The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-05-22
FROM MRS. REEsOR.

trict:
Although / am away up here in the
hills, where nature exerts all her
powers to soothe all the faculties
save those of the soul, to sleep and
rest, | have in my heart message
for you that must be spoken.
How | wish you might all step out
of the routine of duty for week up
on to these heights, where these YER
table poems of color-the blues,
white and grays of the sky, and the
"rosy-fingered dawns" and twilights
combine with the grays, browns and
green's of the hills to make sweetest
music in the soul. Oh, pity those,
who, having eyes see not the can
vases spread by nature and ears,
hear not the anthems of the hills,
and hearts which throb not in unison
with the heart of the Infinite!
Sisters, in all our work for human
kind, let us not forget the culture of
the soul! But to my more immediate
message. Never in all my club life,
have | been able to realize the full
ness of fellowship, the oneness of
purpose, in short the true fedora
ton spirit" as during the past few
weeks which included my visit to St.
Anthony. My half days in Pocatello
and my stay in Boise, but / must
reach back little farther to recall
my pleasant days in Blackfoot
| am very sure one does not need
to be a federation officer to expert
ence the generous hospitality, the
sweet communion of hearts burning
with a common purpose, that was
mine The effect of club relation
ship is such that hearts grow larger
and pride grows less, and why not
cultivate the habit of slipping away
for day or so at time from the
hOme-freside into a neighbOring
town We are SO sure to be refresh
ed, to have grown in grace and men
tai strength, that we can take up the
daily duties on our return, with re-
newed pleasure and zeal, and when
it is our privilege to receive such a
guest the home feels the blessed in
f1uence for many a day Do you
realize that we know each other so
much better, when we know each
others husbands and children? I
never thought of it before but now
| am sure of it. 1t Is so blessed to
breathe the atmosphere of other
homes! And when a club woman
visits another club woman, there is
so much that is important, high in
tone and elevating to talk about, that
gossip and idle talk finds no place at
all.
In st. Anthony I found a brave
little club doing real and earnest
work, and composed of such choice
spirits | wanted to put my arms
about them and gather them into the
District Federation, but have faith
to believe they can not long resist
our urgent invitation.
In company with my hostess, Mrs.
G. G. Bowerman, visited the Wo-
mans Literary club, which showed
every evidence of being in a thriving
condition. An effort was made to
underscore the need for club women
to be actively interested in the work
of primaries and political parties,
with reference to electing men of
principle who will favor advanced
temperance legislation. Things polit-
ical do come rather hard for wo-
men, but since 1t is duty and a
privilege placed upon them, without
doubt they will prove equal to the
task.
A visit OF the Industrial school
deep impressions upon my heart.
Following that of profound sadness,
came a gladness that boys and girls
who for any reason could not have
the right environment In their homes
or who were not amenable to guild
ance, could have such home as this,
with such foster parents as Mr.. and
Mrs. HUMPHREYS, who were certainly
God-sent, to love and care for them;
a gladness too that the social life of
Idaho is thus being protected from
what otherwise might be developed
into an underworld. The question
of segregating the school on the sex
line is now before the clubs and
should receive the most careful
study: Much was said pro and con
and I hope the columns of Echoes
will be used to throw the needed
light upon the question.
But to hasten, in Pocatello, en-
route for Boise, pleasant half day
was spent with Mrs. Derr who very
kindly accompanied me in her car
riage to call upon several club wo-
men. One. of the delights of that
visit was an acquaintance with her
beautiful mother about whom there
is, am sure, could we but see it, a
halo of self-denial in a life service
for others.
I want to tell you of a brave spirit
ed little woman of Kimberly, whom
I met on the train, Mrs. Van Houten
who organized in that place Sunday
school which she superintends, be-
sides being organist, chorister and
teacher. She also organized and is
president of the Ladies Pioneer
club of Kimberly which is doing
splendid work along social, civic and
literary lines. I tried to make her
feel how welcome the club would be
in the District Federation and hope
she will straightway hear from our
Outlook committee. She came from
a cultured New York home about
two years ago, and is truly doing
pioneer work in NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
er with her good husband who shares
her enthusiasm. ! must not take
time to'tell of the many pleasant
meetings with the club women, and
others, of beautiful Boise" as there