The evening times., 1899-01-24
TRAINING THE YOUNG
Will Be THEIR THEME
Meeting Of the National Con-
gress Of Mothers.
Mrs. Theodore Birney's Idea Be-
coming Immensely Popular.
More Than Three Hundred Clubs
Will Have Representatives ~at
the Washington Convention.

gress of Mothers will be held in this city
February IA, Is, 16, and IT.. The head
quarters of this organization are in the
Washington Loan and Trust building,
Ninth and F streets, this city, and the la
dies who have charge there are STEPPED in
the work of preparation for the coming
event.
The present officers of the congress are
Mrs. Theodore w. Birney, Washington,
president Mrs. Frederick Schoff, Phila-
delphia; Mrs. A. L. Barber, and Mrs. Ar
thur A. Birney, Washington, vice presi-
dents; Mrs. Sallie S. Gotten, Falkland, N.
Cassidy, Forest Glen, Nd, corresponding
secretary; Mrs. Harding w. Masters, Lew
iston, ILL.,, treasurer, and Mrs. Mary Fl.
Weeks, Kansas City, auditor.
The history of the National Congress of
Mothers is brief but most creditable and
interesting. The organization was effected
at the First Baptist Church, Sixteenth and
streets, this city, in February 1897.
The objects of the congress are to pro-
mote conference among parents upon ques-
tions vital to the welfare of their children
TO further develop the manifold interests OF
the home, to cooperate with educators
and Legislators to secure the best methods
OF physical. mental, and moral training
OF the young, to enlighten motherhood
upon all the problems of race development,
to uplift and improve the condition of
mothers in all walks of life and. to these
ends, to promote the formation of mothers
and home makers clubs in all States and
Territories
The conception of the idea is credited
to Mrs. Theodore w. Birney, the present
president OF the organization. How II has
been received by the mothers of the land
can be shown in few words At the sec
ono meeting of the congress- held at the
Grand Opera House, this city. last Feb
ruary, there were more than $50 represen-
tatives of mothers clubs. They come from
every section of the country and exhibited
great enthusiasm in the work of that
body. The coming congress promises TO
draw a much larger number of delegates.
Since the last demonstration many clubs
have been organized that did not exist
then. The number of clubs in operation
now exceeds 300, and nearly If not all of
them Will be represented 1t has been
thought quite fitting that this, the greatest
demonstration of the organization should
be held in the church where the first
congress met. and its sessions will occur
there.
Fhe program has not yet been completed,
but enough of IL has been arranged to in
dicate that the third congress will be a
thoroughly entertaining affair to all who
have the care of children.
1t will open on Tuesday. February IA,
with an address of welcome from Mrs.
Theodore W. Birney, president and also
from President Whitman. of Columbian
University. The response will be made by
Dr. Mary Green, president of the House
hold Economic Association. There will be
reports from delegates, which will give an
idea of the wide and extended scope of the
organization, although so recently formed.
Mr.. Lawrence Hunt, former president of
the George Junior Republic, is expected TO
speak on The Duty of the State in Train
ing Children for Citizenship" and there
will be a discussion of the subject. which
will be open to all
Tuesday evening the president and off,
GERS OF the congress will hold reception
in the spacious parlor of The Cairo
Wednesday morning will be devoted to
business, when officers and committees
VIII report the work of the year. Wednes-
day, at 2:30, Parental Duty in Education
will be the subject of an address by Mrs.
Joseph p. Mumford, honorary vice presi-
dent OF the congress, and prominent
member of the Philadelphia board of edu-
cation. An open discussion of her paper
will follow. in which Prof. William B.
Powell, superintendent of schools in Wash
ington, and Miss Edith Westcott. princi-
pal of the Western High School of Wash
ington, will take part DR.. G. Stanley Hall
of Worcester. Mass, will give an address
Wednesday evening on Adolescence
Thursday morning will be devoted 10
business and the election Of officers. Thurs
day afternoon DR.. L. Emmett Holt, of New
York. will speak on The Physical Care
of Children Environment vs.. Heredity''
will be presented by Rev. Hastings H.
Hart, superintendent of the Illinois Chill
dren's Home and Aid Society "The Su-
preme Peril of Modern Civilization" will be
the subject of a lecture by Dr. Josiah
Strong, president of the League for Social
Service of New York, on Thursday evening.
and he will be followed by DR.. William H.
Tolman, secretary of the League for Social
Service of New York, who will give an il
Illustrated lecture on Industry Idealized; ;
Or, Studies in a Labor Institute"
Friday morning will be devoted to lee
ture by Miss Wheelock, of the Boston
Training School for Kindergarten. on
"Froebel's Textbook for Nothers,' which
will also be discussed by others prominent
in kindergarten work. Friday afternoon
"Civics in Education" will be the subject
of an address by Mrs. Thomas Kirkbride.
of the Civic Club of Philadelphia, and Mrs.
Herman II. Birney, a devoted leader in
university extension work, will speak on
Literature for Children
Prof Mary Roberts Smith, of Leland
Stanford University, will give an address
Friday evening, taking for her subject
Does the Curriculum of Schools and Col
leges Fit Young Men and Women for the
Duties of Life?"
The Cairo has been designated as head
quarters for the delegates and visitors to
the congress. and everything needful to
make, their stay there pleasant will be
done.