Meeting of the American Temperance Alliance

“The meeting was largely attended by the youthful members of the Alliance, the hall being crowded to suffocation by a host of juveniles, numbering over three thousand.  The exercises were deeply interesting, and consisted mainly of short addresses . . . and songs and glees by the children. . . .

          The meeting was opened with a prayer . . . after which Mr. Horace Waters led the children in singing, ‘My Country, ‘tis of Thee.’  The effect of so many youthful voices singing patriotic words was electrifying. . . .

. . . Miss Effie Parkhurst sang ‘Love on the Brain,’ the little vocalist achieving a genuine success, being loudly encored. . . .

. . . [Then] little Effie sang ‘I’m Willing to Wait.’

          Lucius Hart, Esq., was then introduced and made a very happy speech. . . . Mr. Hart  led the children in singing several glees and songs with marked success. . . .

          Mr. Barnum’s living curiosities were next introduced to the children, causing the greatest excitement among the juveniles.

          More speeches and more singing occupied the attention of the children until 4 o’clock, when the meeting broke up.”