CRUSADERS EVER.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 264, 18 June 1917, Page 1

CRUSADERS EVER.

The Crusaders What memories of our childhood linger round these words; how we pored over those wonderful stories of old; how our heart-; thrilled as we read of Peter the Hermit

rousing, with his fiery call, Europe to go and rescue the Holy Sepulchre from the Infidel Turk. Christian Europe flew to arms, kings and knights, soldiers an:l saints, poured in a ceaseless stream to the Holy Land. Europe was on fire with enthusiasm, and counted not the cost so long as

she could gain the Sepulchre of her Lord. Pass over a few centuries, and again is launched a crusade, this time ’neath Western skies. The Crusaders are not steel-clad kn ghts, but weak women, .strong only in their absolute dependence on the Lord of Hosts.

Crusaders <»t uid fought to free the Sepulchre of our Lord from sacrilegious hands; oui modern Crusaders, pictured here, prayed and worked to save God’s living temples from the defiling and debasing power of King Alcohol. They sounded their warcry for a saloonless nation, and ringing across the continent and down the years that cry rallied all ranks and all ages, until now the batUe is almost won.

Again have women called “to arms ’ for a Holy War. The Convention in Auckland voiced that call; its members solemnly pledged themselves before High Heaven to spare neither time, labour, nor sacrifice to rouse this Dominion to the foul iniquity of the liquor traffic. Wo have looked upon physical, mental, and moral degenerates, the products of alcoholic heredity; we have seen the starved, ill-used <h Idren, broken-hearted wives and mothers, and as we looked on these, have heard the Master say, “See here the images ye have made of Me.” We have drawn the sword, we have away the scabbard; we call no halt until we stand upon the white heights of victory, led thither by the Angel of Sacrifice, and sec toppling into the abyss, from whence it sprung, the devil’s pet scheme for ruining the bodies and souls of men—the Liquor Trade. Will every woman heed the clarion call? Let each one ask her neighbour and her friend to pray for National Prohibition. Get every woman linked up with us in White Ribbon Bonds, and make the woman’s vote a solid vote for righteousness. Spend and be spent for this glorious cause. “I gave my life for thee, What hast thou given for Me? I spent long years for thee, Hast thou spent one for Me? My Father’s House on high. My rainbow-circled throne, I left it all for Thee, What Fast thou left for Me?”