New-York tribune., 1897-07-30
POINT O. WOODS MEETING.
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY THE LECT
URE DAYS OF THE WEEK.
MARGARET sANGsTER TELLS WHAT CHILDREN
SHOULD READ AND MRS. FRANCES
SHELDON BOLTON TALKS OF
HUNGER.

HEART HUNGER.
The .nclement weather was the only drawback to
what was otherwise Of the most enjoyable
davs Of the season. The audience assembled at the
Grard and DR.. Jennie de la NJ. LoZier dean Of the
New-York Medical College and Hospital for Wom-
en- was chairman OF the day. and introduced the
speakers in cordial and happy manner Her
bright genial nature seemed to bring sunshine out
OF the gloomy storm. ana the audience easily forgot
the stern rule of the elements without.
The first speaker was Mrs. Frances Sheldon Boil
ton Editor of The Mothers Journal" Her subject
was The Heart Hunger of Children She spoke
especially of the lonesomeness. the homesickress
that so many little hearts realize. apparently un-
noticed BY their elders. The new ways and the old
WAYS the strong points and the fall1cies of each,
and the general interest shown by the public at
large were considered.
Each baby" said the speaker. "is an individual
creation. not a copy OF another. How much they
suffer from the theories of adults from the over
strain for pretty clothes regardless Of nobler in
terests, The turning away Of child with wound
ed feelings unhealed. leaving him in heart hunger
is declared 10 be Of the graves faults OF
women. The super-scnsiveness OF children should
be met in way to bring out .he courage and
strength Of the child nature. and not repressed as
fault"
Mrs Bolton closed her paper with James Whit
comb Ruey's poem. The Child Heart"
The next speaker was Mrs. Margaret Sangster
her subject being What Shall Our Children
child 1--we Of humor and love Of books The par
ont's Office is twofold-to keep children from evil
literature and colorless goody -goody books ana TO
p-ov1e them with the best OF books. An atmoS-
phcre Of intellectual culture should permeate every
home
..Cbudren " she said should hear much reading
ooud of the best literature for they like even what
they do not understand Even the illiterate like
the ready flow Of words. The garment of language
should be embroidered. Never fear to feed the
IMAGINATION Those who live on facts only miss
the best part OF their usefulness. Give them good
firv tales and the folklore and legends OF various
nations are valuable sources Of knowledge for
youth.
Introduce them 10 the natural and astronomical
world through illustrated lessons. Take them to
the woods and bring them in touch with nature
The early years are the most important. Even
children as young as three years retain impress
sons vital to their education In after years Every
mother should read the Bible. with her child. as
poetic historic piece of literature
Mrs Sangster also recommended that children be
early encouraged 10 read Dickens. Ruskin and
Shakespeare.
The next speaker DR.. Grace Peckham Muir
ray Of New-York, on THE Relation OF Mother 10
the Child" Her ideas were expressed with great
cearness on the physical, mental and moral as
poets OF the question. She regards the present as a
most unfortunate period for the eduGatoh OF ct
dren because the old theories are Delng rejected
and the ones are not yet properly suostah- 1
tiafed She holds that the child ShOuld ma DouIlu-
less sympathy In the mother but never be encour-
aged 10 cultivate self-pity nor dwell upon us ms
The impres biy Of the child and It's enect on
the physical condition were dwelt upon Inc
chId's nervous system should receive the greatest
care but the mind should not he gorged In tne
moral life the fctions and falsities when snake
the belief Of the child In human nature Were Sc
verelv condemned. The child must be taught
bright ideas in regard 10 life. and simple IDEAS IN
dress and diet should be incucated ~,
An animated discussion followed The Rex Mr..
Byrt OF Patchogue said that the greatest diiGglIy
cs in pnttinp the mothers to take rational holu or
these Subjects. Beverly Robinson OF New York,
was that women had opinions and dared TO ex-
press them. l., Iuaro,.s o,d soc,e
,,s. .s,oi,a On tho value OF methods that employ
entertsinment as we'll as instruction also the harn
to children from reading tales OF SUFFERING anu
An Informal reception followed which was 70
Ny enioyed bv ALL The speakers were escoI'eu 70
the boat by their enthusiastic audience, anu hn,ii
tine waving OF handkerchiefs the ceieorlues ue-
parted for the city.