THE WORLD’S W.C.T.U. BIENNIAL AND B.W.T.A. ANNUAL MEETINGS.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 2, 1 August 1895, Page 1

THE WORLD’S W.C.T.U. BIENNIAL AND B.W.T.A. ANNUAL MEETINGS.

Held in London Dl'king the Week Beginning

June i6th. An Executive meeting of the World’s W.C. I.U. was held on Friday, June 14th, from 10.30 a.in. till 1 p.m., and from 2 p.m. till 3 p.m. ; Miss Frances Willard, LL.D., presiding. 1 here were present —The Lady Henry Somerset, Vice-Presi-dent; Mrs Hannah Pearsall Smith, Adviser to the Executive ; Miss Anna Gordon, Assistant Secretary. The following delegates were present : —Mrs Rose E. Peters, Newfoundland ; Mrs Organe, Madras, India ; Mrs Richard, China ; Mrs Dann, Bahamas ; Mrs Porter, Madagascar ; Miss Lerche, Christiania, Norway; Miss Mary B. Willard, delegate for Berlin ; Miss Jessie Ackerman, delegate for Australia; Mrs Addison,

Madeira Islands; Miss A. Y. Thompson, Cairo, Egypt; Mrs Alii Trygg, Helsingfors, Finland; Miss Wells, Burmah ; Mrs Walker, Ceylon ; Mrs Sagar, Queensland, Australia ; Miss J. M. Ferguson, West Australia; Mrs Murray, South Africa; Miss de Broen, Paris; Mrs Todd, New Brnnswick ; Miss Beatrice Dickson, Sweden ; Mrs Archibald, Nova Scotia ; and Mrs K. W. Sheppard, New Zealand. A number of the foreign delegates had not arrived in the morning, but were expected before the day was over. The hymn, “ Give to the winds thy fears was sung; and Mrs Todd, of New Brunswick, read a few verses of Scripture, and offered prayer. Business then began in earnest. Miss Willard is an ideal President. It is not often one finds, either in man or woman, such a happy combination of qualities as in her exist, and so eminently fit her for the position she holds. Her long experience has made the forms and technicalities connected with ihe “ chair " become “ second nature ” to her, so that she is able to give her whole mind to the question under discussion. No desultory conversation is allowed to fritter away precious time. At the least symptom of it Miss Willard’s voice is heard : “ Are you ready for the question ? Remarks are in order ” —and quick response is made by the members. Remarks are made to the chair when desired, and if not the question is settled by vote. And with all this method Miss Willard is courtesy itself to each and all. If her brain is quick, so also are her sympathies, not only where work is concerned but for the workers, and so she is careful that all present shall have an opportunity of expressing their thoughts on whatever question is being considered. She has a keen sense of humour, which adds to her charm, and helps to brighteu many a discussion,

Her old and privileged friend, Mrs Hannah Whitehall Smith, was the only member who ventured to call her to order. This was usually on the occasion of some scheme which she was propounding for bringing the white ribbon into some hitherto unworked country. Mrs Smith’s favourite exclamation was : “ Frances, where will thee get the money from?” Miss Willard generally replied by giving instances of how on several occasions they began in faith and were not disappointed. One little speech, while intended in deadly earnest, caused some merriment : Before Lady Henry Somerset came in, Miss Willard proposed that she should be appointed President of the World’s W.C.T.U., urging many reasons why Lady Henry should take her (Miss place. Up rose Mrs H. W. Smith and said wrathfully : “ Frances, how could thee be such an idiot ? Thee might as well propose that some one else be the mother of my children.” In spite of such an onslaught Miss Willard sent round the ballot, which resulted in her own re-appointment. Lady Henry is vice-President at large, Miss Agnes Slack, of London, is Secretary, Miss Anna Gordon Assistant Secretary, Mrs Threnley, of Canada, Treasurer, and Mrs Mary Clement Leavitt, Miss Ackerman, Mrs Andrew, Dr. Kate Bushnell, and Mrs Stewart are honorary vicepresidents.

Superintendents were appointed for the several departments of work, and the commissions of Miss Ackerman, Dr. Kate Bushnell, and Mrs Andrew were renewed as “ round the world missionaries ” for the next two years, at £T2o a year each. Some new r departments were created “ Food Reform ” was the first. This had been adopted by the last N.Z. Convention through the influence of Miss May Yates, and the resolution that the department be adopted by the World’s W.C.T.U. was one of the instructions to the N Z. delegate. It was unanimously passed by the Executive, Miss Yates being appointed the World’s Superintendent of the department. A department of “ Wholesome Amusements ” was created, also one of “ Politics.” It was strongly recommended to the different countries that a woman be appointed to influence some woman in each of the various churches who would urge the members to join the W.C.T.U.

Dr Kate Bushnell’s “doubling up” scheme was proposed, or rather suggested, to the various local Unions. It is that each local Union should

affiliate itself with some other local Union in a different country, with which it should exchange reports of work, and views of various methods, and, that ai each Annual Convention the local Union should report the work of its “ double,”

thus bringing Unions and workers much closer together, and giving and receiving sympathy and information.

A bye-law was formed and passed by which the superintendents of departments should become members of the Executive Committee. To allow of action being taken quickly when found necessary it was arranged that the general officers, and vicepresidents should forma sub-committee empowered to act: a statement of all work to be sent quarterly to all the members of the Executive.

It was interesting to hear from the various delegates some accounts of their work, but no formal reports were received. Touching allusion was made to the names of Mary Allen West and Mrs Woodbridge, who had passed away since the last Biennial Convention. All delegates were unanimous in one thing, viz., that it was positively necessary to the life of the W.C.T U. in each country that an organising secretary be appointed to form Unions, teach “ methods of work," and revive those branches which were likely to die from inanition.

It was resolved to have a “ world’s ” flag, made of white silk, white lilies and green leaves to form the painting decoration, and the motto, “ For God, and Home, and every Land ” to be in gold letters. Mrs Richards, from China, promised the white silk for the flag. It was decided to keep open the Demorest Medal contest.

At 4 p.m., a tea-tray kindly sent by Mrs Ward Poole was enthusiastically received, and a vote of thanks accorded her.

I must not omit to mention that the hour of prayer was remembered at noon-tide, when the hymn, “ Blest be the tie that binds,” was sung, and prayer offered by Mrs Todd, of Canada.

K. W. Sheppard.