Why and How : a hand-book for the use of the W.C.T. unions in Canada Part 4

FIFTY CENTS A YEAR AND SIGNATURE TO OUR PLEDGE CONSt.i.tUTE MEMBERs.h.i.+P.

As the months come round, take the envelope bearing the name of that month, put in the amount pledged, and deposit it as directed by the person circulating these cards.

If you have neglected any month the empty envelope will remind you of it. Don't destroy it--use it--put in the money and deposit it.

The LORD loveth a cheerful giver.

Committee on Literature will secure suitable temperance literature, and distribute it in hotels, cars, reading-rooms, depots, stores, restaurants, at public meetings, from house to house, etc.

Committee on Juvenile work should be composed largely of young ladies enthusiastic in their work. There should be a representative secured, if possible, from every Sabbath and day school. They will organize Bands of Hope and circulate the pledges (triple, if possible), in the Sunday Schools. They will also see to the introduction of temperance books into Sunday School Libraries.

Committee on Public Meetings and Entertainments will arrange for lectures, readings, concerts, temperance ma.s.s meetings and gospel temperance meetings on Sabbath afternoons, mothers' meetings, cottage prayer meetings, etc. At very many of these meetings it is desirable to have the pledge circulated.

Committee on New Members will endeavor to secure new members for the Union, and will also visit those who may have been absent for some time.

Committee on Benevolent work will look after the poor of the town, especially after those families suffering from the effects of intemperance. Where there are purely benevolent societies in the town, the work of this committee will be only supplementary.

Press Committee will select extracts from temperance books and papers, to be published regularly in the columns of the local papers, also to specially report the work of the W.C.T.U. both local and general. If the committee cannot itself reach the newspaper, perhaps it can through the aid of some influential _honorary member._

Committee on Scientific Instruction in Temperance will visit school directors, and authorities in public and private schools, and urge the introduction of Dr. Richardson's lesson book, or the new temperance lesson book to be issued by the Education Department of Ontario. Suitable literature on the subject might be judiciously used on these visits. An informal social reception of teachers in the town might be held or arranged for by this committee where the subject might be discussed.

Committee to secure the unfermented juice of the grape at the Lord's Table will visit not only the pastors, but influential leading members of the different churches, not to argue the matter, but to ask, as the N.W.C.T.U. does, that "in deference to the Golden Rule, and the Pauline doctrine of regard for the weaker brother, the fermented wine be no longer used." Suitable literature on this subject, as on all others, may be had from our Literature Department.

Committee on Coffee and Reading Rooms will, if desirable, provide a place of this kind, putting it in charge of a suitable person.

Other committees may be added as the work demands. Let each committee read up and thoroughly understand their subject, the convener especially should know _just what she wants,_ as she goes about this branch of the work, and be able to tell _just why it is needed._ This will, in the first place, be a gain.

Politicians, potentates, and preachers will not be able to put us off or confuse us by asking many questions in connection with the work that we are unable to give.

CHAPTER VIII.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Q.--Why should our Union be auxiliary to the Provincial Union?

A.--We are convinced that the affiliation fee and the reasons for requiring it have not been properly understood by our Unions. They have said, Why should we pay 6-1/4 cents per member, quarterly, into the Provincial Union fund. We answer, Because without it the Provincial Union could not exist.

Q.--Why should it exist?

A.--Because there is strength in united effort. If local Unions here and there in isolated places exert an influence for good, a large band of workers sending their representatives to a central place to consult together and devise method? for the extension of the work throughout the Province will certainly wield a greater power, and do more good. All our church organizations, our various charitable and reform a.s.sociations are based on this principle, and the wisest politicians a.s.sure us that system and organization is worth more to their party than argument or brilliant speeches. Union is strength.

As the delegates from local Unions come together to discuss matters of interest pertaining to the work, to devise plans and to compare notes, a new confidence is gained, a more enlarged view is had of the temperance field, and a more intelligent understanding of the general need. Then, too, it is impossible for the workers thus to come together without realizing the benefit that results from the interchange of thought and ideas, and from the influence of mind on mind, and the inspiration thus received is imparted by them to the home Unions, and all are helped.

Q.--What is done with the money?

A.--In 1883, $95 were paid into the Provincial Treasury of Ontario Unions, by local Unions, as affiliation fees, which sum covered merely the postage account of general officers and expenses of committees. All other expenses of travel and of the convention, about $200, were met by collections at the convention, and by special contributions, Mr. Gordon of Ottawa sending a cheque for $50.

We need also an _organizer,_ who shall be able to give her whole time and thought to Union work, who shall organize new Unions, and visit all regularly. These needs cannot be met without money, but if our thousands of temperance women in Canada will make this a personal matter to see that 6-1/4 cents are sent each quarter to the Provincial Union, we shall soon be in a position to employ an organizer, and thus do better work.

Q.--How shall we distribute Literature?

A.--Divide the place into districts, each lady or two ladies taking a district. Have these districts as small as possible. The visitors will visit every house in their district regularly, leaving suitable literature, as they will soon ascertain something of the tastes and needs of those whom they visit. Sometimes the pledge book may be presented and members solicited for the Union. A book from the Loan Library of the Union may often be lent where a leaflet might not be appreciated.

Another way is to send through the post office to those whom you wish to reach.

Sometimes, our ladies have stood at the entrance to factories, foundries and large establishments giving a leaflet to each man as he came out. "Advantages of Temperance" is a very good small leaflet to be given in this way.

On all our fair grounds there should be a stand of temperance literature.

In hospitals much of this work should be done. Many have leisure there, recovering from illness, that they never find outside its walls, the heart is softened and ready for the dropping of the seed, and the door stands open for the entrance of right influences and loving sympathy. In gaols, in depots, barbers' shops, post offices, steamboats, anywhere we may obtain permission let it be done, if possible, by our ladies themselves.

In Sabbath School Libraries ask permission for the Union to send a few good temperance stories, or, better still, let a suggestion be offered to the librarian or committee on new books to purchase some temperance books as additions.

Q--How shall we raise money for our work?

A.--First with the "Finance Card." Take a Union of 20 members, their members.h.i.+p fee brings them in $10, of this $5 goes to the Provincial Union, so they have only $5 left. They will want more. Now let each member take ten finance cards, and from among her friends and acquaintances ask ten to contribute something monthly to the funds of the Union, suppose it be only 5 cents each per month, that will be from ten persons 50 cents per month, or $6 per year. If each one of the twenty members should get no more than this, they have then $120.00 per year coming in for their work. It needs a little thought and attention, but it pays.

Ap.r.o.n socials are popular and generally help to increase the funds, as there is always a demand for useful ap.r.o.ns.

Pound socials have been successful also. To this each person contributes a pound of something useful, all of which is sold by auction during the evening, causing a good deal of amus.e.m.e.nt.

An evening with a celebrated author is very much in vogue now, and is helpful in many ways. For instance, an evening with d.i.c.kens is observed in the following way: A number will personate the leading characters in any of d.i.c.kens' works, talking only in language and tone suited to the character, the invited guests ascertaining from his acquaintance with d.i.c.kens just where they belong. This can be done with or without costumes. Light refreshments are served by the d.i.c.kensites during the evening. The usual fee taken at the door. New England Kitchens may be made to bring in something to the funds. Here you will need several old-fas.h.i.+oned dressers, the shelves furnished with rows of plates, the more old-fas.h.i.+oned the better, and everything to make it look like a real New England Kitchen.

Refreshments will be doughnuts, pumpkin pie, brown bread, pork and beans, and such like. It would pay to have it in a city for two or three days, open at the dinner hour.

Floral Festivals pay very well in the early spring, before people generally are supplied with plants. Let the room be nicely decorated with evergreens, flags and bunting, small booths arranged similarly trimmed, in which the flowers and plants shall be placed, some music furnished, 10 cents admission charged, refreshments and plants extra.

The plants can be bought by the 100 at a very cheap rate.

If at all possible, let all our social entertainments be opened with prayer.

Q.--How shall we help in Scott Act work?

A.--Most of all by the faithful distribution of temperance literature, and by providing funds for its purchase. By educating the children in regard to it, giving them at their Band of Hope meetings, in simple language, the reasons why every one should work and vote against it. Many a father has been won by his child.

By selecting articles on the subject, and having them inserted in the daily papers.

By praying for its success in your church prayer meetings, and encouraging others to do the same. By prayer as a Union, and by private prayer. By looking after every branch of the temperance work more closely, so that every influence may be brought to bear on all cla.s.ses and conditions of society.

Q.--Can ladies be received into our society without signing the pledge?

A.--The suggestion has been made that such be received as "a.s.sociate members" or "well-wishers" having every privilege except the vote.

Q.--When scientific temperance instruction is introduced into the public schools, what remains for the committee on that subject to do?

A.--To see that the _law_ is _enforced._ The schools should be visited at the hour when this study is on the programme. Conscientious teachers will welcome your presence.