THE WORK OF REFORM AND RESCUE.

In the work of reform and rescue, the State and local unions are very active, especially in the larger towns and cities.  In the smaller towns, religious temperance meetings are held weekly, and in the larger cities, daily, and sometimes twice a day.  Chicago has as many as eighteen meetings every week.  In Chapters XIX. and XX. of the first part of this volume, we have described at length, and from personal observation, the way in which these temperance prayer-meetings are generally conducted, and the means used for lifting up and saving the poor drunkard.

What are known as “Reform Clubs,” have grown out of the efforts made of these praying women, to hold in safety the men whom they have been able to rescue.  These clubs are numerous in New England and the Western States, and have a large membership, which is composed exclusively of reformed men.  The common platform upon which they all stand is:  1.  Total abstinence. 2.  Reliance upon God’s help in all things. 3.  Missionary work to induce others to sign the pledge.  In Newark, N.J., there is a club with a membership of over six hundred reformed men, nearly all of whom have been rescued in the past three years, through the efforts of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of that city.

In an interview with Mrs. Wittenmyer, President of the National Union, who had received reports of the third year’s work from the various unions, we learned that, after deducting from the returns all who were known to have broken the pledge, ten thousand remained as the number reported to have been saved during the year, and who were still standing in the strength which God had given them.  The larger part of these rescued men had united themselves with the church, and were earnestly endeavoring to lead Christian lives.

KEEPING ALIVE A SENTIMENT ADVERSE TO THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

Another and most important branch of the work of the “Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,” is that of arousing, keeping alive and intensifying a sentiment adverse to the liquor traffic.  So long as the State and National Governments give the sanction of law to this traffic, they find their efforts to save the fallen, utterly unavailing in far too many instances.  In an appeal made by the women of the State Union to the voters of Massachusetts, under date of August 15th, 1877, the curse of this traffic is exhibited in words of solemn earnestness.  The document is strong and convincing, yet temperate and respectful.  We copy it entire as presenting arguments and considerations which every humane and Christian voter in the land should lay deeply to heart: 

“The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union comes to you with a solemn and earnest appeal.

“Our mission is the redemption of the Commonwealth from the curse of intemperance.  During the past year we have labored incessantly for this end, and have expended nearly twenty thousand dollars in efforts to rescue the perishing, and to educate public sentiment in favor of total abstinence.