Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-12

for the systematic ana sympathetic study
of childhood. so that children may be dealt
with more wisely in the home and in the
mosser, It one of tse most
auspicious signs of the times. It has al
ways been said thatithe mother is the most
Of the child. and SO. In determining the
destiny Of nations, but our recent scien-
tific studies are greatly emphasizing this
truth Science sa ', neapiyoeally that ats IS
D 1.-THE work which this bis congress proposes
to undertake should be of vast benefit to
humanity at large, and to every individual
what science Is establishing concerning
the normal development Of childhood. 1t
will show how parents may shape con-
ditions in the homo SO as to greatly pro-
mote the healthy growth of body, mind
and soul Of the children under their care.
1t Is to be hoped that this movement will
receive the most cordial support of every
enc who Is really interested in the progress
of the race and of each individual mem
Der thereof. With all the wealth of knowl-
edge concerning human life which Is be-
ing established by psychology and other
lines of research. we ought to receive great
practical benefit in the application of this
knowledge to the training of the young.
This congress will certainly be a most i'm
portant agency In enabling us to accom-
plish this aim"
AS Indicative Of the present results or
this agitation for united efforts among the
mothers of the country, Mrs. Birney points
to the following letter, just received from
a lady in BloctCn. Ala:
I'VE want to form in connection with
our Ladies' Aid Society a mothers club.
VIII you kindly forward US any informa-
ton, plans suggestions you can, as we
are very anxious to be up and doing at
once We think the mothers club will be
the grandest institution ever organized, and
sincerely hope for it great success"
An Assurance of Aid.
Rev. Mary T. Whitney, president Of
the National Scientific Family Culture
Institute Of Boston, writes to say: You
may most assuredly count upon me for any
assistance in my power to give in the great
enterprise you have in hand. I am heartily
in sympathy with it. 1t is the greatest
thing in the world 1t Is the beginning Of
the end of many age-long evils. 1t is be-
ginning at the beginning when we begin to
educate for parenthood. The mother Is no
more important than the father, but I'M
questtonably we shall have to start with
the mothers Let the work be radical and
comprehensive from the first! 1t is the
deepest of all subjects that we have to
study, and let US study 1t deeply. Scientific
minds are investigating along all the lines
that converge upon the life of the family
and We must have their latest conclusions
and prepare our minds for new light, as 1t
will certainly be revealed Marriage. ner-
heads under which are grouped innumerable
subdivisions, which give us an outline Of
the subject we are to investigate. No
| thread must be dropped. Family life can
never reach the IDEAL until we are edu-
Gated on all the lines which affect it most
seriously. The time Is ripe for this move
ment. History is making fast in these
days. Many other movements Of the past
quarter of a century have led directly up
to this. This is the natural elimination Of
many organized reforms. This will lead to
| such a careful scientific study Of the SCI
| ence of human life, as has. as yet. hardly
been thought of. All reform, all true pro-
gress must be based upon science, upon
known facts regarding the laws of our be-
| ing. Human nature is incomplete. We do
not know what it will be capable of in its
| highest and best estate. Only by learning
| the law of it's development can we ntelli-
| gently work with nature to hasten its adj
vance. The home. above all places. is
where such knowledge must be possessed.
The parent. above all persons, must be the
intelligent, scientific worker in the field of
| human culture. God speed this first great
| national congress of mothers, which will
| certainly bring ere long a gre 1t national
| congress Of parents
A Great Project.
A letter that was recently received from
Maria Gaylord Atwell of Brooklyn is also
| interesting in this connection. She wrote
| thus:
| since the receipt OF your last letter
have been growing daily into fuller reali.
zttion Of the magnitude of your great idea
| Really. it seems to me that you have laiG
your hand on the main spring of any per
| manent social improvement, that may be
| hoped for in the future. am proud ano
| happy to have even a very small part In
| helping forward a cause, the influence Ct
| which IS sure to grow stronger and more
| practically beneficial every year. Its scope
| is so allembracing, and it touches such fun
| do oil nj hat
| ed, it will soon attain velocity by it's OWL
| ammonium