The San Francisco call., 1904-03-25

OAKLAND. March 24.-The new
building of the Home Club was dedi-
Gated this evening with elaborate exer-
eises in the presence of fashionable
audience. The building, which was
completed largely through the efforts
OF Mrs F. NJ. Smith, was ablaze with
light and many notable people We're
present.
Rev. r. c. Brooks opened the exer-
cises with an invocation. There was
song by the Orpheus Club and then
Rev c. R Brown addressed the audi
ence for a few moments. Mrs. Fred
j erick S. Stratton sang, accompanied by
Miss Pauline Collins. There was an
other song by the Orpheus Club and
Mrs. Stratton sang My Loves An Ar
butus" Harmon Bell delivered the
dedieatory address, in which he said:
We DO not meet tonight to dedicate this
clvb building in commemorauon of some past
event, however memorable or heroic, but the
purposes 10 which IL is dedicated point to the
future and cluster around the home At the
mere mention OF the word home" how the
memories thtcken about us OF the old home, its
joys and pleasant surprises it's partings and
reunions. Its wealth Oh love and its uplifting
ideals
we forget amid the clash, the cIamor and
the tumult OF life, that the material things for
which strive are but for the moment, and
passing away leave not even echo to tell of
their departure unless they dedicated to a
purpose in which dwells the spirit OF immor-
tally. Only that which lives forever is really
worth Our while. All the rest is but bub-
BILE, the playthng of child.
This building is dedicated to such an ever
| livin- purpose, for from its walls shall go
forth every thought, desire and aid which can
add happiness comfort and JOY to the home,
ana these influences. passing from one home
to another, will continue on, we trust for
/ ever.
In the cottages are fifty little girls. who in
| time will become the builders OF nifty homes.
Here they viii be taught how to develop the
highest tyDe of womanhood. and also that
fancy. bEt Of careful character analysis. as
well love. and that happiness does not re-
| suit from the promise of one to obey the other,
! but from the obedience of both to those high
est ideals which go to make the perfect home.
HOME PURITY is SAFETY.
Here eminent viii speak on themes
connected with the home, and here music will
come with all its eleyating harmonies. There
\ will be a library in which can be read the
/ thoughts of authors on topics when concern
| the home Every civic question will be here
| discussed. and its rights will always here find
/ champion, for everything which destroys the
home innets vital injury on Il the ,, common, no
q traitor in arms, for he poisons the life
springs of our national existence. Let the
American home become degenerate and this
republic, which we love- and around which
cling the cherished memories of the past and
the jeweled hopes of the future, would fall In
/ stupendous ruin. for the purity of the home
| is the safety Of the state
| We wish to assure Mr. and Mrs F. M. Smith
that we are Of one voice in thanking them
| for this beautiful building, which. in its pure
architectural outlines, ftly symbolizes the pur-
| poses to which II is dedicated, but our best
| appreciation will be shown in the bending of
every effort to bring to pass that for which
Now therefore, by virtue of the power in Us
vested bv the board of trustees OF the Mary
r. Smith Trusts, we dedicate this building to
| the uplifting and glorifying of the home May
/ God cause its work to- endure from generation
| to generation, and may thousands of homes
hereafter arise and point to it the source
os their happiness and inspiration
The Home Club has a membership
| of about 800 and includes both men and
women. The purpose of the club is to
| idealize home life and to create a
! healthful and cheerful social atmos-
phere. On the clubs roster are the
names of many of the most prominent
men and women in Oakland.
The new building, which was form
ally given over to the service of the
HCme Club tonight, is situated on the
back from Fourth avenue, in East Oak
| land. The clubhouse is reached by a
stairway of hewn rock, winding
through the vivid green of the grass
grown hill. From its windows the view
| is magnificent 1t is a three-story
building, in the basement being the
hcusekeeper's private suite of rooms.
On the first floor are the reception
rooms, library, smoking-room and au-
ditorium. On the third floor is the
banquet hall.
EXCELLENT TASTE SHOWN.
mt -