The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-25
Cordial Welcome by PreSi-
dent of the Body.
STEADY GROWTH OF TEE MOVEMENT
Mrs. Birney Declares That
Motherhood Is a Vocation.
SIGNS OF ADVANCEMENT
Mrs. Mary ID. RunyOn Reads m Al
mirubIe Paper on the Subject of
4'ChiIdren's Literature.v

Much business was transacted this
morning by the National Congress of
Mothers, which today began its annual
session AT the First Bsptist Church Of
this city. The credentials Of about fifty
delegates we're examined, kindergarten
appliances unpaCked. programmes and
reports made straight, and things gensr-
ally prepared for the formal opening of
the congress which TOOK place this after
noon.
At two o'clock the congress was called
TO order by Mrs Theodore W. Birney, presi-
dent Of the body. Rev. T. S Childs offer
Cd prayer, after which Mrs. Birney read
her annual address, in which she said;
Mrs Birney's Words of welcome.
Officers. delegates. members and visi-
tors OF the National Congress Of Mothers,
welcome thrice welcome. to our sixth
congress.
Words. indeed, seem empty when our
hearts are full. and so let US look into
each others faces and simply say, 1t is
coed TO be here. Many Of us have
JOurneyed far and wide since our first
meeting was held in this same church
just five years ago, and varied have been
our experiences, but I hope and believe
that 10 our souls We have carried alive
the inspiration Of that first National
Congress OF Mothers. and that IL has en-
Tiched and blessed our own homes and
lives, and those of many others who have
since become interested in this movement.
Since last embling in the National
Capital the congress has been the guest
Of two Of the greatest States in this great
country Of ours. IN May Of 1900 We held
our fourth congress in Des Moines. Iowa.
and IN May. 1901, the fifth congress con-
vened in Columbus, Ohio.
In both instances We were received
with truly royal hospitality, the highest
officials In the State welcoming our dele
gates with eloquent addresses, while the
wCmens clubs Of these two cities proved
Incompatible hOstesses and nothing could
exceed the perfection of the local ar
Tangements. Indeed, Il seemed to me as
though every face in Dss Moines and Col
umbus smiled a welcome upon US.
Incidents OF the Congresses.
Among the many delightful incidents
connected with these two congresses. /
will mention that the present Secretary
Of the Treasury, who was at the time Of
our visit to De5 Moiues, Governor Of
iowa made the journey from Chicago 10
Des Mcines in order that he might well
come our congress in person. although he
had TO return to Chicago within a few
hours after greeting us
TO me this seemed significant Of the
great enlightened educational interest
which vitalizes the West and which is
giving official recognition to the fact that
parenthood is a vocation. and that men
and women can convene for 10 more i'm
pOrtant purpose than 10 devise ways and
means for the destruction Of ignorance in
It's most fatal strOnghold-the home That
which is most needed 10 effect improve
meat along any Of the many lines where
reform is essential is the systematic aPl-
tatior whereby public opinion is eulight-
ened as 10 existing conditions and the
methods for lettering them.
Factor In Education
'The Mothers Congress. in its state
and national assemrlages. is one Of the
vital factors In the education Of public
opinion.
In view OF the fact that the congress
IS but five years old Though this is its
sixth birthday its growth and progress
have been such that IT'S workers can re-
gard with great satisfaction the results
already accomplished and look hopefully
toward the future Ny views upon the
Mothers Congress, and its mission are
such an old story that I will spare you
. repetition Of them at this time when
. ] am here 10 welcome you
Yesterday we hattered ourselves that
We should have sunny skies TO greet you.
but the woman movement is evidently in
high disfavor with the clerk Of the
weather this year, judging by our own
prospects and the experiences Of our sis
ter organizations during the past few
weeks.
TnseInSh Womanhoos
Let US be true, however. 10 the pro-
verbal reputation Of unseIfshness in wo-
manhood and rejoice that the sun smiled
so glorious a welcome yesterday upon the
nations distinguished guest from across
the water. Our local committees have
been uuhaggiog in their efforts On your
behalf. and il Is the earnest desire Of all
that your stay with us may be fraught
with happiness and profit.
The chairman Of the programme com