New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12
WHAT WOMEN SAY AND DO.
SEVENTEENTH ARTICLE IN THE SERIES
BY NOTED WORKERS OF THE WORLD

MRS THEODORE W. BIRNEY. PRESIDENT OF THE
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF MOTHERS. WRITES
CN TIE TRAINING OF CHILDREN.
The recent State convention Of mothers clubs
held Albany has awakened among women
deeper interest in the subject Of child culture Mrs
Theodore W Brney. OF Washington president OF
the National Congress OF Mothers. has many words
OF counsel for incompetent mothers the proper
rearing OF children As Mrs. Birney has devoted
much time 10 the consideration of matters that
tend the better training of children, her views
the vital subject given below will interest all
mothers and those having the care and training Of
little
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MOTHER MOVEMENT
l again wish to make a strong plea to the moth
ers OF the country to consider carefully before de
outside the home The circumstances and tempera-
ment of the woman determine the method OF spend
ing her time. as well her money, and as we see
all sides poor expenditure of BOTH one is Ied
TO the supposition that I'm these domains as else
There is no lack of earnest endeavor the part Of
the mothers to train their children as they shouIo
be trained, and to make of their homes pleasant
places in which 10 dwell; but in many instances
the results are not commensurate with the enott,
and discouragem and unhappness become the
lot OF the wen meaning but incompetent mother.
In all professions and vocatons the STANDARDS are
higher than formerly, and the world Is can Is LOT
trained and skilled workers In every field save that
urged with twentieth century logic that with
trained parenthood the foundation OF an CIVIC ana
sand vexed problems that torment the body
polite would disappear as debris rejected by me
OF our present civilization manipulated? VINO
makes our laws; enforces them; breaches our
dales controls the traffic OF the world? And who
physicians, our teachers our scientlsts our
In official position of every kind. as well as tnat
vast army o Of men b and %o wSence
they these units which in the aggregate are so
mighty force that it makes and unmakes empires
o DESTROYS
Up from the realm Of childhood they came that
magical realm of possibilities where the brain Is
recsntIve the heart sympathetic. the little hands
and feet willing to do loves bidding; where the
ideal overaps the real and where each small head
is crowned with diadem of truth and spontaneity'
1 refer now to the normal realm OF ch oI1tn%
ousiy invaded by the Ignorance. superstition fear
and malice of those who constitute the chiidren
1t said that every desire is promise the future
in the fulness of time have upon TINS EARN sue; sncn
an environment as will NJ them for that ideal
then enter the realm Of childhood will do so rev.
erently armed with knowledge and that wondrous
unselfsh love. AS messengers from King they
viii Rng w fb 5a s6a ead
Is we'll that the world has its hospitals. It's asyums
need FOR workers on all sides: but the greatest op
portunities for far reaching, eneStiye ana pre-
Ventive work are those afforded through the en-
vironment of the child
No one who gives careful thought TO this state
ment question its accuracy; and, therefore, IT
will strange. indeed, II the mothers clubs,
the parents and teachers ORGANIZATIONS. do not
years not only in this but in other countries
Belize IN & readv e WoTk for the
betterment Of mankind All women especially In
be members OF one Of the large department clubs
which doing such royal service in many COM
voted specifically to the child and the home, urge
the immediate formation OF such one. and they
ment would derive through afiliation with the
to the conventions held by these bodies.
other Organizations 'li For no delegate can attend
such meetings without carrying back with her
ment but the entire club. well the commu-
nifty at large. The fees are modest, and while
WORK. more than money we desire the intelligent
cooperation of the women throughout the country:
Club through lack Of confidence in their ability II
and should be done Ignorance of methods is no ex-
euse for delay. since any woman can call her
commended can organize club and successfully
conduct it's meetings. am firm believer in get
possible delay. and do not. therefore. favor orig
wise choice Of the literature of child study viii
insure attendance upon the club and will develop
iPbst viii he snrprisne as well as Inspiring TO the
members themselves There should be many small
e eTo' once month in which ali should unite But
there is no need to dwell upon suggestions I with
which are covered in the leaflets published by the
National Congress. -
IT Is a mistake for women with young children.
unless they be exceptionally situated TO undertake
the work of organization Of any other than small
club for while they. Of all other women, most
need the benefits to be derived through a general
extension of the movement, they should not be
taxed with serious responsibility outside the home
The women whose children are grown me chlid-
less women and the grandmothers are they VINO
should be pressed into the service OF organlza'on,
and in no field care not where i may De, can an
they DO work which will bear such harvest OF
good eventually George Macdonald, In that rare
way he has of expressing great truths mas saIu;
1.-The who can take into her near. hc, tha
children NAV be a very ordinary woman. put the
woman who takes into her heart me ch"o'eh Vi
others she is one OF Gods mothers. ,u
Women are occasionally deferred from enteI ,
upon active work In this line. fearing that th,es
will he criticised for assuming TO know more thah
their neghbors about the proper methons OF ran
ing and developing children. Among All the woi n
ers I'm this cause whom II has been my prViiese "
know | have met not one who arrosates 70 ner ,,
self SUPERIOR knowledge, nor who rnanlIests any
Intolerance for the views Of othe, 3; we nave one
and all had experience with children ana are
agreed that instinct alone is not suflcient guiae
in their and development. ana that preparao,
and study are essential for the vocation or
parenthooo as for other II the best results