Notes on the World's W.C.T.U. Convention.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 64, 1 September 1900, Page 2

Notes on the World's W.C. T. U. Convention.

By Miss Powi.u

As some of the items of information published in our last issue are included in Miss Lowell’s Convention Notes now to hand, we do not insert her “ notes ” in full, but cull Iron', them the following, which doubtless will be read by ou l W.C.T.U. members with much interest. —Ed.

What can I say about this wonderful gathering ? As I look hack upon it after an interval of a few days I feel how inadequate are any words of mine to convey the impression produced. Weie I to say what I really think and feel respecting the proceedings which occupied our attention during those memorable days in the lovely city of Edinburgh, I should be accused of exaggeration, anil mv friends in the far-away land of my adoption would think I had suddenly betaken myself to oriental picturesqueness of description. On arriving in Edinburgh on June 20th, our party, consisting of Mrs Ni< hulls, of Australia, the C anadian President, and your delegate, w as conducted to the Edinburgh Cate, where we were refreshed by a cup of tea, and where we registered our names, as all delegates did on arrival. This Cafe deserves sp rial mention on account of its bearing upon a problem in our own colony. Over twenty years ago the Temperance people of Edinburgh d scoven d that, one after another, the confectioners were obtaining licenses, and it was Incoming quite a common practice for young girls on their way home from music-lessons, &c., to step in and take a glass of sherry and a biscuit. 1 hey promptly set alx>ut counteracting this evil, and established the aforesaid Cate, determining that, from the first, it should lie high class, l or the first year it did not pay, but soon retrieved its position, and is now “ making thousands,” a dividend of ten j)er cent. Umg paid on the shares, and the remainder ot the profits laid aside “ for a rainy day. Day by day we saw the spacious dining halls so crowded that customers stood waiting umil

others should rise from their chaiis. It is purely a restaurant , no boarding a< - commodation being provided.

On Thursday we had an all-day sitting of the World's Executive Com-

mittee, which included the World's officers, and a representative from ea< h country. In the absence of the N.Z. 1 nt your delegate took ner pla

as representative for our colony. The delegates from Brazil and Bahamas voiced the need of a missionary for those countries, while Mbs Clara Parrish pleaded for Japan.

On Saturday morning the Convention was called to order at 10 o’clock. Miss Willard’s portrait was placed upon an easel on the platform. The roll was called, delegates from all over the world answering to their names. After the hymn, “ We all belong,” had been sung, a solo, “On heights of power”—words by Miss W illard, music by Lady Henry Somerset was rendered,and the memorial service to “Our Promoted Comrades” was held. W hen we came to the name of Frances E. W illard a pause ensued, and through an open window came floating soft, sweet voices, singing, “Sleep on, beloved.” Lady Henry gave the address on our promoted leader, a solemn hush falling ovt r the assembly, and as she proceeded there were very few of her hearers whose eyes were not wet with tears over and over again. Frankly, s’le alluded to her “error” with regard to the Sta'e regulation of vice, humbly acknowdedging that, while it was “ an error of head rather than of heart, ’yet she must in some measure nave disregarded the influent e of the Divine Spirit or she could not have so gone astray, and gratefully referring to the Kev. J. S. Sanders, rector of Keigate, as having led her back to the truth. “ And if you felt,” she went on. “ that 1 could not represent your principles when I had been so diametrically opposed to much that you hold dear, 1 want to say you did well.” Surely Lady Henry’s severest critic must have been disarmed by the spirit she displayed, and at the close of her address an enthusiastic ally loyal crow d of women rose to their feet and gave her the Chatauqua salute, while a lovely l)Ouq»iet was presented to her from the Scottish W.T.A.

In the afternoon the Secretary s and Treasurer’s reports were presented, showing a great amount of work. Tht n followed Mrs Nl. A. Hunt’s report on

Scientific Temperance education. At the close of the session excursions to places of interest were indulged in, but we p >or creatures on the Executive had “our noses kept to the grindstone ; ” indeed, so afraid were our eaders that any of us might make our escape, that tin y provided tea for us in the building, after partaking of which we went straight back to work. A great deal o( business was got through, .he chief interest centreing in tn« reports by “ Kound-the World Missionaries" of the work in Egypt, Syria, Japan, Madagascar, and other conn tries, and the absolute necessity for a missionary b ang sent to reside for a time in each of those places unless our work is to collapse. On Sunday evening a number of the Edinburgh pulpits were occupied by White Kibboners (as well as some at a distance) some of the ministers also preaching Temperance sermons. On Monday morning Mrs Lovell, of Pennsylvania, gave her report on Humane Education, in the course of which she severely condemned the wearing of feathers, especially ospreys. This brought Mrs Pearsall Smith promptly to her feet, with the remark that if anybody here had them on they had better take them right out, now. There were a few, but very few ; and wasn’t I glad no feather had disgraced my head for more than ten years ! Miss Grayson, of Canada, in reporting upon work among railway men, tated that she had been informed that on a journey between Edinburgh and London the driver of the ttain had been offered drink more than thirty times. What would have happened had he accepted all the offers ? In the afternoon a number of “ frat rnal delegate*” from all over the world were introduced, one of these being Mr. Thomas Allen, brother of our New Zealand President.' The eldest sjn of Mr. Richard Evans, of Kaiapoi, attended some of the meetings, but not being related to the President was not introduced. In the evening, at the public meeting, Lady Henry gave a stirring address, ,-veral musical items being contributed, among them a patriotic song by Mr. Loudin, of the Fiske public singers. iMr. Loudin said to me, “You may now what we think of N.Z when we ave named our house ‘ Otira.’ ” And Mrs. Loudin expre sed herself as greatly truck with the “Alpine grandeur of N.Z., side »»y side with its semi-tropica! vegetation.’)

l'he chief interest of the evening, however, centred around the representatives of various countries, who each spoke for five or ten minutes. Madame Helenius, of Finland, was very piquant, with her broken English an 1 her frequent gesticulations. She told us how Herr Helenius travelled about a great deal, and had organised three W (' T I .

branches. “My he >band,” said she, “ writes for a lot of papers an awful lot of papers he works awful hard, poor man!” Miss Sla< k here called the gentleman in question to the platform and introduced him, and after a few more remarks his wife said, “De bell have ring,” and sat down amid laughter and cheers. As for me, I had heard a rumour that 1 was to b * called upon, but did not understand the message as official until I heard my name called, and bad to stand up without a minute to prepare. Hut everyone is so interested in our advanced Temperance legislation that there is no difficulty in filling in ten minutes without preparation, or an hour, for that matter!

On Tuesday Hr. Wood Allen, another of our world renowned workers, read her purity report. Her bright young daughter, Rose Wood-Allen, was a prominent feature of the Convention, flitting about on errands. At the even- j ing meeting she contributed a recita- j tion.

When Mrs L. M. N. Stevens, I ’resident, l .S A., was elected Vice President at Large, she said “ I never said *No to Frances Willard when she asked of me a small service or a difficult one. And now that you have chosen me to stand side by side with the one who has been chosen to stand in her place I w ill do my best to serve her as 1 served Frances Willard.”

Three representatives of the negro race were present. I was touched by the simple remark of one : “We wanted to come to Edinburgh because we were told your people loved our people and wanted us.”

Invitations to hold the next World’s Convention in Australia, Cape Colony, and Brooklyn were received, and re ferred to the Executive Committee. The C onvention closed with the singing of “ God l>e with you till we meet again.” In the evening a reception in honour of the Convention was given by the Lord Provost, and was attended by between 30<xi and 4<xx> ladies and gentlemen. A fine band was in attendance, and as the gathering was held in

the Museum of Science and Art the objects of interest were many. A most novel feature was the attendance of a number of fine Scotch la Idies from the Industrial School, in Higlilan I costumes, armed with bagpipes. Never again, after hearing the bagpipes in Bonnie Scotland, shall I call them un-musical or meaningless. The music was most inspiriting.

Our kind hostesses were prodigal in their hospitality, arranging for us the most delightful trips into the country, receptions, and afternoon teas, many of which it was impossible for us of the Executive to accept. Our Invercargill friends will remember Mrs Lockhart, of Edinburgh, who some years ago visited the colony, and attended our meetings. When I beard that I was to he her guest I felt that the pleasure of my visit would be greatly enhanced. Two other delegates shared her hospitality, viz., Mrs Fspenak, Secretary of the Norwegian W.C.T.1., a charmingly bright, little English woman, married to a Norwegian and Broken Johanessen, the Norwegian president. We had a delightful home, and the day before leaving—when the B.W.T.A. meetings were in progress, and we therefore felt free to see a little of the lovely city—we were taken by our kind hostess for a most charming drive, and also visited the Castle, Holy rood Palace, and other places of interest. Wednesday and Thursday were occupied by the B.W.T.A during which we who had occupied the seats of honour were relegated to the galleries, while the “ Biitish Wo» men ’ took our places. W'e were often amused, when we put the question, “ Where do you come from ? ” at the apologetic manner in which they would answer, “ Oh, I’m only F'nglish ! ” The last night of our stay was occupied by the Social Purity meeting "dii:h, first announced as “fjr worrnn only,” was ultimately thrown open to both sexes. There was a full attendance, the chair being, of course, occupied by Dr. Mary Wood Allen.

What an education it was in business methods to see Mrs Stevens, Presidert F.S.A., conduct a meeting. Katherine Lente Stevenson,our sweet singer, with her pleasant, forceful utterances, and her winning manner; Miss Joh insdottir, of Iceland, the speaker of the Convention, with her broken English and her thrilling words, and many others whom I hav° not time to mention how these dear worn n grew into my

heart day by day, so that I seemed to love them more each hour of our coinra teship ! I have always said we have the cream of womanhood in our W hite Ribbon ranks, and here we had the crem* tie lit crime. Moreover, I have discovered the secret of perpetual youth. No moro & wmeti< s ! No iwon Ma 1 ime Rachel’s baths ! Tell all the fashionable ladies who are trying to make themselves lo<»k young, to join the W.C.T.U. A number of our leaders added the date of their birth to their autograph in my album, and 1 got quite a series of surprises. 1 hey were so much older than I had thought them.

As I looked around upon those grand women, so much gra ider than l had expected even, 1 thought what an anomaly! Here are all these women who, for years, have given their best thought to the social problems of the day, and hardly two per cent, of them are enfranchised. And, dear sisters, I am so giatl that you have a vote, and so sorry you were not, every one of you. at the W'orld s Convention. Mary S. Fowl u.