"Inducing Corporations and Employers to require Total Abstinence in their Employees" was the name of the department as adopted in 1880—Mrs. Peter Stryker, of Saratoga, superintendent. After two years of service she was succeeded by Mrs. V. A. Willard, of Belmont, who continued the work for one year; then Mrs. Homer A. Nelson, of Poughkeepsie, was given the superintendency, which she retained until 1887. The work of the department was then suspended for one year, but resumed as "Capital and Labor"—Mrs. Nelson again the superintendent. In 1889 work among railroad employees was added. In 1890 the name was again changed to "Temperance and Labor"—Mrs. M. M. Van Benschoten, of Newark, superintendent. In 1891 Mrs. Ella A. Boole, of West New Brighton, was made the superintendent, and has continued until the present. The department has wonderfully developed through her influence.
"Influencing Physicians not to Prescribe Alcoholics in Medicine" was the original name of the present Department of Non-Alcoholics in Medicine. This department was first adopted in 1883, with Mrs. Rev. J. Butler, of Fairport, as superintendent. During her four years of service the work was well organized. The "Physician's Pledge" was circulated, and much sentiment created against alcoholic prescriptions. Mrs. E.G. Moore, of Medina, who succeeded her, secured the presentation of the subject before medical associations. Susan A. Everett, M.D., of New York, was superintendent for one year. In 1889 Mrs. M.M. Allen, of Bellona, was appointed superintendent, a position occupied by her at the present time. Through her efficiency and zeal knowledge upon the subject has increased until now the consensus of opinion is that alcoholic medicines are unnecessary.
"Visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children."
"Heredity," as the department now stands in our lines of work, is a scientific subject, and should be studied as such. To accomplish this has been the aim of the superintendents having the work in charge. This department was adopted in 1883, with Mrs. Mary E. Niles, of Hornellsville, as superintendent. In the same year Elvira V. Ranier, M.D., of Oswego, was made superintendent of "Hygiene," also a new department. In 1884 these departments were united, Mrs. Niles still remaining superintendent. The next year Hygiene as a special work was discontinued. The Heredity work remained in charge of its first superintendent until 1888, when Sarah Morris, M.D., of Buffalo, had the work for one year. In 1889 the department of Health, which had been adopted in 1886, with Mrs. Mary G. Underhill, of Poughkeepsie, as its superintendent, was united with Heredity, and Gertrude G. Bishop, M.D., of Brooklyn, appointed superintendent. The following year the Health Department was discontinued. Mrs. E.T. Howland, now Rev. Elizabeth T. Howland, was appointed the superintendent of Heredity. She continued the work two years, and was succeeded by Mrs. Ella B. Hallock, of Southold.
"Physical Culture," now "Physical Education," an evolution of the departments of Health and Hygiene, was made a distinct department of work in 1890, with Mrs. Bertha Morris Smith, of Elmira, as superintendent, a position she has retained until the present. Mrs. Smith is an enthusiast in her department. The national leaflet, "A New Field for Educators," was written by her in the interests of this department.
"The pen is mightier than the sword."
"The Press," or "Influencing the Press," as the department was first known, was adopted as a department in 1880. Miss Margaret E. Winslow served as superintendent from 1880 to 1886, with the exception of 1882, when Mrs. O. N. Fletcher, of Sherman, acted in that capacity. Miss Abbie E. Hufstader, of Yorkshire Center, had the superintendency in 1887, and Miss S. J. Vosburg, of Rochester, in 1888 and 1889. She was succeeded by Mrs. May Morgan McKoon, of Long Eddy, who has prosecuted the work with vigor until the present time. Listen to the report echoes of this department:
1882—"The press goes everywhere; let us then walk boldly and steadily into this ever-opening door."
1892—"The greatest single force in society to-day is the press." "As a man readeth in his newspaper, so is he." "Its utterances carry a dictum unequaled by that of either the pulpit or bench." "It molds public opinion." "Use the press!"
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy."