New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-03
SPIRIT OF ALTRUISM.
CLUB WOMEN DISCUSS TT AND TALK
OF MANY REFORMS.

REFLECTION OF MRS WILLIAM TOD HELMUTH
THp A1A-ABsoRBING TOPIC OF THE AFTER
NooN-ELEC-T1oN TO BE HELD TO-DAY.
Miss Eliza Mcdonald was the presiding officer FOR
the morning session Of the New-York State Fed
srat,on Of Women's clubs which opened at 10
o'clock Yesterday morning IN Mendelssohn Hall
In the absence Of Mrs Chauncey Parsons. chair
man on the literature discussion, Miss annie
Rhodes read tho paper contributed by that officer.
The principle embodied therein was that pANan-
thropy consumes so large share % the attention
o. people now that there IS little time left for IT.
erary v5rk and what is done Of It Sc thought 70 TO
an expression OF selhshness. on tho other hand,
literary clubs are found 10 he broadening n Their
effects The speakers on this subject then pro-
ceeded with the discussion.
Miss Julia KempshaI president OF the Prospect
Club Of Brooklyn. said the benehrent effects OF
literary clubs undouhted. EXCEPT by non-cluo
members and these people condemn schools be
cause they do not comprehend n larger heid or
learning The stimulating effects ~ a woman
club in ono community spoken Of. and the
question was asked: "Do not do most for others
by doing most for ourseves?'
Mrs. HI bee. Of the Jamaica Womans club. as
serted that the object Of literary club Is SELF
culture which would seem De selfish. but IL not.
on the principle that g is not selfish in mother
TO care for her child-lts health mental and
physical Thus who cares for her
mental development should not he considered
selfish since only ny making ourselves worthy
can wa help others. and Ike Tcnnyson's brook.
woman's influence would go forever"
Mrs. John Lewis Chllds 81 the Hampstead O.ong
Island Woman's club ss the fourth speaker. said
"Ot COURSE literary clubs altruis'ic In char
aoter as women have been ACKNOWLEDGED 20 have
the tight 70 lay down conclusions first and state
premises afterward declare that believe the
best way To promulgate tho doctrine % al'rusm IS
to assert and f. \ plain statement will
often carry everything before T.. Two spirits Vie
with each other for mastery in mankind he spiri,
O. esoism and the spirit Of altrusn y better and
better understandings - life iu is broadcast
will influence against ogosm The three kinds Of
sense are helpful IN all development. II has been
said and these are uncommon sense. common
sense and nonsense. Tho literary club may be
said 10 develop uncommon sense. the civic club
gives conlnon-sense. and wise man has said that
when woman has A grea' deal OF commons
che will never use q to ponder with"
Mrs Peet Of Phalo declared that "a club has ar
altrliistlc or pnilanthrouic excuse for rs ex-
,stence. j. IS impossible give out help unless
one drinks from some supply. 10 club should
make its INC, vdual work It's chief aim but hold IT
only as a stepping store o. greater development.
The literary Value Of the club dcuords upon the
standard Of tn WORK members give aud demand.
Good literary work IS rare \ graceful tribute
was paid by Mrs Feet TWO Of Phaio's former
members whose lives have recently been brought
70 a close OF them the speaker said: They a.
WAYS uttered words ard voiced thoughts that wee
inspiring 10 every h"arer and flled them with de-
sircs 20 accomplish greater deeds
Mrs Charles n Tardley. - Eas Orange upon
being irtrod uced announced herself FREQ lance
IN the discussion. she spoke of how little women
knew OF club work when they first entered upon
g. and 81 how ,ittle time they first felt
required 10 carry out the demands made upon
them. But she declared that. n people 20 in for