Chapter XIII (2)

“Then promise me, quickly,” I still urged; and never shall I forget the look he gave me, as for a moment he bowed his head, and then, as he raised it in trembling earnestness,

“Give me your hand,” said he, seizing it as with a grasp of desperation. “Now I promise you, God helping me, that never from this time will I touch tobacco or drink again. Now I have promised, I shall keep it.”

Earnest prayer was offered, and from that moment our brother, William N. Clark, became a sober, renewed, and changed man.

What human power could have annihilated in an instant the appetite and all desire for strong drink or tobacco in any form, where it had been almost a life-long habit, indulged in without restraint day and night, obtained at any and every sacrifice? Who can doubt that a will like his was at that time brought into and held in subjection by the will and strength of Omnipotence? He was enabled to surrender himself, soul and body, into the hands of Jesus, and he left the hall, never more to touch, taste, or handle those two accursed things. His former appetite and love for both from that moment was so turned into hatred of the sin and its evil results, that his voice was raised in denunciation wherever he went. His whole life, since that hour, has been given in efforts to bring others from the degradation and wretchedness of sin, and to win them to Jesus.

So many young men were now interested that it was deemed advisable to organize a reform club, to bind them more strongly together. Such an organization, in connection with the Woman’s Temperance Union, was completed on the 4th of March, 1875. This club has now over 600 members.

A Sunday-school was commenced, and is still in progress.

The 4th of July occurring on Sunday, in 1875, there were rumors of preparations already in progress to celebrate it as on any secular day, in parades, processions, martial music, and other public demonstrations. Some of the ladies of the Union resolved, after taking it to God in prayer with great earnestness and humility, to take a bold stand, and go as a committee to the City Hall, and petition the mayor to interpose in behalf of a God-fearing people, and sustain the honor of His law, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” It was said by many, “It will do no good at all; matters have gone too far.” But it did do good. The suggestion was very kindly received, and Mr. Perry’s decided and prompt action not only entirely suppressed the threatened fearful desecration, but gave us one of the most peaceful and quiet Sabbaths that we have had in this city for many years.

On the 8th of September, 1875, at the regular meetings of our Union, we set apart a little season, just at the hour of twelve, for united prayer to God. And this noon-day concert of private prayer has been observed by our Union since that day, when, by the uplifting of the right-hand, as requested, to signalize the sacred compact, it was thus ratified by every member present.

Surely God, the Almighty God himself, has allied Himself to this cause, not only in the treasure of His grace, but in the treasury of His means also, to carry it on with; for it is a marvel how we have been supplied and carried through such heavy expenses as came upon us from time to time, and are able to-day to say joyfully, that we owe no man anything. Not unto us be any of the glory.

An humble service, if the calling to it is of God, is a high, a holy calling. In the death of Judge Stanboro, December 5th, 1875, we lost one of our firmest friends. He was enabled, at the age of seventy-two, to give up entirely the use of tobacco in every form, although it had been a habit freely indulged in for sixty years. He kept quiet on the subject till he could say, after the experience of months, that he was a happier and better man without it.

One of the reformed brothers who had received his special care and attention, and who had never seen a Christian die, watched with him till the hour of his departure, and caught these his last words, as they fell from his lips: “Oh, those blessed women--God bless them!” “Oh, precious Jesus!” and immediately expired.

In the winter of 1876, a Juvenile Society and Bands of Hope were started, and have been well sustained. Several branches also have been formed auxiliary to the Union.

Mrs. Bundage adds the following incidents:

G---- A----, a young man having all the advantages necessary to place him in an honorable position, his friends giving him a liberal education, was a student of law. But rum, that great curse, laid him low many times, and finally he became a confirmed drunkard.

One day a minister of this city brought him into our temperance meeting, suffering with delirium tremens. His blood-shot eye, bloated, purple face, trembling limbs, quivering body, and look of despair, showed that rum had almost finished its work. The hardest heart was moved to pity.

One of the sisters of the Union seated herself by his side and talked with him. At last he said, “My God, cannot you do something for me?” The sweat stood in great drops on his brow. She told him just there to ask Jesus to help him, and He would; how He could cure his disease, and cleanse from all sin. As he became more quiet, he told of his wicked life; how his mother could not keep him any longer, as she kept boarders, and he would do anything to get a drink. Whenever she gave him a new suit of clothes, he would go to New York, exchange them for an old suit, and go home intoxicated. A young lady gave him a glass at a party, and urged him to drink. Till then he had never drank.

Christian friends surrounded him, and pointed him to the Lamb of God. In pity, love, and faith, they bore him to the mercy-seat. They prayed for him as one prays for his own soul. The Mighty to Save heard, and cast out the demon rum, and he was saved from that hour.

Kind friends watched with him that night, and he was restored to his widowed mother, whom he had often found at the midnight hour kneeling at his bedside, pleading with a covenant-keeping God for her only son. He has since shown, by his walk and conversation, that the work is genuine.

Mr. H. had a wife and six children. Like many drunkards, he was often very abusive, and would take the little pittance his wife earned and spend it for rum, leaving the children crying for bread and shivering with cold.

At one time he sent a man to tell his wife he was arrested, and she must get some money some way so he would not have to go to prison. She did so, and he spent it for rum with his accomplice. At times he was very wretched and in despair, and made attempts to hang himself, and was prevented only by the untiring care and watchfulness of his devoted wife. One night, coming home, he made up his mind, as they would not let him hang himself, he would cut his wife’s throat first, then the children’s, and lastly his own. Before going to bed he slipped a razor in his coat-sleeve. His wife saw him do it, and stealthily left the house with her young infant, walking half a mile in the cold wintry night, through the snow and sleet, with only a thin shawl wrapped round herself and babe, to the house of her father-in-law, where she stayed all night. The father-in-law asked her why she did not leave him; if she would do so he would take care of her and the children, and send her husband to an asylum. She answered: “I cannot leave him; he is my husband, and your son, the father of my children.”

He said to her: “I fear you will all be murdered some day by his hand.”

When the husband found all was still, he arose to accomplish the murderous task he had contemplated. He saw the children sleeping quietly together, and searched for the mother. Not finding her he concluded it was not best to kill the children, as she was gone. He says it makes him shudder now when he thinks what might have happened if the enemy had put it into his mind to kill the children first. When his wife came home in the morning he asked her why she did not stay home. She looked up, with tears streaming down her cheeks, and replied: “Father, I have no home any more.” This touched his heart.

When one of his children lay a corpse he borrowed money to bury it, and stopped at a rum-shop to get a drink, and stayed until the money was all gone; and his child was buried by charity.

The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union heard of this man, and one of their number visited his house every week for eighteen months, leaving tracts with the family. After a while he looked for the tracts and the visits. Suitable clothes were promised him if he would go to church. He was deeply convicted of sin, and sought the Saviour, whom he found able to save, even to the uttermost. He has since stood firm and unwavering. For six months he was chaplain of the first Reform Club of Newark, which office he filled very acceptably. He has been called to several places in this State and in New York, to tell of his wonderful deliverance from the appetite and curse of rum.

September 8th, 1877, he buried another child; but what a contrast in the man’s family and home!--the home now pleasant and neatly furnished, the family happy even in their sorrow, and the body of the little one lying in a neat coffin with a wreath of flowers marked “baby;” the man loved and respected--a kind Christian husband and father.

Surely gospel temperance pays well, even in this life.

We might speak of our gospel temperance work in the jail: how the prisoners sought and found the Saviour, the Lord giving us a trophy the first meeting; of our bands of hope and young ladies’ league; cottage prayer-meetings, saloon visiting, etc. But time will not permit, and the half we do not know here. A true record of it is kept on high. It is a blessed work. Unto Him be all the praise and glory forever.

ROSEVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

The society in Roseville is an outgrowth of the Woman’s Crusade work. As the news came to us of the Temperance Crusade in the West, a woman of the Roseville Church heard God calling her to join this army. Then the cry went up to Him, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” The Lord answered, “What thy hands find to do, do with all thy might.” The next Sunday, by the direction of the Holy Spirit, temperance tracts were distributed among my Mission Sunday-school class, with a prayer to heaven that they might send conviction to some hearts in those seven families which this class represented. The next week these homes were visited. Upon entering one house, the mother remarked, “I am so glad you have come, for my husband wants to see you; he read the tract you sent on Sunday, and has been very thoughtful since then; says he would like to be a better man.” “Why,” said she, “he used to own two nice houses, and we all had plenty; but now we are living in these rented rooms. He has no work, and I do not know what is to become of us, for we are using up the last of our hard earnings. He will go with holes in his shoes, and just _any way_, and spend his last cent for rum; but he is such a good man when he is sober.”

Just then the husband, Mr. Jones, entered the room. He was a fine-looking man, but the mark of the beast was on his brow.

The conversation then commenced about his pretty children, and my desire to know more of them and their parents; he smiled sadly as he remarked, “They have a good mother, but I am not the father I ought to be.” Then we talked of the follies of a drunkard’s life, all of which he knew only too well; but how to break away from the habit that had chained him down with a death-like grip was the problem he could not solve.

He listened with joy to the “good news” of redemption through Jesus’ blood. How Jesus came to seek and save the lost; then he told me of a dear minister brother in heaven: how his last prayer on earth was for him (his wayward brother); then of a praying mother who had gone home to glory; then of an aged praying father and a gentle loving sister whose constant prayers were for him. “Yes,” he said, “I seem to be wading through prayer, knee-deep, to hell.” God was working upon his heart. There was a hushed feeling in all that room. We felt God’s presence there, and when the invitation was given to kneel in prayer, there seemed to be a responsive echo in each heart; even the little two-year-old girl, knelt in a frightened sort of way, by her father’s side, and as the petition went up before the Throne, one could imagine the angels tuning their harps a little higher. Yes, there was rejoicing among the white-robed throng over one poor sinner, who had turned from his evil ways, and was learning the new song, “To Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

We then walked together to our pastor’s study, and there he promised, with God’s help, never to touch intoxicating drinks, but to serve the Lord all the remainder of his life. Two years have rolled away since that memorable 3d day of September, and he is one of our most consistent Christian men, a good citizen, and an earnest temperance worker. Many poor, rum-blinded souls have been brought to the feet of Jesus through his faithful efforts, and in his home you will find peace and plenty.

Mr. Jones’ conversion was soon noised about. Women told their neighbors of the wonderful change that had come over him, and many a sad-hearted wife wished that somebody would talk to her husband; and somebody did carry the wonderful news, “That Jesus is mighty to save,” until ten men had become converted.

They and their wives were banded together into what is now called the “Gospel Total Abstinence Society.” Socials were held at their homes once a week, until they became so large we were forced to hold the meetings in the Mission Chapel. Two years have elapsed since this society was organized and in God’s hands. It is founded on “The Rock of Ages,” and has been greatly prospered. We now number about three hundred and fifty members. Fifty-four have been converted to Christ.

Among our prominent workers are three ex-beer-saloon-keepers; also one who was confined at the prison for drunkenness, while we were holding our usual prayer-meeting at that place. He was a miserable, bloated German, who came, after his release, to the meetings, as he lived in close proximity to our work.

The kind, tender words of the women, and a tract called the “Bird-Charmer,” set him to thinking. How he entreated us, in our little Friday evening meeting, to pray for him; and we surrounded him after the meeting and never gave him up until we saw him standing with us on the “Rock of Ages.”

One year has elapsed since his conversion, and instead of the once wretched home, he is living in quite a large house, all neatly furnished, and his family of eight children are all walking in the narrow way. Through his effort two men, who had been very hard drinkers, were converted. They were won by his consistent life at the work-bench. Now they all sing together all day long, in that Catholic hat shop, the Moody and Sankey hymns. These three men are consistent members of our Roseville church.

Our organization is situated in the upper part of Newark. It is supported entirely by the Roseville Presbyterian Church, and is one of the revolving wheels in the church machinery for saving souls. It has filled a great many otherwise empty pews.

The above facts are reported by Mrs. F. T. Wiggins.

LAMBERTVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

The women arose _en masse_ in this town, and with a petition, signed by a large majority of the citizens of the place, went to the council chamber and urged that the saloons be at once closed. The demand was so well backed up by influential names on the petition, and the presence of prominent citizens, that it was acceded to at once, and rum was banished.

Many of the young men reformed, and some of them were saved and brought into the church.

But the dealers who had been driven out established themselves on the Pennsylvania side of the river, and as there was a connecting bridge, the point was accessible and convenient, and they went on with their deadly work. The people of the little village protested, and held mass indignation meetings; but the intruders, lost to shame, defied public sentiment.

At the next election for city officers there was a hard contest, but the temperance people held their own, and kept rum out. They still watch and pray, and hold the fort.

RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY.

A good work was accomplished in Rahway. Sixty-five women signed the “iron-clad pledge,” which solemnly bound them not to use alcohol in any way, not even as a medicine, and not to patronize any hotel or grocery where it was sold.

The result of this action was that some of the grocers disposed of their liquor at once, and invited the patronage of temperance people.

Six meetings are held weekly, the ministers attending in a body the Thursday evening meetings, to which they have been specially invited.

In the outskirts of the city, at Bloodgood Mills, a branch Union was started, and a reading-room established, with good results. There is also a temperance work among the colored people.

Many have, through the labors of the faithful workers, thus been brought to Christ.

The Reform Club numbers seventy-seven, most of whom are “steadfast, immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord.”

I glean the following facts from the annual report:

JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

Meetings are held in Jersey City, Bergen, Hudson City, and Greenville, all within the city limits.

The grocers have all been visited, and urged to give up the sale of liquors. One man, who is a member of church, was found, who sold liquor by the bottle, in his grocery. When remonstrated with he insisted that he was doing right, and refused to give up that part of his business. One grocer gave up the sale of liquors, and the ladies now have a temperance grocery, which they feel in honor bound to sustain.

MOUNT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY.

Mass-meetings are held every Sabbath afternoon, beside evening meetings during the week.

Appeals have been made, both personally and in writing, to the judges of the court, by whom licenses are issued. By this means one man who applied for license to open a beer saloon was prevented.

There is a growing interest, and an improved public sentiment in this place.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY.

The work, which began in this town through the influence of one woman, lacks neither earnestness nor perseverance.

Meetings are held regularly, and from the converts a Reform Club has been started.

HACKETTSTOWN, NEW JERSEY.

The saloons are all closed, but the ladies continue their meetings, and are vigilant lest the enemy should obtain entrance.

At the seminary in that town, ninety young ladies and gentlemen were induced to sign the pledge.

Trenton, Elizabeth, Burlington, Beverly, Washington, Millstone, Madison, Cedarville, Long Branch and a score of other towns are holding the fort against fearful odds, and some of them are gaining substantial victories.

Mrs. M. C. Noble, who has travelled much over the State, and has with Mrs. M. R. Denman, the President of the State Union, been abundant in labors, adds the following:

Early in the fall of 1876, there was a vigorous campaign opened against intemperance in the lower part of the State of New Jersey, and prosecuted through the counties of Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Monmouth, with great success, arousing Christian people of all denominations to active labor. God blessed the labor of His servants most wonderfully, and we feel confident that in answer to fervent prayers and persistent effort to rescue the perishing and lift up the fallen this great awakening over our State has come. To God be all the glory.

To show the spirit of this work let me give one or two instances. It was wonderful to see the hearts of Christians so stirred up to work in all ways, and by all means, “so that some might be saved.” One afternoon there came into Temperance Hall at Trenton, during the great revival there early in the winter of 1877, a poor out-cast, a woman, who in consequence of evil ways had been imprisoned, but who now was drawn to the hall by some unknown influence. She came again and again, and finally signed the pledge and said she kept it. I can never forget a scene which occurred at the close of one of our meetings. A pure-spirited girl, one of Trenton’s fairest daughters, whose heart was full of the constraining love of Christ, approached this woman and in low tones began to talk with her in regard to her soul’s salvation. After a few moments we saw the two, one pure as the blood of Christ alone can make, and the other covered with sin and shame, move to a remote corner of the room, and bowing together so their faces nearly touched, we saw the one earnestly pleading with God for His pardon for this poor erring sister. Oh, what a sight! Angels must have stopped in their flight to witness a scene like this. We passed noiselessly away and left them alone with God and the angels.

Another: There was a man who had been a hard drinker most of his life, and was bringing his aged mother to her grave in sorrow. All efforts to save him had failed, and it seemed to all who knew him that he must fill a drunkard’s grave. A Christian lady anxious to work for the blessed Master, and to save this man if possible, thought of this plan. She would write him a letter praying that God would touch his heart. She did so, addressing him as “brother,” and signing herself his friend. She invited him to the Temperance Hall that night. The word “_brother_” arrested his attention. He said, “Is it possible that there is one who cares enough for me to call me ‘brother,’ and that one, a lady? I will go to the hall.” He did so, signed the pledge and became an earnest worker in the cause of temperance.

Others of similar character were brought into our meetings and were saved; broken down family altars were rebuilt, and many new ones set up, we trust never to be abandoned.

It was blessed to bow with these saved men at their altars of prayer, where in many cases children had fled from their drunken fathers in terror. Now they would sit upon their knee while God’s word was read, and all bow together in humble prayer.

Through the influence of these gospel temperance meetings many saloons have been closed; cider mills abandoned; and thousands of precious souls have been saved, thereby turning aside the streams of death which bear down to ruin so many of our fellow-beings.

God very signally owned and blessed the work at Elizabeth City, N. J., and though not so many signed the pledge as in other places, yet the work was carried into the churches, and pastors and people united in the great work of saving souls, and all felt when the meeting closed that some had been brought to the saving knowledge of Christ.

MARYLAND.

Years ago, when a war-cry rang out in the land, thousands of womanly hearts thrilled responsive to the call for sympathy, for aid, and prayer. And when, not long after, another battle-cry pealed out in thunder-tones, when the voice of the Crusade, as the voice of many waters, came surging from the West, our hearts answered to the call, and everywhere throughout “our Maryland,” woman’s lips caught up the battle-cry, “For God, and home, and native land!”

Fired by the enthusiasm of the noble women of Ohio, touched by the spirit of sacrifice which nerved them to deeds of heroism unsurpassed by any on historic page, we, of Maryland, saw, as never before, our responsibility as Christians, realized that “we were our brothers’ keepers,” and, listening to the Spirit’s call, resolved to do whatever (God blessing our efforts) we might towards helping “the bound-in chains” to be free!

Never before had we seemed to hear as in our very midst, all round about us, the wail from breaking hearts, women weeping over the degradation of their first-born, their poor misguided Absaloms. We saw our own darlings in our sheltered homes, shielded, loved, and blest, and, as never before, felt that it was required of us to seek out in their wretchedness the drunkard’s children--little children who scarcely knew what childhood was, looking out upon life with scared and wondering faces, crouching to earth, or hiding away at footsteps on a stair--uncertain, stumbling footsteps, heralds of night hours of vigil, of abuse and desolation.

Women suffering a living death, in degradation, poverty and woe, struggling, toiling far into the night, to earn their children bread; these seemed to look to us with pitiful, tear-stained faces, for help, for sympathy, for prayer.

Thus moved by the example of our sisters of the West, awakened by the voice of the Holy Spirit, we began to ask, “What is _our_ duty? What can _we_ do? Shall we stand idly looking on, while souls die that we might help to save? Shall we dream away our lives, fold our arms in peace, and give thanks that none of our beloved ones are in that army marching down to death?” The answer came back, “No! a thousand times no, no!”

“What, then, should we do?” Wait for protection from our lawgivers, help that might never come!

Nay, to the mighty Lawgiver, the Judge of all the earth, we resolved to carry our cause; to the mighty in battle we would fly for deliverance; taking courage when we remembered that “Greater is He who is for us, than all they who are against us.”

Day after day we met for solemn consecration, for prayer, seeking wisdom from on high, that, led by the Holy Spirit, we might put into active form our yearning pity for the victims of intemperance, their sorrowing families, and desolated homes.

In the spring of 1874, a band of Christian women under the direction of Mrs. Francis A. Crook, and Mrs. Dr. J. Carey Thomas, of Baltimore, associated themselves together under the name of “The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.”

During the spring and winter, prayer-meetings were held two and three days in the week in the different churches of the city; for in this work Christian women of all denominations met and worked, wept, and prayed together “one in Christ.”

Cottage meetings were held in the suburbs of the city, in private houses, and even in houses of shame; dens of infamy where our pure women went, as the disciples of old, two and two, in little companies, quietly, lovingly, earnestly bearing the Master’s message of salvation, binding the “whosoevers and the whatsoevers” into a staff to bear up and on the poor sinning, sad, despairing souls, that heard them with new hope. God wonderfully blessed these efforts. Souls were reclaimed, and more than one lifted up by Christian women’s loving hands. These, their fallen sisters, were led to Him who saveth to the uttermost whosoever will come.

Responding to a call issued by the President of the Baltimore Union, the women of the city and State met in convention, November 9th and 10th, 1875, in this city, to plan for the future extension of the work.

The result of this gathering was the organization of “The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,” of Maryland, auxiliary to “The Woman’s National Christian Temperance Union.”

The following officers were elected, and at each succeeding annual convention, unanimously re-elected:

President, Mrs. Frances A. Crook, Baltimore; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Simon Parkhurst, Baltimore county; Mrs. Dr. James Carey Thomas, Baltimore, Congressional District; Mrs. L. H. Cochren, Frederick county; Recording Secretary, Mrs. E. B. Murdock, Baltimore; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Georgia Hulse McLeod, Baltimore; Treasurer, Mrs. Alice Brooks, Baltimore.

Through the years of 1875-76, the Union has pressed forward, overcoming many obstacles, but quietly and persistently commanding attention and respect, creating a still increasing sentiment in favor of temperance.

We can chronicle no grand victory, rejoice over no signal success, but we are glad to know that from meetings held week after week, month after month, often through great discouragement, good has resulted. In public halls, in churches, in private houses, in cities, towns, and villages, seed has been sown which God has blessed. Some souls have been saved, some fallen ones reclaimed, a few bars and rum shops closed. Into every open door of opportunity our sisters have gone with their sweet message of love. Among the seamen--the old weather-beaten tars, the young just starting out on first voyages--on the deck of a man-of-war they have sung, and talked, and prayed. The memory of a meeting thus held, one Sabbath afternoon, will, by some, be long remembered. The first to sign the pledge, and place his name upon the prayer-roll, was an English boy, whose heart some spoken word of mother-love had touched.

That was his last Sabbath upon earth. A fall from the yard-arm resulted in almost instant death. Held high in esteem by officers and mates, he was buried with naval honors. Tributes of respect, fragrant flowers, were heaped upon his coffin. A record of these tokens of friendship the boy had won, and a lock of soft brown hair were sent to his mother far away, and are all that is left now to comfort her.

His life voyage was early ended, and we believe his ship is safe in port, where the storms never come.

Temperance literature, papers, tracts, books, and leaflets were frequently distributed. Articles bearing on the interests of the cause were, from time to time, inserted in local journals. Letters were written to those who could be reached in no other way.

From our city pulpits each year were read appeals from the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, urging their sisters to banish from Christmas and New Year’s festivals, and social gatherings, wines and other intoxicating drinks. These appeals were not altogether vain. Every Christmas tide the song of the Angel of Peace sounds louder and clearer. Christmas is a joy to some homes, where its gladness had been long unknown, and fewer hearts are saddened by long, weary watches, at that joyous time, for reeling forms, tottering steps, blaspheming tones.

Auxiliary Unions have been formed in Baltimore and Howard counties. In a village in the last-named county, by the earnest, persevering efforts of one true Christian woman, the sale of liquor has been abandoned by the shopkeepers, to whom it had always been a profitable investment.

In Glencoe, Baltimore county, a juvenile auxiliary has been formed, which promises to be a valuable acquisition.

Pledges have been taken to some extent, but in this form of our work we meet with much opposition.

Several hundred signatures have been obtained to petitions ready for the approaching session of our State Legislature.

Delegates were appointed to the National and International Conventions. The latter was attended by the President, Vice-President, and Corresponding Secretary of the State, and by the Treasurer of the Baltimore Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.

A public meeting, with appropriate farewell services, was held in honor of Mrs. Margaret Parker, President of the Woman’s International Temperance Union, and addressed by her on the eve of her departure for Scotland.

In April and May daily meetings for reformed men were presided over by members of the Baltimore Union during the Temperance Revival Meetings, under the direction of Colonel Hoy, and some of the men then rescued from ruin have been encouraged and assisted in their every effort towards a maintenance for themselves and families, to whom they had been almost lost.

This is Maryland’s brief record, far more brief than we could wish, but “We have done what we could.” Still hoping, praying, working, watching for the brighter day we know must come, when four thousand liquor-saloons shall no longer be a blot on the beauty of our city, when not one shall be found in our State from its eastern to its western shores, and when we shall rejoice in the fulfilment of the promise: “The way of the wicked He turneth upside down.”

We have still much to regret, much which grieves and saddens us, but we have much for which to give thanks.

We are still an undivided band. The Angel of Death has spared our ranks; the Angel of the Covenant has led, blessed, and strengthened us. We reconsecrate ourselves to the work, looking forward, not backward; up, not down.

Only the smallest of the polished stones have we to bring, far outshone by sister States, yet may we find in the glad by-and-by, that in the hand of the great Master-Builder, we have found a place, and aided in the completion of the whole, the perfect mosaic formed of millions of gems, trophies won for the Master by those who love His name, and watch for His salvation.

THE TRYST OF MARYLAND.

IN THE TWILIGHT.

At the hour when God’s Beloved
Sought the lonely mountain side,
Breathing out His supplications
In the calm, still eventide,
Let us bow in every home,
Praying, in faith, “Thy kingdom come!”

Thus spake one who loved the Saviour,
Weeping over sin and woe;
Hearts and lips a hundred answered,
“Thou say’st well, it shall be so.”
To Him who hears, we’ll always say
That prayer at dying of the day.

So, each twilight, they are praying,
Matron, maiden, wife, and child;
Father, in great mercy, hear us,
Stay this torrent fierce and wild;
Like a flood ’twill overwhelm,
If Thou dost not take the helm.

Stay the torrent in Thine clasping
Hands, that seek the cup to drain;
Show them Death is in it lurking,
Bring them to the light again--
Bring the wanderers home once more,
The Lord our Shepherd, we implore!

Stay the torrent, whisper now
To each ruler in the land,
Man, where is thy brother?--where?
God will ask him at thy hand!
Rouse each conscience! oh, awake
Souls that sleep, their peace to make!

Send a voice unto the dreamers,
Sleeping upon beds of down,
Bought with tears of wives and mothers--
With the price of many a home;
Loud be it as a trumpet’s tone,
Prepare to meet thy Judge--alone!

Let Thy kingdom come, our Father;
Save the souls so far from Thee;
Cleanse the earth from this pollution;
Set the bound-in spirit free.
Thy kingdom come! Thy kingdom come!
Hear our prayer in heaven Thy home.

Courage! ye wives, who toil and keep
Watch with night, so sad and lone,
Courage! ’tis very dark and drear;
But with morning, light shall come.
Kind hearts grieve with you to-day,
And for you God’s children pray.

Mothers, they who were your pride
Almost break your hearts to-night.
They have wandered far from home,
Far from you, from God, from right.
But comfort you; God sees and hears;
His hand shall wipe away your tears.

Little children, sad and weary,
Knowing less of joy than tears,
Do you think, amid the shadows,
No one heeds your griefs and fears?
God your Father, little ones,
Loves you, and His kingdom comes!

Christians, pray for rescue, pleading
As if hours were moments left--
Pray as you would pray in dying,
That from earth this curse be swept.
Pray in the twilight--yea, alway--
Lips, heart, and soul, oh, Christians, pray!

Reported by Mrs. Georgia Hulse McLeod, Corresponding Secretary.

CONNECTICUT.

NEW MILFORD, CONNECTICUT.

I gather the following facts from reports and letters sent me by Mrs. M. A. Stone, the efficient President of this local organization, and of the State organization, and Vice-President of the Woman’s National Christian Temperance Union:

The ladies of this place, hearing rumors of the strange work in the West, began to question in their minds whether something ought not to be done here.

We had men here who were selling without license, keeping their houses open on the Sabbath, and selling to minors, contrary to the law regulating liquor traffic. Finally, two of the ladies, after consulting the leading men of the place, decided to call a meeting.

The meeting was held in the Congregational chapel, March 17th, 1874. Other meetings followed, and a petition was prepared and circulated for signatures, requesting the liquor-dealers to give up their business. Over a thousand signatures were obtained. A committee of ladies presented the petition to every saloon-keeper, urging them to give up their vile traffic; but in vain. The petition and signatures were published, and the ministers of the town invited to preach sermons on the subject, the following Sabbath, which some of them did.

The subject was agitated so thoroughly that the liquor-dealers, knowing they were defying the law, called a town-meeting, and asked the town to give them license. The ladies held a prayer-meeting, in a chapel close by the place where they were voting, and with prayers and tears besought God not to permit them to have license. None who were there can ever forget that meeting. While they were still praying and crying to God, a kind brother came, and, opening the door gently, said, “We have a majority of sixty-nine votes against license,” and closing the door left us to ourselves. A thrill of joy ran through every heart. It would be quite impossible to describe the scene--some cried for joy, some thanked God for answered prayer, and all realized, as never before, that God was on their side. The ladies continued their meeting with great enthusiasm.

The liquor-dealers stopped selling for a time, and then called another town-meeting; and the ladies called another special meeting at the same time and place as before. Their meeting resulted in _no license_ again--the ladies meeting in joy and thanksgiving to God, who had again given them the victory.

Some time elapsed before the liquor-dealers rallied for another conflict. This time they applied to the County Commissioners for license. The ladies sent a committee to the County Commissioners, to protest against it, on the ground that they were not fit persons to be intrusted with license, as they had, for more than a year, been selling contrary to law. Petitions from citizens were also sent in, and the liquor-dealers were again defeated.

For some time they kept quiet; but as they continued to sell, the men decided to prosecute them, and in due time they were all convicted but one, who claimed that he had not violated his promise to the ladies, and had only sold for medicine (he kept a drug store). The suit against him was withdrawn, the rest paid their fines. Finding themselves thwarted on every side, they appealed to the Legislature, and by the cunning devices of scheming politicians secured the Local Option law, which was made so strong in their favor that the County Commissioners had no longer power to use their own discretion in granting license to those who might apply, when the petitioner had complied with the terms provided by law. At the next election the town voted license. But the women continued to work, and in 1876 the town again voted _no license_.

A young people’s meeting was organized: D. W. Ives, President; A. S. Beecher, Secretary. The society increased in numbers rapidly, and there are now more than two hundred members. A Colored People’s Temperance Union was formed, which soon numbered over eighty members; and, last and best, a Temperance Band of Hope, with sixty-two members, twenty-four of whom have signed the triple pledge, to use no tobacco, no intoxicating drinks, and no profane language. A citizens’ club sprung up spontaneously, as it were, without any action on the part of the ladies, and many who were considered almost past reformation joined it. They were assisted by the citizens in procuring a reading-room. Books, papers and pictures were furnished, and $150, to aid in the work.

In 1877, the town voted license again; but public sentiment is improving. All the societies are in active operation, and they are looking forward to the time when God shall give the victory.

EASTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

In the autumn of 1873, a mother was walking with her four children along one of the pleasant roads of Eastford. Much engaged and interested in their conversation, she failed to notice an object by the roadside, of which she would have gladly spared them the sight. Suddenly the boy clutched her dress with one hand, and pointing with the other to the prostrate figure, exclaimed, “Oh, mother, is he dead?” Looking in the direction he pointed, she saw a man, well dressed, about thirty years of age, lying flat upon the ground in the uneasy sleep of intoxication. His hat had fallen from his head, and the hot sun beat mercilessly upon his dusty face. “The man is not dead, but drunk,” she said, in answer to his question. The boy drew nearer to his mother, and in a low voice said, “But he will die, won’t he?” “Yes, some time; and after death is the judgment,” she added.

They wended their way homeward. The beauty of the scene was destroyed by the sight they had witnessed. A new feeling of responsibility was awakened by that afternoon walk. What could be done to protect the young, and rescue the old, from the ravages of intemperance? was the question constantly recurring to her mind.

During the following winter, the idea of a Woman’s Temperance Union came to her mind; and feeling sure of the beneficial results of such an organization, she did not rest until one was formed, in May, 1874. The first meeting was held in a private parlor. About forty ladies were present; and after a season of earnest prayer, they banded themselves together, under the name of the “Woman’s Temperance Union of Eastford.”

The usual officers were chosen, and a committee appointed to canvass the town, and particularly to visit every woman, and get her co-operation and her name signed to the pledge. This committee performed their work faithfully; and at a meeting held in the vestry, June 17th, made their report, that none were left unvisited; they had met a cordial welcome at nearly every house, and had obtained _one hundred and eighty-two_ names. It was voted to continue to circulate this pledge; also to organize a Band of Hope. This was done July 17th.

A public meeting was held in the Congregational Church, August 3d, which was crowded. The exercises were conducted entirely by women and children, and consisted of original addresses by the ladies, and singing and recitations by the “Band of Hope.” After the exercises were concluded, a pledge was presented to the gentlemen for their signatures, and received a majority of the names of those present.

Temperance tracts and almanacs were bought and distributed in the families; subscriptions were made to various temperance papers, both for children and adults; every means was taken to interest the public in temperance.

It was thought best to make an appeal to the men upon the importance of voting no license. This was done at a public meeting, held October 4th. At this meeting it was manifest that there had been a great change in public feeling upon the temperance question. The landlord of the village hotel had been visited, but he was protected by both town and government license, and for a time he remained unmoved. But temperance sentiment increased, and he was forced out, and the hotel became a temperance house.

At the next election, the town again voted license, and the hotel passed into the possession of a rum-seller. But it is no longer respectable in Eastford to sell rum, and, after the lapse of three years, there has been but two or three violations of the pledge.

The same officers still continue in the Union. The prayer-meeting is held monthly, and we are waiting God’s time, feeling sure that the day will come when right shall be might in the strength of the Lord.

PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

I am indebted to Mrs. G. A. Moody for the following facts:

During the summer and fall of 1874, after the ever-memorable Crusade of our Western sisters, the Master seemed to be calling upon the Christian women of our State, saying, “Go, work in my vineyard.”

Meetings for prayer sprang up in various sections, almost simultaneously.

In Plainville, a small town of only fifteen hundred inhabitants, the minds of some of the sisters were thoroughly exercised in this matter. Some eighteen or twenty earnest Christian women held a meeting, and much interest was manifested.

Meetings were continued for several weeks, without any organization or much new effort. Earnest prayer was constantly offered: “Lord, what wilt Thou have us to do?”

Immediately after the formation of our State Union, in March of 1875, we organized at Plainville as a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, auxiliary to the State and National Unions.

About this time our first work was given us.

The husband of one of our dear sisters owned a hotel, and rented it. This house seemed given to us to pray and labor for, that it might be redeemed from the curse of liquor-selling, and made pure.

It was built for a liquor-saloon or hotel, and for thirty years or more a constant stream of death and destruction had issued therefrom.

It seemed much to expect, but we knew that with our God all things were possible, and only being instruments in His hand victory was sure.

We had felt at first that we could never visit saloons, as our dear sisters in New York and the West had done, but we were led into this saloon almost unconsciously. We conversed earnestly with the proprietor and his wife; with the young men we found there; labored with the owner, and looked to our great Captain for success. It was but a little while that we were called to wait: gloriously did the way open.

One of our Christian men, in a good business, bought out the hotel, and having completely renovated it from cellar to attic, opened a temperance hotel and boarding-house, which is constantly a source of comfort and pride to our town.

The first Sabbath after the house was thus opened a meeting for praise and thanksgiving was held in it, by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union; and when we saw the place which had been occupied by the bar used as a platform--saw some three or four young men who had drank at that bar enroll their names, and heard the songs of praise, the prayers and testimonies for Christ in those rooms where the bacchanalian song had so long resounded, we could only say, “Behold what God hath wrought.”

In giving in his testimony at that time, the new proprietor said he felt something almost like a hand upon his shoulder, touching him, and a voice telling him to buy the building.

We had none of us said anything to him about it, and did not know that he had any thought of such a thing, until we heard that he was bargaining for the property.

Since that we have many times visited saloons, sometimes to converse with the proprietors, sometimes to help a wife to rescue her dear husband.

God has also given us souls rescued from the power of rum--washed and made clean in Jesus’ blood. And just as I write, our hearts are rejoicing over a new work: the formation of a Temperance Corps (or Reform Club), by Mr. Warren.

It was one of the most earnest temperance meetings ever held in our town. Many who were never before pledged came forward--some, hard-drinking men. Seven such Unions have been formed in Hartford county.

In Bristol the dear sisters visited the saloons and conversed with the keepers. One of them was soon taken sick. He spoke of their visit, on his sick-bed, and said he should never keep a saloon again; but he was not spared to test his good resolution. They continue to visit saloons, as they feel they are led.

In Southington the women have held two prayer-meetings in one of their saloons.

I was privileged to be present at one of these meetings. Soon after it commenced the men came in from other saloons, until fifty or sixty men and boys were standing listening with earnest attention to the words of Scripture, songs, and prayers. Exhortations and personal appeals followed. The tears trickled from many eyes, and we expect results from that meeting.

And so the work goes on. It has been said by some that the Crusade was over, but in “the land of steady habits” we feel it has but just begun.

We, perhaps, move rather slowly, but now that we are started we intend to hold on in this work till every rum-shop is closed, every drunkard saved, and all our children are safe in the fold. In Plainville we have a Children’s Temperance Union, numbering seventy members. We have also presented a neat little pledge to each teacher in our Sabbath-school; these are triple pledges, including tobacco and profanity, as well as intoxicating drinks. For we feel, that while we labor to reform men, it is very necessary that we keep our children from forming these dreadful habits. And so we labor on as the dear Lord leads, one hand lifted to the throne, the other linked in with the thousands of Christian sisters, forming a band that encircles the world.

And we shall never cease, while life shall last, to labor for Christ and humanity.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

A meeting was called, July, 1874, by Mrs. Rebecca A. Morrill. Only four ladies responded to that call. Other meetings were held in the Centre Congregational Church, and in the First M. E. Church. Of one of these meetings a lady says: “As I stepped into the church, eight were bowed in prayer in a room where a thousand people could have been seated. Only eight souls responded to the call for prayer for the success of the temperance cause, and I said, ‘Here am I, Lord: send me.’” But the meetings continued, and the work went on, and these women baptized by the Holy Spirit went out into the lanes and alleys of the city, into the homes of the drunken and the sinful, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

After some months spent in labor, a society was organized, and saloon visiting undertaken. While some of the women remained in the rooms to pray, others would go out into the saloons to invite men to the prayer-room. Each Saturday evening especially, this work was pressed with zeal. They were generally treated with respect, but sometimes forbidden to sing, and asked not to remain long. In other places singing and prayer were allowed, and men stood with uncovered heads, and a profound stillness was observed during the religious exercise.

Most of the dealers admitted that they were doing wrong, and the drinkers that they were on the downward course, especially if they have become confirmed drunkards. There is, however, a large class of young men who see no danger. Sometimes they found fifty or sixty men in the saloons under thirty years of age. Many followed these women from the saloon to the prayer-room, and were saved by the power of grace, and are now in the church of Christ.

At Fair Haven, a beautiful suburban village, a wonderful work of grace was wrought. Very many too poor to ride in the street cars would walk two or three miles in the cold December and January evenings to be present at the place of prayer. Scores of these were converted, and a Union was formed at Fair Haven.

A glorious work was commenced among the children, and hundreds of children and youth were enrolled on their pledge-books. Neighborhood meetings were held, hundreds of families visited, and the interest of the people kept up by frequent mass-meetings. The membership now numbers about ninety.

STAFFORD, CONNECTICUT.