W.C.T.U.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 287, 2 December 1914, Page 7

W.C.T.U.

MRS MOW-EM'S LECTURE. (Contributed.) Not even patriotism could draw the people from their home to face the stormy elements on Sunday afternoon, and consequently a mere handful of sympathisers turned out to hear Mrs Mowlem's lecture. Mrs Mowlem, in opening her address, said she was in Stratford representing the largest organised body of women in the world. The W.C.T.U. had a branch in every laud, and it was out to light all evils. The home-lire was its first care, for the speaker said: ''We recognise, that that is the foundation of the building up df character, and issues of nations depend upon* its wise management." Mrs .Mowlem then spoke of the handicap intoxicating drink has proved on every land, to the highest good, and stated that drink was tlie cause of 68,807 deaths every year in the United States. Other figures were given on the matter. After, the close of her address, Mrs Mowlem sang, in a rich contralto voice, to ttie tune -'Commonwealth," those beautiful lines of "Ebenezer Elliot's":— When wilt Thou save Thy people? 0 God of Mercy, when? Not kings alone, but nations! .Not thrones alone but men; Flowers of Thy heart 0 God are.they Let them not pass like weeds away, Their heritage a sunless day, God save the people. Mr Rogers' orchestra played some very fine selections, among them tho Belgian National Anthem, with its sparkling passages brought vividly before our mind's eye, the gallant little few, who held their own so long and bravely, against great odds, and "the Russian National hymn, so grand and majestic, seemed to reveal the very heart of the stern, sad-faced men who, before rushing into the very ja.vs of death, knelt a moment hi silent player. A collection was taken lp in aid of the British and Belgian fund, which will be handed in after expenses are paid.