AGNES F. SLACK.-REMINISCENT AND TRIBUTE.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 383, 18 June 1927, Page 6

AGNES F. SLACK.-REMINISCENT AND TRIBUTE.

(By Blanche Kead-Jolmston.)

It is a high privilege to me to pay tribute to the life of my dear friend and co-worker in our World's Work. Miss Agnes Slack.

There is gratification in the thought that Miss Slack’s life’s story has been published. It is a biography of fascinating fr.terest ’o her many friends and admirers, and. much more, a record of valuable information and important historical data concerning the International Movement to which Miss Slack has consecrated her life’s service and her exceptional gifts and abilities.

1 seem always to have known Agnes Slack. But in reality, I only met her personally in 1913. On that occasion she was the honoured guest and speaker at our National Convention, which w r as held in London, Ontario, Canada, in that year. It was after an interesting public address, sparkling with humour and striking incidents and facts. Miss Slack had been presented with magnificent floral sheaf. Lillies. I think, or Clad 1011.

All Miss Slack’s friends will know she is a lover of walking and open windows. At the close of her lecture, she refused all offers of a conveyance, assuring us that she preferred to walk —alone —to the home of her hostess. I called a carriage and had driven through the lovely autumn night to my temporary abode. After passing along some distance, 1 noticed a lady walking very quickly along the pavement in the beautiful Queen’s Avenue. 1 am not absolutely sure now, but I think Miss Slack had become a little uncertain of her location in relation to her destination, so I was delighted when she, at the late hour, In a strange city, w r as persuaded to accept a place in the carriage for herself and flowers. And so commenced an acquaintance-

ship with one who is now a muchloved friend.

Afterwards at the Brooklyn World's Convention (1913), 1 had further opportunities of observing her, and I was impressed with her keen Dess of perception, her acute menta' grasp of the great variety of problems seeking solution, and her readiness In comprehending a situation and realizing how each peculiar and separate one should be met.

We have met frequently since that time, and for almost ten years our correspondence has been constant and carried on in a most happy and harmonious way.

In 1920, during our World’s Woman's Christian Temperance l uion Convention in London, England, the distinguished honour came to me of becoming associated with Miss Slack as co-honorary Secretary of the World’s Union. The remembrance of her loving acceptance of me in that capacity will always live in my heart. The hours spent with her in counsel and conference in the home of our late esteemed and lamented President, Rosaline, Countess of Carlisle, cannot be obliterated from memory’s rich storehouse. Lady Carlisle, in her clever anti gracious way, initiated me in the problems, principles and tremendous potentialities and responsibilities of our World's Work. And upon those memorable occasions 1 was made aware of the warm affection of the Countess for Miss Slack, and her unlimited confidence in the future triumphs of our great world-wide organization, and of Alias Slack’s important part in the leadership in achieving ultimate success. Of Miss Slack’s zeal for and skillful devotion to the stupendous task of the worldwide banishment of the hydra-headed evil of strong drink. I have no words to give adequate expression. I would pay special tribute to her faith in Cod and that righteousness which exalts a nation, and her loyalty to her friends.

That the story of her self-sacri-fieial and brilliant life may carry a tm-snage of hopeful encouragement of inspiration and stimulus to her associates all round the world. I am confident, and I hope all White Ribbon Leaders may secure a copy, and that it may be placed in public libraries everywhere.