The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-20
Our Special Contributors---I8o5.
sIsTERHOOD AND COOPERATION.
By GRACE HI. DODGE,


heard to say, Il never enjoy myself
more, or gain more, and never appre-
ciate friends, as / do when among
my-street friends" Her manner and
bearing with all women and girls has
changed. Sisterhood, in it's broad
meaning, is being realized by both
these women, separated not more
widely by distance than by surround
ings. Each has come to know those
in each others surroundings, and with
the knowledge has come admiration,
and the admiration has quickly
ripened into sisterliness for all wo-
men.
Totakethis thoughtinto other chan
nels. Church work now means SO much
more than preaching and meetings.
All sorts of practical lines of interest
are taken up, and womanhood especi-
ally has place. Bring in here CO.
operation; do not let the few who
have always been the workers monop-
olize the joys of service and counsel,
but the others who may be younger
or poorer in this worlds goods. Throw
responsibility on them, be patient
with mistakes, train by letting them
do. In Sundayschools let the schol-
ars cooperate. Among the wise men
of the Temple, the Boy Jesus heard
and asked-s shared in the delibera-
tions.
Education today means so much
more than the past revealed to us. 1t
means life in its fullness. body, mind,
soul developed, SO that they do not
only know, but can use and observe
No memorization for the sake of re-
peating and following, but the gain
ing, SO that the individual will know
how to think and act in strong, inde-
pendent fashion. Then not only in
religious, but in secular schools the
teacher and scholar need co-opera-
ton, not one doing all, the other re-
ceiving, but both learning from and
giving to the other. Froebel, in his
message to the world, has given the
unity of all as the great keynote.
The thought goes into the homes,
and those which are the happiest
show cooperation in management
and life, children sharing with par
ents in the government and care of
the home. Cooperation in its truest
sense has self sacrifice, meaning love,
at the foundation. In many homes
there are those who especially serve
the family. Have they not rights?
are they not sisters? Mistress and
maids need our words as few others
do. There must be here cooperation,
sisterliness, sharing, if the domestic
life is to run smoothly.
Sisterhood when understood will
work out in still other channels.
Money will receive greater considera-
ton, not only for what it can secure,
but how it is received. The thought
was expressed by young woman of
wealth who questioned: II am receiv-
ing IL per cent from an investment in
factory, where | know the laws of
the State for the protection and care
of my sisters who work there are not
observed. What should I do,-sell
and let the evil go on? or retain and
try, even with my small share of
ownership, to right the wrong? have
never been to the stock owners meet
ings, but should / not go and speak
for my sisters?" Others are asking:
"How can | invest so as to be sure
that no fellow sister is being unfairly
treated where dollar of my money
is?" Let this thought grow and de-
velop among women, and the results
will solve some of the labor problems
of today. There has been too much
oppression and misunderstanding in
the past.
Profit sharing in business is phase
of cooperation wise and necessary.
Space forbids illustrations, but they
could be given, especially where wo.
men have carried out the principle by
successful business ventures. Shop
pers and saleswomen come into touch,
and sisterliness should here be shown
consideration, friendship. Often
have been heard conversations be-
tween saleswomen of our large stores,
when the buyers were being dis
cussed. $50 and so must be Chris
tian; she is sweet, considerate." "Oh!
l love to wait on Mrs. -, she
understands us and how we try"
Just think, Mrs. S. came in to order
Saturday afternoon last September,
and kept us all in, for Mr.. H. said,
that if any one came at two, the store
must be kept open. She is Chris
f;on too h,,t hotv oo,,l1 che ID - 80