The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-13
Preparations Under Way
for a Pacific Coast
Congress.
THE HOME TO BE DISCUSSED
Meeting of Representatives at the
Young Mems Christian
Association.


at the Young Mems Christian Association.
The attendance was large and thoroughly
representative of that progressive element
which seeks to lead popular thought to a
higher conception of the home, and to
make clear its position in industrial, social
and political affairs. The "new' woman
was not prominently in evidence, but the
"home' woman was everywhere, and
when Rev. G. O. Brown, in the course Of
an address pregnant with striking cpl
grams, said, "The home is the dynamo of
the world and the fireside is the thermom-
eter of the republic" she cheered Justify.
Mrs Sarah B. Cooper presided, and in
her brief address of welcome spoke of what
had been accomplished in the past by such
gatherings as the one proposed and what
was hoped for in the future. She called
attention to the general topic OF discussion
at the coming congreSs-the homeland
expressed a desire that widespread in
terest might be kindled to broader in
telligence and better understanding OF that
half OF human affairs in which woman Is
pre-eminently concerned.
Mrs. Cooper then introduced Rev. G. o.
Brown of the First Congregational Church,
who asked for divine blessing and guild
ance.
Secretary Mccoy of the Y. NJ. C. A. was
then presented, and spoke as follows:
This is primarily the age of woman and
never, possibly, in the history OF the world has
she so come to the front and taken her legiti-
mate place as during the past few years, and
am sure | voice the sentiment OF all true men
when / say that every man who respects ana
protects wOmanhood rejoiceS i'll the progress
she is making to-day. She has entered the busy
narts of commercial life, the halls of educa-
ton and of other public institutions.
The Young Mems Christian Association in
San Francisco and throughout the country
owes a debt of gratitude TO the women. ! re-
member on my arrival here fourteen years ago
q committee OF eminent women waited on me
and welcomed me TO this city, and were re-
joiced in the fact that had come here to do
what l could for the moral elevation OF young
manhood and pledged their sympathy and
their cooperation far as II might be prac-
ucable in the furtherance OF our great WORK
for young men.
The old building on Suffer street was unin-
vlting, and | suggested TO the ladies that there
ought TO be raised at least $4,000 for refurnish-
ing and beautifying those quarters in order to
make them attractive TO young men. They
voted unanimously To do II, and within SIX
weeks every dollar of money was raised, and
the building made as beautiful and attractive
as possible
God bless the mothers and the sisters and
the wives who are doing so much for the moral
tone and spiritual elevation OF every
community.
Miss Mollie E. Connors of the Oakland
High School was the next speaker Miss
Connors said in part:
After all perhaps tits graceful thing to have
Oakland represented here this afternoon. Poor
little Oakland, her older sister has been so jea-
Gus of her always, and all because she had the
good fortune, once upon time, 10 choose the
right side of the bay.
From a business point of view, too, she has
been looked upon with much dis1avor, though
many of these same business men establish.
homes and help to keep Oakland what she has
homes-an eminently satisfactory condition of
affairs, however, from the standpoint of
woman.
Much h as been said in regard to the merits
of any congress-this coming together OF people
interested in the same subject
One fault, which was perhaps justly found
with the programme of last year, was that men
were not represented upon it; of course, there
can never be any true, happy woman world in
which man shall not have Ii representative in
fluence; no congress hereafter can be consid-
cred perfect success unless there can be ex-
pressed therein the best thought OF both men
and women.
Yet man would not have been interesting in
the subject under Observation-Disclosures. He
could only theorize. All through the ages he
has been ever fond of "harping on my daugh-
teri; we know his opinions OF her-they have
come to us in song and story all through the
ages, little running refrain OF "Be to her viz
tues very kind be to her faults a little blind"
We are all familiar with the woman whom
man has ideallzed; we have not much use for
her however, we can set up ideals of our own,
much higher, much nobler, much truer to the
given conditions. As for man, he has much TO
study, much TO learn in the future before it
would be possible for him to fairly take part in
any discussion which has for its subject
Woman.
All the same he did not like being left out
last year. He argued that ii was sign of our
narrowness, and one OF our leading lights
here in San Francisco heard 10 say in
plaintiye accents at Is in order now for the
men to call convention and therein offer up
our heartfelt thanks to heaven that no resolu-
tions relative to our utter determination were
passed by the women"
OF course, too, there are the humorous
things that seem to gather, more especially
about woman's meeting-and for which we
must expect good-natured raillery. We have
made good beginning for May in the subject
chosen, 1.-THE Home" All study now to be OF
any value must employ the historical method,
and it is matter of congratulation that
little band of women on this far-of western
coast should be able to send out Il scheme of
study so thoroughly in harmony with advanced
thought. Repeated failures have taught the
good school people that the student cannot
take in at once what has been the result OF the
concentrated thought of ages-the student in
the order OF history must go through the vari-
Gus steps which man has taken If he is to get y
true appreciation of his subject. Your COM
mittee has planned the study along these
latest lines OF work.
Scientific research is part of the brightest
work OF the day. One is glad to see 1t given so
much prominence in q programme which
from its subject might well be handled from
the emotional side. There is no special men,
ton OF child study, which bids fair to be the
lifework OF some OF our best educators, but no
doubt it viii be ably considered in some of our
discussions.
And, lastly what of the spirit which should
animate US in preparing for this congress?
Surely it must be spirit of work, of study,
striving to reach after all the truth the con-
gress may hold for US. There must be above
all setting for ourselves of high ideals for
after all, her ideal is the true measure of the
woman
The true woman of to-day will not look back
ward, proud OF her advancement of her
achievement in the past, but with rare sim
plicity she viii look forward TO the beautiful
womanhood the future may make possible;
grand in her humility, she viii signify and
keep sacred the name OF woman. TO dignity
womanhood is the mission of the Woman's
Congress, the surest way to elevate great
struggling humanity. May there be light TO
guide us; strength given to help US.
Make no more giants God,
But elevate the race at oncei We ask
To put forth Just our strength, our human strength,
Gifted alike, all eagle-eyed, true-hearted,
See If we cannot beat thine angels yet.
Such Is our taSki
Can one add more to the words of Paracelsus?
Rev. William RAIDER of the First Congre-
gational Church, Oakland, followed Miss
Connots, speaking briefly of the influence
of the home in all the affairs of life and
the necessity for high moral standard
around the HEARTH where early impress
c;o TO -a0 on an6 "a ia