The morning times., 1897-02-14

The first annual convention Of mothers
viii he hell in this city under the patron
age Of Mrs. Hearst. There have been
various attempts at mothers meetings
before. They originated with that ele-
giant writer OF prose and verse, Lydia
Slgourney. in the bosom OF the Preshy-
ueTian Church. The idea was to cultivate
picty in the home through the mothers
influence, and to set up a family altar
in every house. Miss Sigourney pub
Iished series OF letters in the Missionary
Magazine. which were afterwards col
lected and Tepublshed as a Series Of
Letters to Mothers These letters con-
vinced the descendants of the Puritans
that regular family worship need not lie
1uere Journalism, as was charged before
her notable crusade.
These letters were at least five years in
advance OF the movement for women'S
rights by Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady
stanton and Susan II. Anthony, and possi-
bly, paved the way for them, though most
unwittingly: for the writer held what
women OF this day would hold very con-
ser1ative views about woman and her
sphere People then believed she had
sphere
Those werethe days when children We're
seen and not allowed to be heard. Chill
dren then never omitted the mann or
sir in replying-without boxed ear
as reminder for next time. Then it was
generally believed that loFging was good
for children, especially for boys If one
spared the rod he spoiled the child. Then
Sunday was sad, solemn day, dreaded
by all who were brought up under this
regime 1t was too good a day to do any
thing but go TO church in, and learn verses
or sing hymns in-things most children
naturally detest.
These children, our fathers and mothers,
never dared to sit while any older person
stood Up. Girls said thank you,'' with
a courtesy; and boys lifted their hats 10
every woman they met, whether they knew
her or not That was Manners Chill
dren had to go through a dreadful ordeal
in their second year, termed breaking
the will Some broke" without much
ado, but occasionally they came across
one very like his father who held out
until the old folks gave in to him, in
tears and despair, lest he hurt himself in
the long fasts, or be hurt by the continued
pUnishments that buff were hard enough
10 keep up.
Those dear fathers and mothers, ruled
by their narrow consciences, had not
learned that an unbroken, educated will
was one OF the best safeguards a boy or
a girl could have in this world, where it
is so much easier to say yes to tempta-
ton than utter a big, round, firm no"
or, in time of discoura cement, Conquer
j willl'' and half the battle is won. The
children of that day opened and closed
doors for their elders; gave up to them
the snuggeSt corner 10y the fireSide, and
were obliging, respectful, and useful, or
they went to bed supperless before sun
set Girls and boys alike shared in this
strict discipline; only girls were exempt
from outdoor errands, like running TO the
postoffice, and carrying water from the
pump This kind or discipline was universal
in all households, from the judges and
minister's family TO the humblest
Nobody can tell just how it came about,
but gradually this strict regime began to
give way, and it went on, as reactions al
WAYS do, to the other extreme; and now
grandmas can close their own doors, get
what seat is left and run her own errands
or hire some one to do them for her. No
body but a brute ever strikes a child
now or tries TO break its will. Children
rule as kings and queens from the day Of
their birth to the day Of their marriage
submergences into the great world-or
their death. Respect for father or mother is
almost myth; and 1.-THE old lady or "the
governor is the substitute of those good
old names-"father'' and mother" Per
haps ii is time there was renaissance OF
mothers meetings
We are all in the dark as to the real
object OF these meetings; whether they are
20 treat OF hygiene, dietics, reforms, edu-
cation, or. possibly OF the degeneracy OF
motherhood itself: since it has COME to
pass that il is seldom in these days that
marriage is ever alluded to in the pres
ence OF those about to assume its RESPONSE
bilities and pleasures as other than sue
cessfUl bargain, no mention being made
OF home-makng or the rearing of family
One mother said recently that when she