The W. C. T. U. Convention by W. F. Martin

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1912

The W. C. T. U. Convention

By W. F. Martin

The thirty-ninth annual convention of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union was held in the White Temple, Portland, Oregon, Oct. 19-25, 1912. This was in many respects an intensely interesting gathering. There were not only a large number of the leading women of the United States present, but a number from other nations.

The forenoons were given up to conference work, devoted to studying the different departments of the union. Under this were such subjects as temperance and labor, medical temperance, franchises, evangelistic work, the Bible in the public schools, Christian citizenship, scientific temperance instruction. The afternoons were devoted to assembly work.

The woman who had charge of "the Bible in the Public Schools" department was not in attendance at the convention, yet its consideration resulted in a very spirited discussion. A number did not favor having the entire Bible used, but wanted a book that contained extracts collated from the Scriptures. One woman asked if the children were to listen to a reading of the Scriptures, and comments by Jews, Catholics, and infidels? This question seemed to be rather pertinent. The opinion prevailed, however, that the whole Bible should be used, and that a strong effort should be made to have it placed in the public schools. The statement was made that since the Bible had been excluded from the schools, crime had increased many fold.

Considerable time was spent in considering woman suffrage. The opinion seemed to prevail that if the women were allowed to vote, most of the ills of mankind would be remedied. One afternoon was devoted entirely to the suffrage question.

Quite a stir was made in the convention when the news spread that a circular against woman suffrage, written by Rev. Clarence True Wilson, was being circulated through the audience. So tense was the feeling against Dr. Wilson for his views on this question that a memorial of censure against him was adopted by the convention. This was to be submitted to the board of bishops, soon to meet. Dr. Wilson's article is simply a statement of his reasons for not favoring woman suffrage, and statistics from equal suffrage States proving, as he thought, that the woman's vote would not help the cause of temperance. Viewed from the standpoint of an interested spectator, it would seem that while it was not courtesy for the opponents of equal suffrage to circulate their literature through the convention, there was danger of the W. C. T. U. members manifesting an intolerant spirit toward one who dared disagree with them. Again, from the standpoint of a student of prophecy, one is led to wonder what spirit will be manifested toward those who differ with them on the Sunday question or any other measure which they might consider a reform. It was freely stated from the rostrum time and again that Dr. Wilson's attitude on this question placed him in the company of gamblers, brewers, and reprehensible characters in general.

The same officers were chosen for the year to come as officiated the past year.

It was an interesting gathering of noble, talented women, many of whom feel deeply over the awful scourge of intemperance and crime that is desolating the world. We could but pray that God would bless their efforts to stay the monster drink, and that he would keep them from forgetting the great mission for which their union was born, and prevent the enemy from causing their efforts to be swallowed up in any secondary or side issue. It was also the prayer of the writer that many of them might be brought to the light of God's great message for this generation, which message not only contains the true light on temperance, but every good word and work. W. F. MARTIN.