeting:</p>
+
+<p>“Tell that lady who prayed for me that her prayers
+are answered, and I am saved. She will find me in
+heaven when she comes, for I am <i>saved by the judgment
+of God</i>.” A few hours after this he died. Only
+a few weeks passed till the other young man was sent
+to the Blockley Alms House Hospital, with dropsy.
+But he was joyously happy—ready for anything.</p>
+
+<p>Ten doctors one day gathered about his bed for consultation:
+the decision was that they could do nothing
+for him. With a triumphant smile he looked up at
+them and said:</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all right, doctors; I am ready to die.”</p>
+
+<p>The doctor who attended his case afterwards came
+and knelt by his cot, and wept and prayed.</p>
+
+<p>A young man lying in the next cot to his was very
+irreverent. Charles wanted to read the Bible to him,
+for he preaches the gospel to all, but he said: “No, I
+don’t want to hear it; I’ve got a novel—I like that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_503">[Pg 503]</span>better.” But after a while Charles induced him to
+read, as an act of kindness. The truth took hold of
+his heart, and one night he got up out of his bed and
+knelt beside the cot of Charles, and was saved. The
+novel-reading young man has since died in the full
+triumphs of faith. Charles D. still lingers to preach
+Christ in the ward, and his influence is blessed. A
+priest visited him one day.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you confessed?” he inquired. “Yes.” “Who
+to?” “The Lord Jesus Christ; and I have been forgiven,
+and I am ready to depart and be with my Lord.”</p>
+
+<p>The priest insisted on leaving a rosary, which the
+sick young man, having no need of such helps in
+prayer, gave to one of the ladies of the meeting who
+visited him very often.</p>
+
+<p>Who can doubt that God in <i>answer to prayer</i> took the
+best, and perhaps the only way, to save these two souls!</p>
+
+<p>It is better that a man should be dealt with in judgment
+than that he should lose his soul.</p>
+
+<p>The meetings still go on with power, and the general
+work with increasing interest.</p>
+
+<p>In 1875 a State Union was formed, the convention
+meeting in Philadelphia. One hundred ladies went
+from that meeting to Harrisburg, to protest against
+the repeal of the Local Option law, which was threatened.
+A mass-meeting was held in the State House
+in the evening, the legislative hall being well filled, and
+most of the members of the Senate and House being
+present. The meeting, which was addressed by prominent
+ladies and gentlemen of the State, was enthusiastic.
+The next day about two hundred marched in a
+body to the Capitol, and held a meeting, and had an
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_504">[Pg 504]</span>interview with the committee having the matter in
+charge, and then called upon the Governor to urge
+him, if the law was repealed, to veto it.</p>
+
+<p>It fell to the lot of the writer of these pages to head
+that procession and make the speech to the Governor.</p>
+
+<p>If the question pending had not been so grave, the
+scene would have been ludicrous. Governor Hartranft,
+although he had won honor as an officer in the
+recent civil war, was as pale as a ghost, and stood bracing
+himself against the mantel-piece, with his lips firmly
+set, as though he was afraid to open his mouth lest he
+should betray his party.</p>
+
+<p>The appeal was made in the presence of a hundred
+or more people, and despite his efforts at self-command
+he was deeply moved.</p>
+
+<p>He responded very respectfully, but his guarded
+words foreshadowed his future action, and we knew
+he would follow the dictates of his party, whatever that
+might be. But it was a privilege to be able, fearlessly
+and plainly, to tell him a few facts, and let him know in
+just so many words, “that no matter what party went
+up, or went down, the women of the commonwealth
+intended that the rum power should go down, and
+would bend all their energies to that end.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MONTROSE_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ MONTROSE, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A praying band was organized in this town at the
+beginning of the Crusade. Petitions and pledges have
+been circulated, and prayer and mass-meetings held.</p>
+
+<p>The saloon-keepers have been visited and urged to
+sign the pledge. The children have been gathered
+together and taught, and a society organized. The
+jails have been regularly visited.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_505">[Pg 505]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Post and Mrs. Sayer are among the active
+workers who have pushed the cause in this town and
+in the county.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="SUSQUEHANNA_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ SUSQUEHANNA, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The ladies of this town organized early in 1874;
+mass-meetings were held, saloons visited, and pledges
+circulated.</p>
+
+<p>Under the Local Option law, which had carried in
+this place, it was unlawful to sell liquors. And as the
+saloon-keepers did not yield to tears and prayers, the
+ladies brought the law to bear upon them with good
+success.</p>
+
+<p>The devotion of the women was shown in their self-denial
+in matters of dress, that they might have money
+to carry on the temperance work.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="TROY_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ TROY, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The women of Troy organized for work in May,
+1874. I had the privilege of visiting the drinking-houses
+with some of these earnest workers. We went
+to the hotel. The bar-room was filled with a crowd
+of rough men. The fumes of tobacco and whiskey
+were stifling. The landlord turned pale when he saw
+us, but withstood all our entreaties, although he had
+been trained in a Christian home and had a praying
+mother.</p>
+
+<p>We appealed to him to stop the business for the
+sake of his own boy. He had a beautiful little boy.
+Though deeply moved, he would not allow us to pray
+in his house. As we were leaving, I said: “My brother,
+the Lord will answer the prayers of your mother. He
+is now trying to win you by love; if you reject Him,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_506">[Pg 506]</span>He may bring you to the truth by His judgments. He
+may take the boy you love so much. Don’t wait for
+the judgments of God.” The words seemed to be
+prophetic: in a month from that time the boy was dead,
+and he was brought to see so clearly that God was
+dealing with him that he closed out the bar. One of
+the drug stores was really an open saloon, the worst
+in the town. The work went on for a while with
+enthusiasm. But some of these methods, especially
+the prosecution of saloon-keepers, displeased the ministers,
+and they drew up a paper asking them to desist,
+and confine themselves to prayer-meetings, etc. The
+result was an entire abandonment of the work, at a
+time when it promised the largest success.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ASHLEY_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ ASHLEY, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The women organized in this town in the spring
+of 1874. Prayer and mass-meetings were held; a
+Juvenile Union formed; the saloons visited again and
+again, and a friendly inn and lunch-room founded,
+mainly through the efforts of Miss N. M. Wells.
+Good results have followed.</p>
+
+<p>The work there and throughout the State is increasing
+in interest and enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly all the towns of Pennsylvania have carried
+on the temperance work with more or less success.</p>
+
+<p>A good work has also been done in Great Bend,
+the home of Mrs. F. D. B. Chase, President of the
+State Union; also in Sharon, Chester, New Milford,
+Towanda, Canton, Tunkahannock, Carbondale, Kingston,
+Wellsburg, Norristown, Rochester, Meadville, New
+Castle, Honesdale, and Milton.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_507">[Pg 507]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ NEW YORK.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">
+ CHAPTER VIII.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>The work in New York, which began in the beautiful
+village of Fredonia, has extended to every part of
+that great State. Every city, and almost every hamlet,
+has been reached by this Temperance Gospel.</p>
+
+<p>Women’s Temperance Unions have been organized
+in almost every town, and the best and truest women
+of the State have banded together in God’s name, to
+overthrow the liquor traffic.</p>
+
+<p>It will be noticed, by reference to the date, that the
+work at Fredonia commenced several days before it
+began at Hillsboro’.</p>
+
+<p>I do not know why that town was not made conspicuous
+as the place where the Crusade commenced,
+unless it was because no saloons were closed, and the
+ladies fell back, after a short campaign, upon other
+plans.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="FREDONIA_NEW_YORK">
+ FREDONIA, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. L. B. Greene gives the following interesting
+account of the work:</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Dio Lewis lectured in our village, Saturday
+evening, December 13th, 1873, in the regular lyceum
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_508">[Pg 508]</span>course, and remaining in the place over the Sabbath,
+was invited to speak in the Baptist Church, Sunday
+evening. A union service was held, and the large
+building packed to overflowing. He chose as his subject—“The
+duty and responsibility of Christian women
+in the cause of Temperance.” In illustrating his views
+upon the subject, he related the proceedings of the
+women in the village of Clarksville, in this State, forty
+years ago, when he was a boy—how, aroused by some
+specially grievous result of the liquor traffic, eighty-four
+women banded themselves together, and, after conference
+and prayer, marched to the saloons, where, with
+more prayers and singing, they appealed to the liquor-dealers
+to pledge themselves to give up the sale of
+intoxicating beverages. The object sought was attained,
+and for thirty-nine years no liquor has been
+sold there as a beverage.</p>
+
+<p>This plan, he stated, had been partially or wholly
+successful in other places.</p>
+
+<p>A remarkable interest was manifested throughout
+the audience, and at the close of the lecture an organization,
+to consider a similar work in our place, was
+effected by the election of Dr. Lewis, Chairman; John
+Hamilton and L. A. Barmore, Secretaries. The Secretaries,
+together with Dr. E. M. Pettit and Prof. H. R.
+Sanford, were appointed by the meeting to name fifty
+or more ladies as a visiting committee for work similar
+to that performed by the women of Clarksville.</p>
+
+<p>This committee was enlarged to more than two hundred,
+who met on the following morning, December
+15th, 1873, and entered upon their work of visiting all
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_509">[Pg 509]</span>the hotels, drug stores, and saloons. As the result of the
+first day’s work one druggist gave his assent to the
+pledge. The other dealers listened respectfully, and we
+were encouraged to think would yield to our petitions.</p>
+
+<p>Each succeeding day brought intelligence of a like
+movement—first in Jamestown, near us; then in Hillsboro’,
+Ohio, followed by place after place. So we
+were encouraged and strengthened to believe that the
+Spirit of the Lord was moving in the land, stirring up
+women who had hitherto rested quietly, or unquietly,
+in their homes, <i>submitting</i> to what seemed an ineradicable
+evil, to <i>rouse</i> themselves and take up the
+cross of the “Temperance Crusade.”</p>
+
+<p>I need not detail the events of the first weeks of our
+effort, with their alternations of hope and doubtings;
+suffice it to say, the saloons were not closed <i>when</i>,
+and <i>as</i> we prayed they might be. There was another
+lesson in store for us, as to our Heavenly Father’s
+ways of answering prayer.</p>
+
+<p>We ceased our saloon visiting, but had formed a
+permanent “Woman’s Christian Temperance Union”
+for continued work in the cause, as circumstances and
+opportunities should permit.</p>
+
+<p>Our principal efforts have been as follows: An aid
+society was formed to help the needy of our village,
+nearly all of whom are the victims of intemperance.</p>
+
+<p>A reading-room in the interests of temperance and
+morality was established; a large amount of temperance
+tracts and papers were circulated.</p>
+
+<p>Many petitions to Congress and the State Legislature,
+in the interests of the cause, have been circulated.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_510">[Pg 510]</span>Young people and children’s unions, auxiliary to our
+own, have been formed. Days of fasting and prayer
+have been observed.</p>
+
+<p>In the spring election of 1874 there was a gain for
+temperance (a stirring little appeal to the voters had
+been scattered through the streets).</p>
+
+<p>Before the election of 1875 a committee of ladies
+was appointed to see each voter, urging principle in
+the matter, and we were rewarded by a large no
+license majority. During the years 1875-76 there
+were no licensed places in the town for the sale of
+liquor as a beverage, but several club-rooms, in evasion
+of the law, were formed, where almost any one
+could obtain drink. These we entered legal prosecution
+against to no purpose.</p>
+
+<p>During all these years our Union has held its weekly
+prayer-meetings, and has tried to keep the public alive
+to the subject, by bringing before them frequently the
+best talent in the lecture field.</p>
+
+<p>Though there have been occasional instances of
+conversion and reformation all along, it has seemed as
+though results had not been commensurate with our
+efforts. In our last excise election, 1877, the village
+again voted for license, and when many of us were
+feeling almost discouraged, groping in the dark, God
+made his face to shine in the darkness, and we felt
+that the prayers of so many years were answered.</p>
+
+<p>Following the series of meetings, after the week of
+prayer in the Baptist Church, came a gospel temperance
+worker, the Rev. Mr. Bocock. He found the
+field ripe for the harvest. Hundreds signed the abstinence
+pledge.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_511">[Pg 511]</span></p>
+
+<p>Meetings continued for weeks, in our largest public
+hall, under other workers, until over 1,500 names were
+enrolled on the Murphy pledge. Among these were
+not only intemperate men, but many of our leading
+citizens, who before had opposed or stood aloof from
+all work for the cause. We hope to see these faithfully
+heading the ranks in the temperance reform.
+Our Union still lives, and, we trust, may continue an
+influence for good in our midst.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="AUBURN_NEW_YORK">
+ AUBURN, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A little company of sisters, after consulting their
+pastors, called a prayer-meeting, Monday, March 9th.
+On account of a severe storm only six persons were
+present at the appointed hour, yet out of that small
+prayer-meeting grew the “Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union of Auburn.” At its organization we
+were so fortunate as to secure for our President, Mrs.
+Mary T. Burt, then a resident of Auburn—now the
+publisher of <i>Our Union</i>, in Brooklyn.</p>
+
+<p>March 13th, we gave a call for a meeting, asking
+“all women, friendly to the cause of temperance, to
+be present on that occasion, with a view of devising
+some method of securing, through our city authorities,
+the rigid enforcement of existing laws, restricting the
+sale of intoxicating liquors in this city.” To the
+above appeal were appended 500 names of the
+women of Auburn. This meeting was followed by
+other crowded mass-meetings.</p>
+
+<p>Committees waited upon the mayor and board of
+excise, begging them to grant fewer licenses.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_512">[Pg 512]</span></p>
+
+<p>In June of the same year, one of the board of excise
+said that the Woman’s Temperance Union of
+Auburn had been the means of closing, during the
+year, from forty to fifty saloons. Also, if the organization
+had not made their petition to the board, they
+would, undoubtedly, have gone on and licensed all
+applicants, as former excise boards had done.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after our annual meeting, March 18th, 1875,
+our Union decided to furnish hot coffee to firemen on
+duty. A committee was appointed to confer with the
+Chief Engineer of the Fire Department in reference
+to the work. A courteous reply was received from
+that officer, in which he stated it to be his opinion “that
+the proposed effort would not only advance the cause
+of temperance, but elevate the standing of the fire
+department.” The firemen have proved true friends
+of our organization; and though there have been
+many obstacles to overcome, we have great reason
+to feel that much good has been done in this direction.
+Besides our regular Monday afternoon prayer-meetings,
+and gospel temperance meetings, we have meetings
+for the children, and a Band of Hope connected
+with the Union numbers 230.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span class="smcap">Mrs. Cyrenus Wheeler</span>, Pres’t.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Charlotte T. L. Smith</span>, Rec. Sec’y.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PLATTSBURG_NEW_YORK">
+ PLATTSBURG, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Fanny D. Hall reports:</p>
+
+<p>The Plattsburg Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union was established March 14th, 1874. The attendance
+was large at first. At present our numbers are
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_513">[Pg 513]</span>small, but the few have been constant workers. The
+influence emanating from the Union has had, and is
+having a decided effect upon public opinion, changing
+the aspects of the temperance cause.</p>
+
+<p>We feel that time <i>only</i> is needed for the community
+to show the power of prayerful, earnest Christian
+work. A union prayer-meeting, under the auspices
+of this society, was formed, in which the churches
+joined.</p>
+
+<p>Sabbath and Wednesday afternoon prayer-meetings
+have been regularly maintained by the ladies. In the
+autumn of 1875 a converted saloon-keeper offered
+his bar-room one evening in the week, for a prayer-meeting,
+under the care of the Union, which has been
+continued to the present time.</p>
+
+<p>Our juvenile association, “The Plattsburg Temperance
+Guards,” was organized in October, 1874. It
+has enrolled some 800 boys as members. A meeting
+of the guards is held every three months in the court-house,
+in which the exercises are varied by music and
+speeches, followed by refreshments.</p>
+
+<p>It has been the custom of ladies to attend all
+the meetings of the excise board. To this we attribute
+influences most favorable to the work. The
+saloons have been quietly visited by members of the
+Union, for individual appeals.</p>
+
+<p>Before the election of excise commissioners, the
+ladies, with the aid of the ladies of the Good Templars,
+canvassed the entire town, giving opportunity
+for earnest Christian temperance work.</p>
+
+<p>A legal committee of the Union has also been able
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_514">[Pg 514]</span>to bring cases of violation of law before our juries,
+and although much that we could wish has not been
+accomplished, still good has been done in this field.
+Our stronghold of hope is <i>prayer</i>, but we feel and
+know the Lord has been with us in all these departments
+of temperance work.</p>
+
+<p>We have sustained, since 1874, a temperance
+column in the <i>Plattsburg Republican</i>, which has been
+freely accorded to us.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ALBANY_NEW_YORK">
+ ALBANY, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. Nye for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>Our first temperance prayer-meeting was held
+weekly, in 1873, in a private parlor, three present.
+We soon adjourned to a church prayer-room, but our
+numbers were small. In August, 1873, a society was
+organized, known as the “Woman’s Temperance
+Union of Albany.” Our prayer-meetings were held
+twice every week.</p>
+
+<p>In January, 1874, we were invited to hold meetings
+in the City Mission rooms, No. 40 State street, at
+which time two of our number became responsible for
+a daily meeting. The faithful few were greatly encouraged
+by the goodly number that gathered daily, and
+from among those we most desired to reach. During
+three months, about two hundred names were enrolled
+on our pledge. Among these were a large number
+of conversions, including some from the very lowest
+depths of intemperance, who to-day are first and foremost
+in the cause of temperance.</p>
+
+<p>Five or six ladies prayed earnestly that the work
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_515">[Pg 515]</span>might be enlarged, and we be fitted for the work. A
+door of entrance came, and a place formerly occupied
+as a machine shop, located in the rear of the theatre,
+on William street, was secured. There was not one
+cent in the treasury. The day came when money
+must be paid; and that morning, after asking at the
+family altar that God would supply our need, when
+about to leave the house of a dear sister, a note was
+placed in our hands, written that morning by one of
+His chosen ones, a Swedish lady, who had been spending
+a few days in the city, enclosing the desired amount,
+saying, “Please accept of my mite, with prayers for
+your success.” From that time, with the want has
+also come the supply, even to the furnishing of our
+rooms with everything to make them both comfortable
+and attractive.</p>
+
+<p>The first of May we rented the entire building for
+lodging and eating purposes; and though we had
+nothing with which to furnish, in one month it had the
+appearance of a pleasant, comfortable home; and here
+a large number have been cared for when they most
+needed help and Christian sympathy. Since the first
+of May, one hundred have received food and lodging,
+and have thus been brought under the power of the
+gospel.</p>
+
+<p>A midday meeting has been opened recently, and is
+increasing in interest and numbers. This is sustained
+mostly by reformed men. Many young men who were
+this time last year spending their time and money
+in drinking-saloons and drunken brawls, are now
+“clothed and in their right minds,” and spend nearly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_516">[Pg 516]</span>every night in our meetings, saying it is the best place
+they ever knew.</p>
+
+<p>Testimonies like the following are often heard: “I
+bless God for this mission. I have been tempted
+beyond what I was able to bear, and had I not come
+in and stayed all day in this room, I do not know where
+I should have been to-day. I thank God for putting
+it into the hearts of these Christian women to open
+these rooms for a refuge for such as I. And these
+meetings have been a great blessing to me.”</p>
+
+<p>Another says: “I have been one of the most wicked
+young men in Albany, and my friends thought I could
+not be saved. And I thought so too. But through
+the efforts of this mission, I am a saved man.”</p>
+
+<p>Saloons have not been left unvisited; and those who
+were once dealing out the accursed draught, thank
+God, to-day have found a better way. Our room for
+meetings has been enlarged three times. Recently a
+glorious temperance revival has prevailed, reaching all
+classes, which has stirred the community, and encouraged
+all Christian hearts.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="SYRACUSE_NEW_YORK">
+ SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. Allen Butler, President of the State Union,
+furnishes the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>When reports of the wonderful work for temperance
+being done at the West reached our city, the inquiry
+began to be made. If there was not something of the
+kind needed here. After due deliberation a Woman’s
+Temperance Union was formed in March, 1874. The
+city was districted, and canvassed with petitions and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_517">[Pg 517]</span>pledges. The city authorities, board of excise, ministers,
+physicians, druggists, grocers, and landlords were visited,
+petitioned, and entreated, and as many as possible
+pledged, not to participate in, or countenance the
+traffic in intoxicating liquors in any way. An immense
+amount of work was done in a few months, with but
+little apparent success. The prayer-meetings were
+continued during the summer, and in the early autumn.
+Prayer-meetings were established in desolate parts of
+the city, and food distributed. A suitable building was
+secured, and a Friendly Inn opened in sight of thirty
+saloons, to counteract influences. It was opened on
+the 8th of July, 1875, with pleasant company, attractive
+music, and sacred song; things so in contrast with the
+neighborhood, that every passer-by was attracted, and
+led to inquire what was going on. The opening was
+auspicious, and for three months the place was thronged
+to its utmost capacity every evening, to join in the
+gospel temperance meetings, and hear the wonderful
+experiences there related. From the first day, new
+trophies were won.</p>
+
+<p>More recently the reformed men’s movement has
+swept over our city, and 2,500 have signed the pledge;
+and 1,300 have united with the Reform Club, and 200
+have been added to the Young Men’s Temperance
+Union, which was already strong.</p>
+
+<p>A cold water army was organized in 1875, and the
+work is still well sustained.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_518">[Pg 518]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ROCHESTER_NEW_YORK">
+ ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. S. J. Vosburgh gives the following account of
+the work in Rochester:</p>
+
+<p>The Women’s Temperance Crusade in Rochester
+began about the middle of March, 1874, by the appointment
+of a committee of four ladies, who were to
+confer with the pastors of all the city churches and
+secure their co-operation in the work. This committee
+did their work so well, and the public mind was so
+fully prepared for the movement, that in a few days a
+Woman’s Temperance Union was formed, which soon
+increased to 500 members, representing nearly every
+church in the city.</p>
+
+<p>Two very large mass-meetings were held, and many
+smaller meetings in various places. Temperance sermons
+were preached in nearly all the churches, and
+the entire city, with all the region round about, became
+aroused upon the subject. The liquor-sellers were
+very uneasy, and a few at this time gave up the business
+voluntarily. On the first Monday in May there
+was an enthusiastic morning meeting held at the Central
+Presbyterian Church, and about 200 ladies went
+in procession from that place to the court-house, where
+the excise board were to meet for the granting of
+licenses.</p>
+
+<p>These morning meetings continued for two weeks
+or more, the time being given mostly to prayer. The
+numbers increased, so that the commissioners adjourned
+to the city hall, as the council chamber, in which they
+first assembled, was quite too small. At these meetings
+remonstrances against the granting of licenses were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_519">[Pg 519]</span>read every morning, and the same were published by
+the <i>Daily Press</i>; causing many to see the evils of the
+traffic who had hitherto thought but little about it.</p>
+
+<p>The liquor-sellers and manufacturers, with some of
+their sympathizers, had also formed a Union entitled
+“The Society for the Protection of Personal and Religious
+Liberty.” The word religious was, however,
+soon dropped, as being inappropriate. This society
+was very active, held frequent meetings, and, it was
+said, had raised $10,000 to carry on their work.</p>
+
+<p>During the second week of the month of May, after
+the ladies had marched in procession, as usual, to the
+court-house, preceded by a few of the pastors and other
+temperance men, a large number of the liquor-sellers,
+led by some of the officers of their society, appeared
+before the Excise Commissioners, with a petition, signed,
+as they claimed, by 6,000 citizens and voters, asking
+that licenses for the sale of liquors be granted as
+usual. It was ascertained, upon examination, that this
+immense petition was made up largely of forged signatures,
+among which were not only the names of some
+of our best temperance men, but some dignitaries from
+abroad were added to swell the list; among these we
+remember was the wife of the Mormon prophet,
+Brigham Young, and some who for many years had
+been in the spirit world.</p>
+
+<p>When this unlooked-for examination revealed the
+fraud, the better class of their number seemed a little
+ashamed, as might have been expected.</p>
+
+<p>Political influence was mightiest on their side,
+however, and licenses were soon granted just as
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_520">[Pg 520]</span>freely as before, though action had been stayed for
+weeks.</p>
+
+<p>There is at present a growing public sentiment
+against the liquor traffic, and the better class of our
+citizens, especially the Christian men and women, are
+arraying themselves on the side of temperance. The
+women, too, are thinking and acting more intelligently
+and effectively for this cause than in the past.</p>
+
+<p>There are now in our city two large and well-conducted
+lunch houses, each under the direction of a
+board of managers, composed of temperance ladies,
+besides a number of smaller establishments of the same
+class owned and controlled by individuals.</p>
+
+<p>A Reform Club was organized about a year since,
+and more recently a Temperance Aid Society of ladies,
+whose work is especially to further the interest of the
+Reform Club, and to visit the families of intemperate
+men.</p>
+
+<p>A Christian Temperance Union, composed of
+Christian men and women, has also been organized
+recently, and these are already doing a good work.</p>
+
+<p>These are all the outgrowth of the Crusade.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="OSWEGO_NEW_YORK">
+ OSWEGO, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I have received the following facts from officers of
+the society:</p>
+
+<p>We organized March, 1874, with about thirty members.
+Held our meetings in the different churches,
+one month in each, wishing them to be thorough union,
+feeling that we must have a united sisterhood to face
+the dark shadow which seemed to be coming nearer
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_521">[Pg 521]</span>and nearer, throwing its shade either directly or indirectly
+into almost every home.</p>
+
+<p>About this time we canvassed the city with the
+pledge, with good results.</p>
+
+<p>Our work was persistent and earnest with the
+saloon-keepers, city authorities, and wherever God
+seemed to show an open door.</p>
+
+<p>Committees were appointed to inspect the applications
+made for license, and it was found that a majority
+of them were granted illegally, and having found who
+the men were who signed these applications, and were
+willing thus to encourage the traffic, our work was
+then with them, to try, if it were possible, to persuade
+them never to sign another application. And great
+was the surprise and shame of many who found that
+what they had done in secret had been brought to the
+light, and many promises were given that the like
+should not be repeated.</p>
+
+<p>We organized a Woman’s Temperance Prayer-Meeting
+on Water street, led by women, yet calling
+in the aid of Christian men.</p>
+
+<p>The fact that a few Christian women were meeting
+twice a week for prayer, had its effect upon the
+community.</p>
+
+<p>We endeavored to look after the poor suffering
+ones all around, keeping our eye on the one object—Christ
+and His work; feeling that it was just that
+which brought Him down to us, to raise the fallen.
+Some of the crosses were very heavy, the greatest,
+perhaps, of all our life-work, February 1st, 1875.</p>
+
+<p>“Four, ladies only, were present at our meeting;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_522">[Pg 522]</span>very earnest prayers were offered for direction and
+help, and especially that some influence might be
+brought to bear upon the hearts of Christian people,
+to awaken them to duty, with regard to temperance
+work. We were not wholly discouraged, for we felt
+that with <i>God</i> on our side, <i>one</i> was a majority.”</p>
+
+<p>Before our next meeting, two reformed men, Frost
+and McKelvey, had come to our city ready to work;
+they hardly knew why they came, for no one had
+asked them, and they had been told not to come, as
+they could do nothing here. But some of us felt that
+we knew how it came about, and as the work seemed
+to take shape, Christian men said, this is the result of
+the prayers of the faithful few.</p>
+
+<p>On and on went the work, until over two thousand
+signed the pledge, while our own numbers were
+greatly increased. A Reform Club was organized,
+with a reformed lawyer as president.</p>
+
+<p>One of the saloon-keepers put up a long sign, black
+letters on white cloth, that could be read two blocks
+off: 20,000 <i>men wanted to drink</i> 20,000 <i>glasses of lager
+beer</i>! It was too much for us to endure, and a committee
+of two ladies was appointed to visit him; we
+prepared a paper for him to read, and went in the
+strength of the Master, gave him the paper, and while
+he read we prayed, silently, yet earnestly. At first, he
+seemed quite indignant, closed the paper and passed
+it back; I did not take it (wished him to keep it). God
+seemed to <i>shut</i> our mouths. While he talked, the
+perspiration covered his face and neck, he wiping until
+his handkerchief was thoroughly drenched. When he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_523">[Pg 523]</span>had said all he had to say, he dropped into a chair behind
+him; then our lips were unsealed; he was melted,
+promised to take down his sign, and leave the business
+as soon as his lease was out. He is now a member
+of the Reform Club.</p>
+
+<p>We came from that saloon, saying to ourselves and
+each other, “O ye of little faith.”</p>
+
+<p>You can imagine the feelings of the heart of his
+faithful wife, as she rose in the weekly prayer-meeting
+of her own church, after the happy event in which all
+rejoiced: said she, “My husband has signed the pledge,
+and I want you all to pray for him; nay,” said she, “I
+<i>demand</i> it.” Do you wonder at her earnestness?</p>
+
+<p>May 20th, a committee of our ladies, in connection
+with a committee of gentlemen, began to cast about
+for rooms to accommodate this wonderful work. It
+was soon done. On Washington’s birthday, February
+22d, we met in our new reading-room.</p>
+
+<p>We dedicated those rooms not only to temperance,
+but to Christ and His work, for it is all one.</p>
+
+<p>Our Woman’s Christian Temperance Union now
+numbers about one hundred and fifty; and our motto
+is, “More earnest work for the Master.”</p>
+
+<p>One of the first fruits of the reform movement was
+the conversion of a young man, son of a prominent
+clergyman of the State, and former pastor of one of
+the churches of this city. This young man, the child
+of many prayers and much solicitude, had, in spite of
+all, led a very intemperate and wayward life, setting
+at nought his father’s counsels, and treating with scorn
+his mother’s prayers. His own confession is, that
+during the temperance work he attended one of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_524">[Pg 524]</span>Sunday services, and, for the first time in his life, went
+with the settled determination to be benefited, the
+Spirit of God met him, and for days he struggled with
+the adversary. Finally, at a public meeting, where
+hundreds were gathered, and among them many of his
+boon companions, he, in response to a call for short
+speeches, said, “My friends, the devil has beaten me
+long enough, and now I am determined to beat him,
+not only on the whiskey question, but, God helping me,
+I mean to beat him on sin of all kinds, and from this
+time forth to live not only a temperate but a Christian
+life.” This was a great surprise to his many friends,
+and for the avowal, light soon broke into his soul, and
+he became a joyful believer. The wires carried the
+happy news to his parents, the mails carried the particulars;
+but the old father and mother wanted to see
+their son, in whom the Lord had wrought this mighty
+work. He visited them, carrying the temperance
+spark with him.</p>
+
+<p>At his suggestion a temperance meeting was called.
+Speakers failed him, but he was not discouraged.
+With the local help he had, he went on with the work,
+speaking himself with the eloquence the love of God
+and the perishing inspired him; and in less than two
+months from the time he became a converted temperance
+man, he had organized a reform club of over six
+hundred members. When he returned home, he left,
+as its president, a man who had been a confirmed
+drunkard for over thirty years. Among the members
+was nearly every drunkard in the town.</p>
+
+<p>Behold how great things the Lord hath done!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_525">[Pg 525]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="HORNELLSVILLE_NEW_YORK">
+ HORNELLSVILLE, NEW YORK
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ransom Sheldon gives the following account
+of the work in this town:</p>
+
+<p>Hornellsville, a railroad town on the Erie Railway,
+with a population of between eight and nine thousand,
+with its five churches, none of them blessed with a
+large membership, with but few pronounced and outspoken
+Christian people, was cursed with eighty-six
+saloons and places where they sold liquor. Prominent
+wealthy business men were none of them temperance
+men. Young men starting in life had few correct
+examples of living placed before them. Society was
+gay, and the wine cup flowed freely, when the Woman’s
+Crusade movement found its way to Hornellsville.
+By obtaining a few names, a meeting was called. Our
+business men were so afraid to be identified, that we
+failed in our first selection of chairman, which was the
+President of our village. Our clergy, to their honor
+be it spoken, stood out pronounced temperance men.
+The women were organized for work, the town canvassed
+for pledges, and all-day meeting was held, in
+which the reports were brought in with rejoicing and
+cheering. Three thousand women, fifteen hundred
+voters, and four hundred minors signed the pledge as
+the result of this effort.</p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Temperance Prayer-Meeting was organized
+and well sustained; public opinion in favor of
+temperance was created; and much good was accomplished.
+Different lecturers were employed, and
+various means adopted to sustain the interest.</p>
+
+<p>When our efforts seemed not to avail, we had recourse
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_526">[Pg 526]</span>to law, and six hundred dollars in fines was
+saved to the county by prosecuting violations of law.
+This plan was followed for one year, a man being hired
+whose business it was to work up cases, present them
+at court, and follow them through.</p>
+
+<p>Last winter we were blessed with a special outpouring
+of the Holy Spirit, and our woman’s meeting felt its
+influence, and we were moved to pray especially that a
+man adapted to temperance work might be sent to us.
+Our railroad men, who went to Salamanca, returned
+with accounts of the wonderful good John R. Clark
+was accomplishing In Salamanca, Bradford, and other
+places. Mr. Clark came to Hornellsville for a four
+days’ meeting. The ladies secured the Opera House.
+The weather was most unfavorable. A large audience,
+however, gathered. When the opportunity was
+given to sign the pledge, a great rush was immediately
+made.</p>
+
+<p>The morning prayer-meetings were continued, and
+many who signed the pledge at night came into the
+meeting in the morning, and were converted. It was
+a glorious time. The whole community were never
+before so stirred. Young men, old men, all classes
+and conditions felt its influence. Temperance principles
+were advocated by men who had always advocated
+and practised intemperance. Some saloons
+were closed, and the liquor business was much crippled.
+Temperance lecturers came to the front from
+among our lawyers and editors, and outside towns
+were visited and canvassed for pledges. The greatest
+evidence of good accomplished was manifest in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_527">[Pg 527]</span>late strike on the Erie Railroad, when for nearly a
+week our town was under martial law, and a drunken
+man was not to be seen, and law and good order
+prevailed to a degree not before realized.</p>
+
+<p>The temperance work in Hornellsville has accomplished
+great results in saving our community from
+many evils, and has blessed many homes. There still
+remaineth, however, much land to be possessed. One
+blessed result of this effort has been the saving of
+Hon. Horace Bemis, an eminent lawyer, who has given
+his fine talents as a lecturer to the cause, and western
+New York and northern Pennsylvania have felt his
+influence as an inspiration.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="UTICA_NEW_YORK">
+ UTICA, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. D. E. Stevens furnishes the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade work in the city of Utica, unobtrusively
+as it has been done, was the origin of our present
+organization and success in the temperance cause.
+Mrs. M. M. Northrop, upon whom this fell most
+heavily, was probably the first to do real Crusade
+work, a woman known for her good deeds among the
+poor. She says when the news first reached her of
+the Ohio Crusade, a strange feeling came over her,
+that caused her to betake herself to prayer—to very
+earnest prayer. The subject was so constantly before
+her mind that she was compelled to speak to all whom
+she met on the subject of temperance. Finding no
+sympathy, she felt alone in the work, and could only
+cry mightily to God for help, who seemed to hold her
+responsible for this great service in her own city.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_528">[Pg 528]</span></p>
+
+<p>After a little, she found a good Christian sister, in
+whose heart there was a response for this work (Mrs.
+T—— by name). Together, she and Mrs. T——
+visited saloon after saloon, urging the saloon-keepers
+to leave off the terrible traffic; singing in each place
+as they went.</p>
+
+<p>In one instance they met, as keeper of a saloon, a
+woman of ill-fame, upon whom the singing had a powerful
+effect. She wept and kept hold of Mrs. Northrop’s
+hands, as though she could not let her go, following
+her to the door with streaming eyes.</p>
+
+<p>In another, God had preceded them, and the saloon-keeper
+owned his dislike for the business; and told
+them of the daughters of church members who came
+there to drink (it being a little out of the city), and
+then went near by to a house of ill-fame. They
+sought them there, but could not find them. This
+saloon-keeper promised and did give up his business,
+and became, not long after, a member of a Christian
+church.</p>
+
+<p>The spirit of indifference that pervaded the hearts
+of Christians on this subject seemed terrible to Mrs.
+Northrop; as she walked the streets, the burden
+grew so heavy upon her she groaned aloud. Meeting
+a Christian sister one day, a lady of wide influence,
+the lady accosted her with, “Well, Mrs. Northrop,
+how does the temperance work go on?” “Poorly,
+Mrs. B——, very poorly. Were all who profess an
+interest in temperance <i>consecrated</i> workers, the work
+would go on, and if some one does not take up this
+cause and help to carry it forward, I believe this burden
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_529">[Pg 529]</span>will crush me.” Mrs. B—— looked up in her face,
+apparently astonished. Said she, “Well, perhaps the
+burden has got to come over on to me.” And it did.
+Through this woman the door was opened to a grand
+temperance rally in this city. Ready hearts were
+found, who met weekly at the cross, until the Spirit
+of the Lord fell upon them likewise. To us the work
+seems but just begun, although we have some 2,000
+signers to the pledge, and over 500 members to the
+club who wear the blue ribbon.</p>
+
+<p>We look to God, believing that his power <i>alone</i> can
+accomplish this work. We are but the willing instruments
+in his hands, to serve or to sit still at his bidding.</p>
+
+<p>One of our most faithful workers in the Crusade,
+Mrs. M. A. Patterson, whose age is sixty-two years, is
+a woman who has suffered greatly from the terrible
+curse of intemperance. Her husband, once in the
+habit of drinking, is now a reformed and Christian
+man. Her two sons, drunkards, one supposed to be
+hopelessly lost, are both of them now members of our
+Reform Club, and thus far faithful to their vows.</p>
+
+<p>Suffering so greatly herself, Mrs. Patterson was
+exercised in an unusual manner, not only for her own
+sons and husband, but for the sons and husbands of
+other mothers and wives. “O,” said she, “how I
+have prayed, and wrestled with God in prayer; night
+after night I have walked the floor, weeping and praying,
+watching for the unsteady footsteps of my boys.
+Yes, and sometimes I have spent whole nights on my
+knees, till the morning shone in upon me, praying that
+God would send some one, or raise up some person
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_530">[Pg 530]</span>or persons who would help to do away with this terrible
+curse. How I have prayed and wrestled for our
+city! I have gone from saloon to saloon, trying to
+persuade them to stop selling this accursed stuff. And
+then again I have shrunk back and thought, I am like
+Jonah fleeing away from the work God had called me
+to do, so I went on again, trying to do my best.</p>
+
+<p>“At one time I went to a saloon, where they had
+drawn in my boys, where they were dealing out death
+to them, and I found the saloon-keeper’s wife standing
+behind the bar dealing out liquor, and I said to
+her: ‘Can you, a mother, deal out death and hell to
+my boys, and the sons of other mothers? Would you
+like it to have me deal out poison to <i>your</i> sons?
+What would you think of <i>me</i>, or any <i>other</i> mother, to
+do that to <i>yours</i>? and yet you are doing it to mine.’</p>
+
+<p>“Said the saloon-woman: ‘Do not talk thus to me.
+Do not talk to me.’</p>
+
+<p>“‘Shall not I, a mother, whose heart is wrung with
+anguish, speak to you? I tell you <i>God</i> will yet speak
+to you, in <i>thunder</i> tones, if you do not desist. I have
+not come to blame, nor to reproach, but to <i>pray</i> you
+to give up selling this accursed rum.’”</p>
+
+<p>And then, with hands clasped to heaven, she
+prayed: “How long, O God, how long, shall we
+mothers pray and weep and lament for our sons?
+How long shall our hearts be wrung with bitter
+anguish? How long shall this terrible curse be <i>forced</i>
+upon us, and we lie powerless before this foe?”</p>
+
+<p>And thus she poured forth her woe in prayer. She
+was driven from the saloon by the woman behind the
+bar.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_531">[Pg 531]</span></p>
+
+<p>She has been so worn with her griefs, that I had
+supposed her to be nearly eighty years of age. Her
+voice sounds like a song of prayer. She would gladly
+go from saloon to saloon, to-day, on her knees, she
+says, if in this wise she could do away with this abominable
+evil that is cursing our city. Her zeal is in nowise
+slackened by the salvation of her husband and
+sons, and her “Glory to God in the highest” is like a
+Te Deum.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ROME_NEW_YORK">
+ ROME, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. R. M. Bingham for the following
+report:</p>
+
+<p>The reports of the wonderful revival of the temperance
+work in the West, a little more than three years
+ago, inspired the friends of the cause in this place to
+hope that something might be done in our city.</p>
+
+<p>About forty ladies responded to the first call for
+workers.</p>
+
+<p>A daily meeting for prayer and counsel was inaugurated.
+These meetings have been characterized by
+earnest and prayerful enthusiasm, prompted by a genuine
+dependence on God, and faith in His promises.
+The efforts made to stay the tide of intemperance, or
+to interpose any obstacle to its progress, revealed the
+great power of the foe with which we had to cope, and
+the strength of its intrenchments. It could count
+among its allies Christian men not a few, and its supporters
+were to be found in the temples of law and justice.
+So potent was its influence that all branches of
+trade and business were more or less bound by its fetters.
+In our helplessness we cried to God, and our
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_532">[Pg 532]</span>hearts went out in greater love for the guilty as well
+as the suffering ones.</p>
+
+<p>Frequent mass-meetings were held in the churches
+and other public places.</p>
+
+<p>The city was canvassed, and over a thousand women
+gave their names, pledging themselves to do what they
+could to promote the cause of temperance, and we
+think the moral power cannot be estimated, of this
+large number of women, each acting conscientiously in
+her own family and sphere of influence. A committee
+of ladies was appointed to ask the gentlemen of the
+Board of Excise to grant no licenses; and if we did
+fail to see our hearts’ desire accomplished, we are glad
+those prayers and tearful appeals stand as our protest
+against the monster evil.</p>
+
+<p>Much faithful labor has been done in circulating the
+pledge, and many have been induced to sign it, and
+have been rescued from a drunkard’s disgrace and a
+drunkard’s grave.</p>
+
+<p>One only we will mention—Joseph Higgins, the
+blacksmith: a most wonderful example of the power
+of God, in removing all appetite for intoxicants, after
+their use for many years. He is doing much for the
+salvation of others. We can but exclaim, “What hath
+God wrought!”</p>
+
+<p>In 1876, the temperance ladies made a centennial
+offering to the city, of four drinking-fountains, valued
+at $450.</p>
+
+<p>Children’s meetings have been held, and a large
+number have signed the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>We see indications of the improvement, and strengthening
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_533">[Pg 533]</span>of the temperance sentiment of the city. We
+believe the so-called “<i>respectability</i>” of liquor-selling
+has diminished—that fewer persons offer wine on New
+Year’s day, and other special occasions, than formerly.
+A number of suffering wives of drunkards have recovered
+damages from the liquor-seller under the civil
+damage act. And not the least of the good results of
+our work is the increase of Christian fellowship in the
+different churches of our city.</p>
+
+<p>The hearts of the workers have been united, and we
+have not thought of denominational differences in our
+work of love. And, although but a small part of what
+we had hoped has been accomplished, we do not feel
+discouraged or inclined to cease our efforts in this
+great work. “In God we trust,” and with Him <i>for</i> us,
+<i>who</i> can be against us?</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_YORK_CITY">
+ NEW YORK CITY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. Helen E. Brown, for the
+following able report of the work in this city:</p>
+
+<p>From the first blast of the trumpet borne to our
+ears across the Alleghenies, calling the daughters of
+Zion to the holy war, there were found hearts in New
+York city thrilling with sympathy, and eager to enter
+the work. How it was to be done, what shape it
+would take in the metropolis, could not at first be seen;
+but devoted Christian women gave themselves to the
+Lord with a solemn consecration, promising to do
+whatever he should direct. He would surely make the
+way plain, and though they could see but one step at
+a time, that one step they decided to take just as soon
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_534">[Pg 534]</span>as it was made visible. The first thing naturally was
+to assemble for prayer.</p>
+
+<p>In the month of March, 1874, one of our sisters was
+on her way to a prayer-meeting, and waited at the
+corner of the street for a car. The corner store was
+a liquor-saloon, and as she stood there, she thought
+of the many, many similar places in the city where the
+deadly poison was dealt out to her fellow-creatures,
+and her heart went up in prayer that God would seal
+up these fountains of iniquity. Just then the proprietor
+of the store appeared, and seeing the woman’s
+thoughtful attitude, he said to her, “Are you one of
+the temperance crusaders?” He had evidently been
+reading the exciting reports with which the daily papers
+were filled. The question seemed to her of the Lord,
+and she instantly replied, “I am.” “Won’t you come
+in, then? you’re welcome,” said he. The sister, feeling
+that it was not wise to make the visit alone, replied,
+“I am on an errand now to another part of the city;
+when I return, I will call.” She went to the meeting,
+which was one of a series of holiness meetings then in
+progress in the Seventeenth Street M. E. Church,
+Rev. Mr. Boole’s, and there related the circumstance,
+and begged that some one would give herself to the
+Lord for this service, and accompany her on this visit.
+Two ladies volunteered, and they went out, followed
+by the earnest prayers of the assembly. The Lord
+went with them. They were greatly blessed in their
+visit, and there is reason to believe that great good in
+several ways followed. Thus the work was inaugurated
+in the city.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_535">[Pg 535]</span></p>
+
+<p>A praying band was at once formed in that church,
+and, simultaneously, in different sections of the city,
+and saloon work was undertaken in earnest. This was
+done quietly, the sisters going in twos and threes,
+always presenting the gospel message, praying and
+singing whenever permission could be obtained, and
+leaving tracts, papers and printed invitations to prayer-meetings.
+Many hundreds of saloons were thus visited,
+and incidents of the most interesting character occurred.
+Saloons were shut up, and rum-sellers converted, who
+stand now in the church of Christ, monuments of his
+saving power.</p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was
+organized in April. It was brought about by the
+clerical committee formed by the National Temperance
+Society to consider the general subject, and was
+intended to bring together the working element of
+all the churches. There was not, however, a very
+prompt response to this call. One and another began
+to make excuse, and the result was that we had at no
+time more than thirty active members, and as we began
+operations at the very close of the working season,
+our numbers were soon greatly reduced. A daily
+prayer-meeting was sustained, however, through the
+entire season, and was always as a well in the valley
+of Baca. The Lord never failed to refresh our souls,
+and our love for one another, our faith in God, and our
+devotion to the cause steadily increased.</p>
+
+<p>At the first a committee was appointed to visit the
+clergymen of the city, and ascertain to what extent we
+might expect their co-operation. Here unexpected
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_536">[Pg 536]</span>disappointment met us. We found every denomination
+more or less apathetic, the ministry indifferent or faithless,
+and in the membership a deplorable lack of principle.
+It was a sad revelation, but it taught us this lesson,
+that temperance work was needed in the church as
+well as out of it. How should it be done? To the
+Lord we went in our trouble.</p>
+
+<p>A series of Sunday evening meetings was commenced
+in the churches, wherever admission could be
+obtained. There were some noble champions of the
+cause, who were always ready to open their doors, and
+to aid us to their utmost ability. They encouraged
+and counselled. It was thought best from the first
+that the women should plead their own cause, and
+with the Lord’s help they were enabled to do it.
+Though unaccustomed to service of this kind, it was
+undertaken in obedience to the Divine call, and the
+effort was greatly blessed.</p>
+
+<p>Another committee was appointed to visit the Excise
+Board. This interview gave us a still clearer
+insight into the vastness of the work upon which we
+had entered. We were advised to a double course
+of duty: on the one side to exert ourselves to create
+a public opinion in favor of temperance; and on the
+other, to take immediate measures to prosecute the
+liquor-dealers for violation of the license and Sabbath
+laws. But, after prayerful consideration, we decided
+to waive the legal work and go forward on the gospel
+principles of “love, persuasion and prayer.” We
+hoped much from our public meetings, believing that
+our Christian brothers would be aroused to participate
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_537">[Pg 537]</span>in the work, and to do that which was beyond
+our reach. But our surest hope was in the power of
+prayer. “Ask, believe, receive,” was our motto.
+Like the stripling David of old, we went forth in the
+name of the Lord of hosts to meet the giant.</p>
+
+<p>When the city churches were closed for the summer,
+and the congregations were dispersed, we asked the
+Lord what he would have us do; and the way was
+opened in a remarkable manner, for work among
+inebriates. This was prosecuted with untiring ardor,
+by the few workers left behind in the city. The
+prisons, hospitals, and charitable institutions of the
+city, which were mainly filled with the victims of the
+cup, were visited, and the gospel of God’s free grace
+presented. Industrial and mission schools too were
+instructed often, and thoroughly in the truths of temperance
+and salvation. Much faithful effort was put
+forth, and with good results. Souls were saved; but,
+perhaps, better than all the workers were themselves
+enriched with an experience which proved invaluable
+in their after labors.</p>
+
+<p>During the summer of 1874, our first gospel temperance
+meeting was established, in one of the most
+desperately wicked localities of the city; and from its
+beginning, we had the most wonderful manifestations
+of God’s power to save. We were surrounded by
+dance-houses of the worst description, and wedged
+in between two of the vilest dens of the city. We
+followed prayer with work; and public meetings were
+held, statedly, on Sunday evening, with weekly visitations
+in this godless section of the city. It was with
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_538">[Pg 538]</span>fear and trembling, but with earnest prayer and simple
+trust, we entered these wretched bucket-shops, where
+men and women were crowded together in every stage
+of beastly intoxication.</p>
+
+<p>On one occasion, three of us went together to a
+corner shop of the most notorious character. About
+twenty women were huddled together in one corner;
+vile, disfigured, clad in filthy rags, and presenting an
+appearance to melt the hardest heart. To think that
+woman could fall so low—so low! Could such as
+these be saved? But they were silent and respectful,
+with the exception of one brawler, who was soon
+shamed by the bar-tender’s reproachful thrust: “If the
+like of these ladies come to see yez, ye can, at least,
+hear what they have to say to yez.” “There’s worse
+than we here,” they said; after a few words had been
+spoken to one and another, and opening a door they
+pointed the way into a small, dark, inner room, the
+air stifling and fetid with liquor. One poor drunken
+wretch stood in the centre of this apartment, and on
+the floor and settees around it were twelve others,
+sleeping the heavy sleep of a drunkard. We were
+almost overcome by the appalling sight; but in a
+moment, as if it were the rally of our faith, we raised
+the beautiful hymn</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“God loved the world of sinners lost</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">And ruined by the fall;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Salvation full at highest cost,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">He offers free to all.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Oh, ’twas love, ’twas wondrous love,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">The love of God to me;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">It brought my Saviour from above,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">To die on Calvary.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_539">[Pg 539]</span></p>
+
+<p>We had not sung two lines before every head, one
+after another, had come up with a wondering expression;
+then the big tears began to fall, and by the time
+we had finished the strain, the sobs and groans were
+pitiful to hear. Then we prayed for that uttermost
+salvation of Jesus, that His mighty love might rescue
+some of these poor fallen ones from the jaws of hell.
+As we went outside they followed us with staggering
+steps, and one poor marred, wretched woman drew
+near, and asked, with trembling lips, “Won’t you sing
+‘Whiter than snow?’” Those words, seemingly so
+incongruous in that dark place, never seemed so
+precious, as we sang them with our hearts resting on
+the promise, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they
+shall be white as snow.”</p>
+
+<p>Several girls followed us that day to homes of safety,
+which we were able to provide for them in institutions
+and refuges in the city. One of them, at least, was
+saved. We heard her afterwards give her simple, triumphant
+testimony to the power of Jesus, to which
+she added: “Oh, how I wish I had a voice to reach from
+here to Water street, that I might tell every poor girl
+there that Jesus can save her, too, and wash her whiter
+than snow in His precious blood.”</p>
+
+<p>In the fall the campaign opened vigorously. Gospel
+meetings in the churches and in the slums, in the
+city and the towns outside, were diligently held. Interest
+seemed rising, and efforts were put forth in
+various parts of the city to put down the traffic and
+lift up the drunkard by the power of the gospel. The
+daily prayer-meeting was still sustained, and at our
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_540">[Pg 540]</span>first annual meeting we had only to recount the
+mercies of the Lord.</p>
+
+<p>The second summer was a marked one in the history
+of our work in Water street. The vile rum-shop
+on one side of the Mission House had been closed in
+answer to prayer, and so effectually that the owner of
+the property could never re-let it. He determined to
+pull down the old building, and replace it with a substantial
+warehouse. In the meantime, the chapel was
+rendered untenantable, but the meetings must not be
+relinquished. They sought and obtained permission
+to hold them, for the time being, in the dance-house on
+the other side; and there for four months held the fort
+in Jesus’ name, and by His grace, with courage and
+success.</p>
+
+<p>In one of the meetings a young woman of modest
+appearance, and neatly attired, rose and said: “I have
+come here to-night to ask the privilege of signing your
+temperance pledge, and to tell you how much good
+you have done me. I was living not far from here, in
+one of the worst houses, and the first night you opened
+I was passing by, and came in, as I had many a time
+before, for a drink. I found the bar closed, and this
+dance-hall lighted for a meeting. The singing sounded
+so sweet I slipped in and sat down on a back seat.
+The words you spoke made me cry. When you asked
+those who wanted to be saved to stand up for prayer,
+I longed to get up, but I couldn’t. But I made up my
+mind then that I would lead a better life, and that I
+never, never would go back to that wicked home again.
+But I had no place to go to, and what could I do? I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_541">[Pg 541]</span>walked the streets for hours, and at last asked a policeman
+to send me to the station-house, and he did.
+There, in my cell, I kneeled down and cried to the
+Lord, and gave Him my heart. The next day I went
+out to find a place for honest labor, and the Lord sent
+me to a good Christian woman, and I am living with
+her now. I mean, with God’s help, to serve Him all
+the rest of my days.”</p>
+
+<p>On that same memorable first evening a young man
+staggered into the rum-shop for a drink, was persuaded
+to enter the meeting, where he took a draught
+of the water of life and was saved. His father and
+brother, both addicted to intemperance, subsequently
+came to the meetings, and were converted. All three
+are now standing on the rock Christ, and are laboring
+earnestly in a temperance revival in another city. Incidents
+like these, showing the wonders of God’s
+mighty love, could be greatly multiplied.</p>
+
+<p>The next year’s labor of the Union presented some
+new features. It was during this year that the hippodrome
+was opened for the evangelistic work of Moody
+and Sankey in New York. Prior to their coming we
+had sent forward a request that one day in each week
+might be devoted to temperance. The request was
+favorably considered, and Friday was set apart as
+temperance day. The members of the Union were
+diligent in their co-operation in this gospel work, some
+of them devoting their entire time to it. They worked
+in the inquiry rooms, visited from house to house, and
+did their part to sustain the woman’s meetings, which
+were thronged and of thrilling power.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_542">[Pg 542]</span></p>
+
+<p>During this year also very successful outside labor
+was accomplished, members of the Union going out to
+other towns, and holding a series of private and public
+meetings, through one or two days; organizing the
+work and stimulating their sisters. These occasions
+were attended with a rich blessing from on high.</p>
+
+<p>The juvenile work also occupied the attention of
+some of our most earnest workers. This has been well
+begun, especially among the class of children gathered
+into the industrial and mission schools of the city.
+Our hope is in the children, and, as far as we have
+gone, we find there is no more effectual method of
+reaching the homes of the drinking classes than
+through the little ones.</p>
+
+<p>In the fall of 1875 a coffee-house was projected,
+and engrossed the Union during the following year.
+It did not, however, prove a success as a business
+enterprise. It drained our financial resources, failed
+to reach the class for whom it was designed, consumed
+in secular interests the time and energies of the
+workers, and thus unavoidably diverted them, in a
+great measure, from the spiritual work to which they
+had been devoted. The struggle was continued
+through a period of fifteen months, and then was
+given up.</p>
+
+<p>The gospel meetings held at the coffee-house, however,
+accomplished much good. Many souls were
+hopefully reclaimed from the depths of intemperance,
+by the grace of God, some of whom have labored
+publicly and diligently in the service of God.</p>
+
+<p>As we look around from our present standpoint,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_543">[Pg 543]</span>we are assured that the Lord has set his seal of approval
+upon the labors and influence of the Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union. We see the increased
+attention given to this subject, the rising of public sentiment,
+the efforts, though spasmodic and almost farcical,
+to put down the traffic, the more positive espousal of the
+cause by ministers and churches, the establishment of
+gospel temperance meetings on every hand, in the
+openness of the people to the truth, and the increased
+demand for Christian temperance laborers. All this
+we recognize as answer to prayer, and a pleasant foretaste
+of what the Lord is ready to do for us.</p>
+
+<p>“It is useless for the women to do anything here:
+New York is a walled city,” said a liquor-dealer to
+one of our visitors, in the early days of the Crusade.
+And, indeed, we have proved it so; its walls are thick
+and high, and to all human force impregnable. First in
+the intrenchments are the drunkards, men and women,
+standing shoulder to shoulder, not very erect and firm,
+it is true, but, supported and filled in by the moderate
+drinkers next behind them, every one is a brick well
+laid. Then come the domestic and social users and
+offerers of beer and wine, next the traffickers, then the
+property-holders with their wealth and greed, and
+last, but not least, since they afford strength, finish,
+and adornment to the defences, stands the Church in
+its cold indifference. What a strong wall is this! No
+wonder our opponents feel secure behind it; no wonder
+human sight discerns no way to overthrow it.</p>
+
+<p>But the Lord of hosts is with us; the Lord strong
+and mighty, and, even in New York, we are not disheartened.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_544">[Pg 544]</span>The multitude on the side of wrong is
+immense, but chased by the army of God’s resurrected
+ones, must and will flee. The weapons of our warfare
+are not carnal but spiritual, and, for that very reason,
+will be invincible.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BROOKLYN_NEW_YORK">
+ BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, President
+of the Brooklyn Union, for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>In the month of January, 1874, Mrs. Caroline E.
+Ladd, who was chosen to lead a Union Bible Class,
+which met weekly in the Friends’ Church, was so
+strongly convinced that the time had now come for the
+inauguration of a woman’s temperance prayer movement
+in this city, that she said she could not consent
+again to conduct the exercises of the class unless a
+half-hour should be spent in prayer to God for the
+success of the temperance cause, now given by Divine
+commission to Christian women. Her wishes were
+acceded to, and as far as is known, this was the beginning
+of the Prayer movement in this city.</p>
+
+<p>About this time an invitation was given in the Bible
+class, by Mrs. Mary A. Wilder, to an afternoon prayer-meeting.
+Most of the members accepted. There
+came a bestowal of power in answer to prayer in
+larger measure than they had ever realized. At times
+the Spirit’s manifestations seemed almost to break
+their hearts, and found vent in tears; again they were
+exultant with the glad tidings of deliverance.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Hamilton was deeply impressed with this passage
+of Scripture; “Ye shall not need to fight.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_545">[Pg 545]</span></p>
+
+<p>On the 30th of January, an all-day prayer-meeting
+was held in the “church on the heights,” by the ladies’
+union prayer-meeting, which was brought into existence
+by a mother in Israel, Mrs. S. A. Merrill, who
+became one of the most faithful supporters of the
+work, and who was beloved by all who knew her.
+The meeting was one of spiritual power. The chrism
+of the Spirit fell upon many, who afterwards became
+workers. The voice said: “Cry,” and souls replied:
+“What shall I cry?” It was like children stretching
+out their hands for a blessing, not knowing what they
+wanted.</p>
+
+<p>During the month of February, 1874, renewed activities
+began in an old temperance society, of which
+a number of the ladies were members. In one of
+these meetings, held March 13th, as time was being
+consumed in passing resolutions, etc., Mrs. Ladd arose
+and expressed the wish of most of the ladies present,
+to organize a union for the purpose of prayer. Nearly
+all the ladies retired to an upper room. A glorious
+prayer-meeting followed. The presence of the Spirit
+was manifested. The two hours spent together proved
+to be a pentecostal season, and faith claimed the
+promise, when Miss Hamilton voluntarily read from 2
+Chron. xx. 15, 16, 17: “Be not afraid, or dismayed by
+reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not
+yours, but God’s.... Ye need not to fight in
+this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the
+salvation of the Lord with you. Fear not, nor be
+dismayed; to-morrow go ye out against them, for the
+Lord will be with you.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_546">[Pg 546]</span></p>
+
+<p>The next day Mrs. Mary C. Johnson and Mrs. Conkling
+called upon the officers of the Y. M. C. A., who
+placed their handsome rooms at the disposal of the
+ladies, and they have held their daily meetings there,
+through all these months and years. On Monday, March
+16th, 1874, the first meeting of the Christian Temperance
+Union was held; hundreds of earnest men and women
+attended, and Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, who was chosen
+the leader, presented the seven “Fear Nots” of Isaiah,
+41, 43, 44, which became the watchword of the society.</p>
+
+<p>From this little beginning, smaller, indeed, than a
+mustard seed, has sprung a goodly tree, under whose
+shadow many weary and tempted ones have found
+rest. At the daily meetings requests for prayer were
+presented; some of them coming by letter long distances;
+and as the work has gone on, this prayer-circle
+has extended to the uttermost parts of the
+world. Requests coming even from Australia, where
+the influence of this meeting has been felt, and led to
+the formation of two temperance prayer-meetings.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the most touching request for prayer received
+was from a mother, beseeching prayer for nine
+sons, all intemperate.</p>
+
+<p>During the first week of the meeting, the following
+remarkable message, telegraphed to the New York
+Chamber of Commerce, was read by a gentleman
+present:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+ “<span class="smcap">Cincinnati, 12.25 P. M.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p>“Provisions stronger—unchanged. The women
+Crusaders are singing and praying so loudly and
+earnestly in the saloon next to the Chamber of Commerce,
+that business is quite demoralized at this hour.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_547">[Pg 547]</span></p>
+
+<p>This despatch created great enthusiasm. In response
+to a call for workers, large numbers volunteered
+to go forth to the druggists, licensed grocers,
+and saloon-keepers. A prominent saloon-keeper sent
+an invitation for the ladies to visit him, and hold a
+Sabbath evening prayer-meeting at his saloon. The
+invitation was accepted, and twelve ladies were appointed
+to attend the meeting. Promptly at seven
+o’clock the ladies were at Mr. Myers’ saloon. Fully
+three thousand men gathered into the saloon, and
+about the doors, and in the street, to see and hear the
+ladies, whose zeal and courage had prompted them to
+such singular service in the cause of temperance. The
+gathering was composed almost exclusively of young
+men. Mrs. Chace, who had a singularly rich and
+attractive voice, sung,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“There is a gate that stands ajar.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">Prayers and hymns followed, and the Word was read
+to an attentive audience; and yet there were those in
+that motley throng who came to jest. A spirit of
+solemnity pervaded the meeting; numbers signed the
+pledge; and God graciously set his seal of approval
+upon the effort. Thirteen conversions resulted, and
+the liquor-dealer in a few days voluntarily placed the
+keys of his saloon in the hands of the ladies, and it was
+afterwards opened as a temperance restaurant.</p>
+
+<p>Sabbath evening saloon meetings followed, and from
+this time the call of God to the Union to visit the
+saloons, was gladly acknowledged; and it has indeed
+been the one secret of the deeply spiritual character
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_548">[Pg 548]</span>of the work, and of the harvest of souls which has
+resulted.</p>
+
+<p>During the first month, the number of young men
+attending the three o’clock meeting became so large
+that Mrs. F. E. Thomas and Miss Annie J. Ludlow
+were led to invite them to a meeting for personal
+conversation and prayer. This led to a second daily
+prayer-meeting, from five to six o’clock, which is still
+continued. The room was filled nightly with the
+same changing class, from the jails and saloons, the
+gutter and the homes of wealth, all bitten by this
+serpent of sin, intemperance; and not a few have been
+led to look at the crucified One and live.</p>
+
+<p>During the year 1875, 1,325 arose for prayers.
+Among the number of thrilling histories, but one can
+be given: A man under the influence of liquor found
+his way into the room, and slept until evening on one
+of the settees. At the opening of the meeting, he left
+the room, but reappeared at the close, and in a voice
+husky with emotion, said, “I have not gone; something
+has held me. I have been behind the door, and
+have heard all that has been said. Oh, if there is any
+hope, pray for me.” A few gathered around him in
+prayer. His sad story was this: The son and grandson
+of a clergyman, a graduate of a theological seminary,
+he had given up his studies because of failing
+health, entered business, taken the first social glass,
+which in time resulted in his becoming a helpless
+victim, and a living sorrow to his wife and four little
+ones. The pledge was offered, and with trembling
+hand he signed it for three months only, and left us.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_549">[Pg 549]</span>At the expiration of that time the pledge was returned,
+and on it these words, “By God’s help I have kept this
+pledge, and now renew it for all eternity. I have also
+found Christ as my Saviour.”</p>
+
+<p>The jails were visited; meetings held on shipboard,
+in private houses, Naval Chapel, Naval Hospital,
+the Inebriate Asylum, the Penitentiary, and Sabbath
+meetings at Fort Hamilton. Miss Beatty also held
+a meeting at her residence, and Mrs. Chace, for young
+men; and the wife of a city alderman was led by a
+remarkable providence into a blessed work among a
+reckless class of young men.</p>
+
+<p>The President of the Union, accompanied by a lady
+of each of the denominations, visited and addressed the
+New York East Conference, Ministerial Union, and
+the Baptist Union of Ministers. She also, accompanied
+by Mrs. Alderman Richardson, visited the Roman
+Catholic Bishop Laughlin, who gave them respectful
+hearing, and made special inquiries as to the number
+of children they found in the saloons. They were
+cordially received by all, and earnest, favorable responses
+given.</p>
+
+<p>When the Brooklyn Union was organized, only a
+few churches could be found, whose doors were open
+to Christian women who came in the interests of gospel
+temperance, but now the majority of Protestant
+churches are open to them. The temperance sentiment
+among church-going people has been greatly
+increased, and as an outgrowth of the Union, a Temperance
+Brotherhood has been formed, which has done
+a glorious work on the legal line. A flourishing juvenile
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_550">[Pg 550]</span>society has been organized, and well sustained.
+A restaurant and friendly inn was opened in the first
+saloon that surrendered, and has formed an important
+part of the work.</p>
+
+<p>For the means to carry forward their great work,
+they have looked to Him in whose hands is the silver
+and the gold, and during these years they have received
+and expended $7,739.24.</p>
+
+<p>The receipts and disbursements of the temperance
+restaurants one year was $13,021.69, and 5,000 free
+meals and lodgings given.</p>
+
+<p>A Reform Club has been organized, and those who
+remained in Brooklyn gathered into churches, but many
+of the men, especially the sailors and officers of vessels,
+have gone to other lands. Most encouraging letters
+have been received from the Pacific coast, from Yokohama,
+Japan, and other distant points.</p>
+
+<p>The untiring and successful labors in the legal work
+of Captain Oliver Cotter, a converted saloon-keeper,
+who gave up his business, and has been laboring for
+the Master, has resulted in great good. He was one
+of their first trophies, and has greatly helped on the
+work. When the Union was organized, March, 1874,
+there were 3,110 saloons in this city, and their doors
+were open on the Sabbath day, bidding defiance to the
+Sunday closing law as well as to the sacred day. An
+official statement, published after three months of prayer
+and labor, showed that 180 of these had been closed—twenty-one
+being closed through their direct influence
+in three weeks. At the expiration of three
+years, <i>one-half of the saloons were closed</i>, and there
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_551">[Pg 551]</span>was no open selling on the Sabbath day. The arrests
+for drunkenness in 1875 were 6,810 less than during
+the year 1874.</p>
+
+<p>It is a matter of special thanksgiving to God that
+every saloon, without exception, in which the ladies
+held saloon prayer-meetings, is closed, and the buildings
+devoted to other purposes. Many property-holders now
+refuse to rent their buildings for such uses. A liquor-dealer
+recently said: “The trade will never revive until
+these crazy women cease their persecutions.”</p>
+
+<p>The work cannot be put into numerical figures. An
+army of voices has joined in the great song of redemption;
+broken homes have been restored; the morning
+of joy has come to many a night-weeping mother;
+women have had their dead raised; and the laborers
+themselves have seen higher and deeper into the
+wonders of a wonder-working God. Friends are
+numerous; pastors and churches are now allies; public
+sentiment gaining; saloons and institutions open for
+work; the enemy trembling; and above all, the hand
+of God is visible in the battle.</p>
+
+<p>The death-angel has come to one of our most gifted
+and earnest workers, Mrs. Hannah E. Chace. One who
+sat beside her in her last hours writes, “she hoped till
+the very last that she might be allowed to work again
+for the Master. Her soul was filled with love: ‘I
+love you all—<i>everybody</i>;’ she said. After a season of
+prayer, in which we had earnestly plead with God to
+prolong her life, she looked earnestly into my face,
+saying: ‘What does He say?’ I answered, ‘Forever
+with the Lord.’ With a sweet smile she responded:
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_552">[Pg 552]</span>‘Thy will be done.’ In giving directions for her funeral,
+she asked that ‘Forever with the Lord’ might be sung.”</p>
+
+<p>The officers and earnest workers of this Union were:
+Mrs. Mary C. Johnson; Mrs. Caroline E. Ladd; Mrs.
+Mary E. Hartt; Miss Albina Hamilton; Mrs. J. Bowman;
+Mrs. S. A. Merrill; Mrs. L. D. Oakley; Mrs.
+R. L. Wycoff; Mrs. E. Squires; Mrs. H. B. Spellman;
+Mrs. K. E. Cleveland; Mrs. Bayless; Mrs. E. L. Conklin;
+Mrs. Wilder; Mrs. Watson; Mrs. Field; Mrs.
+Thomas; Miss Ludlow; Mrs. Duncklee; Mrs. Allen;
+Mrs. Blakely; Mrs. Annie S. Hawkes (author of “I
+need Thee every hour”); Miss Lizzie Green; Mrs.
+Marinor; Mrs. Harmon; Mrs. Stout; Mrs. Philip Phillips;
+Mrs. Holman; Mrs. Crocker; Mrs. Tremaine;
+Mrs. Reynolds; Mrs. Goodrich; Mrs. Richardson; Mrs.
+Thorn; Mrs. Acker; Mrs. Dr. Bond; Mrs. Swanson;
+Mrs. Bartlett; Mrs. Alford; Mrs. Griffing; Mrs. Higley;
+Mrs. Tate; Mrs. Hemmenway; Mrs. Hutchins;
+Mrs. Ressique; Mrs. Dickinson; Mrs. Trask; Mrs.
+Langford Palmer; Mrs. Tilney; Miss M. E. Winslow;
+Miss Meacham; Miss Meserole; Miss Greenwood;
+Miss Slack; Mrs. Eyer; Mrs. C. F. Ketchum; Mrs.
+H. B. Jackson; Mrs. T. W. Ladd.</p>
+
+<p>In the year 1876, Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, the efficient
+and talented President of the Brooklyn Union, visited
+Great Britain and Ireland, and spent six months in successful
+work in drawing-room and public meetings.
+Her efforts to help forward the cause of gospel temperance
+were richly blest. She addressed during her
+absence 121 audiences, and conducted forty-one prayer-meetings.
+Her work was chiefly among the upper
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_553">[Pg 553]</span>classes, and her drawing-room and lawn meetings were
+attended largely by the nobility. Mrs. Johnson, who
+is a cultured Christian lady, was received everywhere
+with great attention, and the American women have
+reason to be proud of her record abroad, and the
+National Union that one of her officers so ably represented
+her in the higher circles of Great Britain.</p>
+
+<p>By special request of the writer of these pages, Captain
+Oliver Cotter has written out the following history
+of his conversion, and his legal work:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="center">
+CAPTAIN OLIVER COTTER’S CONVERSION AND WORK.
+</p>
+
+<p>On Thursday afternoon, April 12th, 1874, Mrs. A.
+Wilder and Mrs. Richardson, of the Ladies’ Union,
+first called on me, and found me in my saloon, behind
+the bar. The barkeeper and several gentlemen were
+present. I was in the act of drinking liquor with the
+gentlemen present. These two agents of Christ inquired
+for the proprietor. I responded. They said:
+“My <i>brother</i>, we have called on you to inquire and to
+talk to you about your soul’s salvation, and about this
+business <i>you are in</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>I immediately quit my company, and invited them
+into the reading-room attached to the saloon, and entered
+into conversation relative to my business. It
+was then a <i>novel</i> and rare thing to hear and see two
+such fine, respectable, highly-cultured ladies, strangers
+then to me, take such a deep interest in me, and particularly
+in my soul’s salvation, that word my <i>brother</i>
+still coming from their lips every time they addressed
+me. For over an hour they remained in that reading-room,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_554">[Pg 554]</span>and before leaving both of them knelt in prayer.
+I felt then, for the first time, that I was a sinner, and
+needed God’s forgiveness, and that I was in a bad business,
+and that for seven years I had been making drunkards
+by law, and was blind to the sin and iniquity I was
+every day heaping on my soul: for I was running
+<i>five different saloons</i>, four in Brooklyn, and one in New
+York; was the Secretary of King’s County (Brooklyn)
+Liquor-Dealers’ Society—2,500 strong, with $10,000
+in our treasury, to work for the devil. Was
+chairman of the executive committee, and stood high
+among my friends in the trade. For six years I worked
+faithfully for Satan, as the secretary. On Friday, the
+13th, two other ladies called on me, same saloon, 358
+Fulton street, Brooklyn, and again pleaded with me by
+exhortation and in prayer. Same, on 14th, Saturday.
+It was then I broke down, and gave my consent for a
+saloon prayer-meeting, next evening, Sunday, April
+15th, 1874, which commenced in the reading-room
+of the saloon, seven and a half <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, and ended at
+eleven o’clock, nine of my customers and myself being
+present. Ten Christian women marched in, two by
+two, as the disciples of old went out, and commenced
+the services with the hymn, “Nearer, my God, to Thee.”
+We all signed the pledge, relying on God to help us
+keep it. The whole of us were soundly converted,
+and all of us are to-day living evidence of God’s
+goodness. Not one of us has fallen, but have grown
+in grace. So you see that each Christian woman had
+a trophy: ten came, and ten were converted, the liquor-dealer
+and his customers. All are working for the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_555">[Pg 555]</span>Master. It was a powerful meeting; the Holy Spirit
+was there in great power. The saloon was closed,
+never again to be opened. Not sold out; no, no.
+That would be compromising with God. I never could
+do that. I destroyed all the liquors I had, and counted
+my redemption good pay for the loss of the filthy stuff.
+And I now thank God for a Union of Christian women
+in Brooklyn, through whose instrumentality I was
+saved and cleansed in the blood of the Lamb—clothed,
+and in my right mind.</p>
+
+<p>Persecutions then awaited me from all sides—friends
+and foes. The devil commenced; the society, of which
+I was an honored officer for six years, commenced;
+the wholesale and retail liquor-dealers commenced;
+my house, that cost me $9,000, I lost; large amounts
+were offered, my house to be given me back, if I would
+resume the business again, but I would not give in;
+my brother turned against me, and said I ought to go
+to the poor-house. My time won’t here permit me to
+go into detail of what I suffered. God’s grace was
+sufficient to keep me through it all. I put my hand to
+the plough—He kept me from looking back. Glory
+be to His holy name!</p>
+
+<p>Being left almost penniless, and not willing to take
+anything from any one, only what I could earn by the
+sweat of my brow, I set out for New York city, relying
+on God and trusting Him. I found an humble
+situation in a mercantile house. When asked for my
+reference I told the merchant (who I found afterwards
+was a Christian man) that he must take me just as I
+was, gave my history, etc.; he took me by the hand
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_556">[Pg 556]</span>and engaged me. I was six months in his employ,
+when I was called through him and others who are
+now with me, all members of the same church (Dr.
+Budington’s), into the legal work, the history of which
+would fill several volumes. At this time I cannot go
+into a full detail of the work which God has done
+through me, in Brooklyn and elsewhere. Suffice it
+for me to say, when I commenced the work here, in
+1874, we had 3,110 saloons, now we have less than
+1,500, still getting less; the Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union has helped also.</p>
+
+<p>I have been in the States of Connecticut, New
+York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District
+of Columbia; also in over 150 cities, and villages, and
+towns in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey;
+and have inaugurated the legal work and addressed
+meetings, besides a large amount of correspondence—all
+this in the past three years.</p>
+
+<p>I was President of a Reform Club for two years;
+have organized Reform Clubs on the gospel plan in
+other places, all of which has been for the honor and
+glory of God. I never had a day’s sickness; never
+was better in my life, spiritually and temporally. The
+Lord provides and gives me more than I ask for. My
+faith is in my Redeemer; His grace has kept me. I
+rely not on man, but on God’s precious promises. I
+believe them all; I trust God for everything. The
+legal work and the gospel work go together. God has
+blessed me abundantly in the work; and I know he
+has called me into this kind of work. I would have
+been murdered long since if the work had been of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_557">[Pg 557]</span>myself; therefore, I know it is His work. How sweet the
+knowledge I have derived from the many hair-breadth
+escapes I have had from the cursed liquor traffic,
+and the enemy of Christ and His work, who oftentimes
+assailed me. Divine Providence protected me; therefore,
+I always go out in His name, and for Him, and
+Him only, so that He should get all the honor and
+glory.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+
+<h3 id="BINGHAMPTON_NEW_YORK">
+ BINGHAMPTON, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I gather the following facts from the report of Mrs.
+H. Morris, Secretary:</p>
+
+<p>Our Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was
+organized in the spring of 1874. The first meetings
+for prayer and consultation were fully attended, and
+with it praise went up to God for His blessing on the
+Temperance Crusade. We felt that God was present
+by His Spirit, inditing our prayers and efforts. Our
+inquiry was, “Lord, what wilt Thou have us to do?”</p>
+
+<p>A special day of fasting and prayer was observed.
+Our sisters met together in one place; and every hour
+had its separate leader through the day. A large
+number present pledged themselves before God to a
+life-work in the temperance cause. This spirit has
+animated our Union ever since.</p>
+
+<p>The first year of our work the drug stores, saloons,
+and other places were visited, and urgent appeals
+were made, to induce the occupants to desist from
+selling intoxicating liquors as a beverage. The druggists
+uniformly denied that they sold the article except
+for mechanical and medicinal purposes, and were
+all ready to sign the pledge.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_558">[Pg 558]</span></p>
+
+<p>A committee from our Union have visited the Board
+of Excise several times, and presented a petition from
+1,300 of our citizens to grant no licenses. All the
+inducements that could be presented to them in the
+most solemn manner, drawn from three worlds, seemed
+to have but little weight upon them.</p>
+
+<p>Our Union has met for prayer many times, feeling
+that no earthly arm could save us, and that God’s
+strength must be extended. He alone could save. And
+in answer to our prayers, Mr. Robinson came, held
+meetings, and labored personally, with great success.
+Some five thousand pledges were taken, and the good
+work has been going on ever since. Mass-meetings
+have been held two and three times a week.</p>
+
+<p>At the request of some of the reformed men, a
+religious evening meeting has been kept up by our
+Union. They feel and know that Jesus can alone save
+them from everlasting ruin, and they are trying to lead
+Christian lives, and are doing all they can to bring
+their associates to temperance and to Christ. So that
+this work is a religious one—a gospel revival. Souls,
+that were fast sinking into the drunkard’s grave, are
+now redeemed, and a new song put into their mouths,
+even praise to their Redeemer. Towns all around us
+are participating In this great movement, and are sending
+to Binghampton for speakers.</p>
+
+<p>A juvenile temperance society, a young men’s temperance
+union, and a young ladies’ blue ribbon society
+are among the outgrowths of the Woman’s Christian
+Temperance Union. The blessed Lord has indeed
+heard our prayers. We need more faith, more earnest
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_559">[Pg 559]</span>workers, and more of the blessing of God, for the warfare
+against intemperance in this place. But we rejoice
+and bless God that He has so wonderfully visited us in
+mercy and love, and that He has shown to those who
+profess not His name that this is His work, and He is
+mighty to save.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="POUGHKEEPSIE_NEW_YORK">
+ POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>We glean the following facts from a report sent by
+Maria A. Wiley;</p>
+
+<p>In response to the invitation given through the daily
+papers, a large audience assembled at Temperance
+Hall on Tuesday evening, April 7th, 1874. Mrs.
+Deyo, of Dutchess county, addressed the meeting,
+stating the object of the movement, which was to help
+the rum-seller out of his evil business. There were
+ministers and representatives from all the denominations
+present, and favorable to the movement, and the Lord
+was evidently with us in this beginning of our action.</p>
+
+<p>A letter was read from Messrs. Brown &amp; Doty,
+druggists, stating they were willing to pledge themselves
+to sell no liquor except on physicians’ prescriptions,
+and for medicinal purposes.</p>
+
+<p>An invitation was given to the women present, who
+were willing to begin this movement, to signify it by
+rising. Seventy-five arose; and notice was given
+that a woman’s prayer-meeting would be held in the
+chapel of the Congregational Church at three o’clock,
+on the following day. Sixty-five women were present at
+the meeting next day. The meeting was one of deep
+solemnity and heart-searching. We consecrated ourselves
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_560">[Pg 560]</span>to the work in response to a question proposed
+by our leader, “Are we <i>ready</i> for anything?”</p>
+
+<p>Another large meeting was held in the evening.
+The Lord poured out his Spirit. Large mass-meetings
+continued to be held in the churches each evening.
+Encouraging reports were made. Committees were
+appointed to visit property-holders, drug stores,
+groceries, and hotels, asking them not to rent their
+property as saloons, or sell intoxicating drinks. A
+petition to the Board of Excise was also circulated,
+that the license be hereafter withheld from the one
+hundred saloons, that were such a curse to the city.
+Notice was sent us of the voluntary surrender of some
+of the liquor-dealers. The first from George M.
+Frazier, 61 Main street, wherein he states, in a letter
+which was read at one of our public meetings, that in
+five years he had been ruined by selling rum, and
+intended to discontinue the business. He also inserted
+the following notice in the daily papers:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“<i>Anticipating the Ladies’ Crusade</i>, the undersigned
+surrenders without a call. Hereafter the Mansion
+House, 61 Main street, will be conducted on the
+temperance plan. We offer first-class accommodations
+to both custom and transient boarders. Meals
+furnished at any time.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ “<span class="smcap">G. M. Frazier.</span>”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>An impressive incident occurred about this time.
+William St. John, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel,
+sent in a letter, which was read at our fifth mass-meeting,
+April 11th, wherein he announced he had
+given up selling liquor, and would never, <i>never</i> enter
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_561">[Pg 561]</span>the business again; that he believed it to be wrong,
+and was doing much evil. He was taken sick soon
+after, and died the 17th of April.</p>
+
+<p>The Catholic priest sent us a letter of encouragement,
+saying his heart and prayers were with the
+movement; he was willing to be present at a meeting,
+on neutral grounds.</p>
+
+<p>The committee of fifty ladies, who had been canvassing
+the city with petitions to be presented to the
+Board of Excise, completed their work by April 29th.
+The total number of signatures of citizens and real
+estate owners was 3,966; of property-holders alone,
+867. A large number of signers to the total abstinence
+pledge was obtained at the same time; 149 signed it
+in the White House shoe factory.</p>
+
+<p>Some who had rented their buildings for liquor-selling
+agreed not to rent them for that purpose again.
+Appeals to mayor and common council were presented
+by a committee of ladies, asking for the enforcement
+of the laws prohibiting the sale of liquors on
+Sunday, and to minors. But this was discouraging
+work, for we found the Excise Board had no regard
+for our petitions, for they granted 130 licenses in June,
+that year. Some had delayed applying for license
+until they knew the result of the appeals to the Excise
+Board, and the limits of the power of that body. Statements
+had been made to the Excise Board and common
+council of the violation of the excise law; but they
+were in some instances evaded, and in others treated
+with an indifference which left the impression that the
+laws would not be enforced; but we had pledged ourselves
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_562">[Pg 562]</span>for life to the work, and no one felt inclined to
+give it up.</p>
+
+<p>We visited the poor drunkards’ families, and from
+there we went to the saloons that had the legal right
+to make them such.</p>
+
+<p>In most places the ladies were treated respectfully.
+They went in companies of two or three, and generally
+called on the family first, or on the proprietor at
+his home,—in some cases, only one called,—and by
+gentle, friendly remonstrances, many promises were
+made of reformation. Some promised to leave the
+business if other occupation could be furnished them.
+We were rewarded for a time by seeing some saloons
+closed on Sundays. A few voluntarily abandoned
+the business, and others were persuaded, and now,
+after three years, have not broken their promise. But
+very few had the moral principle to abandon a business
+which was sanctioned and encouraged by the
+law, and our only alternative was to work on diligently
+in the line of moral suasion, trusting in the Lord.</p>
+
+<p>Forty-three saloons were visited during the summer
+and fall, but all in a quiet way. The temperance
+pledge was circulated in Sunday-schools, factories, and
+on Bible and tract districts, and hundreds of names
+obtained.</p>
+
+<p>Several ministers, one of them the Roman Catholic
+priest, and other gentlemen of influence, met with the
+executive board again on May 9th, to give counsel as
+to the most effective measures to carry out our purpose.</p>
+
+<p>The petitions had been presented by a committee
+of twelve ladies, on May 4th, 5th, and 6th. They were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_563">[Pg 563]</span>politely received, but no encouragement given of their
+aid in the temperance work.</p>
+
+<p>Two Friendly Inns were established. Some of the
+most forlorn and ragged boys who were cared for, and
+for whom we found employment, walk our streets to-day
+well clothed, and industrious members of society.</p>
+
+<p>Seven Sunday-school temperance societies were
+organized in the spring and summer of 1875, auxiliary
+to the Woman’s Temperance Society. A juvenile
+temperance union was organized, November, 1876;
+number of children on roll-book, 160, though we have
+had as many as 200 at one meeting. On the 30th of
+August we treated the children to a picnic. We went
+to a beautiful grove, just south of the city, and spent
+the day very pleasantly, many of the parents of the
+little ones accompanying them.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="GENEVA_NEW_YORK">
+ GENEVA, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Society reports the following:</p>
+
+<p>The Geneva Woman’s Christian Temperance Union
+was organized April 22d, 1874, with twenty-six members.
+Of the original number twenty remain; present number,
+fifty-two. Became auxiliary to the State Union,
+September 30th, 1875.</p>
+
+<p>Our work for the three years has not been Western
+Crusade work, but trying to create public opinion in
+favor of temperance; using our influence against
+license and for prohibition, distributing temperance
+tracts and papers, holding mass-meetings, and inviting
+temperance lecturers, as our means allowed; sustaining
+without fail one weekly prayer-meeting, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_564">[Pg 564]</span>for a time two—both still continue; occasionally distributing
+temperance literature in saloons and hotels;
+laboring with individuals and families of drunkards.
+All this time working and praying with no apparent
+success, “hoping against hope,” but with never failing
+faith in our faithful God, believing firmly that He would
+yet answer our prayers, and make our work apparent.
+At last the answer came. The reform movement with
+us was the culmination of all these years of work and
+prayers.</p>
+
+<p>As God caused the “Western Crusade” to be the
+great lever to “open the door which no man can
+shut,” and thereby inaugurating the great temperance
+movement not only all over our own land, but throughout
+Christendom, so I believe this reform work is
+but another door opened to still greater work, setting
+forever at rest the question, Can drunkards be reformed?
+and also, Will temperance principles finally
+triumph? involving in it, as it does, the same glorious
+principles of the gospel and temperance combined.</p>
+
+<p>About six months since a Reform Club was organized,
+numbering now about 200, many of whom have
+come from the lowest depths. A few have been converted,
+but we are looking and laboring for the salvation
+of them all. Over 2,000 have signed the pledge
+during that time, many of them youths and children.</p>
+
+<p>We have two beautiful club-rooms, furnished nicely;
+have quite a library already, and papers and innocent
+games. These are a continued resort for many who
+would otherwise visit saloons. Already the damage
+to saloons is estimated to be a hundred dollars per
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_565">[Pg 565]</span>night. One saloon-keeper remarked, “he did not
+know whether it was the blue ribbon or hard times,
+but something affected his business.”</p>
+
+<p>Our work is now almost exclusively through this
+channel, assisting families, and contributing in many
+ways to their welfare. We gave them and their families
+a dinner on the 4th of July, a scene which had
+never been witnessed in this place before. Truly it
+was a dinner on the gospel plan: over six hundred
+men, women and children were fed, and many more
+than twelve baskets full sent out the next day.</p>
+
+<p>So we are working and praying, and hoping to see
+the day when there will be no liquor sold in our beautiful
+village.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PEEKSKILL_NEW_YORK">
+ PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A. M. Stewart furnishes the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of
+Peekskill was organized on the 19th of January, 1875,
+with about fifteen members.</p>
+
+<p>Although the attendance has never been large, the
+prayer-meetings have been characterized by great
+earnestness and fervor of spirit.</p>
+
+<p>It has been utterly impossible to arouse the villagers
+to a sense of their danger, though we had three
+wholesale liquor establishments in the place, and forty
+or fifty saloons where the young men congregated,
+and spent night after night in drinking, gambling, etc.</p>
+
+<p>There has been considerable quiet saloon visiting
+by wives and mothers, who have had the sting of the
+serpent in their own families, but no organized systematic
+crusading in that direction.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_566">[Pg 566]</span></p>
+
+<p>Public sentiment is becoming more awake to the
+importance of saving the boys and young men of the
+community from the grasp of the destroyer.</p>
+
+<p>We have made complaints against several saloons,
+by watching the persons who visited them, and sending
+their names to the district attorney of the county,
+who was, of course, obliged to subpœna them as witnesses
+against the places, and bring them “before a
+jury for trial.” Some would swear falsely, of course,
+but there is honor even among thieves and drunkards,
+and some would testify to the truth. In that way we
+have brought the village into a great commotion, and
+have succeeded, we hope, in arousing fathers and
+mothers to watch their boys. Great consternation
+was manifested by parents when they found that their
+sons were in the habit of frequenting the low places,
+and joining the drunken revelries, so we feel that good
+has been done by this effort. Quite recently, by the
+help of a noble woman, who is driven to severe measures
+by home sorrow, another of these dark dens has
+been complained of, and the proprietor brought to
+justice; she appearing to testify in the court-room,
+after he had sworn falsely. This place is closed.
+Others are being watched, and the dealers will be
+brought to justice before long.</p>
+
+<p>We have now about fifty or sixty members of our
+organization, but only few that have time or inclination
+for outside work; but when we remember how feeble
+we were in the beginning, and how coldly Christians,
+generally, have looked upon our efforts, we feel like
+thanking God and taking courage.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_567">[Pg 567]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Allen Butler, President of the State Union,
+gives the following summary of work accomplished in
+these three years:</p>
+
+<p>Nearly all the cities and large towns, and very
+many of the smaller ones, have active Woman’s Temperance
+Unions. Three counties, Herkimer, Ontario,
+and Onondaga, are thoroughly organized, having a
+Woman’s Temperance Union in nearly, if not all, the
+villages and hamlets. Many of the towns are being
+swept thoroughly by the tidal wave that is rolling over
+the land. Some of the villages are driving the entire
+traffic, with its attendant evils—licentiousness and
+crime—from their midst. Some of the dealers are
+taking the pledge, and giving their stock of liquors to
+be consumed by the midnight fire kindled for the
+purpose; while the ringing of bells, and shouts of
+praise to God, attest the joy of the people.</p>
+
+<p>Petitions have been circulated, and thousands of
+signatures obtained and sent to Congress and the
+State Legislature, imploring their interposition in behalf
+of our suffering people.</p>
+
+<p>New Unions are being formed, Friendly Inns established,
+and Juvenile Societies organized. Reform Clubs
+and Bands of Christian Brotherhood have been formed
+in some places, and are doing a good work in securing
+the enforcement of the laws against selling intoxicating
+liquors without license, and at such times, and to such
+persons, as are forbidden. Many places have been
+closed entirely, especially in the cities of New York
+and Brooklyn, where both men and women have
+labored untiringly since the commencement of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_568">[Pg 568]</span>Crusade, with wonderful results; more regular saloon
+visiting having been done there than in any other part
+of the State; yet some of this has been done in most
+of the cities, and in many of the villages. There are
+towns in our State that have had “no license” for
+years. One has had none for thirty years, another for
+seventeen years.</p>
+
+<p>Different bodies have been visited with very encouraging
+results, especially medical societies, some of
+which have pledged themselves as a whole not to use
+alcoholic liquors in their practice at all, having found
+substitutes that are safe and entirely sufficient.</p>
+
+<p>The press and the pulpit are giving their aid as
+never before. The children of the Sabbath and public
+schools are being reached; and, altogether, the work
+is most successful and promising.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_569">[Pg 569]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND RHODE ISLAND.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">
+ CHAPTER IX.
+</h2>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="VERMONT">
+ VERMONT.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>As this State had a strong prohibitory law, there was
+not the demand for temperance work as there was in
+most of the other States.</p>
+
+<p>There were no open saloons to visit, and the jails
+were comparatively empty, and the moral atmosphere
+healthy.</p>
+
+<p>I have travelled extensively over Vermont, but have
+never seen an open saloon, or a drunken man, or a
+squalid home.</p>
+
+<p>In the spring of 1875 I visited Montpelier, the capital
+of the State. At that time the jail was empty,
+there was no almshouse, and I could hear of but one
+poor family who needed aid.</p>
+
+<p>A few years ago, the county of which St. Johnsbury
+is the county-seat had twenty-three distilleries. Now
+there is not a distillery or a saloon in the county.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hepworth Dixon, an English gentleman of
+repute, who travelled and lectured extensively in this
+country in 1874, and who was not an abstainer, paid a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_570">[Pg 570]</span>beautiful tribute to the Vermont prohibitory law, after
+visiting St. Johnsbury and other parts of the State:</p>
+
+<p>“Not a public house exists in all St. Johnsbury, nor
+can a mug of beer or a glass of wine be purchased
+openly by a guest to whom wine and beer are portions
+of his daily food. No citizen is allowed to vend intoxicating
+drinks on any pretext, or to any person. In
+the village we have two guest houses for the entertainment
+of such as come and go our way. We avoid
+such words as tavern and hotel, as too much savoring
+of the past old times, when every man might drink
+himself into a mad-house, and his children into a jail.</p>
+
+<p>“Our tavern is a house. No bar, no dram shop, no
+saloon defiles the place, nor is there, I am told, a single
+gambling-hell or house of ill-repute.</p>
+
+<p>“Intoxicating drinks are classed with poisons, such
+as laudanum and arsenic; but as poisons may be
+needed in a civilized country, under a scientific system
+of medicine, laudanum and arsenic are permitted to
+be sold in every civilized State. Such is here the case
+with brandy, beer and wine. A public officer is
+appointed by public vote. The town lays in its stock
+of brandy, beer and wine, which is carefully registered
+in books, and kept under lock and key. These poisons
+are doled out at the discretion of this officer in small
+quantities, very much as deadly night-shade and nux
+vomica are doled out by a London druggist.</p>
+
+<p>“In going through Fairbanks’ Scale Manufactory, I
+noticed the several classes of artisans. Five hundred
+men are toiling in the various rooms.</p>
+
+<p>“The work is mostly hard; in some departments,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_571">[Pg 571]</span>very hard. The heat is very great. From seven
+o’clock till twelve, from one o’clock till six—ten hours
+each day—these men are at their posts. Yet the men
+engaged in these manufactories are said to drink no
+beer, or whiskey, or gin. Drinking and smoking are
+not allowed on the premises. I am told that these five
+hundred workmen really never taste a drop of either
+beer or gin. Their drink is water, their delight is tea.
+Yet every one assures me they work well, enjoy good
+health, and live as long as persons of their class
+employed on farms. As year and year goes by, more
+persons come to see the benefits of our rule. Said
+Colonel Fairbanks: ‘The men who formerly drank
+most are now the staunchest friends of reform. The
+men who used to dress in rags are now growing rich.
+Many of them live in their own houses. They attend
+their churches, and their children go to school.’”</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. J. M. Haven, President of the W. C. T. Union
+of Vermont, gives the following facts in connection
+with their work:</p>
+
+<p>When the mighty wave of the Women’s Temperance
+Crusade came sweeping over our land, our band
+of six hundred organized temperance women heard
+more emphatically than ever before the Master’s call
+to the women of America—yea, his trumpet call so
+loud and shrill that many who had been comparatively
+deaf to His earlier calls were aroused.</p>
+
+<p>When the Women’s Convention was called in
+Cleveland, in November, 1874, which resulted in the
+formation of a National Union, Vermont responded,
+and a full delegation from that State was present.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_572">[Pg 572]</span></p>
+
+<p>A State organization was effected February 17th,
+1875.</p>
+
+<p>We are working slowly, but I believe surely. We
+are a wonder unto many, it being so unusual here for
+women to get up anything that looks like thinking and
+acting for themselves. We met the greatest opposition
+from our own sex.</p>
+
+<p>Several juvenile societies have been organized.</p>
+
+<p>The Reform Club movement, which is accredited to
+the women, is doing a great work for inebriates and
+their families.</p>
+
+<p>We were aroused to feel the importance of throwing
+our influence more positively on the side of temperance,
+because of the violation and disregard of the
+prohibitory law, which a wise Legislature had given our
+State.</p>
+
+<p>Though there is still a disposition to evade the law,
+there is not one-eighth of the amount of liquor used
+there was twelve months ago; indeed, some say, the
+reduction covers twice that time.</p>
+
+<p>There is a hue and cry that “prohibition does not
+prohibit.” But I am sure it does in a good degree:
+the sale is not openly and freely made.</p>
+
+<p>I know some who have been obliged to abandon the
+traffic. One man in Rutland, who had quite a capital
+in liquors, has gone out of the business entirely, and
+goes to church every Sabbath. His partner has also
+given up selling lager beer. I have heard that he
+says the women killed him.</p>
+
+<p>Numberless dodges have been resorted to by those
+who are determined to sell.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_573">[Pg 573]</span></p>
+
+<p>One man had a tin can fitted to his body, in which
+he could carry a quantity of liquor, supplying his customers
+(by a tube carried in his pocket, connecting
+with the can) as he chanced to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>Great secrecy is practised and brains are racked to
+the utmost, to devise ingenious methods of concealment.
+A sink is an indispensable piece of furniture in
+every saleroom, where the bottle, jug, or pitcher can
+be emptied at a wink from some interested devotee,
+from without or within; maybe by the prosecuting
+officer himself. Mind you, the vile stuff is not lost
+after all—a pipe conveys it into an underground cistern
+or tank, and it is dug out again in due time, just as
+pure and palatable as ever.</p>
+
+<p>At the last session of our Legislature a nuisance law
+was granted in addition, but our people are unable to
+determine whether dens foul with everything that
+would be perfectly revolting to any clean heart or
+hand, can truthfully be pronounced a nuisance. It
+would be decided in a moment by any sane man if
+money were not involved.</p>
+
+<p>But I think Vermont will come out all right, on the
+Lord’s side, which of course will be on the side of
+prohibition and total abstinence.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ST_ALBANS_VERMONT">
+ ST. ALBANS, VERMONT.
+</h3>
+
+<p>In the year 1873 the ladies of St. Albans, Vermont,
+formed an association called “The St. Albans Woman’s
+Association for the Promotion of Temperance.”</p>
+
+<p>They appointed a committee to ascertain the number,
+locality, and ownership of all places where intoxicating
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_574">[Pg 574]</span>liquors were sold—to converse with the
+owners, and urge them not to let their premises for
+such purposes; also to ascertain the number of families
+suffering from the use of intoxicants.</p>
+
+<p>There were one hundred and sixty signed, as being
+in sympathy with the movement.</p>
+
+<p>Three hundred ladies signed a pledge, neither to use,
+buy, nor sell intoxicating liquor, and that they would
+do all in their power to banish its use from their land.</p>
+
+<p>A company of fifty ladies called upon the proprietor
+of the “Welden House,” a first-class and beautiful
+hotel. They spent some time in the house, conversing
+with him. They then proceeded to one of the worst
+saloons, and stayed until the keeper promised to shut
+up his saloon, which he did immediately, and went into
+another business, which he followed about a year; but
+it proved more laborious and less lucrative than rum-selling.</p>
+
+<p>His wife complained that she could not now keep a
+piano, or indulge in other luxuries. So he opened
+another saloon, which brought him once more into
+prosperity.</p>
+
+<p>But at the present writing his prosperity is past.
+The man has deserted his family, and his debts and
+dishonesty have made him worthy of the prison.</p>
+
+<p>After this the ladies divided into small parties, and
+visited various other places, conversing earnestly with
+rum-sellers, and with drinkers.</p>
+
+<p>A better moral sentiment prevails, the law is being
+enforced, and the friends of temperance hold the fort.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_575">[Pg 575]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_HAMPSHIRE">
+ NEW HAMPSHIRE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The laws of this State are favorable to temperance,
+but many whose duty it is to enforce the law are in
+sympathy with the law-breakers, as in other States, and
+in defiance of public sentiment intoxicating liquors are
+secretly and sometimes publicly sold.</p>
+
+<p>There has, however, recently been a great change
+in public sentiment, and thousands of drinking men
+have been gathered into Reformed Clubs.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CONCORD_NEW_HAMPSHIRE">
+ CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The following interesting report of the long continued
+work of the women of Concord, New Hampshire,
+is from the Corresponding Secretary, Alma Jane Herbert:</p>
+
+<p>The Concord, New Hampshire, Temperance Society
+for many years held its annual meeting, presenting
+some popular speakers on the afternoon of Fast Day,
+in the old North Church.</p>
+
+<p>On one occasion not far from 1840, if not prior to
+that date, the ladies were invited to repair, at the close
+of the service, to the “Brick school-house” near by.
+The room was closely packed, and then and there they
+organized a Woman’s Temperance Society. I have
+consulted the lady then chosen secretary, who perfectly
+remembers the fact, but nothing of the phase of the
+work that came before them, nor how long the organization
+was maintained.</p>
+
+<p>On the 4th of July, 1837, all the Sunday-schools
+united in a celebration and collation. For thirty years
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_576">[Pg 576]</span>the use of wines and liquors at parties, calls and on
+the dinner table was almost unknown, so thoroughly
+was the early work done. There were always a few
+exceptions, and the number is not largely increased
+at the present time.</p>
+
+<p>Our Women’s Temperance Union was organized
+February 24th, 1873. So far as I personally know,
+very little of what the Western women call Crusade
+work was done in New Hampshire. But I can report
+only from Concord.</p>
+
+<p>The great tidal wave awoke new interest in the
+cause, at a time when all seemed dark and discouraging.
+Owing to the differing circumstances our most
+earnest women felt such methods to be less hopeful
+here, and also less hopeful in the larger towns, where
+liquor-dealers are unknown and trouble is more likely
+to gather than in the smaller villages.</p>
+
+<p>We organized in February, 1873; and in March a
+committee of five or six ladies were sent to visit the
+apothecaries from whose soda fountain respectable
+young men too often take a step beyond and downward.
+All declined to sign a temperance pledge, or
+a pledge to cease selling, though one did for a little
+time. All were courteous, as were the liquor-dealers,
+to whom at the next meeting of the committee was sent
+with the same result, though they did not visit some
+low “bush dens.”</p>
+
+<p>They left with proprietors a printed order the mayor
+had granted them directing all illegal places of sale to
+be closed.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the city government had been petitioned
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_577">[Pg 577]</span>to enforce the law, and consult and advise with us
+upon the subject; and, in course of time, one of the
+members found leisure to attend and speak. As the
+signatures of very many citizens, who favored such
+enforcement, were secured, various conferences with
+the citizens were held.</p>
+
+<p>Several complaints were entered and warrants
+taken out, and the committee of ladies patiently endured
+the martyrdom of the police court, surrounded
+by a crowd of vile men, set on by liquor-dealers to
+create disorder and make rude comments. In September
+two dealers were reported as under $200
+bonds for the next term of court, when a court ruling
+and the difficulty of procuring proper witnesses closed
+this avenue. However, much prayer and varied
+efforts had charged the whole atmosphere with germs
+of life-thought. And as the most thrifty plants sometimes
+grow outside the cultured garden bed, we accept
+our noble Reformed Club, numbering between two
+and three thousand, as the wave sheaf-offering of the
+coming harvest, since J. O. Osgood, of Maine, first
+came to Concord, accredited to our Woman’s League.
+We have a Juvenile Temple of Honor, numbering
+several hundred.</p>
+
+<p>Between two and three hundred names are attached
+to our pledge; honorary members, lifted above giving
+and doing it is to be supposed, since the earnest-working
+members scarcely count thirty.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_578">[Pg 578]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PORTSMOUTH_NEW_HAMPSHIRE">
+ PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Temperance League, of Portsmouth,
+N. H., was organized February 3d, 1875. During
+the early winter of that year, Mr. B. F. Thorndike
+conceived a plan for arousing an interest among the
+citizens in behalf of temperance. His idea was to
+hold a protracted temperance meeting, to continue
+eight successive evenings, and employ the best
+speakers that could be obtained. He submitted his
+plan to several well known friends of the cause, who
+all admitted that if such a series of meetings could be
+held, much good might result therefrom; but one and
+all declared it an impossibility to raise sufficient funds
+to sustain such an unheard-of scheme.</p>
+
+<p>But Mr. Thorndike determined that the meetings
+should be held, and <i>unaided and alone</i>, he has the
+honor of being the first to inaugurate such gatherings.
+In addition to employing the best temperance orators
+that could be obtained, he secured the services of Mr.
+S. B. Spinning, the celebrated Rhode Island vocalist,
+to sing. Mr. Thorndike also arranged for two afternoon
+meetings: one to be a children’s meeting, the
+other a meeting for the ladies of the city, with a view
+to organize a society for practical temperance work.
+All the meetings were largely attended, and such an
+interest awakened in behalf of temperance, that its
+influence will be felt for many years to come.</p>
+
+<p>Thursday afternoon, January 28th, 1875, was the
+time set apart for the meeting of the ladies. Mrs. B.
+F. Thorndike entered heartily into the work; and, on
+that Thursday afternoon, the Temple was well filled
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_579">[Pg 579]</span>with ladies and gentlemen, including several clergymen.
+The meeting was addressed by Rev. Messrs.
+Goss and Hebbard, and Mrs. White, of Concord.</p>
+
+<p>February 3d, a society was formed, called the
+Woman’s Temperance League of Portsmouth.</p>
+
+<p>From that humble beginning, the League has
+grown to be a very efficient and influential body of
+workers. They have been foremost in every effort
+that has been made to ameliorate the condition of
+suffering humanity.</p>
+
+<p>The League had the wise forethought to see that,
+if they would successfully carry forward any good
+work, the society must be placed on a correct financial
+basis; and, to this end, their laws stipulate that each
+member shall pay a certain sum weekly.</p>
+
+<p>One of the first acts of the League was to divide the
+city into districts, and send committees to visit every
+house, for signatures to the total abstinence pledge.
+In this mission they were very successful. They also
+united with the Seaman’s Aid Society in establishing
+a Seaman’s Home, which includes reading-room,
+restaurant, and lodging-room. The Home has been
+of great practical benefit to seamen, and to many
+others, by furnishing meals at a low rate; and many
+laborers on the wharves and in the vicinity have taken
+coffee, when heretofore they had indulged in intoxicating
+drinks.</p>
+
+<p>The League soon became interested in the reform
+movement, which was accomplishing such wonders in
+other places.</p>
+
+<p>With a view to interesting the citizens of Portsmouth
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_580">[Pg 580]</span>in this great undertaking, the League invited
+the Dover (N. H.) Reform Club to visit this city and
+hold a meeting. About three hundred, mostly reformed
+men, came. They were met at the depot by
+a band of music, escorted around the city, furnished
+with a collation, and proceeded to the largest hall in
+the city, where an enthusiastic meeting was held, the
+reformed men of Dover relating their thrilling experiences
+with the drink demon. At that meeting
+many names were added to the pledge. The League
+paid all the bills, even the chartering of the train.</p>
+
+<p>So persistent and earnest in their work were the
+ladies of the League, that ere long they were instrumental
+in forming a Temperance Reform Club in
+Portsmouth, which soon gathered in a large number
+of the intemperate of both sexes, and at the expiration
+of a year the roll of the club numbered over
+2,500 names, about one-fourth of the whole population.</p>
+
+<p>Portsmouth being a seaport city, quite a number
+of men are engaged in deep sea-fishing; and to
+awaken an interest among this class of persons, and
+to create a generous rivalry, the League advertised to
+present a large temperance flag to the fishing crew
+of not less than eight men, who first came forward in
+a body and signed the pledge. At a large and enthusiastic
+public meeting of the club, two crews presented
+themselves at the same time, and amid cheers
+and rejoicings, signed their names to the total abstinence
+pledge. One flag was presented the same
+evening, the other at a meeting one week after. Mrs.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_581">[Pg 581]</span>B. F. Thorndike, President of the League, presented
+them with well-timed and earnest remarks, with the
+request that at every port visited, the temperance flag
+should wave at mast-head. So highly did the fishermen
+prize the gifts, that each crew, at a subsequent
+meeting, presented the League with choice tokens of
+their esteem.</p>
+
+<p>Very great service was rendered by the League in
+fitting up and decorating a hall for the Reform Club
+head-quarters; and in presenting the club with a
+library of more than 200 volumes of the choicest
+temperance literature; also, aid has been given to the
+families of destitute reformed men; clothing, provisions,
+and fuel having been judiciously distributed;
+and in this benevolent work they find much to claim
+their attention.</p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Temperance League is composed of
+ladies belonging to all religious denominations, and
+although their name is not “Union,” yet they live in
+union and harmony together, letting their <i>works</i> bear
+evidence of their Christian unity.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="RHODE_ISLAND">
+ RHODE ISLAND.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Early in March, 1874, a few Christian women of
+Providence, whose hearts had been deeply moved by
+reading the accounts of the great uprising of their
+sisters in the West against the rum traffic, called a
+meeting, inviting all ladies interested in the cause of
+temperance to come together and prayerfully consider
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_582">[Pg 582]</span>their duty in regard to the work to which God had so
+clearly called the women of this land. A large number
+of ladies from the various churches in the city
+were present. A most profound solemnity prevailed
+throughout the meeting. Many fervent prayers were
+offered. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit
+was manifest, and all felt that God was calling to action.
+A meeting was appointed for the following day, and
+from this the interest increased, and large meetings
+were held daily for several weeks. Requests for
+prayer were sent in by wives, mothers, and children
+for their intemperate husbands, sons, and brothers.
+Never before had we so keenly felt that our help must
+come from the Almighty arm.</p>
+
+<p>The traffic was legalized in our State to a fearful
+extent. Its emissaries were plying their vocation on
+every corner of our streets. In no way could we
+turn to avoid the sickening spectacle of misery and
+woe that followed in their train. The community
+were indifferent, or hardened to it. Ministers, discouraged,
+had left it to politicians, and a general apathy
+prevailed. Intemperance was fearfully increasing, dragging
+down to certain destruction many of our noble
+men. What were we to do? In the language of
+Jehoshaphat, we cried, “O, our God, wilt <i>Thou</i> not
+judge them? for we have no might against this great
+company that cometh against us. Neither know we
+what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee.” Prostrate
+before the throne, we besought Him, with strong crying
+and tears, to interpose in our behalf. Intemperate
+men came to our meetings, asked for our prayers, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_583">[Pg 583]</span>signed the pledge. Rum-sellers were made especial
+subjects for prayer. This was known to them, and
+they looked for our appearance on the streets. But
+the Crusade, as conducted by our sisters in the West,
+was not deemed advisable in so large a city as ours.
+A few ladies, however, went forth in a quiet, unobtrusive
+way, without attracting attention on the streets,
+and visited a large number of saloons, distributing
+tracts, exhorting and remonstrating with rum-sellers,
+and their customers, sometimes praying with them.</p>
+
+<p>We were generally respectfully received, and attentively
+listened to. One lady, nearly eighty years of
+age, went alone into every saloon in Pawtucket, a
+town of twelve thousand inhabitants, that licensed a
+very large number of places for the sale of liquors.
+A man recently arrested for selling liquor without a
+license was visited by one of our ladies while he was
+awaiting his trial in prison, when he told her he was
+one of the rum-sellers visited by the ladies in his
+saloon, and the face of that aged lady, and the words
+she uttered, had come up before him ever since, and
+that he often had resolved to give up the business, but
+he knew not what else to do; he repeated her exhortation,
+and said he should never take up the business
+again. One of our ladies who said she would do anything
+for the cause but visit saloons, hesitated no longer
+when appealed to by an almost broken-hearted mother
+(the widow of a Congregationalist clergyman), who
+had just learned that her son, her sole dependence,
+was drinking in saloons. “Go,” she said, “I beg
+of you, and ask them not to sell liquor to my <i>boy</i>.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_584">[Pg 584]</span>Something must be done: I cannot bear it.” God gave
+the message, and her appeals in behalf of suffering
+wives and mothers brought tears to eyes unused to
+weeping and some promised that they would not sell
+liquor to young men without first remonstrating with
+them. One rum-seller said that on no account would
+he let his boys drink what he was selling to other
+men’s boys. Prayer-meetings were also held in the
+police court-room, and the poor victims of rum awaiting
+their trial in the station, and the roughs who were
+loitering about, were invited in and brought under
+gospel influence. The pledge was circulated among
+them, and some signatures obtained; but the good
+done by these and the saloon visiting, eternity alone
+shall reveal. Though we are not without evidence
+that some from that time have walked in newness of
+life. Near the commencement of our work, we districted
+the city, appointing committees in each district
+to carry the pledge to every house, asking that intoxicating
+beverages be discarded for culinary and
+social purposes, A good many signatures were obtained.
+A property-holders’, physicians’, and druggists’
+pledge were also circulated.</p>
+
+<p>It was suggested by our friends that it would be well
+for us to memorialize our Legislature, which was then in
+session, asking for a restriction to be put upon the sale
+of intoxicating liquors in our State, as a means of promoting
+the cause for which we prayed. We learned
+that they were to adjourn the next day. There was
+but little time for action. We went out from our
+meeting, and during the evening secured the names
+of five hundred women to our petition.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_585">[Pg 585]</span></p>
+
+<p>After a short service of prayer, in the morning,
+about fifty ladies slowly and silently marched, two by
+two, to the State House. The importance of our mission,
+and the uncertainty of success, overwhelmed us
+with sadness. The burden of that hour we shall never
+forget. It seemed like a funeral march to the graves
+of thousands of rum’s victims, while the wailing cry of
+suffering wives and more than orphaned children were
+ringing in our ears. We were a band of retiring
+women, unaccustomed to publicity, and we timidly
+shrunk from the seeming boldness of the step we were
+taking; but believing that we were in the path of duty
+we went on, sustained by a power not our own, and
+presented our request. We were kindly received by
+the honorable gentlemen, and a hearing granted us.</p>
+
+<p>A mass-meeting of women was held, the 13th of
+April, and a City Women’s Temperance Union was
+organized. Expecting that our petition for prohibitory
+law would be considered at the May session of the
+Legislature, we secured the names of ten thousand
+women of the State, and, at a day appointed for a hearing,
+twenty-three ladies of Providence went to Newport,
+carrying the names, and listened with prayerful
+attention to the discussion. It was long and fierce.
+The rum power had rallied all their forces to defeat
+the bill. They had left no stone unturned to win their
+cause. It was kept along, day after day, and, as a last
+resort, they moved to carry it over to the January session,
+which would effectually kill it. The vote was
+taken on the movement, and announced a tie. Immediately
+all eyes were anxiously fixed upon the President
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_586">[Pg 586]</span>of the Senate, whose vote should decide the question.
+Rum’s advocates looked triumphant, for they felt quite
+sure the vote would be in their favor. We committed
+our cause to Him “who doeth all things well,” and
+calmly watched and waited. ’Twas but a moment. Of
+that moment, and God’s purposes in it, you will better
+understand, as we have, by the following quotation from
+a speech recently delivered by the <i>then</i> President of the
+Senate, <i>now</i> his Excellency, Governor Vanzant, of
+Rhode Island, before a temperance convention held
+in this State. He says—I quote his words:</p>
+
+<p>“I sat in your Senate chamber, as its temporary presiding
+officer, when the so-called prohibitory law was
+before it for its action. The question was upon the
+postponement of the law until the January session.
+The clerk of the Senate handed the roll to me, for
+which I was utterly unprepared, and announced a tie
+vote. The whole thing then rested marvellously,
+magically, and wondrously on me. By education and
+association, I was conservative—I doubted the influence
+of the so-called sumptuary legislation, because I
+had been brought up in that school. But, my friends,
+in one <i>moment</i>—for it came upon me in a moment—it
+came upon me just as the face of nature is revealed to
+the gazing eyes of a looker-on, in the darkness of the
+night, when the sky is black, and there is a flash of
+lightning exceedingly luminous, and he sees new dangers
+that he was before unaware of. My mind moved
+with inconceivable rapidity, and a train of thoughts,
+something like this, passed before me, like a weird
+panorama: I looked back to the days of my youth,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_587">[Pg 587]</span>and I saw those who started out with life full of bloom
+and happiness fallen at my side, the victims of this
+great Moloch. I saw society disorganized, deranged.
+I saw men who honestly and with Christian faithfulness
+lifted their hearts and aspirations to God, and they
+were dragged down into the mud, and slime, and filth
+of corruption and degradation by this same power. I
+saw the fairest happiness of woman soiled and ruined.
+I saw little children degraded and ignorant. And I
+read in the faces of the little band of <i>earnest women</i>,
+who so intently watched and waited my action, the
+hope of a triumph of right over wrong. I made up
+my mind to cast my vote against the postponement of
+that law. I did so, and have never regretted it. By
+that vote, ladies and gentlemen, I stand or fall. This,”
+he said, “is the first opportunity I have had to stand
+before an audience of temperance men and women,
+and thank them for what they have done for me.”</p>
+
+<p>In January, 1875, the Women’s State Temperance
+Union was organized and made auxiliary to the National
+Union.</p>
+
+<p>In the spring the rum power was again dominant.
+And the prohibitory law was repealed, and a license
+law enacted in its stead. This was discouraging to us,
+and some were ready to abandon the field to the
+enemy. But a <i>few</i>, who believed that God had called
+them to the work, kept the ball moving. Quietly and
+silently they went about visiting the intemperate in
+their homes and in prisons, circulating temperance literature,
+and in many ways endeavoring to cultivate
+temperance sentiment among the people. The number
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_588">[Pg 588]</span>who rallied to the work in the fall, after the summer
+vacation, was very small. Many felt that they
+had spent their strength for nought, and surely had no
+might against so great an enemy. Scarcely enough
+came together at the weekly prayer-meeting to claim
+the promise, that “where two or three are gathered
+in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”</p>
+
+<p>The propriety of disbanding was discussed. A
+meeting was called to consider it. Only three or four
+felt interest enough to come. A great burden was
+laid upon us; and, although the enemy had the field,
+we resolved not to retreat.</p>
+
+<p>We kept on praying, until God appeared for us.
+After about three months persistent effort, Dr. Reynolds
+consented to give us two days from his time in
+Massachusetts. The day previous to his coming was
+observed as a day of prayer for God’s blessing on his
+work. Meetings were held all day. A large hall was
+filled with the earnest workers of the city, and the
+meeting was one of great power and interest.</p>
+
+<p>The right chord had been struck. Men who had
+been reformed took hold of the work in earnest, and
+carried it on with wonderful success. The largest hall
+in the city was soon too small to hold the crowd that
+came to the meetings. Large numbers signed the
+pledge, including many talented and influential men,
+some of whom had long been slaves to intemperance.
+The old Providence club was resuscitated, and rallied to
+the work, going over the State telling the story of their
+redemption.</p>
+
+<p>There are now twenty-seven Reform Clubs in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_589">[Pg 589]</span>State, with an aggregate membership of 8,500. More
+than 23,000 adults have signed the pledge, besides a
+large number of children. The work has overflowed
+into adjoining States, and nearly 6,000 pledges have
+been taken in border towns by our workers.</p>
+
+<p>The whole State seems to be aroused, and the prospect
+is encouraging beyond precedent. The fear that
+some of our ladies entertained, that we made a mistake
+in appealing to law, is entirely dispelled, since it
+is so clear that, though our prohibitory law was repealed,
+God was fitting a noble man to honor Him and
+His cause in the highest office of the State.</p>
+
+<p>Our Union is efficiently organized, and the women
+of the State seem to be waking up to more earnest
+work. Though we can write thus encouragingly, still
+there are hard battles to be fought before the right
+shall triumph. The harvest is great, and the laborers
+few; yet when we look back to the commencement of
+the so-called woman’s movement, we can but exclaim:
+“Behold what great things our God hath wrought!”</p>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. S. Clough, Corresponding
+Secretary of the State Union, for the above facts.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_590">[Pg 590]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ MASSACHUSETTS.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">
+ CHAPTER X.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. L. B. Barrett, Corresponding
+Secretary of the State Union, for the following report
+of the work in Massachusetts:</p>
+
+<p>The temperance reform of the present decade, undertaken
+by the women of the West, quickly awakened a
+kindred spirit in the minds of the women in the East;
+manifesting itself in the winter of 1873 and 1874, in
+frequent meetings for consultation and prayer. As the
+result of which, twelve organizations were effected in
+March and April of the latter year, Worcester taking the
+lead, followed immediately by South and East Boston.
+In the month of May, Mrs. M. A. Livermore, of Massachusetts,
+just returned from her lecturing tour in the
+West, on the invitation of Rev. J. T. Beckley, of the First
+Baptist Church in Boston, addressed the ladies of the
+city. Her thrilling description of the wonderful scenes
+of which she had been an eye-witness resulted in the appointment
+of a temperance prayer-meeting in Warren
+Avenue Baptist Church, followed by daily prayer-meetings
+for weeks, and continued by weekly meetings during
+the summer months. In the early fall so much interest
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_591">[Pg 591]</span>was manifested that it was deemed advisable to call a
+meeting for concerted action. Such a meeting was
+called at Worcester in October, being the first Woman’s
+Temperance Convention held in Massachusetts. Mrs.
+Susan A. Gifford presided. The unanimous opinion
+of the ladies convened was that a State Union should
+be formed. Accordingly a call was issued urging the
+women of Massachusetts, who were known to be foremost
+in all great moral reforms, to be mindful of the
+wonderful temperance movement already begun in the
+land, and to help lift up the standard against the enemy.
+Three hundred delegates responded, representing fifty-four
+towns. Thus was formed, out of the twelve existing
+organizations of the State, the Woman’s Christian
+Temperance Union of Massachusetts, with Mrs. S. A.
+Gifford as President.</p>
+
+<p>The first year of work will be remembered as a year
+of preparation. The women of Massachusetts were
+anxious for the safety of their homes and their loved
+ones, yet so strong was the force of habit and education
+that they shrunk from the publicity this work involved.
+It was a time of prayer and consecration. The ruling
+desire was to know the Divine will. The question was
+ever in thought as to the methods which should be employed
+to make the State organization successful and
+permanent. In looking back over achieved results, we
+can see that these seasons of prayer and conference
+were not in vain.</p>
+
+<p>The State Union has followed the general plan submitted
+by the committee at its first annual meeting.
+An agent was put into the field for the purpose of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_592">[Pg 592]</span>organizing Unions in every town and village where
+Christian women could be gathered for that purpose.
+Vice-Presidents were appointed in every county to
+have the charge of the work of their counties, to interest
+the community by means of public lectures,
+mass-meetings and conventions, and to report at the
+quarterly meetings of the board. This board of officers,
+consisting of our present President, Mrs. M. A. Livermore,
+together with the Secretary, Treasurer and an
+executive committee of seven ladies, form a working
+force for active service whenever requested.</p>
+
+<p>Through this systematic effort the report of the year
+ending October, 1876, was as follows: Eighty Local
+Unions, with a membership of more than eight thousand;
+thirty-one Juvenile Unions, with eight thousand
+members; seventy Reform Clubs, composed entirely
+of men who were previously moderate or immoderate
+drinkers, having an aggregate membership of more
+than thirty thousand. Eleven county conventions were
+held during the year, and over $19,000 were raised
+and expended.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the Unions held weekly prayer-meetings of
+their own, and many sustained three and four gospel
+meetings weekly.</p>
+
+<p>We have had an increase of forty-three Unions this
+year, making our present number <i>one hundred and
+twenty-three</i>. We have held twenty-three county conventions,
+opened several friendly inns and coffee rooms,
+the largest one in Boston having forty lodgers. Gospel
+temperance meetings have been successfully maintained
+in connection with Reform Clubs in two-thirds of our
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_593">[Pg 593]</span>Unions, and very many conversions have been reported.
+The Local Union of Boston makes a specialty of these
+gospel prayer-meetings, holding nine a week.</p>
+
+<p>In this report of our work a few points are worthy
+of special mention. Before the Centennial celebration
+of the battle of Bunker Hill, a committee of ladies visited
+the Mayor of Boston and requested that the liquor-saloons
+should be closed, which request was granted,
+and the day was noticeably free from the disgrace of
+drunkenness. A hearing was granted the W. C. T.
+U. of Boston before the Legislature during the session
+of 1877. The visit of President Hayes to Boston and
+the “interview with Mayor Prince,” requesting him not
+to provide wine at the city banquet, is known throughout
+the nation. We deem it one of our most successful
+attacks upon the enemy. It would take too much
+space to enter into the details of our work, abundant
+as they are in interest. Perhaps a recital of the manner
+in which the work was carried on in one town will
+serve to illustrate the spirit of zeal in our State. One
+woman, after attending a county convention and becoming
+deeply interested, returned to her home, gathered
+Christian women about her, organized a Union,
+drew the inebriates into a Reform Club, and the young
+lads into a Boys’ Union. She also formed a Juvenile
+Union. All these different Unions held weekly prayer-meetings.
+Finding the Reform Club subjected to
+strong temptations through the saloons, she, with others,
+circulated a petition for the appointment of a special
+policeman to enforce the law. Nearly one thousand
+signatures were obtained. It was presented to the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_594">[Pg 594]</span>town authorities, and by persistent effort the request
+was granted, and in the space of six months all liquor-saloons
+were closed in the town.</p>
+
+<p>The most noticeable feature of our work, however,
+and the most promising for the future, is its deep religious
+character. If, as in the past, we rest upon Divine
+support, the future will be rewarded with success.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WORCESTER_MASSACHUSETTS">
+ WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. S. A. Gifford, Vice-President of the National
+Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Massachusetts,
+adds the following items of the work in
+Worcester:</p>
+
+<p>“I called a woman’s meeting at Friends’ Meeting-house,
+February 27th, 1874. It was attended by about
+three hundred women. This was the first meeting
+called in Massachusetts after the news of the great
+work in the West had reached us. It was a most
+blessed meeting. The hearts of the women were
+touched as never before. Another meeting was held
+on the 2d of March, which resulted in the organization
+of a society of which Mrs. Gifford was elected President.
+Since that time a Young Woman’s Union has
+been formed, which numbers about one hundred members,
+and a Reform Club, numbering fourteen hundred;
+also a large Juvenile Union.” Mrs. Gifford is still
+the President, and is pushing the work.</p>
+
+
+<p>PROTEST AGAINST WINE-DRINKING AT PUBLIC
+DINNERS.</p>
+
+<p>The visit of President Hayes to Boston offered an
+opportunity to the city of Boston to honor him by a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_595">[Pg 595]</span>public banquet, arranged by Mayor Prince as the chief
+executive of the city. Knowing the prevailing custom
+of furnishing intoxicating liquors on such occasions, a
+committee of the Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union, consisting of Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Barrett,
+Mrs. McCoy, and Mrs. Richards, waited upon the
+mayor on Friday, June 22d, to ask him that no liquor
+be furnished at the public expense. The following
+extract, from the Boston <i>Journal</i>, contains the memorial
+presented, and the conversation which followed
+between Mayor Prince and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore,
+President of the Union. It will be noticed that the
+memorial made no reference to prohibition, and that
+the digression which led to a discussion of that question
+was made by the mayor, who seemed unwilling
+to discuss the custom of social drinking, but finally
+avowed himself a moderate drinker, and defended the
+habit.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="THE_INTERVIEW">
+ THE INTERVIEW.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore began the interview by saying:</p>
+
+<p>We come, Mr. Prince, as the delegation from the
+Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of this State,
+an organization composed of 12,000 women of the
+State, largely representing the religious sentiment of
+the community; and at a meeting of the executive committee
+of this Temperance Union, which has been held
+this week, we were chosen a committee charged to
+present to you the following memorial, which I was
+instructed to read as it has been printed.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince—Thank you. I shall be happy to
+hear you.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_596">[Pg 596]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="THE_MEMORIAL">
+ THE MEMORIAL.
+</h3>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p><i>To his Honor the Mayor of Boston</i>:</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>—At a meeting of the executive committee of the
+Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Massachusetts, we, the
+undersigned, were chosen a committee to wait upon you with the
+following petition:</p>
+
+<p>In behalf of the Christian women of the city and of the State,
+we ask you, respectfully but earnestly, to direct that no intoxicating
+liquors shall be furnished at the expense of the city when
+the banquet is given by the city of Boston in honor of the President
+of the United States.</p>
+
+<p>The painful assumption that there is need of this petition is
+based upon the fact that upon similar occasions in the past, liquors
+have been thus furnished. We believe the time has come for a
+change in this custom. All over the land there has been, during
+the past few years, a great revival and increased growth of sentiment
+in favor of total abstinence. The work of reclaiming the
+drunkard has been entered upon by men and women in whom a
+holy ambition for the uplifting of humanity has been the inspiring
+incentive, and the blessing of Him “who came to seek and save
+that which was lost” has crowned their efforts with grand success.</p>
+
+<p>But the satisfaction which has attended these efforts to rescue
+the perishing has been marred by the consciousness that others
+were steadily drifting down into the same degradation. Much as
+we may desire it, it is impossible to stop the intemperate use of
+liquor by the masses while moderate drinking is fashionable in the
+best society. There will be whiskey-drinking in the slums of the
+city so long as there is wine-drinking in its palatial residences.
+The pernicious social drinking customs of the day, which are
+ruinous to so many of the sons of the Commonwealth, are not
+wholly the outcome of the appetites and habits of their victims—the
+fashions of the best society are largely responsible for them.</p>
+
+<p>An occasion of this kind affords an opportunity for exerting an
+influence for good or evil, such as is rarely offered. This banquet
+is to be given by the city of Boston in honor of the chief magistrate
+of the nation. <i>Can</i> he be <i>honored</i> by the observance of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_597">[Pg 597]</span>custom which is closely linked with debauchery and disgrace, and
+which has led so many of our best citizens into shame and dishonor?
+How can we urge total abstinence upon the masses, to whom it is
+the only safeguard, if the city of Boston gives respectability to
+social drinking customs by sanctioning them on this august occasion?</p>
+
+<p>Allow us, clear sir, respectfully to remind you that the authority
+given you to provide for the entertainment of distinguished visitors
+to our city, carries with it great responsibility. The drinking
+customs of society will be strengthened or weakened, as you refuse
+or grant them your official sanction on this occasion, and the virtue
+of our homes—the greatest interest of any city—will be helped or
+hindered by your decision in this matter.</p>
+
+<p>In presenting this memorial, we are certain that we utter the
+Christian sentiment of the city—the wishes of those who have
+labored most heartily to rid society of the curse of intemperance.
+We give voice to the desire of tens of thousands of the women of
+Massachusetts—wives and mothers—who launch their sons with
+trembling anxiety upon the temptations of the great city, and who
+faint with fear as they trust their daughters to the young husbands
+they have chosen, knowing how drinking habits can blight the
+most promising future.</p>
+
+<p>And because the usual custom of furnishing liquors on great
+public occasions shocks the moral sense, not only of a majority of
+the women of the Commonwealth, but of a large proportion of its
+men, we pray you to take such action that this banquet may be
+undefiled by a social custom which is the relic of an age of sensuality,
+when the civilization was ruder and less noble in its moral
+tone than that of our time.</p>
+
+<p>So shall the city of Boston establish a distinguished precedent
+for all similar occasions everywhere, and the chief magistrate of
+our nation be truly honored, by an observance of that righteousness
+which exalteth a people.</p>
+
+<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
+ <li><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mary A. Livermore</span>,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="smcap">Ellen M. Richards</span>,</li>
+ <li><span class="smcap">Mrs. L. B. Barrett</span>,</li>
+ <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="smcap">E. McCoy</span>.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p>Committee of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of
+Massachusetts.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Boston</span>, <i>June 22d, 1877</i>.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_598">[Pg 598]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="RESPONSE_OF_THE_MAYOR">
+ RESPONSE OF THE MAYOR.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I merely would say at this moment in response, that
+whilst I agree with you ladies and those you represent
+in respect to the horrors of intemperance, and I do
+not believe there are any words in the English language
+sufficiently adequate to describe those horrors, I
+differ entirely with you and those you represent with
+reference to what you say in respect to total abstinence.
+In the first place it is the part of wisdom to
+regulate what you cannot eradicate. We have tried
+two prohibitory laws and found they have not succeeded
+in accomplishing their objects, and I may say
+in this connection that I myself thirty years ago, or
+nearly thirty years ago, was in the Legislature when the
+Maine liquor law first came up, and voted for it for
+the purpose of trying it, and it proved an utter failure.
+I can understand how enthusiasts expect to make
+angels of men and women, when we are told we are
+somewhat lower than the angels, in their earnestness
+to effect good objects, and want very much indeed to
+prevent the people from drinking any intoxicating
+beverage. The motive is honorable to them, but in
+my humble judgment, and I say it respectfully, it shows
+utter ignorance of human nature and the laws that
+rule human conduct. We shall never have an era of
+total abstinence, in my judgment.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—We admit what you say in reference
+to the prohibitory liquor law.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—It is not true that the great people
+of this Commonwealth, as urged here, are in favor of
+prohibitory legislation, as shown by the issue at the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_599">[Pg 599]</span>polls; and these prohibitory people seem to be
+“growing smaller by degrees and beautifully less.”</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—We are not advocating a prohibitory
+liquor law in this memorial.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—But you say total abstinence.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—The inability to enforce the prohibitory
+liquor law arose from the absence of public
+sentiment behind it to compel its enforcement.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—I differ from you there.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—Is not a law always enforced
+when there is a public sentiment behind it?</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—Yes.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—Then the reason this was not enforced
+is because there was not the necessary public
+sentiment behind it.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—You cannot create that public sentiment.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—That is what we are trying to do.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—And your motives are honorable
+and trustworthy. I have been thinking for thirty years
+how to manage this question.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—We have been thinking of it also
+for thirty years, as we are not young women.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—I understand that. If you can satisfy
+me that the great desideratum can be accomplished
+you will find me on your side, as I think there is no
+language adequate to express the horrors of intemperance.
+You cannot accomplish your object because
+it is not right it should be accomplished. I believe in
+temperance in all things. I believe wine was made to
+be enjoyed by man, and the fact that he abuses this
+thing is no argument against its use.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_600">[Pg 600]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Richards.—Is it not moderation you mean?</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—Yes. Most of our people do use,
+and moderately use, wine. Take all the wealthier
+classes of Boston, they use wine; are they drunkards?</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—No, sir. But I think they are
+responsible for any actual drunkenness.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—Hasn’t there been a great change
+come over the community in regard to drinking?
+Formerly, a party could be seen tipsy and not lose the
+esteem of his acquaintances, but now if a man is seen
+drunk his character is ruined.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—The fact that there has been this
+change is an argument for a greater change. While
+we are working among the lower classes throughout
+the State in our reform clubs, we are perpetually met
+by the objection from both men and women, “Why
+should we give up our whiskey any more than those
+persons of the higher society should give up their
+wine?”</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—That is no argument.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—But they are on a lower plane,
+and we are accustomed to copy the manners and customs
+of those above us. I believe the time will come
+when it is possible for those who wish to drink wine
+to say, “We take our stand on the basis of Christianity,
+which demands of us that for the sake of others
+we should forego the pleasures and delights which are
+innocent to us in themselves, but which are so injurious
+to others.”</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—In my judgment, the Prohibitionists
+have set back the temperance movement by their
+action.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_601">[Pg 601]</span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—We are in favor of total abstinence,
+and are not discussing prohibition.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—That is bringing metaphysics into
+this, which I did not expect. To go back to the point
+from which we diverged, in respect to the President’s
+entertainment: the city of Boston desires that every
+honor should be paid to the President because he is
+our President.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—We share that feeling.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—And I am determined that nothing
+shall be left undone which can contribute to that result.
+Now, to give the President a dinner without giving
+him what is usual—</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—He never drinks wine; he has
+never taken a drop of it in his life.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—That may or may not be.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—That is the statement of his wife.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—He is to be permitted to do just as
+he pleases, but there are other gentlemen who will be
+with him, members of his cabinet and others, and they
+ought to receive what they have a right to expect to
+receive, and it is customary on such occasions to give
+wine, and I propose to give it, and I think it my duty
+to give it. I represent the citizens, and my personal
+character is sunk in my official position, and whatever
+my constituents expect me to do on that occasion I
+shall do—whatever is fit and proper to be done. I
+may say in this connection, that if I were to give a
+dinner in my own house I should give wine.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—That is a different affair, and we
+could not interfere; but it is because you are acting
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_602">[Pg 602]</span>in an official capacity, and because the city has made
+you responsible.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—Don’t you agree with me in this
+proposition, that I ought to do what the citizens
+expect?</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—Whom do you mean by citizens—men
+and women?</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—I mean the people who live in the
+city of Boston; that is my notion.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—If you should do what the people
+in Boston, the men and women, require you to do,
+you would not give wine.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—You make that assertion. What is
+the evidence that the people of Boston don’t wish me
+to give wine? Satisfy me upon that point and then I
+may take a different view of it.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—That is our opinion.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—What is it based on?</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—We have attended the meetings
+that have been held during the winter.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—The fact is, that wine is generally
+used in the city of Boston.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—By a small proportion of the
+citizens.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—I beg your pardon. I think I am
+conversant with the habits of the people of Boston; I
+have lived here nearly sixty years of my life.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—But the majority have not the
+means to purchase wine.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—You ladies are enthusiasts. I am
+glad to say it, because all orders are benefited by
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_603">[Pg 603]</span>the enthusiasts. You would not accomplish anything
+if you did not go into it with zeal and spirit, and if you
+don’t get all you propose to get, such enthusiasm will
+enable you to get half a loaf if you cannot get a whole
+loaf. You have done a great deal of good, and will
+do more, but you will never accomplish total abstinence,
+never in the world; I don’t think you ought to.
+I give you my opinion. I have five children, and have
+wine on my table every day of my life.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—I hope you will never rue it.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—But none of my children will drink
+it. I think, however, if I told them they could not
+drink it they would try to drink it.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—When six hundred of the market
+people last year sat down to dinner, to the surprise of
+everybody they abjured all intoxicating liquor, wine
+and everything else, and it was strictly a total abstinence
+festival.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—I am invited to a great many entertainments
+and dinners, and am almost tired out by
+attending them, yet I have never seen one without
+wine.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—When the boot and shoe men
+were here three weeks ago they went down the harbor,
+and wine was furnished freely all through the
+entertainment, and there are little stories circulating
+in reference to excessive drinking on that occasion.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince (emphatically).—I take this occasion
+to brand that statement as wholly untrue. I was
+present, I caused the entertainment to be given, and
+when the bills were sent in for the wine I was perfectly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_604">[Pg 604]</span>astonished to see what a small amount of wine was
+drunk; and I take the occasion to say, that there was
+not a man on board that boat that was in any way
+affected by the wine he had taken; and if any citizen
+or any voter doubts it he can call at the auditor’s
+office and see the bills for the wine. People say these
+sort of things in the excitement of partisan feeling I
+suppose. Whilst, as I said before, I have great regard
+and respect for these parties who are endeavoring to
+reform the world, although I have very little faith they
+will accomplish all they expect to accomplish, yet until
+I am satisfied that the citizens of Boston do not want
+me to give wine I shall give it. Satisfy me of that and
+I shall be very glad not to give it, as I want to save
+all the money I can. Thanking you, ladies, for calling,
+and trusting I have not said anything in the excitement
+of the moment which can be construed as
+discourteous, I wish you good-morning.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Livermore.—We have nothing to complain of
+on the score of discourtesy, but are sorry you cannot
+see the matter in the light in which we view it. We
+stand on a moral platform.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Prince.—That is the platform to stand on.
+Good-morning, ladies.</p>
+
+<p>Ladies.—Good-morning.</p>
+
+<p>The facts connected with this appeal were extensively
+published. The press and the people were
+generally in sympathy with the committee of ladies,
+and the course of the mayor, and some of his utterances,
+were severely criticized. The city council, a
+short time afterward, crystallized the aroused moral
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_605">[Pg 605]</span>sentiment of the city into law, forbidding the expenditure
+of public revenue in wines and liquors for dinners
+and entertainments. So a substantial victory was
+won.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MAINE">
+ MAINE.
+</h3>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="BANGOR_MAINE">
+ BANGOR, MAINE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. C. V. Crossman and Miss
+Mary Crosby for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Temperance Crusade, of Bangor,
+has seen the same heart-breaking needs, the same
+appalling dangers, and the same impotence of human
+strength alone for the deliverance of our people, that
+have moved our sisters in other cities of the land.
+We have known no strength but the love of God, but
+we have faith to believe that He will at length deliver
+from the curse of alcoholic drink.</p>
+
+<p>The early messages that came of the wonderful
+work that was being done in the West, thrilled deeply
+the hearts that had suffered.</p>
+
+<p>In March, 1874, a little band of women and several
+clergymen of the city, and other sympathizing friends,
+met in a public prayer-meeting for strength and consecration.
+Successive meetings followed, the citizens
+joined in observing a day of public fasting and prayer;
+and in three weeks after the first call, an organization
+was effected, and a definite work was undertaken.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies divided into small companies; each band
+had their streets to visit, and thus the city was thoroughly
+canvassed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_606">[Pg 606]</span></p>
+
+<p>March 26th, a committee waited on the city council
+with the petition asking that the prohibitory law might
+be enforced.</p>
+
+<p>This law, which has stood upon our statute books
+for a score of years, has at no period been absolutely
+successful in preventing the sale of alcoholic drinks as
+a beverage in <i>all</i> the communities over which its
+authority extends, but is, like the laws which prohibit
+swindling, burglary, and assault, broken.</p>
+
+<p>They were received by the council with every token
+of respect, and listened to with attention and deference.
+Mrs. Benj. Plummer made the opening address,
+which was responded to by the mayor, who assured
+them that the matter should receive the most careful
+attention of that body. He then invited the ladies to
+speak freely. Several responded in eloquent words
+that will long be remembered.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding their kindly reception by the city
+council, however, their answer was delayed until April
+14th, and when received, the expectations of the petitioners
+were greatly disappointed.</p>
+
+<p>Having petitioned the council, and canvassed the city,
+saloon visiting was commenced April 25th. Earnest
+and persuasive words were used, but not one of all the
+number visited was induced to give up his dreadful
+and unlawful traffic. Almost any body of women
+would have shrank from prosecuting further this Crusade
+against intemperance. But not so with these
+women; failing with the vender, and with the city government,
+to accomplish what they had undertaken,
+they commenced their work with the victims—those
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_607">[Pg 607]</span>whose strength of mind had been destroyed by the too
+free use of ardent spirits, and who were in their own
+strength unable to cast off the shackles that bound
+them.</p>
+
+<p>And what more fitting place to begin than the police
+station and jail? With words of encouragement and
+sympathy, they carried hot coffee and food. No man
+was found inside the prison walls so low or degraded,
+but that he received a friendly shake of the hand, a
+“God help you.”</p>
+
+<p>This work was carried on at intervals for several
+years.</p>
+
+<p>Often through the heat of summer, and the cold of
+winter, one or more of these women might be seen
+going on their mission of mercy to the jail.</p>
+
+<p>So great were the temptations around them to lead
+them from their good resolutions, that the ladies determined
+to open a room for their accommodation and
+safety. And the “Bangor Reform Club Reading-Room,”
+the first of its kind established in the world,
+was opened. Its first motto was, “Malice toward none,
+charity for all.” And this is still the motto of many
+of the Reform Clubs of the State of Maine.</p>
+
+<p>The fitting up and the running expenses of this
+room for the first year were paid by the Crusaders.
+This reading-room is an honor and a blessing to the
+city.</p>
+
+<p>One of the ladies says: “Here, during the winter
+afternoons, the Crusaders meet to make and repair garments
+to protect the unfortunates from the bitter cold.
+Every Sunday evening we hold a prayer and promise
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_608">[Pg 608]</span>meeting in these rooms; men come that you could
+not induce to enter a church, but it is not long before
+they are ready to join the church.” Thus the meeting
+becomes a stepping-stone to the church.</p>
+
+<p>“We find that men who have been rescued from
+intemperance and its kindred vices are not satisfied
+with their own redemption, but from the gratitude of
+their hearts become laborers in the vineyards, cast
+their nets, and become fishers of men.”</p>
+
+<p>This is the secret of the success of the Reform
+Clubs in Maine.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Henry A. Reynolds was induced to sign the
+pledge at one of our public Crusade meetings. “Dare
+to do right,” was his motto. And the first work he
+did after signing the pledge was to persuade others
+to do the same.</p>
+
+<p>Men who have signed the pledge, when the old
+appetite for liquor is aroused, flee to this room and
+divert their minds from the desire for drink by reading
+and receiving good advice and encouragement from
+men and women who are always to be found there
+ready to help those who would, in all probability, fall
+in with bad associates, and eventually break their
+pledge.</p>
+
+<p>The Reform Club numbers four hundred and fifty,
+two hundred of whom are members of the Catholic
+society. Many of the members are away in different
+States, but are true to their pledge.</p>
+
+<p>Our members have gone out to other towns—Hampden,
+Newport, Oldtown, Ellsworth, and elsewhere—in
+some cases organizing societies, and giving
+aid and encouragement to societies already formed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_609">[Pg 609]</span></p>
+
+<p>It is not out of place here to mention the encouragement
+and support which we now have, in the greatly
+increased vigor and efficiency in the enforcement of
+the prohibitory law. This is done under the administration
+of the “Sheriff enforcement” act, so-called—an
+amendment to the law of a few years’ standing, which
+makes it the duty of the sheriff to seize liquors, upon
+complaint.</p>
+
+<p>The vigorous enforcement of the prohibitory law
+we may justly claim as one of the results of our movement,
+though brought about by no direct efforts of our
+own. The towns in the upper Penobscot valley have
+greatly felt the benefit of the legal as well as the
+moral movement.</p>
+
+<p>We have met with difficulties and failures, but in the
+retrospect they are as nothing to the successes, and
+we can but thank God and take courage.</p>
+
+<p>From a small spark a large fire has been kindled,
+and may it burn until there is not one drop of intoxicating
+liquor to be bought in our State; and not until
+then shall we give up the battle.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="AUGUSTA_MAINE">
+ AUGUSTA, MAINE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. C. C. Hunt, Corresponding
+Secretary of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union
+for the State, for the following report:</p>
+
+<p>Our organization was quietly effected, and every
+duty has been by its members as quietly discharged;
+and, after the lapse of one year and three-quarters in
+this conflict with rum, we feel that the work has but
+just commenced.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_610">[Pg 610]</span></p>
+
+<p>We organized, through the appeal of Mrs. Sergeant,
+President of the State Union, January 25th, 1876.</p>
+
+<p>About this time a Reformed Club was organized. A
+soliciting committee, of ladies of different denominations,
+was appointed, to secure funds to meet the
+necessities of the work. A sufficient amount for furnishing
+a club-room, with an excellent library, a large
+number of magazines, and files of the latest papers,
+was secured.</p>
+
+<p>Out of this fund we also expended a considerable
+amount in relieving the sick of families made destitute
+by the great curse.</p>
+
+<p>A committee was appointed to call upon the saloon-keepers,
+and urge them to abandon their traffic.</p>
+
+<p>In this respect no success was achieved, and knowing
+that the open doors were in direct violation of the
+laws of the State, and desiring that the arm of the law
+might be stretched forth, the ladies were not slow to
+sign warrants against liquor-dealers.</p>
+
+<p>And, much to our satisfaction, in the month of
+August, 1876, <i>seven</i> of them were sent to the county
+jail. And still more was our rejoicing, when last winter
+the Legislature rendered the penalty for liquor-selling
+so severe that at the present time it is almost
+entirely abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>Our city marshal has rendered us great service, in
+searching out and bringing to justice these offenders.
+We look forward to the coming winter, when the petition
+of Neal Dow will, if received by the Legislature,
+declare the liquor traffic to be a <i>felony</i>, and to be
+subject to the same laws.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_611">[Pg 611]</span></p>
+
+<p>We recognize the power of prayer, to which we
+attribute the real success which has come to us; we
+stand on the solid rock, with our sisters throughout the
+United States.</p>
+
+<p>Committees, consisting of four or five ladies, hold
+religious exercises, distribute temperance and religious
+tracts.</p>
+
+<p>At the beginning we did not fancy that the paths
+were all <i>flowery</i>, and that the strongholds would crumble
+at our approach; or that every woman in the city
+would consider it her highest glory to join us in this
+labor. Yet a goodly number have come up in the
+spirit of the Master, and rendered much service in the
+cause, so much needed at their hands.</p>
+
+<p>Our determination is firm to adhere with perseverance
+to the work we have undertaken; and, above all,
+to look to Him who has promised to direct the steps
+of those who put their trust in Him.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="STROUDWATER_MAINE">
+ STROUDWATER, MAINE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens furnishes the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>In regard to crusading in Maine, we being protected
+by a law, which, if we demanded its enforcement,
+would be sufficient, hardly felt the need of appealing
+to the rum-seller in the same way as though he was
+licensed or upheld by public favor or opinion. In our
+State the man who sells liquor is, and has been for
+years, considered a criminal.</p>
+
+<p>He does not do it thoughtlessly or ignorantly, hence
+the hope of converting him was very much less than in
+other places.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_612">[Pg 612]</span></p>
+
+<p>Still there are a few instances in our State, where
+sellers have been made to see themselves, as good
+people see them, and have left the miserable business;
+but these cases are few, compared with those who have
+persisted in their evil course against prosecutions, fines,
+and imprisonments, until finally they have been <i>driven</i>
+to yield to the law.</p>
+
+<p>It may not be uninteresting to tell what I have done
+in this line. In our quiet village, two and a half miles
+from Portland, there has been a rum hotel for thirty
+years—for the last fifteen years kept by the same man.</p>
+
+<p>Three years ago, when we women began to have
+our first public meetings here, I saw with pain that those
+people who had never been much troubled with this
+hotel, did not regard it as a nuisance.</p>
+
+<p>The proprietor was a good-natured fellow, <i>called</i>
+kind by some.</p>
+
+<p>How should they be brought to look upon this man
+as I did? I said in a public meeting, referring to the
+place and the man, perhaps he is a good man, perhaps
+he is thoughtlessly doing this terrible thing. Suppose
+we visit him, and talk with him? Who will volunteer?
+One of our first ladies agreed to go with me. We went.
+He listened to us, promised to very soon give it up,
+came to our meetings occasionally, once arose and
+asked for the prayers of Christian people to help him,
+etc. We left nothing undone. He was daily visited
+by influential men and women, who talked and prayed
+with him, and if he sold at all at that time (and he
+probably did) it was done very slyly.</p>
+
+<p>Soon his wife, a woman of his own kind, sickened,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_613">[Pg 613]</span>and died after a week’s delirious sickness, during which
+she constantly begged for mercy, saying the officers
+were coming to search, begging of her husband to sell
+no more rum, etc., etc.</p>
+
+<p>Then we thought the work was done, but were still
+vigilant, day after day, not bringing him where we
+wanted to see him.</p>
+
+<p>We soon saw signs indicative of his base hypocrisy,
+and although he sells more slyly than ever, still the
+place is here and he is in it.</p>
+
+<p>You may ask why has not the law closed it before
+this?</p>
+
+<p>During the last two years, he has paid about $2,500
+in fines, been once imprisoned and is now in bankruptcy,
+and no doubt will be indicted before the grand
+jury, which will effectually wind him up. Now here is
+the point: I do not feel that one visit or one prayer was
+lost that was made at that place.</p>
+
+<p>We carried the public along with us; those who
+never believed we could prevail on him to do better,
+were more indignant than ever; those who did believe
+in him at all were interested and at last disgusted and
+as indignant as their radical neighbors. The officers
+of the law felt that they were supported as never
+before, and worked better and more effectually.</p>
+
+<p>Our Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of this
+place was the first in the State, and has done a wonderful
+work. We hold weekly public temperance meetings
+throughout the year, save the month of August.</p>
+
+<p>The influence that goes out from us I know is powerful.
+Ministers, lawyers, and physicians do not refuse
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_614">[Pg 614]</span>to come and help us from Portland, whenever invited,
+and we have been favored with many friends from
+abroad. Much has been done in our State, but much
+remains to be done. Many are indifferent, enjoying
+the dear blessings which prohibition brings, without
+realizing it. It is our mission we feel, to make them
+<i>realize</i> it, as well as to lift up the fallen, of which we
+have many even in our State.</p>
+
+<p>On the road which goes through this place from
+Buxton to Portland, a distance of nineteen miles, there
+were, thirty years ago, sixteen tippling shops; now there
+is but one, and this the one I have written about.</p>
+
+<p>No stranger can get a drop there, or any one, unless
+known to be true to the rum cause, and then it is
+secreted sometimes in deep holes in the cellar, sometimes
+near the hog-pen, etc., etc.</p>
+
+<p>It is curious how they evade the law so long.</p>
+
+<p>No change has brought this about, save the “<i>Maine
+law</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>It is impossible to buy a glass of liquor. And in our
+cities they have to sell so secretly, and under such
+trying circumstances, that their very faces speak, “The
+way of the transgressor is hard.” I thank God, that
+this is so. My courage was never better than to-day,
+and I intend always to go on in this work for the
+Master.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PORTLAND_MAINE">
+ PORTLAND, MAINE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. George E. Taylor for the
+following statement of work:</p>
+
+<p>What with the conventional restraint of the women
+of New England, and the work so zealously accomplished
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_615">[Pg 615]</span>in the interest of prohibition here, time had to
+be taken to consider by what means we should be
+marshalled into any line of appeal and action. Two
+or three upon whom flashed the revelation of the
+divine purpose, which supported the women of the
+West in their novel protest and venture, waited upon
+God, and proved, in quiet personal efforts, that in
+answer to prayer the lowest and most unfortunate
+might be redeemed; and they speedily dedicated
+themselves to a more public declaration and service in
+the line of mission work; and none of it, we believe,
+has come to the ground. The most impregnable and
+insolent haunt of vice was broken up, and the leader
+and head of the house at last saved, and the whole
+thing buried out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>Greater freedom of evangelistic effort was soon accorded
+here, as elsewhere, to woman, in the sudden
+revolution of public opinion, and these visited the jail,
+and one came to lead a social Sunday service there
+on alternate weeks for a year, and most interesting
+were the results. At that time the prisoners had no
+work, and this service was followed up by their weekly
+visitations, and many were brought to the knowledge
+of the truth as it is in Jesus. Some are living respectable
+lives among us; others are meekly serving out
+their term at the State prison; while one, whose mind
+opened wonderfully to the truth, and was strangely
+ennobled by it, not seeming to belong to his old self
+and his kindred, has been translated to the kingdom,
+the sceptre of which is a right sceptre, and its throne
+forever and ever.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_616">[Pg 616]</span></p>
+
+<p>Waiting and watching our opportunity, the time
+came for a call to the ladies of this city to what proves
+to be an independent local work. With an organization
+of five hundred members, and its various projects
+supported by every church here, the “Woman’s
+Temperance Society” of Portland, on the 4th of July
+of the Centennial year, initiated its coffee-house
+work, serving for the day the multitudes who flocked
+from the country to the celebration, and realized its
+first favor and encouragement to a permanent work.</p>
+
+<p>Though a very much lectured people on the subject
+of temperance, it has not been from a woman’s standpoint;
+and they believed that our fastidious, and of
+course intelligent community, would bear a little more
+of the right sort, and some very superior lectures
+added to our fund and character as an organization.
+On the 1st of January, 1877, we opened a coffee-house.
+We have sought from the beginning to make
+an impression upon refined as well as other circles
+here, and prevent for another generation any revival
+of the social drinking customs of polite life, to protect
+our own young men, clerks, etc., from the temptation
+of “tonic beer” and stronger drinks served slyly, or in
+other fashion, at our eating-houses, as well as to recover
+those who had fallen into this vice. The prosperity
+of that coffee-house it would take time to record.
+Its pecuniary exhibit is wonderful, for in these nine
+months, what with favor of one sort and another, the
+generous service of the ladies, and donations, we have
+in the bank about fifteen hundred dollars, with which
+to open, as we contemplate, a <i>Friendly Inn</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_617">[Pg 617]</span></p>
+
+<p>The work has been embellished with a <i>Flower
+Mission</i>, under the care of young ladies, who make up,
+with special interest, bouquets; now with the most
+carefully selected fragrant flowers for the blind; and
+then the brilliant and beautiful for the hospitals,
+asylums, jail, etc., along with the street distribution of
+loose flowers to children and others who rarely see or
+handle any.</p>
+
+<p>We have also here a <i>Diet Mission</i>, with head-quarters
+at the coffee-house, served by ladies devoted to it, who
+prepare, at their own homes, nourishing food and
+delicacies for the sick, answering the call of physicians,
+clergymen, or other responsible parties in behalf of the
+sick and unfortunate.</p>
+
+<p>This society also supports a mission at the city
+station-house, employing a woman to look for those of
+her own sex who are committed there through fault
+of drunkenness, or vice of other sort, or accident.</p>
+
+<p>The story of this whole work of the Woman’s
+Temperance Society of Portland would fill many
+chapters of a book. There are most interesting incidents
+connected with every branch of it; and to a good
+many the coffee-house has been a place of decision and
+reform; the poor and distressed, and the helpless
+victim of his own weakness and folly, have been comforted
+by it; and with its elegant appointments it
+appeals to the patronage of everybody, and has carried
+us leagues ahead in the controversy of this principle
+of total abstinence, and laid the foundation, we believe,
+of a good work for a generation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_618">[Pg 618]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="OLD_ORCHARD_BEACH">
+ OLD ORCHARD BEACH.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The first temperance camp-meeting, as far as is
+known, ever held in the world, was on this beautiful
+camp-ground. The workers of the Woman’s Temperance
+Union have been there, and helped to make
+that first meeting, and all subsequent ones, successful.
+The Governor of the State, accompanied by other
+State dignitaries, is always present to speak at the
+opening meeting. Neal Dow, the sturdy temperance
+champion, who has done more than perhaps any other
+man to make the liquor traffic unlawful and disreputable,
+attends these meetings, and his temperance
+trumpet gives no uncertain sound. All classes are
+represented, from the highest officials of the State to
+the lowest drunkards of Portland, a seaport town,
+where, even against law, liquors can be smuggled in
+and sold secretly. The reformed men of the State
+come to these gatherings in crowds, and take a prominent
+part in the services.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_619">[Pg 619]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ MICHIGAN.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">
+ CHAPTER XI.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+<p>The facts in regard to the work in Michigan are
+gathered from their Centennial volume.</p>
+
+<p>The book is very voluminous, and contains a complete
+record of the work, and is beautifully gotten
+up on uniform paper, and embellished with pictures.</p>
+
+<p>This volume, which was prepared for the Centennial,
+and is to go into the State Historical Society, has been
+kindly sent that I may gather the most important facts
+connected with the history of their work for this book.</p>
+
+<p>Michigan had a prohibitory law, but public sentiment
+was not sufficiently aroused to enforce it, and the
+liquor-dealers of the State pursued their traffic, in defiance
+of the law, openly. The Woman’s Temperance
+Crusade, and the more recent labors of Dr. Reynolds
+and his coadjutors, have entirely changed the aspect
+of affairs; the entire liquor business seems to have
+been effectually broken down.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ADRIAN_MICHIGAN">
+ ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>After holding prayer-meetings for some time, and
+canvassing the city for signatures to the pledge, a
+mass-meeting was held in the Opera House, March
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_620">[Pg 620]</span>9th, 1874. This proved one of the largest and most
+enthusiastic meetings ever held in the city. The immense
+building was insufficient to contain the crowd,
+and the Presbyterian Church, which was opened for an
+overflow meeting, was filled in a few moments. These
+meetings were addressed by the leading men and
+women of the city. Work was at once entered upon;
+after some discussion the ladies commenced their
+visits to the saloons, under the leadership of Mrs.
+Daniel Benedict, Mrs. William Benson, and Mrs. Norman
+Geddes. Two hundred women in solemn procession
+filed slowly out of the house of God into the
+streets, and into the saloons. All business for the
+time was suspended. Women crowded to the windows;
+men gathered in masses in the street, all gazing
+silently as the band proceeded on their mission. The
+saloon-keepers, who did not expect them, looked on
+with confusion and alarm; the hotels and some of the
+saloons were visited, the proprietors receiving them
+with respect and deference, and at all these places
+religious services were held.</p>
+
+<p>Public sentiment in favor of temperance seemed to
+be rapidly increasing, and words of encouragement
+came to them from the surrounding country, and delegations
+were sent out to the neighboring villages to
+organize the work. Many women, who for years had
+in silence borne the curse of strong drink in their
+own homes, were led to hope for better days, and
+came timidly forward to urge them on.</p>
+
+<p>On the 17th March, the band visited Towl’s saloon.
+Mrs. L. R. Damon and T. P. Thompson, the leaders,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_621">[Pg 621]</span>were admitted, and the door immediately locked. The
+band which remained on the street became alarmed
+for their safety, thinking they were forcibly detained.
+Great excitement prevailed throughout the city; business
+was suspended, and an excited multitude gathered
+about the saloon, filling all the adjacent streets. The
+women inside, unaware of the excitement in the city,
+continued their prayers and pleadings with the proprietor
+until eleven o’clock at night. As the band still
+remained at the saloon, the proprietor wanted to
+know what he had done, and what the women wanted
+of him: immediately the band sang, “Dare to do right,
+dare to be true.” Again he came to the door, and
+exclaimed, “I’m tired of this! yes, I’m tired of this!”
+Immediately the ladies responded in song, “There is
+rest for the weary.” At last he could endure it no
+longer, and fled from the place. A few days afterwards
+the saloon was closed.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, Tuesday, March 18th, pickets
+were stationed at every place where it was known
+that intoxicating liquors were sold. This was very
+destructive to the business of the saloon-keepers, as
+under the public sentiment then existing, but few had
+the hardihood to frequent these places. The success
+of the work began to be most cheering. North Main
+street, almost entirely abandoned to liquor shops, and
+at night ablaze with the light of its saloons, was now
+in darkness. Other parts of the city showed like
+results. On the 20th March, the doors of nearly
+every saloon in the city apparently were closed, and
+the open sale of intoxicating liquors had nearly
+ceased; some of the dealers had signed the pledge.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_622">[Pg 622]</span></p>
+
+<p>The annual city election occurring the 6th of April,
+an all-day prayer-meeting was held in the Presbyterian
+Church, and a mass-meeting held in the evening
+at the same place. Every saloon was picketed.
+The result was a quiet, orderly election. Women, who
+had learned to look on election days with dread and
+terror, reported to us with gratitude, that their husbands
+had returned to their homes sober, for the first
+time in many years.</p>
+
+<p>The picket system was discontinued, and vigilance
+committees appointed to gather up evidence with
+a view of prosecuting the violators of law. The
+State law was prohibitory, but a city ordinance provided
+for license. A petition was presented to the
+city council requesting them to make the sale of
+intoxicating liquors in violation of law a forfeiture of
+their license, but the council declined to act in the
+matter, and all efforts were of no avail.</p>
+
+<p>On the 2d of June a band of ladies visiting a saloon
+on north Main street had scarcely entered, when the
+wife of the saloon-keeper angrily ordered them to
+depart, and before they could leave the place, hastily
+locked them in. Here the ladies were detained, thirteen
+of them, from five o’clock in the afternoon until
+eleven o’clock at night. At a signal from the woman
+a motley and excited crowd of saloon and barkeepers,
+and their associates and companions, besieged the
+building, filling all the street, and keeping away all
+who would approach to assist or even to communicate
+with the imprisoned ladies, and there they remained,
+surging about with oaths, and jeering and threatening
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_623">[Pg 623]</span>demonstrations lest the ladies should escape. Within
+the rear room of the saloon, and separated from the
+band only by a half partition, was another crowd of barkeepers,
+a German Catholic priest, an alderman and
+others, half-inebriated, singing, drinking, and shouting
+with boisterous profanity, influencing and inciting the
+proprietor and his infuriated wife against the band,
+and filling all the room where the ladies were with
+suffocating clouds of smoke. And so the band was
+kept most of the time in darkness, all communication
+with their friends cut off, no ventilation of the foul
+atmosphere permitted, while resort was had to every
+means, short of personal violence, to harass, annoy,
+and intimidate these imprisoned women, until by the
+interposition of the mayor they were released.</p>
+
+<p>This was the answer of the saloon-keepers to the
+prayerful, tearful appeals of the best Christian women
+of the city in behalf of temperance.</p>
+
+<p>Early in the progress of the movement it became
+evident that many of the saloon-keepers could not
+be reached by moral suasion, and that law must be
+resorted to for the suppression of the traffic. A large
+number of suits were commenced, the business men
+of the city backing up the movement by a subscription
+of $3,000. Delegations of ladies from the Union
+attended nearly all these public trials. The anti-temperance
+people became very bitter and vindictive,
+and openly manifested their hostility. Several of the
+ladies attending these trials had their dresses cut and
+despoiled by persons in the crowd, and one gentleman,
+a Mr. Brown, who assisted in the suits, was murderously
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_624">[Pg 624]</span>assaulted with a knife in the hands of a
+woman.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies finding it impossible to secure the services
+of officers who would perform their duty under
+the law for the suppression of the traffic, finally abandoned
+this branch of the work.</p>
+
+<p>There were three hundred and two members of the
+band, and two hundred and thirteen meetings were
+held during the first year, and $693.43 expended
+in the work.</p>
+
+<p>The number of licensed saloons in the city when the
+Union first sent out its praying bands was fifty-two; in
+less than ten days from that time all these were virtually
+closed, and remained so for more than six
+weeks. The result was, that our jails soon became
+empty for the first time in the history of our county,
+with one exception only, which occurred in the early
+settlement of the State. The average jail and criminal
+expenses of the county previous to the temperance
+movement was $1,000 per month, <i>but during the time
+the saloons were closed these expenses were only $50 per
+month</i>—a saving per month of $950.</p>
+
+<p>The women now saw the importance of organized
+and persistent work, and prepared for a long conflict.
+A reading-room was opened, a juvenile society was
+organized, and by systematic work the business is
+gradually being overthrown.</p>
+
+<p>More recently a reform movement, under the leadership
+of Dr. Reynolds, has drawn tens of thousands
+of drinking men away from the saloons. This has
+crippled the saloon-keepers hopelessly. Many of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_625">[Pg 625]</span>leading men of the State and politicians have signed
+the pledge, and now give their moral support to the
+Woman’s Temperance Union and the Reform Club;
+so victory is assured. One of the Vice-Presidents of
+the National Union, Mrs. Jane M. Geddes, is one of
+the prominent and efficient workers of the society.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="LANSING_MICHIGAN">
+ LANSING, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>On the 24th March, 1874, the first public meeting
+was called; about sixty women were present. On the
+following Sunday, a union service was held in the
+Opera Hall, which was tendered free of charge. The
+hall was crowded, and the meeting enthusiastic. The
+town was canvassed with a view of securing the co-operation
+of business men for the immediate suppression
+of the traffic. Seven hundred dollars were subscribed
+to aid the women to carry out legal measures.
+The saloons were visited, but the proprietors refused to
+sign the dealers’ pledge. In reference to the opinion
+which the dealers themselves held in regard to their
+occupation, but one dealer was found in the length
+and breadth of the city who said he considered his
+calling honorable.</p>
+
+<p>The Rev. David Crosby, of the first Baptist Church,
+by his own personal efforts, raised and placed in the
+hands of the Union $1,200.</p>
+
+<p>The work was continued by mass-meetings, saloon
+visiting, personal appeals, and tract distribution, until
+May 5th, 1874, when the legal work was commenced.
+The women attended the trials, which were held before
+Justice Green. The stairway leading to the court
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_626">[Pg 626]</span>was dark, the room illy ventilated, and furnished with
+wooden benches. Yet not one case out of the twenty-eight
+was tried between May 5th, and September
+24th, that the women were not present. Undismayed
+and unflinchingly they sat in the court-room with its
+repulsive surroundings, in the summer afternoons,
+with the sun beating in at uncurtained windows,
+though the thought of cool parlors at home tempted
+them. The following summary will show the general
+line of work and the results up to September 24th,
+1874:</p>
+
+<p>Summons issued, forty-four; trials had, twenty-eight;
+withdrawn, by pledge to quit, three; convictions,
+twenty-three; acquittals, two; disagreement of the
+jury, three; no trial on account of justice being sick,
+four; suits on docket for trial, twenty-three. Results:
+convictions of men, twenty; convictions of women,
+three; saloons closed up to date, six; saloons remaining
+in the city, twenty-eight; fines imposed, $750;
+fines paid, $175; cost imposed, including attorneys’
+fees, $419.63; costs collected, $109.48.</p>
+
+<p>The legal work aroused a spirit of anger. It was
+reported that one saloon-keeper said that there was
+nothing to fear as long as the women remained in
+the church to pray. Under the heavy blows of the
+Woman’s Union the saloons in Lansing decreased in
+six months from forty-one to twenty-eight, and the
+traffic remained crippled, until the State Legislature
+repealed a prohibitory law, and enacted a tax law;
+under this fostering care of the State authorities, the
+hope and business of liquor-dealers revived.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_627">[Pg 627]</span></p>
+
+<p>But the women are not discouraged or defeated. A
+Reform Club and a Young People’s Society have been
+organized, and a reading-room established; and by
+systematic and persistent work, they are pushing the
+battle and expect the victory.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="JACKSON_MICHIGAN">
+ JACKSON, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>In the month of February, 1874, Rev. J. H. McCarty,
+D. D., pastor of the first M. E. Church, issued
+a call for a union temperance meeting, to be held in
+the Methodist Church. Responsive to this call, the
+pastors of nearly all of the orthodox churches came
+together, with their working members.</p>
+
+<p>There was a very enthusiastic meeting, and for
+several days such meetings were held. Finally, the
+ladies were encouraged to organize and begin Crusade
+work. The pastors promised their hearty support
+and encouragement. The ladies organized a society
+known as “The Ladies’ Temperance Union,” of Jackson.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies visited some saloons, but without any
+perceptible results. The saloon-keepers knew that
+they had the support of the majority of the business
+men of the place, and so were coolly defiant.</p>
+
+<p>A large and enthusiastic meeting was held, March
+12th, in the Opera House, and the clergy committed
+themselves unreservedly to the work. The exercises
+consisted of speeches and songs, and Mrs. L. E. Allen,
+President of the Union, read the following original
+poem, in which is embodied the experience of a lady
+living in Jackson:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_628">[Pg 628]</span></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Pale were the lips which uttered this story, not long ago,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And the eyes were dim with a sorrow which cometh from human woe;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And the words came low and broken from the torn and bleeding heart,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Where years on years had rankled the pain of a poisoned dart.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“’Twas a fearful night in the winter, the winter of sixty-four,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">When round my lowly dwelling the wild winds beat and tore;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">The rain which in daylight had fallen had turned to a frozen sleet,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And lay like a sheet of silver adown the desolate street.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">’Twas long and long after midnight, I waited and waited alone—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">None, none but my God to be near me, and list to my desolate moan.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">My light shone out in the darkness, my fire was burning bright,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">For my husband, my erring husband, was out in the fearful night.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“And colder I grew in my terror—I had waited so long, so long</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">(For my heart to the wreck of my idol still hopefully, tenderly clung).</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Then I thought I heard his footsteps come staggering on through the gloom,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And they sent a chill to my heartstrings like the threat of a terrible doom.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And nearer they came, and nearer, and paused by the outer door,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And I heard a voice and footstep I had never heard before.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">I opened the door affrighted, and saw but a stranger face,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Where the flush of the fatal wine cup had crimsoned and left its trace.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“‘Come, hasten!’ he said, ‘good woman, your husband is dead with drink,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And the man who sold him the poison has a heart as black as ink,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And he swears he will turn him helpless out into the storm to lie,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">When he knows that out in the tempest alone he would perish and die.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Perhaps if you went to his rescue, and whispered a word in his ear,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">He might waken from out his stupor and hearken the message to hear.</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_629">[Pg 629]</span> <div class="verse indent0">You never need fear to trust me, for I am my own worst foe;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">But I hated to see him lying all dead and cold in the snow.’</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“So I wrapped my garments about me, to shield me as best I might,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And went, with a drunken stranger, out into the pitiless night—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Down through the streets of the city, down to the haunts beneath,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Where the soul is chained to a monster that clingeth and clingeth till death.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Oh! the sight that darkened my vision, may you never witness, I pray,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">For there lay the one I had promised to honor, and love, and obey.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">He opened his eyes in wonder as he heard the unwonted sound</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Of my voice in that den of terror, and dizzily looked around.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Then the little of manhood in him came out in a flush on his face;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And, upheld by myself and the stranger, he staggering left the place.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Fiercely the storm king assailed us, and pierced us through like a knife;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">But we thought not of storm or tempest, for we fought for a human life.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Home where the lamplight waited, home to a living death</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">(For life in the soul is not cherished by giving or taking of breath),</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And I sat in my helpless sorrow and pleaded and prayed to die,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">For death were a hundred-fold sweeter than the living agony.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“So many a night have I sought him, ’twixt midnight and break of day,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And out of that place of torment have led him reeling away.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Oh! those fearful walks in the darkness, I can never, no, never, forget;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And the glimmer of starlight splendor sends a shudder over me yet.</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_630">[Pg 630]</span> </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Then he went to his country’s rescue, himself but a tyrant’s slave—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And the wreck of his noble manhood now sleeps in a nameless grave.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">While my heart was crushed and bleeding, my cry was, day by day:</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">‘How long shall the wicked triumph? how long shall Thy people pray?’</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“So the plaintive story ended, so the pale lips paused to say:</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">‘Say to the women of Jackson there is need for them to pray.’</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Ah! need, for the cry is ringing from city, and hamlet, and plain,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">While we feel the silent pleadings of the millions that are slain.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Need! for the fight grows fiercer, and madly the red wine flows;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And the record is growing longer—the record of human woes.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“How long, O Lord, shall Thy children sit idle, and fearful, and dumb,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">While thousands are falling around us, all ruined and wrecked by rum.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Let the bondage of self be broken, and set all Thy people free,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Till the world shall be rid of this evil, and brought to a knowledge of Thee.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>The Hurd House saloon was among the first visited.
+The clerk received them politely, but the crowd on the
+street were disposed to be abusive. A saloon-keeper
+made a mock prayer, which was so vulgar that he was
+afterwards arrested for the offence. A total abstinence
+pledge was circulated, but very few of the prominent
+business men, or church members would sign it. So
+low was the temperance sentiment that nearly all of the
+drug stores sold liquor by the glass, to whoever wanted
+it, regardless of law or order.</p>
+
+<p>The law which required the saloons to be closed on
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_631">[Pg 631]</span>Sunday was openly defied and scoffed at. The ladies
+sent a petition to the common council, requesting the
+enforcement of the Sunday law; but it was laid upon
+the table, no attention whatever being paid to it.</p>
+
+<p>A vigilance committee was appointed, and a number
+of saloon-keepers were arrested for breaking the Sunday
+law. They were tried before the courts, and,
+although abundant and reliable proof was produced,
+yet judge and jury conspired to render a verdict of
+acquittal.</p>
+
+<p>Outdoor meetings were held during the spring and
+summer, under the supervision of Mrs. Mary T. Lathrop
+and Mrs. A. H. Brown, both of them indefatigable
+workers in the temperance cause.</p>
+
+<p>The daily meetings were continued for about three
+months, after which they were held weekly. These
+continued for a while; but the churches were so indifferent,
+and public sentiment so opposed, that after a
+while the meetings were abandoned entirely.</p>
+
+<p>But of late there is a new interest being awakened
+on the temperance question, and may God speed the
+day when this nation shall put this great enemy of intemperance
+under her feet, and shall stand before the
+world purified and saved.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="GRAND_RAPIDS_MICHIGAN">
+ GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A Woman’s Prohibition Society was organized in
+this town in 1872. The circumstance leading to this
+action was the wrongs and sufferings of a woman of
+intelligence and culture, whose husband was a victim
+of the drink habit. The existence of this society was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_632">[Pg 632]</span>maintained up to the Crusade. The heroic little band,
+with fresh hope and courage, renewed their work. One
+public house turned out its bar, one wholesale grocery
+gave up the liquor trade, a few small retail saloons
+were shut up; sixteen out of eighteen signed the druggists’
+pledge.</p>
+
+<p>Many who professed Christianity withheld their aid
+and sympathy: none were quicker to see this than the
+saloon-keepers, and taking advantage of this indecision,
+the liquor ring sent out its messengers, with the threat
+that business and political patronage would be withheld
+from all who had anything to do with the temperance
+cause. Covert threats were also sent out, warning
+persons of danger to their property; and men of wealth
+and influence, some of them pillars in the church and
+society, sold their principles, allowed their convictions
+to be silenced, and even went so far as to desire their
+wives to discontinue their open connection with the
+Woman’s Temperance Union. There were honorable
+exceptions, however—men who stood by their principles.</p>
+
+<p>Noble and influential women of the city, who had
+formerly been active in the Woman’s Prohibition
+Society, stood aloof, having no faith in the present
+movement.</p>
+
+<p>In all these discouragements, the earnest women
+engaged in the work only saw the valley of humiliation
+through which they must pass before they ascend to
+the mount of victory.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. L. Bois is the President, and Mrs. E. S.
+Eggleston, Corresponding Secretary.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_633">[Pg 633]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="COLD_WATER_MICHIGAN">
+ COLD WATER, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>After several preliminary meetings for prayer and
+conference, a mass-meeting was held, April 16th, 1874,
+at the M. E. Church. Twelve ladies passed through
+the audience and secured 177 names as workers, which
+was soon augmented to 200.</p>
+
+<p>The men said they were ashamed to have the women
+do the work, and formed a committee for the purpose
+of doing the work themselves. The women waited
+patiently, then sent a committee to inquire as to their
+success. They told the ladies to keep quiet, that they
+were doing all they could, but it took time to accomplish
+such a great work. What the men really did
+was to give the liquor-dealers thirty days time to quit
+the business, or in other words, to give them that much
+time to perfect their arrangements to sell secretly.
+Not a single saloon was closed, and now they tell the
+women tauntingly, that they did not intend to close the
+saloons, but took this means to prevent the women
+from working. But amid all these discouragements,
+the women are pushing their work, trusting in God for
+the victory.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ Mrs. Dr. <span class="smcap">Geo. Ferguson</span>, Secretary.
+</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="EATON_RAPIDS_MICHIGAN">
+ EATON RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work began in this town in March, 1874; the
+first visit to the saloons was by a committee of six ladies;
+soon afterwards they went in a body. One of their visits
+was to a first-class hotel, where they asked the privilege
+of prayer; the landlord objected, said he would
+have no noise or excitement in his house, as his wife
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_634">[Pg 634]</span>was very sick, but all the time he was making a great
+noise himself. “Very well,” said the leader, “we will
+have a season of silent prayer,” to which he replied,
+“Pray away, that’s your privilege,” and turning, walked
+to the other side of the room; at a wave from the
+leader’s hand, they all knelt on the office floor; the
+rustle of their dresses attracted his attention; he turned
+and came to them like an enraged tiger. A lady (her
+husband at that time was drinking terribly), whose
+countenance was indicative of a broken heart, was
+kneeling in front of the others. The enraged proprietor
+caught this pale, trembling, heart-broken Christian
+lady, and hurled her with violence against the rest,
+saying: “Get out! I won’t have it: get out, get out.”
+Rising as quietly as possible the ladies passed out, the
+proprietor busying himself pushing and scolding those
+in the rear. The ladies were sad, but not disappointed.
+The next day double the number convened for action.</p>
+
+<p>Not many months passed till that beautiful house lay a
+mass of charred ruins. The next day the leader of the
+band, the marshal of the village by her side, visited the
+Spring House; after singing and prayer, the mother-in-law
+of the bartender, who stood beside the proprietor,
+opened her mouth, and the Lord filled it with a stream of
+eloquence most touching, most pathetic. Fifteen minutes
+after they left the room the proprietor closed out his
+bar, saying, while the tears ran down his face, “No one
+need ever tell me again there is no power in prayer.”
+The whole community seemed aroused, by seeing the
+procession of ladies; others could not bear to look at
+them; men who did not consider themselves temperance
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_635">[Pg 635]</span>men declared they could think of nothing else night
+or day; ministers who had lacked interest became
+radical. At length it was thought wise to petition the
+village board: accordingly a committee of eight ladies
+presented a petition. Their prayer was granted, and
+the marshal instructed to order the bars closed the next
+morning. From that time until the change in the law,
+liquor was not sold openly and defiantly. During the
+first week of the license, or tax law, there were more
+drunkards on the streets than in the six months previous.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span style="margin-right: 1.5em;">Mrs. <span class="smcap">Ira Turney</span>, President.</span><br>
+<br>
+ Mrs. <span class="smcap">J. E. Sweezey</span>, Secretary.
+</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_BOSTON_MICHIGAN">
+ NEW BOSTON, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The following incident led to the commencement
+of the work in this place. A lady died in Ohio, who
+had formerly lived in New Boston, and whose son
+was still living there, on the ancestral farm, but he
+had learned to love the fatal cup, and his career had
+given his mother much sorrow. She was in the Crusade
+of Ohio, and it was her purpose to go to New
+Boston and inaugurate a Crusade to save her son.
+But God called her home, and her husband brought
+her body to be buried there, and told the story. A
+deep interest was aroused, and the Christian women
+felt called to take up this work that the mother had
+laid down.</p>
+
+<p>There were, at that time, two saloons and one tavern
+in successful operation in the village. Two of them
+did more business on the Sabbath than on any other
+day of the week; gambling was constantly practised
+in all; and the minister, as he passed to his church,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_636">[Pg 636]</span>could count more men and boys about the tavern
+doors than he could in the church. The women commenced
+by ascertaining how many in the village and
+vicinity were willing to give their aid and influence.
+All professed themselves more than willing. A committee
+was appointed to visit the saloon-keepers, and
+talk kindly with them, and urge them to give up a
+business that was ruining themselves as well as their
+unhappy victims. Two agreed to close their doors if
+all would; the third, a German, who kept a den that
+for vileness could hardly be surpassed, was determined
+to sell in spite of them.</p>
+
+<p>It was ascertained that less than $75 would purchase
+all the liquors in the place and close out the
+saloons, but the temperance men objected to it, and
+the women abandoned that project. Mass-meetings
+and saloon visiting continued, and such enthusiasm
+was aroused, that two of the saloonists moved away,
+leaving only the defiant, law-breaking German in the
+business. He was backed up by a man of considerable
+influence, who received from the government a large
+salary, as a sort of pseudo revenue officer. The ladies
+went <i>en masse</i> to the saloon of this German. He received
+them with considerable trepidation, and would have
+run away, but for the loungers in the bar-room, who
+detained him; but his wife, an ignorant and depraved
+woman, soon appeared on the scene, and commenced
+like Saul of Tarsus to breathe out threatenings and
+slaughter. When this man’s courage would falter,
+under the earnest appeals of wives and mothers, the
+bar-room loungers would jeer and offer insult, to break
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_637">[Pg 637]</span>the force of their words. They found there not only
+opposition, but an atmosphere of corruption and vice,
+and real danger, but they did not falter. On visiting
+the place again, they found two gray-headed old men,
+both of whom had held the highest office in the gift
+of their fellow-townsmen, one of them the pseudo
+revenue officer before mentioned. They were just in
+the act of drinking at the bar as they entered. No
+words can do justice to the scene. They knew that
+the women were on the alert for evidence to convict
+the liquor-seller, and they might be used to convict
+the man they were laboring so hard to sustain. They
+tried to hide themselves behind each other, or behind
+the stove, or anything that promised to protect them
+from view, the little band of determined women being
+between them and the door.</p>
+
+<p>Having secured sufficient evidence they determined
+to prosecute the German dealer. They called upon the
+temperance men to subscribe each a small amount, but
+with one accord they all began to make excuse, except
+two; the merchant pleaded that he had no shutters to
+his store front; the doctor thought it would hurt his
+practice; the politician feared loss of votes; the farmer
+dreaded a girdled orchard, and it was only after long
+marching and much pleading that $10 was secured to
+fee an able lawyer, who undertook this case for that.
+The day of trial arrived. They went in force to an
+adjoining town, where the case was to be tried before
+an honorable temperance justice of the peace.</p>
+
+<p>Their witnesses nearly all disappointed them; some,
+they had reason to believe, perjured themselves. The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_638">[Pg 638]</span>jury retired at nine <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> One, two, three hours passed
+away, and no verdict. But just as the hands of the
+clock in the county school-house, where the trial took
+place on this Saturday night, pointed five minutes to
+twelve, the jury appeared and announced, amid the
+most solemn stillness, the verdict, “Guilty.” The
+justice, with an eye on the clock, pronounced the
+sentence—a fine, or imprisonment till the fine was
+paid. With happy hearts they started for their homes,
+feeling that victory was about to crown their efforts.
+But the authorities did not enforce the collection of
+the fine, and the drinking, gambling, and Sunday
+desecration continued. Again they arrested him for
+keeping his saloon open on the Sabbath. He was
+tried before a resident justice, a professing Christian.
+The man pleaded guilty, and was fined only five dollars.
+He was delighted, and exultingly paid his fine. Again
+they arrested him for allowing minors to gamble in his
+house. He was tried before another justice, a man
+who had said he would sacrifice five hundred dollars,
+and move away, if that very house was not closed.
+The dealer pleaded guilty, and was fined three dollars.
+The man laughingly declared he could well afford that,
+as the previous Sunday he had made from his gaming
+table thirty dollars.</p>
+
+<p>The women were now thoroughly convinced that
+the men who had so loudly talked temperance could
+not be depended upon. The town board had promised
+to stand by the ladies in their efforts to suppress
+the illegal traffic; but in the first case the fine was not
+collected, and in the other two they were too small to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_639">[Pg 639]</span>be felt, although imposed for grave offences. The next
+Sabbath the passers-by, on their way to church, were
+pained, as usual, by the open doors, sounds of dice,
+card-playing, and swearing, as though it were all perfectly
+legitimate. As the traffic was sustained by the
+officers of the law, the ladies deemed it unwise to continue
+the legal work.</p>
+
+<p>During all this time the vile spirit of rum manifested
+itself in lawlessness and deeds of violence. One of
+the workers was the wife of a merchant, who was
+moving his building from one lot to another. The
+whiskey party gathered near the place; rum flowed as
+free as water, and a fight occurred that beggars description.
+Infuriated with the vile stuff, they seized
+sticks and clubs, and struck friend and foe alike.
+Women and children rushed to the rescue, and then
+fled in terror from the scene. One mother, who recognized
+her son among the combatants, was with difficulty
+restrained from going to his rescue. His young
+wife, regardless of the fast-falling blows, rushed to his
+aid, and the poor, beaten wretch, unworthy of so much
+womanly sympathy, was finally saved from what might
+have been a fearful death. The merchant received
+friendly warning that his building was in danger of
+being fired. On the night of the 3d of July, the
+whiskey party placed three anvils within eight feet of
+the glass front of this man’s store, and loaded them
+with gunpowder, and fired them, knowing at the time
+that the husband was absent, and that the wife, with
+her three little children, one an infant, was in the house
+alone. The yell of disappointed rage that broke from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_640">[Pg 640]</span>them as the smoke cleared away, and they found that
+not one of the large lights was broken, made night
+hideous. About an hour later, one man, more noisy
+than discreet, shouted, in drunken tones, “Let’s fire
+the blind man’s store!” The object of their fiendish
+malice was totally blind, and had been brought up
+amongst them from childhood, and was every way
+worthy of their respect, his only fault being earnest
+devotion to the cause of temperance. Failing to otherwise
+injure his building, they defaced it by writing,
+during the night, offensive epithets in large letters.
+On one occasion they bought a keg of beer, and built a
+bonfire in front of his house, and with orgies that would
+have graced pandemonium, drank it to the dregs.</p>
+
+<p>A large stone was thrown through the window of a
+sleeping-room in the house of another member of the
+Union with such force as to break the plastering on
+the opposite side of the room, and greatly endanger
+the sleepers. Two of these disturbers of the peace
+reaped their reward within a short time. Leaving the
+tavern intoxicated one dark night, one journeyed
+north, the other south, on the railroad track. One fell
+through the bridge into the dark river below, and his
+body lay there a week before it was known what had
+become of him. The other was found the next morning
+in a culvert, a mangled corpse, by his own daughter,
+who had been sent by the anxious wife and mother,
+after a night of sleepless anxiety, to search for him.</p>
+
+<p>And still the wives and mothers weep, and watch,
+and pray, for still the fearful work of ruin goes on.
+The ladies attribute their failure to the cowardice and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_641">[Pg 641]</span>instability of the temperance men, who have made
+their village a reproach and a by-word in the land.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PORTLAND_MICHIGAN">
+ PORTLAND, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>On March 30th, 1874, a citizens’ temperance convention
+was held at Bower’s Hall, presided over by Dr.
+M. B. Beers. At this meeting Rev. A. March, Presbyterian,
+suggested that the ladies should assist in
+forwarding the cause of temperance. They needed no
+second invitation. A meeting was held the next
+morning, and the town districted and canvassed for
+names to the several pledges.</p>
+
+<p>April 2d, 1874, a lawsuit against a saloonist for
+unlawful sale of liquors was instituted by the village
+board. The ladies attended the trial. Defendant was
+convicted and fined $25. When the decision was
+announced, the ladies sang “Glory Hallelujah,” and
+the criminal joined in the chorus. The saloons, hotels,
+drug stores, and all places where liquors were sold,
+were visited. The front doors of the saloons were
+locked, dealers absent, business seemed to be closed.
+The man, who was tried and fined $25, afterwards gave
+up the business and signed the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>April 14th, 1874, out of a population of fifteen hundred,
+eight hundred had enrolled their names on the
+pledge. The five saloons in active operation at the
+beginning of the Crusade were all closed; hard cider
+banished from the restaurants, and the druggists
+pledged to sell only for mechanical and medicinal purposes.
+The women thanked God and took courage.
+Liquors were reshipped or sold by the sheriff. Only
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_642">[Pg 642]</span>one of all the saloonists visited talked defiantly and
+insultingly. He was promptly arrested and dragged
+before Justice A. J. Southard, there to answer for his
+misdemeanor. All his courage forsook him, and under
+the pretence of seeking a witness in the hall, he left
+the court-room, dashed down the steps, and away,
+and was lost to the court and the town. The next
+day two of the ladies, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Showman,
+took the train in which he was making good
+his escape. In great terror, he thought of jumping
+from the cars, but was restrained by a friend. He is
+now honestly laboring in an adjoining town for a
+livelihood.</p>
+
+<p>The effect, however, of the tax law was to revive the
+hopes of the liquor party, and make it more difficult to
+resist the tide of evil. But these noble women are holding
+the fort, and hopefully persevering in their labors
+for universal sobriety.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span style="margin-right: 8.0em;"><span class="smcap">Hattie E. S. Cole</span>,</span><br>
+ Chairman of Committee on History of Woman’s<br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 12.0em;">Temperance Crusade.</span>
+</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="HOWELL_MICHIGAN">
+ HOWELL, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A society was organized at this place, April, 1874.
+Saloon visitations followed. At first every door was
+closed against the women, and meetings were held on
+the sidewalks. No indignities were offered to the
+ladies except at the hotel of Mr. Johnson, but he was
+arrested and taken to prison. After this, the saloon
+doors were opened, and we held meetings in the
+saloons for ten days, when all the saloon-keepers
+agreed to close. The ladies were bound to believe
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_643">[Pg 643]</span>these promises, but every art that wicked men could
+devise was resorted to, to carry on the traffic secretly.
+When interrogated in regard to the reports, they
+would invariably deny that they were selling. A committee
+was appointed to obtain evidence, and at the
+session of the grand jury, June, 1874, over one hundred
+witnesses were sworn, and testified to having drank at
+the saloons after the promise was given to the ladies to
+quit selling. Every saloon-keeper in the village was
+indicted. They were required to give bail, and there
+it ended. A number of suits for violation of the law
+were held before a justice of the peace, E. B. Gregory.
+All were lost by the disagreement of the jury, except
+one. The board of supervisors withheld the fees of
+Squire Gregory, because he was a temperance man.</p>
+
+<p>All hopes of accomplishing anything in this direction
+were cut off. The ladies, though defeated in human
+courts, were as determined as ever. Tracts were
+written and printed, and distributed throughout the
+town and county. Temperance prayer-meetings and
+mass-meetings were held, a children’s organization
+was formed, and petitions and pledges circulated, and
+still they work on and pray on, and victory is crowning
+their efforts.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ Mrs. <span class="smcap">R. V. Huntington</span>,<br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 2.0em;">Mrs. <span class="smcap">H. G. W. Fry</span>,</span><br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 3.0em;">Mrs. <span class="smcap">S. T. Lyon</span>.</span>
+</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ALLEGAN_MICHIGAN">
+ ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The ladies began in this town, February 19th, 1874,
+by sending a postal card to each of the saloon proprietors,
+urging them in the name of law and order to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_644">[Pg 644]</span>cease their illegal traffic, assuring them that if they did
+not do so, more decided measures would be taken.
+The town was canvassed for workers, and on Wednesday
+morning, March 4th, a consecration meeting was
+held at the Presbyterian Church. From the church they
+marched to Cook’s saloon, and finding the door closed,
+they held their prayer-meeting in the street, singing
+as their battle-song, “We’re listed in the holy war,
+battling for the Lord;” and, “I’m glad I’m in this
+army.” From thence the band proceeded to H. S.
+Strong’s saloon. Above the door was a black placard
+bearing the words, “Closed for Prayers.” The ladies
+were admitted, and treated with deference. All the
+saloons were visited. At the close of the week there
+were two less saloons. Another man returned his
+stock of liquors, and engaged in other business. The
+proprietor of the City Hotel, being notified by the
+owner of the building to cease the sale of liquors,
+stated that he had decided to keep a temperance
+house. A German saloon-keeper was visited: he was
+very uncivil and abusive, and went on with the sale of
+liquor in their presence. The ladies entered complaint
+before Justice Babbit, and by his own admission
+he was convicted as a common seller, and fined fifty
+dollars and costs. Other suits followed, seven of
+them damage suits for large amounts. In the meantime
+the Crusade band continued to visit saloons, and
+hold religious exercises, and by the fourth week the
+saloons were virtually closed. A petition was presented
+to the common council for a prohibitory law,
+but the council dallied, deferring action from week to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_645">[Pg 645]</span>week; a committee of ladies waited upon them with a
+petition, signed by two hundred of the best citizens,
+urging prompt action, but when action was taken, it
+was adverse. This gave great encouragement to the
+liquor-dealers. Strong, who had temporarily abandoned
+the business, rented a building, and flaunted
+from an upper window the American flag dishonored
+by the black token of defiance. The ladies visited
+him, but as he expressed a determination to go on
+with his business, they purchased some of his liquors,
+and held him to trial before Judge Babbit, but being
+defeated they carried it up to the Circuit Court.
+Strong paid his fine without trial. In a short time
+twelve other dealers reopened their saloons. They
+were so cautious in the beginning, that it was difficult
+to obtain evidence; but in a short time the ladies
+commenced suit against all in the business; some were
+gained, others lost, or the jury disagreed.</p>
+
+<p>Through all the discouraging circumstances they
+still maintain their work, and pray and wait for
+victory.</p>
+
+<p>M. T. McMartin, Secretary, prepared the report
+from which I have gleaned this.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="IONIA_MICHIGAN">
+ IONIA, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, the
+15th March. At this meeting it was affirmed that
+there were one hundred men ready to sustain the
+cause, but when their zeal was put to a test it was
+found there was scarcely one who was true. The
+ladies organized and visited the saloons; some of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_646">[Pg 646]</span>saloon-keepers were moved to tears, and expressed a
+regret that they were in the business. One dealer,
+when they asked the privilege of praying in his saloon,
+said: “If there is any of you without sin, let her
+pray.” The ladies, feeling that they were in the right,
+did not hesitate to offer prayer. One prominent wholesale
+dealer said, that if there were thirty business men
+in the city who desired that he should close his saloon,
+he would comply; others made the same promise;
+<i>the thirty men, however, could not be found</i>. The ladies
+then petitioned the common council: <i>their petition was
+laid on the table</i>. Undismayed the ladies then went
+out into the saloons, and forbade the sale of liquor
+after the 1st of May, which so intimidated the dealers,
+that no liquor was sold publicly for several weeks.
+During the time, agents from liquor-houses visited the
+city, but were unable to sell a single barrel for three
+months. One of these agents offered a prominent
+lawyer $1,000 if he would desert the cause of the
+ladies, and come out in favor of the saloonists, which,
+be it said to his honor, he steadily refused to do.
+While liquors were not sold publicly, the ladies were
+confident that it was sold with closed doors. They
+decided to employ a detective; Mr. Willlngton C.
+Page offered his home as head-quarters of this official,
+and when suits were brought against the saloonists,
+such an excitement was created, that Mr. Page was
+obliged almost to risk his life in behalf of the detective.
+The detective proved to be a failure, which
+greatly discouraged the ladies in their active work;
+yet their prayer-meetings and efforts are kept up, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_647">[Pg 647]</span>the subject is kept before the people. Three of the
+saloon-keepers have gone to try the realities of
+another world; two have sold out, and two have
+abandoned the business.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="HUDSON_MICHIGAN">
+ HUDSON, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>During the excitement caused by the Crusade in
+Ohio, the women of Hudson became interested in the
+temperance movement, and some time in February,
+1874, formed a society known as “The Ladies’ Temperance
+Union.”</p>
+
+<p>The object of this society was to develop a better
+public sentiment, and by directing attention to the
+great evils of intemperance to promote the cause of
+temperance.</p>
+
+<p>About one hundred ladies joined the Union, and
+worked ardently.</p>
+
+<p>The pastors of the different churches gave their
+support, and did all in their power to help on the good
+cause. It was soon discovered, however, that there
+was an element of conservatism manifesting itself, and
+many of the workers were influenced by it, and fell
+away. But there was a faithful few, who, believing
+that this work was not of <i>man</i>, but of God, worked
+right on.</p>
+
+<p>The town was canvassed for signers to the pledge.
+They met with much opposition; but about seven
+hundred signers were secured.</p>
+
+<p>On election day the ladies visited the saloon-keepers,
+and urged them to close their saloons. Some of
+them did as the ladies requested; but when they refused,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_648">[Pg 648]</span>pickets were left on watch, so that if any did
+drink they would have to do so in the presence of the
+ladies. At one place they were ordered by the proprietor
+to leave, who gave them just three minutes in
+which to do so. But one little woman, with a good stock
+of moral courage, refused to leave, maintaining that it
+was a place of public resort, and that if her husband
+and brothers could come and stay there, so could she,
+and she would do so.</p>
+
+<p>Several saloons closed; but one place where they
+promised to close, but did not, the ladies went on
+picket duty. The proprietor sent out for a lot of
+rowdies, and offered segars free to all who would
+smoke. They smoked until the people outside thought
+the place was on fire. The ladies were asked to leave,
+but declined to do so unless the saloon was closed.
+Finally, when the men could stand it no longer, the
+saloon was closed.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies entered suit against a saloon-keeper for
+selling to a young man contrary to the prohibition law,
+and won the suit; the saloon-keeper having to pay
+the fine and costs.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies did not do much saloon visiting, but have
+quietly worked on in whatever way they felt that the
+Lord called them.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly all owners of real estate signed a pledge
+not to rent their property to be used for the purpose
+of selling intoxicating liquors. One saloon-keeper,
+on going to pay his rent, and renew his lease, to his
+disgust, found that his landlord had signed the
+woman’s pledge, and could not let him have it. A
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_649">[Pg 649]</span>lawsuit ensued, but the saloon-keeper was ejected,
+and the room thoroughly cleaned and repainted, and
+the first use made of it was for a strawberry festival
+given by the ladies of the Union.</p>
+
+<p>There is a better temperance sentiment here than
+when the Union was organized. The temperance
+workers are watching and praying for a day when the
+friends of temperance can praise the Lord who giveth
+the victory to those who trust in His almighty power.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MORENCI_MICHIGAN">
+ MORENCI, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>March 18th, 1874, the ladies organized a Woman’s
+Temperance Union, with their membership numbering
+thirty-seven, which was subsequently increased to over
+one hundred. After some preliminary work, they
+began to visit the saloons, but the proprietors all refused
+to sign the pledge. These visits to the saloons
+continued till March 28th, when three of the principal
+dealers signed the dealers’ pledge. There was great
+joy and thanksgiving over this. The next day being
+Sabbath, a praise meeting was held. In the midst of
+the praise meeting, a gentleman arose and said that
+he had been informed, that in violation of their
+pledges, in less than ten minutes after they left, the
+dealers were selling. One of them was present, and
+was appealed to. He personally denied it, and said that
+he would rather beg than sell intoxicating drink; but
+afterwards they proved this man guilty of selling in
+violation of his pledge.</p>
+
+<p>The dealers were prosecuted, but the work was
+greatly hindered by unfaithful officers. The women
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_650">[Pg 650]</span>are looking to God, and with strong cries and tears
+are pleading for the overthrow of this traffic.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ Mrs. <span class="smcap">E. G. Day</span>.
+</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="FLINT_MICHIGAN">
+ FLINT, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A young lady in this city who had consecrated herself
+to the Foreign Missionary work, and was very
+much beloved for the purity of her life and her Christian
+zeal, coming out of the church one night, just before
+she left for heathen lands, a man addicted to
+drink accosted her and gave her ten dollars. She with
+others commenced praying for his conversion, and
+shortly afterwards he went to the pastor of one of the
+churches, and with deep emotion asked, “What shall I
+do to be saved?” He was saved, and the church was
+stirred with interest for others. Still no one thought
+of organizing for the work, until the proprietor of the
+City Hotel sent an invitation for a prayer-meeting to
+be held in his sitting-room. This was regarded as a
+very peculiar request coming from him; the house was
+considered the lowest place in town—a whiskey den.
+His wife was a Roman Catholic. A lady volunteered
+to go and see if he was in earnest; she found that the
+invitation was given in good faith, and that the wife
+concurred; an appointment was made for the next
+morning, but when the ladies went to hold the meeting,
+none but ladies were there, and the proprietor
+could not be persuaded to enter the room. Out of
+this movement grew the Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>A meeting was called, a society organized, and the
+ladies held a series of mass-meetings in the Presbyterian
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_651">[Pg 651]</span>Church for about a week; but on Saturday
+night following these gospel mass-meetings, the church
+was fired by the hand of an incendiary. The people
+were astonished and indignant; they decided at once
+to commence the Crusade. Their first visit was to the
+saloon where they had held the prayer-meeting, but
+they were not admitted. They went from saloon to
+saloon day after day, until whiskey-selling and whiskey-drinking
+were exceedingly unpopular in Flint.
+Mrs. C. Morrison bought the stock of liquors of one
+man who was willing to sell out, breaking the first
+bottle herself. As the liquors were emptied into the
+gutter, a poor, bloated wretch, scooping the dirty stuff
+in his hands, drank it, utterly regardless of the filth it
+had passed through. Some one told Mrs. Morrison
+she had “paid too much for that liquor.” Looking
+him earnestly in the face, she replied, with great composure,
+“I know that, sir; I should have been cheated
+if I had only paid twenty-five cents.”</p>
+
+<p>One dealer turned his saloon into a temperance
+restaurant, but was still greatly influenced by the
+liquor-dealers. Prosecutions were commenced, but
+efforts in that direction were found to be useless.
+The ladies are praying and waiting, hopefully, patiently,
+for the coming victory.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ Mrs. <span class="smcap">E. Clark</span>, Secretary.
+</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="LESLIE_MICHIGAN">
+ LESLIE, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The women of this town, aided and encouraged by
+the pastors of the several churches, organized April
+1st, 1874. A canvass of the town was made for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_652">[Pg 652]</span>pledges. A petition, largely signed by the citizens,
+asking for a prohibitory ordinance, was presented to
+the city council by a committee of eighteen ladies. It
+was graciously received, but never acted upon.</p>
+
+<p>April 23d, the ladies commenced saloon visitations.
+Their first visit was to Daniel Mitchell’s, who refused
+admittance, but conducted them to his hotel; so their
+first meeting was held in the Allen House. Other
+saloons were visited during the day. On the 25th,
+they went from the prayer-meeting with the purpose
+to visit every saloon. At the Metropolitan saloon,
+Mr. Mitchell himself rudely helped each lady out of his
+saloon, but they continued in prayer on the pavement,
+unconscious of the jeering, mocking crowd gathered
+about them. To the eye of faith, to-day, as in Joshua’s
+time, giants become as grasshoppers. At the second
+saloon, they were reluctantly admitted, and allowed to
+hold their services without violence.</p>
+
+<p>At one hotel, McDaniels, the proprietor, ordered
+the ladies from his waiting-room into the parlor, and
+did not hesitate to push them over some who were
+already kneeling in prayer. At a drug store where
+liquor was sold in all quantities, the ladies were refused
+the privilege of prayer. Of course the devil was very
+much insulted, and raged and foamed, because his
+business was interfered with; but the grace of God
+was sufficient for His workers. That evening Mr.
+Brown, the proprietor of the best hotel in the town,
+sent in a notice, to be read in the church, that he had
+closed his bar. The large audience arose and sang,
+with the Spirit,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">On Monday evening, April 27th, every bar was closed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_653">[Pg 653]</span>
+and with joyful hearts the workers gave to their God
+all the glory; for the same power that stopped the
+mouths of lions closed these gates of death. But in
+the midst of victory and thanksgiving, one of our
+leaders and counsellors suddenly became fearful, and
+full of sympathy for the rum-sellers. He feared a mistake
+had been made on the part of the women in not
+waiting for the rum-sellers to become converted. So
+he began to prophesy that the work would not last,
+which comforted and encouraged the enemy, and
+brought sorrow and trouble to the friends of temperance.
+But only one saloon continues to sell, and they
+are laboring and praying for its overthrow, and they
+expect that saloon will be closed, if not through the
+mercies, by the judgments, of God.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ Mrs. <span class="smcap">Henrietta Taylor</span>, President.<br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 3.0em;">Mrs. <span class="smcap">Phebe Earl</span>, Secretary.</span>
+</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="DOWAGIAC_MICHIGAN">
+ DOWAGIAC, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work began in this town in the spring of 1874.
+An organization was effected April 24th of the same
+year. Mass-meetings were held in several churches
+alternately; liquor-dealers were visited, and urged to
+abandon their disreputable business, but with no
+results. Finally the prosecution of liquor-dealers
+under the prohibitory law was determined upon.
+Ninety-eight temperance men came forward and
+pledged their influence in the movement. A committee
+of gentlemen was appointed to assist the ladies
+in securing information to convict the law-breakers.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_654">[Pg 654]</span>The prosecuting committee worked with great zeal,
+but were constantly embarrassed, and often thwarted,
+their persons and property being in danger from the
+cowardly and malicious attacks from the rum-seller and
+the band of ruffians and robbers who stood ready to
+do his bidding. As vigilant and zealous as were these
+prosecutors, they were more than matched by the
+whiskey-sellers. A rumor was started that the taxes
+of the county would be largely increased by these
+trials, with a view of alarming tax-payers. The following
+figures from the official records will show how
+baseless this assertion was. The fines and collections
+secured through the Crusade were $803.85; while the
+costs to the county were only $148.02; leaving a balance,
+$655.83. Thus it will be seen that the experiment
+of enforcing the prohibitory law was not a failure.
+No less than five of those who were selling,
+when the work began, had been effectually closed up,
+while the others were forced to transfer their business
+to prevent action that would take them to the county
+jail.</p>
+
+<p>The passage of the tax law, which was equivalent to
+the repeal of the prohibitory law, again gave the rum-sellers
+hope, and once more the front doors were
+thrown open, and the work of death carried on publicly.
+But the women are earnest and hopeful, and
+are longing and waiting for the time when a great
+people in their wrath shall decree the overthrow of
+rum.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ Mrs. <span class="smcap">Sarah M. Farr</span>, Secretary.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_655">[Pg 655]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="COLON_MICHIGAN">
+ COLON, MICHIGAN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The ladies of this place went into the Crusade work
+with heart and hope, being well backed up by the
+men, who promised to furnish money for prosecutions,
+and to protect them from insult.</p>
+
+<p>One instance is worthy of notice. It was town-meeting
+day, and three ladies were sent to the hotel
+to try to get signatures to the pledge, and to persuade
+those who came in not to drink. Their presence very
+much incensed the proprietor, who sent out for segars
+and offered them free to all who would smoke with him.
+A number of half-drunken, low fellows, complied with
+his request, and soon the room was dense with smoke,
+but the ladies paid no attention to it. Cayenne pepper
+was then put upon the stove, and, finally, asafœtida.
+The men coughed and sneezed, and had to
+rush out in self-defence, but strange to say, not one
+lady either coughed or sneezed the whole five hours
+they were confined in the room.</p>
+
+<p>They have succeeded in elevating public sentiment,
+and know that they have effected permanent good in
+their town.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MISCELLANEOUS_2">
+ MISCELLANEOUS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work of the Crusade was carried forward with
+more or less success in the following towns: Tecumseh,
+Rockford, Rollin, Clinton, Ann Arbor, Hillsdale,
+Olivet, Mason, White Pigeon, Whitehall, Big Rapids,
+and Hart.</p>
+
+<p>During the year 1877 Dr. Reynolds labored in
+Michigan. The work began at Adrian, the home of
+Mrs. Geddes, Vice-President of the National Union,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_656">[Pg 656]</span>who aided greatly in securing its success. Tens of
+thousands of men of all classes signed the pledge and
+donned the red ribbon. Reform Clubs were organized
+in nearly every town, and such was the enthusiasm
+that followed, and so thoroughly aroused were
+the masses of the people, that the Legislature of the
+State passed a concurrent resolution, by a unanimous
+vote, thanking Dr. Reynolds for the services he had
+rendered the State, in emptying the jails and almshouses,
+and in lessening crime and disorder. Many
+of the men who fought against the Crusade, and helped
+to sustain the liquor-dealers, are now pledged temperance
+men.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. J. M. Geddes reports nearly two hundred Reform
+Clubs, with a constituency of a hundred thousand;
+public sentiment strongly on the side of temperance;
+pulpit and press favorable; churches and ministers co-operating;
+unfermented wine almost universally in
+use; temperance societies in a flourishing condition;
+and reading-rooms connected with most of the Reform
+Clubs.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_657">[Pg 657]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">
+ CHAPTER XII.
+</h2>
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="WISCONSIN">
+ WISCONSIN.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. S. J. Steele</span>, Vice-President of the National
+Union, says:</p>
+
+<p>By the persistent aid of the women of our societies
+in some localities, the voters have been able to elect
+non-license boards, and there is a growing sentiment
+throughout the State in favor of such legislation. The
+cause has been presented before the State S. S. Convention,
+Congregational Association and State Christian
+Assembly at Geneva Lake. The tone of the press is
+improving, and churches are more pronounced in their
+advocacy of active temperance work. Five temperance
+reading-rooms are connected with as many
+Unions, and at Racine a self-supporting lunch-room is
+added; and a boys’ reading-room, which is well patronized
+by the class for whom it is designed.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="RIPON_WISCONSIN">
+ RIPON, WISCONSIN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. C. B. Woodward, and the
+Ripon papers, for the following facts:</p>
+
+<p>Ripon is a bright little city of about four thousand
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_658">[Pg 658]</span>inhabitants. Being the seat of Ripon College, many
+cultured families had settled here to avail themselves
+of the unsurpassed educational facilities afforded by
+this institution, which, in addition to the usual endowments,
+has an observatory, a fine telescope, and an astronomical
+clock. Like other Western cities, there is a
+large German element. In common with other towns,
+the blight of the liquor traffic is found here.</p>
+
+<p>Feeling the bitterness of this curse, Christian women
+had watched the progress of the Ohio Crusade with
+mingled emotions of fear and hope, and while it gathered
+volume and strength, felt that they could never
+engage in a work so unwomanly. Yet conscience
+whispered, “If God makes that work your duty, you
+will not refuse.”</p>
+
+<p>The ladies responded to a call for a meeting, and
+preliminary steps were taken for the formation of a
+society. Other meetings resulted in the organization
+of the Ripon Woman’s Temperance League, Mrs. E.
+H. Merrill, of Ripon College, being President. At one
+of the first meetings an invitation from a saloonist was
+received, for the ladies to hold a meeting in his saloon.
+Volunteers were called for. All honor to those who
+first stepped into the then untried waters, namely,
+Mesdames Harris, Strong, Wirt, Sherman, Jones, Cunningham,
+and Miss McAssey and Miss Chittenden.
+They went out, as they go who offer sacrifice, and
+those who remained knelt in solemn awe and implored
+God to protect and bless these their sisters. The
+meeting was successful, for surely the presence of the
+Lord was with us.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_659">[Pg 659]</span></p>
+
+<p>Invitations from other saloons were responded to,
+and the praying band increased in numbers, until it
+counted forty, seventy-five, and one hundred. Mrs.
+Wirt, Mrs. Merrill, and Mrs. Smith were appointed
+leaders. A room on the street was provided, from
+which, after an hour of prayer, the band would issue,
+two and two, receiving the salutations of the brethren
+who had assembled to pray during their absence, and
+await their return, bringing with them a multitude that
+always followed. Then an hour or more would be spent
+in singing, prayer, and appeal, mostly by the women,
+who soon found that upon them God had laid this work.</p>
+
+<p>Often, the very women who had declared that they
+could not go to the saloons would be seen marching
+with the band, and kneeling in a saloon. Women who
+had never even tried to speak or pray outside of their
+own homes were moving rough men to tears with
+words of tender eloquence. Every afternoon the city
+was thronged by eager, wondering crowds; and many
+wept as the consecrated ones passed by, with calm
+purpose and measured tread.</p>
+
+<p>A report for a Milwaukie paper says, March 30th:</p>
+
+<p>“Ripon seems likely to vindicate a claim to be the
+leader in the temperance war in Wisconsin, being the
+theatre of the first organized effort in this State to
+quell intemperance by what is known as ‘the woman’s
+movement.’ Besides the eagerness everywhere apparent
+to read the latest published accounts, private
+letters are received from all quarters, asking for information
+on all points.</p>
+
+<p>“It is but justice to the ladies to say, that no woman
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_660">[Pg 660]</span>has violated any propriety, on account of which she
+need, on mature reflection, to be ashamed. The
+saloons, during the meetings, have been crowded with
+rough and unfortunate men, but the ladies have uniformly
+commanded their attention, the larger part of
+the meetings being given to little temperance addresses.
+During these appeals the attention has been
+absolute, the stillness profound, and eyes that rarely
+weep have been filled with tears.</p>
+
+<p>“A band of ladies kneeling on the street, praying
+Heaven that the venders of liquor would quit their
+business, while not more than a hundred feet from
+them, on the other side of the street, a crowd of
+excited men are ‘devising ways of baffling the traffic
+at the polls,’ is a sight, the like of which few have
+seen.</p>
+
+<p>“To see these same women enter an underground
+room, filled with men of low desires and aspirations,
+and with song, prayer, and pleading, in a few minutes
+reduce them to the state of teachable children, standing
+waiting for orders, with their hats under their
+arms, is a lesson well worth the learning. These
+things are seen here, and a hundred others, that no
+one can tell with the force they carry to the eye. To
+some, these things wear the aspect of sublimity; to
+others, of fanaticism and bigotry. This gentleness
+and persuasiveness of appeal has re-enacted a scene
+memorable of old: ‘The poor have the gospel
+preached to them.’ This one result has probably paid
+for all the cost thus far. The most persuasive and
+gentle preaching has reached the rudest ears, and if
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_661">[Pg 661]</span>some are not reformed, it is safe to say that others
+will be better men for the rest of their lives.”</p>
+
+<p>But some have been reformed, and some converted.</p>
+
+<p>“Another patent result is the effect on public sentiment.
+Men are taking sides in a way to suggest the
+force of the old Washingtonian revival; and many
+that were before half-and-half on the subject, now
+chivalrously and openly declare for the cause of the
+ladies. And this avowed sentiment is now focussed
+on the saloons and their incorrigible supporters, in
+such a way as to deal most stinging rebuke. It is
+known that the sample gentlemen are deeply troubled,
+some of them ashamed, and would doubtless quit the
+business, if they did not hope this storm would soon
+blow over.”</p>
+
+<p>Many young men, and old ones too, feared to enter
+a saloon, lest two or three ladies might call and find
+them there; and one evening a rumor that the ladies
+were going to make the rounds, was sufficient to
+empty every saloon in the city.</p>
+
+<p>“Mrs. Cook and Mrs. Graham expressed ‘a firm
+determination to trust in God and go forward, even if
+arrested,’ as was then threatened and expected.
+Gentlemen were in full sympathy, ‘and in a few minutes
+pledged $1,080, and any further amount that
+might be needed to protect and defend the sisters.’</p>
+
+<p>“An enormous mass-meeting was held, which, perhaps,
+was the most extraordinary ever held in this
+section of the State. Addressed by Mrs. Tracy, Mrs.
+Haire, Mrs. Woodward, and Mrs. Cook. President
+Merriman, of Ripon College, dealt out facts and arguments,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_662">[Pg 662]</span>right and left, with a closing appeal to voters,
+which will not soon be forgotten.”</p>
+
+<p>A petition to the liquor-dealers, signed by nearly
+six hundred names, was presented to them, but in
+vain. Pledges for business men were signed by many.
+An intemperate man, “who must stop or die,” signed
+this pledge and was saved. Personal pledges were
+circulated, and young ladies fell into line with their
+pledges. As the city election drew near, the excitement
+increased. Being shut out of the saloons, on
+the plea “that the ladies were ruining the business,”
+the Crusaders knelt on the pavement, using great care
+about obstructing the way.</p>
+
+<p>One day a German, with consternation depicted on
+his pale face, and with drooping figure, muttered, while
+a lady was praying before his saloon: “What sall I
+do? If dese vomans keeps comin’ here I must go
+away!” A druggist, who sold liquor covertly, was
+literally prayed out of the city, and retreated in confusion,
+selling his stock, for “those Amazons had
+ruined his trade, by making him so conspicuous.”
+The meetings increased in interest and solemnity every
+day, while the streets were thronged with people and
+teams. The liquor traffic decreased seventy-five per
+cent. The mayor sympathized with the work, and
+insured order by the presence of a strong police force,
+while the band was out, although some of the saloonists
+encouraged men to disturb the meetings, and gave
+liquor to such as wished, without charge. One day,
+finding that a saloonist was encouraging men to jostle
+and incommode those who were kneeling, two ladies
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_663">[Pg 663]</span>stepped into the doorway, at his side. “Sir, will you
+be kind enough to close your door?” He continued
+to open it, to let men in and out, by thrusting his hand
+behind the ladies. “Sir, shall we pass right in?”
+“No! No! Mein house is mein castle. You go not
+in. You go not too far!”</p>
+
+<p>“Then please keep your door shut.” He carefully
+obeyed. At another time a respectable (?) man urged
+his horse upon the band as they were marching.</p>
+
+<p>The animal broke the carriage in his frantic opposition
+to the oaths and lash of his master. It was said,
+“an angel” restrained the horse. And his owner
+declared that “those women would not scare ——!”
+Not a breath came quicker, not a foot faltered, or
+missed step, but on swept the consecrated ones, with
+placid brows, and gentle mien; and quietly the voice
+of singing and prayer was heard before a saloon
+underneath the hotel owned and occupied by this
+man’s son.</p>
+
+<p>On election day, April 7th, the Crusaders spent the
+hours of voting, in prayer at their room; and in quietly
+visiting voters and circulating tickets. Two of them
+called on an old man, sick, poor, and intemperate.</p>
+
+<p>They solicited his vote for temperance; a saloonist
+and satellite enters; one lady retires, and the new
+visitors speak in honeyed words to their victim; while
+engaged in convincing “Josh” of the importance of
+voting for his liberty and his cigar, a carriage appears
+at the door, and the ladies invite “Josh” to ride. The
+combat becomes warmer and warmer; soon another
+vehicle appears; this has no lady-driver. “Josh” must
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_664">[Pg 664]</span>decide; “Josh” reflects; thinks of the life the saloon
+men have led him, and agrees to vote the temperance
+ticket. The lady and “Josh” ride; they arrive at the
+polls; the poor man is too weak to ascend the stairs;
+but the ballot-box can go down-stairs to “Josh,” which
+it does, and he deposits a temperance ticket; his last
+work. The Crusaders cared for his comfort a few
+weeks, then followed him to his burial.</p>
+
+<p>A large importation of voters defeated the temperance
+ticket, and whiskey was jubilant.</p>
+
+<p>The new council was visited, and addressed by
+Mesdames Smith, Wirt, Jones, Harris, and Haire, petitioning
+that body to use its power to lessen the liquor
+traffic in the city. Their pleading was in vain; inasmuch
+as the majority of the city fathers favored the use
+and abuse of intoxicants. Neither could the Crusaders
+hope for protection as heretofore.</p>
+
+<p>But undismayed the ladies continued the meetings
+before the saloons, although greeted with bells, gongs,
+etc., by the now exultant saloon men. Threats of
+arrests and of riots were frequent. An alderman said
+to one, “I don’t like to have you go where we can’t
+protect you.” “Sir, I call upon you as a city officer
+to protect me: I shall infringe no law.” He advocated
+license.</p>
+
+<p>The point long mooted of placing a watch on saloons
+was tested, three ladies volunteering to sit in one for
+fifteen minutes, which they did. The proprietor led
+them out one by one, taking the greatest care to do
+so in the most gentle manner.</p>
+
+<p>Patrols, consisting of ten ladies in each, of seven
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_665">[Pg 665]</span>bands, were organized for street work. Many amusing
+incidents enlivened the work, which was continued
+as long as the heat of the summer permitted. Many
+men lost their morning bitters through vigilance of the
+early morning watch. Many baskets were carried,
+ostensibly for shavings or groceries, long before shop
+or grocery was open. Men who were out often apologized
+for being on the street so early, and saloonists
+were kept in a state of agony, at the loss of their
+morning trade, and watched the lady patrol from
+every corner. At one saloon a large dog was ordered
+to guard a piece of meat that was laid on the walk.
+When the two ladies walked close by him, he wagged
+his tail in recognition of the hand that caressed him at
+a saloon meeting; but he bit the next passer-by.</p>
+
+<p>Eggs were dropped from upper windows, but failed
+to hit. Dirty water and sprinklers were got ready, but
+failed in execution. Threats of pitfalls and broken
+limbs were heard, but no one was injured.</p>
+
+<p>Early in the work pledges of $10 were solicited
+from ladies, and about $700 was obtained, with which
+a room was rented and furnished for a free reading-room.
+Papers and good popular reading were provided,
+and the library of the Young Men’s Christian
+Association was loaned to the room.</p>
+
+<p>A gospel temperance meeting was instituted in the
+reading-room, in the winter of 1875, and with few interruptions
+has been continued with increased interest
+until the present time. An open meeting is held under
+the leadership of Mrs. Woodward, with Mrs. Sherman,
+singer. Young Christians who like to “<i>sing for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_666">[Pg 666]</span>Jesus</i>,” kindly assist in vocal and instrumental music,
+winning the attention and presence of many Sabbath
+loungers.</p>
+
+<p>During the last year, a record of requests for
+prayer, with their answers, has been kept. God has
+honored this record by answering seventy-five per
+cent. of the requests written there. On one occasion
+three men requested the leader to record their conversion,
+in answer to petitions placed there. Mention
+might be made of men reclaimed and converted, of
+saloons obliterated, and of noisy demonstrations
+silenced; but it is enough to say, that earnest Christians
+utter the prayer of faith, taking God’s promises
+just as they are given: and they find them “yea and
+amen.”</p>
+
+<p>A Band of Hope was organized in the spring of
+1875, which soon numbered about 200 members, and
+is a pleasant and profitable meeting for the children.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade is still moving on, though constantly
+changing in mode of work and action. The principle
+is active, and, like the woman’s “leaven,” will permeate
+the whole mass of human thought. The reading-rooms,
+the social organizations, the gospel meetings,
+and bands of hope, are all necessary branches
+of <i>one noble work</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Men and women of to-day can never stand where
+they did three years ago. Public sentiment has been
+and still is fast deepening and widening—each day
+receiving new additions of light and power. The
+growing and alarming necessity of <i>cleansing</i> the fountain,
+of legislating on the great sin and curse of the
+times, is now freely acknowledged.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_667">[Pg 667]</span></p>
+
+<p>“The evidences of the Crusade cannot be obliterated.”
+Its full results can never be estimated in
+earthly numbers, or sketched with mortal pen, but
+must be left to eternity to disclose.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MINNESOTA">
+ MINNESOTA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. J. Hackett, Vice-President State Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union, reports:</p>
+
+<p>Local Option prevails in Minnesota. The tone of
+public sentiment and of the press is favorable to temperance.</p>
+
+<p>The Sons of Temperance and Good Templars have
+organizations in all towns of any considerable size.
+Reform Clubs have been organized during the past
+five months in all the large towns, and there are a few
+Juvenile Temples.</p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Christian Temperance Unions in the
+State number 271; $1,009.35 have been raised by
+the local Unions; two temperance reading-rooms have
+been established, and three petitions circulated. In
+the Sunday-school 17,000 children have been pledged.</p>
+
+<p>The main work of the year 1877 has been done
+through Mr. Thomas N. Doutney, brought here by
+the Women’s Unions. Never before has there been
+such activity in the cause.</p>
+
+<p>In towns settled by Americans there is usually a
+public sentiment in favor of temperance, and in larger
+towns, since Mr. Doutney’s work began, the prevailing
+feeling inclines toward Prohibition. The Sunday-School
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_668">[Pg 668]</span>Temperance League now numbers 17,000,
+having obtained 7,000 pledges the past year.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="IOWA">
+ IOWA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. J. H. Stevens, Vice-President, reports:</p>
+
+<p>Seventy-five auxiliary Unions. The total membership
+is 2,000.</p>
+
+<p>Seven thousand four hundred and seventy-one have
+signed the pledge since 1876; thirty juvenile organizations
+have been formed, with over 3,000 members.</p>
+
+<p>Over $2,000 have been raised by the Unions; $247
+paid to the State, $38 to the National Society. There
+are twenty Temperance Reading-Rooms, one Friendly
+Inn or Coffee-House.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. J. Aldrich has been employed as State
+Organizer. The Reform Clubs are multiplying.
+These are doing a grand work—searching saloons
+and emptying whiskey-barrels. They know just where
+to find and how to deal with whiskey.</p>
+
+<p>Petitions have been prepared and circulated widely.
+Frequent conventions and mass-meetings have been
+held; public conventions by reformed men; temperance
+sermons by the clergy; weekly temperance
+prayer-meetings—all these efforts have been made
+not without success.</p>
+
+<p>The Conferences of the M. E. Church have been
+visited, also of the United Brethren, the Presbytery,
+the Congregational State Association, the State S. S.
+Assembly, the State Medical Society, and the State
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_669">[Pg 669]</span>Agricultural Society, all with success and encouragement,
+save the last-named.</p>
+
+<p>As a rule, unfermented wine is used in the churches
+for communion purposes. The Good Templars are
+actively engaged in the work.</p>
+
+<p>Taken all in all, the cause of temperance in Iowa
+has gained twenty-five per cent. since 1876.</p>
+
+<p>The Secretary reports:</p>
+
+<p>A correct record of the results of the Crusade in
+Iowa must include its influence upon the legislation of
+the State.</p>
+
+<p>The law is nominally prohibitory, but beer and wine
+of home manufacture are exempted from this prohibition.
+Municipal corporations are, however, allowed to
+regulate or prohibit the sale of these liquors. In those
+sections of the State where the women have been
+most earnest and persistent, there the law has been the
+most clearly prohibitory, and its execution the most
+thorough. In some instances women in large numbers
+have gone to the courts during the process of suits
+brought under the liquor law. They have sat quiet
+listeners, while men who were sworn to defend the
+constitution and laws of the State of Iowa have, with
+oily tongue and plausible speech, “justified the wicked
+for a reward.” But judge and jury, by the presence
+of Christian women, have been reminded that they
+were responsible to the Higher Law, and that a day
+of final reckoning wilt come, in that court from which
+no appeals are taken.</p>
+
+<p>In one instance the women had been instrumental
+in the prosecution of a druggist who was known to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_670">[Pg 670]</span>sell to minors. They attended the trial in large numbers.
+In order to put them to inconvenience, and to
+obtain a trial before a justice more favorable to the
+liquor party, the druggist took a change of venue to a
+justice of the peace who held his court in a little farm-house
+some four miles from the county-seat.</p>
+
+<p>Thither, through rain and mud, the women went.
+During the progress of the trial, one witness, hardly
+more than a boy, denied ever having taken a drink at
+the place in question. A comrade who had drank
+with him, and was astounded at his wilful perjury,
+sprang to his feet, and with livid face and trembling
+lips exclaimed: “Oh, Charley, how can you lie so?”</p>
+
+<p>The scene in that little room, that was <i>supposed</i> to
+be a court of justice, was mockery. Faces paled and
+hearts stood still, as the terrible lengths to which this
+iniquity will carry its allies appeared. But the scene
+changed in a moment: conscience was silenced—appetite
+and avarice regained the reins.</p>
+
+<p>“The wicked flee when no man pursueth.”</p>
+
+<p>In one little town, where a Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union had been organized, and in much fear
+and trembling had held one meeting, the whiskey men
+had nominated an unprincipled man for mayor. Hearing
+of the women’s prayer-meeting, they withdrew the
+nomination, saying, “We never can elect that man if
+the women are going to work.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MANCHESTER_IOWA">
+ MANCHESTER, IOWA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. J. H. Stevens for the following
+report of work:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_671">[Pg 671]</span></p>
+
+<p>As we met for our monthly missionary meeting the
+first week in January, 1874, a lady presented a paper
+containing an account of a wonderful temperance
+work just commenced by the women in Hillsboro’,
+Ohio, remarking that she did not know as it would be
+appropriate for the occasion; to which the president
+replied, “It may aid us to do missionary work at home,
+perhaps as much needed as in heathen lands;” and
+her heart leaped for joy, as in memory she went back
+thirty years to a little hamlet among the Green mountains
+of Vermont, where she went out to solicit aid to
+clothe some poor children for the Sunday-school.
+Everywhere she met this response: “D., and G., and A.
+ought to be made to clothe them, for they take all the
+earnings of their fathers for <i>rum</i>.” In reply she said,
+“Let us tell them to their faces what we say behind
+their backs: it may do more good.”</p>
+
+<p>We wrote a petition, obtained the names of nearly
+every woman in the place, then carried it to the
+dealers, and with favorable results.</p>
+
+<p>Some twenty-five years later, she tried to do the
+same work in Manchester, Iowa, her new home; here
+her heart was pained at the havoc whiskey was making
+in society, especially among the young. She wrote
+petitions to the dealers entreating them to give up
+their deadly work; she asked aid in circulating them,
+but the ladies all said, “It will do <i>no good</i>,” and for want
+of faith the petitions had lain by for five years; yet she
+still trusted that God would, in his own time and way,
+open the way for effectual work to save the poor
+inebriates who were thronging our streets.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_672">[Pg 672]</span></p>
+
+<p>And, now, most welcome was the intelligence that
+women in Ohio had dared to declare war with the
+monster intemperance. We read it with deep interest,
+and decided to present it next day at our Ladies’
+Aid Society; we did so, and after consultation we
+agreed to meet in the parlors of the M. E. Church, to
+prepare for action. After organizing, one of our first
+resolutions was, that we would work as Providence
+opened the way, seven days in the week, and fifty-two
+weeks in the year, against this demon.</p>
+
+<p>We prepared a petition to the dealers, praying
+them to desist from their terrible work. A committee
+was appointed to canvass the town for signatures, but
+just here we were met by this difficulty: can we ask
+the dealers to give up their lucrative business, for
+which they have paid their money into the public
+treasury, when we are sharing the benefit of their ill-gotten
+gains? We wrote a second petition to the city
+council, imploring them to receive no more <i>license
+money</i> into the public treasury, thereby making us
+responsible for the crimes we had aided them to commit.
+We obtained one hundred and thirty names to
+this petition, and went <i>en masse</i>, about fifty, to the
+council, then in session, and presented it. They were
+surprised, but treated us courteously, referred our
+petition to a committee, and there it rested.</p>
+
+<p>A committee of eight ladies was appointed about
+the 1st February, 1874, to carry the first petition, containing
+a long list of names, to the dealers, some ten
+or twelve in number, some of whom gave us hope of
+success and all treated us kindly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_673">[Pg 673]</span></p>
+
+<p>From this time we held daily and weekly prayer-meetings,
+and mass-meetings often, the clergy and
+most of the Christian men co-operating with us,
+which aroused an opposing element, and frequently the
+battle waxed warm; for while we petitioned, prayed,
+sung, and published in the press, we also prosecuted
+many for violating the law.</p>
+
+<p>Toward the last of April, 1874, encouraged by the
+success of others, we decided to go <i>en masse</i> to the
+saloons, petition, sing and pray, which we did frequently,
+until about the middle of May, when nearly
+all of the dealers, who had not unconditionally surrendered,
+said if the suits pending could be withdrawn,
+or favorably settled, they would quit the business.
+Amicable arrangements were made, and the
+women sung the doxology over their conquests.</p>
+
+<p>But we soon learned that our foe was not to be conquered
+so easily; avarice, appetite and law united to
+give their power to this dragon. The liquor interests
+outvoted us.</p>
+
+<p>The council agreed to resuscitate the beast with
+deadly wound, and it was not long before it seemed
+invigorated afresh to plot and execute more hellish
+deeds than ever. This called for faith and patience on
+the part of the workers; some faltered, but a faithful few
+toiled on, believing that if we could not remove the difficulties,
+perchance we might undermine their defences;
+if we could not close the saloons or save the drunkard,
+we might save the children and youth. Our hearts and
+hands have often been strengthened and encouraged, as
+we have welcomed trophies from the ranks of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_674">[Pg 674]</span></p>
+
+<p>We have now a flourishing Band of Hope, a lodge
+of Good Templars, and last but not least, a Reform
+Club, numbering more than one hundred and sixty;
+for all these things we thank the Lord. But we have
+learned by past experience that it is not safe to <i>stop</i> to
+rejoice over victories, while the enemy is still in the
+field, lest while <i>we wait, they work</i>, and by-and-by we
+have no victories to rejoice over.</p>
+
+<p>May we each and all so fully share the Divine
+anointing, that, through our instrumentality, many may
+yet be saved, and the enemy be forced from his last
+hiding-place, the protection of law.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WILTON_JUNCTION_IOWA">
+ WILTON JUNCTION, IOWA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. S. B. Rider for the following
+facts:</p>
+
+<p>When the Crusade movement reached us, a mass-meeting
+was called, and a committee of six ladies appointed
+as leaders to canvass the town, which was
+under whiskey rule. The town had about 1,600 inhabitants,
+with five saloons in <i>good running order</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The question of a petition for an ordinance of prohibition
+was warmly discussed. Public opinion was
+for license, as far as could be discerned by human eye,
+and having had some experience a year or two previous
+in trying to get a petition before the council, we
+thought to wait on the mayor and other members of
+the council, asking them if they would support such a
+measure. They finally assured us that if we could get
+a majority of <i>legal voters within the city limits</i>, to sign
+a petition, asking that the license ordinance be repealed,
+a prohibition ordinance should be granted.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_675">[Pg 675]</span></p>
+
+<p>Resting on the honor (?) of the honorable board,
+our committee thoroughly and carefully canvassed the
+city, and much to our surprise, and greatly to our joy,
+we found, on comparing the list of the number of
+voters enrolled, that we had a large majority, and
+these names, in nearly every case, had been cheerfully
+given to the petition.</p>
+
+<p>We carried with us a pledge, which we also presented
+with the petition, receiving many signatures.
+We visited the saloon-keepers, presenting both petition
+and pledges, which were refused. We asked them if
+they could be induced to give up the business. Some
+of them promised to consider the question, others told
+us to go home and get dinner for our husbands.</p>
+
+<p>When the time arrived for presenting the petition
+to the mayor and council, a party of forty ladies
+marched double-file to the council chamber, followed
+and supported by a number of our best citizens, as
+well as by many others. We were courteously received
+by this honorable body, and Mrs. I. K. Terry
+addressed them, presenting the petition signed by the
+voters. Much to their chagrin the council found, after
+investigating every name, a large majority in favor of
+prohibition. “<i>Sold</i>,” was plainly depicted on every
+face, for they had pinned the committee down to the
+small point of legal voters inside the city limits, not
+thinking we would succeed. However, they promised
+to grant the petitions, voting on it while we were
+present, and then the ladies retired.</p>
+
+<p>A few months must yet pass before the licenses
+already granted would expire. So we prayed, worked,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_676">[Pg 676]</span>and hoped on, only to be insulted by three of the
+licenses being granted the 1st of August.</p>
+
+<p>When we inquired what it meant, the mayor said
+he could never get a quorum when they wanted (?) to
+discuss the subject. Albeit, the recorder, who was
+the only one who stood by his word, wrote the ordinance,
+signed it, but the mayor always had something
+else on hand when it was presented. An indignation
+meeting was held, and the board were loudly denounced,
+even by members of their own party, for all
+the voters knew of the promise given to the ladies.</p>
+
+<p>Our vigilance committee was on the alert during
+the summer, and one of our druggists was indicted for
+selling liquors to minors, but we failed to do anything
+with him.</p>
+
+<p>Hoping to secure a temperance council in the spring
+of 1875, our ladies met in caucus with the gentlemen,
+nominating such men as we thought would work for
+the welfare of the community.</p>
+
+<p>On election day five brave women held a prayer-meeting
+in a room above the ballot-room, then adjourned
+to the street to work for their ticket, which
+they did faithfully all day, others joining them. But
+at night the license party had a majority of <i>one</i>, and
+that was afterwards confessed to be illegal. But our
+temperance men did not take interest enough to contest
+the election, so it went by default, and so until
+last spring (1877) we were under whiskey rule.</p>
+
+<p>I must not forget to tell you of an amusing incident
+that occurred on that election day. The leaders of the
+license party were making every effort, buying votes
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_677">[Pg 677]</span>in every imaginable way, while I must say, to the disgrace
+of the temperance men, the women worked
+<i>alone</i>. A wealthy, drinking, license man, not knowing
+the ladies were at the polls, undertook to support by
+his arm, a poor, bruised, and degraded Irishman to
+the polls, walking slowly and confidingly by his side,
+until within a few steps of the window where they cast
+ballots, when, to his dismay, he discovered the ladies
+in groups, with hands full of tickets, handing them out
+to the voters. He stared in amazement, and all at
+once comprehending the situation of affairs, he dropped
+the poor man’s arm, and suddenly disappeared around
+a corner, leaving the Irishman bewildered on the walk,
+with not a friend to explain, and with a mind too much
+muddled by drink to carry his ticket to the box. Suffice
+it to say, neither were seen at the polls that day.
+Quiet reigned about the polls all day, and we were
+treated with the utmost respect.</p>
+
+<p>Last March the license party divided, and so we
+have a temperance board now.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="VILLISCA_IOWA">
+ VILLISCA, IOWA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Early in January, 1876, the ladies secured the services
+of Brother Murphy. About five hundred signed
+the pledge; a Reform Club was organized; and, on
+January 5th, a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,
+with forty-four members.</p>
+
+<p>We secured a building that had formerly been a
+saloon, adjoining another one; and what had once
+been the house of midnight revelry was now a house
+of prayer; and over the <i>same counter</i> coffee and lunch
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_678">[Pg 678]</span>were given by temperance women, the ladies taking
+turns in keeping the room open evenings.</p>
+
+<p>We remained there until the saloon-keeper’s license
+had run out, and he could not renew, as we had a no license
+board. Then we secured a more eligible place,
+on the public square.</p>
+
+<p>There was a man led to sign the pledge through the
+instrumentality of our Union, who would not go to
+hear Mr. Murphy. A few of us went to his house,
+held a little prayer-meeting, after which he and his
+family signed the pledge, and he has kept it; and now
+the home that was once so desolate has many comforts.</p>
+
+<p>We secured the passage of an ordinance removing
+screens from saloon doors and windows; and when
+that was done the billiard saloon left, that had been
+selling sweet cider.</p>
+
+<p>Our Reform Club is a healthy one, the Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union and Juvenile Society acting
+in concert. We have now one thousand names to
+the pledge. Although this year we have a license
+board (secured by illegal votes), yet we hold our
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>We have one hundred and twelve volumes in the
+library.</p>
+
+<p>We have raised in money, since organization, near
+$250. We hope we have sown seed that in after years
+may spring up and bear an hundred-fold. Reported
+by the society.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="VINTON_IOWA">
+ VINTON, IOWA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to M. E. Gaston for the following
+report of work:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_679">[Pg 679]</span></p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was
+organized April 17th, 1874. The attendance was
+good, and much interest was manifested for several
+months.</p>
+
+<p>We did not crusade any, but called on persons to
+desist from renting buildings for saloons, and persuaded
+venders to quit the business.</p>
+
+<p>We canvassed the town with the pledge, and secured
+many names. There were ten saloons in full blast.
+The prayers offered by our Christian men and women
+were fervent, but still the traffic was carried on in defiance
+of the temperance sentiment.</p>
+
+<p>Our society thought prayers and works combined
+might mitigate the evils surrounding us.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the enthusiasm of the majority had died
+out, and a small number of praying women resolved
+to enforce the liquor law of our State.</p>
+
+<p>At one drug store the liquor was emptied in the
+street. Two others we prosecuted, but found it impossible
+to find witnesses or lawyers to crown our efforts
+with success.</p>
+
+<p>The temperance sentiment was gaining ground, and
+the city council ordered a vote to be taken, and by a
+small majority it was decided not to license saloons.
+One saloon-keeper moved outside the city limits, and
+the balance quit the business. But Satan always finds
+workers: beer clubs were formed to evade the law.
+We employed counsel to close the beer traffic.</p>
+
+<p>At the expiration of the first year, another vote was
+taken, and a large majority again decided against
+license. Our town of three thousand inhabitants had
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_680">[Pg 680]</span>gained a reputation for sobriety and morality over any
+other county-seat in eastern Iowa.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, a new city council, after three
+months of power, ordered another vote to be taken,
+and a majority decided to raise the city revenue by
+licensing the soul-destroying evil to curse us again.
+We all felt this to be unjust, but what could we do?</p>
+
+<p>Three saloons were opened.</p>
+
+<p>We have raised $800 for the prosecution of our
+work. We have had a reading-room open for one
+year, hoping to save the young men from the evil
+associations of the saloon, and create a higher standard
+of morals in our vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>Our organization still exists, with about twelve earnest,
+praying women, who, with the eye of faith, still
+look to God and hope for good results. God’s promises
+are sure.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CLINTON_IOWA">
+ CLINTON, IOWA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. M. B. Young for the following
+facts:</p>
+
+<p>In the month of October, 1873, the women of
+Clinton were moved in spirit to organize a temperance
+society, with Mrs. J. E. Foster as President, and named
+it the Woman’s Aid Society for the suppression of
+intemperance.</p>
+
+<p>Our city was cursed by the illegitimate sale of intoxicating
+drinks, and the women thought they could—better
+than the men, who had their business interests—pursue
+these saloon-keepers with the lash of the law.
+We met weekly, and prayed much, as well as discussed
+matters connected with the work we had taken in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_681">[Pg 681]</span>hand. During this year, and in 1874, we brought
+charges against several saloon-keepers, and got judgment
+against them. We also held mass-meetings to
+stir the people, and create a temperance sentiment.
+We attended court while poor, distressed wives were
+trying to get damages out of saloon-keepers for selling
+whiskey contrary to law to their drunken husbands,
+and in nearly every case the saloon-keepers were
+punished.</p>
+
+<p>About this time we had a committee wait upon the
+judge, expressing desires that the full extent of the
+law should be meted out to offenders. The same
+committee waited upon the district attorney, urging
+upon him the necessity of seeing that the papers were
+promptly served upon these criminals. Of course
+all this had the effect of enraging saloon-keepers and
+their sympathizers, who threatened desperate things.
+And indeed about this time our President, Mrs. J. E.
+Foster, who is a lawyer, and was engaged in several
+of the prosecutions, had her home burned down in the
+night, and she, with her husband and children, escaped
+only with their lives. It was supposed to have been
+the work of an incendiary.</p>
+
+<p>We circulated a petition, which was largely signed
+by our citizens, asking our city council to repeal the
+license on beer and wines; and although our petition
+was not answered, still it got a respectable hearing,
+and they doubled the license. This was a questionable
+improvement, but it showed that sentiment was
+rising, and they must consider it.</p>
+
+<p>In 1875, our meetings were not so well attended,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_682">[Pg 682]</span>and our society relaxed effort, a good many of the
+members getting discouraged at not making more
+manifest progress; but a few held on, and in the fall
+of that year they concluded to send for Mr. Murphy.
+The ladies rallied, canvassed the city, carried bills to
+every house, urging people to come out and hear this
+temperance apostle. The result was, the largest hall
+was filled to overflowing, and hundreds could not get
+in. He gave three lectures, and a wonderful awakening
+followed. After paying all expenses, we had a
+fund left, with which we opened a reading-room, on
+the 1st of January, 1876. We received donations of
+books, pictures, and some furniture, as well as journals
+and papers from citizens. During winter, we kept it
+open all day and evening; in the summer, evenings only.</p>
+
+<p>In February of this year (1876) we adopted the constitution
+of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,
+and also its name, since which time we have been
+auxiliary to the State Union.</p>
+
+<p>Our system of raising money was by districting the
+city, and appointing collectors to solicit monthly subscriptions
+for the support of the reading-room. This,
+with an occasional public meeting for its benefit, has
+been sufficient for all purposes.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Foster found it necessary, on account of having
+to be much out of town, to resign her position, and
+Mrs. Brindell took her place.</p>
+
+<p>We keep a pledge-book in the reading-room, in
+which over 600 names have been signed. Some have
+broken and renewed their pledge, but very many have
+been reclaimed, who prove steadfast.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_683">[Pg 683]</span></p>
+
+<p>We have not done much saloon visiting, but we
+have distributed tracts through the saloons, as well as
+through the city. We also got our Iowa temperance
+law printed, and distributed it, to enlighten the people
+as to what power they already possessed to hold in
+check the saloon-keeper in his heartless work of
+selling drink to minors and drunkards.</p>
+
+<p>The ministers have greatly encouraged us, by frequently
+preaching temperance from the pulpit, especially
+before elections. Religious service is held every
+Sabbath in the reading-room. Since we opened the
+reading-room, January, 1876, until August, 1877, we
+have received in money $658.91.</p>
+
+<p>We still meet once a week for prayer and consultation,
+and once a month for business. With all our
+labor, saloons still thrive, and men go down to drunkards’
+graves, while “moderate drinkers” hurry in to
+fill the gaps. We intend to labor on, and as the years
+roll by, the temperance public shall learn more and
+more how to utilize this power, and every hand, as
+well as every heart, shall help to turn the current of
+sentiment in favor of total abstinence. But until then
+we must watch and wait, labor and pray.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MISSOURI">
+ MISSOURI.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. Mary M. Clardy, Vice-President, W. N. C. T.,
+reports:</p>
+
+<p>The law of the State is for license, and the press is
+anti-temperance. The attitude of the political parties
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_684">[Pg 684]</span>is also opposed to prohibition and temperance legislation.</p>
+
+<p>The churches and clergy seem lukewarm, in their
+advocacy of active work, though during the past few
+weeks, owing to the presentation of the interests of
+the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union before
+several religious bodies, the outlook is more hopeful.
+In Missouri, as in all Southern States, public sentiment
+is strongly against the public work of women, and this
+is an embarrassing feature in the effort to establish
+Unions throughout the State. During a recent Sunday-School
+Convention, one gentleman having a large
+supervision of Sunday-school interests, laid down the
+law of the land, that a woman might be allowed to
+teach an infant class in the Sunday-school, but must
+not speak or pray in public.</p>
+
+<p>Still, temperance women are not utterly cast down,
+but promise hard work for God and temperance.</p>
+
+<p>Two friendly inns at St. Louis, not under the care
+of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, are
+well sustained, and prayer-meetings are kept up at
+these places with good attendance and results. Thus
+far, individual effort, alone, has thrown its tiny pebble
+at the giant, Intemperance, but organization is sure to
+be the outcome.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_695" style="max-width: 37.5em;">
+ <img class="w100" src="images/i_695.jpg" alt="">
+ <figcaption>
+ <p>MRS. MARY C. JOHNSON,</p>
+ <p>First Recording Secretary Woman’s National Christian
+ Temperance Union.</p>
+ </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<h3 id="CARTHAGE_MISSOURI">
+ CARTHAGE, MISSOURI.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The Crusade in Carthage was a success. The rage
+of the saloon-keepers, and the results, moral and
+political, all indicated it.</p>
+
+<p>For more than ten weeks the good women of that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_685">[Pg 685]</span>little city, led by Mrs. H. R. Miller, wife of the Methodist
+pastor, carried the battle to the enemy’s gate.
+Almost every evening they held meetings at the
+saloons, singing, praying, reading the Scriptures, sometimes
+addressing the crowds themselves and sometimes
+securing the services of ministers to preach.</p>
+
+<p>They suffered nameless and almost innumerable
+indignities. At their first appearance they were
+assaulted with tin horns blown in their faces, <i>which
+horns were bought and paid for by the mayor of the city
+for that purpose</i>. A saloon-keeper caused fiddling and
+dancing by roughs, while the women sang and prayed
+before his saloon. Another with a force-pump and
+hose threw water by the barrel on them, while they
+sang and prayed in the street before his establishment.
+The women protected each other as well as they
+could, some standing over the praying woman, and
+taking the water while she prayed. The storm was
+braved heroically, and they, undismayed, retired.
+They were also assaulted with stones, good and bad
+eggs, but still they persevered, and success attended
+their work. As they could not be suppressed with
+violence, the mayor and council undertook the work
+by law. They enacted an ordinance forbidding them to
+pray on the sidewalks, and requiring them to go ten
+feet from the sidewalk into the street. They obeyed;
+sang and kneeled in the mud in the street. But the
+indignation of the citizens at the action of the council
+caused them to meet together the next morning and
+repeal the ordinance.</p>
+
+<p>Three weeks more passed, and such was the success
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_686">[Pg 686]</span>of the work of the women that the council met
+and passed an ordinance forbidding singing, praying
+and preaching on the street, on any week-day or night,
+without consent of the mayor, under penalty of from
+twenty to one hundred dollars fine for each offence.
+This the women regarded as an act striking down
+their dearest liberties, and they raised the standard of
+revolt. The same evening of the passage of the ordinance,
+fourteen ladies, accompanied by Revs. Miller,
+of the M. E. Church, and Pendleton, of the Baptist
+Church, moved to a saloon and sang, after which Mrs.
+Miller and Mrs. Dr. Wilson prayed. They were
+then arrested and marched to the police judge’s office,
+whither they went, singing:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>Their names were taken, and all released to appear
+next morning for trial. They proceeded to the street,
+moved in front of a saloon, commenced singing again,
+and were immediately arrested. The ladies were
+then tried, but released on a technicality, which also
+bore on the case of the ministers, but was overruled.
+The indignation of the masses was aroused at the base
+treatment of the women, and the authorities dared not
+fine them in consequence, as they declared their intention
+to go to jail rather than pay a fine. They continued
+to sing and pray on the street. The council
+repealed the ordinance, and the good work went on.
+It was thought that the county, on a direct issue, could
+be carried for temperance. A powerful temperance
+sentiment was created by the work of these women.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_687">[Pg 687]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ CALIFORNIA
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">
+ CHAPTER XIII.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The friends of temperance in this State, after a long
+and earnest conflict, secured the passage of a Local
+Option law by a decided majority.</p>
+
+<p>This law provided that on the call of a certain number
+of voters a special election should be held and a vote of
+the town be taken, for, or against license. At several
+points signal victories had been gained; the temperance
+women of the State giving active aid and sympathy
+to the cause. Sallie Hart, a young lady of San
+Francisco, of unusual ability and irreproachable character,
+was very active and efficient at the temperance
+meetings and at the polls. Her life was threatened,
+and she was warned to desist or suffer the consequences.
+But she was too heroic to quail before the
+enemies of her country and her race, and in the conflict
+that followed she came near losing her life. The
+very same class that has for years committed outrages
+on the Chinese would have torn her to pieces if it had
+not been for the courage and untiring efforts of the
+police, and a brave band of temperance men and order-loving
+citizens.</p>
+
+<p>The first great victory was at Oakland. This city
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_688">[Pg 688]</span>is one of the most beautiful places in California. It is
+situated just across the bay from San Francisco, and is
+embowered in flowers, and shaded with live oaks.
+These beautiful trees are always fresh and green. It
+had become a city of elegant residences, but the beer-trade
+was ruining it, property was depreciating, and
+the property-owners were almost unanimous in the
+desire to banish the drinking-saloons.</p>
+
+<p>Oakland was the third city of the State. After
+doing all they could do preparatory for the contest,
+the women went to the polls and worked all day.
+Their methods were novel and taking. They had a
+large tent, where a free lunch was spread. Tea,
+coffee, and everything that was elegant and inviting
+were provided. Barrels of ice-water were at hand, so
+that no man should have an excuse to go to the drinking-saloon
+to quench his thirst.</p>
+
+<p>Bushels of bouquets were in readiness, and ballots
+“<i>Against License</i>” in hand, and all who would accept
+the ballot got a bouquet and a pleasant “Thank you.”</p>
+
+<p>The liquor men were confident that they would have
+a <i>large</i> majority, but the ladies turned the tide, and a
+victory for temperance was gained.</p>
+
+<p>A grand mass-meeting was held in their tent in the
+evening, and the temperance people and the property-owners
+of Oakland were jubilant. The Saturday following,
+the ladies went in force to Brooklyn, a neighboring
+town, and aided in gaining another victory.
+The work went on gloriously throughout the State.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Jewell, of Howard Street M. E. Church, San
+Francisco, preached a stirring sermon from the text:
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_689">[Pg 689]</span>“Rise up, ye women that are at ease, hear my voice,
+ye careless daughters; give ear to my speech.” Isa.
+xxxii. 9; with a view to arouse the women for work
+in that city.</p>
+
+<p>On the 2d of July, 1874, an election, under the provisions
+of the Local Option law, was held in the proverbially
+quiet town of Alameda, California.</p>
+
+<p>I gather the following facts from well-authenticated
+accounts:</p>
+
+<p>“During the day of the election, the place was invaded
+by an army of men from San Francisco, organized
+in the interests of liquor, who, by mob-violence,
+took possession of the streets and avenues to the
+polls, and committed the most outrageous insults to
+American citizenship, both to men and women, that
+have ever yet been known in all the history of the
+State.</p>
+
+<p>“From the course pursued by the organized liquor
+interest in San Francisco, under whose auspices the
+outrages at Alameda seem to have been committed, it
+is evident that the liquor interests of our whole country
+have combined to resist <i>all</i> law, social, moral, and
+civil, whenever and wherever such law interferes with
+their degrading business.</p>
+
+<p>“The <i>facts</i> of the Alameda outrages ought to be
+made known to every citizen of the State and the
+country. They show, as nothing else has ever shown,
+the animus and purpose of the ‘whiskey interest.’
+Sensible, sober people, want to know the truth.”</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Evening Post</i> dared to publish the facts. It has
+exposed the falsehoods so widely circulated, and has
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_690">[Pg 690]</span>denounced the outrage and the perpetrators in leading
+editorials of great force and merit.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="THE_REIGN_OF_TERROR_INAUGURATED">
+ THE REIGN OF TERROR INAUGURATED.
+</h3>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p><i>The scene as described in the Chronicle and Post next day.</i></p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“Not far from the middle of the day, the train from
+San Francisco arrived and deposited upon the street
+one hundred and fifty members of the San Francisco
+German Saloon-Keepers’ Society, headed by the United
+States Fourth Artillery Band. Instantly it was seen
+that there was trouble ahead. The delegation was
+composed mostly of young and irresponsible men.</p>
+
+<p>“They at once formed in line, and being joined by
+as many more already in the street, they started for
+the polling-place to the music of the band. When the
+procession dispersed, a large throng at once crowded
+on the corner near the polling-place. ‘Down with Sallie
+Hart!’ they shouted, and at the same time pressed in
+around her. Fortunately several powerful gentlemen
+happened to be near her, or she would inevitably have
+been crushed in the excited mass.</p>
+
+<p>“‘Go home, you little red-head!’ ‘Get out of this,
+and go home!’ was the cry. The crowd pressed, and
+swore, and hooted, and yelled, and shrieked. ‘Down
+with her!’ ‘Drive her off the street!’ ‘Give her a
+kiss; that’s what she wants!’ ‘Don’t let her speak!’
+In vain did the poor girl cry, ‘For shame, gentlemen!’
+In vain did her few friends surge, and squeeze, and try
+to force an opening for retreat. In vain did the police
+shout and brandish their clubs. The crowd only
+hooted and howled their insults all the more. Finally,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_691">[Pg 691]</span>a narrow passage was made, and through it the girl
+was half-dragged into an adjoining store.”</p>
+
+<p>Thence, after a few moments, she was escorted by
+a strong cordon of police and temperance men to the
+ladies’ tent. The crowd caught sight of her as she
+left the store, and at once surged and pressed around,
+their yells and gestures increasing each moment in
+violence. Slowly the young lady and her escorts
+made their way to the tent, unable to resent or stop
+the torrent of vile epithets which assailed them. Once
+inside, Sallie sat down almost exhausted, but the
+crowd were not satisfied. They yelled fiercely, “Take
+Sallie Hart home or we’ll tear down the tent!” “She
+shan’t stay here!” “Say, you old Gibson; take her
+home, do you mind, or we’ll kill her.” With these
+remarks, the vast throng shook their fists and swore
+they wouldn’t quit the spot until Sallie Hart and every
+other woman had promised that they would not again
+show their faces. The temperance men, headed by
+Dr. W. R. Gibbons, Dr. Densmore, Mr. Gibson, Mr.
+Hurlburt, and others, at once took measures to protect
+the tent and the ladies in it from violence. A
+strong force of police was instantly summoned, who
+drew a rope around the entrance and endeavored to
+keep the excited crowd outside.</p>
+
+<p>One old lady of at least sixty years, with silver-gray
+hair, splendid black eyes, and a commanding figure,
+ventured out in the belief that her age and appearance
+would command an outward show of respect. She
+took a bundle of No License tickets and a small
+bouquet, and got as far as the street, near the polling-place.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_692">[Pg 692]</span>The hooting crowd made for her and she was
+surrounded in a twinkling. “Go home, old woman,”
+they shouted; “go home and mend your husband’s
+breeches!” Then followed a series of yells and
+groans and cat-calls, interspersed with cries of “Sour
+kraut,” “Limberger,” and “Go it, old granny!”</p>
+
+<p>Whenever the old lady would open her lips to
+speak, she would be instantly set upon, and her voice
+completely drowned. But she held out bravely.
+Mounting a piazza, her great black eyes flashing with
+the rage of a pythoness, she hurled defiance at the
+jeering crowd and tried to shame it into decency.
+One man filled his cheeks with tobacco-smoke and
+blew it into her face. Another spat on her dress; a
+third trod on her feet, and all pushed and jostled her
+in a most unmanly way. Finally, when some one in
+the crowd hurled an atrociously obscene epithet at
+her, the old lady burst into tears and shrank away in
+disgust.</p>
+
+<p>About half-past two o’clock a litter was rigged
+behind a building, a five-gallon demijohn placed on it,
+and alongside the demijohn was laid an effigy of
+Sallie Hart, dressed in black. In the mouth of the
+demijohn was stuck a stick, from which flew a black
+flag. The litter was lifted to the shoulders of a crowd
+of men with evergreens in their hats. An immense
+procession was formed, and preceded by the band
+playing the “Dead March in Saul,” it marched back
+and forth in front of the temperance tent, amid the
+hooting and jeering of the multitude. An effort was
+made at this time to drown the din by singing the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_693">[Pg 693]</span>Hallelujah chorus, but the effort was a lamentable
+failure. The funeral procession marched to a pile of
+sand near the tent, where, amid the waving of hats
+and hoarse cheers of the throng, the “body” of Miss
+Hart was prepared for interment. The litter was
+lowered to the ground, a hole dug, and then, strict
+silence being enjoined, Louis Kehlmeyer intoned <i>a
+burlesque of the Catholic burial “service.”</i></p>
+
+<p>The <i>Evening Post</i>, on the day after election, contained
+the following:</p>
+
+<p>The brutal outrages perpetrated by German whiskey
+men, who went over to Alameda yesterday, and
+insulted, mobbed, and drove off ladies who had as
+much right there as themselves, will arouse a feeling
+of indignation in the heart of every right-thinking
+American citizen. California has always been noted
+for her chivalry to women, and every Californian’s face
+must burn that such an outrage has been perpetrated
+in a California town. Things have come to a pretty
+pass when a lot of vile brutes who have no respect
+for womanhood themselves, can publicly insult ladies
+in the grossest manner; compel them, under threats
+of violence, to get out of their way, and openly burlesque
+the most solemn ceremony of a Christian
+church.</p>
+
+<p>Our laws, and the American sentiment, which is
+deeper than all laws, guarantee to every woman who
+conducts herself in an orderly and decent manner, immunity
+from insult and outrage. To the American
+mind there is in womanhood a sacred right and essential
+privilege, recognized even by the lowest and most
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_694">[Pg 694]</span>brutal, which gives to every woman exemption from
+insult and outrage. This sentiment the brutal wretches
+who insulted and drove off the ladies at Alameda,
+yesterday, appeared to have defied with deliberate intention.
+How far the general association of liquor-dealers
+may have been responsible for it we do not
+know; but the German Liquor-Dealers’ Association,
+which went to Alameda in a body, and their fellows
+on the ground seem to have deliberately made up
+their minds to drive off the ladies by whatever stretch
+of brutality was necessary. One of the Germans had
+a double-barrelled gun, with which he marched in the
+procession, and several of them had pistols. One lady
+said that a man in the crowd spit upon her, and another
+that she had liquor thrown in her face. Another
+lady was seated in a buggy when the whiskey men
+marched past her with the black flag, which they placed
+over the grave that held Sallie Hart’s effigy; and one
+of them shook the flag in her face and said, “Death to
+temperance!”</p>
+
+<p>Judge J. Russell said he had been in California, and
+had travelled a good deal in it, having roamed over the
+coast in early days, from this city to the mouth of the
+Columbia river, and visited many of the mining camps.
+He had never seen so rough a crowd as was present
+at Alameda. Mr. N. A. Hillyer said the obscenity
+was frightful.</p>
+
+<p>“I took an old lady by force from the crowd, and put
+her into the barber’s shop for protection. I saw men
+poke sticks under the old lady’s dress and raise her
+clothes as she stood on a tea-box before the mob. I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_695">[Pg 695]</span>also saw the mob bury Sallie Hart in effigy, and the
+black flag rising above the grave. I heard profanity
+and obscenity from the mob. I have been in all kinds
+of society, in Catholic and Protestant lands, but I never
+heard anything like the profanity used on that occasion.
+A pistol was drawn on me for remonstrating
+against license.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="STATEMENT_OF_REV_O_GIBSON_OF_SAN_FRANCISCO">
+ STATEMENT OF REV. O. GIBSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO.
+</h3>
+
+<p>At the Alameda election, from morning till night, the
+air was filled with profanity, obscenity, and the most
+outrageous insults to pure American womanhood—not
+by citizens of Alameda, but by the representatives
+of the “German Liquor-Dealers’ Association,” of San
+Francisco.</p>
+
+<p>From twelve o’clock to three <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> I remained in
+front of the temperance tent, aiding the friends in
+efforts to defend the women in the tent from being
+overrun and outraged by the howling mob which surrounded
+and threatened them. At three o’clock I
+passed, quietly and alone, to the office to send a telegram.
+On coming out of the office, I was at once surrounded
+by a large crowd, who seemed to be waiting
+to take the cars. My presence was the signal for
+howls, curses, and threats, such as: “Gibson, the old
+rooster, send him home.” “Go home, d—n you.”
+“You don’t vote right.” “We don’t want you here.”
+“We Germans be the most intelligence peoples.”
+“You Yankees be d—d fanatics,” and so on. I did
+not undertake to discuss the question with such a
+crowd. But they pressed upon me—one man from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_696">[Pg 696]</span>behind kicked me, another struck me, and then an
+effort was made to push me down. At last, the police
+succeeded in opening the crowd, and I passed out.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd followed, howling, for the distance of one
+whole block; then the police succeeded in getting me
+into a store, and I passed through and escaped out of
+their hands.</p>
+
+<p>On returning to San Francisco, per four o’clock boat
+from Oakland, attended by five other persons, some of
+whom had only been to Oakland on business, a party
+of the Alameda rioters followed us in the streets of
+this city, up as far as the post-office, with jeers and
+cat-calls, making such a demonstration as to call many
+people to the shop doors to see what was going on.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. J. N. Webster, in the <i>Post</i>, of July 9th, says:</p>
+
+<p>Mr. John Gunn, one of our best and most respected
+citizens, had his coat torn off his back because he
+dared to advocate the right.</p>
+
+<p>Sallie Hart remained on the field, doing all the good
+she could, until there were <i>certain signs</i> that they intended
+to kill her, when she was taken away.</p>
+
+<p>William F. Kellett, in the <i>Post</i>, of July 12th, tells us:</p>
+
+<p>At Alameda, on last Thursday, scenes were enacted
+which are absolutely unparalleled in the history of our
+elections, and with which the opinions of the parties
+therein had nothing whatever to do. Yet in some of
+the papers not a single word of censure has been
+uttered, while some have actually justified them. That
+murder was not committed was because the threatened
+did not dare to lift a hand, while other things were
+done which would almost have justified the death of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_697">[Pg 697]</span>the offender on the spot, and which I cannot name,
+however remotely.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="AFFIDAVIT_OF_OFFICER_KRAUTH">
+ AFFIDAVIT OF OFFICER KRAUTH.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I told the reporter about the crowd hooting and
+yelling, and trying to get into the ladies’ tent, and
+endeavoring to create a disturbance all the time, and
+trying to pick quarrels with the people and police. I
+told him that the rope around the tent was cut seven
+times, and gave him other information of a similar
+character. From the time the San Francisco crowd
+arrived, there was one continuous scene of disgraceful
+riot, until they left, late in the afternoon. I believe
+there were two trains of cars, with eight cars each, all
+filled with people, who came from San Francisco and
+Oakland; and we had but fifteen officers to try and
+preserve order. It was impossible to arrest anybody,
+owing to the crowd, and all that we could do was to
+prevent fighting. I have read the report of the occurrences
+at Alameda on the day of the local option
+election, as published in the <i>Post</i>, and it is substantially
+correct.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span class="smcap">F. K. Krauth, Jr.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p>Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 13th day
+of July, 1874.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span class="smcap">Samuel S. Murfey</span>, Notary Public.
+</p>
+
+<p>These outrages passed unpunished, and the whole
+liquor force rallied against the Local Option law. They
+were not willing that majorities should rule, but determined
+to force drink, against the express will of the
+people, upon them, and compel the protesting legal
+voters and tax-payers to submit to a depreciation of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_698">[Pg 698]</span>the value of their property, and support the paupers
+and criminals, the result of their traffic.</p>
+
+<p>They therefore carried a case to the courts, and
+obtained a decision, that <i>the Local Option law was unconstitutional</i>.
+A wide-spread opinion prevailed at the
+time that the court was corrupted; but there was no
+redress. Nothing was left but to work, and pray, and
+wait, till the public sentiment was strong enough to
+master the rowdyism of society, and hurl from power
+the officials that truckle to the base demands of the
+liquor oligarchy.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="OREGON">
+ OREGON.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I gather the following thrilling facts from a published
+account by Mrs. F. F. Victor:</p>
+
+<p>A meeting was called at the Baptist Church, Tuesday,
+March 10th, to consider the methods used in the
+Crusade movement. From this time on, meetings
+were held daily, morning, noon, and night. The subject
+of temperance was discussed from every possible
+standpoint, and, after much thoughtfulness and prayer,
+the ladies decided to visit the saloons. The gentlemen
+organized a society to assist the ladies.</p>
+
+<p>On the 17th of March, a printed appeal was sent to
+the liquor-dealers, copies of which, in large type, were
+posted around the city. The ministers of the town,
+Revs. Medbury, Baptist, Atkinson and Izer, Methodist,
+and Eaton, Congregationalist, by frequent and stirring
+addresses, and in every possible way, assisted the
+ladies.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_699">[Pg 699]</span></p>
+
+<p>The first visit to saloons was made in small companies,
+two and two, going quietly. In most of the
+places they were politely treated, Mr. Moffett being
+the exception. Two elderly ladies, mothers in Israel,
+called at his door to leave the dealers’ pledge, when
+the brutalizing influence of the liquor business upon
+those who sell was conspicuously exhibited. When
+they entered, Mr. Moffett, on the alert, without giving
+them time to announce their errand, seized them each
+rudely by an arm, and thrust them into the street,
+exclaiming, “Get out of this. I keep a respectable
+house, and don’t want any d—d wh—s here.”</p>
+
+<p>Long and earnest prayers had given these women
+a preparation which Mr. Moffett had not calculated on.
+Mrs. Reed, one of the two thus insulted, turned and
+looked up over the door to ascertain what sort of a
+place, kept by what sort of a man, this might be, and
+the name struck her with horror.</p>
+
+<p>“Walter Moffett!” she exclaimed. “Can this be
+Walter Moffett? Why, Walter Moffett, I used to
+know you; and I prayed with your wife for your
+safety, when you were at sea years ago!”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t want any of your d—d prayers; I want
+you to get out of this, and stay out. That’s all I want
+of you. I don’t keep a wh—e house.”</p>
+
+<p>If any suppose it does not require an utter consecration
+to prepare pure-minded ladies to encounter
+such base and ruffianly assaults as these, they are in
+error; for the most patient and persistent laborers in
+this field are meek and quiet Christian women, who have
+seldom or never spoken aloud in their own churches;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_700">[Pg 700]</span>humble women who have never essayed to lead in
+anything, not even the fashions.</p>
+
+<p>After this quiet canvass, the ladies visited the
+saloons in force. Often the saloons were closed
+against them, and they were compelled to hold their
+services on the street. This only brought them the
+larger audiences. Often, too, they were assailed by
+abusive language, and even roughly handled. This,
+too, opened the eyes of many to the brutalizing effects
+of drink, and led them to declare, that if that was what
+whiskey brought men to, they would never drink
+another drop.</p>
+
+<p>At the Oregon Exchange very often, when a visit
+from the ladies was anticipated, some ridiculous or
+scandalous performance was gotten up, to divert them
+from their purpose; such as a man fantastically
+dressed, <i>a la</i> negro minstrels, dancing, drinking from a
+bottle, etc. One of the worst places visited was kept
+by two women. With these the ladies felt they must
+succeed. On their second visit, as the ladies approached,
+one of the women flew in a rage to close
+the door; the other woman objected, and they were
+admitted. One of them was penitent, and listened
+tearfully to their words, and promised to lead a different
+life.</p>
+
+<p>At one German saloon the proprietor rushed out
+when he saw the ladies coming, and swinging his arms
+and shaking his fists in the most excited manner, exclaimed:
+“Vot you vant here? You shust go vay!
+Get off mine sidevalk! Vat you come here so mooch,
+braying and singing, and making my license so pig?
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_701">[Pg 701]</span>You shust go vay! I vill not haf it! Vat you vant?
+You make a church of mine house! Ruin mine pizness!
+No, no, you can do dat; you moost come here
+no more. You shust come here vonce more, you vill
+see vat I vill do mit you! My Piple says you moost
+not bray on de street corners, but you moost bray at
+home. You go home to bray.”</p>
+
+<p>The band commenced singing a hymn, and the irate
+German retreated into his saloon. As they were
+passing on, he gazed after them as if horror-stricken:</p>
+
+<p>“Vell if dere is not a burty young girl mit dose
+vimmen! Vot a shame!” Probably, he thought, a
+hurdy-gurdy house a better place for a “burty young
+girl” than “mit dose vimmen.”</p>
+
+<p>At the more respectable houses they were treated
+with civility, and were allowed to hold services in the
+saloons and the billiard rooms, and no drinks were
+sold during their stay. But from the beginning of
+the Crusade, the opposition of the liquor-dealers, both
+wholesale and retail, was steady and united. Secret
+meetings were held from time to time to consider the
+most effectual means of combating the growing temperance
+sentiment. The loss of money and the loss
+of reputation was the burden of their complaint.
+What transpired in these secret sessions can only be
+judged by the plans they adopted publicly. It seemed
+to fall to Mr. Moffett’s share to try the effect of fire,
+water, and noise, in “abating the nuisance of prayer
+and singing.” On one occasion, when the ladies
+visited the Web Foot saloon, Mr. Moffett made such
+demonstrations as drew about them a great crowd of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_702">[Pg 702]</span>people and obstructed travel. This was just what he
+desired, as it gave him an excuse for calling in the
+police, who were ordered to disperse the crowd,
+meaning the women. One of the officers, acting on
+the instructions given him, began not only to order
+away the women, but laid violent hands on them, and,
+without respect to the gray hairs of some, pushed them
+rudely about, bruising the shoulder of one lady against
+the post of the awning.</p>
+
+<p>As they were compelled to yield to force, without a
+word of remonstrance they started back toward the
+church. But one lady put her arm through the
+officer’s arm, and told him with much firmness, that
+if <i>she</i> went, <i>he</i> should go too! to which he was constrained
+to submit. The occasion was improved to
+the edification of that officer, who was met at the
+church and confronted, not with Crusaders only, but
+a goodly number of indignant friends.</p>
+
+<p>The next day they were out as usual, and were
+arrested before the Web Foot saloon, and taken to
+the city jail, where they spent a couple of hours in
+prayer and song, to their own refreshment, and the
+delight of the other prisoners. Counsel was not lacking
+who volunteered to defend them. A special session
+of the court was called, Messrs. C. W. Parish
+and H. Y. Thompson appearing for the accused.
+After a hearing of the complaint, Judge Denny decided
+that there was no ordinance under which they
+could be held, saying, in substance, that had there
+been such an ordinance it would have been illegal, as
+the Constitution of the State of Oregon and of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_703">[Pg 703]</span>United States permitted every person to worship God
+according to the dictates of his own conscience.</p>
+
+<p>The arrest of the ladies created, of course, a strong
+feeling of indignation in the community among their
+friends, and rejoicing among their enemies.</p>
+
+<p>On the afternoon of the 16th of April, 1874, the
+Crusaders, sixteen in number, paid another visit to
+the Web Foot saloon. But no sooner had they appeared
+in front of his place, and asked permission
+to pray and sing there, than Mr. Moffett blew his
+policeman’s whistle, and by means of gongs, drums,
+hand-organs, etc., collected a large crowd which soon
+entirely surrounded them; in this situation they maintained
+their calmness and endeavored to carry on
+their devotional exercises. The noise of gongs and
+drums, tin cans and hand-organs, together with the
+murmurings and shoutings of the mob, was so great
+that they were not heard even by themselves. But
+still they sang and knelt in prayer, keeping a serene
+and joyous trust in God.</p>
+
+<p>The scene which was then and there enacted rivalled
+pandemonium. Many of the friends of the ladies
+anxious for their safety hurried to the place, augmenting
+the crowd already collected, thereby increasing
+the apparent danger. A large proportion of those
+present were street idlers, some of them roughs and
+blackguards; but even the roughest, if not intoxicated,
+felt the course Mr. Moffett was taking to be uncalled-for
+and outrageous, and were disposed to fight in behalf
+of the women.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies, on their part, could not be heard, even
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_704">[Pg 704]</span>in remonstrance. To escape from the crowd would
+have been nearly impossible, if they had made the
+effort. But they did not make the effort. Their faith
+in the protection of God, and His very presence with
+them, never wavered. Although they could not communicate
+with each other, because of the roar and
+clamor of the mob, each one of them felt so firmly
+impressed with the sense of security in Divine assistance,
+that not one of them betrayed or felt any fear.
+Pistols and knives were drawn, furniture thrown
+about, and windows broken. One lady was struck by
+a tumbler thrown out of the saloon, and another had
+a pistol held at her head by Mr. Moffett himself.</p>
+
+<p>This strange scene was prolonged from half-past
+two o’clock in the afternoon until six in the evening—until
+the gong-beaters, drummers, and organ-grinders
+had become exhausted, and the mob was weary of its
+own riotousness. When the way was cleared, the
+ladies took their leave, having endured for three and
+a half hours such things as would commonly have
+driven them mad with fright, or caused them to faint
+or go into convulsions. If there are those who do not
+believe in Divine interposition in certain cases, here is
+a problem for them to solve.</p>
+
+<p>More than one man that day was convinced of his
+sins; and quite a number of drinking men declared
+themselves converted to temperance, simply by witnessing
+the depths of degradation to which the habit
+of selling liquor could bring a man.</p>
+
+<p>The wife of an Irish drayman said to a friend of the
+Crusaders, “My husband is a drinking man, and many
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_705">[Pg 705]</span>is the dollar he has spent at Moffett’s, but he says he
+will never buy another glass at that place.”</p>
+
+<p>Among the children whom Mr. Moffett was trying
+to press into his service was a little son of one of the
+Crusaders. Being told to beat a drum, he took the
+sticks and threw them among the crowd. On being
+threatened with punishment if he did not recover
+them, he ran in among the crowd as if to look for the
+lost sticks, but instead made his way to his mother,
+who was kneeling in prayer, and remained by her side
+until she left the place.</p>
+
+<p>It may be asked, what were the police doing all this
+time?</p>
+
+<p>On the previous occasion Judge Denny had dismissed
+the complaint, so it seemed of little use to
+arrest the ladies, and they allowed Mr. Moffett to conduct
+his riot in his own fashion.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning they visited the saloons,
+and in due time appeared before Mr. Moffett’s; immediately
+a crowd was attracted to the spot in expectation
+that the scenes of the day before would be
+repeated. But they were disappointed. Mrs. Moffett
+was there with one of her children, and no disturbance
+was raised. She appealed to the ladies to leave her
+husband to his own ways; but was met by an eloquent
+counter-appeal by one of the band, whose father had
+perished by drink, and whose son, though carefully
+reared, was on the road to ruin from the same cause.</p>
+
+<p>At half-past eleven, Chief-of-Police Lappens appeared,
+bearing a warrant, which, upon being shown
+to the ladies, they obeyed by accompanying him to the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_706">[Pg 706]</span>jail. An immense crowd followed to the very entrance
+of the building, to which the Crusaders gave
+no heed, but entered, singing,</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>At one o’clock <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, the court convened. The
+usual dock was filled with ladies as well as half the
+usual audience-room outside the bar. The charges
+against them were made by Mr. Moffett, for “wilfully
+and unlawfully conducting themselves in a disorderly
+and violent manner, by making a loud noise, and
+creating a disturbance whereby the peace and quiet
+of the said city was disturbed.” <i>Mr. Cronin</i> was
+Mr. Moffett’s counsel, and Messrs. Parish, Northrop,
+and Shoup defended the ladies. This, as will be
+seen, was a charge made by Mr. Moffett himself, who
+had prepared for and conducted the riot himself, while
+the ladies stood as silent witnesses of the scene. Mr.
+Cronin opened the case. Mr. Gibbs responded. He
+said processions had marched through the town, blockading
+the streets; the gospel had been preached to
+listening crowds at the street corners; Chinamen had
+come out on the public thoroughfares, beating gongs,
+exploding fire-crackers, and making hideous noises;
+and for all this there never had been an arrest. It
+would be shown that if the peace and quiet of the city
+were disturbed, that they did not do it; that they
+broke nobody’s window, harmed no man, woman, or
+child, and that they were not responsible for the beating
+of gongs, or the sounding of trumpets, and the
+hooting and howling of disorderly men.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_707">[Pg 707]</span></p>
+
+<p>Moffett was the first witness. I can only give a
+part of his testimony. Being cross-examined, he said:</p>
+
+<p>“There was a great crowd, probably a thousand
+persons, two or three fights took place, and a man was
+stabbed. At the time the disturbance was going on,
+the women sung very loud.”</p>
+
+<p>“But did you see the defendants do anything?”</p>
+
+<p>“They would not move when I asked them.”</p>
+
+<p>“What were you doing?”</p>
+
+<p>“Trying to keep the peace.” (Laughter.)</p>
+
+<p>“Did you have a pistol to keep the peace with?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Now I ask you if you did not have a pistol in your
+hand at the time this occurrence took place?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then when you stated a while ago that you did
+not have a pistol, you did not state what was true?”</p>
+
+<p>“I did not have it to keep the peace with, but for
+protection; they were stealing my property.”</p>
+
+<p>This is a sample of Moffett’s testimony.</p>
+
+<p>Allen Griffith testified for the defence, to having seen
+Moffett’s barkeeper, Good, throw water, by means of a
+hose, on the sidewalk, at the saloon, while the ladies
+were present; also saw Good in a row—saw him close
+to the ladies.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Shoup.—What was he doing at that time?</p>
+
+<p>Witness.—One of the times when he was particularly
+near to them he was holding a gong within a
+few inches of a lady’s ear, and beating it very loudly.
+I saw him lift her veil at one time.</p>
+
+<p>C. H. Williams spoke of having been attracted to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_708">[Pg 708]</span>Moffett’s saloon, April 16th, by the noise of gongs and
+drum-beating.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cronin (Moffett’s attorney).—Was your wife
+among the ladies that day?</p>
+
+<p>Witness.—She was not; I only wish she had been.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cronin asked Thomas A. Royal, of the Portland
+Academy, another witness, if he had counselled the
+women not to go to Moffett’s saloon.</p>
+
+<p>He answered: “I have not, but I have asked my wife
+to go.”</p>
+
+<p>This, though a small part of the testimony, will show
+the drift of the trial, which lasted four days. The testimony
+was clear as to the pure moral character and
+good behavior of the women; the speeches for the defence
+of the women were able. The case was one of
+the clearest that ever went before an American jury.</p>
+
+<p>Judge Denny briefly charged the jury, reminding
+them that all they were called upon to decide, from the
+evidence, was, whether the defendants were guilty, as
+charged in the complaint, of wilfully and unlawfully
+making a loud noise, whereby the peace and quiet of
+the city was disturbed. They were also advised that
+it would be their duty to give the prisoners the benefit
+of any reasonable doubt. The jury was out several
+hours, but returned with a verdict of “guilty,” but recommended
+to the merciful consideration of the court.
+Upon the request of Mr. Parrish, the judge consented
+to stay sentence till the next morning, to give defendants
+time to file a motion to arrest judgment. The
+motion to arrest judgment being overruled, the ladies
+presented the following protest:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_709">[Pg 709]</span></p>
+
+<p>“<i>Your Honor</i>: We do protest against any sentence
+being passed upon us, for the following reasons:</p>
+
+<p>“1. That the verdict was contrary to the testimony,
+and to the charge of your honor, in that the testimony
+clearly shows, by numerous witnesses, that we
+were quiet and orderly in the midst of disorder and
+confusion. To such an extent did some of us preserve
+quiet, that we did not so much as open our mouths,
+either in song or in prayer, as your honor will observe
+by referring to the testimony.</p>
+
+<p>“2. We, as temperance women, do earnestly protest
+against being sentenced on the finding of a jury composed
+in part of liquor-dealers, who, according to the
+words of their oath, had already prejudged us.</p>
+
+<p>“If we may be allowed to mention the work in
+which we are engaged, we should like to do so. The
+crime being supposed to be in the intent, we would remind
+your honor that the husbands and fathers of the
+land are being stricken down on every side by this vile
+traffic against which we wage war, and that the sons
+of the land are so beset by temptation that very many
+of them fall early into a drunkard’s grave, and many
+more who live on, but live to disappoint the fond hopes
+which are centred in them, and which, but for this fell
+destroyer, they might fulfil. These evils, your honor,
+are not in far-off lands, but at our own doors, as that
+wife can testify, who a few months since went to a
+prominent saloon in this city and plead with the proprietor
+to sell her husband no more liquor, as her life
+was in danger whenever that husband came home
+under its influence, and she was coldly told: ‘O, well,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_710">[Pg 710]</span>if I do not sell him liquor some one else will.’ Of
+that other wife whose twenty years’ experience has deprived
+her of everything the heart holds dear, ‘but
+her trust in God,’ whose husband can go and keep the
+books at this same saloon, and Saturday night take his
+pay in this cursed fire-water, and go to his home to
+make it such a hell upon earth that the children must
+be sent from the house and the wife remain in terror
+of her life. Such instances are not rare; and it is in
+behalf of these suffering sisters that we act. We have
+not power to amend the laws; but since the day when
+woman was first at the sepulchre, it has been her conceded
+right to pray, and this right we claim as inalienably
+ours.</p>
+
+<p>“The jury have kindly recommended us to mercy;
+we ask no mercy—we demand <span class="allsmcap">JUSTICE</span>.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="THE_LOGICAL_CONCLUSION">
+ THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The judge, with evident embarrassment, replied that
+the jury had been fairly and “impartially selected in
+accordance with law.” He also took occasion to advise
+the ladies not to attempt to overcome the evil
+they were warring against by such means as they had
+been using, but to go to the “fountain head.”</p>
+
+<p>The penalty was five dollars fine each, or one day’s
+imprisonment. The ladies refused to pay the fine or
+allow the gentlemen present to pay it for them, electing
+to go to prison. They were shown to their common
+apartment in the jail, and gave up their only weapon,
+their Bibles. There was an indignation meeting in
+one of the churches that night, and between eight and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_711">[Pg 711]</span>nine o’clock, fearing the people, an officer came to the
+jail and rudely ordered them to leave. The ladies
+hesitated about going out into the darkness alone,
+expressing a preference to remain, to which he replied,
+“I’m boss here; you leave.” Thus thrust out, they
+made their way to the church. The first intimation
+the audience had of the release of the ladies was their
+presence in the church. Such enthusiastic cheering
+took place as had never been heard within those walls.
+When the tumult had subsided, some of the ladies
+made short addresses, in which they recounted the
+circumstances of their dismissal and their hesitating
+flight.</p>
+
+<p>The Crusade work continued without any abatement
+of zeal. The liquor-dealers held meetings to devise
+means to protect their rights. Their doors were
+closed, and the women met with universal coldness
+and hardness. Mr. Moffett persisted in his open
+insults, treating the ladies with great personal indignity.
+At last forbearance gave way, and Mr. Moffett was
+arraigned for insulting conduct toward Mrs. H. B.
+Stitzel. The case was tried before Justice Ryan, with
+a jury of liquor-men. Mr. Moffett was discharged.
+Another complaint was entered by Mrs. Alice Fain,
+for assault, by making her ill by burning some
+poisonous substance in her face. In both these cases
+Mr. Moffett was defended by E. A. Cronin, who
+seemed to be inspired by the spirit of his employer,
+and grossly insulted the ladies by telling them, in his
+speech, that he believed they were as base and corrupt
+in heart “<i>as any woman in this town, no matter what her
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_712">[Pg 712]</span>calling or character</i>.” The jury in this case, which was
+tried before Justice Crich, consisted of four liquor-men
+and two Germans. Moffett was again discharged.</p>
+
+<p>An enthusiastic meeting of ladies was held, and able
+speeches were made, and published. The better class
+of citizens, and the Congregational Church, in council,
+gave the Crusaders their formal indorsement. In
+the meantime the usual work of visiting the saloons
+went on; petitions were circulated; and public sentiment
+thoroughly aroused.</p>
+
+<p>On the 18th June, the mayor approved an ordinance,
+which had been secured mainly through their influence,
+raising the license from $50 to $100 per quarter, and
+requiring $1,000 bonds to keep orderly houses, with
+some other restrictions. This aroused the liquor-men
+to still greater opposition. One gentleman, whose
+wife was connected with the Crusade, was notified to
+take his wife off the street or suffer the loss of his
+business, through the enmity of the liquor association.
+“Very well,” he replied, “it took a higher power than
+I to place her on the street, and it will require a higher
+power to remove her. If you want to ruin my business,
+you can try it. I will certainly fight yours as long
+as I live.”</p>
+
+<p>But they had many kind words, and much to
+encourage them in their difficult work. Mrs. A. C.
+Gibbs arose in a ladies’ meeting one day, and told the
+Crusaders, for their encouragement, that during a visit
+to Puget Sound, from which she had just returned, she
+had learned, to her surprise, that the temperance
+movement had produced the best effects over there.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_713">[Pg 713]</span>In a conversation between the captain of a Sound
+steamer, and other gentlemen, it was asserted that the
+liquor traffic had fallen off one-third; that he knew it
+by the less amount he carried on his boat. Also, that
+whereas all the men on his vessel used to take their
+grog, none of them did so now; and that a drinking-stand,
+kept on one of the wharves for the express convenience
+of this class of men, which used to make a
+profit of twenty-seven dollars a day, dwindled in its
+receipts to three dollars, and finally closed. Such a
+fact was certainly encouraging, as a result of four
+months of labor, no matter how arduous.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MURDER_IN_A_SALOON">
+ MURDER IN A SALOON.
+</h3>
+
+<p>On the Saturday evening immediately preceding the
+city election, at nine o’clock, a certain lady was reciting
+to the audience at the church an incident that came
+under her notice four years previous, of a woman’s
+shooting a man in a Portland saloon because he failed
+to vote as he was instructed, after having been furnished
+free drinks for a month at her place.</p>
+
+<p>Almost at that very moment, a murder was being
+perpetrated in a place of similar character, but under
+somewhat different circumstances. In this case the
+woman had only given the murderer drugged liquor
+enough to make him either stupid or crazy. Unfortunately
+it had the latter effect, and to save herself from
+his pistol she had called on the police, and officer
+Schoppe entering at the moment when the deadly instrument
+was raised, was instantly shot fatally, and
+fell.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_714">[Pg 714]</span></p>
+
+<p>Here was a pointed example, if such were wanting,
+of the criminality of the saloon business. It <i>might</i> be
+made use of to influence the election on Monday. But
+it was not; because it happened late Saturday evening,
+and on Sunday, at one o’clock, the man was buried
+out of sight!</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="THE_ORDINANCE_AGAIN">
+ THE ORDINANCE AGAIN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>When the new councilmen came in they found the
+ordinance increasing liquor licenses signed by the
+mayor, and ready to go into effect with the commencement
+of the quarter beginning July 1st. An effort
+was immediately made to get an ordinance passed
+reducing licenses to their former rates; but this was
+prevented by the mayor, two of the old councilmen and
+one of the new.</p>
+
+<p>Then followed a petition from fifty-six liquor-sellers
+and eighty-seven others, to have licenses reduced to
+fifty dollars per quarter, and such pressure brought to
+bear upon the council that the mayor notified the
+temperance people that unless they sent in a counter-petition,
+the council might not be able to withstand
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly a counter-petition was circulated, and one
+hundred and thirty names obtained, of the heaviest tax-payers
+in the city, who were <i>not</i> liquor-dealers. Both
+petitions went before the council. That same evening
+an ordinance was passed and approved by the mayor,
+reducing licenses to fifty dollars! It contained, it is
+true, some provision for bonds being given; but how
+soon may we look to see even that repealed?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_715">[Pg 715]</span></p>
+
+<p>What is this power of whiskey that makes men disregard
+everything else?</p>
+
+<p>An attempt was made to pass a law against singing
+and praying in the street, but it was not successful. The
+council did, however, ordain that no drinking-houses
+should be kept by women. I add the names of the
+noble women of Portland, who consecrated themselves
+to this work, and pursued it so successfully, notwithstanding
+the apathy of the masses, the corruption of
+the courts, and the ruffianism of the saloon-keepers:</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. A. Mitchell; Mrs. Helen Sparrow; Mrs. J.
+H. Reid; Mrs. Jane Pierpont; Mrs. J. S. Briggs; Mrs.
+Josephine Ritter; Mrs. A. R. Medbury; Mrs. Catherine
+Sparks; Mrs. Mary C. Holman; Mrs. M. Quackenbush;
+Mrs. G. Shindler; Mrs. Maggie Wilson; Mrs.
+Charlotte Jean; Mrs. S. D. Francis; Mrs. H. V.
+Stitzel; Mrs. Rachel Clark; Mrs. L. F. Turner; Mrs.
+M. E. Sutherland; Mrs. E. C. Hall; Mrs. E. Watkins;
+Mrs. W. B. Fain; Mrs. E. O. Corson; Mrs. N. S.
+Swafford; Mrs. Dr. Atkinson; Mrs. G. W. Izer; Mrs.
+J. Smith; Mrs. T. F. Royal; Mrs. Lucy Patton; Mrs.
+J. F. Jones; Mrs. W. P. Jones; Mrs. E. Richards; Mrs.
+Kimberline; Mrs. Lillie; Mrs. J. R. Robb; Mrs. M. M.
+Smith; Mrs. Emma Morgan; Mrs. Murray; Mrs. Connell;
+Mrs. J. A. Robb; Mrs. L. L. Bond; Mrs. Lizzie
+Fletcher; Mrs. J. F. DeVore; Mrs. O. B. Gibson;
+Mrs. Dr. Sawtelle; Mrs. Wm. Roberts; Mrs. Benj.
+Thomas; Mrs. L. Blackstone; Mrs. A. Allen; Mrs. F.
+Pierce; Mrs. J. Stitzel; Mrs. A. Hurgren; Mrs. G.
+W. Traver; Mrs. Morris; Miss J. Pumphrey; Miss L.
+A. Mitchell; Miss Mary DeVore; Miss Orra Sparks;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_716">[Pg 716]</span>Miss Sarah Sparks; Miss Olive Padget; Miss Mary
+Harrington; Miss Mell Cranston; Miss Marion Francis;
+Miss Ida Francis; Miss Helena Holman; Miss Mary
+Test; Miss Eliza Richards; Miss Edith Sutherland.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h3 id="NEW_JERSEY">
+ NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work in this State began in the city of Newark,
+April 16th, 1874.</p>
+
+<p>Newark was the largest town in the State, and a
+stronghold of the liquor traffic. But the fire kindled
+there has spread from town to town, till the whole
+State rings with the watchword of the Woman’s Temperance
+Union—“<i>New Jersey for Christ and Temperance</i>.”</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEWARK_NEW_JERSEY">
+ NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The call that brought the ladies together was anonymous;
+but though thus unexpectedly called to face
+the responsibility of the temperance work in a great,
+wicked city, they were too loyal to God and the cause
+to hesitate.</p>
+
+<p>They prepared themselves for the work by a special
+and entire consecration, and waited before God for an
+open door, and the voice of command.</p>
+
+<p>The work came to them in a most unexpected manner.
+At the close of one of their meetings, a forlorn,
+miserable-looking sort of a man came dragging his
+feet along just within the door, and tumbled into the
+chair that was near, being then somewhat under the
+influence of liquor. After sitting a few moments, he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_717">[Pg 717]</span>arose with some difficulty to his feet, and commenced
+speaking quite indistinctly, as if rather talking to
+himself. The first words that could be understood
+were, “I am a poor, miserable, lost, wretched and
+drunken engineer, and I am drunk now; do you
+think that I can be saved?” He then went on to tell
+of his dreadful life, how for over twenty years he had
+been drinking, ruining himself and family till he had
+become a worthless vagabond, and was lost and
+ruined both soul and body forever. While standing in
+a half-bent attitude describing himself and his wretched
+condition, in most piteous tones, the heart of every
+individual who had remained there was melted in
+sympathy. He said he did not know why he came
+into that room, or how he came there, but that a
+conviction of his guilt and ruin came over him the
+moment that he entered it, and while thus speaking,
+he commenced to sob and weep aloud, saying: “Will
+you pray for me?” Trembling and excited he got on
+his knees, and in the agony of despair he prayed that
+God would save him. Those who were there to pray
+were bowed low in the dust, as never before, conscious
+of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit,
+all remaining on their knees in prayer, till he yielded
+his heart to Jesus in penitence and tears, when he, a
+saved and sober man, testified to the riches of Divine
+grace which could reach and rescue even a great
+sinner like himself. And on that morning of the
+8th of May, 1874, he left the hall, which he entered in
+such darkness and misery, with the light and peace in
+his soul which Jesus only can give. To His dear
+name be all the glory!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_718">[Pg 718]</span></p>
+
+<p>This small band, who continued to wait on the
+Lord, were enabled on that May morning to erect a
+signal of praise over this first marked and wonderful
+display of the marvellous power of God to save, and
+His readiness to hear and to grant an immediate
+answer to prayer.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the very worst-looking men would most
+strangely find their way into that meeting without
+knowing how or why they came. Almost as soon as
+they entered and heard the voice of prayer, they
+would rise and ask to be prayed for as poor lost sinners,
+and continue in prayer till they found the
+Saviour. Others were invited or led in, even when
+intoxicated, and were eventually saved.</p>
+
+<p>As the work progressed, evening meetings, cottage-meetings,
+and Tuesday afternoon services were established
+in different places at the houses of inebriates
+and reformed men, which were well attended, and
+were successful and blessed in their results.</p>
+
+<p>The number of workers was small, and the difficulties
+great, but God was with them.</p>
+
+<p>I take the following from a report of the work:</p>
+
+<p>On the second Sunday in January, 1875, Mr. John
+Garrabrant (who had been an instrument in God’s
+hand of great assistance to us) invited Mr. William
+Souter (who was called the drunken tailor) to come
+to our meeting. He came, forlorn and helpless as if
+about giving up; he thought and felt himself, that
+there was no use in trying. He was induced to get
+on his knees with us, and was told to sign himself to
+Jesus. The Holy Spirit then and there commenced
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_719">[Pg 719]</span>the work in his heart, and from that moment he began
+a new life, and broke off entirely from his evil habits,
+and became a changed man, giving his heart to the
+Saviour. Oh, what a glorious day for him! Our
+rejoicing for a good while over him was with trembling;
+but oh, how we have blessed God for such a
+triumph of grace, ever since! A new beacon of hope
+and light was erected, and what an encouragement it
+was for perseverance in earnest and united prayer for
+that class of men! New ones found their way into
+these meetings, which awakened a greater degree of
+interest and earnestness in the work.</p>
+
+<p>Among the first of these special cases was the
+coming in of a man, rather small, but with such a
+black and wicked sort of expression of countenance
+as one would instinctively shrink from. He seemed
+in every way strangely repulsive, but my eyes were
+riveted to him as he took a low seat just back of the
+door, holding his head down as if to hide himself in
+his soiled and shabby garments. He came invited by
+the Bible reader, who met him in the morning. He
+was cold, and as he said thought he could get warm
+in there, but thought of nothing more.</p>
+
+<p>Very soon, as I watched him, he became very uneasy,
+moved about until he arose to his feet and began
+talking of his miserable life, and of the terribly wicked
+and abandoned condition that he was in. He said
+that he had been drinking, and was drunk when he
+came in there; but said he, I will never drink again,
+no, never; while I live I’ll never touch another drop.
+Is there any mercy for such a vile wretch as I am?
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_720">[Pg 720]</span>And then dropping to his knees he began to pray for
+himself, and cry to God for mercy. He was truly and
+deeply convicted of his guilt as a sinner, and sought
+earnestly to know the way to a better course of life,
+and to give his heart to Jesus. Prayer was offered for
+him, and the meeting closed; but as he still remained
+I was unusually impressed to speak to him. But as I
+approached him, he was so forlorn and disagreeable
+from being steeped with rum and tobacco, that the
+first thing I asked him was, if he would give up his
+tobacco as well as strong drink. Laying my hand on
+his shoulder, I said, “Will you, my poor brother, give
+up everything and make a full surrender of yourself
+to Jesus, and become pure and clean, and not offensive
+and repugnant as you are now?”</p>
+
+<p>“I will give up the drink, but can’t say I will tobacco,
+for I don’t think I could.”</p>
+
+<p>I urged the point; he demurred, but finally said he
+would try.</p>
+
+<p>“No use in trying: you <i>must</i> do it; say you <i>will</i>,” I
+still urged.</p>
+
+<p>“But it would not do for me to give up all at once
+when I have been chewing two papers every day, and
+often a good deal more, besides smoking: it would
+make me sick to break right off.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not if Jesus helps you,” I said, “and He <i>will</i>. In
+your own strength you can never do it; in either case
+in His strength you can. Now promise me you will.”</p>
+
+<p>“If I promise you,” he said, “I <i>shall</i> do it, for bad
+as I am I never tell a lie.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then promise me, quickly,” I still urged; and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_721">[Pg 721]</span>never shall I forget the look he gave me, as for a
+moment he bowed his head, and then, as he raised it
+in trembling earnestness,</p>
+
+<p>“Give me your hand,” said he, seizing it as with a
+grasp of desperation. “Now I promise you, God
+helping me, that never from this time will I touch
+tobacco or drink again. Now I have promised, I shall
+keep it.”</p>
+
+<p>Earnest prayer was offered, and from that moment
+our brother, William N. Clark, became a sober, renewed,
+and changed man.</p>
+
+<p>What human power could have annihilated in an
+instant the appetite and all desire for strong drink or
+tobacco in any form, where it had been almost a life-long
+habit, indulged in without restraint day and night,
+obtained at any and every sacrifice? Who can doubt
+that a will like his was at that time brought into and
+held in subjection by the will and strength of Omnipotence?
+He was enabled to surrender himself, soul and
+body, into the hands of Jesus, and he left the hall,
+never more to touch, taste, or handle those two
+accursed things. His former appetite and love for
+both from that moment was so turned into hatred of
+the sin and its evil results, that his voice was raised in
+denunciation wherever he went. His whole life, since
+that hour, has been given in efforts to bring others
+from the degradation and wretchedness of sin, and to
+win them to Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>So many young men were now interested that it
+was deemed advisable to organize a reform club, to
+bind them more strongly together. Such an organization,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_722">[Pg 722]</span>in connection with the Woman’s Temperance
+Union, was completed on the 4th of March, 1875.
+This club has now over 600 members.</p>
+
+<p>A Sunday-school was commenced, and is still in
+progress.</p>
+
+<p>The 4th of July occurring on Sunday, in 1875,
+there were rumors of preparations already in progress
+to celebrate it as on any secular day, in parades, processions,
+martial music, and other public demonstrations.
+Some of the ladies of the Union resolved, after
+taking it to God in prayer with great earnestness and
+humility, to take a bold stand, and go as a committee
+to the City Hall, and petition the mayor to interpose in
+behalf of a God-fearing people, and sustain the honor
+of His law, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it
+holy.” It was said by many, “It will do no good at
+all; matters have gone too far.” But it did do good.
+The suggestion was very kindly received, and Mr.
+Perry’s decided and prompt action not only entirely
+suppressed the threatened fearful desecration, but gave
+us one of the most peaceful and quiet Sabbaths that
+we have had in this city for many years.</p>
+
+<p>On the 8th of September, 1875, at the regular meetings
+of our Union, we set apart a little season, just at
+the hour of twelve, for united prayer to God. And
+this noon-day concert of private prayer has been
+observed by our Union since that day, when, by the
+uplifting of the right-hand, as requested, to signalize
+the sacred compact, it was thus ratified by every
+member present.</p>
+
+<p>Surely God, the Almighty God himself, has allied
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_723">[Pg 723]</span>Himself to this cause, not only in the treasure of His
+grace, but in the treasury of His means also, to carry
+it on with; for it is a marvel how we have been supplied
+and carried through such heavy expenses as
+came upon us from time to time, and are able to-day
+to say joyfully, that we owe no man anything. Not
+unto us be any of the glory.</p>
+
+<p>An humble service, if the calling to it is of God, is a
+high, a holy calling. In the death of Judge Stanboro,
+December 5th, 1875, we lost one of our firmest
+friends. He was enabled, at the age of seventy-two,
+to give up entirely the use of tobacco in every form,
+although it had been a habit freely indulged in for
+sixty years. He kept quiet on the subject till he could
+say, after the experience of months, that he was a
+happier and better man without it.</p>
+
+<p>One of the reformed brothers who had received his
+special care and attention, and who had never seen a
+Christian die, watched with him till the hour of his
+departure, and caught these his last words, as they
+fell from his lips: “Oh, those blessed women—God
+bless them!” “Oh, precious Jesus!” and immediately
+expired.</p>
+
+<p>In the winter of 1876, a Juvenile Society and Bands
+of Hope were started, and have been well sustained.
+Several branches also have been formed auxiliary to
+the Union.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bundage adds the following incidents:</p>
+
+<p>G—— A——, a young man having all the advantages
+necessary to place him in an honorable position,
+his friends giving him a liberal education, was a student
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_724">[Pg 724]</span>of law. But rum, that great curse, laid him low many
+times, and finally he became a confirmed drunkard.</p>
+
+<p>One day a minister of this city brought him into our
+temperance meeting, suffering with delirium tremens.
+His blood-shot eye, bloated, purple face, trembling
+limbs, quivering body, and look of despair, showed that
+rum had almost finished its work. The hardest heart
+was moved to pity.</p>
+
+<p>One of the sisters of the Union seated herself by his
+side and talked with him. At last he said, “My God,
+cannot you do something for me?” The sweat stood
+in great drops on his brow. She told him just there
+to ask Jesus to help him, and He would; how He
+could cure his disease, and cleanse from all sin. As
+he became more quiet, he told of his wicked life; how
+his mother could not keep him any longer, as she kept
+boarders, and he would do anything to get a drink.
+Whenever she gave him a new suit of clothes, he
+would go to New York, exchange them for an old
+suit, and go home intoxicated. A young lady gave
+him a glass at a party, and urged him to drink. Till
+then he had never drank.</p>
+
+<p>Christian friends surrounded him, and pointed him
+to the Lamb of God. In pity, love, and faith, they
+bore him to the mercy-seat. They prayed for him as
+one prays for his own soul. The Mighty to Save
+heard, and cast out the demon rum, and he was saved
+from that hour.</p>
+
+<p>Kind friends watched with him that night, and he
+was restored to his widowed mother, whom he had
+often found at the midnight hour kneeling at his bedside,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_725">[Pg 725]</span>pleading with a covenant-keeping God for her
+only son. He has since shown, by his walk and conversation,
+that the work is genuine.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. H. had a wife and six children. Like many
+drunkards, he was often very abusive, and would take
+the little pittance his wife earned and spend it for rum,
+leaving the children crying for bread and shivering
+with cold.</p>
+
+<p>At one time he sent a man to tell his wife he was
+arrested, and she must get some money some way so
+he would not have to go to prison. She did so, and
+he spent it for rum with his accomplice. At times he
+was very wretched and in despair, and made attempts
+to hang himself, and was prevented only by the untiring
+care and watchfulness of his devoted wife. One
+night, coming home, he made up his mind, as they
+would not let him hang himself, he would cut his wife’s
+throat first, then the children’s, and lastly his own.
+Before going to bed he slipped a razor in his coat-sleeve.
+His wife saw him do it, and stealthily left the
+house with her young infant, walking half a mile in
+the cold wintry night, through the snow and sleet, with
+only a thin shawl wrapped round herself and babe, to
+the house of her father-in-law, where she stayed all
+night. The father-in-law asked her why she did not
+leave him; if she would do so he would take care of
+her and the children, and send her husband to an asylum.
+She answered: “I cannot leave him; he is my
+husband, and your son, the father of my children.”</p>
+
+<p>He said to her: “I fear you will all be murdered
+some day by his hand.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_726">[Pg 726]</span></p>
+
+<p>When the husband found all was still, he arose to
+accomplish the murderous task he had contemplated.
+He saw the children sleeping quietly together, and
+searched for the mother. Not finding her he concluded
+it was not best to kill the children, as she was
+gone. He says it makes him shudder now when he
+thinks what might have happened if the enemy had put
+it into his mind to kill the children first. When his
+wife came home in the morning he asked her why she
+did not stay home. She looked up, with tears streaming
+down her cheeks, and replied: “Father, I have no
+home any more.” This touched his heart.</p>
+
+<p>When one of his children lay a corpse he borrowed
+money to bury it, and stopped at a rum-shop to get a
+drink, and stayed until the money was all gone; and
+his child was buried by charity.</p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union heard
+of this man, and one of their number visited his house
+every week for eighteen months, leaving tracts with the
+family. After a while he looked for the tracts and the
+visits. Suitable clothes were promised him if he would
+go to church. He was deeply convicted of sin, and
+sought the Saviour, whom he found able to save, even
+to the uttermost. He has since stood firm and unwavering.
+For six months he was chaplain of the first
+Reform Club of Newark, which office he filled very
+acceptably. He has been called to several places in
+this State and in New York, to tell of his wonderful
+deliverance from the appetite and curse of rum.</p>
+
+<p>September 8th, 1877, he buried another child; but
+what a contrast in the man’s family and home!—the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_727">[Pg 727]</span>home now pleasant and neatly furnished, the family
+happy even in their sorrow, and the body of the little
+one lying in a neat coffin with a wreath of flowers
+marked “baby;” the man loved and respected—a kind
+Christian husband and father.</p>
+
+<p>Surely gospel temperance pays well, even in this life.</p>
+
+<p>We might speak of our gospel temperance work in
+the jail: how the prisoners sought and found the Saviour,
+the Lord giving us a trophy the first meeting;
+of our bands of hope and young ladies’ league; cottage
+prayer-meetings, saloon visiting, etc. But time
+will not permit, and the half we do not know here. A
+true record of it is kept on high. It is a blessed work.
+Unto Him be all the praise and glory forever.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="ROSEVILLE_NEW_JERSEY">
+ ROSEVILLE, NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The society in Roseville is an outgrowth of the
+Woman’s Crusade work. As the news came to us of
+the Temperance Crusade in the West, a woman of
+the Roseville Church heard God calling her to join this
+army. Then the cry went up to Him, “Lord, what
+wilt Thou have me to do?” The Lord answered,
+“What thy hands find to do, do with all thy might.”
+The next Sunday, by the direction of the Holy Spirit,
+temperance tracts were distributed among my Mission
+Sunday-school class, with a prayer to heaven that
+they might send conviction to some hearts in those
+seven families which this class represented. The next
+week these homes were visited. Upon entering one
+house, the mother remarked, “I am so glad you have
+come, for my husband wants to see you; he read the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_728">[Pg 728]</span>tract you sent on Sunday, and has been very thoughtful
+since then; says he would like to be a better man.”
+“Why,” said she, “he used to own two nice houses, and
+we all had plenty; but now we are living in these
+rented rooms. He has no work, and I do not know
+what is to become of us, for we are using up the last
+of our hard earnings. He will go with holes in his
+shoes, and just <i>any way</i>, and spend his last cent for
+rum; but he is such a good man when he is sober.”</p>
+
+<p>Just then the husband, Mr. Jones, entered the room.
+He was a fine-looking man, but the mark of the beast
+was on his brow.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation then commenced about his pretty
+children, and my desire to know more of them and
+their parents; he smiled sadly as he remarked, “They
+have a good mother, but I am not the father I ought
+to be.” Then we talked of the follies of a drunkard’s
+life, all of which he knew only too well; but how to
+break away from the habit that had chained him down
+with a death-like grip was the problem he could not
+solve.</p>
+
+<p>He listened with joy to the “good news” of redemption
+through Jesus’ blood. How Jesus came to
+seek and save the lost; then he told me of a dear
+minister brother in heaven: how his last prayer on
+earth was for him (his wayward brother); then of a
+praying mother who had gone home to glory; then
+of an aged praying father and a gentle loving sister
+whose constant prayers were for him. “Yes,” he said,
+“I seem to be wading through prayer, knee-deep, to
+hell.” God was working upon his heart. There was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_729">[Pg 729]</span>a hushed feeling in all that room. We felt God’s
+presence there, and when the invitation was given to
+kneel in prayer, there seemed to be a responsive echo
+in each heart; even the little two-year-old girl, knelt
+in a frightened sort of way, by her father’s side, and as
+the petition went up before the Throne, one could
+imagine the angels tuning their harps a little higher.
+Yes, there was rejoicing among the white-robed
+throng over one poor sinner, who had turned from his
+evil ways, and was learning the new song, “To Him
+who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own
+blood.”</p>
+
+<p>We then walked together to our pastor’s study, and
+there he promised, with God’s help, never to touch intoxicating
+drinks, but to serve the Lord all the remainder
+of his life. Two years have rolled away since
+that memorable 3d day of September, and he is one
+of our most consistent Christian men, a good citizen,
+and an earnest temperance worker. Many poor, rum-blinded
+souls have been brought to the feet of Jesus
+through his faithful efforts, and in his home you will
+find peace and plenty.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jones’ conversion was soon noised about.
+Women told their neighbors of the wonderful change
+that had come over him, and many a sad-hearted wife
+wished that somebody would talk to her husband;
+and somebody did carry the wonderful news, “That
+Jesus is mighty to save,” until ten men had become
+converted.</p>
+
+<p>They and their wives were banded together into
+what is now called the “Gospel Total Abstinence
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_730">[Pg 730]</span>Society.” Socials were held at their homes once a week,
+until they became so large we were forced to hold the
+meetings in the Mission Chapel. Two years have
+elapsed since this society was organized and in God’s
+hands. It is founded on “The Rock of Ages,” and
+has been greatly prospered. We now number about
+three hundred and fifty members. Fifty-four have
+been converted to Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Among our prominent workers are three ex-beer-saloon-keepers;
+also one who was confined at the prison
+for drunkenness, while we were holding our usual
+prayer-meeting at that place. He was a miserable,
+bloated German, who came, after his release, to the
+meetings, as he lived in close proximity to our work.</p>
+
+<p>The kind, tender words of the women, and a tract
+called the “Bird-Charmer,” set him to thinking. How
+he entreated us, in our little Friday evening meeting,
+to pray for him; and we surrounded him after the
+meeting and never gave him up until we saw him
+standing with us on the “Rock of Ages.”</p>
+
+<p>One year has elapsed since his conversion, and instead
+of the once wretched home, he is living in quite
+a large house, all neatly furnished, and his family of
+eight children are all walking in the narrow way.
+Through his effort two men, who had been very hard
+drinkers, were converted. They were won by his consistent
+life at the work-bench. Now they all sing together
+all day long, in that Catholic hat shop, the
+Moody and Sankey hymns. These three men are consistent
+members of our Roseville church.</p>
+
+<p>Our organization is situated in the upper part of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_731">[Pg 731]</span>Newark. It is supported entirely by the Roseville
+Presbyterian Church, and is one of the revolving
+wheels in the church machinery for saving souls. It
+has filled a great many otherwise empty pews.</p>
+
+<p>The above facts are reported by Mrs. F. T. Wiggins.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="LAMBERTVILLE_NEW_JERSEY">
+ LAMBERTVILLE, NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The women arose <i>en masse</i> in this town, and with a
+petition, signed by a large majority of the citizens of
+the place, went to the council chamber and urged
+that the saloons be at once closed. The demand
+was so well backed up by influential names on
+the petition, and the presence of prominent citizens,
+that it was acceded to at once, and rum was banished.</p>
+
+<p>Many of the young men reformed, and some of
+them were saved and brought into the church.</p>
+
+<p>But the dealers who had been driven out established
+themselves on the Pennsylvania side of the river, and
+as there was a connecting bridge, the point was accessible
+and convenient, and they went on with their
+deadly work. The people of the little village protested,
+and held mass indignation meetings; but the
+intruders, lost to shame, defied public sentiment.</p>
+
+<p>At the next election for city officers there was a hard
+contest, but the temperance people held their own, and
+kept rum out. They still watch and pray, and hold
+the fort.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="RAHWAY_NEW_JERSEY">
+ RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A good work was accomplished in Rahway. Sixty-five
+women signed the “iron-clad pledge,” which solemnly
+bound them not to use alcohol in any way, not
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_732">[Pg 732]</span>even as a medicine, and not to patronize any hotel or
+grocery where it was sold.</p>
+
+<p>The result of this action was that some of the grocers
+disposed of their liquor at once, and invited the
+patronage of temperance people.</p>
+
+<p>Six meetings are held weekly, the ministers attending
+in a body the Thursday evening meetings, to which
+they have been specially invited.</p>
+
+<p>In the outskirts of the city, at Bloodgood Mills, a
+branch Union was started, and a reading-room established,
+with good results. There is also a temperance
+work among the colored people.</p>
+
+<p>Many have, through the labors of the faithful workers,
+thus been brought to Christ.</p>
+
+<p>The Reform Club numbers seventy-seven, most of
+whom are “steadfast, immovable, abounding in the
+work of the Lord.”</p>
+
+<p>I glean the following facts from the annual report:</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="JERSEY_CITY_NEW_JERSEY">
+ JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Meetings are held in Jersey City, Bergen, Hudson
+City, and Greenville, all within the city limits.</p>
+
+<p>The grocers have all been visited, and urged to give
+up the sale of liquors. One man, who is a member
+of church, was found, who sold liquor by the bottle, in
+his grocery. When remonstrated with he insisted that
+he was doing right, and refused to give up that part
+of his business. One grocer gave up the sale of
+liquors, and the ladies now have a temperance grocery,
+which they feel in honor bound to sustain.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_733">[Pg 733]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MOUNT_HOLLY_NEW_JERSEY">
+ MOUNT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Mass-meetings are held every Sabbath afternoon,
+beside evening meetings during the week.</p>
+
+<p>Appeals have been made, both personally and in
+writing, to the judges of the court, by whom licenses
+are issued. By this means one man who applied for
+license to open a beer saloon was prevented.</p>
+
+<p>There is a growing interest, and an improved public
+sentiment in this place.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_BRUNSWICK_NEW_JERSEY">
+ NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The work, which began in this town through the influence
+of one woman, lacks neither earnestness nor
+perseverance.</p>
+
+<p>Meetings are held regularly, and from the converts
+a Reform Club has been started.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="HACKETTSTOWN_NEW_JERSEY">
+ HACKETTSTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The saloons are all closed, but the ladies continue
+their meetings, and are vigilant lest the enemy should
+obtain entrance.</p>
+
+<p>At the seminary in that town, ninety young ladies
+and gentlemen were induced to sign the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>Trenton, Elizabeth, Burlington, Beverly, Washington,
+Millstone, Madison, Cedarville, Long Branch and
+a score of other towns are holding the fort against
+fearful odds, and some of them are gaining substantial
+victories.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. C. Noble, who has travelled much over the
+State, and has with Mrs. M. R. Denman, the President
+of the State Union, been abundant in labors, adds the
+following:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_734">[Pg 734]</span></p>
+
+<p>Early in the fall of 1876, there was a vigorous
+campaign opened against intemperance in the lower
+part of the State of New Jersey, and prosecuted
+through the counties of Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland
+and Monmouth, with great success, arousing
+Christian people of all denominations to active labor.
+God blessed the labor of His servants most wonderfully,
+and we feel confident that in answer to fervent
+prayers and persistent effort to rescue the perishing
+and lift up the fallen this great awakening over our
+State has come. To God be all the glory.</p>
+
+<p>To show the spirit of this work let me give one or
+two instances. It was wonderful to see the hearts of
+Christians so stirred up to work in all ways, and by all
+means, “so that some might be saved.” One afternoon
+there came into Temperance Hall at Trenton,
+during the great revival there early in the winter of
+1877, a poor out-cast, a woman, who in consequence
+of evil ways had been imprisoned, but who now was
+drawn to the hall by some unknown influence. She
+came again and again, and finally signed the pledge
+and said she kept it. I can never forget a scene which
+occurred at the close of one of our meetings. A pure-spirited
+girl, one of Trenton’s fairest daughters, whose
+heart was full of the constraining love of Christ, approached
+this woman and in low tones began to talk
+with her in regard to her soul’s salvation. After a
+few moments we saw the two, one pure as the blood
+of Christ alone can make, and the other covered with
+sin and shame, move to a remote corner of the room,
+and bowing together so their faces nearly touched, we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_735">[Pg 735]</span>saw the one earnestly pleading with God for His
+pardon for this poor erring sister. Oh, what a sight!
+Angels must have stopped in their flight to witness a
+scene like this. We passed noiselessly away and left
+them alone with God and the angels.</p>
+
+<p>Another: There was a man who had been a hard
+drinker most of his life, and was bringing his aged
+mother to her grave in sorrow. All efforts to save
+him had failed, and it seemed to all who knew him that
+he must fill a drunkard’s grave. A Christian lady
+anxious to work for the blessed Master, and to save
+this man if possible, thought of this plan. She would
+write him a letter praying that God would touch his
+heart. She did so, addressing him as “brother,” and
+signing herself his friend. She invited him to the
+Temperance Hall that night. The word “<i>brother</i>”
+arrested his attention. He said, “Is it possible that
+there is one who cares enough for me to call me
+‘brother,’ and that one, a lady? I will go to the hall.”
+He did so, signed the pledge and became an earnest
+worker in the cause of temperance.</p>
+
+<p>Others of similar character were brought into our
+meetings and were saved; broken down family altars
+were rebuilt, and many new ones set up, we trust
+never to be abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>It was blessed to bow with these saved men at their
+altars of prayer, where in many cases children had fled
+from their drunken fathers in terror. Now they would
+sit upon their knee while God’s word was read, and all
+bow together in humble prayer.</p>
+
+<p>Through the influence of these gospel temperance
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_736">[Pg 736]</span>meetings many saloons have been closed; cider mills
+abandoned; and thousands of precious souls have
+been saved, thereby turning aside the streams of
+death which bear down to ruin so many of our fellow-beings.</p>
+
+<p>God very signally owned and blessed the work at
+Elizabeth City, N. J., and though not so many signed
+the pledge as in other places, yet the work was carried
+into the churches, and pastors and people united in the
+great work of saving souls, and all felt when the meeting
+closed that some had been brought to the saving
+knowledge of Christ.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="MARYLAND">
+ MARYLAND.
+</h3>
+
+<p>Years ago, when a war-cry rang out in the land,
+thousands of womanly hearts thrilled responsive to
+the call for sympathy, for aid, and prayer. And when,
+not long after, another battle-cry pealed out in thunder-tones,
+when the voice of the Crusade, as the voice of
+many waters, came surging from the West, our hearts
+answered to the call, and everywhere throughout “our
+Maryland,” woman’s lips caught up the battle-cry,
+“For God, and home, and native land!”</p>
+
+<p>Fired by the enthusiasm of the noble women of
+Ohio, touched by the spirit of sacrifice which nerved
+them to deeds of heroism unsurpassed by any on historic
+page, we, of Maryland, saw, as never before, our
+responsibility as Christians, realized that “we were
+our brothers’ keepers,” and, listening to the Spirit’s
+call, resolved to do whatever (God blessing our efforts)
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_737">[Pg 737]</span>we might towards helping “the bound-in chains” to
+be free!</p>
+
+<p>Never before had we seemed to hear as in our very
+midst, all round about us, the wail from breaking
+hearts, women weeping over the degradation of their
+first-born, their poor misguided Absaloms. We saw
+our own darlings in our sheltered homes, shielded,
+loved, and blest, and, as never before, felt that it was
+required of us to seek out in their wretchedness the
+drunkard’s children—little children who scarcely knew
+what childhood was, looking out upon life with scared
+and wondering faces, crouching to earth, or hiding
+away at footsteps on a stair—uncertain, stumbling
+footsteps, heralds of night hours of vigil, of abuse
+and desolation.</p>
+
+<p>Women suffering a living death, in degradation,
+poverty and woe, struggling, toiling far into the night,
+to earn their children bread; these seemed to look to
+us with pitiful, tear-stained faces, for help, for sympathy,
+for prayer.</p>
+
+<p>Thus moved by the example of our sisters of the
+West, awakened by the voice of the Holy Spirit, we
+began to ask, “What is <i>our</i> duty? What can <i>we</i> do?
+Shall we stand idly looking on, while souls die that we
+might help to save? Shall we dream away our lives,
+fold our arms in peace, and give thanks that none of
+our beloved ones are in that army marching down to
+death?” The answer came back, “No! a thousand
+times no, no!”</p>
+
+<p>“What, then, should we do?” Wait for protection
+from our lawgivers, help that might never come!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_738">[Pg 738]</span></p>
+
+<p>Nay, to the mighty Lawgiver, the Judge of all the
+earth, we resolved to carry our cause; to the mighty
+in battle we would fly for deliverance; taking courage
+when we remembered that “Greater is He who is for
+us, than all they who are against us.”</p>
+
+<p>Day after day we met for solemn consecration, for
+prayer, seeking wisdom from on high, that, led by the
+Holy Spirit, we might put into active form our yearning
+pity for the victims of intemperance, their sorrowing
+families, and desolated homes.</p>
+
+<p>In the spring of 1874, a band of Christian women
+under the direction of Mrs. Francis A. Crook, and
+Mrs. Dr. J. Carey Thomas, of Baltimore, associated
+themselves together under the name of “The Woman’s
+Christian Temperance Union.”</p>
+
+<p>During the spring and winter, prayer-meetings were
+held two and three days in the week in the different
+churches of the city; for in this work Christian women
+of all denominations met and worked, wept, and
+prayed together “one in Christ.”</p>
+
+<p>Cottage meetings were held in the suburbs of the
+city, in private houses, and even in houses of shame;
+dens of infamy where our pure women went, as the disciples
+of old, two and two, in little companies, quietly,
+lovingly, earnestly bearing the Master’s message of
+salvation, binding the “whosoevers and the whatsoevers”
+into a staff to bear up and on the poor sinning,
+sad, despairing souls, that heard them with new
+hope. God wonderfully blessed these efforts. Souls
+were reclaimed, and more than one lifted up by
+Christian women’s loving hands. These, their fallen
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_739">[Pg 739]</span>sisters, were led to Him who saveth to the uttermost
+whosoever will come.</p>
+
+<p>Responding to a call issued by the President of the
+Baltimore Union, the women of the city and State
+met in convention, November 9th and 10th, 1875, in
+this city, to plan for the future extension of the work.</p>
+
+<p>The result of this gathering was the organization
+of “The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,” of
+Maryland, auxiliary to “The Woman’s National Christian
+Temperance Union.”</p>
+
+<p>The following officers were elected, and at each
+succeeding annual convention, unanimously re-elected:</p>
+
+<p>President, Mrs. Frances A. Crook, Baltimore; Vice-Presidents,
+Mrs. Simon Parkhurst, Baltimore county;
+Mrs. Dr. James Carey Thomas, Baltimore, Congressional
+District; Mrs. L. H. Cochren, Frederick county;
+Recording Secretary, Mrs. E. B. Murdock, Baltimore;
+Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Georgia Hulse McLeod,
+Baltimore; Treasurer, Mrs. Alice Brooks, Baltimore.</p>
+
+<p>Through the years of 1875-76, the Union has
+pressed forward, overcoming many obstacles, but
+quietly and persistently commanding attention and
+respect, creating a still increasing sentiment in favor
+of temperance.</p>
+
+<p>We can chronicle no grand victory, rejoice over no
+signal success, but we are glad to know that from
+meetings held week after week, month after month,
+often through great discouragement, good has resulted.
+In public halls, in churches, in private houses, in cities,
+towns, and villages, seed has been sown which God
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_740">[Pg 740]</span>has blessed. Some souls have been saved, some
+fallen ones reclaimed, a few bars and rum shops
+closed. Into every open door of opportunity our
+sisters have gone with their sweet message of love.
+Among the seamen—the old weather-beaten tars, the
+young just starting out on first voyages—on the deck
+of a man-of-war they have sung, and talked, and prayed.
+The memory of a meeting thus held, one Sabbath
+afternoon, will, by some, be long remembered. The
+first to sign the pledge, and place his name upon the
+prayer-roll, was an English boy, whose heart some
+spoken word of mother-love had touched.</p>
+
+<p>That was his last Sabbath upon earth. A fall from
+the yard-arm resulted in almost instant death. Held
+high in esteem by officers and mates, he was buried
+with naval honors. Tributes of respect, fragrant
+flowers, were heaped upon his coffin. A record of
+these tokens of friendship the boy had won, and a lock
+of soft brown hair were sent to his mother far away,
+and are all that is left now to comfort her.</p>
+
+<p>His life voyage was early ended, and we believe his
+ship is safe in port, where the storms never come.</p>
+
+<p>Temperance literature, papers, tracts, books, and
+leaflets were frequently distributed. Articles bearing
+on the interests of the cause were, from time to time,
+inserted in local journals. Letters were written to
+those who could be reached in no other way.</p>
+
+<p>From our city pulpits each year were read appeals
+from the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,
+urging their sisters to banish from Christmas and
+New Year’s festivals, and social gatherings, wines and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_741">[Pg 741]</span>other intoxicating drinks. These appeals were not
+altogether vain. Every Christmas tide the song of
+the Angel of Peace sounds louder and clearer.
+Christmas is a joy to some homes, where its gladness
+had been long unknown, and fewer hearts are saddened
+by long, weary watches, at that joyous time, for
+reeling forms, tottering steps, blaspheming tones.</p>
+
+<p>Auxiliary Unions have been formed in Baltimore
+and Howard counties. In a village in the last-named
+county, by the earnest, persevering efforts of one true
+Christian woman, the sale of liquor has been abandoned
+by the shopkeepers, to whom it had always
+been a profitable investment.</p>
+
+<p>In Glencoe, Baltimore county, a juvenile auxiliary
+has been formed, which promises to be a valuable
+acquisition.</p>
+
+<p>Pledges have been taken to some extent, but in this
+form of our work we meet with much opposition.</p>
+
+<p>Several hundred signatures have been obtained to
+petitions ready for the approaching session of our
+State Legislature.</p>
+
+<p>Delegates were appointed to the National and
+International Conventions. The latter was attended
+by the President, Vice-President, and Corresponding
+Secretary of the State, and by the Treasurer of the
+Baltimore Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.</p>
+
+<p>A public meeting, with appropriate farewell services,
+was held in honor of Mrs. Margaret Parker,
+President of the Woman’s International Temperance
+Union, and addressed by her on the eve of her departure
+for Scotland.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_742">[Pg 742]</span></p>
+
+<p>In April and May daily meetings for reformed men
+were presided over by members of the Baltimore
+Union during the Temperance Revival Meetings,
+under the direction of Colonel Hoy, and some of the
+men then rescued from ruin have been encouraged
+and assisted in their every effort towards a maintenance
+for themselves and families, to whom they had
+been almost lost.</p>
+
+<p>This is Maryland’s brief record, far more brief than
+we could wish, but “We have done what we could.”
+Still hoping, praying, working, watching for the
+brighter day we know must come, when four thousand
+liquor-saloons shall no longer be a blot on the beauty
+of our city, when not one shall be found in our State
+from its eastern to its western shores, and when we
+shall rejoice in the fulfilment of the promise: “The
+way of the wicked He turneth upside down.”</p>
+
+<p>We have still much to regret, much which grieves
+and saddens us, but we have much for which to give
+thanks.</p>
+
+<p>We are still an undivided band. The Angel of
+Death has spared our ranks; the Angel of the Covenant
+has led, blessed, and strengthened us. We reconsecrate
+ourselves to the work, looking forward,
+not backward; up, not down.</p>
+
+<p>Only the smallest of the polished stones have we to
+bring, far outshone by sister States, yet may we find in
+the glad by-and-by, that in the hand of the great
+Master-Builder, we have found a place, and aided in
+the completion of the whole, the perfect mosaic formed
+of millions of gems, trophies won for the Master by
+those who love His name, and watch for His salvation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_743">[Pg 743]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="THE_TRYST_OF_MARYLAND">
+ THE TRYST OF MARYLAND.
+</h3>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>IN THE TWILIGHT.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">At the hour when God’s Beloved</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Sought the lonely mountain side,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Breathing out His supplications</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">In the calm, still eventide,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Let us bow in every home,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Praying, in faith, “Thy kingdom come!”</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Thus spake one who loved the Saviour,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Weeping over sin and woe;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Hearts and lips a hundred answered,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">“Thou say’st well, it shall be so.”</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">To Him who hears, we’ll always say</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">That prayer at dying of the day.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">So, each twilight, they are praying,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Matron, maiden, wife, and child;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Father, in great mercy, hear us,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Stay this torrent fierce and wild;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Like a flood ’twill overwhelm,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">If Thou dost not take the helm.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Stay the torrent in Thine clasping</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Hands, that seek the cup to drain;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Show them Death is in it lurking,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Bring them to the light again—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Bring the wanderers home once more,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">The Lord our Shepherd, we implore!</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Stay the torrent, whisper now</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">To each ruler in the land,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Man, where is thy brother?—where?</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">God will ask him at thy hand!</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Rouse each conscience! oh, awake</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Souls that sleep, their peace to make!</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Send a voice unto the dreamers,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Sleeping upon beds of down,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Bought with tears of wives and mothers—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">With the price of many a home;</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_744">[Pg 744]</span> <div class="verse indent0">Loud be it as a trumpet’s tone,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Prepare to meet thy Judge—alone!</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Let Thy kingdom come, our Father;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Save the souls so far from Thee;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Cleanse the earth from this pollution;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Set the bound-in spirit free.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Thy kingdom come! Thy kingdom come!</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Hear our prayer in heaven Thy home.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Courage! ye wives, who toil and keep</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Watch with night, so sad and lone,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Courage! ’tis very dark and drear;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">But with morning, light shall come.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Kind hearts grieve with you to-day,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And for you God’s children pray.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Mothers, they who were your pride</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Almost break your hearts to-night.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">They have wandered far from home,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Far from you, from God, from right.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">But comfort you; God sees and hears;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">His hand shall wipe away your tears.</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Little children, sad and weary,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Knowing less of joy than tears,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Do you think, amid the shadows,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">No one heeds your griefs and fears?</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">God your Father, little ones,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Loves you, and His kingdom comes!</div>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">Christians, pray for rescue, pleading</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">As if hours were moments left—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Pray as you would pray in dying,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">That from earth this curse be swept.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Pray in the twilight—yea, alway—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Lips, heart, and soul, oh, Christians, pray!</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>Reported by Mrs. Georgia Hulse McLeod, Corresponding
+Secretary.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_745">[Pg 745]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="CONNECTICUT">
+ CONNECTICUT.
+</h3>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_MILFORD_CONNECTICUT">
+ NEW MILFORD, CONNECTICUT.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I gather the following facts from reports and letters
+sent me by Mrs. M. A. Stone, the efficient President
+of this local organization, and of the State organization,
+and Vice-President of the Woman’s National
+Christian Temperance Union:</p>
+
+<p>The ladies of this place, hearing rumors of the
+strange work in the West, began to question in their
+minds whether something ought not to be done here.</p>
+
+<p>We had men here who were selling without license,
+keeping their houses open on the Sabbath, and selling
+to minors, contrary to the law regulating liquor traffic.
+Finally, two of the ladies, after consulting the leading
+men of the place, decided to call a meeting.</p>
+
+<p>The meeting was held in the Congregational chapel,
+March 17th, 1874. Other meetings followed, and a
+petition was prepared and circulated for signatures,
+requesting the liquor-dealers to give up their business.
+Over a thousand signatures were obtained. A committee
+of ladies presented the petition to every saloon-keeper,
+urging them to give up their vile traffic; but
+in vain. The petition and signatures were published,
+and the ministers of the town invited to preach sermons
+on the subject, the following Sabbath, which some
+of them did.</p>
+
+<p>The subject was agitated so thoroughly that the
+liquor-dealers, knowing they were defying the law,
+called a town-meeting, and asked the town to give
+them license. The ladies held a prayer-meeting, in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_746">[Pg 746]</span>a chapel close by the place where they were voting,
+and with prayers and tears besought God not to permit
+them to have license. None who were there can
+ever forget that meeting. While they were still praying
+and crying to God, a kind brother came, and, opening
+the door gently, said, “We have a majority of sixty-nine
+votes against license,” and closing the door left
+us to ourselves. A thrill of joy ran through every
+heart. It would be quite impossible to describe the
+scene—some cried for joy, some thanked God for answered
+prayer, and all realized, as never before, that
+God was on their side. The ladies continued their
+meeting with great enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>The liquor-dealers stopped selling for a time, and
+then called another town-meeting; and the ladies called
+another special meeting at the same time and place as
+before. Their meeting resulted in <i>no license</i> again—the
+ladies meeting in joy and thanksgiving to God,
+who had again given them the victory.</p>
+
+<p>Some time elapsed before the liquor-dealers rallied
+for another conflict. This time they applied to the
+County Commissioners for license. The ladies sent a
+committee to the County Commissioners, to protest
+against it, on the ground that they were not fit persons
+to be intrusted with license, as they had, for more than
+a year, been selling contrary to law. Petitions from
+citizens were also sent in, and the liquor-dealers were
+again defeated.</p>
+
+<p>For some time they kept quiet; but as they continued
+to sell, the men decided to prosecute them, and
+in due time they were all convicted but one, who
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_747">[Pg 747]</span>claimed that he had not violated his promise to the
+ladies, and had only sold for medicine (he kept a drug
+store). The suit against him was withdrawn, the rest
+paid their fines. Finding themselves thwarted on
+every side, they appealed to the Legislature, and by
+the cunning devices of scheming politicians secured
+the Local Option law, which was made so strong in their
+favor that the County Commissioners had no longer
+power to use their own discretion in granting license
+to those who might apply, when the petitioner had
+complied with the terms provided by law. At the next
+election the town voted license. But the women continued
+to work, and in 1876 the town again voted <i>no
+license</i>.</p>
+
+<p>A young people’s meeting was organized: D. W.
+Ives, President; A. S. Beecher, Secretary. The society
+increased in numbers rapidly, and there are now more
+than two hundred members. A Colored People’s
+Temperance Union was formed, which soon numbered
+over eighty members; and, last and best, a Temperance
+Band of Hope, with sixty-two members, twenty-four
+of whom have signed the triple pledge, to use
+no tobacco, no intoxicating drinks, and no profane
+language. A citizens’ club sprung up spontaneously,
+as it were, without any action on the part of the ladies,
+and many who were considered almost past reformation
+joined it. They were assisted by the citizens in
+procuring a reading-room. Books, papers and pictures
+were furnished, and $150, to aid in the work.</p>
+
+<p>In 1877, the town voted license again; but public
+sentiment is improving. All the societies are in active
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_748">[Pg 748]</span>operation, and they are looking forward to the time
+when God shall give the victory.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="EASTFORD_CONNECTICUT">
+ EASTFORD, CONNECTICUT.
+</h3>
+
+<p>In the autumn of 1873, a mother was walking with
+her four children along one of the pleasant roads of
+Eastford. Much engaged and interested in their conversation,
+she failed to notice an object by the roadside,
+of which she would have gladly spared them the
+sight. Suddenly the boy clutched her dress with one
+hand, and pointing with the other to the prostrate
+figure, exclaimed, “Oh, mother, is he dead?” Looking
+in the direction he pointed, she saw a man, well
+dressed, about thirty years of age, lying flat upon the
+ground in the uneasy sleep of intoxication. His hat
+had fallen from his head, and the hot sun beat mercilessly
+upon his dusty face. “The man is not dead,
+but drunk,” she said, in answer to his question. The
+boy drew nearer to his mother, and in a low voice
+said, “But he will die, won’t he?” “Yes, some time;
+and after death is the judgment,” she added.</p>
+
+<p>They wended their way homeward. The beauty of
+the scene was destroyed by the sight they had witnessed.
+A new feeling of responsibility was awakened
+by that afternoon walk. What could be done to protect
+the young, and rescue the old, from the ravages
+of intemperance? was the question constantly recurring
+to her mind.</p>
+
+<p>During the following winter, the idea of a Woman’s
+Temperance Union came to her mind; and feeling
+sure of the beneficial results of such an organization,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_749">[Pg 749]</span>she did not rest until one was formed, in May, 1874.
+The first meeting was held in a private parlor. About
+forty ladies were present; and after a season of earnest
+prayer, they banded themselves together, under the
+name of the “Woman’s Temperance Union of Eastford.”</p>
+
+<p>The usual officers were chosen, and a committee
+appointed to canvass the town, and particularly to
+visit every woman, and get her co-operation and her
+name signed to the pledge. This committee performed
+their work faithfully; and at a meeting held in the
+vestry, June 17th, made their report, that none were
+left unvisited; they had met a cordial welcome at
+nearly every house, and had obtained <i>one hundred and
+eighty-two</i> names. It was voted to continue to circulate
+this pledge; also to organize a Band of Hope.
+This was done July 17th.</p>
+
+<p>A public meeting was held in the Congregational
+Church, August 3d, which was crowded. The exercises
+were conducted entirely by women and children,
+and consisted of original addresses by the ladies, and
+singing and recitations by the “Band of Hope.” After
+the exercises were concluded, a pledge was presented
+to the gentlemen for their signatures, and received a
+majority of the names of those present.</p>
+
+<p>Temperance tracts and almanacs were bought and
+distributed in the families; subscriptions were made
+to various temperance papers, both for children and
+adults; every means was taken to interest the public
+in temperance.</p>
+
+<p>It was thought best to make an appeal to the men
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_750">[Pg 750]</span>upon the importance of voting no license. This was
+done at a public meeting, held October 4th. At
+this meeting it was manifest that there had been a
+great change in public feeling upon the temperance
+question. The landlord of the village hotel had been
+visited, but he was protected by both town and government
+license, and for a time he remained unmoved.
+But temperance sentiment increased, and he was
+forced out, and the hotel became a temperance house.</p>
+
+<p>At the next election, the town again voted license,
+and the hotel passed into the possession of a rum-seller.
+But it is no longer respectable in Eastford to sell rum,
+and, after the lapse of three years, there has been but
+two or three violations of the pledge.</p>
+
+<p>The same officers still continue in the Union. The
+prayer-meeting is held monthly, and we are waiting
+God’s time, feeling sure that the day will come when
+right shall be might in the strength of the Lord.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PLAINVILLE_CONNECTICUT">
+ PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. G. A. Moody for the following
+facts:</p>
+
+<p>During the summer and fall of 1874, after the ever-memorable
+Crusade of our Western sisters, the Master
+seemed to be calling upon the Christian women of our
+State, saying, “Go, work in my vineyard.”</p>
+
+<p>Meetings for prayer sprang up in various sections,
+almost simultaneously.</p>
+
+<p>In Plainville, a small town of only fifteen hundred
+inhabitants, the minds of some of the sisters were
+thoroughly exercised in this matter. Some eighteen
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_751">[Pg 751]</span>or twenty earnest Christian women held a meeting,
+and much interest was manifested.</p>
+
+<p>Meetings were continued for several weeks, without
+any organization or much new effort. Earnest prayer
+was constantly offered: “Lord, what wilt Thou have us
+to do?”</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after the formation of our State Union,
+in March of 1875, we organized at Plainville as a
+Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, auxiliary to
+the State and National Unions.</p>
+
+<p>About this time our first work was given us.</p>
+
+<p>The husband of one of our dear sisters owned a
+hotel, and rented it. This house seemed given to us
+to pray and labor for, that it might be redeemed from
+the curse of liquor-selling, and made pure.</p>
+
+<p>It was built for a liquor-saloon or hotel, and for
+thirty years or more a constant stream of death and
+destruction had issued therefrom.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed much to expect, but we knew that with
+our God all things were possible, and only being instruments
+in His hand victory was sure.</p>
+
+<p>We had felt at first that we could never visit saloons,
+as our dear sisters in New York and the West had
+done, but we were led into this saloon almost unconsciously.
+We conversed earnestly with the proprietor
+and his wife; with the young men we found there;
+labored with the owner, and looked to our great Captain
+for success. It was but a little while that we were
+called to wait: gloriously did the way open.</p>
+
+<p>One of our Christian men, in a good business,
+bought out the hotel, and having completely renovated
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_752">[Pg 752]</span>it from cellar to attic, opened a temperance hotel and
+boarding-house, which is constantly a source of comfort
+and pride to our town.</p>
+
+<p>The first Sabbath after the house was thus opened a
+meeting for praise and thanksgiving was held in it, by
+the Women’s Christian Temperance Union; and when
+we saw the place which had been occupied by the bar
+used as a platform—saw some three or four young men
+who had drank at that bar enroll their names, and heard
+the songs of praise, the prayers and testimonies for
+Christ in those rooms where the bacchanalian song had
+so long resounded, we could only say, “Behold what
+God hath wrought.”</p>
+
+<p>In giving in his testimony at that time, the new proprietor
+said he felt something almost like a hand upon
+his shoulder, touching him, and a voice telling him to
+buy the building.</p>
+
+<p>We had none of us said anything to him about it,
+and did not know that he had any thought of such a
+thing, until we heard that he was bargaining for the
+property.</p>
+
+<p>Since that we have many times visited saloons, sometimes
+to converse with the proprietors, sometimes to
+help a wife to rescue her dear husband.</p>
+
+<p>God has also given us souls rescued from the power
+of rum—washed and made clean in Jesus’ blood. And
+just as I write, our hearts are rejoicing over a new
+work: the formation of a Temperance Corps (or Reform
+Club), by Mr. Warren.</p>
+
+<p>It was one of the most earnest temperance meetings
+ever held in our town. Many who were never before
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_753">[Pg 753]</span>pledged came forward—some, hard-drinking men.
+Seven such Unions have been formed in Hartford
+county.</p>
+
+<p>In Bristol the dear sisters visited the saloons and
+conversed with the keepers. One of them was soon
+taken sick. He spoke of their visit, on his sick-bed,
+and said he should never keep a saloon again; but he
+was not spared to test his good resolution. They continue
+to visit saloons, as they feel they are led.</p>
+
+<p>In Southington the women have held two prayer-meetings
+in one of their saloons.</p>
+
+<p>I was privileged to be present at one of these meetings.
+Soon after it commenced the men came in from
+other saloons, until fifty or sixty men and boys were
+standing listening with earnest attention to the words of
+Scripture, songs, and prayers. Exhortations and personal
+appeals followed. The tears trickled from many
+eyes, and we expect results from that meeting.</p>
+
+<p>And so the work goes on. It has been said by some
+that the Crusade was over, but in “the land of steady
+habits” we feel it has but just begun.</p>
+
+<p>We, perhaps, move rather slowly, but now that we
+are started we intend to hold on in this work till every
+rum-shop is closed, every drunkard saved, and all our
+children are safe in the fold. In Plainville we have a
+Children’s Temperance Union, numbering seventy
+members. We have also presented a neat little
+pledge to each teacher in our Sabbath-school; these
+are triple pledges, including tobacco and profanity, as
+well as intoxicating drinks. For we feel, that while we
+labor to reform men, it is very necessary that we keep
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_754">[Pg 754]</span>our children from forming these dreadful habits. And
+so we labor on as the dear Lord leads, one hand lifted
+to the throne, the other linked in with the thousands
+of Christian sisters, forming a band that encircles the
+world.</p>
+
+<p>And we shall never cease, while life shall last, to
+labor for Christ and humanity.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="NEW_HAVEN_CONNECTICUT">
+ NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A meeting was called, July, 1874, by Mrs. Rebecca
+A. Morrill. Only four ladies responded to that call.
+Other meetings were held in the Centre Congregational
+Church, and in the First M. E. Church. Of one of
+these meetings a lady says: “As I stepped into the
+church, eight were bowed in prayer in a room where a
+thousand people could have been seated. Only eight
+souls responded to the call for prayer for the success
+of the temperance cause, and I said, ‘Here am I, Lord:
+send me.’” But the meetings continued, and the work
+went on, and these women baptized by the Holy
+Spirit went out into the lanes and alleys of the city,
+into the homes of the drunken and the sinful, to tell
+the old, old story of Jesus and his love.</p>
+
+<p>After some months spent in labor, a society was
+organized, and saloon visiting undertaken. While
+some of the women remained in the rooms to pray,
+others would go out into the saloons to invite men to
+the prayer-room. Each Saturday evening especially,
+this work was pressed with zeal. They were generally
+treated with respect, but sometimes forbidden to sing,
+and asked not to remain long. In other places singing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_755">[Pg 755]</span>and prayer were allowed, and men stood with uncovered
+heads, and a profound stillness was observed
+during the religious exercise.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the dealers admitted that they were doing
+wrong, and the drinkers that they were on the downward
+course, especially if they have become confirmed
+drunkards. There is, however, a large class of young
+men who see no danger. Sometimes they found fifty
+or sixty men in the saloons under thirty years of age.
+Many followed these women from the saloon to the
+prayer-room, and were saved by the power of grace,
+and are now in the church of Christ.</p>
+
+<p>At Fair Haven, a beautiful suburban village, a wonderful
+work of grace was wrought. Very many too
+poor to ride in the street cars would walk two or three
+miles in the cold December and January evenings to
+be present at the place of prayer. Scores of these
+were converted, and a Union was formed at Fair
+Haven.</p>
+
+<p>A glorious work was commenced among the children,
+and hundreds of children and youth were enrolled
+on their pledge-books. Neighborhood meetings were
+held, hundreds of families visited, and the interest of
+the people kept up by frequent mass-meetings. The
+membership now numbers about ninety.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="STAFFORD_CONNECTICUT">
+ STAFFORD, CONNECTICUT.
+</h3>
+
+<p>An earnest, persistent temperance work has been
+carried on in this town; Revs. J. H. James and N. D.
+Parsons taking the lead in the outdoor work. Prior
+to the election of 1875, women circulated the following
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_756">[Pg 756]</span>appeal to voters: “We, your sisters, wives and mothers,
+earnestly pray you, our brothers, husbands and sons,
+and legal protectors, to defend our hearts and homes
+from the desolation of rum, by voting <i>no license</i>.” This
+petition was widely circulated in the village, and only
+three women out of 333 refused to sign it. The
+majority for license the year before had been 100, but
+the effect of this petition and their influence was to
+secure a no license majority of 124.</p>
+
+<p>During the month of August, 1875, while an outdoor
+public mass-meeting was being held, a party of
+roughs and drunkards, who had been attending a horse-race
+near a bush tavern, came to the meeting-place
+and stoned the speakers, Revs. J. H. James and N. D.
+Parsons. But they went forward with the work, for the
+people of Stafford were aroused that such an indignity
+and outrage should be perpetrated in their midst.</p>
+
+<p>One dealer in Stafford was a man of a great deal of
+influence. He persisted in following the business, notwithstanding
+the vote, and he had such influence over
+his customers, and used his money so freely, that it was
+difficult to get evidence; but the women prayed, and
+the men labored, and in due time he was in the clutches
+of the law, and the State fine was $300, and the United
+States fine $700, which ruined him financially and
+socially.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BRIDGEPORT_CONNECTICUT">
+ BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A Woman’s Temperance Union was organized February
+26th, 1875, only a few taking an interest; the
+society beginning with fifteen members; but the few
+continued in prayer and work till the fall of 1876,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_757">[Pg 757]</span>when they secured the services of Dr. Reynolds.
+During his stay a Reform Club of forty members was
+organized. A room was opened for the Reform Club,
+in which the ladies also held their meetings. In connection
+with this a reading-room was opened, and a Sabbath-school
+organized for the reformed men and their children.
+Saturday evening prayer-meetings and Sabbath
+afternoon meetings have been held regularly and
+largely attended. Many of the men have been brought
+to feel their need of a higher power to help them resist
+temptations. The ladies have visited the saloons to
+some extent; some are visited every week. One man
+so visited gave up the business, and sent in a request
+for prayer. Men are brought from the saloons to the
+meeting; one man who had in this way been induced
+to attend the prayer-meetings afterwards got drunk,
+and was sent to jail, where he had time to think on the
+kind words of instruction given, and to give his heart to
+Christ. When released from jail, he went to the rooms,
+signed the pledge, and gave testimony of the power
+of God to save to the uttermost. He says that before
+his conversion, he had taken an oath on the Bible to
+stop drinking, and yet such was the power of appetite
+over him, that he would be drunk before night, but
+now the appetite has been taken away from him, and
+he hates the smell of drink. One man, sixty years old,
+who had been a saloon-keeper, and for many years a
+drunkard, was strangely drawn to their rooms, and was
+led to give up drink and tobacco in every form, and to
+consecrate himself to Christ. And still the good work
+goes on, and the interest is increasing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_758">[Pg 758]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="HARTFORD_CONNECTICUT">
+ HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.
+</h3>
+
+<p>During the winter of 1875-76, a few of the Christian
+women of Hartford, Connecticut, feeling distressed
+in regard to the extent of the use of intoxicating
+liquors in their city, felt it their imperative duty as
+followers of Him who came to rescue man from
+degradation and sin, to do all in their power to arrest
+the progress of this terrible evil.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, an association was formed in January,
+1876.</p>
+
+<p>In the summer two places were opened by the
+Union for the free gift of cold water to the passer-by.
+So that the old excuse of men for drinking beer, or
+something stronger, because they could not find a
+place where they could get a good drink of ice-water
+in the city, might be removed.</p>
+
+<p>In one of these rooms a young woman was employed,
+for a small compensation, to dispense the
+water, and temperance papers and tracts were also
+given to all who would receive them.</p>
+
+<p>As the summer passed away and the colder days
+came, coffee was substituted for ice-water, and the
+small sum of five cents was charged for a cup of
+coffee with a roll; the ladies feeling that even the
+poor would have more self-respect if they paid for
+what they received. This little room was so well
+patronized, that the ladies were urged to add to their
+bill of fare, so that a cheap dinner might be furnished
+to people of small means. Soup and baked beans
+were added, and many poor laboring men were thus
+aided. A pledge-book was kept in the room, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_759">[Pg 759]</span>temperance papers were placed upon the tables. On
+Monday evening of each week a temperance praise
+and prayer-meeting was held in the coffee-room,
+which, during the past winter, was very fully attended;
+sometimes there being sixty or seventy present.</p>
+
+<p>A small melodeon was hired, and the music drew in
+many from the street. A large number signed the
+pledge after these meetings, and some cases of
+wonderful reformation have occurred. Most of those
+who promise to give up the use of liquors do it with
+the determination to lead a life of prayer and trust
+in God.</p>
+
+<p>A small library of temperance books and stories is
+in one corner of the room, and young men and boys
+are invited in, evenings, to read; but as they have no
+room except the eating-room, they have not been able
+to carry out this part of the work as successfully as
+they hope to do at some future time.</p>
+
+<p>Early in the work of the Union a committee was
+appointed to visit the jail, and the startling fact was
+ascertained that <i>more</i> than three-fourths of the prisoners,
+including male and female, were brought there through
+the influence of alcoholic drinks. The ladies were
+allowed to converse with the female prisoners, and
+good books and papers were left with them to read.</p>
+
+<p>Another coffee-room, with lodgings connected, was
+opened in February, 1877, under the care of an earnest
+Christian man, who was to watch over and guard
+such reformed men as were permitted to board there.
+Owing to the <i>low</i> state of the treasury, only a small
+building could be hired, which accommodated but six
+or eight lodgers.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_760">[Pg 760]</span></p>
+
+<p>But want of means obliged the Temperance Union
+to give up this “Friendly Inn” in July last, much to
+their regret, for they felt it to be a centre of great
+good. The part of the city where it was located was
+filled with drinking-saloons. A temperance prayer-meeting
+was held in the room every Friday eve, and
+the crowds who gathered in the room and about the
+door showed their interest in it. These meetings
+have been continued since the coffee-room was closed.
+Many have signed the pledge, and some hope they
+have commenced a Christian life through the influence
+of the meetings. Wall-pockets, with tracts and papers,
+have been placed by the Temperance Union in many
+of the fire-engine houses in the city, and also in the
+State hospital.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly, but it is hoped surely, the little work goes
+on; clouds often gather over the pathway of those
+who are leading as well as those who are being led, but
+the humble work done in the name of the Master is
+laid with earnest prayer at His feet.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies of the following towns have engaged in
+the work with more or less success, often battling
+against fearful discouragements:</p>
+
+<p>East Hampton, Essex, Bethany, Deep River, Willimantic,
+Jewett City, West Haven, Danbury, and South
+Norwalk.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="DELAWARE">
+ DELAWARE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>A good work has been done in Delaware during
+the last three years. Immense mass-meetings have
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_761">[Pg 761]</span>been held in Wilmington from time to time, and petitions
+to the Legislature been extensively circulated.
+On Tuesday, February 16th, 1875, the Woman’s Temperance
+Union of Wilmington, joined by temperance
+women from other parts of the State, paid a visit to the
+State Legislature. It was my privilege to accompany
+the delegation and aid in the services. A special
+train was chartered, and two or three hundred went
+down from Wilmington, and the number was augmented
+at every station on the route. The excitement
+in Dover was intense; as notice of this visit had
+been given, people from towns and neighborhoods
+within a circle of twenty miles crowded into Dover.
+The citizens of the town met and welcomed the
+Woman’s Temperance Union, and provided entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>At three o’clock, by previous arrangement, they
+proceeded in a body to the State House. The building
+was already filled to its utmost capacity, but the
+sergeant-at-arms cleared the way for the visitors. The
+members of both houses were in waiting, and received
+their lady visitors in a cordial and gentlemanly manner.
+As soon as the speaker called the house to order, Mrs.
+Stevens stepped in front and knelt in prayer. It was
+a solemn moment. Every head was bowed, and every
+heart throbbed under the searching power of the
+Divine Spirit, and many eyes were wet with tears, while
+she prayed to Almighty God for the deliverance of her
+State from the thraldom of the liquor traffic. The
+prayer was followed by the singing of two verses of</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“Nearer, my God, to Thee.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_762">[Pg 762]</span></p>
+
+<p style="text-indent: 0;">Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Israel, of Wilmington, and the
+writer of these pages, were privileged to address the
+Legislature.</p>
+
+<p>A mass-meeting was held in the evening, which was
+attended by nearly every member of both houses.
+One senator said, grasping my hand, “The effect of
+this will not be lost. There were some of us who could
+join your Crusade song in the beginning, but there
+are others who have been won to-day.”</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">
+ “I MADE HIM WHAT HE WAS.”
+</p>
+
+<p>About this time a saloon-keeper in Dover, Delaware,
+who patronized his own bar very liberally, stepped
+into a back room where men were at work about a
+pump in a well. The covering had been removed,
+and he approached to look down, but being very
+drunk, pitched in, head foremost. He had become so
+much of a bloat by the use of strong drink, that it was
+impossible to extricate him in time to save his life.</p>
+
+<p>There was great excitement in the town. Men and
+women who had never been inside of his saloon before,
+were the first to rush to the rescue, and to offer
+sympathy to the bereaved family. As he was being
+dragged from the well, and stretched out dead upon
+the saloon floor, a wholesale liquor-dealer from Philadelphia
+stepped in. After the first shock at thus finding
+one of his good customers dead, he turned to a
+prominent lady, a Crusader, and said, pointing to the
+wrecked victim, “I made that man what he was. I
+lent him his first dollar, and set him up with his first
+stock of liquors, and he’s now worth $10,000 or
+$15,000.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_763">[Pg 763]</span></p>
+
+<p>Looking him full in the face, she responded:</p>
+
+<p>“You made that man what he was—a drunkard, a
+bloat, a stench in the nostrils of society, and sent him
+headlong into eternity, and to a drunkard’s hell.
+What is $15,000 weighed against a lost soul, a wasted
+life, a wife a widow, and children orphans?”</p>
+
+<p>He turned deadly pale, and without a word left the
+house.</p>
+
+<p>What is all the business and all the revenue to the
+millions whose homes are despoiled, whose children
+are beggared, and whose loved ones are sent headlong
+to a drunkard’s grave and a drunkard’s hell?
+Let us put ourselves in the place of that mother, whose
+son is pursued day and night by this demon, till the
+hairs of his head become serpents, and live coals burn
+into his flesh to the very bone, and, fighting devils, he
+leaps out into eternity, and then ask, Are my hands
+clean? Do I love my neighbor as myself? Am I
+doing <i>all</i> I can to stay the tide that is bearing so many
+down, and may yet bear me down?</p>
+
+<p>During the spring and summer of 1877, immense
+daily mass-meetings were held in Wilmington, in the
+Opera House, and in a large tent. The meetings
+were crowded, and 15,000 signed the pledge. Taken
+as a whole, there has been a great advance in Delaware
+within the last few years.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_764">[Pg 764]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ THE OUTLOOK AFTER THE CRUSADE.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">
+ CHAPTER XIV.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The Crusade was an assault on the liquor traffic all
+along the lines, by heroic, determined women, whose
+motto was, “Victory or death!”</p>
+
+<p>Victory after victory was achieved, until the liquor
+oligarchy was driven from the open field into its strong
+defences. And then the women organized under the
+name of the Woman’s National Christian Temperance
+Union, and began a siege—a well-planned, determined
+siege, that has gone on with untiring zeal and energy
+for the last three years, and will go on till the last
+redoubt of the enemy is captured.</p>
+
+<p>One by one the strongholds of the foe have been
+weakened; one by one the towers of strength are
+being taken down, till only one unbroken line of defence
+is left—<i>governmental protection</i>. The press, that
+mighty engine of power, that with its thousands of
+bands and wheels moves the millions to thought and
+action, has been mainly won to this cause. More than
+800 newspapers have already agreed to give a column
+weekly to the temperance cause, at the request
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_765">[Pg 765]</span>of the besieging party. And the press may yet reach
+John Bowring’s high ideal:</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“But mightiest of the mighty means</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">On which the arm of progress leans,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Man’s noblest mission to advance,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">His woes assuage, his weal enhance,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">His rights enforce, his wrongs redress,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Mightiest of mighty is the press.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<p><i>The Pulpit</i> has turned its heavy guns against the
+enemy. Thousands of ministers, who before the
+Crusade were silent and indifferent, are now champions
+of the cause.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Church</i> has been greatly purified, and Christian
+unity has been promoted, and the moral forces consolidated.</p>
+
+<p><i>Fermented wine</i> has been banished from thousands
+of churches, because the women in the temperance
+work, many of them polished pillars in the church of
+Christ, could not conscientiously partake of the alcoholic
+cup, or invite the men redeemed through their
+efforts to do so.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Sunday-Schools</i> are being reached. Temperance
+lessons have been secured in many of them, and
+through this means and regularly organized societies,
+tens of thousands of children are being trained to
+temperance principles.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Public Schools</i> have been visited, and many of
+the colleges of learning, and the work has been
+greatly advanced. This will be felt at the polls, and
+in our legislative hall a few years hence.</p>
+
+<p><i>Medical Bodies</i> have been visited, and their co-operation
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_766">[Pg 766]</span>secured. The International Medical Congress,
+which met in Philadelphia in 1876, the most influential
+body of medical men ever convened, numbering four
+hundred and eighty delegates, many of them the ablest
+writers and scientists in the profession, was visited by
+a delegation of ladies, and an official letter presented.</p>
+
+<p>Other communications had been received, and had
+been laid on the table. But the letter from the
+Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was not only
+graciously received and referred to a committee, but
+carried all the other communications with it for a
+respectful hearing and response.</p>
+
+<p>The reading of the letter before the committee was
+followed by a round of applause, and the whole subject
+was carefully and scientifically considered. And
+I have heard nothing stronger on the temperance
+platform in opposition to the use of alcohol, than in
+that discussion. And the verdict against its use was
+unanimous, with the exception of <i>one</i> vote given by a
+man who receives special honors from the beer congress
+because of his advocacy of the use of beer.
+And this action was afterwards approved by the congress
+unanimously.</p>
+
+<p>The following is the letter and reply:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p><i>To the Chairman and Members of the
+International Medical Congress</i>:</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Honored Sirs</span>:—I take the liberty, as a representative
+of the Woman’s National Christian Temperance
+Union of the United States, to call your attention to
+the relation of the medical use of alcohol to the prevalence
+of that fearful scourge, <i>intemperance</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_767">[Pg 767]</span></p>
+
+<p>The distinguished Dr. Mussey said, many years
+ago: “So long as alcohol retains a place among sick
+patients, so long there will be drunkards.”</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Rush wrote strongly against its use as early as
+1790. And at one time the College of Physicians at
+Philadelphia memorialized Congress in favor of restraining
+the use of distilled liquors, because, as they
+claimed, they were “destructive of life, health, and the
+faculties of the mind.”</p>
+
+<p>“A Medical Declaration,” published in London, December,
+1872, asserts that “It is believed that the inconsiderate
+prescription of alcoholic liquids by medical
+men for their patients has given rise in many instances
+to the formation of intemperate habits.” This manifesto
+was signed by over two hundred and fifty of the
+leading medical men of the United Kingdom. When
+the nature and effects of alcohol were little known, it
+was thought to be invaluable as a medicine. But in
+the light of recent scientific investigations, its claims
+have been challenged and its value denied.</p>
+
+<p>We are aware that the question of the medical use
+of alcohol has not been fully decided, and that there is
+a difference of opinion among the ablest medical
+writers. But we notice that as the discussion and
+investigation goes on, and new facts are brought out,
+its value as a remedial agent is depreciated.</p>
+
+<p>A great many claims have been brought forward in
+its favor, but one by one they have gone down under
+the severe scrutiny of scientific research, until only a
+few points are left in doubt. In view of this, and the
+<i>startling fact</i> that tens of thousands die annually from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_768">[Pg 768]</span>its baneful effects, we earnestly urge you to give the
+subject a careful examination.</p>
+
+<p>You have made the study of the physical nature of
+man your life-work, and you are the trusted advisers of
+the people in all matters pertaining to the treatment
+of diseases, and the preservation of life and health.</p>
+
+<p>You are therefore in a position to instruct and warn
+the masses in regard to its indiscriminate use, either
+as a medicine or a beverage.</p>
+
+<p>We feel sure that, true to your professional honor,
+and the grave responsibilities of your distinguished
+position, you will search out and give us the facts,
+whatever they may be.</p>
+
+<p>If you should appoint a standing committee from
+your own number, of practical scientific men, who
+would give time and thought to this question, it would
+be very gratifying to the <i>one hundred thousand</i> women
+I represent, and most acceptable to the general public.</p>
+
+<p>I am, with high considerations of respect,</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span style="margin-right: 12.5em;">Your obedient servant,</span><br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 10.5em;"><span class="smcap">Annie Wittenmyer</span>,</span><br>
+<br>
+ President Woman’s National Christian Temperance<br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 4.5em;">Union, 1020 Arch street, Philadelphia.</span>
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p><i>September 6th 1876.</i></p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+ <span style="margin-right: 5.5em;"><span class="smcap">International Medical Congress,</span></span><br>
+ <span class="smcap">Philadelphia</span>, <i>September 9th, 1876</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>:—I am instructed by the Section on
+Medicine, International Medical Congress of 1876, to
+transmit to you, as the action of the Section, the following
+conclusions adopted by it with regard to the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_769">[Pg 769]</span>use of alcohol in medicine, the same being in reply to
+the communication sent by the Woman’s National
+Christian Temperance Union:</p>
+
+<p>1. Alcohol is not shown to have a definite food
+value by any of the usual methods of chemical or
+physiological investigation.</p>
+
+<p>2. Its use as a medicine is chiefly that of a cardiac
+stimulant, and often admits of substitution.</p>
+
+<p>3. As a medicine, it is not well fitted for self-prescription
+by the laity, and the medical profession is
+not accountable for such administration, or for the
+enormous evils resulting therefrom.</p>
+
+<p>4. The purity of alcoholic liquids is in general not
+so well assured as that of articles used for medicine
+should be. The various mixtures, when used as a
+medicine, should have definite and known composition,
+and should not be interchanged promiscuously.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span style="margin-right: 9.5em;">Very respectfully,</span><br>
+<br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 7.5em;">Your obedient servant,</span><br>
+<br>
+ <span style="margin-right: 3.0em;"><span class="smcap">J. Ewing Mears</span>, M. D.,</span><br>
+ Secretary of the Section of Medicine.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Annie Wittenmyer</span>, President of the Woman’s
+National Christian Temperance Union.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The medicine-chest has been a stronghold of the
+liquor traffic, but this action rules it out of its long-cherished
+place.</p>
+
+<p>The medical associations in very many of the States
+have been visited, and urged to discontinue the use of
+alcoholic stimulants, and have pledged themselves to
+do so.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_770">[Pg 770]</span></p>
+
+<p>The respectability of the drink traffic has been destroyed.
+No man who has any regard for his personal
+reputation would go into the business, or care to be
+seen coming out of a saloon.</p>
+
+<p>And to stigmatize a business is to ruin it.</p>
+
+<p>The State and National Legislatures have been appealed
+to, without any apparent result, further than to
+keep the enemy at bay, and secure a sharper rendering
+of the laws already on the statute books.</p>
+
+<p>Where prohibitory laws existed, they have been
+strengthened. The granting of licenses in some of
+the States has been prevented, and in most of the
+States the laws are better enforced.</p>
+
+<p>Liquors have been banished from the Presidential
+Mansion, and from the National Capitol building, and
+all over the land are less common at receptions and
+state dinners.</p>
+
+<p>Ladies have had a gracious hearing before many of
+the State Legislatures, and before the United States
+Senate Finance Committee.</p>
+
+<p>Hope has revived in the heart of many a weary
+wife and night-weeping mother.</p>
+
+<p>The great Reform movement among drinking men,
+under the able leadership of Murphy and Reynolds,
+was made possible and successful, under the enthusiasm
+of this new dispensation of Gospel Temperance.
+And God has honored faith and prayer, as a remedial
+agent for the salvation of men from sin and appetite,
+throughout the land, as never before. But the richest
+blessings have come to the women themselves. In
+the complete consecration, the utter abnegation of self,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_771">[Pg 771]</span>needed for the work, they have reached a higher plane
+of religious experience. They have gained “a faith
+that will not shrink when pressed by every foe”—a
+moral heroism that can stand serene in the presence
+of ridicule, and contumely, and mocking.</p>
+
+<p>Church doors have opened before them; the pulpit
+has welcomed them; the dumb have spoken with new
+tongues; and woman, rising to her grand possibility
+in the church, stands, to-day, centuries in advance of
+the position she occupied before the Crusade.</p>
+
+<p>And say what men will about the Crusade, it was
+the tidal wave that lifted the temperance question to a
+gospel plane; it was the Pentecostal baptism that sent
+the women of all denominations out to plead the cause
+of God and humanity, with tongues of fire; it was
+woman’s answer to the “prayer-test” of mocking
+scientists; it was the staggering blow that sent the
+rum power reeling towards its fall. And, under another
+name, it is honeycombing the entire drink system; undermining
+its heaviest fortifications; planting its magazines
+of power in every city and village; and the time
+will come when some hand of faith will touch the battery
+of heaven, and this iniquitous business will go
+down, socially, politically, and legally, to trouble the
+nation no more.</p>
+
+<p>But there will be many a hard-fought battle before
+the victory is won.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot close this volume without calling attention
+to the relation of the foreign emigration to the liquor
+traffic, and to crime and pauperism.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the best people in our land are foreigners,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_772">[Pg 772]</span>honored and trusted by all. So I want it clearly understood
+that no reference is made to that class of law-abiding
+Americanized citizens who came from across
+the seas to find a home with us, and who respect our
+institutions and obey our laws.</p>
+
+<p>But we may not conceal the fact that <i>more than two-thirds</i>
+of the entire liquor business is in the hands of
+a low class of foreigners, although the entire foreign
+population of the country constitutes <i>less than one-sixth</i>.</p>
+
+<p>A band of men connected with one of the Reform
+Clubs of Philadelphia, investigating this matter, made
+a thorough canvass of this city in the beginning of 1876,
+our Centennial year.</p>
+
+<p>Many curious facts were brought to light by this
+private, quiet canvass, bearing on the criminality of
+the business and the persons engaged in it.</p>
+
+<p>They ascertained that there were, licensed and unlicensed,
+8,034 places where intoxicating liquors were
+sold.</p>
+
+<p>The nationality of those engaged in the business in
+this city at that time was as follows:</p>
+
+<p>Chinamen, 2; Jews, 2; Italians, 18; Spaniards, 140;
+Welsh, 160; Americans, 205; Africans, 265; French,
+285; Scotch, 497; English, 568; German, 2,179;
+Irish, 3,041; unknown, 672; total, 8,034.</p>
+
+<p>Of this number there were 3,782 which were
+directly or indirectly connected with houses of ill-fame.
+Of the 8,034 liquor-sellers, as nearly as could
+be ascertained, more than two-thirds had been inmates
+of prisons and station-houses.</p>
+
+<p>Of the 4,805 inmates received into the House of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_773">[Pg 773]</span>Correction, Philadelphia, during the year 1875, according
+to official report, 2,234, nearly one-half, were foreign
+born, and 75 out of every 100 were drunkards.</p>
+
+<p>Of the 12,462 adults received into the almshouses
+of Pennsylvania, in 1875, more than one-half, 6,847,
+were foreign born, and 5,422 were Irish and German;
+77 unknown. We are slowly learning the fact that
+we are building jails and almshouses that ought to have
+been built in Germany and Ireland, and that America
+is rapidly becoming a sewer for the moral filth of
+Europe.</p>
+
+<p>The liquor traffic of New York city is mainly in the
+hands of foreigners, and an undue proportion of arrests
+are recorded.</p>
+
+<p>There were, as I learn by an official statement from
+the warden, 38,036 imprisoned in the Tombs, New
+York, during the year ending 1876; of this number
+nearly two-thirds, 23,842, were foreign born, 14,194,
+native born.</p>
+
+<p>The work-house at Blackwell’s Island, New York,
+received, during 1876, 22,845 prisoners, of whom
+11,250 were men and 11,595 were women. Of these
+prisoners the commissioners say: “<i>Drunkenness was
+the immediate cause of the incarceration of three-quarters
+of the former and seven-eighths of the latter—the predisposing
+cause in the cases of all the rest.</i>” This is
+official, emphatic testimony as to the effects of strong
+drink as a cause of crime.</p>
+
+<p>All the mobs that insulted the women engaged in
+the Crusade were made up largely of a criminal class
+of foreigners who were dealers or drinkers.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_774">[Pg 774]</span></p>
+
+<p>The Alameda, California, outrage, which has no
+parallel in the history of civilized nations, was perpetrated
+by members of the “San Francisco German
+Saloon-Keepers’ Society.” One gentleman said, “It
+was simply hell let loose. It was a constant series of
+howlings, cursing and threats. I never witnessed such
+a scene of riot and confusion. The mob actually took
+possession of the town, and kept it all day, howling,
+yelling, and cursing, and evidently bent on inaugurating
+a reign of terrorism to keep temperance people away
+from the polls.”</p>
+
+<p>The sight of a lady was the signal for an outburst
+of obscenity and insult, and one lady, Sallie Hart, came
+near losing her life, because she had asserted her temperance
+principles. The mob were like a pack of
+hyenas; if they had succeeded in getting her into
+their clutches, they would have torn her limb from
+limb.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>San Francisco Post</i> says: “What makes this
+outrage the more unendurable is, that all or nearly all
+of these women insulters and women mobbers seem
+to have been foreigners, who, welcomed here to equal
+privileges and the right to vote, presume to insult and
+mob American women, who choose in a peaceable and
+orderly manner to exert their influence in the settlement
+of a public question.”</p>
+
+<p>It makes every drop of patriotic blood in my veins
+boil to know that such things as are recorded in this
+book can be done under the flag, for which my great-grandfather
+fought in the Revolutionary war, and for
+which my grandfather fought in the war of 1812, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_775">[Pg 775]</span>for which three of my brothers fought in the recent
+civil war, and for which I have risked life many times.</p>
+
+<p>I am for peace, but not when it means submission
+to the wrong—not when it means insult to the flag and
+the principles it symbolizes—not when it means the
+triumph of the mob element of society over honest
+worth, and the insult of virtuous American women.
+Then I am for war—war to the knife, and the knife to
+the hilt. Let the sword of justice come down like a
+surgeon’s knife, and cut away all this putrid mass that
+is eating like a canker into the heart of the nation.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="POLITICAL_CORRUPTION">
+ POLITICAL CORRUPTION.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I pass to notice briefly the corrupting influence of
+this class on our political life.</p>
+
+<p>They have come to be a marketable commodity in
+politics.</p>
+
+<p>They make terms with party leaders, and always in
+the direction of their own interests, without regard to
+the welfare of the country. And as so large a number
+of them are engaged in the liquor business, and control
+the votes of their customers, they have become the
+most dangerous merchandise in which we deal—a very
+powder-magazine under the bulwarks of the nation.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Liquor Men’s Advocate</i>, exhorting its whiskey
+cohorts to act unitedly under the leadership of the
+bartenders, says:</p>
+
+<p>“The good old German way of spending the Sabbath
+don’t suit their (the temperance men’s) sublime taste.
+Five hundred million dollars passed through the hands
+of dealers in liquors during the past year (1873).
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_776">[Pg 776]</span>This shows a powerful element, which, if united, might
+bid good-bye to the fanatical prohibition laws. Every
+saloon averages eighty regular customers, and these
+eighty customers have eighty votes, and, if properly
+managed, every bartender might influence these eighty
+votes to a given point, decided by bartenders <i>en
+masse</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>The bartenders, then, are to decide the great moral
+and political questions of this country by marching up
+an army of habitual drunkards to the polls.</p>
+
+<p>This is not only the <i>plan</i>, but the <i>practice</i>. For
+proof of the truth of this, go to the polls on any general
+election day and see a hundred and fifty thousand men
+reel up to the polls and deposit their bleared, muddled
+ballots as the rum power dictates. Notice that the
+polling places are in or near saloons, and the moral
+atmosphere about them impregnated with tobacco,
+beer and whiskey.</p>
+
+<p>To rescue this mighty power, the ballot, from the
+hands of men who have given up their manhood, and
+have lost self-control, and are degraded and crazed by
+drink, is the first duty of the government.</p>
+
+<p>Let the privileges of the ballot be at once taken
+from all who can be shown on evidence to be habitual
+drunkards, until there is proof of thorough reformation.
+This will strip the liquor-dealers of their mightiest
+weapon in politics, and take out of our party contests
+the most combustible and dangerous element.</p>
+
+<p>And what reasonable person can object to this? No
+man whose brain is muddled by drink, who has brought
+himself down to the brute level, ought to be clothed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_777">[Pg 777]</span>with the power to decide the destiny of a great nation.
+If he is not capable of governing himself, he should
+not be intrusted with the duty of governing a great
+Republic like ours, where every man is a ruler.</p>
+
+<p>And just here is the hiding of the liquor-dealers’
+power. Unmask this battery, and concentrate a mighty
+force that will capture it, and you take the enemy’s
+heaviest guns, and its main political and social stronghold.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="SABBATH_DESECRATION">
+ SABBATH DESECRATION.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The proper observance of the Sabbath day is our
+“dead-line” as a nation. And yet this very class of
+dealers and drinkers are aiming their heaviest blows
+at the American Sabbath.</p>
+
+<p>In 1874, when this class came into power in Chicago,
+their first act was to repeal the Sunday law closing the
+saloons and beer-gardens on the Sabbath day, just as
+they have done in the other large cities where they
+have obtained power.</p>
+
+<p>But this case was the more conspicuous because of
+the gross indignities offered to Christian women by
+the filth-reeking, villanous mob gathered from the
+saloons to insult them. It is this element that is
+laying violent hands upon the Bible, to hurl it from
+the place accorded it by the pilgrim fathers:</p>
+
+<p>The Bible that came over in the Mayflower; the
+Bible whose teachings form the ground-work of English
+common law; the Bible which was read in our
+first Congress, and before which every officer of the
+government from that day to this has stood in awe,
+and sworn fidelity to the Constitution and to duty.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_778">[Pg 778]</span></p>
+
+<p>George Washington, Daniel Webster, Judge Storrer,
+and other distinguished statesmen pronounce the
+public school, without the Bible, an absurdity and an
+outrage.</p>
+
+<p>President Hayes, on one occasion, made use of
+the following strong language in regard to the
+Bible:</p>
+
+<p>“To drive the Bible out of the school-house is a
+stigma and an insult. What is the witness-stand, the
+jury-room, or the judicial bench worth without the
+sanction of the Bible operating on the public? Degrade
+the book as unfit for our children to read in
+school, and its authority over the conscience is gone.
+This destroys the very foundations so carefully laid—the
+organic law. A single generation thus trained
+will be enough to accomplish that result.”</p>
+
+<p>These are brave, strong words in the presence of
+an aggressive foe. And we will do well to remember
+that the Bible is our magna charta of Liberty; our
+Public Schools the chief corner-stone of the Republic;
+and the sanctity of the Sabbath our strongest social
+bulwark. And that taking the Bible out of our public
+schools this generation, means bonfires of Bibles next
+generation; and the overthrow of our Public School
+system, the overthrow of the Republic a few years
+later, and the desecration of the Sabbath, the subversion
+of social virtue and good order, and the <i>degradation
+of woman</i>. In the presence of these facts is it not
+time for us to arouse ourselves, and take a firm stand for
+our American Institutions, while we are strong enough
+to cope with the power that threatens them? If those
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_779">[Pg 779]</span>who come here to share the blessings of a republic
+founded on Christian principles, do not like our institutions,
+they are not obliged to stay. We can better
+afford to part with them than we can with our Sabbaths,
+our Bibles, and our Public Schools.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PERSONAL_LIBERTY">
+ PERSONAL LIBERTY.
+</h3>
+
+<p>As a defence, this class has raised the cry of <i>personal
+liberty</i>.</p>
+
+<p>There is no such thing as personal liberty except
+among savages. In all civilized countries the dress,
+food, habits of life, and the business of the people are
+more or less the subjects of legislation.</p>
+
+<p>People are restrained by law from appearing on the
+public streets, at watering-places, and in public assemblies
+without suitable clothing to cover themselves
+with.</p>
+
+<p>Men may not wear women’s clothing, and women
+may not appear in men’s apparel. Some regard to
+common decency must be observed in public at least.</p>
+
+<p>In times of pestilence many things are ruled out of
+the market. Men may not sell diseased or decayed
+food. Even the fish and the birds are protected
+against the ravages of men at certain seasons.</p>
+
+<p>When a well or fountain is deemed unfit for use,
+the people are forbidden to drink of it, and a guard
+placed to secure obedience.</p>
+
+<p>A druggist may not sell poisonous drugs, such as
+laudanum or opium, at his discretion.</p>
+
+<p>In most of the States gambling is forbidden, and
+although a man may own the house in which the business
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_780">[Pg 780]</span>is carried on, and the parties visiting the house
+may make no complaint, yet the officers of the law
+may step in, and the presence of the men and the appliances
+are sufficient proof of guilt, and they are
+taken to jail. The lottery business is forbidden in
+some States. Obscene books, and pictures, and
+papers may not be exhibited or sold. Places of low
+resort may not outrage common decency, unless it is
+done secretly and unlawfully, as is often the case.
+Prize-fighters may not beat and bruise each other. A
+man may not burn his own house, or barn, or beat
+his horse. He cannot have the small-pox just when
+and where he pleases; he may be taken from his own
+house forcibly and put in a pest-house, or he may be
+detained in quarantine against his will. A grocer
+was tried and fined in Philadelphia, not long ago, for
+keeping Limburger cheese, because the people who
+lived next door were annoyed thereby; he was therefore
+forced by law to discontinue that business. A
+man owning a lot in a city may prefer to build a
+frame-house, but the town authorities step in and stop
+the work, and he is forced to build of brick or stone.
+He may not open a slaughter-house, or establish a
+powder-magazine where he pleases. He may not
+mint his own money, although he may have any
+quantity of silver or gold. He may not charge excessive
+interest. He is taxed; is subject to military
+duty, and hedged about from the cradle to the grave
+by-laws. The common good demands it, and there
+is no safety for life or property without restrictive
+legislation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_781">[Pg 781]</span></p>
+
+<p>With equal justice and propriety, the government
+(State and national) has the same right to interfere
+with the liquor traffic. Every principle involved in
+all these restrictive laws underlies the demand for
+the abatement of liquor-saloons, and breweries, and
+distilleries.</p>
+
+<p>The Brewers’ Congress, in their effort to go down to
+the bed-rock—the basal principles of our Constitution—and
+rivet beer upon us, raised this cry of personal
+liberty.</p>
+
+<p>The people should not be deceived by it. There is
+no such thing as personal liberty outside of savagism,
+and the demand is not for personal liberty, but for a
+state of lawlessness.</p>
+
+<p>And now, in conclusion, giving God the glory for
+our past successes, and for the wonderful preservation
+of those who walked with the Master in the furnace
+of the Crusade, let us work, and pray, and wait with
+faith for the victory that will surely come.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“For though women’s hands are weak to fight,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Their voices are strong to pray;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And with fingers of faith they open the gates</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">To a brighter, better day.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_782"></a><a id="Page_783"></a>[Pg 783]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ SUPPLEMENT.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h3 class="nobreak" id="NEW_CASTLE_PENNSYLVANIA">
+ NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA.
+</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The Women’s Temperance League of New Castle,
+Pa., was formed April 8th, 1874. As our county was
+favored with the Local Option Law, our work differed
+from that in many other places. Instead of visiting
+saloons kept open by license, our only street work
+consisted in visiting the distilleries and stores of such
+of our druggists as would not sign our “Druggist’s
+Pledge.” Here we held prayer-meetings upon only
+four different occasions. This work was not begun,
+however, until the last of June, after having made a
+thorough canvass with our pledges.</p>
+
+<p>In May, “Mother Stewart” visited us, and insisted
+upon the formation of a “Band of Hope.” Feeling
+that if we could get the boys right, the men would be
+right, we undertook the work. This society has proved
+a marked success, comprising at present 900 members,
+while our league numbers 800. The meetings of the
+band and of the league have been continued with little
+interruption and with great profit, until the present
+time, 1877.</p>
+
+<p>In the winter of 1877-1878, we earnestly co-operated
+with the reformed men in their work, though
+separate meetings are still held by the ladies and
+children.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+ <span class="smcap">Margaret L. Aiken</span>, ex-Sec.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_784">[Pg 784]</span></p>
+
+
+<h3 id="BUFFALO_N_Y">
+ BUFFALO, N. Y.
+</h3>
+
+<p>I am indebted to Mrs. L. M. Kenyon for the following
+facts:</p>
+
+<p>When the tidal wave of the Crusade reached Buffalo
+the people said, “What are we to do with this strange
+movement?” But God’s call was heard by his own
+children, and at His command who said, “Let there be
+light, and there was light,” the women went out into
+the highways and the hedges, bearing the glad tidings
+of salvation.</p>
+
+<p>The women of Fredonia had preceded us in the
+work, and their fire kindled our enthusiasm. A meeting
+was held at the First Presbyterian Church to consider
+the question, as to whether we should unite in
+the work of the Crusade and try to save our city.</p>
+
+<p>There had been formerly a ladies’ temperance
+society, but it had lain dormant for years. It was
+thought this might again be revived, and form a starting
+point for a new movement, but the president of
+that society did not feel that she could unite in the
+Crusade, and so an independent meeting was the
+result. God was with the women who engaged in the
+work, in a wonderful manner, from the very beginning.
+They went out into every part of the city two by two.
+In some sections churches were opened for their meetings.
+The saloons were visited, and the women sang
+and prayed, and read the Scriptures, and the power
+of God fell upon the people, and law-breakers and
+men hardened in transgression were seen to weep.</p>
+
+<p>No regular plan of attack was made in the beginning,
+but the women went as the Holy Spirit directed.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_785">[Pg 785]</span>In course of time a Woman’s Temperance Union was
+organized, auxiliary to the State Union, which has
+brought about a great change in public sentiment,
+although the opposition at times was very violent and
+often discouraging. But, sustained by an Almighty
+hand, they continued to push the work.</p>
+
+<p>A committee of three ladies was appointed to visit
+the Board of Excise, and ask them to withhold license.
+That body answered they had done all they could, so
+the argument did not prevail. The mayor of the city
+fixed a time when the ladies should meet the Excise
+Commission, but when the hour arrived he was absent.
+The interview was unsatisfactory, as there was a division
+of sentiment and a lack of courage. A long
+petition was then presented to the city council, signed
+by over three hundred of our prominent business men,
+several hundred prominent women, and men of various
+occupations to the number of three thousand. But all
+their efforts were of no avail. Though disappointed
+and discouraged, they were not utterly cast down, but
+felt that God was with them, and still prayed and
+worked on. There were not wanting those who
+opposed the Crusade movement, and advised the
+women to stay at their homes, and hinted that those
+who visited saloons were crazy or fanatical. Yet the
+work of saloon visiting went on.</p>
+
+<p>One incident in connection with this work was very
+touching: A saloon-keeper had a lovely daughter.
+She had heard of their visits to her father’s saloon,
+and upon the day she died, most eloquently did she
+plead with him to sell no more intoxicating liquor;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_786">[Pg 786]</span>never again to open his doors to sell, after they had
+carried her out to Forest Lawn. The father’s heart
+was touched, and he could not resist the pleadings of
+his dying child. He promised he would close, and he
+did not again open his saloon, but soon found respectable
+business.</p>
+
+<p>In one saloon there were about thirty men drinking
+and playing cards, and women were there in a state
+of intoxication. Permission to pray was asked, and
+granted; and the proprietor said, “Boys, take off
+your hats, while these ladies conduct their service!”
+And the audience was very attentive; sorrow seemed
+depicted upon their bloated faces, and their thoughts
+were no doubt lifted up for a time, at least.</p>
+
+<p>In one saloon a woman was very angry, and used insulting
+and indecent language. Said we were spoiling
+her man’s business, and we had better stay at home, and
+just mind our own business; while the husband treated
+us kindly, and seemed ashamed of his wife’s conduct,
+and asked us to come again. Since then the man has
+failed in his saloon business.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies held Gospel Temperance Meetings in
+the Friendly Inn of the Y. M. C. A. weekly, and one
+in Canterbury Varieties Theatre weekly. These meetings
+were productive of good. We had encouragement
+in our work from a man who was the owner
+of several saloons, and the proprietor of the Varieties
+Theatre. He gave us the use of the theatre, fire, light,
+and attention of the men attending to these things,
+and the thanks of the women are to-day given Mr.
+Humphreys for this favor. He opened his doors for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_787">[Pg 787]</span>the temperance women to hold meetings, and good
+impressions were made upon the minds of hundreds.
+Several public meetings were held, but the work has
+not been a decided success.</p>
+
+<p>No large contributions of money have ever been
+received. The little given has been distributed with
+care in aiding the families of drunkards.</p>
+
+<p>Election days have been days of prayer and fasting
+with them. “At one election, we believe,” says the
+writer, “one candidate was defeated because of our
+prayers.” He was a saloon-keeper. In the morning
+one of the women of our city said to him, “You will
+not be elected.” “Why not?” said the man. “Because
+the women of the praying band are in their
+rooms praying for your defeat.” “I’ll take the risk
+upon it, and you’ll see.” All day long we prayed and
+fasted; our room was full. In the afternoon a gentleman
+came in and said, “Keep on praying: there is confusion
+at the <i>polls</i>. Men are carrying their votes in
+their hands—have not yet voted: they are confused.”
+“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” was then
+sung. Our meeting did not close till six o’clock. The
+saloon-keeper was not elected. During the day a
+<i>third</i> man had been put in and was elected. The
+saloon-keeper “cursed those women and their
+prayers.”</p>
+
+<p>We have had assistance from the Good Templars of
+our city. They have extended courtesy toward us, especially
+making it pleasant for the gathering of our State
+Union. They have always encouraged us in our
+work. A committee of ladies visited the Roman
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_788">[Pg 788]</span>Catholic bishop for the purpose of getting the ladies
+of that church to co-operate in the putting down of the
+traffic in Buffalo. He advised us to call upon them
+ourselves, as he did not control the ladies of his
+churches—in fact they did not take part in such
+organizations; but he most cordially received the committee,
+and said he would do all in his power to aid
+the people here to put down this curse of the church
+and State.</p>
+
+<p>Voices cried unto us, saying: “When will deliverance
+come?” The reply was, “Wait patiently upon
+the Lord.”</p>
+
+<p>Ministers were visited, and requested to use unfermented
+wine at the Lord’s Supper. To this several
+responded favorably; others said: If a person is not
+so changed as to take his desire for strong drink away,
+he would fall just as quickly out of the church as in it.</p>
+
+<p>Sunday-schools were visited, and the children in
+these and day schools pledged.</p>
+
+<p>A Gospel Temperance meeting found many ready
+to listen. Said one man, “I have drank liquor for
+forty years: forty years of hell have I had. Why ask
+me to reform? I can’t!” Mothers said, “Pray for
+my son! Oh, save him, Lord! by the help of these
+women.”</p>
+
+<p>A man who was a noted gambler, jig-dancer, negro
+minstrel and drunkard, gave himself up to the service
+of the Master, and went about imploring men to
+reform. His own old mother, a depraved woman, he
+was instrumental in saving.</p>
+
+<p>The villages near us contributed their share of true
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_789">[Pg 789]</span>Crusade fire, and in some cases the liquor-dealers were
+prosecuted, and injunctions put upon this accursed
+traffic. Angola, Eden, North Collins, Tonawanda,
+Buffalo, amid every discouragement, struck for a
+release from the license law, and, in a few cases, hotel
+and saloon-keepers did not renew their licenses.</p>
+
+<p>No effort was made to establish Friendly Inns, but
+in the ward meetings men signed the pledge, especially
+at the Friendly Inn of the Y. M. C. A.</p>
+
+<p>The wealthy women of the city were not generally
+enlisted, yet by the power of God many a young man
+was saved and many homes made happy. The Crusade
+fire is still burning, and only needs to be fanned
+to kindle a blaze of temperance enthusiasm.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="XENIA">
+ XENIA.
+</h3>
+
+<p>During the second week of the Crusade, Friday
+was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer, services
+being held at the Presbyterian Church during the
+entire day. While this meeting was going forward,
+the ladies were on duty, and at nine o’clock the “Hole
+in the Wall,” in the rear of the Ewing House, kept by
+Manus O’Donnell, capitulated unconditionally, and in a
+few minutes, more than sixty gallons of bad whiskey
+went to wash the sin-defiled alley of Whiteman;
+O’Donnell himself, amid the cheers of a thousand
+spectators, and the band of praying women, knocking
+out the bungs to give it flow.</p>
+
+<p>It was a complete and unconditional surrender of a
+man of all his earthly possessions, acknowledging his
+wrong and throwing himself upon the public for support
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_790">[Pg 790]</span>in some other calling. Still in the rear of this
+saloon was the “Den of Iniquity,” from out of which,
+while yet the rejoicing proceeded, Warwick, the colored
+proprietor, was seen emerging with a little dirty white
+rag on a broomstick, bearing it aloft as a token of his
+surrender. Cheer after cheer went up; the ladies
+filed into his den, and brought forth his bottles and
+kegs of whiskey, and emptied their contents into the
+gutter. The proprietor of another saloon consented
+to close. His wife was temporarily absent; she
+was a woman who had a very vile tongue, and when
+she returned she was very indignant that the saloon
+should be closed, and immediately reopened it. The
+ladies renewed their visits, and while they were praying
+before the saloon, and she was indulging in a
+blasphemous tirade, one of the women was led to pray
+<i>that the Lord would still her tongue</i>. The prayer was
+answered. She was afterward struck dumb, and
+remained so for two years, when she died.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. C. Bristow adds the following: Mass-meetings
+were held every evening; union meetings in
+which all our ministers took part; also a morning
+meeting which was largely attended not only by our
+temperance women and ministers, but by many of our
+principal business men. A mass-meeting was held
+Sabbath afternoon by the women. All these meetings
+were well attended until the month of April, at which
+time our city election took place. We had looked forward
+to this event with much interest: the parties,
+instead of being as heretofore Republicans and Democrats,
+were Temperance and Anti-Temperance. For
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_791">[Pg 791]</span>mayor, the most important office to be filled, the friends
+of temperance nominated one of the best men in the
+city—Captain McDowell; not only an earnest Christian
+temperance man, but a man whom everybody respected.
+The other candidate was not only opposed
+to the new temperance movement, but one who habitually
+used intoxicating liquors. To our sorrow and disappointment
+Captain McDowell was defeated, and we
+were obliged to accept for our highest city officer one
+whom we had every reason to believe would do all in
+his power to oppose the progress of the temperance
+movement.</p>
+
+<p>The women were out upon the streets that day
+in full force, and at one of our saloons a most
+shameful affair occurred. A middle-aged, highly
+respectable woman, a member of one of our bands,
+having become weary from long standing and frequent
+kneeling, seated herself upon the steps of the saloon
+of John Glassinger, a German, to rest for a few moments.
+She was immediately ordered by the proprietor
+to leave the premises, and failing to obey as
+quickly as he thought she ought to, he kicked her off
+the steps by main force, and afterwards gave her
+blows, which confined her to her bed and house for
+several weeks.</p>
+
+<p>The saloon-keeper was arrested, but being a man
+of means, gave bail, and when his case finally came up
+before the grand jury, they being entirely in sympathy
+with him, failed to find an indictment. And so for four
+years he has been permitted to pursue his unholy
+traffic, without let or hindrance. Times without number
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_792">[Pg 792]</span>he has been arrested for selling to minors, and
+otherwise violating the letter of his license, but the
+judgment of our court has <i>always</i> been lenient in his
+case.</p>
+
+<p>We read in the word “that, though joined hand in
+hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished.” And just
+now it really seems in the case of this man, who has so
+long openly defied the laws of God and man, the words
+of Holy Writ are about to be verified. A few weeks
+since, in opening a beer barrel, the bung flew out and
+hit him in the eye, entirely destroying the sight of
+that eye. The other out of sympathy is also seriously
+affected, and there is every reason to believe he will
+eventually lose the sight of both eyes. His first exclamation
+after the accident was: “Now dem vimins
+will say, ‘dis is a judgment from God for my selling
+liquor.’”</p>
+
+<p>The day after the election it was a serious question
+with our earnest Christian women whether they
+should go out upon the streets or not, but after
+due deliberation they decided to do so. We met as
+usual at eight o’clock in the morning for prayer, formed
+ourselves into bands, and separated, each going to our
+appointed field of duty. We were very sorrowful on
+that ever to be remembered morning: a deep solemnity
+and unwonted fervor was apparent in every prayer
+that was offered. In the language of the Psalmist,
+we were led to exclaim in our extremity, “Vain is the
+help of man; unto Thee, O Lord! we lift our waiting
+eyes.”</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after our city election an opposing band was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_793">[Pg 793]</span>organized, composed entirely of Germans. Of all the
+saloon-keepers in the town, only five were Americans—two
+white, and three black.</p>
+
+<p>This German “<i>Mocking band</i>” was organized for
+the purpose of disturbing and, if possible, breaking up
+the temperance bands. When we came upon the
+street and commenced our labors, they came also and
+commenced theirs; in derision they sang and prayed,
+and once in our presence took communion, in their
+mocking, profane way, using beer for wine. But these
+proceedings were kept up for only a brief period. Seeing
+that we were undaunted, and could not be driven
+from the field by this kind of persecution, they desisted,
+leaving us to go on with our services undisturbed.</p>
+
+<p>The full bands were out daily for nine weeks, including
+picket work; but it was not in the nature of things
+that our labors on the street should continue. Some
+had already been obliged to abandon the work on
+account of failing health, others had young families
+requiring their time and attention, and thus from
+various causes one and another dropped out of our
+ranks.</p>
+
+<p>During the month of July, the heat became so intense
+that it was deemed unsafe to go out in the day
+time, and meetings were held in the early part of the
+morning and evening.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. M. A. Wilson adds: “About this time a committee
+of liquor men visited our business firms to
+ascertain who were in sympathy with this Crusade
+movement, as they fully intended to withdraw their
+patronage from all who were.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_794">[Pg 794]</span></p>
+
+<p>“The number of workers at this time was reduced
+to about twenty-five. We held Gospel Temperance
+Meetings in various places on Saturday evenings, also
+on Sabbath afternoons. During the active work a
+Woman’s Temperance League was organized, with
+three hundred and twelve members, which has since
+been merged into the Woman’s Christian Temperance
+Union.</p>
+
+<p>“The Sabbath four o’clock prayer-meetings have
+been held regularly since the Crusade. A meeting is
+also held Sabbath at three <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> in the jail, where we
+have reason to believe very much good has been
+accomplished.”</p>
+
+<p>Among those who took part in the prayer-meetings
+and the work were Mrs. Lowe; Mrs. Allen; Mrs.
+Monroe; Mrs. Moore; Mrs. Barr; Mrs. Hartwell;
+Mrs. Bedell; Mrs. Turnbull; Mrs. Marley; Mrs.
+Wilson; Mrs. Drees; Mrs. Bristol; Mrs. Wilson;
+Mrs. Luce; Mrs. Farber; Mrs. Finley; Mrs. Meredith;
+Mrs. Shearer; Mrs. Watt; Mrs. Day; Mrs.
+Good; Mrs. Williams; Mrs. Merrick; Mrs. Connable;
+Mrs. Ralston; Mrs. Shipley; Mrs. Conwell; Mrs.
+Hutchinson; Mrs. Ormsby; Mrs. Barlow; Mrs. Trotter;
+Mrs. McMillan; Mrs. Jacoby; Mrs. McPherson;
+Miss Williams; Miss Keaggy; Miss Allen; Miss
+Lauman; Miss Allison.</p>
+
+<p>There were scores of others, whose names we were
+not able to secure.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_795">[Pg 795]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large;">
+ A GENERAL REVIEW.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">
+ CHAPTER XV.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Organized Temperance Work is of recent date,
+and may justly be claimed, as one of the fruits of the
+Christian civilization of the Nineteenth century.</p>
+
+<p>The first society was formed in Moroe, Saratoga
+county, N. Y., in the beginning of the nineteenth
+century, by two earnest men—a Christian minister and
+a Christian physician.</p>
+
+<p>From this little beginning, a blessed tidal wave of
+influence has swept around the world, and Temperance
+organizations may now be found in every civilized and
+semi-civilized country on the globe.</p>
+
+<p>One of the most singular facts in the history of this
+reform is, that more than fifty years of earnest effort was
+put forth by men, before women began to take very much
+actual interest in the work. The Good Templars were
+the first to open their doors, and invite, and secure
+their co-operation. But it was not till that mighty
+Spiritual cyclone that we call “the Crusade” swept
+over the land, that any large number of women came
+aggressively into the work.</p>
+
+<p>With the power of this Pentecostal baptism upon
+them, and the heroism of a divine faith to sustain
+them, they were almost irresistible.</p>
+
+<p>Timid women, unused to missionary work, went out
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_796">[Pg 796]</span>as flaming heralds of the Cross, carrying the gospel
+of the Son of God into the saloons, and down into the
+slums of vice. And these ministrations were attended
+with wonderful power and success. Whole towns
+were cleared of the liquor traffic in a few days; hundreds
+of men who had been in the trade for years,
+closed their saloons, and renounced the business forever;
+thousands signed the pledge; many who were
+going down rapidly to ruin, reformed, and became
+champions of the cause; women unschooled in oratory,
+spoke with tongues of fire, moving the masses by their
+burning words of eloquence, and stirring society to its
+very depths.</p>
+
+<p>As to what the result might have been, had the
+women continued on these lines of work, we dare
+not speculate. But this we do know, that just in proportion
+as they have had power with God, they have
+had power with men; and just to the extent that
+they have wandered away from the Divine source of
+strength, and “put their trust in princes and in the
+son of man, in whom there is no help,” to just that
+extent they have failed to secure unity and success.</p>
+
+<p>The brilliant dash of the Crusade, that so discomfited
+the enemy all along the lines, was followed by
+organization.</p>
+
+<p>The new society, which was called the Woman’s
+National Christian Temperance Union, was organized
+in Cleveland, Ohio, in November, 1874, by representatives
+from most of the Northern and some of the
+Southern States.</p>
+
+<p>The growth of the society was unprecedentedly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_797">[Pg 797]</span>large. Branch unions were formed in all the large
+towns and cities, and in many of the villages of the
+land.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the work extended beyond our own lines,
+and a Canadian Woman’s Temperance Union, and a
+British Woman’s Temperance Association were effected,
+which have extended the work to India, Africa
+and the Islands of the sea, so that wherever the English
+language is spoken, the names of these societies
+are a household word.</p>
+
+<p>In the early years of the work, there was entire
+unity in the plans of these societies, which was one of
+the marks of its Divine origin. They all worked after
+the pattern shown them on the mount of faith.</p>
+
+<p>Another evidence that the pattern was of Heavenly
+origin, is the fact that it was complete in outline, and
+that they were enabled to take such a wide view of
+the field, and grasp with such masterly hands, the
+instrumentalities to be used.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="WORK_AMONG_THE_CHILDREN">
+ WORK AMONG THE CHILDREN.
+</h3>
+
+<p>In the very beginning, the importance of pledging
+and training the young was emphasized. This work
+has been pushed with great zeal and energy, till it has
+extended far beyond their own lines.</p>
+
+<p>The society has, perhaps, fewer children directly
+under its training, but they are more carefully taught.</p>
+
+<p>Regular training schools with every facility for
+scientific teaching, have taken the place of oral lessons
+and pledge signing, so common in the beginning
+when the children gathered by hundreds. And they
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_798">[Pg 798]</span>have pushed the work beyond their own lines, out into
+the Sabbath schools, and into the Public schools and
+colleges.</p>
+
+<p>A wonderful impulse was given to this thorough,
+systematic training, by the publication of Dr. Richardson’s
+Lesson Book, and Julia Colman’s Alcohol and
+Hygiene, by the National Temperance Publishing Society
+of New York. So that in reviewing the past,
+it is safe to say that the general work has been greatly
+advanced.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="TEMPERANCE_LITERATURE">
+ TEMPERANCE LITERATURE.
+</h3>
+
+<p>As an important auxiliary in efforts to reach all
+classes, especially those who do not attend religious
+and Temperance meetings, the distribution of Temperance
+literature has been most helpful. The work
+from the very first has been pushed with zeal and
+persistence, and has gone steadily on, till the volume
+of literature produced and circulated gratuitously, is
+enormous. Instructive tracts and Temperance hand-bills
+are being distributed by <i>millions</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Many of them are of high order, and contain the
+most reliable scientific information. These tracts may
+be found at railroad stations, post-offices, and work-shops,
+and at other points where men congregate;
+and, like the leaven the woman hid in the meal, is
+rapidly leavening the whole lump.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="FRIENDLY_INNS">
+ FRIENDLY INNS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The need of a safe place of resort for the thousands,
+who during the Crusade were led by Divine
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_799">[Pg 799]</span>power to abandon their cups, was deeply felt, and
+many of the Unions undertook to meet the demand.</p>
+
+<p>They were well patronized by the classes for whom
+they were intended, and by others who felt an interest
+in such generous enterprises. But owing to the labor
+involved, and the responsibility incurred, many societies,
+after a few years, turned the work over to private
+parties, who assumed all risk, and gradually these
+Friendly Inns became Temperance Restaurants, and
+Hotels for the accommodation of the general public,
+and a more respectable class of customers. There
+are but few of these institutions now, directly under
+the control of the society which inaugurated the work
+in this country so grandly.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="THE_PRESS">
+ THE PRESS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The change in the attitude of the Press has been
+most favorable.</p>
+
+<p>Before the Crusade, it was difficult to secure entrance
+for Temperance literature, into the secular newspapers
+of the country, and little was found in the
+religious journals. But the Crusade movement was
+so unusual and exciting, and the people were so
+anxious to secure the latest information, that correspondents
+were kept in the field, that the latest news
+might be furnished.</p>
+
+<p>That the Press has maintained a more independent
+attitude towards the liquor traffic since the Crusade
+than ever before, cannot be denied. The friends of
+Temperance have a fair field; the newspapers of
+the country are as accessible to them as to the friends
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_800">[Pg 800]</span>of the trade, and their contributions more often appear.
+Large numbers of papers have conceded a column
+weekly to the local unions, and they are edited by
+members of the society, while the regular Temperance
+papers have been much better sustained.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, liquor-dealers have established
+their own organs, and the pen-fight, all along the lines,
+waxes fiercer and hotter as the years go by.</p>
+
+<p>The religious press is outspoken, and may be relied
+on in the coming contest, as a mighty power. The
+secular press, though divided, will grandly reinforce
+the work, as the question of the total prohibition of
+the liquor traffic comes more and more to the front.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="YOUNG_WOMENS_WORK">
+ YOUNG WOMEN’S WORK.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The organization of Young Women’s Unions has
+not been general. But large numbers have come
+into the work as co-laborers with their older sisters,
+and a more decided temperance sentiment has obtained
+among them.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PRISON_VISITATION">
+ PRISON VISITATION.
+</h3>
+
+<p>The sick, and those in prison, have been visited;
+and many in jails, for crimes committed under the influence
+of drink, have signed the pledge, and been
+redeemed inside prison walls.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="GOSPEL_TEMPERANCE_MEETINGS">
+ GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MEETINGS.
+</h3>
+
+<p>During the early days of the Crusade, while the
+breath of a Divine inspiration was upon them, the
+women inaugurated Gospel Temperance Meetings.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_801">[Pg 801]</span></p>
+
+<p>Their watch-fires, kindled in almost every village,
+glinted with light the darkest caverns of sin and
+degradation; and thousands, lost in the mazes of
+drunkenness, guided by their beacon fires, found their
+way to the cross of Christ, and to a new and redeemed
+life.</p>
+
+<p>In no work has God’s power been more clearly
+displayed than in these meetings held by the women
+in the early years of their work.</p>
+
+<p>These meetings had so much of Christ’s gospel in
+them, and were so effectual in saving the ungospeled
+masses, that the name of Gospel Temperance Meetings
+was given them—a name that has become a household
+word among all Temperance workers in all lands.</p>
+
+<p>The rude halls and mission chapels, where the
+workers held their meetings, seemed favored places
+of Heaven, where God let down His ladder, for the
+swift feet of the angels of mercy and forgiveness.
+Thousands were redeemed, not only from drunkenness,
+but from all their vile and sinful habits.</p>
+
+<p>If we could turn over the pages of the Book of Life,
+we would find opposite many a name unknown to
+fame, the words of Jesus, in letters of living light, “Inasmuch
+as ye have done it unto one of the least of
+these, ye have done it unto Me.”</p>
+
+<p>During the first three or four years of the work,
+these meetings for the reformation and salvation of
+the drinking classes, were most earnest and successful.
+During one year special reports showed that
+over <i>fifteen thousand</i> had been saved through these
+Gospel Temperance Meetings.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_802">[Pg 802]</span></p>
+
+<p>The Woman’s Temperance Union was born of
+prayer, and must be sustained by prayer. When we
+substitute any other agency for prayer we will be
+shorn of our strength, and fall apart. Nothing but
+the Divine grace that comes in answer to much prayer
+can cement, in strong, enduring bonds, human hearts
+for such work as this.</p>
+
+<p>As they gather about the cross to pray, they are
+drawn nearer to the Master, and nearer to each other.
+The reflex influence upon the workers themselves, has
+been a most blessed result.</p>
+
+<p>But as the years have gone by, the character of the
+work has somewhat changed. Gospel Temperance
+Meetings are still held, and drinking men brought in
+and saved; but the meetings are not so frequent, and
+are not so largely attended by crowds from the slums.</p>
+
+<p>Bible Readings, and Consecration meetings, have
+become more frequent, and the workers themselves
+are seeking teaching. At the seventh annual meeting
+of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,
+held at Washington, D. C., October, 1881, there were
+present 216 delegates, representing twenty-seven
+States, besides the District of Columbia and the Territory
+of Dakota.</p>
+
+<p>The Treasurer’s exhibit showed $2,557.69 received
+and disbursed; and the Corresponding Secretary’s
+report showed a vast amount of work accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>But, as large as the work may appear, we may not
+conceal from ourselves the fact that we have only
+touched the rim of the womanhood of this country, as
+yet. Millions of women are idle and indifferent, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_803">[Pg 803]</span>thousands are under the power of the habit, or in the
+liquor business.</p>
+
+<p>Unity of plans by which these masses could be
+reached, would greatly advance the Temperance cause.</p>
+
+<p>One of the great needs of the country, and of this
+cause, is good, sober, intelligent mothers, who, with
+strong hands, would mould society in its beginnings.</p>
+
+<p>If we would have good government in the country,
+we must have good government in the homes where
+government begins.</p>
+
+<p>Women are the governors of the race for the first
+and best half of human life. They are the character
+builders for the future generations, and we shall have
+won a great victory for the cause when we may count
+the mothers of the land on the side of the Temperance
+host, and their home teaching backs up legal enactments.</p>
+
+
+<h3 id="PROHIBITORY_LEGISLATION">
+ PROHIBITORY LEGISLATION.
+</h3>
+
+<p>We can no longer admit of compromise measures
+in dealing with the liquor traffic. The whole iniquitous
+business is wrong; a sin against God, a cruel
+crime against society, that no amount of revenue can
+condone. To admit that crime legalized is no longer
+crime, is absurd. The moral code is written not only
+in the Book of God, but on human hearts. Every
+fibre of soul and body is under laws that, violated,
+must meet the penalty, no matter how men legislate.
+And there is not one sentence in the whole moral
+code that does not fall upon the liquor traffic and
+traffickers in heavy condemnation. We must adjudge
+this crime as we would other crimes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_804">[Pg 804]</span></p>
+
+<p>There is no ground to justify compromises. As
+well might we advocate a law making it <i>optional</i> with
+the people whether crime such as theft, or murder, or
+arson, should be committed under protection of law.</p>
+
+<p>There is not a principle involved in English common
+law that is not violated by the emissaries of the
+liquor traffic. Human comfort and happiness, the
+safety of life and property, and the perpetuity of government,
+are involved.</p>
+
+<p>As Temperance sentiment has increased, the demand
+for Prohibitory legislation has become more and
+more imperative, and the most radical measures are
+brought forward.</p>
+
+<p>Prohibition by constitutional amendment has become
+the rallying cry in nearly every State. The
+people propose to take the matter into their own
+hands, and divest it of all political complications, and
+settle it on its own merits, by an exercise of their constitutional
+rights.</p>
+
+<p>This seems the easiest, quickest, and most permanent
+plan that has ever been brought forward, and is
+in perfect harmony with our American institutions.</p>
+
+<p>A decision by a majority of the legal voters of the
+State, in favor of putting Prohibition down in the bed-rock
+of State law, would carry the necessary public
+sentiment for the enforcement of the law.</p>
+
+<p>The example of President and Mrs. Hayes in banishing
+liquor from the White House during one Presidential
+term, was most praiseworthy. And the beautiful
+tribute of the Woman’s Temperance Union, was
+a suitable recognition of the heroic stand for Truth and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_805">[Pg 805]</span>Temperance, made by Mrs. Lucy W. Hayes. And the
+fact that during President Hayes’ term of office the
+unused wine glasses gathered dust in the cellar, while
+the Bible was in constant use in the parlor, will stand
+out as a gem in history, long after the liquor traffic of
+the Republic is overthrown, and <i>Prohibition written on
+the door-post of the White House, and over the portals
+of the Capitol buildings</i>.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+ <div class="poetry">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <div class="verse indent0">“The crisis presses on us,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Face to face, with us it stands,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">With lips of solemn question,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Like the Sphynx of Egypt’s sands;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">To-day we fashion destiny—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">The web of fate we spin,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">To-day forever choose we,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Or holiness or sin.</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">By the future that’s before us—</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">By all the lights that cast</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Their dim and flickering beams across</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">The darkness of the past,</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">And by the blessed thoughts of Him</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Who for our ransom died;</div>
+ <div class="verse indent0">Oh, my country! oh, my brothers!</div>
+ <div class="verse indent2">Choose ye the righteous side.”</div>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<h3 id="FOOTNOTES">
+ FOOTNOTES
+</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_1_1" href="#FNanchor_1_1" class="label">[1]</a> When the praying band went out for saloon visitation, the <i>brothers</i> remained
+in the College building in prayer-meeting, and at the close of every prayer, the
+College-bell was tolled.</p></div>
+
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<div class="transnote">
+ Transcriber note<br> <br>
+ Spelling and punctuation errors have been corrected.
+</div>
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77878 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html> \ No newline at end of file
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+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #77878
+(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77878)
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