monstrous evil before it had destroyed the race, ran with electric rapidity from shore to shore of the continent, firing the hearts of women as they had never been fired before. Good men have helped us with their prayers, their words, and their works. But it has been from the first, and will remain to the last, the work of women. The shackles of suffering submissiveness have fallen from their hands. Not that the war they wage is a conflict of blood, or hate, or contention. It is the peaceble war of the spirit of prayer and entreaty, beseeching men to abandon the wrong, and espouse the right.
The practice of relating in the noon and evening meetings the events of the day finally led to what is denominated the "ladies' meeting," held at first on Saturday evenings only, but subsequently on Tuesdays and Fridays of each week. The meetings were of rather an informal character, where all persons who had anything to say were invited to speak; but were conducted by, and chiefly contributed to by the ladies. Speeches, essays, reading and singing filled up the evening; and although meetings were held not only on these nights but nearly every night of the week, the interest never seemed to abate. Considering the little time taken up for preparation, the essays read on "ladies' nights" were remarkably excellent. The literațure of the Temperance Crusade is by no means of an indifferent order of merit.
To the great comfort of the Crusaders, who bore the brunt of the battle, they were often cheered by communications from a distance, both from individuals, and societies. The following is a copy of a circular received from the Temperance Union of Adrian, Mich., approved and adopted by the Prayer League of Portland, and still remaining in force:
To all Sister Unions to whom this may come, Greeting:
Believing, as we do, that God's gifts in answer to prayer are unlimited-"Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you"—John XVI., 23; and believing that the fervent, importunate prayers of the women of the nation have already done much towards removing the National sin of Intemperance; and believing, also, that its total extermination, under the blessing of the All-powerful Father, is to be produced chiefly by women's works and prayers, and that power and strength come from united effort: we do, therefore, recommend to our sisters that Thursday of each week, at 3 o'clock P. M., be observed throughout the nation as a "National Temperance Prayer Meeting," and that the last Thursday in May be the time fixed upon for the first meeting.
Should this meet the approbation of your Union, please respond affirmatively as soon as possible, and oblige,
Yours truly,
Mrs. A. F. BOURNS, Pres.
Mrs. A. HOWELL, Sec'y.
Mrs. S. GRAVES, Cor. Sec'y.
It was unfortunate (according to human judgment) that early in the Crusade movement many ladies who at the first seemed warmly interested, and willing to work, fell away when it began to be a settled fact that street-praying would be followed by the President of the League, and others, who could see no other plan of action promising so good results. They regarded the inspiration of the whole movement as from God, and knew no way but to go to work depending upon God, and in the spirit and example of Jesus Christ. This they felt must be the right way—the right way—and upon it they could ask God's promised blessings. It was the way the Lord had prospered in the Eastern States, and they were justified in hoping for the like answer to their prayers.
