Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-03-29

NEw YoRx, March 2I.-The Lenten sea-
son can no longer be relied rpon tor rest or
lti.sre to cultivate devotional aspirations
For many women it has become the busiest
season of the year-the most exhau'tlng
and most dreaded. Societies, associations,
clubs and associate afForts Of every kind,
have multiplied and acquired enormous pro-
Dol tons OF late years. snd all anniversaries
annual meetings and the like, seem TO come
q this particular period. Women are even
more occupied than men in these semi-pue-
lie s, miprivate affairs and play at voting
and committee work, eleetioneering and
caqcussiDg, with infinite gusto,
Women In Societies.
Male clubs and societies get through with
business much quicker than those ofwomen
But the speeches and real work of womanin
such societies are usually much more direct
and 10 the point. Men delegate the "busi-
ness" TO = committee, "Adopt" its report, aud
there is an end OF il. But in womens meet
ings details are discussed by a COMMITTEE
of the whole" and much time expended that
men would consider thrown away. The re-
suit. however, shows that 1t is not wasted.
Women need this education in methods and
they feel that they gain an experience from It
which is useful There IS no woman now, from
the fine lady 10 the seamstress, from whom
larticipstion is some form Of associative en-
desyor is rot demanded, and who does not
require to know something about psrlia-
msntsry usage, how meetings are held aud
conducted, the requirements OF officers, the
duties and privileges OF members, and how
much Of satisfaction or otherwise there IS IN
bsvipg candidates, and in voting for them.
The amount of unpaid work of this kind
done by women Is incredible to those who
are not in a position to know the fact, and
so we'll does the experience they gain serve
them that in the more recent social aud
literary" musical or artistic societies,
which are cropping up everywhere, and
which are often composed OF both men and
women, the women very often take the lead
and perform the largest part Of the work.
thing TO say, TO say it for themselves; and,
on he whole, when women get over their
timidity and gain experience, women make
as good speeches and better debates than
men. In the meantime, what may Oe call
ed associative interests have largely taken
the place of merely social gsyeties. Almost
the ouly entertainments now given are in
honor Of some special event. or occasion,
weddings, family anniversaries, the visit Of
a friend or the introduction of daughter
A seri. OF informal afternoon or evenings
sometimes during the season serves to indi-
cate to frierds continued existence, for few
ladies can afford to give mp even the one
day in q week to callers, which was former
" considered obligatory.
A few years ago women in the churches
would have considered it rs improper to
carry on their charity work without men to
stand in front, and do the talking for them.
as 10 have walked the streets alone at ten
o'clock at night. Now they are beginning
to be proud Of going it alone" and are
Jealous of intrusion, and some who have
thrown off their shackles, elected women
officers, and up 70 certain point began to
act independently, date back 10 the time
when they were only allowed to exist as
silent members" and make believe" that
their independent work antedated all pro-
gressive clubs and associations. Naturally
It does not make much ditferenee-it is
only significant as q sign Of the times and
the growing tendencies OF the age. Every
church now has from halt dozen to q
dozen societies, social and charitable, con-
neeted with its work, and the majority are
fficient, and carried on by women.
Even young girls are seized with the
mania for organization.
Work for Working Girls.
The most important and successful work
done on behalf of WORKING girls, based on
the London friendly" societies for working
girls, has been mainly the work of one
Young lady, Miss Grace 81. Dodge, 8
daughter of Mr.. William Z Dodge, Jr., and
the granddaughter of Mr.. William L. Dodge,
so long known for his active efforts in
religious, temperance and educational
work. particularly in behalf ofthe freedmen.
Evidently the daughter possesses the family
traits, and viii preserve its traditions. Her
time aud that Of many other women, mar
ried and unmarried, is given almost wholly
TO society" work, very different occupation
from that Of society in its ordinary sense.
A well known New York lady who is
treasurer of charity which takes care Of
urcared for women and children, foots over
UPWARDS of two thousand bills in the course
,f year, and disburses nearly two hundred
thousand dollars She is besides secretary
or treasurer Of four other churches and
charitable associations, and really works
harder than many paid cashiers.
Can Not Talk in Meetings.
What women have not learned as yet is
how to talk in meeting After their an
niyersaIies, and when they want to make a
public showing OF what they have done OF
want to do, they generally call upon q small
corps Of male speakers to state the case,
while they sit patiently and listen to the
plati:udes uttered, in total ignorance Of the
details of the work, and which bOres the su
dience without in the least enhghtening it.
The literary CLUB is doing something to
educate women in this respect. the women
not having the fear Of ST. Paul before their
eyes.
The Patriarchs.
In the death Of social family life, tie
young people, those who have not q yoca'
ton are left pretty much TO themselves and
doubtless this Is one reason why skating
Kinks and the patrisrchal halls flourish.
Patriarchal halls are assemblies of young
people at q public restaurant for dancing
under the auspices Of old besux cavaliers
who have grown gray, and even white
haired IN the rigorous prosecution OF the
cotillion for upwards Of half 8 century, and
Who now set as male chaperons to rose-b bud
innocence in white satin end tulle. But
even the patriarchs are not always to bt
trusted. A venerable friend of q wealthy
family, we'll connected but impecuRious, &C
customed 10 dropping in any time, and