NBWTA Report 1904-032
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60 REPORT OF 61 *RBSye? departments of work to our members, and the Temperance cause generally, more than compensate for the great and often laborious efforts made in establishing such classes. In some Branches libraries have been started in connection with them. “ Educate, agitate,” was the advice given by a statesmen relevant to the political situation of his party, and there is no reform where such advice is more needed than in Temperance reform. Temperance education is one of the solutions of the Temperance question. _ The Temperance Collegiate Association has been founded with the WORK. HE Y Branches of Great Britain now include a membership of 15,591. In England there are now 159 Branches, with a mem- bership of 9,691, and in Scotland 88 Branches, with 5,900 members. During the year 35 new Y Branches have been organized in England, with the result that 1,600 new members have been gained. The Frances Willard Memorial Day, inaugurated for the first time in England last year, has again this year been the means of largely increasing our membership. The Aston (Birmingham) Y Branch, which last year gained the Frances Willard Shield Portrait, for obtaining the largest increase of members on one night (the number gained being gr), has again this year won the shield, having secured at their memorial meeting 140 object of promoting a systematic and scientific study of the Temperance question; it holds an annual examination and awards prizes and certificates. ' In order better to prepare our Y’s to take this examination, and to interest and train all the members in the many-sided aspect of our work, a series of lectures has been arranged in different towns. In one town a course of five lectures was held. Very full notes were taken at each lecture, which lasted about an hour and a half, and, at the con- clusion, time was allowed for questions. They were also fully illustrated by diagrams, and the blackboard always used. Two of the lecturers were connected with the University, and one was Senior Demonstrator at the largest hospital; therefore, the latest scientific opinions and conclusions on the Temperance question were placed before the students. We are hoping, by similar methods, and by keeping the new members. ‘This year a guinea’s worth of books has been offered to the one who sends the best suggestions for the winning of this shield in future. Under the present conditions, which state that the largest membership shall be the basis of competition, the Y Branches in large manufacturing districts have undoubtedly an advantage over the Branches in smaller towns and villages. With regard to special features of work in the Branches the following may be specially mentioned : — White Ribbon Bands. Many Y Branches have, during the year, been instrumental in organizing White Ribbon Bands in their neighbourhood, and this being a department of work which is of paramount importance to the growth and strength of our National is urged to have at least one Band under a terrible and constant battle, and makes us realize how needful is this Branch of our work ; tales of heroism in the midst of sordid and dark surroundings might be told of some of our members.” Noticeable features of the year’s work have been increase in membership, greater activity in pledge-taking, and sale of pledge cards and badges. Morley (Yorks.) reports an increase of membership of 107 in the year ; Aston (Birmingham), 160, about 60 of whom are teachers ; Sutton Coldfield, 155 pledges taken; Edgbaston (Birmingham), Literature Secretary reports the sale of 400 badges during the year. The progress which many of our Y members have made during the year in Temperance education is one of the most hopeful signs in our work. Knowledge is power, and with conviction comes enthusiasm. Reading circles, speakers’ classes, and lectures have been instituted in many of our Branches, and the advantages to be gained by such SPECIAL iat every Y Branch its care. In England there are at present 155 Bands, with about 6,500 members: London owns sixty-eight of these. One Y Branch (Edgbaston) has thirty-six White Ribbon Bands, com- prising 2,500 members, under its supervision, and during last winter 460 new members were enrolled. The local Superintendent of this department says “that to some girls keeping the pledge means examination ever before the minds-of the members throughout the coming year, to train and educate a band of really efficient Temperance workers, believing this to be a primary object of the Y Branches and the building up of future work. WoRK ACCOMPLISHED Loston.—Flower Sata Association, annual Brentwood and furnish B.W.T.A. Mission and White Our ‘“ Y” Ribbon outdoor Café Chantant Ribbon Band. Warley.—Meetings in villages. meetings for U.K.A. in summer. bazaar; Brewster Sessions. Brockley.—Formed Nunhead Y Branch. Work for Greenwich Hospital. Police Court White BRANCHES. Sale of Work to number of Hall. #atley.—Three pledges. BY £30 Large raised. Attended W.R. Band. Sale of Mission. Concert for Bands. Bristol.—W ork for Bird’s Nest. Barnsley.—White Ribbon Band. Helped to successfully oppose theatre licence. Laling.—Bank holiday refreshment tent. Reading Circle. Tem- perance Library for members. Ldgbaston,—Lantern lecture for White Ribbon Bands. 1,000 pre- sent. Petition against Government Licensing Bill. Attended Brewster Sessions. Scientific Temperance Lectures. Worked for Temperance |