Evening star., 1902-02-25

MIS-. haCe "a11eT 6dTTeIC.
trained nurse will prepare food. All those
who wish to have their little ones in the
''creche" may do so with the assurance
that they will be cared for scientifically.
Address of Welcome.
The afternoon session opened at 2:3O
o'clock today with prayer by Rev. T. s.
Childs and the singing Of America" Mrs.
Theodore w. Birney, national president,
then delivered a brief address of welcome.
Mothers" she said, welcome. thrice
welcome, to our sixth congress. Words
and deeds seem empty when our hearts are
full and SO let us look into each other
faces and simply say, 1T is goou to be
here Many of us have journeyed far ana
wide since our first meeting was held IN
this same church, just five years ago. and
varied have been our experiences, but l
hope that in our souls we have carried
always the inspiration of that first nation
al congress of mothers. and 1T has enriched
and blessed oIlr own homes and lives and
those of many others who have since be-
come interested in this movement. Since
last assembling in the national capital, the
congress has been the guest of two of the
greatest states in this great country or
ours. In May of 1900 we held our fourth
congress in Des Moines, Iowa, and in May,
1901, the fifth congress convened In Co
lumbus, Ohio. In both instances we were
received with truly royal hospitality, the
highest officials in the states welcoming
our delegates with eloquent addresses.
while the wOmen'S clubs of these two Cit
les proved Incompatible hostesses. and
nothing could exceed the perfection of the
local arrangements. Indeed it seemed to
me as though every face in DeS MOines
and Columbus smiled welcome upon us.
Among the many delightful incidents con-
nected with these two congresses l will
mention that the present Secretary of the
Treasury, who was at the time of our
visit to Des Moines governor of Iowa,
made the journey from Chicago to Des
MOines in order that he might welcome
the congress in person. though he had to
return to Chicago within few hours af-
ter greeting To me this seemed signif-
icant 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 no more
important purpose than to devise ways
and means for the destruction of ignor-
ance in it's most fatal strOnghOld-the
home.
THAT which is most needed to effect i'm
provement along any of the many lines
where reform is essential, Is that sys-
tematic agitation whereby public opinion is
enlightened as to existing conditions and
the methods for bettering them. The moth
ers' congress in it's state and national as
Semblages is one of the vital factions in
this education Of public opinion. In view OF
the fact that the congress is but five years
old Though this is it's sixth birthday it's
growth and progress have been such that
its workers can regard with great satisfac-
tion the results already accomplished and
look hopefully toward the future. My
views upon the mothers congress and it's
mission are such an old story that l will
spare you repetition of them at this
time when am here to welcome you.
Yesterday we flattered 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 sister organizations dur
ing the past few weeks. Let us be true.
however. to the proverbial reputation to
unselfishness In womanhoOd and rejoice
that the sun smiled so glorious welcome
yesterday upon the nations distinguished
guest from across the water. Our local
committees have been unf1agging in their
efforts on your behalf, and it is the earnest
desire Of all that your stay with US may be
fraught with happiness and profit. The
chairman of the program committee, who
is also our honored vice president, in addi-
ton to the inspiring program she has ar
ranged, has wisely made opportunity for
the delegates to visit some of the many
beautiful and interesting features which
render our national capital such favorite
convention city. Again l bid you welcome
to this, the sixth national congress Of
mothers"
Reports Received.
Greetings from the various organizations
followed, with reports of officers, commit
tees and delegates on purely routine mat
ters.
E1e report of the corresponding secretary
Mrs. Robert Gotten, showed that the inter-
est in mother work is growing This is
particularly true. she said. of the relations
between parents an sc,IoOl teachers. I'VE
find mothers inquiring into school studies
and investigating school rooms" she said,
'as they never did before. They are more
particular, too, as 10 who teaches their
children. They are asking for the best
literature for children, where to obtain it,
and are demanding a better grade of child
stories. Particularly are We importuned
by young mothers" s.,e said, for litera-
ture that fits the needs of the ignorant
young married woman and mother. We
have good line of this kind of literature
not large. ~ut the best of it's kind. We
from the returns that we have had we
know that we are doing a good work for
humanity"
Miss Mary D. Runyon of the Teachers
College, Columbia University, New York,
was the last speaker of the afternoon and
extremely entertaining. her subject being
"Chfldren's Literature"
She spoke first Of the function of litera-
ture In general, which should be to uplift
and ennoble the nature she thought. and
then she entered upon an interesting talk
of the function of literature for children.
She stipulated first that it be pure in tone;
should be instructive as we'll as entertain
Ing She spoke of the value of imagina
tive literature, Of folk lore and fairy stories
properly written and applied She laid
much stress on the effect of the soul life of
children. of proper mental food in early
childhood and of the value of literature as
furnishing vicarious experience as a train
ing Of the judgment and made some gen
eral suggestions as to childrens reading
appropriating it to the stage of growth.
She spoke feelingly of the harmful effect
of indiscriminate reading, and the necessity
for reducing the number of books read
by growing boys and girls, and the inn
measurable danger in sentimental and in
Prospective books. She spoke of the kind
of reading appropriate to the different
stages of growth and preferred 'idealism''
in books for the young. rather than real
ism.
Business Session.
The first business session OF the board of
management Of the council was held yes
terday evening at the Cairo apartments.
Those present were President Mrs Theo-
dore w. Birney Of Philadelphia. Mrs. H. H.
Birney Of Philadelphia, chairman of the
literature committee; Mrs. Frederick s.
SchoH. chairman of the program commit
tee. Phnadeiphia: Mrs. Joseph Mumford.
recording secretary. Philadelphia: Mrs. Jas.