Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-16
OPENING SESSION
National Congress of Mothers Meets
This Morning.
THE PRESIDENTS OPENING ADDRESS
Discussion Of Topics Of Interest
to the Organization.
p r o G X A NJ AN NOUN CE D

The opening session of the third national
congress of mothers was held this morning
in the First Baptist Church, corner of 10th
and o streets northwest. 1t had been ar
ranged to hold this session Tuesday morn
ing last, but owing TO weather conditions
which are familiar to the Washington pub
lie it was decided to postpone the meeting
until this morning. The program arranged
will be carried out, and there will be ses-
slons this afternoon and evening, and three
sessions tomorrow and Saturday.
The results of the recent great storm,
however was manifest in the size of the
audience, which only partially occupied the
large auditorium of the church.
AT the hour for the opening session the
rain began to tall, and this local condition,
as well as tho fact that the usual railroad
facilities have not been restored and in
consequence many of the delegates have
not as yet been able to reach the city, pre-
vented full attendance.
However in spite of these drawbacks the
session this morning was greatly enjoyed
and the proceedings were characterized by
much spirit and animation.
The decoration of the church was simple
put effective, consisting of the draping of a
large national flag above the platform. The
delegates were received in one of the rooms
on the first floor of the church where they
were given badges. By 10 o'clock there was
a goodly number in the auditorium, which
was increased by the arrival of late corners.
The president of the congress, Mrs. Theo-
dore W. Birney called the congress to
order at 10 o'clock and at her request
those present bowed their heads in silent
prayer,
Presidents Address.
Then came the opening address of the
president, in the course of which Mrs Biz
neg said:
"On the 18th of this month we shall cele-
brate our second birthday. MANY of YOU
We're with us at our first memorable meet
ing and Will recall the spiritual fervor and
enthusiasm which prevailed the sessions of
that convention. That influence has been
far-reaching and practically beneficent, and
that we are here today in such numbers
and under such definite organization is
demonstration of the claim we then made
that there was vital need of national COR
gress of mothers.
With an unalterable conviction that in
the home lies the only solution to the nrOb-
lens which confront the world TODAY. we
have striven to reach the mothers of our
land. and through them, the fathers. be-
cause 1t is they who have in their possess
sion the priceless material of which future
civilization will be wrought Are they
building of stone or sand? That should be
the question of most consequence before
lHe "oFlu, ana yet IS 1t so rcgarded?'
All Are benefited.
Every individual club and organization
reaps direct benefit from any righteous
national movement, and it is therefore fit
ting that they should combine their efforts
with those of the national body, in order
that the work may be extended in all sec
tons of the country. Since time and dis
tance are practically annihilated to CON
ccntrate upon local work to the exclusion
OF cooperation with national effort is like
placing saive upon an ulcer. which only
The purlhcatlon of the circulation can per
manently cure.
National evils require national remedies.
cam, without hesitancy, the greatest
evil today is the Incompetence the igno-
rance Of parents, and ii is because of this
evil that others exist. Most sin is the re-
suit 81 ignorance in one guise or another
w hen character building begins in the
cradle and Is given the greatest prominence
IN ali educational work then will principle
fa'her than policy dominate the lives Of
men and women. and truth and justice twin
attributes of character. viii sit enthrone5
IN human consciousness. Then will cease
the Wild, mad worship of Mammon for
mere wealth VIII not be accepted as a sub
Stltute for that which is above all price-a
noble manhood or wornanhood The Cnest
tion viii not be What has he" but What
is he?'' mat
Incorporation is indeed the watch word
OF the day and hour. and we earnestly ask
Tor the aid Of all organizations and of in
dtNlduaIs in concentrating national atten-
ton upon The education of parents and the
possibilities in the home.
Some of the great clubs of the country,
nave departments devoted 10 child study
and the nome: others. while covering every
Imaginable outside issue have So far TO-
nored these great fountains of ,,ati,o9l
well-beinS. forgetting that no work of per
manent value can be effected which leaves
OUT the essential factors of character build
ing and proper development through home
life.
Services to Humanity.
There are innumerabIe beautiful ser,--
ices which such women can render human
lily without entering upon many of the
vacations which at present seem so alIur-
ing 10 them. They can do much toward
Frightening the lives of their sisters who
are compelled to work. They can make of
their homes a charmed place where the
weary are refreshed the discouraged in
splred to fresh effort, the literary find con-
genial companionship. the philanthropic CO.
operation, the children sympathy and in
terest in their pursuits in all that con-
Germs them; where educators NAV meet
the parents of the children committed 10
their care, and where mothers clubs NAV
grow ana thrive. Such a home is one of
GODS gardens, for in it, in one phase or
another. are the sowing and reaping and
harvesting OF all that makes for righteous
ness.
Itt' CiOSItS years OF TINS century mark
one OF the most extraordinary epochs in
the worlds history. Great spiritual forces
are stirring in the hearts and minds of
mankind. bearing fruit in a thousand
forms Of philanthropy, manifesting itself
in Christian tolerance, in receptivity 10
new thought and in an eager expectancy
which DresaSes a new era, the dawn of
which is already breaking.
No cause is greater than that in which
we are enlisted, and no Misrepresentation
no criticisms can daunt u.s. for we are
working for the weak the helpless the in
nocent, trusting ones of earth the little
children Do you not hear their waiting
cries? They come from asyIums for blind
deaf and otherwise defective children:
from the slums of great cities and
from the palaces as well, for the misunder-
stood child of the rich merits sympathy
almost as much as the baby in the crowded
tenement And why these piteous walls?
Because of the ignorance of parents.
Word to Fathers
And now a word TO the fathers, We
need your sympathy, your aid IN this move
ment which revolves about the home for
In that home your influence makes for veal
or wee; your ignorance or your Indifference
| Is as fatal in its way that of the mother.
and without your cooperation her most
Z mt.