The National tribune., 1885-09-10
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS--NOtes from the Departments.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS,
Boston, Mass.
SARAH E. FULLER National President.
ELEANOR B. WHEELER. National Secretary.

SEPT 3, 1885.
Rest. How sweet tie word to every tired,
weary heart and body. With these bright Sep
tember days, when the mnltitudes are return
ing from mountain and seashore, the evenings
are lcngthening, and weeks of bright and COM
Portable weather are before us, may we not
each one, members of the W.R.C., take up our
work in real earnest. If every one would
realize that individually we are responsible for
the success of our Order how much could be
gained during the coming Autumn. 1t is true
we are making history, for is there another
nation that can boast of an organized body of
women whose sole and only interest is to bene-
fit veteran soldiers and sailors who, for their
Nation and its honor, barred their breasts and
stood for God and country? Truly ours is an
Order of which its members may justly be
proud, and with the Endorsements of thousands
of noble men and the praise and encourage
ment of the press we may go on and accomplish
even greater and grander results than the most
sangune hearts have dared to hope, but to do
this foolish questions selfish interests must be
laid aside, and let the weakest, smallest Corps
take courage, inaSmuch as they are part of
this great whole, and, if faithful to their obli-
cations, glorious results shall be attained.
Within the last few days the mail matter at
Headquarters has largely increased, and if but
a small part Of the letters received could be
published we think there would be few faint
hearts. EChos from near and far bring us most
encouraging reports. First of all our dear Ma
tional Chaplain, Mrs Annie Wittenmeyer, sends
us such encouraging letters, filled with good
cheer and the promise of bright and better days
for our sisters in Pennsylvania. She lovingly
says: " | believe all our Corps will cooperate
with me, and that prominent comrades of the
GAR. are ready to help" Surely, with her
great strong heart and unselfish efforts and
work, success is assured. From Michigan we
have long, happy letter, from one who seems
an old friend, from being one of the first in
that State to take up this work-Past Depart
ment President Mrs. Ella w. Shank. Her
words are most encouraging, and with such able
women Michigan may well expect to grow in
numbers and usefulness.
Our National Inspector, Mrs. Deborah G.
King, of Lincoln, Neb., comes to US with her
strong, earnest, helpful words, full of good
cheer and strong faith for the future. One sug-
gestion of hers the National President fully
indorses, and recommends that each Depart
ment put some good, able speakers into the
field, and let them visit the Posts and Corps,
instructing them i'll organization and Corps
work, and we should have great results and
better reports. She adds that the Department
of Kansas is in most excellent hands, Mrs.
Wickens doing her Department work most
thoroughly. Mrs King will visit Sabetha in
October, and speak before the Post and Corps.
Corps Al (Champlin) Grand Rapids, Mich,
organized May 20 by the Department Presi-
dent, Mrs. Emma S. Hampton, report they are
doing very nicely meet every week, and initi
ate at every meeting, have held three ice cream
socabes and intend to hold them monthly
during the coming Winter. Memorial Day
they assisted the Post, and also on the 4th of
July helped them entertain visiting comrades.
Though there are two Corps in Grand Rapids,
yet they are on the best of terms and exchange
friendly visits.
Mrs Mary NJ Stark, Department Secretary
of Missouri writes that Mrs. Henrietta Steis-
meier, Department President, has received from
the Grand Temperance Guard, of Pleasant Hill,
Cass Co, through f. Avon Develd, Commander,
Burnside Post, No IS, GAR, a beautiful
gavel made of Usage orange wood; also, that
Frank =. Blair Corps, No. 3, and Hassendeu-
bic Corps, No. 10, with the approval of the
Department Commander, held joint Memo
rial service for Gen. Grant, in which they were
assisted by the Commander of Frank p. Blair
Post No. L, and every Post in the city was well
represented; also, the Sons of Veterans.
Blair and Hasscndeuble Corps also held au
hours Memorial service at their next regular
meeting after the receipt of National Presidents
order. From Vermont we have pleasant letter
from Mrs. Sarah c. Ward, who reports Union
Memorial service by Sheridan Post, No. 46, and
Sheridan Corps, No. l. Both Orders met at
GAR hall and marched to the church, where
the services were intensely interesting.
She also says Corps No. is in most prosper
Gus condition, not large or wealthy, but the
members are interested and willing to work.
They have recently fitted up the Post hall, the
work being done by committee of three ap
pointed by the Corps, the Corps having voted
to pay for the work being done, but the COM
mittee appropriated the sum for the purchase
of large altar Bible, and presented the same
to the Corps Who next? Let us hear what
the several Corps and Departments are doing.