Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1874 — THE WOMEN’S WAR. [ARTICLE]

THE WOMEN’S WAR.

Praying Out the Evil One Still Progressing in Ohio and. Indiana—Dr. Dio Lewis Makes a Diagnosis of the Movement -A Day’s Work In Athens, Ohio—Some of the Kumsellers Backsliding—A Specimen Prayer. ~ ~ Up to the 16th inst. the temperance war was waging most fiercely in Southern Ohio, and there were indications that it would break out in the northern portion of the State. Dio Lewis, of Boston, who considers himself the leader of the movement, had left the region round about Cincinnati, where for some time he had been. operating, and from a piore northern point made a diagnosis which he telegraphs to the press, as follows: * I fear that the friends of temperance will move Erematurely In those neighborhoods where a few ave read the newspaper reports, but where there is not general interest. Undersuch circumstances a few good women start out, bat their numbers bring it into contempt, and then the mass of the bet ter class of ladles will hold back. There fire four distinct stages: First, the conversational, which must be complete before the second step—the large public meeting at which the best ladies iu the town must be appointed in large numbers—is taken. The third stage will require no management. It Is the stage of saloon-visiting, and the women will take care of it. The fourth stage is that of tying up the loose strings, clenching the nail with reading-rooms, etc. The work must be done in this order. Dio Lewis. The crusade had affected so many of the interior towns of Ohio whose liquor supplies were drawn from Cincinnati that a perceptible diminution of trade had been occasioned. Liquor men in that city were in anxious consultation about the ultimate result, and were devising ways and means to meet the enemy to the consumption of liquor. The conclusion had been reached, it is stated, to furnish liquors free to those who are subject to attacks from the ladies. In Cincinnati there bad been quiet private visits to one or two saloons in the ’evening, by praying ladies, who asked the privilege of holding prayer-meetings. In two Instances the request had been granted, and, after prayer, the inmates were invited to attend revival meetings in some of the churches. At Athens, which is a town of 1,800 inhabitants, meetings were held nightly, and everybody attended. The whole place was aroused. Here is a detailed report of one day’s work: The ladies met in the morning for prayer. As they were on their way to visit the saloons they were met by a member of the firm of Door A Co., druggists, asking for both the physicians’ and druggists’ pledges, which they desired to sign. Copies were sent, and they signed. W. H. Potter who for twenty years has kept a grocery where liquors were retailed, was next visited. He not only signed the dealers' pledge, but also the lifeabstaining pledge. He stated that he would not destroy his stock, but would ship it as soon as he could. This was agreed to by the ladies. Next J. Grim was visited, and he signed without a single objection. Then they visited John Krame, and sang and prayed., He said he could stand their visits a few days longer, when he expected to go to Columbus. He refused to sign. George Atkinson. who has charge of a drag store owned by hie .mother, who was absent, agreed not to sell any more liquors until his mother returned. At Xenia, on the 14th, thirty five saloons were visited and prayer and singing were allowed in nine. The woman were resolved and encouraged. In some of the towns a few of the rumsellers were backsliding, but when they did backslide the ladies attacked them with songs and prayers with renewed vigor. The following was the prayer of a Quakeress in one of the saloons at Ripley, taken verbatim by a newspaper correspondent: Our Father in Heaven, who knowest the Inmost thoughts of all hearts, who cannot be deceived and will not be mocked, we come again in a sense of eur weakness, needing great help from Thee to do what little Is iu our power for the relief and salvation of Thy creatures and to Thy honor. We come again, in the name of Jesus, asking Thee to put words in our mouths and wisdom in onr hearts when we try to talk to this our dear brother. We implore Thee to bless this dear family; we ask again, as we have often asked before, that Thon wonldst send Thy word with power into the heart of this dear brother, that he may give up this terrible sin that has so long kept him away from God. Thon who hast moved so many hearts. In mercy condescend to move upon the heart of this man that he may no longer endanger his immortal soul. Oh, help him to say, " Let others do as they may; as for me, I will get nd of this traffic, which is the eause of so mnch sin and suffering. O Ixird, have we not seen and suffered enough of this great evil, which fills our land with ruin until onr dear country is trembling on the verge of destraction’ Often we know this dear brother has trembled at Thy word like Felix of old, bnt still stands where he did, saying, “ Go thy way for thia time! when I have a more convenient season I will send for thee.’’ O Lord, bless this man that nts writing here. Give him wisdom that he may know the truth in all its beauty and importance;, find grant him power to convey that truth unto J* ■ • • ■ . • • . < .

others to the good of their souls. Impress upon his heart that many—yea, very many—are dependent upon him; that if his own soul were all that he imperiled it were enough, bnt that thousands look to him for exact truth. He cannot say, "Am I my brother’s keeper?’’ for the souls of many may be dragged down to perdition by error and falsehood. Help him to realize the importance of his words. And may Thy blessing rest upon all here assembled, and finally meet us again at Thy right hand, we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen. At South Bend, Ind., on the 18th, and In various parts of the State, the foundation for a vigorous crusade was laid. The saloon-keep-ers of Indianapolis received a postal card announcing that the ladles would visit them on the 23d. At Richmond, Ind., about twentyfive women and two or three praying men had taken the movement in hand, and were moving along the line after the late approved fashion. The temperance fever began to manifest itself at Peoria, 111., on the 18th. At Manchester, lowa, the women were advancing on the saloons, and with singing, praying and fervent exhortations were imploring the keepers to close their places. The movement was spreading in other portions of the State. At Lincoln, Neb., a large number of ladies visited the saloon of Bailey & Andrews, where a large crowd assembled, completely filling the large hall. While the exercises were at their height the floor gave way, but fortunately stopped when it had settled about one foot. There was great confusion, and in getting out of the room several persons were injured. The ladies then went to other saloons but were not admitted. The Mayor had sworn in extra policemen, and had declared his intention to put a stop to what he calls their riotous proceedings. There was great excitement In that place on the 18th. The movement continued unabated in various parts of Ohio on the 18th, and had commenced in Jersey City, N. J. In the latter city twentyfive ladies proceeded to a billiard saloon, knelt in prayer, aid spent half an hour in exhorting. They were greeted with the jeers of the men, and left without seeming to have made the impression they desired.