Why and How : a hand-book for the use of the W.C.T. unions in Canada

by Addie Chisholm

CHAPTER III.

ORGANIZATION AND WORK.

IN THE UNITED STATES.

Gradually these active workers in the temperance cause, conscious of having received a mighty power, a special baptism at the hands of God, for a special work, began to look for something abiding in organization when this unusual movement should have ceased, something in which all Christian women could unite for work in this special cause. In the winter and spring of 1873-74 this wonderful movement, known as "The Woman's Crusade," took place. In August of the same year many of these crusaders were gathered together at Chatauqua, to spend a few days there in the tented grove, on the occasion of the First National S. S. Assembly. As they talked over the work done, and the work which the world still had need of, the thought came to one of the band of the possibility of uniting all the women of that land in temperance effort. Acting on this suggestion steps were at once taken to form such an association. A public meeting was held on the grounds, afterwards a prayer and a business meeting, at which latter a committee of organization was formed, and a circular letter authorized, asking "The Woman's Temperance League" of the North to hold conventions for the purpose of electing delegates to an organizing convention, to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 18th, 19th and 20th, 1874. At this convention in November Mrs. Jennie F. Willing presided, three hundred delegates and visitors were present, and amid much enthusiasm the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union took its place with the hosts of the Lord, to lead on to victory. Its first officers were: President, Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer; Vice- Presidents, one from every State; Rec. Sec., Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, N.Y.; Cor. Sec., Miss Frances Willard; Treasurer, Mrs. W. A. Ingham, Ohio. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, the preamble to which read as follows:

"The Christian women of this nation, conscious of the increasing evils, and appalled at the dangers and tendencies of intemperance, believe it has become their duty, under the providence of God, to unite their efforts for its extinction."

This is the thought that since then has nerved the W. C. T. U. women in every city, town and village of the neighboring States,— "Appalled at the tendencies and dangers of intemperance," to combat this evil they have given their time and strength, their influence and their prayers.

For five years Mrs. Wittenmeyer presided over this society of earnest workers, and during this time contributed greatly to its success by her wise and loving counsel, endearing herself to the hearts of all.

In 1879 Miss Frances Willard was chosen president, and under her able administration and remarkable skill in leadership 100,000 women organized in unions are now marching onward to the goal of prohibition, bearing with them the hopes and prayers of many who would be in that procession if they could. We know that in the houses of many, even of the liquor sellers, sit pure women whose prayers go up quietly, but none the less sincerely, and with no less faith than those of the white ribboned army, for the downfall of the liquor traffic, and for the triumph of the gospel of peace and goodwill to man.

It was largely through the effort of the W. C. T. U. women that the State of Kansas, on Nov. 2nd 1880, adopted the amendment to the constitution of the state, prohibiting the manufacture or sale of all intoxicating liquors, except for mechanical or medicinal purposes.

In Ohio, in 1883, the whole campaign for the constitutional amendment was planned and directed by the president of the W. C. T. U., Mrs. Mary Woodbridge. In this she was ably assisted by all the W. C. T. U. women throughout the state. Such was the earnestness and spirit of sacrifice manifested that when, at one convention, the question of finance was discussed, it was unanimously decided that they would go without gloves for a certain time, that they might have more money for this campaign. It is worth while for us to observe here that, in this contest, great importance was attached to the distribution of temperance literature. We are told that leaflets, cards, and circulars went out "by the bushel." Printed appeals were sent to all corporations and companies of any size, sermons were preached on the subject not on Sunday only, but in some places on every day of the week. On the day of the vote the ladies visited the polls, furnishing lunches to all, and gave out the ballots for the amendment. Over $20,000 was raised in that State during that year for the work undertaken by the W.C.T.U. Although they were not successful in gaining the amendment, the returns show that in many counties fraudulent count had been made, and it is believed by those in a position to know that an honest count would have carried the amendment by a large majority. As it was it received 323,167 votes, while the license amendment received but 98,050. A majority of any votes cast at the general election was necessary for adoption. In Florida the passage of the Local Option Bill was due, as one of their legislators testifies, to the influence of the W.C.T.U.

For five years the women of Iowa, under the leadership of Mrs. J, Ellen Foster, had planned, pleaded and petitioned against the licensed system of that state. On the 27th June, 1882, the people adopted the constitutional prohibition amendment by a majority of 29,759, the Supreme Court however declared that on account of some irregularity in the legislative steps of the passage of the amendment, it was of no effect and void. In March 1884, however, the Iowa Legislature passed a prohibiting law, which came into force on July 4th of the same year. And so another victory has been gained by the temperance women of the United States, and prohibition has been secured to another important state of the Union.

For years the N.W.C.T.U. has been pressing for the insertion of one temperance lesson per quarter in the International series of Sabbath- school lessons, but without success.

At the recent I.S.S. Convention, which met in Louisville, Ky., yielding to the appeal so eloquently urged by Miss Willard, the convention recommended that the committee on preparation of lessons be instructed to include the quarterly temperance lesson in their series.

Temperance text books have been added to the books of the public schools in Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. This has been done under the management of Mrs. Mary Hunt, aided by the presidents of the different State Unions. This victory was the result of a systematic plan laid down by the N.W.C.T.U., the principal points of which are mentioned.

The N.W.C.T.U. has also established at Chicago, a national organ, "The Union Signal," edited by Mrs. Mary B. Willard, which is considered to be one of the best conducted papers known. These are some of the successes gained by this society of active Christian women, the contemplation of which led J. B. Gough to declare that "after forty years of observation, he believed the W.C.T.U, was doing more real, solid work, than all other temperance societies combined." The work of the N.W.C.T.U. is classed as follows, each department being under the control of an active lady superintendent:—

Heredity and Hygiene.
Scientific Temperance Instruction.
Sunday-school Work.
Juvenile Work.
Free Kindergartens.
Temperance Literature.
Suppression of Impure Literature.
Relation of Intemperance to Capital and Labor.
Influencing the press—"Signal Service" work.
Conference with Influential Bodies.
Inducing Physicians not to Prescribe Alcoholic Stimulants.
Efforts to Overthrow the Tobacco Habit.
Suppression of the Social Evil.
Evangelistic.
Prison and Police Stations.
Work among Railroad Employees, Soldiers and Sailors.
Use of the Unfermented Juice of the Grape at the Lord's Table.
Young Woman's Work.
Parlor Meetings.
Kitchen Gardens.
Flower Mission.
State and County Fairs.
Legislature and Petitions.
Franchise.
Southern Work.
Work among Foreigners.
Work on the Pacific Coast.
Work among the Colored People of the North.
National Organization.

IN GREAT BRITAIN.

The influence of the "Woman's Crusade," and subsequently of the
N.W.C.T.U., spread rapidly to other countries and led to the
foundation of Women's Christian Temperance Unions in Great Britain,
Canada, Australia, India and Japan.

In Dundee, Scotland, the first British W.C.T.U. was formed. As the news of the whiskey war in America reached the women of that city, they, too, resolved to do something in this work. Under the leadership of Mrs. M. E. Parker, they obtained, in six days, the names of 9,800 women of the city to a petition, asking that no fresh licenses be granted and that many be withdrawn. Marching in procession to the Court House, they presented their petition, a scene never before witnessed in Great Britain. Four hundred members were immediately enrolled as members of a working society, and the influence of the Dundee W.C.T.U. was felt far and near. Afterwards, a British Woman's Temperance Association was formed, of which Mrs. Parker was president. This Association now has, in England, 195 branches, with a membership of more than 10,000; in Scotland, fifty branches; in Ireland, about the same number, and a few also in Wales.

Their work has been to use their influence in every possible way, in favor of temperance, with the medical profession, with Parliament, corporations and companies, and with ministers of religion. In 1883, they presented a petition in favor of Sunday closing, containing 184,000 signatures. They have issued a cookery book, and a number of miscellaneous books and papers. Mrs. Lucas, sister of Hon. John Bright, has been president of this society for the past few years, and her stirring appeals to the women of England, have roused many to a sense of their responsibility, and kept them thoroughly alive and earnest in the work. Mrs. Lucas' meetings, public as well as others, are always well attended, and the greatest interest is manifested by her audiences in the subject which she presents with much tenderness and power. Other lady speakers, from the ranks of the W.C.T.U. in England, do good service in addressing meetings, both public and private, and the urgent invitations for help in forming societies are so numerous, that the constant demand is for more workers. One of the great needs of the Association has been (as the secretary stated from year to year) a paid organizer, whose time should be at the disposal of the society to visit the various branches and places where new Unions might be formed.

The officers of this Association are in part:—President, Mrs.
Lucas, No. 7 Charlotte street, Bradford Square, London, Eng.;
Secretary, Mrs. Bradley, 16 Memorial Hall, Farringdon. W. London.

Besides this society there are other associations in England composed of women only, who are doing good work for temperance, notably "The Liverpool Ladies' Temperance Association" organized in 1864. The special object of this society is "To reclaim women of every grade of society, who have fallen into habits of intemperance, and to prevent those from falling who are already in circumstances of danger, by visitation, watchful care, and by every means which can be devised; also to spread Temperance principles in every possible way." They have six or more Missionaries constantly at work, and a "General Superintendent, who acts as secretary, and, with the assistance of ladies of the Committee, takes charge of special cases, which from the social position of the parties, require to be carefully and delicately dealt with." This society is doing its work more quietly, perhaps, than many others, but a work very much needed, and a service requiring much thought and patience, Christian sympathy and tact. President, Mrs. D. Parrel, 24 Waverley Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool, Eng.; Secretary, Mrs. H. Spring, Office—No. 2 Y.M.C.A. Buildings, 60 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool.

The Woman's Union of the Church of England Temperance Society, with
Rev. Canon Ellison as President, is also in a flourishing condition.
Eighty-five branches have been formed, also a "Servants' Branch," a
"Branch for young women engaged in houses of business," and a "Branch
for girls at restaurants and railway refreshment bars."

Drawing-room meetings have been held with great success, some in the mansion of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, and in the drawing-rooms of Lord and Lady Brabazon.

The Working Women's Teetotal League, which has also been in operation for about eight years, has for its object to spread teetotalism amongst working-class women. Many thousands of pledges have been taken, and benefit societies have been formed under the guidance and supervision of this society.

The Manchester W.C.T. Association is also doing a good work among the young, and in rescuing women from the thraldom of drink.

The large and crowded cities of Great Britain present opportunities and demands for work of this nature, with which our younger country is not so familiar, but the motto of the B.W.T. Association bears a message to us equally strong "The Master is come and calleth for thee."