SUMMER MEETING AT LOUISIANA. 57' 



shelves from the home work shop, which a little paste and paint, and a 

 yard or two of bright papers or " flowered calico," can transform into 

 real treasures ; pressed leaves, dried flowers and colored grasses make 

 pretty ornaments for shelf or table. But above all, have plenty of" 

 books and papers. Don't think you " cannot aftbrd" these. Get the 

 useful, if only in the cheap form, and books and papers are so cheap 

 now-a-days, that their rejection is poor economy. Teach the children 

 to love reading. If possible, have some sort of good musical instru- 

 ments. Books and flowers and music will make the plainest home 

 beautiful,and their refining influence is untold. Your boys will be more 

 manly, the girls more amiable, and the mother less weary of her work,, 

 for these refining and refreshing sources. I remember such a home, 

 away in the beautiful past, in whose wide, whitewashed kitchen 

 gathered nightly a now scattered band ; father, with his books and 

 papers, mother, busy with her needle, while stalwart brothers, bend- 

 ing to the will of the " spoiled darling" of the household, mingled their 

 tuneful voices in the melody of some old, sweet song. Out into the 

 world they went, never to meet again ; yet the influences of that lowly 

 home followed them, " even unto the end." 



After all, the greatest beauty of a home lies in the happy hearts 

 of its inmates. We want to so endear the old home to the nurslings,. 

 that when they must try their wings, let them go forth, wrapped about 

 by such home influences, that evil will have no charms in their eyes. 

 Set their feet so firmly in the beautiful paths, that they will not be 

 easily tempted into the ways that lead to death. Make home beautiful, 

 in its sweetest and purest sense, and bind its memories, as a mantle of 

 protection about the hearts of your household baud. 



IDYLL. 



May, 1886. 



At the close of the paper the society adjourned until 9 A. M. 

 The papers were interspersed with some very fine singing by the 

 choir, which was enjoyed very much by all present. 



AYEDXESDAY, 9 A. m. 



The following letters were read by the Secretary. 

 One from The Rural Neic YorJier and also from The Prairie Farmer 

 asking for reports of the meeting. 



