Suwannee Democrat. (Live Oak, Fla.) 1897-current, 1909-02-05
AN INTERESTING PAPER.
Read by Mrs, Johnson at the Mission
ary Union January 9th.

airy Union January 9th
The Missionary Union has now en-
tered on the last half of a decade, and
lit may be profitable for US to review
its brief history, to the end, that we
may 20 forward with greater conf
dsnce in the future. All progressive
movements are more or less expert
mental. Life itself is experimental
and many mistakes are woven IN the
achievements, but it is through expe-
rience Of the past that the human race
moves onward and upward to Perfec-
ton. It was at the call of Mrs. Brown
that the women Of the different
churches met together at the Bon Air
hotel six years ago for q social hour
which resulted in the initiatial step To-
wards forming a missionary union in
Live Oak. This meeting was followed
by others at intervals, held in the
homes of the women Of different
churches, until three years ago a con-
stitutiOn was adopted IN a meeting held
! in the home of Mrs. Dexter. The Mis-
siOnary Union became an organized so
ciety pledged to local mission work, as
well as to promote friendly relation be-
tween the churches by getting &C
quainted with each other. Needy mdi-
viduals and families, the sick and Suf-
fering were relieved as far as human
aid can reach. The wayfaring stranger
stranded in our midst was amply prOvi-
ded for and sent on his way rejoicing.
But from the first the Union was not
limited to sO-calIed charity work. The
needs Of the home town presented an
: ever widening field. The kindergarten
school appealed strongly to the moth
ers, and substantial aid was given to
encourage and sustain this work; schOL
srShips, tuition bought by the union
and given to little ones the kindergar-
ten age, often to those who could not
attend otherwise. The union was an
, important factor in establishing free
! public library in Live Oak in the pur-
> chase of a building and securing 20
years lease of the grounds by pledging
to furnish and support a rest and toilet
room in the building for the benefit Of
the women of the town and those com
: ing from the country TO do shopping.
! The results of these efforts in connec-
? ton with the WOman's Club and the
, Library Association are before you To-
! dayin this building, which is Open every
day in the week and kept up by the
union. The rest-rOOms being the prop
erty of the union, the library room be-
longing to the Library Association.
Those Of US who have lived a long ways
from town know how to appreciate
, restroom when we know it has been
made ready for US; where we may rest
, and read, eat our lunch, have a fire,
and do our shopping at leisure, as from
, our own home. 1t is but scant justice
to say well done, but as one of the
members expressed it, 1--WE are never
doing all we can dc"
Today newly differed and with the
. light of the past to guide US, may we
, not ask ourselves: What would be the
result if every woman present should
do all that she could do for the better
ment of her neighbOrs this year? |
, have read to you today what women
, had to do for the comfort of, their fam
lilies since history was written until
=, within a comparatively short time.
/ What is intended by the removal Of all
i, this laborious work from the home?
, Can it mean anything else but that
there are other duties and other de-
o mands upon her time and thought? |
have alsOread part Of the faith chap
q ter and | hope everyone present will
? read the whole Of eleventh chapter Of
Hebrews, that she may be fully i'm
pressed with the necessity Of faith in
p every undertaking.
{ Paul said work and faith together
n was what accomplished things.
= | especially call your attention to the
public library and ask your patronage
and your support. These books will
give to you and your children the best
A eompanionship for you will find there
y much of the best that has been thought
. or spoken in the worlds history. You
p cannot afford to miss such good things.
h Influence your children to help the
library instead of the carnival shows
3 that litter up our streets and what is