USA > Ohio > Highland County > Hillsboro > Hillsboro crusade sketches and family records > Part 8
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The same faithful . pastor, Dr. McSurely, of this same dear old Church, as true to the cause as ten years before, opened the meeting, but after devotional exercises and cheering comfort of speech, turned the service over to the ladies by calling to the chair the president elected just ten years before. After reading the 146th Psalm, she gave her testimony to the faithfulness of "a covenant-keeping God," who had verified his promises made to her ten years previous, by "vindicating the wrongs of the oppressed," by loosing the prisoners, by opening the eyes of the blind, by raising up those who were bowed
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down, and by "turning the way of the wicked upside down."
Well knowing that hearts and ears were wait- ing for the inspired words of Miss Willard, al- ways eloquent and soul-moving, she was doubly so in responding to the invitation to speak on this blessed day.
"Give to the winds thy fears" was sung at her request, after which a memorial paper was read by Mrs. Janes, in which tender record was made of the members of the original Crusade band who had gone from labor to reward, and of whom it might be well said, " Their works do follow them."
TESTIMONIES. ~
Mrs. General Joseph McDowell gave a brief account of the wonderful conversion of her noble husband at a prayer-meeting in the first room set apart for the use of the temperance women.
Mrs. McDowell gave us many incidents of interest connected with those wonderful days. This stirred the souls of others, and one after an- other related some striking reminiscence of '73 and '74, until the noon hour admonished us that time was only too short for the pent-up memo- ries of those days of spiritual power.
Mrs. Margaret Stevens, a faithful worker, though a most retiring one, was urged to relate the following incident of the war of bloodless vic-
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tories: On one occasion when we were trying to save the poor men from entering those places of death, our leader, who was holding a prayer- meeting in front of a saloon, noticed that the back entrance was becoming popular, and sug- gested that it would be well to guard that point. I said I would be one to go, and Mrs. Doggett joined me. Very soon two young men ap- proached, evidently not sober. One, having a gun upon his shoulder, insisted upon having their rights. We said: "You have no right to destroy yourselves." The gun was taken down in a menacing manner by the young man as he approached me. Just at that instant Mrs. Dog- gett stepped up, and in her kind, gentle way, laid her hand upon the shoulder of the young man, saying : " John, I know how your mother prays for you, and now we will join her." The gun was laid down, the tears of contrition began to flow, and as they left they said : " You are brave, good Christian women, and we thank you for your in- terest in us."
Two brave Crusaders from Wilmington, Mrs. Farquhar and Mrs. Clevenger, had dared the worst weather that has ever been known in this region, to come over and help in celebrating our twenty-third; they gave very earnest words of sympathy and cheer, and enlivened the meeting by some of the incidents of their work, which
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was so successful that for months they rejoiced in having no open door to destruction in their midst.
Two earnest Presbyterian sisters gave won- derful testimony to the power of the Spirit upon their hearts during those days of prayer and sacrifice.
Mrs. Stephenson said the "sword of the Spirit " had severed from her soul (through the influence of the Crusade) that formality of serv- ice which for years had enslaved her spirit and fettered her tongue, so as to cause a lifeless, dumb service; that she had been delivered from the fear of the world, and had ever since rejoiced in the will of her Heavenly Father, and contin- ually upon her heart was the psalm of joy, " Praise ye the Lord."
Mrs. Ellifritz gave a most thrilling account of the struggles that she endured with her own spirit when she first went out with the Cru- saders-lifetime usages, the rules and forms of her own Church, which in the past, she claimed, had not brought out the latent spiritual power of woman. Finally, after a sore and prolonged bat- tle with the powers of darkness, the Spirit set her free, since which time she had been free indeed.
Mrs. Hart, wife of Mr. Alphonso Hart, who was one of our most earnest and liberal workers, always counting "sacrifice " a portion of "service," gave a talk this morning that appeared to set the
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calendar back a decade; for the tongues of fire that rested upon the original band seemed again visible. Mrs. D. K. Fenner (first secretary) also proved the undying nature of this zeal for God and humanity.
Mrs. Rev. McSurely brought out a very noticeable feature of our work as Crusaders in . the relation of an incident that occurred just as we were forming in line for the march to the street, on our way to do God's work. Some one said : "Why, Mrs. Thompson, are we really going to sing and pray in the saloons?" The answer was: "We don't know what we will do; God will lead and guide us."
To have heard the experiences of these good women on this " decennial anniversary " morning would have proved to the most doubting minds that the Crusade movement was from God, and that the purifying and quickening influence of the Holy Spirit was one of its seals,
Indeed it was a wonderful meeting, one long to be remembered; and with glad hearts we raised at this decade our Ebenezer, and sang together with the sisterhood of all lands, warmed by the same fire, "Blest be the tie that binds." Again we set forth with the "sword of the Spirit in hand," putting on anew the whole armor of God, resolved to battle with renewed zeal and courage "for God, and home, and every land."
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XX.
T THE unexpected changes in the tenor of the Woman's Christian temperance work, at the different eras of the dispensation that came upon them December, 1873, afford proof positive of the divinity of its origin. No finite mind could have inspired the persistence and guided the ever-varied tactics developed in this society of women, young and old, having its origin in the simple faith that God would do for them what they could not do for themselves, if they would obey his voice and walk according to the leadings of his spirit.
When the time came in our town for the Cru- saders to decide upon a change of policy regard- ing their temperance work, special prayer was resorted to, and passages of Scripture, as definitely as the "pillar of fire by night and of cloud by day," directed them. The zeal of the women sought new outlets; speakers of note and influ- ence from abroad were invited, and series of meetings held, causing an increase of interest in the community; and the constancy with which the regular weekly services were persevered in silenced all doubts as to the stability of the cause or the intentions of "these invincible women !"
About the time of "the Week of Prayer," 1888,
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it was resolved by the members of the Union to invite Mrs. Romick, of Ohio, for a week of tem- perance and gospel work in our town. Measures were at once set in motion, and on March 20, 1888, she came to us, as our secretary, Mrs. E. L. Warson, happily expressed it, "with a heart filled with love for God and humanity, and ready for work in his cause." The result was, many were benefited and our Union was built up and strengthened. Her sweet, humble Christian spirit will long be remembered among our people.
Mothers' meetings had become a favorite fea- ture of our work, conducted at first by Mrs. E. J. Patterson, a zealous worker in many depart- ments, and presided over afterwards by Mrs. Bridwell.
But, as is always the .case, some one person must be responsible for the outcome of such extra services, and that person must have a special gift and preparation. After our dear Mrs. Bridwell left us for favored Harriman, the mothers' meet- ings became a thing of the past. But we are trusting and believing that God will open the way for its revival.
The Ist of February, 1887, the ministers of the town, the "Murphy Men," the "Young Men's League," and other good temperance voters, circulated a petition asking the Common Council to provide for a special election, at which
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the electors of the city might be granted the priv- ilege of voting for or against the liquor-traffic under the local-option clause of the "Dow Law."
Two hundred signatures of qualified voters were obtained, and the petition was presented on February 7th. The City Council at first refused to grant the petition; but under strong pressure of public sentiment this action was reconsidered, and the election set for March 14, 1887.
At a meeting of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union upon Monday, February 2Ist, after most earnest devotional exercises, the sub- ject of so much interest took possession of all hearts, and questions of aid without hindering caused much anxious discussion. Finally it was proposed that the ladies should furnish a free lunch, to be served in the City Hall, above the voting place on election-day, provided the lead- ing temperance men approved the plan. Another general meeting of the women was appointed to be held in the Methodist Episcopal Church on the following Saturday afternoon, March 5th, and a general invitation issued to the ladies of the county to join them.
The committee in power (of men), through the committee of ladies appointed at a former meeting to confer with them, signified their thanks and hearty approval. At once the women set their hospitable designs to work by the ap-
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pointment of five most efficient workers as a " committee of trust," as to them was assigned the important obligation of selecting the serving committee, whose duty it should be to serve the tables at the hours assigned during the day, from 9 o'clock A. M. to 5 P. M.
A meeting of citizens of all faiths, religious and political, was called for Saturday evening the 26th, in City Hall, by the ministers of all the Churches and the signatures of thirty-three prominent citizens. This meeting was held in the parlor of the Young Men's League, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, on the evening of the 22d; and, by the way, this association of non- partisan, non-sectarian young men formed a most hopeful feature of our community. They owed their origin to the zeal and conservative spirit of the Rev. Davis W. Clark, son of Bishop Clark (deceased), and pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place at that time. He took a most active part in this contest, and was urged to write up the marvelous victory for prohibition in this Crusade town. From his account of things we make some quotations for the benefit of those interested.
Speaking of the meeting that was held on Saturday, ev ing, February 26th, in City Hall, he says: "Hon. J. H. Thompson was called to the chair. To him belongs the honor, not only
II
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of making an admirable opening address, but of having uttered a prophecy of victory, which had literal fulfillment. Dr. W. J. McSurely, of Cru- sade fame, followed in a forcible speech." An Executive Committee was appointed to have charge of the campaign. Mass-meetings now followed in quick succession, and were sustained by the best talent of this and neighboring com- munities.
On Tuesday evening, 10th, by invitation of the men's Executive Committee, the Young Men's League held a remarkable meeting in Armory Hall. Over one hundred young men fell into line, and, with J. M. Hughy for captain, and to the inspiring tap of the drum-corps, they paraded the streets. This demonstration produced a pro- found sensation. It seemed a mute but eloquent appeal. They were the class most endangered by the existence of the saloon. When the brave "League boys" filed into the hall and took the seats reserved for them, they received a perfect ovation from the immense audience.
On the Sabbath preceding the election the pulpits rang out with no uncertain sound. Rev. I. W. Joyce, D. D. (since bishop), arrived from Cincinnati on Saturday evening, by special in- vitation, and as the News Herald has it, "He preached on the subject of temperance at the Methodist Episcopal Church, both morning and
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evening, and talked on the same subject at Armory Hall in the afternoon. He was greeted with immense and enthusiastic audiences at each meeting. Rev. Davis W. Clark says :
"Our movement was pre-eminently religious. The affair had its inception in a meeting of ministers and under the roof of a church. All public meetings opened with prayer, and closed with doxology and benediction. It was a minister's voice in the closing hours of our struggle that called into line the last straggler. The cry of the Crusade may not have been audibly uttered, but it certainly kept ringing in the conscience, 'The Lord wills it.' The spontaneous praise service was an appropriate conclusion to the campaign.
"Any account of our recent struggle omitting to mention the share of the consecrated women in it, would be sadly defective. They did everything but vote. They made personal appeals, and were instant in prayer.
"The local Union of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union formed a happy nucleus, around which the elect ladies gathered, thus again proving itself a providential agency. Next to the Church we esteem the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the most thoroughly-organized and efficient philanthropic society of our times."
A continuous prayer-meeting, March 14, 1887, in the Methodist Episcopal Church was held in support of the efforts at the polls, and the lunch at the City Hall was free to all voters! Of this
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meeting our secretary, Mrs. Maggie L. Gregg, says:
"There was a Presence whose manifestations and in- fluence could be felt upon entering the room. The 'God of Jacob' in whom the old Crusaders trusted, and into whose ear the prayers of thousands of women have been received in the past thirteen years, was there, whispering the assuring words: 'Said I not, if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God?'"
The polls closed at five o'clock, and as we lingered to hear the last report, it was proposed that when our victory should be assured, the bells must ring out the praise of God, beginning with a few taps from the bell of the "Old Crusade Church!" As the crowd dispersed, an announce- ment was made by the ministers for a praise- meeting at 7.30 in the Methodist Episcopal Church. And thus the hilariousness of the peo- ple found a glorious channel in songs of victory and prayers of thanksgiving.
XXI.
P ROM the time of the Dow Law victory, March 14, 1887, little occurred of special interest in the Crusade work of Hillsboro. Everything tended to a well-defined battle between good
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laws and bad execution on the part of the com- munity of voters and their officers,-a battle in which women were powerless; but gospel tem- perance meetings were continued, the children were not forgotten, temperance literature was distributed, the prisoners were visited, and the weekly Woman's Christian Temperance Union prayer-meetings were never omitted.
At one of these services, about the 12th of September, 1887, it was intimated that a car- riage was at the door awaiting me for a service that required my attention, quite out of town. In my absence the meeting was continued, and a secret plan was formed for celebrating the coming anniversary of our Golden Wedding. The Rev. Davis W. Clark was foremost in aid- ing the ladies in developing this plan. The story of this occasion will be found, as told by our former secretary, Mrs. D. K. Fenner, in the chapter contributed by iny daughter, Marie T. Rives; but I may be permitted here to say of this beautiful occasion, that it remains to my husband and myself one of the most cherished memories of our lives. Having just passed the "golden milestone," and having served our local Union for thirteen years as president, I began to feel that a younger woman might be more efficient.
My resignation was referred to a committee
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(Mrs. Rev. W. J. McSurely and Mrs. Maggie L. Gregg), who replied as follows :
"Your committee, to whom was submitted Mrs. Thompson's request that she be released from the presi- dency of our local Union, would respectfully submit : That we do not consider Mrs. Thompson 'superannu- ated ;' that, although often prevented from meeting with us, yet when she is present we do not perceive that her natural force is abated; and we know that we but voice the feeling of all in saying that we most earnestly desire that she, who first led us out in this work, may continue to be our president for many years to come. We submit this, not as a mere sentiment, but from a conviction that we are doing what is best for our Union. Feeling that God called Mrs. Thompson to be our leader, we await a clearer indication of Providence that another is to take her place.
"In the mean time, during her absence from us, we recognize another leader in our first vice-president, Mrs. Hart, and we will faithfully stand by her."
The matter being thus adjusted, Mrs. Hart, with her usual energy and earnestness, prepared an appeal to the mayor and Council of our town, and, accompanied by Mesdames Foraker, McSurely, Murray, Smith, Gregg, Langley, Brid- well, Patterson, Willett, Stevenson, and McCon- naughy, delivered it at the set time, and was sustained by two of the councilmen, Dr. Patter- son and Mr. McNichol, with eloquent and ear- nest speeches favoring their wishes. Mrs. Hart's
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appeal is worth reading, notwithstanding the majority was against us :
"To the Hon. Mayor and Council of Hillsboro: 1
"It is claimed that the ordinance prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquor in our town is but a dead letter upon our statute-books, and feeling aggrieved that this is so, we, the women of Hillsboro, through the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, come to you with an earnest appeal to see to it that it be enforced. Nearly two years ago this ordinance was asked for by more than two-thirds of our voters, and by our united voice. It was placed upon our statute-books, not as a pastime, not as empty words, but to be enforced just as any law, and, as affecting our interests more than any law, you are asked to enforce, as by its non-enforcement our homes, our happiness, and the souls of our loved ones are placed in jeopardy. The voters, who asked its adoption, expected you, as sworn officers of the law, to enforce it. We hear it said that the ordinance is a failure. We grant that its enforcement has been a failure, but the ordinance is right, and right can not be wrong. It may need revision to make it more effective, and we pray your honorable body to do this. Can you turn a deaf ear to our appeal? We also ask that you make an appropriation of money sufficient to enable our officers to execute the law.
"On behalf of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Hillsboro, Ohio, MRS. GOV. HART, "Acting Pres., First Vice-Pres.
" LIZZIE H. HARSHA, Secretary."
All this effort on the part of the temperance women and their friends so stirred up inatters,
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that the " powers that be" determined to enforce the "tax " part of the "Dow Law," and let them sell on, as they had been doing (without paying for the "privilege "). With the money thus col- lected our streets, "so wide and airy," were vig- orously macadamized, and thus, while the tempted ones were drawn into the "open doors," the " very rocks were crying out " against " those people who love to have it so." "And what will ye do in the end thereof?" has been asked, not only by the prophet, but by many aching hearts, since that day, for "at last it stingeth like an adder," even "our enemies themselves being judges."
XXII.
F EBRUARY 27, 1889, Mrs. Hart suggested a temperance dinner by the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union, as one had not been given for some time, and the treasury was get- ting low. Ample preparations were made, and, March 2d, the dinner was given in the city hall. It was well patronized, and gave great satisfaction; but, best of all, it left a good impres- sion, socially as well as financially.
The family and large connection of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Foraker had planned so quietly and successfully in their preparations for their fiftieth
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anniversary of the wedding-day, that the Wo- man's Christian Temperance Union came very near being excluded; but the secret was found out in time to send the following: An exquisite banneret in white and gold, from the co-workers of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, with the inscription : -
1839. 1889. Golden Wedding. Congratulations from The W. C. T. U. of Hillsboro, to
Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Foraker.
May each coming milestone of life's journey prove a fresh Ebenezer until the golden gate is reached!
For our dear sister of Crusade memory the words of the Master seem most fitting:
"O woman, great is thy faith !"
About this time it was the pleasure of our Union to respond to the call of Miss Pugh, na- tional treasurer, and send our contribution and loving sentiments to Frances E. Willard, the one we all " delighted to honor," and especially as she approached the end of her "fifty successful years."
From the minutes we find that "a memorial service in honor of the late Mrs. Hayes was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, under
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the direction of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union. Mrs. Thompson presided, Dr. McSurely read the Scriptures, and Rev. King, of the Baptist Church, led in prayer. The remarks of Mrs. Thompson were very appropriate and touching, and she paid a fine tribute to Ex- President Hayes for his loyalty to his wife in supporting her in her heroic stand for sobriety in the White House. Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Mur- ray read very excellent papers, and Mrs. Rives gave a thoughtful and happily-worded address. Mrs. D. S. Ferguson read an original poem, and Mrs. Wm. Gregg read a poem prepared by Mr. J. L. Boardman. The whole affair was most happily conceived and carried out. The papers, addresses, and poems were in excellent taste, and show a tender appreciation of the noble Christian woman, whose courage and truth have entitled her to the respect and love of the Chris- tian world. The services were closed with the benediction by Rev. Murray."
The semi-annual meeting of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Highland County was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place, May, 1889. Delegates were present from five Unions in the county, and were welcomed by Mrs. Dr. McSurely in behalf of the Hillsboro Union.
Mrs. Caroline B. Buell, national correspond-
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ing secretary, was with us by invitation, and addressed a large evening meeting in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and also led a very profitable service on the following morning in the old Crusade Church. She gave much satis- faction, and with many of our citizens is a stand- ing favorite.
Mrs. Alphonso Hart at this Convention re- signed her office as county president, much to the regret of all parties interested, her husband, Hon. Alphonso Hart, having been appointed to an office that required the removal of his family to Washington, D. C. We were deprived also of her services in our local work; this we felt a very great loss. Mrs. McSurely was appointed vice-president in Mrs. Hart's place from the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Mary B. Murray, first vice-president from the Methodist Episco- pal Church for the local Union.
About this time, November 23, 1889, Mr. George Woodford, of national fame, came by in- vitation of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, to give Hillsboro a week of his temper- ance zeal and eloquence. Much good resulted; but as our secretary, Mrs. Charles Harsha, says in her minutes, "We can never know the result Mr. Woodford's meetings until we all meet at the judgment seat where the men and youths of this town must face the God of justice, in the
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presence of the man who tried so hard to save them from a fate worse than death."
Mrs. Mary B. Murray, president of the Y's and a kind and efficient aid to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was about this time, Decem- ber 1, 1889, induced, at the earnest request of Mrs. E. J. Thompson, to accept the position of presi- dent pro tem. during a season of severe illness in her family. Thus seconded by her good husband, Rev. James Murray, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, when the bugle-note from our chieftain, Miss Willard, sounded the call for a "Crusade camp-fire" in Hillsboro, December 23, 1889, to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary, they were "willing " and earnest, and, together with other faithful and tried White Ribboners in the Crusade town and the State, the work moved forward.
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