White Ribboners' Pilgrimage to Evanston, Frances E Willard's Old Home.

White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 199, 18 January 1912, Page 11

White Ribboners' Pilgrimage to Evanston, Frances E Willard's Old Home.

The day after the closing of the National Convention at Milwaukee, over two hundred of the delegates came to Evanston, and with quiet, reverent steps, made a pilgrimage to Pest ( ottage, the home of Frances E. Willard. Many had never before viewed the rooms made sacred by the presence in other days of this honoured leader of the white ribbon hosts. They lingered in “I he Den,” as she styled her study and library, every article of furniture, every hook and every picture in which is suggestive of the great work done by this rare woman, who planned and laboured and sacrificed that “ the world might he wider for women ana more homelike for humanity.” The visitors also availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing The Willard, where are located the offices of the (ieneral < Mficers of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and made a tour of the new Literaturu Building, occupied by the circulation and editorial departments of The I nion Signal , and the general offices and stock room from which W.C.T. U. and general temperance literature are distributed. Luncheon was served by the Home Missionary Society of the First Methodist Church of Evanston, in the beautiful new Church, located on the site of the historic church of which Frances Willard was a member.

Immediately after luncheon, by the courtesy of the City Council, over twenty automobiles were placed at the disposal of the visitors, and they were given a drive through classic Evanston, so superbly located on the shores of Lake Michigan. A little later the Delegates took a special train for liosehill, the beautiful cemetery a few miles south of Ew.nston. Reverently, two by two, the white ribbon women passed under the artistic arching entrance and along the winding white paths. Silently they encircled the Willard family lot, and many for tle> first time read the well-known inscription on the handsome Vermont granite boulder, “ Frances E. Willard. Founder of the World's Women’s Christian Temperance Union. £ho made the world wider for women and happier for humanity.” Stauding beside the grave, on which rested a lovely wreath of white blossom starred with gold, Mrs Stevens tenderly broke the impressive silence with gracious words of sisterly comfort and heavenly vision. After speaking of the care given by Miss Gordon all through the year to the grave of Frances E. Willard and her mother, Mrs Stevens introduced Miss

Gordon as the leader of the service. Miss Gordon, in a clear low voice, vibrating with controlled emotion, asked all to join with her in repeating the twenty-third psalm and the Lord’s Prayer. She then placed on the grave two wreaths, tied with white ribbon, one of arbor vitae and the other of tir balsam, sent by Vermont comrades from the childhood homes of Frances K. Willard’s father and mother. Clasping hands and feeling that they represented the white ribbon sisterhood in heaven and on earth, all softly sang: “ Hlest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love,’’ and with bowed heads repeated the benediction, “ The Ix>rd bless thee and keep thee ; the laonl make His face shi*** upon thee and be gracious unto thee : the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.’’