Farewell Words from Mrs. Helen Barton.

White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 199, 18 January 1912, Page 10

Farewell Words from Mrs. Helen Barton.

' Melbourne, 27 12 11. My I')e.\» Comrades am> Felm)v- Wokkkks. Reform leaving the Land of the Southern Cross for the Land of the Mountain and Flood, 1 wish you all that is best in the year ltli2. In saying good-bye to you all, I wish to express my heart-felt thanks for all the tokens of kind sympathy and true comradeship of which 1 have been the recipient in Maoriland. Though land and sea divide us, 1 shall never forget all your kindness and consideration to one who was a stranger and a sojourner in your Dominion. For the courtesy and attention of ih* R-v. J. Lawson, who is one of the best; to Mr. McDermott, with his geniality; to the Dominion Kxecutive, the I'residents and Secretaries of the various No-License Leagues; t<» the Piesideut Mis Cole of the Wd'.T.l ~ office-bearers and members of the l nion, 1 give my grateful thanks, and carry their gieetings to the dear Homeland, and hope some day to have the joy and pleasure of welcoming you to Ronnie Scotland only don’t all come at once. Yours is indeed a lovely country. Houndless opportunities lie within your sea-girt shores; there is a great future before your nation. I admire your splendid women : they have indeed risen to a sense of their duty in New X *alaud. The power of the franchise is a glorious weapon to enable you to clear your lovely country of the ciuel liquor traffic, which is a menace to the well-being of your people, and help you in making purer laws to establish iu your generation more wholesome conditions for the oppressed of your sons and daughters, and bringing in the reign of righteousness which alone exalteth a nation ; for women’s good is ur n s good —they rise and fall together. Your recent tight has been a great triumph for Prohibition : the voice of the people has been heard with no uncertain sound, and the echoes are resounding all over the world. A fresh impetus to the w orkers in the Temperance movement has been given, and fresh courage to yourselves. Go on, brave hearts. God is with vou. It was a great privilege to me to take part in your campaign. My soul desires the liberty of the captive slaves of the liquor curse, and I long for the suppression of the liquor traffic, which has ravaged many thousands in the < fid Land, and is devastating with its withering blight everywhere in the New World. I am sure many of you would like to know something about my six months'

campaign, which has covered thousands .of miles of travel by land and sea, sometimes under very trying conditions and difficulties. Yet with it all, the Lord has brought me through it safe ami sound. He was my Pillar and ('loud by day, and I ire by night. 1 feel better to-day than for many years. Your land has given me renewed vigour, and my total abstinence has stood me iu good stead in all weathers. I shall carry away pleasant memories of loving hearts that shall he a spring of joy in my life, till the flood-gates shall hurst iu eternal love. I find that during the time, I addressed three hundred and thirty meetings, indoor and outdoor ; attended five conventions ; slept iu ouo hundred ami ten beds, all of which were clean and comfortable ; I have also visited gaols, prison camps, lock-ups, hospitals, mental hospitals, benevolent institutions, children, shelters, etc., besides the many private interviews and confidences, which has opened up a new outlook, and which shall ho helpful for many new schemes of action. I cannot thank all personally for the kindness 1 have received, so this shall do fur all. May God bless, border, and brighten all your lives with His love. You will he pleased to hear 1 visited Mr Judkins at Iris home yesterday, and found him wonderfully cheerful, lie was pleased to hear all about your campaign. What a lively interest he displayed in your great victory. Jiruve, heroic soul, lie is so patient under his heavy trial, and sends greetings to you all. I am sure all our prayers go out to him. May he he cheered in knowing that though God lays aside Ilis workmen He still carries ou His work, and to feel that while he had opportunity he did his share to make the world better and lift the burden off humanity. Go, thou, and do likewise! Good-bye ! good luck ! God speed the end of the liquor truth •! Yours for God, Home, and Humanity, Hki.kx Rautox. Home address Helenslea, Parkhead, Glasgow, Scotland.