fixed upon the bold adventurer whose life was in God's hand; but when after a terrible struggle with the breakers they saw him standing in safety on the beach, what a shout went up, what grateful prayers were uttered what happy tears were shed! Such was the tearful, prayerful enthusiasm of this temperance work among women. And, thank God, they will, we firmly believe, be able yet to save this country.
A meeting was called at the Baptist church, A. R. Medbury, pastor, for Tuesday, the 1oth of March; and from this time on, meetings were held daily at some one of the churches for the period of about one week, the ladies seeking Divine guidance by frequent, earnest prayer. The Taylor Street Methodist church being most centrally located was finally fixed upon as the place of daily meetings, and was announced to be open for prayer at morning, noon and night.
From the first inception of this work Rev. Mr. Medbury, of the Baptist church, threw his whole heart into it, and together with Dr. Atkinson, Rev. G. W. Izer, of the Methodist church, Rev. Mr. Eaton, of the Congregational church, Rev. Dr. Lindsley, of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. T. L. Eliot, of the Unitarian church, made frequent stirring addresses upon the subject of Temperance. The three first mentioned gentlemen, during the whole period now passed, of four months, have never slacked their exertions, and to them undoubtedly is owing much of the present success of the Temperance cause.
On the 16th of March, the Woman's Temperance Prayer League was organized, the following officers being chosen Mrs. M. A. Mitchell, President; Mrs. Dr. Atkinson, Vice President; Mrs. Amory Holbrook, Secretary; Mrs. Helen Sparrow, Treasurer. After the usual business of organizing, a pledge was presented by the pastors of the several churches which was adopted by the ladies, after which some time was given to earnest prayer. From this time up to the time of writing this account prayer meetings have been held almost every week-day; meetings for addresses almost every evening of the week; and Union Temperance meetings at some of the churches, usually at the Taylor Street church, every Sunday evening. The subject of Temperance has been discussed from every possible stand-point, and reviewed in the light of Law, Science, Morality, Religion, Finance and Patriotism, and yet the people are not wearied with the discussion. So intimately is it related to every human interest, and to our immortal welfare, that it seems impossible to exhaust the subject.
On the 17th of March, it was agreed to send an appeal in a printed form to the saloon-keepers that they might know the action the ladies were taking, and be prepared to act on their own part as they should decide. It was also agreed that the church bells should be rung when the ladies started out with the pledges, in order that united and earnest prayer might be offered for their success; and that the gentlemen, friends of the Temperance cause, who could, should unite themselves in an auxiliary society to assist the ladies in any way desired.
On the 18th the Appeal was printed and circulated, and at the same time copies of it in large type were posted up around the city.
