Temperance Work in College View, Neb.
By Mrs. Alice C. Hart
THE middle of last July the W. C. T. U. ladies of Lincoln sent us word that they would like to come to our little suburb and hold a convention. We extended a cordial invitation to them to do so. The day was a pleasant and profitable one to all. The enthusiasm and zeal with which these women engaged in the work was truly commendable. Nearly all the time was filled by them; but when our opportunity came, we kindly stated our position. This was well received. We spared no pains to give them a genuine hygienic dinner in the students' dining-hall, thus demonstrating what we considered the fundamental principles of temperance. They, in return, could not say enough in extolling our mode of cooking. We felt that a good impression had been made, and we thanked God for our precious truth. Soon after this, the church chose a temperance secretary. The organizing of a mothers' association was the first advance step taken. This was done August 4, on the lawn of the church. About thirty of our sisters were present, and a deep interest was manifested. Mothers expressed themselves as feeling the need of just such a work. Our object is to create a bond of union among the mothers and to educate them by lines of temperance, the proper conduct in our homes, and the highest obtainable perfection in the development of our children. A committee was chosen to arrange, two weeks beforehand, a program for the next meeting. We have had some excellent essays read, three of which we have in leaflet form. These can be had, by addressing the librarian of the Mothers' Association, College View, Neb., at one cent a copy, or seventy-five cents a hundred copies. We will be glad to hear from any other society, as we feel we are all learners in the work. One temperance program has been rendered by the youth and children. The pledge was presented, and was signed by one hundred sixty-five persons. These were nearly all young people. At the last meeting of the association a demonstration of hygienic cooking was made, and recipes were given for home experiment, samples of this cooking to be brought to our next meeting. One more feature of interest is the open meetings to which the fathers are invited, and by their presence and the part taken in the discussions we are made to feel that we have their co-operation for the betterment of the home and the church. May God help us as parents to work unitedly to live where our children can never get away from the sweet memory that Christ was father and mother's friend. Mrs. ALICE C. HART.