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.