Chapter III: Crusade in Larger Towns (4)

We had three saloons and two drug stores--one of the drug stores was as bad as any of the saloons, and we thought worse, for there our best young men went to drink, when they would not have been seen at a saloon. One of the druggists signed the pledge, but one would not, notwithstanding we prayed and plead earnestly with him. He had a suit pending in the Supreme Court at that time, and he was very much embittered against us. A lady of our town had sued him for selling liquor to her husband, and had gained it in the county court; but he had appealed it to a higher court, so we did not expect him to give up very soon, but we made him a special object of prayer; he was not an ignorant foreigner, but a native of this place, and had been taught better things, and knew the power of prayer, and knew too, that we were praying earnestly for him, that his wicked business might be stopped. We think he wanted to be clear of the whiskey, but he didn’t want to lose a dollar, so he sold it all in a lump; and for a short time we were clear of the traffic.

But as the whiskey men found their cause was in great danger, they put forward a man and sustained him. We made a powerful effort to stop him, got out a petition and tried to get all we could to sign it, but some we had depended on as being firm friends of temperance, failed us, said there was no use trying: if the people couldn’t get whiskey here they would go to “Xenia” to get it.

Notwithstanding all our efforts, the saloon was opened, and in a short time another one. Then we were in great trouble, but concluded we had better hold prayer-meetings again at the saloons. Some thought the time was past for that, but a few of us felt we _must_ pray for their removal, and it was not long until one of these men took fits: he was taken sick about four o’clock in the afternoon, and died at two o’clock that night. In our meeting that day we had prayed especially for him. As we watched these saloons every evening from dusk of evening until about ten o’clock, (that being the time when most of the drinking was done,) and prayed they might be removed, it did seem as though the Lord answered our prayer in a marvellous manner. Nor was this all: just about that time the other saloonist had some sort of a strange spell which was pronounced fits; he took them just when the women were praying for him, he got frightened, closed his saloon, and went into the grocery business. He thought that would save him, but he still has fits. In answer to our prayers both saloons were closed.

We still have our prayer-meetings; they have been kept up regularly ever since the Crusade. We still have one saloon, but there is not one-third the quantity of whiskey sold now. Many have reformed; it has become unpopular to be seen going to a saloon, and none will go, except those who care nothing for their reputation.

We see great results from our temperance work here, but still we expect to work on, while there is a saloon in operation.

We have a temperance fund; some have subscribed as much as $500: I think over twenty have subscribed that much. There is about $38,000 in the bank; ten per cent. of that money can be drawn to defray any expense the association may have in law suits, etc.; the men have a business committee to look up cases for prosecution, and to watch the saloons to see whether they sell according to law. Thus it will be noticed we have public sentiment in our favor.

I am indebted to Mrs. R. O. Stewart for the facts in this account.

MARIETTA, OHIO.

I am indebted to Mrs. J. M. Eells for the following account of the work in Marietta: It has been my privilege to be engaged in the cause of temperance for many years, but never have I seen the power of God so manifested as in the Crusade, and the recent reform movement. Previous to the work here in Marietta, many groaned under the heavy burden of the sin of intemperance. Feeling that something must be done, and that prayer would avail, yet we did not lay hold on the means of grace as we should have done until stimulated by the persevering efforts of our sisters in Washington and Hillsboro’.

Thanks be to our Heavenly Father for the great good that has been accomplished by our feeble efforts. When our work commenced, if I am rightly informed, the number of saloons amounted to about sixty in this place and vicinity--kept mostly by Germans. Our sympathy embraced all classes of drinking men; but our efforts were more closely drawn to the saloonist for a time.

With prayers, tears, songs, and entreaties we went from the house of God to the doors of the saloons, and we trust to the hearts of the saloonists, though few surrendered, until affliction laid them low: six have gone to their final account.

There is one remarkable incident connected with our work. A young man, of upright character in society, was engaged in dealing out to others _that_ which he would not drink himself, though from childhood he had been employed in a saloon. During all this time he was never known to touch a drop of intoxicating drinks. The ladies labored with him, endeavoring to show the inconsistency of such a course, pressing the question: “Are you doing by others as you would that others should do to you?”

The answer would invariably be: “This is my way of getting a living. People will drink. I might as well sell it as any one else. I know what I am about. I read my Bible--attend church with a hope of heaven.”

We left, saying we feared he was deceiving himself. He kept on and on until, in the stillness of night, his house was wrapt in flames. We thought he had lost his all, but a few days later we were invited to call at his new establishment, fitted up in fascinating style, to allure the weak. At this crisis he was attacked with a disease which, in a few days, numbered him with the dead. In his ravings he was heard to cry, “_I cannot, I will not die._”

Our encouragement in laboring with drinking men has been great, especially when we hear them in our gospel meetings testifying to the goodness of God in reclaiming them from a life of sin, and taking away their appetite for strong drink.

Through the efforts of the ladies, and the recent Reform movement, many, very many families have been made happy and provided for well, by the reclaiming of a father, husband, son, and brother. Yes! we have seen the tattered, reeling, profane man clothed and in his right mind; also the weeping mother and half-starved children with their tears wiped away, and fed and clothed; and the rough, defiant saloonist bathed in tears.

Something like two thousand signed the pledge during these movements.

Words of cheer often come to us in these late days, from one and another who were blest during the Crusade. One man said he wished the ladies had thought of the poor drunkard long before; it would have saved _him_ ten years of wretchedness. He never met with anything that went to his heart as their appeals did.

We are encouraged more, by seeing in our walks, places where a bar had been kept changed to a neatly furnished sitting-room. We like to enter and converse with the occupants. They always invite us to call again, saying, “Doesn’t this room look better than when the bar was in it?”

Our work is still going on, under the influence of the Good Templars, gospel meetings, and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. The work has gone on here very much as in other places.

We still hold it to be God’s work, and pray that He will bless all efforts put forth by His people for the overthrow of the monster vice, Intemperance.

XENIA, OHIO.

This city, beautiful for situation, is the pride of southern Ohio, and contains a population of about ten thousand inhabitants. At the commencement of the Crusade there were one hundred and twenty places where liquor was sold--one saloon to eighty-three inhabitants.

Dr. Dio Lewis assisted in organizing the movement in this city. Temperance soon became the all-absorbing topic of conversation among all classes. The women organized under the leadership of Mrs. Colonel Lowe. The women of wealth and culture came at once to the front, to take their share of the burden of the work. Denominational lines were broken down, and women accustomed to psalm-singing joined heartily in gospel songs.

One of the worst saloons in the place was the “Shades of Death,” kept by a young man named Phillips, who kept a liquor shop and gambling den of the worst character, although he had been well brought up.

A special correspondent of the _Cincinnati Gazette_ gives us the following graphic account of the work at this saloon:

“XENIA, OHIO, February 13th.

“At the close of my letter yesterday the women held the ‘Shades of Death’ in close investment. It was agreed by the ladies to adjourn for dinner, and so I announced; but there was no adjournment. The determined women could not find it in their hearts to leave, and they did not until near five o’clock. Such as found it necessary to go home to their families did so, but were early back to the place of prayer.

“This saloon is a brick house on the corner of Whiteman and Second streets, having one door on each. Under the back room there is a deep cellar, where much of the gambling is carried on, quite out of sight. At first the women held their station on the two sidewalks, but at length discovered a third door in the rear, through which some of those caught in the saloon had already made good their escape. This outlet was quickly occupied by the women, and so the place was surrounded. The keeper, Phillips, was not prepared for this, and came to the door and remonstrated vigorously; but the response came in spiritual song:

“‘A charge to keep I have.’

“In vain Stephen assured the women that their praying would do no good. They only sang the more fervently,

“‘To patient faith the prize is sure.’

“A fiddle was played inside, and some dancing attempted, but this did not last long. Through a broken window the services outside were distinctly heard inside. The proprietor sent for a glazier, and had the missing glass replaced. The faces of bloated white and colored men appeared at the windows side by side.

“The representatives of six wholesale liquor-houses were here yesterday, offering the saloonists all the liquors they can make use of, while the campaign lasts, free of charge.

“One of these gentlemen was in the ‘Shades of Death’ when it was invested. About two o’clock he came to the front door to tell the women that they were helpless, and could do nothing; that they did not know where their own sons and husbands might be at that moment. His own wife had no idea he went to such places. An estimable woman of God began to pray for him, and, as he retreated through the door, they followed him in. Phillips came out about three o’clock, accompanied by his brother, to draw the crowd away. A part followed him across the street, but the siege was not lifted.”

* * * * *

“XENIA, OHIO, February 19th, 1874.

“Just as I sealed my letter, I heard a great shout in the street, and soon after all the church-bells in the city commenced ringing. At the same time there arose a prolonged cheering from the Grangers’ Convention, just across the street from the hotel, and it was evident that something unusual had happened. Going on the street for the news, I saw crowds of people thronging towards Whiteman street, and heard on every hand in joyful accent, ‘The “Shades of Death” has unconditionally surrendered.’ The good news, as the temperance people considered it, proved true, and I found Whiteman street thronged with people. At a little before three o’clock, as it appeared from the general account, Mr. Steve Phillips, proprietor of the ‘Shades of Death,’ invited the ladies to enter, and announced that he gave up everything to them, and would never sell anything intoxicating in Xenia again. Then the ladies, joined by the spectators, sang,

“‘Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,’

while the liquors were rolled into the street. A half-barrel of blackberry brandy, the same of highwines, a few kegs of beer, and some bottles of ale and whiskey, were soon emptied into the street, amid the shouts of an enthusiastic multitude. The leading lady then announced that if Mr. Phillips went into any other business in Xenia, they should feel it a duty to support him. A despatch was sent to the Grangers, eliciting three cheers, and all the bells were set ringing in honor of the first great victory. When I arrived, the liquor had mostly collected in one depression in the street, and such a stench went up--‘a rank offence, that smelt to heaven’--as made me think it a very fortunate thing for somebody’s insides that the liquor had been poured out. Of the women around, some were crying, some laughing, a few alternately singing and returning thanks. One elderly lady in the edge of the crowd was almost in hysterics, but still shouting in a hoarse whisper such as one often hears at camp-meeting: ‘Bless the Lord! O-o-o, bless the Lord!’ She had the appearance of a lady in good circumstances, and a citizen informed me that she is ordinarily one of the quietest, most placid of women. One of her sons died of intemperance, and another is much addicted to liquor. On every side nothing was witnessed but smiles, laughter, tears, prayers, hand-shaking, and congratulations.”

* * * * *

Phillips opened a meat-market at his old stand, and was most liberally patronized.

The good work went on. At the close of the second week, twenty-five out of the forty-seven saloons were closed, some permanently, others during the war. The street prayer-meetings were kept up without intermission for over a month, when the ladies decided to try the picket work, which proved quite effectual.

But at the municipal election, the whiskey party was triumphant; not because there was a lack of temperance sentiment, but for lack of unity, and earnest effort on the part of moral and temperance men.

The liquor element became defiant and insulting. While Mrs. Monroe’s band was at Hollencamp’s brewery, a man came out with a mug of beer in his hands, and stopping a woman in the midst of her prayer, offered her a drink; holding out the foaming beer, he told her it was Jesus.

One day, while the ladies were holding services, Bloom, Altschul, and other liquor-dealers, with their degraded customers, surrounded them, and the interruptions became so boisterous and threatening, that Mayor Keever and Marshal Riley interfered for the protection of the ladies.

Notwithstanding all these discouragements, the ladies continued their work, _and will continue till a complete victory is won_.

WAYNESVILLE, OHIO.

“Waynesville is a quiet village in Warren county, of strong Quaker proclivities. It is situated on a gentle slope which descends to the little Miami river. Across the stream is the little village of Corwin, named after the illustrious governor and statesman of Ohio. Together these two towns boast that they have a population of twelve or fifteen hundred. The groups of white houses form a very quiet, pretty picture.”

The women of this quiet little village commenced public work January 17th, and maintained one of the most protracted and determined campaigns of the Crusade. There were three saloons in the two towns: two in Waynesville, and one in Corwin.

The first real work of the Crusade was the circulation of a petition, which was largely signed, and sent to the town council, asking them to prohibit the sale of ale and beer. The desired ordinance was passed. In the meantime the ladies held prayer-meetings, and prepared for street work, if that should be necessary. A report having obtained that the women intended to commence crusading on Saturday, Timothy Liddy printed and circulated the following notice, which I give _verbatim et literatim_.

“NOTICE.--As it has come to my hearing that there is a rumor in
circulation that some of the ladies in and about Waynesville, O.,
are about to visit my grocery on Saturday, the 17th inst., for
the purpose of holding a prayer-meeting, I advise all the ladies
concerned in the movement to keep clear of my grocery, and keep
within the bounds of the law, as my grocery is not a place of worship.

“TIMOTHY LIDDY.

“WAYNESVILLE, O., Jan. 16th, 1874.”

The women accepted it as a challenge, and marched at once to Mr. Liddy’s saloon for a prayer-meeting. Mr. Liddy was very obstinate, and his wife maintained a threatening attitude.

“I’ll scald yez! I’ll scald yez!” she cried. But the women had enlisted for the war, and were not deterred by her threats. The other saloon in Waynesville was kept by William F. Raper; the saloons were on diagonally opposite corners, which was a great convenience to the ladies, as with their large band they could keep up a continual prayer-meeting in both saloons. Mr. Liddy declared that “These wimmen are worse than haythens.” Both saloon-keepers closed their doors against the women, and on the 7th of February, with the ground covered four inches deep with snow and the snow still falling, they sang and prayed again and again in front of Raper’s saloon, and some of them afterwards declared that it was a most delightful meeting.

As the weather continued inclement, a few of the ladies took shelter in covered carriages drawn up in front of the saloons for their use, while on picket duty; a vacant room on the third corner was fitted up for the use of the band, so the siege went on with a degree of comfort. Books were kept in which the name of every man entering either saloon was registered; the result was a large falling off in the patronage.

The house occupied by Liddy was finally bought over his head, and he was forced to close, and Raper soon afterwards surrendered. He wrote Miss Esther Pugh the following letter:

“MISS PUGH:--I have thought the matter over, and have come to the
conclusion to let the ladies empty the ale.

“WILLIAM F. RAPER.”

There was great rejoicing, and immense enthusiasm, and in response to the letter, the ladies marched through a pouring rain to the saloon. Mr. Raper very graciously assisted the women in rolling out his liquors on the pavement. But the enthusiasm of the women was so great, that they didn’t wait for assistance, but seized the kegs of ale in the cellar, and by almost superhuman effort carried them up the steep cellar-stairs into the street; and their contents were soon poured upon the ground.

The whole force was now concentrated upon Tom Franey’s saloon, at Corwin. Tom was noted for his politeness. The ladies who came to pray in his saloon were treated with great consideration, and when the prayer-meeting was over, and he had shaken hands all around, an omnibus was at the door to carry the ladies back to Waynesville. The ladies were not turned from their purpose by his blandishments, but continued their work till it began seriously to interfere with his business. His saloon was the only one now in the centre of a large district, dotted over with villages. But the country people ceased to come with their jugs and bottles, and the polite Franey became ungracious, and went so far as to threaten to sue the Society for damaging his business. After securing legal advice, he changed his mind, and closed his doors against the Crusaders; but they sang and prayed beside his door until he, too, surrendered unconditionally.

The officers of the League which did such valiant work were: President, Esther Pugh; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Devitt, Mrs. Rebecca Randall, Mrs. Levi Cook, Mrs. Kate Allen; Secretary, Miss Annie Fisher. Among the workers were, Miss Phebe Bailey, Mrs. John Fetter, Miss Addie Keys, Miss Eliza Bunting, Mrs. Israel Wright, Rachel Hopkins, Mrs. Dr. Way, Eliza Nedry, Jane Jones, and others. It was the habit of these ladies, when visiting a saloon, to fall at once upon their knees, and remain kneeling most of the time during their stay. The company was made up of all denominations, members of the Society of Friends pre-dominating, Orthodox and Hicksites commingling, and all sang together gospel songs. Their meetings were characterized by deep religious feeling, and were intensely solemn. The siege, that resulted in closing all the saloons in these two villages, was protracted _forty-nine days_.

NEW CONCORD, OHIO.

We are indebted to Mrs. E. J. Oxley for the facts in this report.

The Christian Women’s Temperance Union of New Concord, Ohio, was organized March 18th, 1874, at a meeting held in the Presbyterian Church. Prior to this time, a few of the Christian women of the village had met several times in the capacity of a temperance prayer-meeting.

A temperance mass-meeting was held in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, on the evening of the 27th. Two of the ministers were staunch temperance men who had nobly battled against intemperance for many years. These men, hand in hand, and shoulder to shoulder, did much to assist the women, who pledged themselves to labor for life against intemperance, and adopted as their watchword, “eternal vigilance and perseverance.”

These meetings were well attended, partly because the people were becoming excited on the temperance question, and partly because it was the “Woman’s movement.”

The novelty of women holding public meetings, perhaps, drew out some who would not otherwise have attended a temperance meeting.

In the latter part of May, committees were appointed to canvass the town with copies of the _pledge_, in order to obtain all the signatures that could be secured, and leave all without an excuse. The canvassers met with unexpected success. In a short time our pledge-book contained 277 signatures to the citizens’ pledge, and 60 to the “Band of Promise” pledge.

A “Band of Promise” was organized May 5th, 1874. Its pledge prohibited the use of intoxicating liquors of any kind as a beverage, the use of tobacco in any form, and also stipulated that the subscribers would refrain from the use of profane language.

Some of the parents who were quite willing to have their children become members of the Band of Promise, objected to their signing the pledge, because they said _they_ could not keep it, but it was not long before the children were allowed to sign it. This Band proved a great benefit, not only to the children themselves, who were receiving a course of thorough temperance training, but also to their parents, many of whom could not have been induced to attend any of the other temperance meetings, but were eager to attend the children’s mass-meetings, to hear their own dear little boys and girls sing or speak their particular pieces: proving that this is the _great field_ for temperance workers: the field where the seed now sown will, at some not far distant day, yield “an hundred-fold.”

The entertainments by the Band of Promise were by far the most Interesting temperance meetings held in the place; their music was sweeter and more attractive than any other, and their performances were more highly appreciated than the most eloquent speakers who could be brought forward, simply because the people were generally interested in children. They are the hope of both church and state.

Although there was no saloon in our village, there was one just a little out of town, in one of the best places for that business that could well be found--outside of the corporation, out of view from town, and accessible by four different ways. This was kept by Wm. Wylie, who claimed to be selling according to law, and could not be gotten rid of until the summer of 1875, when at last he grew tired of the frequent visits of the “preachers and temperance women,” and closed out.

Prayer-meetings and temperance visitors had made his _trade dull_, so he concluded to give up the business and try to earn an honest living by the “sweat of his brow.”

The last visit, and perhaps the one productive of most good, was made about the last of July, 1875, when a procession of fourteen or fifteen women, accompanied by five men, three of them ministers--Revs. M’Arthur, M’Clurkin, and Murch--marched out one afternoon. On arriving there they found the house closed, as if there was no one at home; but they soon had evidence that the family were there, and proceeded to hold a prayer-meeting in front of the saloon. After a while Mr. Wylie came out, and they had an opportunity of talking with both him and his partner. He threatened prosecution, and _did_ come to town to try to get _law_. Soon after this he quit selling liquor, and has since signed the pledge.

The only street or outdoor work this League ever had to do was on the 23d of May, 1874. This was Saturday, the day of an “animal and circus show.” It was also a communion season with the people of the Reformed Presbyterian congregation.

Early in the morning some of the League received information that a man from a neighboring village had brought a wagon-load of liquors, and was prepared to sell near the show grounds. He had selected a very good place for his business, a short distance out of the corporation, by the roadside, and was doubtlessly anticipating a _fine day’s work_; but before he had time to make many sales the temperance women were on the grounds, too, to _watch_, and to see, at least, that he did not sell to any of their friends, or any others, if they could prevent.

This little band of eight or ten women, led by Mrs. Murch, first vice-president, and accompanied by perhaps half a dozen of the _good_ old temperance men, as a kind of _escort_, at first tried to persuade Mr. Davis to go away, but they could neither induce him to sign the pledge, sell out to them, nor accept any proposition which they could make. He seemed invincible, determined to _sell_, “according to law,” as he said. Soon a large crowd of men, women, and children had gathered to see what this little handful of temperance women would or could do with a man who seemed to defy both them and “_their law_.”

Other women continued to come, until by afternoon the few who had gone out in the morning were pretty strongly reinforced, and as the day wore on Mr. Davis learned that temperance women and those restrained by their presence, were not very good customers.

But not until late in the afternoon did he show any signs of retreat. The law protecting persons holding religious services being found, was read to him by Mrs. Murch; he being within the limits prescribed by that ordinance, as the Reformed Presbyterian people were holding religious services in their church. Soon after the law was read to him, he began very reluctantly to pack up his kegs, boxes, and other saloon arrangements, and turned his face homeward, followed by a large and promiscuous crowd, some of whom followed him entirely out of town.

The shades of evening fell upon a quiet and peaceful village, and many hearts rejoiced that there had not been one intoxicated man in town that day.

This day’s labors strengthened the temperance women, and brought them into favor with some who had before thought they were transcending woman’s proper sphere. During the summer of 1874 frequent public mass-meetings were held, at which the question of “License or No license” was freely discussed, there being one article in the new Constitution which was to be submitted to the vote of the people of Ohio on the 18th of August. _Union_ temperance prayer-meetings were held almost every week in some one of the four churches, through this summer, fall and winter.

These meetings were called union meetings, because the different pastors had been invited to conduct them, and a general invitation was extended. These soon became very interesting, large numbers attending. On the 18th of August, an all-day prayer-meeting was held, the object of which was to plead that God would guide the voters throughout the State, to cast their ballots in favor of “_No license_.” Their prayers were heard--the decision was, NO LICENSE.

A most interesting entertainment by the Band of Promise was given October 26th, in College Hall, about sixty girls and boys taking part. In this meeting there were some from almost every family in town. This entertainment consisted of music, temperance songs, declamations and select essays. They were highly appreciated, some of which would have done credit to much older boys and girls. The children were not only benefited, but highly delighted, so much so that in a few weeks there were many anxious “little folks,” inquiring of the committee of arrangements, who had drilled the class, when there would be another children’s mass-meeting.

This was the _first_ of these “Temperance Exhibitions,” but not the _last_. They were held as often as once in three months, and sometimes oftener.

In January and February, 1875, petitions to Congress and the Legislature, asking for temperance legislation, and also petitions to the Centennial Commission, asking that no brewery or distillery be allowed on the Centennial grounds, and that the gates be closed on the Sabbath, were circulated with unexpected success.

Again, in January, 1877, petitions to Congress and the Legislature, asking for prohibitory laws, were again circulated with still better success, this time securing, in the village and country neighborhoods around, 868 signatures to one petition, and 800 to the other. The winter before, only about 300 names were obtained.

The W. C. T. U. still hold weekly prayer-meetings, but with much depleted numbers. Instead of forty and more members, as at first, there are but ten or twelve of the Crusade members, and a few others. Many do not think it is necessary to keep up a temperance organization when there is no public work to do.

RAVENNA, OHIO.

An organization was formed in Ravenna, March 12th, 1874. It was called the Woman’s Temperance League, Mrs. M. A. Woodbridge, President, Mrs. R. B. Witter, Secretary. The features of the work were similar to those throughout the State. Daily prayer-meetings were held, from which bands of women went forth in the name of the Lord to visit saloons, a portion of the League remaining in supplication at the church until their return, much good resulting therefrom. These meetings were held continuously for many weeks, with frequent mass-meetings in the evening.

After the close of the Crusade, the meetings were held regularly, with more or less frequency, as circumstances required, until early last year, when the League was suspended, and the commencement of the present year a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was formed, auxiliary to the State Union. Most excellent temperance work has been done in the town and county, for which we give God the glory.

MARION, OHIO.

“For weeks before we took any forward step in the temperance work in our own place, our hearts had been fired by reading of what had been done in other places. Hillsboro’ and Washington Court-House seemed the scenes of miracles. Other towns and villages fell into line. But we halted. Could we do anything?”

At last an informal meeting was held on February 23d. It was resolved to circulate two petitions, one to our State Legislature, asking that “no change be made in the famous Adair Liquor Law,” and one to the Constitutional Convention, praying that our legislative bodies have the right reserved to them of enacting prohibitory laws with regard to the sale and manufacture of all alcoholic liquors. Twelve hundred and twenty-five signatures were obtained to the first of these petitions, and twelve hundred and fifty-five to the second.

A large and enthusiastic mass-meeting was held on Sabbath, P. M., and on Monday, March 2d, a business meeting. Most of the places of business were closed, and the largest audience-room in the place was packed almost to suffocation. One hundred and eighty-five women pledged themselves to co-operate in the “Women’s Temperance Movement,” until the sale of intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, was abolished. One hundred and sixty men pledged themselves to sustain the women in their work. It was decided to hold a daily prayer-meeting “during the war.”

“March 6th, Mother Stewart was with us. The following note of the day is in the words of our Secretary at that time:

“Although the day was exceedingly inclement, we decided the trial-moment had come, and we marched upon the street with Mother Stewart at our front. We went with trembling, but God’s grace, which never faileth in the hour of need, strengthened us by the way, and as we knelt upon the muddy pavement, we felt God’s Spirit overshadowing and leading us. Four saloons were visited, but the doors were barred against our entrance. We prayed that the Spirit which can work, and no man hinder, might enter there.

“At a mass-meeting on the evening of March 9th, we were cheered by our first unconditional surrender. A stock guarantee fund of forty thousand ($40,000) dollars, afterwards increased to fifty thousand, was also raised at this time. The object of this fund was, so it was stated, was to prosecute liquor-dealers, and it could only be used for prosecutions, and for defending the women in prosecutions, should any arise; and great as has been our need of funds at different times, not a cent of it has ever passed into our hands.

“As the days and weeks passed by we received other promises from liquor-dealers to stop selling. Six ceased entirely, though some of them have since resumed the traffic. New ones have started up within the past two years, so that we are often met with the taunting question, ‘What good did your Crusade do? The town is worse off than it was before.’ But looking back, we can see good that has been accomplished. Daily the bands visited the saloons, and the voice of prayer and praise was heard from such unaccustomed places, for a brief while each day, though often the sounds of cursing and revelry mingled with the prayers. One such scene the writer remembers distinctly. It was Saturday afternoon, and the village was thronged with people from the surrounding country, full of curiosity to see the ‘praying women.’ One of the bands entered a saloon on the busiest part of Main street. Coarse, rough men, others quiet, observant, and boys eager and interested, thronged the pavement. The rear part of the saloon was full of men, one degree coarser than those without, smoking, drinking, swearing, scoffing. As the band entered, one of our sweet Crusade hymns rose on the air. We were told to ‘be brief. They were very busy, and wanted no interruption.’ A few verses of Scripture were read, and a sister led in prayer, and _such a prayer_. The wife of the proprietor told her to stop, but she prayed on; finally, she shook her, but the prayer flowed calmly and earnestly on, as if the air carried no sound but her own voice to the listening ear above. A German sister immediately followed, and while she prayed the door was locked. Whatever may have been the intention, the door was opened while we sang at the close of her prayer, and we passed out. Committees of two or three were also sent at times to talk with saloon-keepers.

“We had at this time two hundred and sixty-two women pledged to the work.

“Early in April, pickets were stationed at the principal saloons. This work was kept up more or less closely until the Crusade work ceased.

“April 6th, being our local election day, and the saloons closed by law, was devoted to an all-day prayer-meeting. We began at six o’clock in the morning, and during the hours of the day, earnest prayers went up, that the cause of right and temperance might triumph, and the Lord show His power in controlling the affairs of men. The liquor interest made a desperate fight, but the victory was essentially ours, though much of the good we hoped from it was lost by the mismanagement of men.

“Nothing daunted the ladies prepared and presented to the council a petition, signed by three hundred and sixty-five men and four hundred and sixty-one women, praying that a prohibitory ordinance be added to our municipal code, but though there was a majority of the voters, the council was divided against itself, and our petition was lost.

“May 20th, the chairman of the executive committee of the guarantee fund requested that the ‘ladies should retire from the streets.’ After considerable discussion, it was decided to do so for a time. We never resumed the work in that form.

“July 9th, officers were elected, and constitution adopted for permanent organization. Weekly prayer-meetings have been held ever since.

“The county has been thoroughly canvassed twice; once against the license clause of the new constitution, and once in the endeavor to thoroughly organize it.

“After the formation of the Woman’s National Union, we changed our name of League, to Women’s Christian Temperance Union, of Marion, Ohio.

“We feel that we have done, and can do, oh, _so_ little; but we can pray, and ‘prayer moves the arm that moves the world.’”

WEST UNION, OHIO.

This little village, of only four hundred inhabitants, had four saloons. For years and years they had been doing their deadly work, paralyzing business and wasting the resources and ruining the homes of the people.

The women of this staid old town had never thought it possible to change this order of things. But as soon as the success of Crusaders elsewhere became known, they rallied to the work with such zeal and earnestness that in a very short time the whole town was ablaze with temperance enthusiasm, and _every saloon was closed_.

FELICITY, OHIO.

Felicity, a quiet little village, a few miles back from the Ohio river, and thirty miles by road from Cincinnati, had one saloon.

The women had watched the desolating work of that saloon, and encouraged by the example of their sisters in other places, they determined, if possible, to close it.

A meeting was called, and the women met and consecrated themselves for any part of the work God might demand of them.

But while they yet prayed, He answered; and when, a few days later, the band visited the saloon, they found that terror had taken hold of the dealer, and that he had shipped his liquors back to Cincinnati, and the room was being cleaned and put in order for other purposes.

LEBANON, OHIO.

Lebanon was noted for its morality.

The town contained about four thousand inhabitants, and had nine churches, and only three saloons.

It had been, from the very beginning of its existence, a temperance town, and a prohibitory ordinance had been passed years before by the town council.

These men, in defiance of law, were selling liquors; but the municipal authorities did not put a stop to the traffic.

A great deal of enthusiasm had been created by the trial of the ladies of Morrow, which took place in this town. Many of the citizens of Morrow had accompanied the ladies to the court, and the Lebanon ladies provided dinner for them, and rejoiced with them when Scheide was defeated. But the ladies were slow to begin the Crusade work.

They believed that the men, who had the law on their side, ought to shut up all three of the saloons without their help. And perhaps the men thought so, too, but it was not easy to get evidence.

Rev. E. B. Burrows, a young Congregational minister, went to Cincinnati, secretly, and employed a detective.

The detective, after lounging about the saloons for a few days, had proof enough to sustain a prosecution, and Brady and Glady were arrested. Brady owned two saloons. The liquor-dealers rallied the roughs and drunkards to bully the court and carry through the case after the usual style. But the temperance element was aroused, and the building was crowded with the best and wealthiest citizens of the town. The two men were convicted, fined, and sent to prison.

Immediately they began to negotiate for a compromise--“If the fines and imprisonment were remitted, and the prisoners allowed to go free, they would leave the town.”

And so a compromise was made, and two of the saloons closed their doors.

The other saloon-keeper, Nate Wood, was arrested, tried, fined, and imprisoned. He paid his fine, served out his time in jail, and went back to his business as though nothing had happened. But he now confined himself to legal sales. Under the law of the State, liquor must not be sold to be drunk on the premises. He filled little bottles for his customers, and they could pass out to a vacant lot or some convenient corner and take their drinks.

The women organized and visited his saloon, and entreated him to stop. At last, after much boasting that he had plenty of money and could stand the siege, he closed his saloon and left the town.

GRANVILLE, OHIO.

There were only four saloons in Granville. One of the dealers being a Jew, would not, on “account of his religion,” allow the ladies to come into his saloon to pray. But he spread carpeting on the sidewalk, and brought out chairs for their accommodation, and they held their prayer-meetings daily in front of his saloon.

One hotel-keeper closed his doors against them, but standing by the closed door they sang: “Behold a stranger at the door.” A lady who was present said: “It seemed as though the words had been prepared for the occasion, and O’Kane had written the music for just such a time and place: it can never sound to me again as it did that day.”

There was a woman who kept a saloon and grocery just outside of the corporation limits. Just before leaving the church to visit her saloon, the women were told that she was a rough and dangerous character, that she had whipped her husband and driven him away, and that the parish priest, for she was a Roman Catholic, could do nothing with her. But trusting in God, the women went forth to visit her. They found her son in charge of the store; she was in the back yard very angry. The ladies went out to her, but she told them she had no time to talk with them.

When they next visited her saloon, the liquors had all been sent away; and she was willing to talk to the ladies in a respectful manner.

The Crusaders then visited the brewery. Mrs. Thomas Adams gives the following graphic account of that visit: “Two ferocious dogs were kept by the brewer, which he let loose upon us, but the dogs would not harm us. The man paced to and fro like an enraged lion in his cage, and raved like a mad man.”

In a short time all the saloons were closed.

LEESBURG, OHIO.

The Crusade, which commenced January 29th, closed out all the saloons in two weeks, and $50,000 was subscribed as a guarantee fund to keep it clear. A correspondent wrote: “The last spike was driven in the coffin of King Alcohol to-day.”

BLANCHESTER, OHIO.

The work commenced in February, and the little village of 600 was soon cleared of the traffic.

GOSHEN, OHIO.

The Crusade was successful in this place, and when the last saloon closed, all the bells in town were rung.

The overjoyed people, who were in their homes at the time, ran bareheaded into the streets, to join the praying band; the children of the public schools were dismissed, which added to the enthusiasm. The only keg of beer found in the saloon was rolled out, and the bung knocked in, and its contents poured into the gutter. The enthusiasm was so great, that many embraced each other and wept for joy.

ZALESKI, OHIO.

All the saloons in this little village were closed by the Crusade.

TROY, OHIO.

On the 18th February, 1874, the Christian women of Troy came together _with one accord_ to pray for the removal of the curse of intemperance. They numbered fifty-three. Their number increased from day to-day, as continued meetings were held. A wonderful degree of the Holy Spirit was manifest.

On the 22d, a Temperance League was formed by the simple election of a President (Mrs. J. B. Riley), and Secretary (Mrs. E. B. Meeks), and the adoption of the solemn agreement to “_Make common cause against the common enemy, Intemperance._” To this pledge were signed 737 names. That pledge has been kept until the present date, September 20th, 1877.

Daily meetings were held for two years; since that they are semi-weekly. Many have been reformed. To God be the glory forever.

MANSFIELD, OHIO.

I am indebted to Mrs. Fanny W. Leiter, State Secretary, for the following facts:

The deep interest on the subject of Temperance which had been aroused in the hearts of our citizens by the spirit which was abroad in the land, found relief in action about the 25th of February, when a petition was circulated, receiving 600 signatures, and presented to the mayor, praying for a better enforcement of our Sunday laws.

Immediately following this, a few of our earnest women assembled at the residence of one of their number, and, as a result of this gathering, on Sunday, March 1st, notices were read in all the churches, calling for a meeting of the women, to be held in the basement of the Methodist Church on the following afternoon. Before the meeting was called to order every chair was occupied and standing room was in demand. The faces of that audience would have been a study for an artist. Deep earnestness was the prevailing expression, varied by every shade of emotion, such as curiosity, doubt, fear, credulity, enthusiasm, hopefulness. Young faces took on an unusual gravity; older ones were lighted by new and strong feeling; even women, bowed by three-score years and ten, seemed filled with youthful ardor, and added dignity and animation to the scene.

The petty distinction of wealth and social standing was forgotten, as swayed by one common impulse, all minds were busy with the question: “What can we do to destroy this common evil of intemperance?”

Mrs. McVay stated the reasons that seemed to demand such a gathering of the women of our city.

After the appointment of a temporary chairman, many short and telling speeches were made by women who, perhaps, had never before expressed their minds to an audience, and, as a forward step, a committee of seven ladies was directed to call upon the mayor, and see what he could do to aid us. This committee met on Tuesday, and after prayer, proceeded to visit his honor, the mayor. His signature was obtained to a paper promising to do all in his power to enforce the laws bearing upon the sale and use of intoxicating liquors.

The meeting of April 5th was held in the Methodist Church, filling the audience-room.

After some preliminary discussion the “Women’s Christian Temperance League,” of Mansfield, was organized with the following officers:

President, Mrs. J. H. Reed; Secretary, Mrs. Fannie Leiter; Corresponding Secretary, Miss M. Brinkerhoff; Treasurer, Mrs. G. W. Geddes.

A Vice-President from each of the twelve churches in the city, was also appointed.

A strong personal pledge was passed around, and signed by nearly every one present. Letters were read from several of the ministers of the city, expressing sympathy with the movement, and bidding us “God speed.”

Restrictive pledges, signed by most of the physicians and druggists, were handed in, unsolicited.

Women held morning prayer-meetings, which were largely attended by business men who had agreed to close their places of business during one hour in the forenoon.

The men agreed to raise a fund, if possible, amounting to $100,000, to be assessed, not to exceed more than one per cent. This was a very substantial proof of the interest the men took in the work of reform, and the women were very thankful for the means to carry on the work. Prayer-meetings were held both forenoon and afternoon, and largely attended by men as well as women. Committees appointed to visit saloons, by twos, performed their work faithfully. One of them, the smallest one too, said she had “seen the giants” and was _not affrighted_. All seemed of one mind that the time had come to visit saloons in bands, and pray for saloon-keepers face to face. The President expressed her willingness to do so if enough were agreed as touching this one thing. After some talk and a few moments spent in silent prayer, the question was put, and over one hundred rose to their feet, though with manifest trembling.

The ladies who went to Ashland returned and made a favorable report of the street work being done there. The desire to undertake a similar work here was acted upon. All of the advisory committee approved, and on taking a vote of the League, all rose to their feet. Feeling had _intensified_ and _conviction deepened_ until many who, at the outset of the work, shuddered at the thought, were willing to take the course so strongly pointed out to them by Providence. The weather was very inclement, and physical as well as moral courage was in demand. A feeling of great solemnity prevailed as the procession, headed by the president and secretary, moved out upon the street. The band was formidable in point of numbers, nearly five hundred, many who were not members of the League, joining in, to express their approbation of the movement. All the saloons on each side of Main, down to Fourth street, were visited.

The first three compelled us to hold our services upon the pavement, all kneeling during the prayers. The proprietor of a fourth was willing to admit the ladies, but the room, an underground apartment, was already so packed with men and boys, who had congregated for the purpose of witnessing, and thwarting the effort, that it was impossible for more than twelve or fifteen to gain access; and the uproar of the multitude proclaiming for their idol, seemed to defeat, for a little time, our purpose. Finally, one of the band, pressed in spirit, stepped upon a chair,--in the very presence of that rebellious crowd. They were hushed in a moment to profound stillness, as she poured forth her soul in behalf of the perishing people.

The ladies, as many as could get in, were admitted in several other places, and treated with respect.

The convictions that followed the experiences of this day proved the turning-point with many women, who, previous to this, were undecided as to their duty in this matter.

March 13th.--The ladies went in two columns and visited all the drinking establishments from Fourth street to the railroad. Exercises were conducted mostly on the pavement, large crowds of people standing around; some listened reverently and others talking angrily; the angry tones were mostly in a foreign tongue. Some declared that if this thing was to go on long, they would go back to Faderland, where they could drink their lager in peace, with no _vimmen_ to “molest or make them afraid.”

March 14th.--We divided our forces into smaller bands--organizing six, with the more active ones as leaders. Three bands met together in the morning, spent an hour in prayer, and then an hour or two in singing, praying, and talking temperance, either in saloons, or on the pavement, or gutter in front of them. This programme was repeated with little variation in the afternoon. They were warned against _concentration_, and threatened with the contents of beer barrels; nevertheless they continued to _concentrate_, and “bearded the lion in his den” so long as seemed unto them good.

The McConnelsville Ordinance, somewhat modified, was passed March 17th, to the great joy of many friends of temperance and the sorrow of others, who believed that prayer was the only weapon to be used in this warfare, and that the rum-sellers themselves were quite as open to its influence as the executors of the law. Election day, April 5th, was observed by the members of the League as a day of fasting and prayer. There was undivided joy over the result of the election, which gave a majority, considered in favor of temperance, and left the council as before--three against and five for the ordinance.