The Twin City star., 1916-06-10
A PLEA FOR BETTER CLUB
WORK.
Mrs. Mary Mosely Withers.

ing, on May %, at St. Peters Church. |
With eloquence of speech and de-
liberation, Mrs. Withers said: While |
we CLEAN with joy, from observation
and knowledge, the excellent work |
of uplift and betterment accomplished,
and being performed by the Mime
sofa clubs, yet, in attempting to rea-
son upon this topic, presented to me,
as there Future" for Minnesota,
Clubs?" allowing me to refer to an
old adage, so often used by our late
Booker T: Washington, that "What
man has done, man van do" If this
supposition be true, we may Judge
the future of Minnesota Clubs by the
past; not that past however, which is
unwise; but that which leads the suf-
fering and death of Jesus Christ from
the old Jerusalem to the new" Jer-
usalem, where He ever liveth: Weigh
ing the future by the past, - let us
ask, - What have we done in the
past? We have improved the sani-
tary condition of our cities, we have
looked after the moral welfare of our
young, people, we have organized
reading clubs for the benefit of the
young indifferent class, who will not
frequent the community library, we
have brought about better manage
ment, etc. in our institutions for the
physically feebled and incorrigible,
we have brought about the establish
ment of social settlement; and bet
ter than all, we have set men and wo-
men to thinking" along paths that
"lead" to the betterment of humanity.
For as every material thing origin
ates in the mind of some individual,
this force essential, (applause)
Now then, if we would solve this
question, and get an answer without
a remainder we must ask another:-
What are we willing to sacrifice for
the good of our fellow man?" Zap
plause). This sacrifice depends not
altogether upon the meeting to discuss
some interesting topic, the noting OF
the excellency and importance of
statements, the reelection and elec-
tion to offices, nor for any mechani-
cal or external form; but rather it
hinges upon the fact, that there must
and shall be sacrifice of time, ener-
gy and sympathy, which means that
we are facing great problem, of man
aging great Municipality. (applause)
This municipality consists of various
qualities of the human kingdom; first,
as group of women in these clubs,
we encounter genuine common sense,
coupled with refinement; there is a
chance in which the spirits of the wo-
men may be fused together by COM
mon ideals, and associated club work,
which stands for that great big word
UNION" (applouse), which means
strength and a community spirit,
which wins! (applause).
Secondly we encounter in this same
community, that element, who treat
with the uttermost hostility, the very
name of the "breedings of etiquette"
who will not conform, (due to lack
of knowledge of these things) to the
proper manner of living; there is a
call to the clubs to enlighten; we en-
counter roughness, to the degree of
vulgarity; there is call to the clubs
to influence; (app1ause).
Thirdly, we encounter the vicious
class. There is a call to lift up. In
every organization of life, for the bet
terment of humanity, the city, the
state, the nation, has made it possible
that the world possess the full mind
ed, the higher nature, in order for
nothing less, nothing more, than that
these minds and natures are to be in
strumental in lessening the differen-
ces about them. Our Lord and Saw
ior made you to differ, that you
should do so.
And if we would hold UP in full
view OF the masses the universal mot
to, which rings out upon the tongue
of every nation, United we Stand,
(minus the phrase), divided we fall,
(applause) if we are to single out of
the human race individuals for espec-
ial rank in this organization, or in any
other, it must be those, who can not
only prove the high standard of their
morals, but it must be those who can
prove the development of their facul-
ties, and firm control of their tenn
peraments by the high achievement
either of theory, or by the greatest
of all school masters, the Self" max
ing or experience. Thus there "is"
a future" for the Minnesota" clubs.
(applause.)
A very wise man once said there
is no new thing under the sun; and
there has been so much done, that
there may be little left to do" If this
DS tiuS, yOu dS dH CdH
at least rally more women to your
standard, exert yourselves more, and
with Gods help make the future of
Minnesota clubs so bright with the
lamp of exertions that the illumina-
tion, will extend far and wide" Zap
plause).
Mrs. Withers, the wife of the Rev.
M. w. Withers, has not only assisted
in the betterment of humanity by
speech, but she has assisted and ac-
complished much good wherever she
has been, as an ardent church worker
and teacher, as we'll as being we'll
known in both North and South as
an earnest, consistent Christian, with
character that is above approach.
Mrs Withers though at present, is
not affiliated with any of the women's
organizations, is still in the fight with
our other good women, in the good
fight of upiift.
SEN. MOSES E. CLAPP.