Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-01-11

report OF the tYeasuref, Mfs. osNaso'
Her receipts and disbursements show
something done and the neat sum OF
$40 vet in the treasury. Names, %
chosen by. leaders in membership
contest, were read and limit OF time
for contest made May 80, 1907, when
the defeated side can treat TO
straw berries. Drinking fountain
committee reported having met at
Mrs. Aments and agreed upon plan oil
work to be entered upon in February.
Active work was entered into by the
superiptendents Of Legislative De-
partment.
Mrs. Berry. superintendent oil
"Purity in Literature and Art" de-
partment was introduced and the pro-
gram rendered was as follows:
Song-"All Round the World by
members of quartette.
Select Reading. by Mrs. Cowdrey.
Recitation THE Red Cradle
Mrs. Engles in her pleasing manner,
as usual, recited this which was sp'
precisted by all present. Miss La
mar played the accompaniment OIL
the piano.
Paper read in part by Mrs. Berry
as follows:
Purity in Literature and Art.
The germ thought of this department
is 1.-The Inner Mission "-theBible as
the highest expression of Literature.
Christ in Art now rules the whole
kingdom of Art Learning. Song,
Drama and Theology. all have con-
spired to glorify the name Of Jesus
who made possible the coming Of the
Holy Spirit. We seek the elevation
Of the press Scrutinize the litera-
ture on newstands, railroads and
steamboats,, library shelves, in mail
matter, bill posters, sbhows, exhibi.
tions, art galleries.
Our methods are to appeal to con.
gress. legislatures, councils, msgis-
trates and courts for the enforcement
of existing and creation Of better
laws; also the use Of lectures and
literature to arouse public sentiment.
Abraham Lincoln said: "Publio
sentiment is everything. With public
sentiment nothing can fail; without
it nothing can succeed" :" Conse-
quently, he who molds public senti.
ment goes deeper than he who enscts
statutes or prom ounces decisions. He
makes statutes and decisions possible
or impossible to be executed. The
success of the purity and temperance
reform lies in the strengthening Of
the will. We Place purity Of thought
and all the good gifts Of our Creator,
the fruits. the grains, and water, In
the place of these things in q decayed
state, which is alcohol. The deadliest
foe we have to .face is desire for i'm.
purity or intempersnce, which is sp.
petite. "The power to believe in
the highest and best is not primarily
intellectual, bat moral. and is q
preparation to believe In God.
Ideas are rs contagious as disease
and may be spread IS surely. Get
everyone to be a lover of good litera-
ture and art, and you lift the whole
lace. "Our thoughts are the in
visible influences which give its oom.
plexion to our life, even as the insect
is colored by the leaf on which il
feeds. " The highest form of litera.
ture and art is that devoted to the
best interests of the people which
should become the most noble, vital
and orowning happiness of human
life. " II the imagination is part Of
divine life, then the individual snd
the national life should be intelligent
and ideal. Education means as much
eePfaNo'AOh uo ~ utto
uprooting rs well as planting. 1t 1,
said that degenerate literature is tn,
procuring cause for the increase IL
crime among the youth and childrer
of our land. 1t is for us to decid,
whether this is TO continue. Eaot
member of society is responsible
Then the question that faces US is
Shall We each help to raise the stand
ard Of purity?" The literature W,
read, the class of art we patronize
leave al impression for good or evi
upon each person with whom WE com,
in contact. We are weak or strong
foolish or wise, corrupt or righteous
just in proportion as we are controlled
by Bible principles
The Bible is storshouse OF relig
ious instruction and q library Of liter
ary masterpieces.