Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-11-10
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS.

nave Deen accredited TO the klng
Daughters.
Age and youth, the fairly well-to-do,
and especially the unfortunate and
needy have been the recipients of
favors that were bestowed unsought,
and in secret, leaving the recipient in
mental darkness as to who the generous
donors might be.
\ card bearing the mystic words
''From the Kings Daughters" some
times only adding to the mystery. O-e
lady whose home has been in the city
many years, said to the writer: The
Kings Daughters, if you know who
they are, helped me through last win
ter; don't know how it will be this
Another whom almost overwhelming
misfortunes and adversities had de-
prived Of the commonest necessities of
life was surprised one day by large
package that contained articles of which
she was in pressing need, wisely select
ed and evidencing by their texture and
make that loving hands had sent the
little gift with the compliments of the
Kings Daughters" ''NEho are they
anyway and why do they do this for
me?' the grateful, loving woman asks
of the writer. Orphaned children,
aged widows, mothers of families, and
some who are worse than widowed have
been helped and comforted by this
same sisterhood. Who are they?
In the winter of 1885 and 1856 ten
loving, helpful, Christian women of
New York City organized themselves
into the first circle of Kings Daughters.
Mrs. Margaret Bottome, one of the
editors of the "Ladies Home Journal'
at the present time, was chosen presi-
dent. She is now president of the
order. They chose for their badge a
simple, inexpensive silver cross, bear
ing the watchword 'In His Name" en-
graved upon it. For their motto they
chose:
"LOok forward and not back,
Look out and not in,
Look up and not down,
LcQQ q QaQQ.
Their purpose was to develop a
higher spiritual life, to stimulate Chris
tan activity, to be a help to those less
fortunate, and do the duty that presen-
ted itself. \ sort Of universal sister,
hood without cant, pretense or vain
glory. There is no scctarianism about
it, no gilt-edged aristocracy, no charity
patronage. A simple, noble, universal
sisterhood, of women likeuntO what the
masons say of their order, the ''brother-
hood Of man."
The original idea was to have each
chapter or circle, to be composed of ten
members, and in a few months after the
first circle was organized New York
had numerous circles throughout the
city, shop girls and wealthy daughters
and wives of GOthamS milIiOnaires
meeting on common ground, glad to
help and be helped ''In His Name"
To-day there are %, 800 Kings Daugh-
ters as nearly as can be estimated, With
a rapidly increasing membership.
Each circle may decide for itself what
line of work to follow as its specially,
and as to the number of it's members.
They should have a president, secret
tary and treasurer, and may choose
their own name and motto.
There is one circle in this city.
Earnest, helpful workers as their deeds
o,-1Jopoo TI,oIy bo,-o Loo,, ;,,,rl,-
modest, doing their good works secretly
or at least unOstentatiously, so that not
even the benefciaries of their care
always know where the source Of the
helpful word or act is hidden. Rumor
says ten young ladies led by matron
constitute the mystic shrine here.
Let everyone, if called upon, respond
literally to their desires, having the
assurance they have proved themselves
faithful in little, and worthy Of much.
1t is to be hoped other circles will
be formed as, surely, there is much
work to do 'Jn His Name" and the
labOrers are few. It's a cruel and a
wantOn wrong to let age suffer from
cold or illness, for lack of proper
homes, or food where it cost SO little to
provide for them. 1t is sin to let
youths bright skies be clouded by pri-
vations unkindness or overwork. 1t is
a travesty on the gospel Of kindness to
to let self Righteousness or selfshness,
society claims or eXclusiveness be the
means of depriving our neighbor of the
sympathy, and encouragement a word
fitly spoken might give. There are
many in this city prosperous, and we'll
tOdO as it is, whose lives have little of
the worlds good in them; to whom mis-
fortune, injustice and wrong are the
daily portion. To such the mission Of
kindness Is not so easy as to those
whose needs are physical; vet. alI~the
more it needs the wisdom of the Kings
Daughters and the sympathy Of an
universal sisterhOod to fill the measure
of life, art, music. culture, literary
attainments, social eminence ere not to
be compared with the nobility of soul
that prompts women to ''do unto others
as We would that others do unto you"
Welcome Kings Daughters.
For SALE.-Two good lots cleared Of
stumps and fenced within blocks of
the post-office for $3.50 cash. For parti-
culars enquire of \. L. Fontaine.