Our Messenger du lieu suivant : Topeka, Kansas • 2

2 OUR MESSENGER Union, a representative of the Loyal Temperance Legion, the President of the St. Louis W. C. T. and the President of the Missouri W.

C. T. all made addresses of welcome. The response was bv If Ml The National Convention. Dear Sisters and Co-Workers: It is astonishing what a Banquo's ghost the question of Oui MESSENGER is.

Fven as I commence to write you about the convention at St. Louis, Ouk Messenger, its dimensions, and number of issues few and far between, like angels' visits is the first thing that confronts me for, should I tell you even the half of what we saw and heard and felt, it would require all the Mkssknukks that will be gotten out between this and next September. I am glad you do not have to depend upon our paper for the full account of all the details, but that it may be had by writing the Union Signal for the copies of December 5th and 1 2th. Miss willard, wherein she spoke words ol appreciation of the generous courtesy which had not only taken us into their homes, but had received us with genuine southern hospitality and good-will us and all our ideas. The address also contained a hearty word of praise for the women of St.

Louis who had declared nothing impossible for St. Louis," and in the shadow of the awful cyclone had gone straight ahead with their well-ordered preparations. One of the great events of the convention was the Armenian meeting on Sabbath afternoon, addressed by Rebecca Krikorcan, a native Armenian Rev. F. D.

Green, Secretary of the Armenian Relief Committee, New York, and others. Five thousand people were present, the collection, with pledges and additional offerings, was more than a thousand dollars before the close of the convention. A telegram on behalf of the Armenians was sent by the audience to Grover Cleveland. Another interesting feature of the convention was the introduction of visitors, which occurred chiefly on Saturday afternoon, but frequently through the entire convention. 1 wish space would permit me to tell you even briefly some of the good things said by Miss Agnes E.

Slack, secretary World's W. C. T. Miss Phillips of England, Miss Sarah Farmer of Maine, Consul Emma Booth Tucker, Anthony Corn-stock, Miss Margaret Leitch of Ceylon, Rev. Anna Shaw and others.

The memorial exercises were sweet and tender, and pervaded with the Christian spirit of resignation! The evening meetings were all "great." On L. T. L. night a thousand children who had been trained by our Mrs. E.

Dodge Carson, formerly president of Sixth District, were on the stage, and reflected credit upon their teaching. Five-minute addresses were made by the presidents of the states where the L. T. L. was organized, and "Oh, the pity of it," Kansas "wasn't in it." Put it will not be Mrs.

Zehner's fault next year if we are not, as it is not Mrs. Wiley's this year. Let us be Christ-like and bless the little children with knowledge, knowledge that will protect them from temptation, and each local of us organize at home. night was a pretty and inspiring sight, and was, in a national way, what our own night was in Kansas City in September. I think I must tell vou that our Mrs.

Evans grows so benntifnllu wAnrr which is a living exponent of the principles in which wc believe. The board proposes to ask assistance from the unions of the country, through a committee, of which our own Mrs. Rastall is member, but I propose to forestall their request as far as Kansas is concerned. Why can not our unions at some time during the winter give an entertainment, a medal contest, per-haps, and divide the proceeds between the Temperance Hospital and our own State debt I speak of a contest, because in that way we bring our work before the people as well as secure the wherewithal to help push it. If this is not practicable, try a parlor meeting, presenting there the aims and needs of the hospital, thus interesting persons more directly in it.

The sum asked for the completed hospital is a reasonable one, which might easily be raised, and the institution put on a sure foundation. Shall we not try to help that cause, and in so doing help ourselves Locals. "Strong City's answer to the call for Mrs. Haines' silver wedding was a success socially, educationally and financially," writes Mrs. Ricards.

rs. Dunlap, local president, served lunch to about forty ladies, and presented each a souvenir suited to the occasion, with the compliments of Willard union. A question box furnished occasion lor much good-natured discussion. Two aged 'mothers in Grandma Barber, aged 84, and Grandma Grey, 86, added to the pleasure of the occasion, and took part in the discussion." Mrs. Hewitt, the energetic president of Sixth District, writes: "We are trying in the Sixth to do our part of keeping the W.

C. T. U. on its feet. Major and Mrs.

Scott had been with us, holding wonderfully successful meetings from two to five days in some towns. The audiences have been large and enthusiastic, those who came once coming again and again, sometimes driving ten miles to hear the Major, who charms by his eloquence, convinces by his logic, and pleases by his wit, while he drives home solid truths. Mrs. Scott proves a true helpmeet, and is a successful organizer. She holds afternoon meetings with women and children, strengthening the unions wherever she goes.

Sixth District" (which, by the way, is about as much alive as any), she writes, is tired of living at this 'poor, dying and is working for two hundred members." For genuine pluck I want to present to your notice the workers of this dried-out region. They ought to make us of the more favored localities hide our heads in shame, or what is better, get to work The Kingman union gave Mrs. M. C. Gillette an elegant reception, or "welcome home," at the home of their president (Mrs.

M. M. Colliding), on her re The Kansas delegation consisted of Mrs. F. P.

Hutchinson, Hutchinson Mrs. Dora A. Evans, Clay Center Mrs. H. L.

Mason, Wichita Mrs. F. M. Adams, Mound City Mrs. Jennie Kemp, Cherokee, and the writer.

Among the visitors from Kansas were Miss Ella Green, Topeka Mrs. Chcno-weth, Ottawa; Mrs. Flcnner, El Dorado; Mrs. Casey, Beloit. I mention these names that the unions near the homes of these women may avail themselves of the opportunity of hearing from the convention by "word of mouth," as has already been done at several points.

The routine of the convention was very interesting and helpful and cheering, in that with so much work accomplished the treasurer was able to announce no debts. This, however, was not true of all the affiliated interests. The Woman's Temperance Publishing Association showed a balance upon the right side of the ledger. The Temple, as Mrs. Carse expressed it in her report, is "holding on by its eyelashes." I copy from notes taken at the time she gave her report Cost of Temple, 51,265,000 bonds which are held but not paid for, $300,000 cash on hand to apply on bonds, pledged conditionally that the S300.000 be raised, 8141,000.

Mrs. Carse hopes to raise the $300,000 this year the board will then lack $965,000 of owning the Temple. Kansas contributed $514 to the Temple fund last year. The Temperance Hospital is asking for $50,000, which will be sufficient to finish paying for the site and put up and furnish everything complete and in good order. Five dollars from each union in the United States would more than do it.

I will not take the space to give extracts from superintendents' reports, as the reports will appear in full in the Minutes, and that will be much more satisfactory to you but I do want to say, because it will touch your hearts and pride, that Mrs. Manetta Tinney, of Kirwin, State Superintendent of Work Among Miners, received the prize of five dol-kiTsfor best report sent in, nf her department, prize awarded by National Superintendent of Work AmongMiners. Mrs. Sophia Jones, of Iola, received the ten dollar prize from the National Superintendent of Mercy Department for the best report sent from any State and Mrs. Stevenson in the Corresponding Secretary's report said, in speaking of Kansas I have never seen railroad work carried on more systematically or with better results, and the same is true of other departments" that means Mrs.

Jennie Kemp and her workers in particular, and the rest of us incidentally. I am particularly glad to have this said of us, because good work in the departments means everyday faithfulness. The convention was large and enthusiastic, and Miss Willard, who stood the six days' heavy strain that when Miss Willard introduced her to sing the Y. song, she looked into her face and said: "This young lady is the secretary of Kansas, and will sing to you," and the "younady" did it in a very creditable manner for one of her years. On Benefit night the program was fnrnishoH turn from a visit of a few months in Kansas City, by those states who had gained over five hundred in membership during the past year, and dear sisters, again we were "not in it." and we know It wao 1.3 1 1.

IIVL our beloved Mrs. Smith's fault In Corresponding secretary sievcnson report, sne spoke so kindly of brave Kansas that had lost in membersliin Mnw let us prove our bravery, and energy, and gratitude it Mi 1 1 1 1 tor Mrs. smitn naru work-, ana rami in the Woman's Christian Temperance Un ion hv mm nor un next year with our five hundred gam in paid-up memoersnip ana Dy way or encouragement, let me tell vou that out in the Sixth District Mrs Hewptt and the faithful are rejoicing over a gain of two hun dred since septemoer, 111 seventh District Harper countv alone has a gain of fortv. and from diflWnt points I'm sure of a gain of three hundred. A large An address of welcome was followed by music and devotionals, then other music, both vocal and instrumental, a report "of State convention by Mrs.

Gillette, the presentation of a lovely booklet of "for-getmenots by Mrs. Conkling for the union, to their superintendent of Parlor Work, Mrs. Gillette, followed by an elegant luncheon and souvenirs of the occasion for each guest. About fifty ladies were present and a delightful time was this to all. On the evening of November 21st the ladies of Kingman union held a parlor meeting at the beautiful and spacious home of Mr.

and Mrs. John Cra-gun. One hundred invitations were given and ninety-five guests were in attendance. The meeting opened with devotional exercises, after which a good program of music and short speeches only three minutes apiece allowed for each of six superintendents to tell what they could of their department, but Mrs. Conkling, superintendent of Franchise, was given ten minutes to explain the result of the vote in California and Idaho.

Then the presiding officer, Mrs. Gillette, State Superintendent of Parlor Work, announced as the last number on the program, a piano solo by Miss Evans and remarks by Rev. Ford. The piano solo was Mendelssohn's wedding march," and soon there came in from the farther side of the back parlor, keeping step to the music, Miss Nettie Kennick and Mr. Harry Herrman, who advanced to the bower of flowers where Mr.

Ford stood, and there he read to them the marriage service, uniting them in holy matrimony, almost before the bewildered company realized what was going on this part of the program having been kept a secret from all but a few of the ladies who arranged for it. After congratulations, an elegant supper was served and a delightful social hour was had by all present, and the happy bride felt that instead of being motherless as she had thought for years, she had a mother in each member of the Kingman union, that had been moved to thus honor this good girl who has made her own way in the world among them for years, and had kept herself pure,) feeling that it is as well to honor and cheer such an one as to spend so much time trying to reform girls that go astray, lach guest received on entering the house a buttonaire of pink and yellow chrysanthemums and the bride carried a shower bouquet of white ones, and there were flowers everywhere. Four ministers took part, in some way, during the evening. with remarkable endurance, said it was the very nicest one they had ever held. The sessions were held in Music hall in the Exposition building.

The hall was beautifully and elaborately decorated with our national colors, and hundreds of State, district, county and local banners. The opening hour was impressive and full of historical allusion. The Crusade Psalm was read rc-sponsivcly from the old Bible from the Crusade church, prayer was offered by Mrs. Henrietta L. Monroe, President of the W.

C. T. U. of Ohio, the Crusade State, and the convention sang the Crusade hymn, "Give to the Winds Thy Fears." Roll-call was responded to by all the general officers and representatives from forty-six States and Territories. The President's address, on account of her work for the Armenian refugees, was not written this year, but was none the less appreciated and applauded, as it was given' extemporaneously.

It reviewed somewhat the work of the year, and the years intervening since the convention met at St. Louis before, and closed with the thought that the practical religion of this century is not so much coming to Christ, as going with Christ out to suffering humanity that the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, being organized, mother-love should be able to hear the cry of the world. At the close of the address the girls from Forest Park University came in, carrying great bunches of chrysanthemums, which Miss Willard received from each girl, bestowing a smile and a kindly word, and the closing prophesy "that every one of these beautiful white flowers will turn out in the lives of these dear ones when they are twenty-one, to be a pure white ballot." Friday night was Welcome Night, when the numberless offices of welcome of the good people of St. Louis became vocal, and the Mayor, the President of the St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall Association, the President of the Evangelical Alliance, the President of the Catholic Woman's Temperance poiuou 01 uiis is uue 10 major ana Mrs.

Scott, and 1 sincerely hope that the commendable energy and wisdom of the Sixth District will be duplicated in each of the other districts, and that next year on Benefit night Kansas will be there. And then Demonstration night what a I wish by some sort of psychic law I could place the moving picture before you. You would hear the soprano of many voices in a little hum of preparation, now and then drowned by the commanding tones of Mrs. Forbes, of Connecticut, sergeant-at-arms, as she formed the procession in the foyer. Presently all other sound is drowned in the great volume of sweet harmonies from the great organ played by the greatest organist in the United States.

Heading the parade came the ushers and pages, then came the president and vice president, the former carrying the white flag of the National W. C. T. with its forty-five golden stars, and the latter the flag of Armenia. Then came the two secretaries of' the World's organization, Agnes Slack of England bearing Old Glory, and Anna Gordon of America carrying the British Union Jack, and behind them Miss Phillips of England bearing up the ends of these two flags.

These were followed by the general officers, National organizers, evangelists and heads of affiliated interests, each carrying appropriate flag, banner or banneret. Then the various states and territorial delegations, forty-six in all, follow in alphabetical order, with banners and flags many of the states had beautiful silk banners, Pennsylvania, the Keystone state, has an elegant keystone banner, besides a fine one presented to their railroad department by a railroad in Pennsylvania, Michigan has a beautiful one with "Michigan, My Michigan" upon it, Ohio has a handsome one, with a picture of the crusaders in the foreground so that many of the state delegations are headed by elegant and costly banners, while each member of the delega- Oliver Wendell Holmes has said that the human race is divided into two classes those who go ahead and do something, and those who sit still and inquire, 'Why wasn't it done the other In which class arc you found.