SUMMER MEETING. 73 



FACTOR THE LAST. 



While there are many minor factors whose interests are largely 

 identical, and which are not susceptible of classification, such as the 

 disappointed, the unsuccessful, the disabled and the aged, who can be 

 guided into greater intellectual activity by each or all of the previously 

 mentioned agents, yet I will trust this department of work to the ten- 

 der and untiring efforts of the noble women of our country towns. 

 Woman's work is of such iniiuence and so closely woven into every 

 fabric of our social, moral and intellectual advancement, that she can 

 not be considered otherwise than a factor of unsurpassed importance. 



Those little helpful societies that go into the every-day homes and 

 hearts of mankind as the agents of sunshine and hope and love, these 

 are to be fostered by her. Without the aid of these institutions, 

 guided by the loving hand of our wives and daughters, many of the 

 good results attributed to man's energies would be a failure. 



The writing schools, the singing classes, the literary societies, the 

 reading circles, the church institutions, the kindergartens, the cook- 

 ing schools, and many others of different names, are the quiet influ- 

 ences which are blessed by her presence and help. 



Woman's influence in these home attractions and enjoyments is 

 the greatest cause of success. Nothing but reasonable excuse should 

 be given by any woman for not taking part in all those educational and 

 Tefining forces. These are fields wherein she can cultivate her power, 

 ^nd in turn lend all her culture and cheer. The moment she ceases to 

 do so society feels the shock, and the longer she continues to neglect 

 them the more degraded society becomes, until at last, it is hopelessly 

 involved in corruption and sin. 



Considering the forces which have worked against woman occupy- 

 ing her true sphere, and freeing herself from the chains with which the 

 dark ages have bound her, I claim that no heroic efforts have ever 

 surpassed hers. Unwritten though they may be, yet the world today 

 is being charmed by her ideas of the right and of the true. 



I plead for a renewal of her efforts to vitalize and crystalize the 

 society of our country villages. Weave in every fabric of our age 

 the charm and purity and loveliness of noble womanhood. 



Hold up the hands of our business men in honorable enterprise of 

 ■whatever nature, and add your courage and culture as forces to mould 

 ithe lives of men. 



Your reward will be more sure than the harvest after seed-time. 



