The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-22

Mrs. Chaffee read the resolution
which recommended to the general
| Missionary committee that an appro-
| priation be made. It also contained a
request to the board OF trustees OF the
society to investigate and take steps
| toward supplying the need as soon as
possible. It was also recommended that
a committee be appointed with power
to act with regard to immediate mis-
| sionary work among these classes.
Mrs. A. Griffin responded for the
| Lucy Mott Hayes Training school, at
| Washington, d. c. Mrs. Young, dis
| trlct superintendent reported for the
Oneonta district. Mrs Nicholson re-
ported forty members at Waverly, N.
| Y. Mrs. Serena Won Storch reported
for the Wyoming district and Mrs. Full
Ter reported for Honesdale district.
Paper on Tithing.
Mrs. w. j. Haskins' paper on "Tith-
ing" was read by Mrs. Smith. 1t was
full OF practical teachings.
Mrs. Tompkinson gave an interesting
talk on the convention at Kansas City,
and also told fascinating story of
Japanese girl.
Mrs. c. B. Henry conducted the de-
votlonal exercises OF the afternoon.
The continuation Of reports of the dis
trict secretaries followed and district
secretaries were elected. They are Mrs.
]. w. Thomas. Mrs. j. c. Leacock, Mrs.
Llewellyn. Mrs. w. q. Williams, Mrs.
NJ. d. Fuller. Mrs. II. Il. Young, Mrs.
l.. Il. Sanford.
A feature OF the afternoon was a
beautiful solo, "Face to Face by
Madame Lenore Thomson.
Mrs. Thomas II. Dale, of this city,
read one of the most interesting papers
of the convention, on the subject OF
"Rust Hail." the training school IN
Washington, which she described. In
addition she said that Elm Park church
had raised $7O0.4 in money and supplies
the past year. She stated that the so
ciety of the church would raise s20o
toward the conference pledge of $1,oO0
for Rust Hall.
Miss Edna SAKE gave charming
reading on 1.-The Deacons." Mrs. May
Leonard Woodruff was introduced and
sang with rare sweetness, when the
Roll is Called UP Yonder.'
Mrs. May Leonard Woodruff gave a
rarely interesting address on Porto
Rico" at the evening session. She Is
very handsome. with remarkably fine
oratorical powers and she told graph
ically of the poor little Puerto Rican
wifes. the "esposas." whom Spanish
soldiers had married and left without
a goodbye, left with helpless families.
Men missionaries and men preachers
can not go into these "petios." the mis-
cradle homes of deserted women, moth
ers but not legal wives. 1t Is only
women who can enter the homes.
The speaker urged the needs of these
wretched families that the Home Mis-
sionary society can aid. The people have
been deeply wronged. they are refused
the rites of the church unless money is
paid, and they are suffering greatly
under past conditions. In San Juan to-
day the bone pile has been buried but
until recently if the rent of grave
was unpaid the bodies of the dead
were dragged forth from their graves
and thrown on the common unblessed
heap. The deaconesses reach girls and
women Of Puerto Rico in way that no
others can.
The condition of morality is so very
low that it can scarcely be described.
Little girls of fifteen are mothers, "es-
poused," vet not married. The hospi-
tails were made houses of prostitution
where frightful conditions prevailed.
At the conclusion of the address
pledges We're taken for assistance in
this work and the convention adjourned
after the election of Mrs. d. u. Rhone
delegate, and Mrs II. Fl. Dale as al
ternate. to the national convention at
Cha attanOoga, Tenn.