The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Monday, May 15, 1905. Frances E. Willard.

White Ribbon, Volume 10, Issue 120, 15 May 1905, Page 7

The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Monday, May 15, 1905. Frances E. Willard.

In the year 1887, Miss Willard was elected as a delegate to the Methodist General Conference, but was denied a

seat in that assemblage, women not being deemed eligible. A parliamentary vote she never exercised, and could not do so to-day were she still living and in her own country. Vet on February 17th last, her statue was placed in the Capitol, by the side of the “ father of America,” George Washington. The day was set apart by Congress to talk of her work and worth. Senators and Representatives vied with each other in laudation.

At a gathering in the Metropolitan Church the representative of the clergy of Washington asked that he might voice the eulogy of 150,000 ministers of the United States »

We rejoice in this national recognition of a great woman and her work, and satisfaction is deepened as we look at the comprehensive programme she laid before her followers. Frances Willard saw that the true aim and pur-

pose of the W.C.T.U. should be “ to increase the common joy.’ Her strong eye pierced the future and saw whole peoples and nations righteous, vigorous, prosperous, enjoying life to the full. She believed in the “ life abundant ” for every son and daughter of God. Hence every activity that could minister to human well - being was seized upon and dovetailed into the platform of her world wide organisation world wide we say, for the

national society which she found in 1883 became, under her wise governance, an international one which before her death was firmly planted in fifty different countries. She believed in the transitoriness of evil and marked the signs of decay in the dominions of alcohol and war anil lust and

covetousness and oppression of all kinds. She saw* the faint dawning of the kingdom of righteousness, of peace and purity, of temperance and health, of beauty and plenty, and counted it her joy to hasten its coming. A great soul was, —nay, is —Frances Willard, aril a

grand inheritance has she bequeathed to the white ribbon host. May that host rightly prize and wdsely use their inheritance.