At the close of the lecture it was evident
something was going to be done, and that right speedily. Dr. Lewis
outlined a plan of work which he had seen tried with success in his own
village when a youth, and later in other places. The thoughtful ones saw
its feasibility, and numbers spoke upon the question. Rev. Lester
Williams, pastor of the Baptist Church, said he believed in striking
while the iron was hot, and asked all the ladies who sympathized with
the proposition to hold a meeting of consultation relative to the work
to rise. Nearly every woman was upon her feet. A list of fifty names was
secured of those who were ready to act, and a committee consisting of
Mrs. A. L. Benton, Mrs. Dr. Fuller, and Mrs. J. P. Armstrong, Jr., was
appointed to draw up an appeal to be presented to the various liquor
dealers of the town.

A meeting was called at the Baptist Church for Monday morning, December
15, at ten o'clock, to adopt the appeal and inaugurate the work. The
past few days had been dark and gloomy, but Monday was bright and
beautiful. Mr. Williams remarked that in it they could see the smile of
God upon the movement. About three hundred people gathered at the
appointed hour--men and women. The following appeal was submitted and
adopted:

APPEAL.

In the name of God and humanity we make our appeal:

Knowing, as we do, that the sale of intoxicating liquors is the
parent of every misery, prolific of all woe in this life and the
next, potent alone in evil, blighting every fair hope, desolating
families, the chief incentive to crime, we, the mothers, wives, and
daughters, representing the moral and religious sentiment of our
town, to save the loved members of our households from the
temptation of strong drink, from acquiring an appetite for it, and
to rescue, if possible, those that have already acquired it,
earnestly request that you will pledge yourself to cease the traffic
here in these drinks, forthwith and forever. We will also add the
hope that you will abolish your gaming tables.

The women then retired to the room below, organized for work, and
arranged a line of march. The men meanwhile prayed and planned,
twenty-three of them pledging to pay the percentage of $1,000 placed
opposite their names for carrying on the work.

At half-past twelve o'clock the procession marched out of the basement
of the Baptist Church, over one hundred being in line. These were t