Chapter II: Hillsboro’, Ohio (3)

“Our Master walked with us. In three weeks, we had the four drug stores under pledge, and all the saloons closed except one. That one was upheld by wholesale dealers in cities, and by the Catholic priest at home. We labored with the priest, but he steadily told us that he interfered with no man’s business.

“Our Lutheran minister also upheld his people who sold liquor. Now for the results:

“Although some of these liquor-sellers gave us their hand before the crowd, and with tears promised they would never sell liquor again, after a few months they returned to it again, and as much liquor was sold as before. There is a kind of brotherhood among them, and they fear and influence each other.

“But was the Crusade a failure, as some have said? By no means. We gave the liquor business a blow in _this town_, from which _it never has and never will recover_. Some of our Germans in that business I think had no idea until then how disreputable it was in the eyes of Americans. They _feel_ it _now_.

“It is neither respectable to sell nor drink whiskey in this town now, although much of it is done; for so long as there is money in the business, it will be continued.

“Public opinion has taken an _immense_ stride. One of these wealthy liquor-dealers has recently died, leaving orders that no liquor should ever again be sold at his place of business, and a nice hardware-store now fills its place. Another young man has left the business, and opened a furniture store. Several others are now shut for want of custom.

“It was a fearful reaction which followed the Crusade--the mighty wave threw up the mire and filth in the community. This element festered, and in sheer bravado many of them have tried to show _these women_ that they _will_ sell and drink in spite of them. But our ‘boys in blue’ are coming to the rescue. Each temperance revival seems to be an outcome of the preceding one.”

We add the following from D. Little:

“But two of the twenty liquor hells in our town, that surrendered, possessed any interest to those who do not believe in the efficacy of prayer.

“Mr. Barnhardt, the day of his surrender, knelt with the ladies, and tearfully promised them that he would never sell any more spirituous liquors; that he was convinced that it was a great sin to do so. He hoped they would be as successful at all the other saloons as they were at his. He has been, ever since his surrender, one of our best temperance men.

“Mr. Rohler’s surrender was the same as Mr. Barnhardt’s. Upon his surrender, the ladies sang ‘Praise God,’ etc.

“One of the most remarkable cases of God’s answering prayer is told by our good sister F. Her husband is a kind-hearted man, a good mechanic, and, until he commenced drinking, was one of our most thrifty mechanics. He ran through with all the accumulation of years, and but for the hand-work of his wife, his family would have suffered for bread.

“Mrs. F. felt that there was no safety for her husband without God would take from him his appetite for whiskey. She believed that God would do it, if she asked him. She prayed that God would take from him the desire for whiskey. At this time he had not taken any stimulant for a week. He would walk the floor of his shop in the greatest distress, and in going to and from his meals, he went through the alleys, in order to avoid the saloons, knowing, as he says, he could not resist the temptation.

“After about a week of such suffering, his desire for whiskey was taken away, and he says he has no more taste for it now than when he was a child. He is happy, cheerful, industrious, and says he will never drink any more.”

McCONNELSVILLE, OHIO.

Mrs. Eva R. Sprague writes of the work at this point:

We organized February 14th, 1874, under the name of McConnelsville Women’s Temperance League; officers: president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary.

The usual constitution, by-laws, and pledges were adopted, and one hundred and thirty signatures obtained.

We owed largely our success, under God, to our venerable president, Mother Paxton, who, although bending under the weight of years (she was at the time seventy-seven), was, nevertheless, prompt in attendance at each of our meetings, and in the street work, no matter how inclement the weather.

As a result of our efforts, with the blessing of God, every saloon in our town was closed. (There are now six saloons in the place against which we are battling.) Some of the persons who were then dealing out death to their fellow-creatures are now efficient members of Christ’s visible church. So manifest was the presence of the Holy Spirit in our meetings and work, that denominational lines seemed to have melted away, and a heavenly union “like to that above” prevailed.

A blessed revival of religion and an ingathering of members to the churches followed, as a matter of course. Our meetings were kept up for several months, and were seasons of great soul-enjoyment to those who attended, and the savor of their influence will, we hope, never be lost upon the members of the League, and the Christians of McConnelsville.

MARYSVILLE, OHIO.

On Wednesday evening, February 14th, 1874, an interesting mass-meeting was held in Union Hall; every available foot of room was packed. This meeting was the means of developing much temperance feeling, which rapidly grew; and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, devotional meetings were held at the Congregational Church.

Monday afternoon, thirty or forty ladies formed into line, and marched to the saloons. At the places where the saloons were closed against them, the devotional exercises were gone through with, on the pavement, in front of the saloon. Monday afternoon, Mother Stewart, of Springfield, paid us a visit. In the evening, she made a two hours’ address, at the Methodist Church, and was listened to by a crowded house. A subscription was started for the purpose of prosecuting all violations of the liquor laws. About six thousand dollars were subscribed. On the whole, the people were terribly in earnest.

While a committee of ladies was visiting the saloons, with the view of having an understanding with the keepers, concerning their continuing to sell liquor, a few young men, with more impudence than brains, entered the saloon and called for drinks.

At one of the evening meetings in the hall, the cry of _fire_ was raised; the audience became much alarmed, and made a rush for the door. It was soon discovered that a barn had been set on fire near the depot. It was supposed to have been set on fire for the purpose of breaking up the meeting. The same ruse was employed a second time during the meetings.

The druggists signed a pledge which they prepared for themselves. On a Saturday, a beautiful day, the ladies were out in full force; one hundred and seventy-two in all. Large numbers of persons were in from the country as silent spectators of the solemn scene. Many stout-hearted men were melted to tears, and all expressed themselves as singularly affected.

Not a word was spoken in derision of the movement, nor was there a smile to be seen on the countenance of any one. It was a wonderful work.

The last week in February, 1874, was the memorable week in the history of Marysville. It will be remembered as the week when every saloon in the place was closed.

Photographs, cabinet-size, of the ladies’ prayer-meeting in front of the “City Beer Saloon,” were taken, and became objects of historic interest.

Monday evening, March the 2d, our citizens, to the number of about three hundred, met at Mr. Peter Baugh’s residence, and took supper with him. Peter was among the first to yield to the wishes of the ladies. He sacrificed all his liquors, by spilling them out on the ground; then tore out his saloon-fixtures, cleaned up his room, and spread a table capable of seating eighty persons at a time.

It was a pleasant evening, in the way of genuine enjoyment. After supper, addresses were made by Mr. Stephenson, Mayor Kennedy, Rev. Mr. March, Dr. Hamilton, Mr. Piper, and Mrs. Woods. All rejoiced together that deliverance had come to those who were in bondage.

The supper given at Mr. Raugh’s proved a success. The sum given so cheerfully and liberally amounted to five hundred dollars. The kindly feeling which prevailed convinced all that it is better to be ruled by love than by law.

Reported by order of the committee. E. J. MARCH.

FINDLEY, OHIO.

Sarah A. Strothers, writing of the work in this place, says:

“In the month of February (about the 27th) the great wave of the temperance revival, now known as “The Crusade,” reached Findley, Hancock county, Ohio. A meeting was called to be held in the Presbyterian Church, where the wonderful events that had, and were transpiring, at Hillsboro’, and Washington Court-House, were talked over, until the people were enthused to such a degree, that, for the time being, all other things seemed void of interest.

The great incubus of intemperance that was crushing us socially, and as a nation, was about to be overthrown, by the great lever of faith--Faith in God. It was claimed that at this day He would hear and answer the supplications of His children, as He did in other years, when He brought them out of the land of bondage. The people assembled every day for two weeks. The church was crowded. All were anxious that the women should go out as their sisters were going in other places.

On the morning of the 14th of March, the work of organization commenced. A president and two vice-presidents, and other officers were chosen. One of the ministers present suggested that consecration was necessary before we could work effectively. All seemed to feel that this was indeed needed, and for two weeks longer we met daily in the church for prayer.

The interest increased. Crowds came from our county, and from towns and cities of the country adjacent to these meetings. The baptism of power came upon us. We then sent committees to the saloons, to ask the dealers to cease their work of death; and to say that if they did not abandon the traffic, prayer-meetings would be held in their places of business. There were thirty-two retail and one wholesale liquor store, in our village of four thousand inhabitants. Although evidently much disturbed, not one of them would promise to give up the traffic, claiming that there was too much money in it; that the government was kept up by the revenue derived from the traffic in intoxicants. To be told this by a foreigner was enough to make every American blush for his country.

When the committees returned, the church was filled with women bowed in prayer; and, as one expressed it, the very atmosphere seemed to be filled with the Spirit. They had been blessed as were the disciples of old, with a pentecostal baptism.

All denominational lines were gone, and they were as the Saviour prayed that his followers might be, one in Him. The leader of the band went to the front of the church to make the report. She said: “My sisters--We have met with a defeat equal to that of the army of the Potomac at Bull Run. Let us once more bow before God, and ask for direction and strength for the contest that is evidently before us.” We then signed the pledge to work until the victory was won, or till death should release us.

At the evening meeting, held in the court-house, many of the dealers were present, and so learned that on the morrow we would move upon their works, armed with the weapons of Christian warfare--Love and Faith, backed by the power of Almighty God.

At eight o’clock in the morning the church was filled with persons anxious to take part in the work, or to see what was going to be done. After devotional exercises, the men present pledged themselves to aid by their prayers, their means, and influence, until the work was accomplished. The leader now requested all who were willing, and felt moved by the Spirit to go out, to rise. Two hundred and twenty signified their willingness to go. We then had a few minutes’ silent prayer, after which we formed a procession. The leader then said: “My sisters, we are going forth in the strength, in the spirit of our Master, to follow Him in trying to save men, and it may be going even to death. Let us all feel that, following Christ, all will be well. Let us leave all in His hands--life, friends, reputation--all that is dear to us, in His hands.” Persons were stationed in the Protestant churches to ring the bells as soon as the M. E. Church bell would ring. As we walked two and two out of the church five bells commenced ringing. The streets were crowded with men and boys, all excited over the strange scene. It was, indeed, like a great funeral procession.

The first place we visited the proprietors had closed the doors and fled. We sang “All hail the power of Jesus’ name,” and offered two prayers. A man, in giving his experience afterwards, said that that prayer and hymn were the means of his conversion.

The third place we visited was kept by a wounded soldier. He had once known the Saviour. As we sang he wept, and knelt when we prayed. All the time we were out those who remained at the church were praying. At the close of each prayer, the bell would be rung, thus notifying us that they were holding us up by their faith.

The next place we visited was a billiard saloon. As we filed into the room the players were startled; they were not looking for us. One woman exclaimed: “Merciful heaven, this is the gilded hell that is destroying my sons!” The owner said: “We never sell anything that will intoxicate.” Another mother present answered: “I don’t see how that can be; my boys come in here sober, and I have to help them home--they are too drunk to take care of themselves.” He was now becoming angry, and a sister, standing with her hand on the billiard-table, said: “Let us pray.” She prayed that his little son might never have the temptations to evil that he was offering to her children; that the father might become a Christian ere his boy would know anything of his life. The pledge was then presented. He said he would not sign it till the Day of Judgment. He, however, came to the church in the morning, and not only signed the pledge but asked us to pour his liquor into the street. Oh! the crowds that came to witness the funeral of the vicious compound. We had a very joyous time; God was with us in great power. Several of the dealers gave up the business, and the five bells were rung, and great rejoicing was heard all over the town. At one saloon a sister was asked to lead in prayer; she was a shouting Methodist, and she rejoiced with a loud voice, to the astonishment of the beer vender.

At one place we were in the habit of singing “Come to Jesus,” and “Rock of ages.” An old German was much disturbed by this. “What did des Rock of ages mean?” he said. “He dakes mine shleep all de night. I durns over, I hear _Rock of ages_, and den I hears _Come to Jesus, all de time_; vat does it mean?”

A man, a German, was in his place one day; a boy, whose mother was a Crusader, was standing by the stove. He did not observe the boy, but said to the man, “Come now, haf a glass of peer, dem vemens will not drouble me any more already. I dalked so cross dey will not comes agin.” The beer was poured out, but just as the man was raising it to his mouth, “Rock of ages” sounded through the air, sung by a hundred voices. “Quick, shut the door! mine Got, dis dem vemens agin.”

Most of the places we visited we held our meeting inside, but the wholesale dealers would not suffer us to come inside. One or two would go in to talk with the proprietors. When the door was opened one morning, five or six slipped in and commenced praying. Oh! what a meeting we had--one good short inside meeting, and a large one outside. We then commenced picketing saloons; some rich scenes transpired in this work. After we had enough evidence accumulated (we had the McConnelsville ordinance) we concluded to try the law. We had an old German arrested and tried; _he was sentenced to fine and imprisonment_. The Germans banded together, and took him out of the prison, and there seemed no help but to submit to a lawless mob.”

What a confession! _A few German dealers defy public sentiment and override the decrees of the court_. And American men, who outnumber them _ten to one_, submit to this lawlessness and insult, and allow the triumph of vice over virtue; mob over the law.

JAMESTOWN, OHIO.

Reported by Mattie B. Long.

In the early part of February, 1874, the citizens of Jamestown, Ohio, met at Christian Church of that place; the object of the meeting being to organize a band to go in the streets, into saloons, or wherever a war might be waged against the liquor traffic. After prayer by one of the ministers present, and some remarks upon the necessity of the work now about to be engaged in, a league was promptly organized, with Mrs. Mattie B. Long as president, Mrs. Elizabeth Davis vice-president, and Mrs. H. R. Brown secretary.

A spirit of enthusiasm pervaded all classes. The pastors of the three churches entered heartily into the work, and were, as well as other Christian men, very valuable allies in the warfare. While the women went forth weeping, trembling, praying, these men remained in the church praying for their success in the work until they returned and reported.

A band of about fifty ladies went forth, visiting first the only drug store in the village, where they were kindly received. The president asked permission to have prayer, when an earnest, eloquent petition was offered by Mrs. Mary Perryman, the first prayer, perhaps, that had ever ascended to heaven from a place where ardent spirits were sold as a beverage in this town. This drug store and two saloons were the only places in the village where liquors were sold.

These places were visited daily for a week or more before either of the proprietors agreed to desist; one saloon-keeper finally yielded. Then the druggist, and then the other saloonist “unconditionally surrendered,” and gave permission for his premises to be searched. All his liquors were given to mother earth to drink. So that in the space of three weeks our village was for the time freed from the curse.

The experience of all engaged in the work was that, while laboring for the good of others, their own souls had been greatly blessed.

MOUNT VERNON, OHIO.

Mount Vernon, with a population of 6,000, had thirty-one saloons.

The Crusade work commenced the 16th of February; in the short space of twelve days of prayer and persuasion, twenty-three saloons closed their doors, and the saloonists agreed never to enter into the business again. The Catholic priest expressed his sympathy with the movement, and organized a society in his own communion.

Mrs. E. A. Wright wrote, April 2d, 1874: “Our success up to the present time has far exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine; out of twenty-two places where intoxicating drinks were publicly sold, only six remain, and those doing but little. A great change has been wrought in the outside element. If a popular vote had been taken the first day of the Crusade, whether we should retire from the streets, or continue with our prayers, we would have been obliged to disperse; to-day, thank God, so great is the change that nine-tenths of the people bid us God speed in our work, and would regard it as a public calamity, should we cease our efforts. Men who hitherto had been enslaved have, like true men, come up and with trembling hands signed the pledge, that they might be free, while their tear-dimmed eyes spoke the gratitude that welled up from their hearts.

Surely God is with us: he will not fail us, but his work, like a mighty wave, will continue to increase in volume and power until its boundaries shall only be determined where the love of mother, wife and sister cease to exist; where _such love dwells_, there shall the standard of temperance be uplifted; not only uplifted, but sustained. We may not live to see the glorious consummation of this work, but I believe in God’s own time this evil shall cease to be in our midst.

A very stringent ordinance passed by the city council has awakened terrible fears in the minds of those who still continue the traffic, ordinances covering so much ground, that they will be obliged to surrender, if not from principle, from loss of profit. The council stand nine to one (a saloonist) in favor of temperance.

Let us educate our daughters to fill up the ranks when we fall, looking always to God for support, going forth in His fear, with His love in our hearts, to do battle against this awful enemy of mankind, being determined that not until the last rum-hole is closed, will we rest.”

On the 21st of February, Mr. McFeely, who kept the finest restaurant and billiard hall in southern Ohio, made a full surrender. After rejoicing over this great victory, the women proceeded through the rain to the Commercial Hotel, where they found the white flag, the symbol of surrender, hanging out. After holy praise to God, Mr. McFeely and the proprietor of the Bergen House (which had surrendered a few days before) invited them to dinner, while the owner of one of the livery-stables sent hacks and omnibuses to convey them to their homes. This generous courtesy of those who had given up their business at the solicitation of the women was a token of the kindly feeling existing between the parties. After Mr. McFeely gave up the traffic, he had an elegant motto put up in his dining-hall, inscribed with the sentiment: “God bless our noble women.” A reporter shortly afterwards visited him, and gives the following interesting account of the interview:

“With some curiosity as to what the late liquor-sellers thought of the movement and its effects, I went to a billiard-room which, when I was here before, was the most popular drinking-place in town, being crowded every night with young men who rank high in Mount Vernon society. The proprietor, an Irishman, with the physique of a trained prize-fighter, had told me that ‘the thing would never work in Mount Vernon,’ and that ‘they’ (meaning the ladies) ‘had better not try it on.’ I now found him in a much more tranquil state of mind, as he stood dispensing lemonade and soda to old topers, who have now to be content with such mild substitutes for the old-fashioned toddies and punches. ‘How do you feel after your surrender?’ I asked. ‘Never better--never so well--in my life,’ was the prompt reply. ‘I don’t know anything about getting religion, but a fellow who has just been converted must feel something like I have felt for the last week. I actually enjoy going to church. Somehow or other everything looks brighter. The best day’s work I ever did was hanging out the white flag on my saloon.’ ‘But you will go into the old business again when this excitement dies out?’ ‘Not if I know myself. I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up if I did; I couldn’t look a lady straight in the face. No, sir, I don’t know what’s come over me, but whiskey-selling don’t appear to me now as it used to. Besides, everybody seems to look on me so different now. The very men that used to drink at my bar think more of me; and as to the ladies--why, sir, some of the best ladies in this town have been in my dining-room with their husbands to dinner since I closed out.’ I could hardly realize that I was talking to the man who a few days ago had, with angry tone and defiant eye, wished the ladies to ‘try it on,’ and who over this same counter tried to induce me to take something in the way of cold-weather alcoholic drinks.”

WARREN, OHIO.

A Woman’s Temperance organization was effected in Warren, February 28th, 1874.

We are indebted to a writer in the _Morning_, for the following facts connected with the work there:

At the beginning of the work, the following pledge was circulated:

“We, the women of Warren, pledge ourselves to use every effort in our power, (giving our presence, time, prayers and influence,) towards the suppression and total overthrow of the liquor traffic in our midst, and that we will never cease to labor and pray until the work is accomplished.”

This pledge was afterwards circulated throughout the city, and signed by 500 women.

Pledges for different classes of persons were prepared and extensively circulated. Our druggists were induced to sign the “Iron-Clad,” especially drawn for them. Prayer-meetings were held twice a day. March 10th, 1874.--A mass-meeting was held at the Disciples’ Church, conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Bolton, of Cleveland. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed at this meeting. After the church was filled, the crowd outside was so great, that an overflow meeting was held at the court-house. The speakers addressed both audiences. A citizens’ pledge was circulated and signed by hundreds. The influence of that meeting pervaded every portion of our city. Even the enemy could no longer be restrained, but came out boldly the next day in the form of two men mounted on a cask of beer, drawn by horses through our streets, drinking and dealing out liquor to all. The next day at the prayer-meetings all felt that _now_ was the time to begin our warfare on intemperance, and that the enemy must be met on his own ground. So the first band of women, numbering 170, armed with God’s own peculiar weapons, singing and prayer, went out from the Disciples’ Church on Wednesday afternoon, March 11th, 1874. We visited several saloons. At some places we were admitted, at others not. We went forth in bands day by day for weeks, into these places of sin and degradation, carrying the love of Jesus in our hearts, praying and urging those men to give up their unlawful business. Prayer-meetings were held daily the first six months; the next six, three times a week; the last year, and at the present time, once a week, on Thursday afternoons. Open air meetings have been held Sunday afternoons, whenever the weather would permit. On the 4th of April, 1874, a very large mass-meeting was held; the audience was addressed by four of our District Judges, Messrs. Freese, Conant, Canfield, and Glidden. April 6th, Election day, was a day of great interest; the McConnelsville Ordinance was voted upon, a prayer-meeting was held from seven o’clock in the morning until six in the evening, the ladies going to the polls in all the wards, and using their influence for the Ordinance in every possible way. It was carried by a small majority.

July 4th.--A temperance celebration was held and largely attended. July 14th.--A county convention was held in Warren, to inaugurate plans for canvassing the county in the interests of anti-License, preparatory to the election on the 18th of August. December 18th, 1874, the temperance women of Trumbull county met at Warren and organized a County League. This League meets quarterly and is in good working order, the interest growing deeper and broader until nearly every township in the county has organized a League. January 28th, 1875, a Soup House was established under the supervision of the ladies. April 5th, 1875, the young ladies of Warren organized a “Young Ladies’ Temperance League.” A Constitution and By-laws were drawn up and signed by eighty-five members. Through their efforts a Free Reading-Room has been established in a good location, attractive and comfortably furnished. It has a library of 200 volumes, magazines, periodicals, and a large number of daily and weekly papers. We feel that by these means many have been drawn away from saloons and other bad places. May 6th, 1875, the League made application to the editors of the _Western Reserve Chronicle_ for a space in their paper to be devoted to the interests of temperance, and to be edited by the League. The request was kindly granted, and a column has been filled from week to week with temperance matter.

September 25th, 1875, a Boys’ and Girls’ Temperance Society was organized, consisting of 175 members. The question would so often come up, “Am I doing all I can to save the boys, my own, my neighbors’ sons, those who in the years to come will be our glory, or our shame?”

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO.

When the Crusade commenced in Steubenville there were one hundred and twenty-five saloons and liquor stores. Twenty-five of these were closed by the Crusade. An ordinance, which became effective April, 1874, growing out of the Crusade, closed forty more.

The friends of temperance and good order were hopeful, and the prospects were bright. But in the midst of their work there was a “Personal Liberty” club formed, the object being to obtain the drink in defiance of law. This action gave the saloon-keepers new courage, and some of the saloons were reopened, and the traffic was carried on in defiance of law. This cry of “Personal Liberty,” has bewildered many. There is no such thing as personal liberty except among savages.

The reader will find this subject fully discussed in another chapter of this book.

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

We are indebted to Mary G. Moore for the following statement of work:

In the winter of 1873 and ’74 strange reports reached us, from central and southern Ohio, of how women, moved by a horror of the liquor trade, were organizing themselves into companies, and seeking the men engaged in liquor-selling at their places of business, and by prayer and entreaty trying to persuade them to quit it.

The first newspaper reports were read with a mixture of astonishment and incredulity. It could not be true. But they were soon verified. Then came speculations as to what kind of persons these women were. Fanatics surely, or women driven to desperation by drunkards. But no; the word came that they were generally persons of moderation and refinement, who were actuated by a single noble purpose to do something to stop drinking. Then the results were noted, and the progress of the work was watched with hourly increasing interest.

Pretty soon the question commenced to be whispered as it came eastward: What if it should come here? As if it were not here already, and all the time; the iniquity and wretchedness on the one hand, and sympathy and Christian zeal on the other, the latter only waiting to be kindled into a flame by a spark from that consecrated fire that lighted at first the Woman’s Crusade. Finally, one said to another, “Let us meet and pray;” and early in March, a Woman’s Temperance Prayer-Meeting was started, which has never been discontinued to the present. It was at first held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but for the sake of convenience, it was soon removed to the First Baptist Church. This was held daily in the morning hours, and daily increased in numbers, until hundreds came. Gradually it assumed the character of a conference meeting in connection with the more solemn service of prayer. Scores came to pray and hear the discussions, and commit themselves personally to temperance, who declared they never could and never would go into the streets to work. But many of these, in the after days, might be seen kneeling on the sidewalks in the immediate presence of the public; this only illustrates how we change our mind.

A Woman’s League was at once organized, with a membership of over four hundred, and by its influence, a League of the men was formed to co-operate with the former. A common inference from this action was that the women might pray, and the men would vote. The Woman’s League was based on the one condition, of taking a simple abstinence pledge from all intoxicants as a beverage.

The first public work, was the canvass of the town with the property-holders’ pledge. This was largely successful at the time, and it holds yet, the majority who signed it. The most flagrant violators of it, are, in some instances, conspicuous members of society here, and in other cities, holding property here. When a pledge was circulated among druggists and physicians, this carried to a considerable extent also; but what was said of the other pledge, may be repeated of this.

Prominent practitioners and dealers set the example of breaking over. Finally, after a fortnight of meetings, it was resolved to attack the enemy on his own ground. The forces were mustered, and, be it said to the credit of woman, very few desertions were recorded. A very small number made excuse “their husbands would not let them,” but as a rule the husbands and fathers and brothers, the men, nobly seconded the women. The meetings were presided over and the Crusade led by Mrs. Ashley, the wife of the Baptist minister, then of our city, a woman eminently qualified by nature and education for such an undertaking, for she had not only the courage and culture, but the Christian zeal that would prosecute such a work with steady enthusiasm after the effervescence of popular excitement had disappeared.

Day after day, and week after week, the women, in numbers ranging from fifty up into the hundreds, convened at the Baptist Church, where, after an hour spent in prayer and conference, they would form into companies of twenty, or thirty each, and taking different wards or streets, go from door to door of the saloons, and, where admittance was granted, by religious services and personal entreaty try to effect a change. Where they were not permitted to enter, services were held on the outside. This was quite common at first, but very few persisted in closing their doors to the end. And here the Crusaders counted a gain, for many had declared with blasphemous oaths that no meddlesome women should get into their establishments, who finally, with civility if not courtesy, invited them to enter. Places never before trodden by women, whose walls had echoed nothing but the language of bar-rooms for years, now resounded to the music of Gospel hymns, and Scripture lessons, and fervent prayers. Who shall say this was seed, that, though seemingly unproductive at the time, in the majority of cases may not yet bear fruit? And so the Crusade went on for about six weeks, and thirty-five saloons were closed--not particularly eventful from first to last. There was at once an absence of boisterous enthusiasm, and riotous opposition. Many of those who yielded, did it without ringing of bells and firing of guns, and those who held out, never countenanced the mob. Of course, the thirty-five that succumbed, were only a drop in the bucket to the number who kept on in the work. In a population of about twelve thousand, we had nearly four hundred saloons, and we probably have pretty nearly that number yet; but as one--not a pronounced temperance man by any means--remarked the other day, there is not the money in them that there used to be.

So, in estimating the Crusade, we should consider it as formative, and developing in its results, rather than defined and immediate, although whiskey neither surrendered of itself, nor was vanquished by legislation, yet drinking in saloons is much less popular and general than it used to be. Somehow, they say, since 1874, it has constantly been growing unfashionable. As for the men who closed out the business then, it is believed the major part have kept their promise. One of the men is on our police force, three are respectable temperance grocers, and others are doing honest labor in our mills and factories. Indeed, there are only two or three cases of returning to the business.

But, as the labor of the Crusade seemed about accomplished, or, at any rate, as if no more good could be done by visiting saloons, the ladies cast about them for something else: And here I might set down what we, in Youngstown, have ever regarded as one of the first and most beneficial fruits of the Crusade, namely, what it did for the women themselves. It quickened their energies; strengthened their courage; in short, educated them, and at the same time opened up a field and showed them the harvest.

We had long known the need of a free reading-room, and the ladies felt it pressing more and more, as the boys and young men, and many middle-aged men pledged themselves away from those haunts of amusement and temptation, which have cursed our town pre-eminently, in the last dozen years.

They resolved to open one, and run it for the benefit of those who would forego the dram shop for the daily newspapers, and fresh magazines, a bright fire, pictures, flowers, a standard cyclopedia for reference, etc. But in 1874, places were scarce, and rents high; so, after much discussion, they concluded to build.

This, for us, by the way, in a manufacturing town where iron is the staple, pushed sorely by the hard times, was no little undertaking. And then the burden was borne by a handful. The League, by no means as a body, indorsed the enterprise of a reading-room. Most of the members said, Wait; the times are too hard; money is scarce; wait, wait. But they did not wait.

A liberal gentleman offered them the ground-rent free for ten years of a most eligible location, upon which they immediately commenced the erection of a building, worth, at the lowest estimate, twenty-five hundred dollars. This is a two-story house, with a commodious room on the ground for a reading-room, and a business room adjoining; above, a large temperance hall, occupied by the Good Templars and other societies; and two other rooms adjoining, suitable for offices. This building in due time was finished, furnished, and dedicated, and has been run at an annual expense of about four hundred dollars.

So far it meets the demands made upon it, and seems to answer the purpose of its design. It was intended to be self-supporting, and will eventually be put on that basis.

Since its organization, our Temperance League has been the almoner generally, for the different charities of our town, and very liberally has it contributed in this way, its own resources. Establishing local prayer-meetings, visiting the poor and the sick, looking after those who do not attend church, and the children not in school, and not attending any Sabbath-school, is the work the League has been prosecuting all along.

A Juvenile Templars’ society was organized, and carried on for more than a year; but during an epidemic of the scarlet fever, it was discontinued, and has not been called since.

The Reformed Men’s movement was inaugurated here last winter by the Woman’s League, and was directed largely by their labor and zeal.

Thousands signed the pledge and tried to reform, and though many have broken it, many, very many more, are keeping it, and are better a thousand times for it. And so the work goes on, as the world goes on, little by little, not always bright, not always on the crest of the wave, but always _advancing_.

ALLIANCE, OHIO.

We heard reports of warfare waged by women against their common foe. The weapons of their warfare were _not_ carnal, but spiritual. There was no sound of cannons’ roar, or crash of musketry. No glittering swords or bayonets were gleaming in the sun that shone upon the rank and file of soldiery.

The sounds that came to us as we passed through towns, where the enemy’s forts were being stormed, were those of sweet _voices_ singing sacred songs, and breathing fervent prayers.

That new strange army’s only sword was the “sword of the Spirit,” and its only shield the “shield of Faith.” Its book of tactics was the Bible, and its General the Prince of Peace. Wonderful to every one, was the baptism of spiritual power that descended upon the Christian women in those days. And we lifted up our hearts in earnest consecration, and received the power and the commission for the work allotted us.

Alliance and Mount Union, distinct incorporations, yet one in situation (the latter being a college town in which no intoxicants were sold), united their temperance forces. And on the third of March was inaugurated among us the new Crusade, so different in every way from the Crusade of the olden times. Then Crusaders carried red crosses on their breasts, insignia of their purpose to possess the burial-place of Christ.

The Crusaders of the nineteenth century, equally loyal to the cross, labored not to find the place of the sepulchre; but realized that _Christ had risen_, and labored to lift up fallen ones for cleansing in the precious blood that was shed for all our sins.

A brother called our first meeting, but a sister presided; and in it one hundred and twenty-six women “volunteered for the holy war.” An organization was at once effected; the list of names increasing daily, until it numbered about five hundred, in a population of seven or eight thousand, with thirty-two places where liquor was sold in our borders.

Many of us had never engaged in any public work. Some had never even breathed a vocal prayer at their own family altars.

Realizing fully that only from Jehovah sufficient strength could come, we remembered the command of the Master to earlier disciples: “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” And we tarried long at the foot of the cross. Ten days we “waited on the Lord” to renew our strength. Earnestly we consecrated ourselves to the work of turning back the tides of iniquity that were sweeping our loved ones from our hearts and homes. When the command came to us, Go out and meet the foe, we _obeyed_, _silently_ marching _two and two_, in solemn procession, praying silently as we went that grace might be bestowed sufficient for that time of special need, and our mission of mercy be crowned with rich results.

While we went out upon the streets, our husbands and brothers remained in the hall to pray for our success, and at the close of every prayer the college-bell was tolled, and we knew another petition was registered in the courts of heaven in behalf of the cause we loved.

The pastors of nearly all our churches gave us sympathy and co-operation. Many of the business houses were closed during the morning prayer-meetings for a time.

We held mass-meetings nearly every evening for three months, which were very largely attended, and great enthusiasm prevailed. On Sabbath evenings, many of the churches held no regular service, but united in the temperance meetings, for several weeks.

When we visited saloons, some dealers received us very kindly, and others locked their doors against us, and then we held services on the sidewalks, kneeling on the cold stones, amid storms of rain, or snow, and later beneath a burning sun. Those meetings on the sidewalks were attended by crowds of rough men who would not enter the hallowed precincts of a church.

They came to mock at first, but often their jeers were merged into weeping, and they stood with uncovered heads, to hear us read from God’s own word, and their hearts were touched and tendered. Thus we were carrying the gospel to the masses, who would not come to hear it in the house of God. We cannot attempt, in the brief space allotted us, to give minute details of our three months’ campaign. Neither can we speak personally of the brave women who wrought so nobly. Some who faithfully performed the most arduous duties of the band held no offices. All cannot be spoken of. Therefore, knowing that consecrated women want the Lord to have all the glory of our successes, _we mention not a name_.

The press was favorable to our work; all our papers reporting it fairly, and advertising our meetings free of charge. Three local papers gave space for Temperance Departments, that were edited by members of our league. One paragraph so clearly shows the animus of all our editors that we quote it verbatim, from the “Alliance Local”--“It was a scene to make angels weep. Amid the blinding fury of a fierce March storm, out in the bitter cold, their fragile forms shivering and swaying before the biting blast, one hundred and fifteen of the noblest and most highly accomplished ladies of our city, kneeling with tearful eyes and pleading tones, before the door of a drinking-saloon, beseeching the saloonist to cease the disreputable business.

“In contrast, there stands the proprietor barring their entrance to his comfortable room. With scornful sneers he listens to their touching plea, and with obdurate shake of the head refuses their earnest prayer. The cold and storm are too severe for him to stand and listen to their arguments, and the door is rudely closed in their faces, and they left, kneeling upon the icy pavement, to plead in loving words that God might soften his hardened heart.

“The voice of prayer ceases, and the sweet tones of a woman’s voice, singing ‘Nearer my God to Thee,’ rises upon the air, and swelled by the united voices of the entire company, is carried away upon the wintry blast. And then those loving hearts, not discouraged by their ungracious reception, retraced their steps, singing beautiful hymns, with hearts full of prayer to the God who has commissioned them to go forth in this labor of love. This scene was witnessed in our streets on Thursday last, and wrung tears from the eyes of men who were never known to weep.” The owner of the opera house gave us the use of a large room in that building for our head-quarters, for one year, free of rent, which was thankfully accepted and the room formally dedicated to temperance.

As time passed on many methods were tested. At first after the prayer-meetings (which always preceded street service), we would form one large band (sometimes numbering over two hundred), and visit saloons _en masse_. Again several different bands were formed, and various saloons visited simultaneously.

Sometimes committees of ladies, in pairs or trios, visited saloons for personal conversation with dealers.

After a few visitations some of the saloonists surrendered, hanging out a white flag, with “Unconditional Surrender” printed on it. Then we would go in a band and sing “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,” at the closed saloon. Sometimes the men would come to our mass-meetings, and sign the pledge prepared for dealers, and thus publicly thank the ladies for having come to them and shown them the exceeding sinfulness of _Sin_.

These successes greatly comforted us, and we took fresh courage and went bravely forward, though often much wearied and worn. One day several saloonists told us that, if a majority of our citizens were opposed to their traffic, and would make it known, they would cease to sell the odious liquors. Acting on their suggestion, we wrote a petition--a kindly, earnest “Appeal to Saloonists”--setting forth some of the evil effects of their business in our community, and asking them, on behalf of our common good, to cease to sell intoxicants. We then appointed committees of women, who spent days in visiting families and shops, and a very large number of signatures were obtained, covering _two-thirds of the voters_ of our city, besides women and minors.

One evening we invited all the dealers to come to our head-quarters. Many of them came, and we reminded them of their promises, and presented our petitions. They examined the names, and seemed much agitated, but, with utter disregard for their word of honor, declined to fulfil their promises. Then we knew how false were those with whom we had to do. Prayers and pleadings having failed to accomplish our object with them, we felt that they were _below_ the reach of _moral suasion_, and must have some _legal suasion_.

As the voices of so large a majority of our citizens had been disregarded, in the petitions, we felt that it was time for the majority to assert their authority over the obdurate few, through the majesty of the law. The gentlemen formed a separate organization, and subscribed funds for prosecutions. Crusaders were provided with blank books, one for every dealer, with his name upon it. Armed with those books and pencils, we went by twos, and taking chairs from some convenient friend, we would sit near saloons, and note down the violations of State, or municipal laws, which we witnessed. Sometimes the sale of liquor to minors, again the sale to a man already intoxicated, etc.; and thus, by hours of wearisome watching, much evidence was gathered.

An “officer of the day” would be stationed at head-quarters--keeping the record of picket work and assigning places. The pickets would go out quite early in the morning, and continue sometimes until ten o’clock P. M., or even later; one set of pickets remaining on duty from one to three hours, then being relieved by reserve guards. Valid testimony was obtained and placed in the hands of proper authorities, and the temperance brothers conducted the prosecutions.

They met many failures and some successes. One man convicted under the State law was kept in court during the trial, and while the judge was preparing to read the sentence, he escaped from his guards, and left the county. After some weeks he returned and was rearrested, and sentenced to thirty days’ imprisonment on bread and water, and as large a fine as the law allowed.

Some of our workers had intemperate husbands; these prosecuted saloonists under the Adair law, and some of them obtained judgment against them, and received damages. Thus the liquor business became _unprofitable_, and public sentiment was being rapidly raised to a temperance standard. The McConnelsville ordinance was passed by our city council, but prosecutions were not conducted under its provisions so successfully here as they were in some other places.

The Constitutional Convention of our State had offered to the people a new constitution, with a license clause, and they were allowed to vote “License, or No License,” according to their own convictions of right. The temperance people called conventions, sent an organizer into the field, and the entire State was organized against license: not, of course, including _all the people_, but some citizens of each county.

In _our_ county anti-license meetings were held in almost every church and school-house, and speakers were found not only among the brothers, but also among the sisters, who for the first time in their lives dared to lift up their voices in the congregations of the people, in earnest, eloquent appeals to those who represent us at the polls, not to legalize, by their sacred right of franchise, the curse we were laboring so earnestly to drive from our beloved State. Much previously unknown and undeveloped talent was thus brought into active service, and the defeat of the License Constitution in Ohio, by a large majority, was one of the grand results of the Woman’s Crusade.

During the vigorous work of that campaign, we also continued our meetings at head-quarters, and saloon visitation, a part of the time. We held many open air meetings, in groves, on the public square, and on the platform at the Union depot.

Later a juvenile temple was formed, which held weekly meetings, and soon had two hundred members. Another was organized in Mount Union, and the two held occasional union meetings, and public concerts and literary entertainments, and the hearts of many parents were reached through their children, that had remained indifferent to all the wonderful experiences of the Crusade.

To recapitulate: When we ceased to visit saloons, seventeen men and women, who had been selling liquor when we commenced our work, were engaged in more honorable employments.