The National tribune., 1884-02-14
LOYAL W0MbN'S WORK
The Mother Relief COrps---QuestiOnS
and AnSWelS---Al Along the Line.

Tconduotsd 5y Kate B. Sterwood.l
Instead Of our usual introduction we give
space TO a condensed report of the Mother State
! in Relief Corps work. together with extracts
/ from the address, with Its important recon-
mendations TO the loyal women of America, by
the national president. hIFs. H. Florence Barker.
The Department of Massachusetts,, Womans
! Relief Corps, of which E. Florence Barker,
national PRESIDENT and Sarah L. Fuller, ma
1 tIonai secretary, We're the executive officers,
4 held its fifth annual convention in Boston,
! January 3eth, when every officer on the roll
4 responded TO her name, and visiting members
were present from New Hampshire, Maine and
Connecticut. Mrs BaTkers opening address
was able and Interesting. An early incident
of the convention was the presentation by Past
/ Chapiain-in-Chief Rev. J. Z. Lowering OF a
gold-mounted gayel made from wood from the
/ Auders0nville stocksde, bearing the inscrip-
ton: Let us, both small and great, urge on
( this work, this undertaking, If we would be
dear to our country and to ourselves" Mrs.
! Barker accepted the gift IN her usual eloquent
manner, e0mpiimentlng the donor as the hrs5
/ TO present the cause OF woman in national con-
vention at indianapolis, which resulted in
recognizing the Massachusetts work as an in
/ valuable ally.
The reports of the Department officers were
( of great interest as indicative of the growth
/ OF the Order. Mrs. Fuller reported q member
( ship of S99 at the close of 1882 and gain OF
( $40 during the year, making an aggregate
! membership OF l,STS. Fourteen Corps We're or
ganized IN the year making total of twenty
seven Corps. The report of the treasurer, Mrs
Z n Z. LawtOn showed that 81 4.24 had been
received during the year and $l.172.47 ex-
pended, leaving a balance IN the treasury Of
J Sl65.T7. Over $500 had been expended by
4 the Corps throughout the State fer relief. The
,r ~
showed most of the Corps In excellent condi-
ton.
Special features Of the convention were the
presentation OF a beautifully engrossed testi-
mOnial to Department Commander George 5.
Eg2as, for his able efforts in working for the
recognition Of the Order before the Grand En-
campment a6 Denver; the reading of a frater-
mai letter from Past ComInander-in-ChiefP Paul
I Van DerYeort; the adoption of a resolution OF
thanks TO Mrs. Barker, Mrs. Fuller and Mrs.
| Turner for their good work at Denver; enthu-
siastic coueratuiatory addresses from Depart
ment Commander Evans and Past Department
Commander George Ii. Patch; the reading of
a telegram from Ohio, sent hy the national
senior vice, pledging Ohio solid for the
national Order" and the appointment of a
committee 10 prepare testimonial 20 the re-
tiring president, Mrs. Barker, who has served
faithfully for four years and who iudiciously
declined a reelection in order to give her en-
tire time TO the national organization.
The officers elected and afterwards installed
by 8Irs. Barker are as follows: President, Mrs.
Snsie M Goodale, of Medford; senior vice
president. Mrs. S. A. Parker, of Brockton
Junior vice-president, Mrs. L. A. Turner, OF
Boston; secretary, Mrs. S. E Fuller, of East
Boston: treasurer, Mrs. I'll. z. LaTt0n, Of Soatn
Boston; chaplain, Mrs. J. Z. Lowering, OF
Worcester; inspector, Miss IL. N. Mason, OF
Hayerhill; conductor, Mrs. ". M. Perry, OF
I a.. ri Eniau al
Charlestown-
The letter Of the Past COMMANDMENTS Chief
Paul Van Dervoort, written from Washington.
u. c., concluded with the following beautiful
tribute TO woman's work: " 1t gla1dens me in
my present lonely condition. away from FAM
ily and children, to think that l hnmbly con-
tribnted TO the organization OF a national So
ciety, thus recognizing, in its broadest scope,
! goman's work for the soldier. / wish you,
each and all. God speed in your sacred mis-
SION pray that yol may prosper and grow.
and that, as years 20 on. your pathway VIII DE
brighter and brighter until the perfect day
; Mrs Barker's address occupied fifteen min.
utes in its delivery and as historical paper j:
Of exceptional value. Ii opened with a direc
recognition of the fact that lie organization ol
s NzfieHsl Relief Corps was owing TO the in
dorsemcnt given to W0man's work by Pau
Van Deryoort and of his action in assembling
the various auxiliaries at Denver. Concerning
z the work Of the Massachusetts, delegates al
: Denver ard the influences contributing 10
: national union. we extract the following:
: . He that goeih forth and weepeth bearing pre-
ciOus seed, SHAH doubtless come again rejoicing
bringing HE sbeaves with him. Psalm l26 q.
True 10 this promise Of action IA our cause, invi
. tations were received from Paul Van DeTvoOu re
questing the presence OF the ladies in Denver
! daring ihe National EEcalnpme8t. 20 perfect ia
tioBa organization and Il became important tina
some action should be taken regarding the move
nlent Should We remain al home, sailing our lt
! tie craft il own safe harbor, should ~
venture forth IN open sea and assist Ia conplet
I; ing national OrdeF2 The importance of the ques
fion called for the converting of the Union Board
resulting in instructions 70 offer our work to tll
D national convention. The directors OF aiassachu
: setis we're then called together aud il unani
nlousy voted TO send three delegates to the ma
tional convention VITA nlary fears and doubt
the delegates departed. amid l9e Wen wishes an
God speed Of their sister members feeling the bar
n den Of res possibility III their great undertaking
II knowing tuii well that the convention would b
COMPOSED Of the representatives OF the various Oh
J. aers Of this land Interested ia the charity work
e the q. A. r, among whose members wefe man
ID prominent women whose ability catAblisile
r ia tais work, who devoted 10 ti.eir forI
and were prepared - press with great eaIncstnez
their Order 20 the front. Thus started On
y without even the guiding Star Of the East thre
e lone disciples Of our Order, only stronghold
IS faith in our work, with the fears and doubt
g of true soldier entering the field Of battle
Would ii be defeat or yictory7
iS Three delegates representing membership
sr nearly two .ousandf Wonder not that gye felt "
"a entering the city there arose the star oi the Eas
not pointed. but with three shining ietters-C
a. Rand ike him of old. our hands were ~
as held and were sustained in cur darkest hour.
OF Gathered ia convention with ladies from BearI
h every state, representing twenty-sIx different o.
!, dcrs, the work Of uniting any common groun
seemed at time very doubtful. Tie diversii
- OF opinions Is to the basis of the National Ord,
ie resulted ID much earnest discussion aud TO Il
ce pioneer Of the national work, Mrs Kate u She
le wood. is due the honor Of presenting the Mass
- chusetts work the basis OF the national organ
:. cation. Too much praise cannot be accorded Tia
q lazy for her loyalty 10 the organization OF n
te ticgsal society.
a. freferring, as she stated. open parlianental
n meetings. She waived point 10 secure the La
nlony OF the meeting; and proposed, If they we
~ to adopt secret work. TO have the best ritua
CT lstc work, which she believed to be in the ham
a. Of the Massachusetts ladies. Thus by the assis
II ance rendered by sister from Ohio Il
National Relief Corps organized upon the basis
- Massachusetts work. We fet we were honor'
'h almost beyond our deserts when she proclainli
e- this preference.
ds Her persistent. untiriDg personal work for Il
ve National Order since Reorganization s V. Pre-
jdeHt and nsiituting officer OF the West, has PROV
that 10 her efficiency she has added the devote
u OF her hearts best work. May her name be e
d. gTayed every members heart She has we
IL earned The title Of which she Is justly proud-
ee Soldiers Friend.
- After the perfection of the organization a COZ
az mitiee appointed to bear the information
the National Encanpment and ask their approx
cd of The same. On presentation Of the resolution
,e- Chaplain -n- Chief Foster warm debate ensue
~ but our guiding star arose and comrades from sc
- eFai Siates inaorsed tho work Of woman NJ
- came tie testify our works We're we to be judge
ee The confidence Of the Grand ARMY was now n