The White Ribbon. “Fat God, and Horae, and Humanity" WELLINGTON, APRIL 1, 1949 ADDRESS GIVEN AT DOMINION CONVENTION

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 3, 1 April 1949, Page 4

The White Ribbon. “Fat God, and Horae, and Humanity" WELLINGTON, APRIL 1, 1949 ADDRESS GIVEN AT DOMINION CONVENTION

By Mrs. HUGH KASPER

TEMPERANCE WORK IN THE UNITED STATES 1 have been asked to speak on Temperance Work in the United States and I appreciate the privilege of doing so. First, I would like to say that the work is vital and real. In America I heard many addresses, and the outstanding theme was Prohibition, Local Option and Scientific Temperance. The programme of the W.C.T.U. is carried out, but first and foremost among aims is the abolition of the liquor trade. The Crusade. You have all heard, I am sure, of the Crusade which gave birth to the W.C.T.U. It is one of the most notable events in the history of the Temperance movement, which began December 15th, 1873, in Fredonia, New York, and at Hills--1 >orough, Ohio, on December 24th, 1873. The first 75th and notable Diamond Anniversary of this historic event was the Jubilee Convention in Ohio held on October 20th, 1948. Clinton N. Howard was one of the guest speakers. I have quoted from some of his statements made at the

W orld Convention. By request hs was asked to speak on the same subject. Mr. Clinton Howard, who spoke at the Jubilee Convention, asked, “What is the matter with Prohibition ? ” Mr. Howard said “ For 50 years I have been the Guest Speaker of Local, State, National and World W.C.T.U. Conventions. I have declined to speak sometimes under the auspices of other dry organisations because they are unstable and operate along the lines of least resistance. Not so the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. It has not changed its name or front since the Fire from Heaven fell upon the Crusade Women.” The text Mr. Howard opened his address with was “ and God spake unto Moses—out of the midst of the burning bush and said —put off thy shoes from off thy feet 'or the place whereon thou si»ndeth is Holy Ground.” I know of no heiter description of the Women’s Cnristian Temperance Convention than that—Holy Ground. I have attended them for 50 years so I feel as I stand behind the desk of this historic Church to speak on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of the Women’s Crusade when the fire came down upon that brave band of praying women gathered around the altar of the Presbyterian Church on December 24th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., who then went out and knelt on the snow-covered pavements, emblem of the White Riblion which they were soon to wear upon their l>osoms, and to wrap round the staggering world. Directed by God, Moses appointed .70 Elders of Israel. Jesus appointed 70 other disciples—7o crustde mothers who set out on their mission at Hillsborough singing—“ Give to ‘he winds thy fears.’ Since that day and after the Union had been formed, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union has never gone back. They have increased their membership by thousands. In 1946-47 they gained 25,000—their objective was a million last year and although I have not received the total returns 1 know they have greatly increased the membership over the previous year. For a six years’ period new members gained were 44,090. Little White Ribboners. The United States has the Little White Ribboners Department well organised under the title of “ White Ribbon Recruits.’* They appoint efficient superintendent* so that an intensive campaign is maintained all the time. The war interfered somewhat with the constant training of the wirk.e Last year they

asked for a million new recruits—--28,357 were reported at the World Convention. Loyal Temperance Legion*. Almc >t every Union conducts an L.T.L. or some member a House Legion. At the School of Methods at Pasadena a woman told me she started one with her grandchildren and now she has quite a large Legion. They have Schools of Methods Workshops just to study me..tods and tney spend whole days on the organisation of L.T.L Leaders go home with all sorts of equipment to demonstr? ? Temperance Facts and Scientific pacts. The>e schools are held t ery year and la-c three or five or ii/. days. This Was said at a slrte-wide one-day school for L.T.L leaders in Dover, Delaware, 29 Leaders attended. “ When you observe the speed and power of today, when you observe the trained co-ordin-ation of mirnl and body demanded in handling this speed and power, when you learn why alcohol causes people to lose their .needed co-ordination oi mind and body for handling this speed and power, when you become conscious of the injury to many persons because one person attempted to handle speed and power when under the influence of alcohol, then you will help to make it possible for more children to become members of The Loyal Temperance Legion.” The L.T.L. helps children to learn the reasons for personal sobriety. The L.T.L. is an Agency through which you can help boys and girls learn to adjust themselves socially; an Agency for helping hoys and girls to an understanding of why perconal total abstinence is needed for Christian growth, an Agencv for assuring the future growth of the W.CT.U. The Young Crusader is a monthly paper printed for the L.T.L. anil children’s work, a definite Christian Temperance matter. Mrs. Powell, the Assistant Editor is responsible for the paper. She works in conjunction with M iss Wiggins, the Secretary of the L.T.L. and Miss Bosnian, who is in charge of the Medical Scientific Temperance Department. She was appointed when Miss Rachel Palmer resigned through ill-health. Th* 44 Y” Work. The “Y” Work is carried on under the title of Youth Temperance Council. Miss Regina Moede is General Secretary and in charge of this work throughout thf whole of the United States. Every (continued on page 9)