Boys. The churches and conferences of the Association are practically temperance societies. They hold temperance as an article of their faith and undertake to exercise discipline on that principle.
Leader. Are they peculiar in their treatment of the subject of temperance?
Girls. They differ from many churches South in this particular. A pastor in Savannah writes: “No one can tell the importance of these Congregational organizations here except those on the ground. Our church has taken an open bold stand against liquor drinking and liquor traffic. Our little temperance society has become a power in the city and surrounding country. It has provoked others to good works. Two other societies have been organized in the city and one at Belmont.”
Boys. At Childersburg, Ala., Rev. A. Jones had his church burned after giving a temperance lecture, but instead of surrendering, his people have rallied and they are building better than before.
Leader. What has been the success of the work for temperance in the Sunday-schools of the Association?
Girls. Among the 7,000 scholars in the Sunday-schools, a very encouraging work has been carried on year by year. Bands of Hope have been organized and temperance gatherings held and pledges signed by a very large number of children.
Boys. Mr. Curtis writes from Alabama as follows: “Temperance at Anniston booming. The whole country thoroughly aroused. Temperance taught in the Sunday-school. Band of Hope meetings, temperance prayer-meetings and mass meetings with lectures and discussions.”
Leader. Do those who go forth from the schools of the Association to teach and preach promote the cause of temperance?
Girls. They do. Over 150 who were converted to the cause of temperance while at Tougaloo, Miss., signed the pledge and did temperance work in connection with the teaching in the common schools, and in various other ways.
Boys. During a single year the total number of signers to the pledge obtained by the students connected with one of the institutions of the Association was 1,300. The teachers sent forth from the normal classes exert great influence, not only in the schools where they give instruction, but also among their friends and neighbors in the localities where they carry on their work.