54 Thirty-Sixth Annual Report of the 



duties of homemaking, the things that represent so much in the 

 welfare and comfort of our dear ones are beneath the best efforts 

 of an intclHgcnt and self-respecting woman. 



woman's divine; mission. 



Why, it is the heaven born mission of woman to be a home- 

 maker. From the time as a wee toddling girlie she hugs her 

 dollies and plays at housekeeping with bits of broken china, the 

 home-making trait is strong within her and if we succeed in 

 diverting her natural instinct we will have blotted out the sweet- 

 est, most lovable and noblest characteristic God has given to 

 woman. Let us teach her that if she possesses the dignity of 

 self-respect, others will respect her. Let us hold up the high 

 ideals of thoroughness, system and order in the curriculum of 

 exalted home-making. Let us teach her that there is art and 

 science in cookery, dish-washing and scrubbing. Don't say 

 "Mary. I'll wash the dishes, it will make your hands coarse and 

 red. You go and practice, I'll attend to the kitchen." Teach 

 her the neatest and most thorough way to do the work. Why, 

 do you know, there is not one woman in fifty who knows how to 

 properly wash dishes. 



Let her feel that you depend upon her assistance. Let her 

 see that you take pride and pleasure in your kitchen and the 

 utensils best suited to the convenience of doing superior work. 

 An ample sized and well made dishpan is more to be desired in 

 the kitchen than a plush album in the parlor. Don't say "Mary, 

 go and dress up. Someone may come in and it won't do to let 

 them find you in your working clothes." Teach her to look tidy 

 at all times ; that she is as much a lady in print as in silk ; to meet 

 company without embarrassment, even though she holds a scrub- 

 bing brush in her hand and her sleeves are rolled to the shoulder. 

 Teach her it is far better to darn a stocking neatly than to injure 

 her eyesight making fancy work. In short, teach her so 

 thoroughly and well the practical accomplishments that right- 

 fully belong to the higher education of a capable housewife that 

 she will prove a blessing and a helpmate to the fortunate man, 

 be he rich or poor, whose name she may some day bear. In this 

 way we may build a substantial foundation for her future happi- 

 ness. 



A GOOD FOUNDATION NEEDFUL. 



Supposing a builder were to erect a most beautiful palace 

 by beginning at the cupola, adding ornamental bay windows, 

 with elaborate filagree work here and there, and then place the 



