The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-05-27
A TALK ON woMENs CLUBS.

H.
According to the secular press. the
woman's club topic is a delicate one to
touch upon. 1t seems to be one of the
live wires of society, charged, as it is,
with awe for womankind and popular
Indulgence in dealing with feminine
whims Now and then a hard knock
is given to women's organiza lions in
general. and Immediately the culprit
IS invited to step out on the carpet
and defend his honor.
We are liable to make sharp accusa-
tons when we view a thing in its ex-
Fremes. and there is nothing in the wide
world that has not tasted of bitter alb
sUrdity and ridicule. And although it
would be unjust to condemn every wo-
mans club without exception as silly
and dangerous to the home-for any lit
tie band of women might be called a
club 50 long as there is some object
I'M vieW-certainly some of the widest.
Wickedest, cruelest and most heartless
theories are put forth in more than one
of the many clubs of women in this our
day Of brain strenuosity. Holy Writ
tells us that charity is kind and that
it is patient and that it "endureth all
things. When women club together in
a charitable cause and keep within the
bounds Of nationality, their cause is
noble While they keep patience and
kindness firmly hinged on their UNI
dertakings the good within them will
have freer egress to an atmosphere of
truth; the doors of their hearts viii
not squeak with the rust of pomp and
self-esteem, and their efforts will be
worthy.
There are many societies organized
In the name of charity and in the
name of other uplifting and "elevat-
ing things which are but thorns in
virtues side. Their origin is some
times sincerity pulled up to extremes;
sometimes high-toned vulgarity. and
often it is an unnatural ambition for
queerness by queer individuals.
What a counterfeit of Womanliness
Is presented in gathering which has
for its purpose the crushing into shape
lessness every consistency of nature!
Picture a woman frequently leaving
her home and children and preaching
TO her sisters on the "Uplift of So
ciety' or How to Have Model
Home! 1t would be more in accord
ance with a home-loving woman to
suggest to her sisters that she and
they stay home as much as possible
unless it be convenient to have both
husband and children accompany them
on their paStime tours ] don't mean
TO claim that it is improper to seek
ingS. There are many women who are
Intellectual and penetrating observant
i'm Improving ideas. But once Il
woman has chosen the vocation Of wife
and mother. her place is not the lee
ture platform. The old rhyme tells
us that
Man works from sun to sun.
But Woman's work is never done"
OF course the womans work referred
10 i'm the couplet means her work in
the home, and I believe the woman is
rare who does rot love that quotation.
7 quite agree with them. too. and SYM
pathIze with them. and that is good |
reason for me to argue that there is a |
contradiction in the attempt TO be a |
public lecturer, or frequenter of |
clubs and be a model home manager. |
with o. without servants
] viii repeat that there are many I
women who. possessing more knowl- |
edge Of things in general than the |
average housekeeper. are fitted by |
their superior abilities to teach house
hold hints and hold discourse for the /
benefit OF women wishing TO improve 1
conditions in their homes. Women
writer's on home topics are also in a
position 10 aid in this instruction. But
women are in many instances made
discouraged with their state in life by |
becoming habitually drawn away from
me simple pleasures of their own
hearth TO the less responsible pastimes
Of 2lubdom.
The statements Of some of our pub
le men regarding the menace to So
oety In the popularizing of women's
cubs should not be looked upon as an
eHense by women of serious mind, but
rather as a timely warning that wo-
men should not look for ease and
amusement while home-ties and affec-
IONS af4 neglected
Woman is the corner stone OF the
nome She is the principal support in
oFes IMPOSING structure. She is the
PIol above and around which is built
tA things beautiful and cheerful and
sooa. The family dealings with the
world Will always cast a reflection of
ne rharacter of the mother and the
"iH. So let woman hold her place
+h' be not shaken by idle unreason-
.N-~ OF discomfort. Let her aim be 10
-aEe husband and SONS better men
ana her daughters still more loving by
very effort at homelike and natural
engagement. Commerce will take
are "i HE material world. Let woman
ace guard over that finer and sweeter
anu h''fer world in which the soul has
o. "-Ii MICHAEL BARRYKAY.