u 
 
 Pa a. i P.. E 
 
 3 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 DELIVERED ON THE 
 
 TEi^TH /INN/VElijS/lRY l 
 
 OF 
 
 ; THE MISSIONARY GLEANERS’ SOCIETY.” 
 
 AT 
 
 Y. M. C. A. HALL, MAY 22, 1884, 
 
 BY 
 
 j 
 
 \ 
 
 ♦ 
 
 ♦ 
 
 ♦ 
 
 * 
 
 ♦ 
 
 l 
 
 }• 
 
 I 
 
 f 
 
 ♦ 
 
ADDRESS 
 
 DELIVERED ON THE 
 
 TENTH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 — OF — 
 
 "THE MISSIONARY GLEANERS’ SOCIETY." 
 
 Dear Friends of the “Gleaners”: 
 
 Before I proceed to the more strictly historical part of 
 this address, let me tell you why we celebrate our tenth 
 anniversary in this public manner, and also ask you to look 
 with leniency upon us as we appear before you this evening, 
 as we are but children in years and understanding in com- 
 parison with many of our older and talented friends who 
 have often entertained you. 
 
 The 8th of July next ushers in the tenth birthday of “The 
 Missionary Gleaners Society,” and some of us have thought 
 that it would be not only wise and fitting, but a benefit to us 
 and to our friends, as well as to some of the many strangers 
 who are thronging to our shores, if, at this time, we could 
 come before you as a society, and show you who we are, and 
 tell you what we are doing. And, as many of our number 
 are schoolgirls who expect to be away for vacation before 
 the actual ten years are up, we have therefore decided upon 
 this early date for our celebration, as well as for the reason 
 that we may bring it before our annual meeting, which takes 
 place during the first week in June. 
 
 So much for reasons and explanations. Now let me pro- 
 ceed with an account of our doings since we first saw the 
 light, July 8, 1874. 
 
2 
 
 I well remember my first impressions upon hearing from 
 one of my schoolmates that on such a day, at such an hour, 
 we were to assemble in Fort Street Vestry to form a mission- 
 ary society. I was a young lady — in years at least — and yet 
 it had never occurred to me, (and I think the feeling was 
 general a nong us), that we young people could help in the 
 missionary work, except by giving our dimes and quarters in 
 Sabbath school, or that we could have a society of our own, 
 corresponding to the ‘‘Woman’s Board” or the “Ladies 
 Benevolent Society,” whose precincts not one of us could 
 have been induced to enter — we stood in such awe of those 
 august bodies — and this too, notwithstanding we had all been 
 brought up in a missionary atmosphere, and mostofthe older 
 girls were professing Christians. I can only explain this by 
 the fact that, in those days, there was not so much done to 
 interest children as in these more enlightened times, nor was 
 there so frequent communications with the outer world as 
 now, which tends so largely to keep us instructed in regard 
 to what our far-away brothers and sisters are doing, which, 
 in turn, helps us to keep awake and busy. 
 
 At that time some new missionaries had just come to us, 
 who were waiting to take passage in the “ Morning Star ” 
 for Ponape, Micronesia — Mr. and Mrs. Logan, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Rand, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, and with them Mrs. Sturgis, 
 who was returning to the scene of her old labors after a 
 season of rest among home friends. Mr. and Mrs. Rand 
 were only recently married, which fact, of course, caused the 
 young misses of the community to regard them with addi- 
 tional interest. And I think we responded to the invitation 
 to that meeting the more readily that we were much inter- 
 ested in the pretty, girlish bride, who was not much older 
 than many of us, and who, it was said, would meet with us 
 to help us and talk to us. 
 
 Mrs. Sturgis too, was to be present ; but the prime mover 
 in the affair, was Miss Mattie Chamberlain, who is well 
 known in the islands, and who is doing such a good work in 
 the Kawaiahao Female Seminiary. To this good lady we 
 owe our origin. 
 
 There were about twenty of us present— but I will read you 
 the minutes of that first meeting, as they will show you in a 
 
3 
 
 W yisurr<-~ 
 
 vruMic clear and concise manner than I can, what we did 
 that afternoon, and what our object was in forming such a 
 society. 
 
 “ Wednesday, July 8, 1874 . — \ meeting was called this 
 afternoon, in a very informal manner, of the young ladies 
 and girls of our foreign community, to meet Mrs. Susan 
 Sturgis and Mrs. Carrie Rand, ladies of the Micronesian mis- 
 sion, and consult as to forming an auxilliary to the W. B. M. 
 P. I. Miss M. A. Haven and Miss M.A.Chamberlain assisting ir. 
 the organization. At3P. m. about twenty younggirlsgathered at 
 the Ladies’ Parlor of Fort Street Church, and there, after an intro- 
 duction tothe missionary ladies, commenced operations. Miss 
 Haven stated in a few words the object of coming together, 
 and Miss Chamberlain assisted to set the machinery in mo- 
 tion by suggesting a Nominating Committee, of themselves, 
 who should retire and bring in a ticket of nomination for 
 officers. Miss Cornelia Beckwith, Miss Clara Moseley and 
 Miss Minnie Hobron were suggested as the committee, and, 
 having withdrawn, soon returned with the following ticket, 
 which was unanimously adopted by vote of raised hands : 
 
 President, Miss PI. F. Coan ; vice-president, Miss M. A. 
 Haven ; rec. secretary, Miss Lucy S. White ; treasurer, 
 Miss Julie Beckwith ; directress of sewing, Miss Hattie Castle. 
 Subsequently the office of corresponding secretary was 
 thought advisable, and the girls unanimously chose Miss 
 Nealie Beckwitlrto that office. 
 
 Various subjects were discussed quite informally. Mrs. 
 Sturgis told them what they could do for Ponape at their 
 meetings, in the way of cutting out and basting clothing for 
 the converts to sew' themselves. The proposition met with 
 favor. A slight admission fee of 25 cts. was fixed upon. 
 
 Mrs. Rand was adopted as the missionary of the society ; 
 i. e. the one with whom they would correspond and feel a 
 personal interest in. She spoke a few words to them, full of 
 girlish enthusiasm and interest. 
 
 After voting to meet again four weeks from that day, at 
 thehomeofNealieandJulieBeckwith, the meeting wasclosed by 
 singing the “The Morning Light is Breaking” and prayer by 
 Mrs. Sturgis / f 
 
4 
 
 Miss Coan, whom we elected for our president, did not 
 feel able to serve, and, at our third meeting, resigned in fa- 
 or of Miss Hessie Dickson, whoaccepted, and faithfully filled her 
 position until some three years since, when, much to our 
 dismay, she left us to assume new duties in a home of her 
 own 
 
 Before her departure however, she exerted herself to find 
 us a president, and succeeded in persuading Mrs. E. O. Hall 
 to fill the vacancy. 
 
 These minutes which I have read you do not state the 
 fact, that, as we could not readily think of a name (as is of- 
 ten the case with young and promising infanlts ?)the choice 
 of one was left to Mrs. Rand, who, ere her departure a few 
 days after for Ponape, left us that of “Missionary Gleaners,” 
 and this has helped to tighten the cords of love which, ever 
 since, have bound us to her. 
 
 In passing let me say that the office of corresponding 
 secretary is the only one which has not been changed 
 in all the ten years, except as the holder of it has 
 changed her name ; but piincipally because she has not had 
 the good fortune to travel in foreign countries, or the ill for 
 tune of being incapacitated by sickness ! 
 
 Article i ofour by-laws says, “The object of this society shall 
 be to cultivate a missionarv spirit among its members, by 
 united efforts to help those in need, as objects shall from 
 time to time come before the society, and be agreed upon 
 by the society.” 
 
 Duringthefirstfewyearsofourexistence, our main object was 
 to aid the missionaries by cuttingand basting clothing for the 
 natives — not making them, as they wished to teach them to 
 sew, and thus earn their own clothing. This facilitated 
 matters for the ladies, by saving them the time it generally 
 took for preparing work. 
 
 But alas ! I fear our first year’s work hindered rather 
 than helped. We had been told that the natives were 
 mostly large and stout, and that we must not get the articles 
 too small. Too small ! I wish you could have seen them ! 
 for surely none but a nation of giants could have worn the 
 huge sacks and voluminous skirt-bands that went down in 
 our first box to Micronesia ! There is nothing like experi- 
 ence to teach wisdom. 
 
5 
 
 We also made patchwork quilts — now I hear some one 
 say, “Yes ; of course — there never was a missionary society 
 yet that did not make quilts !” Please, good friends, listen, 
 while I “rise to explain.” Our quilts are only two thicknesses 
 of calico, there being no waddling needed, as it is very warm 
 in Micronesia, and they are sent to Mrs. Rand, who distri- 
 butes them to the native Christian teachers, whom they ed- 
 ucate to send among their fellow-men on some of the si r- 
 rounding islands, and who are often too poor to supply 
 themselves with any covering whatever. Moreover, patch- 
 work helps to keep the little hands busy at our monthly 
 meetings, which otherwise would be idle and perhaps get in- 
 to mischief. 
 
 We soon gave up our attempts at clothing the heathen, 
 sending down instead pieces of calico, and things needed 
 in the schools, in accordance with suggestions contained in 
 Mrs. Rand’s frequent letters. And the work at the meetings 
 grew to be more in the line of fancy work, the orders for 
 which coming from our friends, and the proceeds helping to 
 fill our money bag. 
 
 Aside from the work in Micronesia, we generally added 
 our mite to whatever charitable objects came before us 
 here. 
 
 In regard to public entertainments we have appeared 
 before you quite frequently of late years ; but our first effort 
 in that line was in connection with the “Ladies Benevolent 
 Society,” in 1874, when we assisted them by having a table at 
 a lair, at which we realized the sum of $243, (two hundred 
 and forty-three dollars) which helped to swell their treasury. 
 Again in 1879 we assisted them in the same way. 
 
 In May, 1877 we made our real first public appearance in 
 the shape of tableaux in Buffum’s Hall, which old reisidents 
 will remember as being situated in the midst of what is now 
 Chinatown. It was then about the only suitable place for 
 an entertainment of that kind ; but it was so small, and there 
 was such a crowd to witness our debut, that many went 
 away disappointed in being unable to gain even standing 
 room. Notwithstanding the many disadvantages however, 
 we realized the neat little sum of $151, (one hundred and 
 fifty-one dollars) $25 (twenty-five) of which we immediately 
 
6 
 
 donated to the Y. M. C. A. in recognition of the kindly aid 
 given us by some of the members. $100 (one hundred) of 
 this we put into the bank for a nest-egg, the interest of which 
 has been very helpful to us. 
 
 A year and a half after our successful debut, in December, 
 1876, we made a second venture in the shape of a fair, 
 which was held in the afternoon in the parlors of “ Sweet 
 Home,” (the residence of the late Dr. Judd) which were 
 kindly loaned us for the occasion by the owner, Miss Nellie 
 Judd, who was at that time our directress. This was quite 
 a unique affair in that it was gotten up by the wee ones of the 
 society, and all the fancy articles made by them. I think 
 not one thing was contributed by the older girls, as the little 
 ones took great pride in being able to say it was their sale. 
 We however offered to add to its attractions by furnishing 
 refreshments, and this proposition was thankfully accepted. 
 Such a merry time as we had that afternoon ! All the girls 
 who were not “ Gleaners ” wished they were, and all the 
 boys, papas and mammas, uncles and aunties who couldn't be 
 “ Gleaners,” cheerfully emptied their pockets of dimes for 
 the admission fee, and after paying it and entering the 
 charmed place, were rifled of quarters as well as dime's for 
 cake and coflee, while no one could withstand the mute 
 pleadings of the bright eyes and flushed cheeks of the little 
 ladies who presided at the fancy table, and whose hearts 
 came nigh to bursting with their load of satisfaction, when, 
 at the close of the afternoon, our President announced the 
 sum realized to be about $56 (fifty-six dollars). 
 
 Our next entertainment for the benefit of the society — 
 a fair held in 1880 — took place under rather discouraging 
 circumstances, inasmuch as the small-pox was just breaking 
 out, and many doubted the wisdom of holding any large 
 gathering at that time. We were very much perplexed as to 
 what was best to do, and I well remember our President 
 coming to me one morning and quite upsetting my equani- 
 mity by declaring that I must settle the question ? She had 
 been around to several parties to get their opinions, and was 
 all tired out, and thought to settle it by laying her com- 
 mands upon me 1 
 
7 
 
 Finally however, the majority ruled, and we held our fair 
 one pleasant afternoon at “Algeroba Place,” the residence 
 of the Vice-president — the sum realized, $130, (one hundred 
 and thirty dollars) being far above our hopes, as many did 
 not think it prudent to attend. This time we added ice- 
 cream to our usual bill of fare, which was a very successful 
 innovation. Refreshments were served on the back veranda, 
 the fancy, flower and candy tables occupying the parlor and 
 dinning room, while the remainder of the rooms were open 
 for those who wished to retire from the crowd of buyers for 
 rest or conversation. 
 
 In December, 1881, we again came before you with a 
 fair ; but we had by this time grown older and bolder, so 
 that, in consequence of having been previously so generously 
 treated by that terrible tryrant, The Public, we decided to 
 hold our fair in the ladies’ parlors of Fort Street Church, and 
 to charge an admission fee of 25 cts. instead of 10 cts. as for- 
 merly. This was also held in the afternoon, and, as usual, 
 was successful, the sum realized being $214, (two hundred 
 and fourteen dollars). It was at this fair that the largest and 
 handsomest of our dolls was bought by the Gleaners by sub- 
 scription, and presented at Christmas to the little daughter 
 of the pastor of Fort Street Church, not because we con- 
 sidered her an object of charity, but because, although a new- 
 comer among us, she had already won our hearts by her 
 sweet face and pretty ways. 
 
 About this time too a discussion arose concerning our 
 beneficiary at the Waialua Female Seminary — which was 
 soon to be disbanded — as to whether we should continue 
 her support in some other school or not. As we found that 
 she was doing well, and was moreover just at the age when 
 these native girls ought to be surrounded by good influences, 
 we decided to continue her support at Kawaiahao Seminary, 
 where she has remained ever since. For this the sum of $50 
 (fifty dollars) per annum is required. 
 
 In February, 1882 came a letter from Rev. Mr. Doane at 
 Ponape, asking our aid in behalf of a little blind girl whom 
 he has discovered, and he was very anxious she would be 
 taught to read. He wanted us, if possible, to procure one 
 or more text-books for the blind, which we did very readily, 
 
8 
 
 applying to the Principal of the Institute for the deaf and dumb 
 and the blind in Berkeley, California. This gentleman 
 kindly sent us several books as a gift, and we were pleased 
 to learn, on the return of the “ Star ” last year, that the little 
 girl learned very rapidly, and was exceedingly pleased to find 
 that she could do so. 
 
 It has been our custom, ever since the formation of the 
 society, to aid thus in little ways, wherever it was possible 
 for us to do so. 
 
 When any of the missionaries come up in the “Star,” we 
 generally try to discover some of their needs and supply 
 them if possible. 
 
 Three years ago, our own missionary, Mrs. Rand, reach- 
 ed us on her way to the States in search of health, after 
 having labored in Ponape for seven years. Our meeting 
 was a joyful one, though tempered with sadness, when we 
 learned that, a few days after embarking in the “Star,” her 
 little Willie, a babe of two years, left them after a short 
 illness, to be at rest with Jesus. They were enabled to 
 bring his precious remains to Honolulu, which were tenderly 
 laid to rest in the beautiful mission grave-yard at Kawaiahao. 
 In loving remembrance the Gleaners marked the spot with 
 a marble scroll, 
 
 Mrs. Rand spent a year at her home in Massachussetts, 
 and in May 1882 returned to us with health much im- 
 proved, and full of eagerness to renew her labors among the 
 people in Ponape. But ere the “Star” left us, the Gleaners 
 filled a large box with gifts for all those who were to be at 
 Ponape, placing it on board without notifying the Rands, 
 under whose supervision it was to be opened. These gifts 
 came from individual members and not from the society 
 funds, and w r as therefore all the more pleasant a surprise to 
 them when Christmas came around. 
 
 Not more than three or four months after Mrs. Rand had 
 left us, she became in a nearer and dearer sense our very 
 own missionary, and now let me go back a little and tell 
 you how such a thing could be possible as she had always 
 seemed like one of us. 
 
 Some little time before Mrs. Rand’s visit to us, which I 
 have just mentioned, Mrs. Lowell Smith, the able president 
 
9 
 
 of the “Woman’s Board” attended one of our meetings, as 
 she often does, in order to be certain of the progress and 
 welfare of their “child” — and in the course of some remarks, 
 sprung upon us this thought — “Why could’nt the Gleaners 
 some day support a missionary,'?” I say sprung it upon us, 
 beeause such a wild idea had never entered one of our busy 
 brains. But the thought once lodged there would not be 
 removed, and especially from that of our energetic and 
 thoughtful president, Mrs. E. O. Hall, who, after thinking 
 it over and planning the ways and means, one day broach- 
 ed it to the Gleaners, where it met with instant favor. 
 
 Wehadbeen in thehabit every yearof sending to each of the 
 white missionaries in Micronesia a box containing little nic- 
 nacs and relishes to the amount of $5.00 (five dollars) each, 
 and this we decided to give up, as the twenty or thirty dol- 
 lars thus expended, would help out considerably in the pay- 
 ment of our missionary, s salary. There too was our nestegg 
 of one hundred dollars in the bank, to which additions had 
 been made at different times, and which would help for the 
 first year, so we thought we could easily pay a missionary. 
 
 We did not need to vote as to who that missionary should 
 be, for our thoughts turned unanimously to the one who 
 christened us, and who, all these years, had written us 
 such bright and interesting letters — Mrs. Rand. So Mr. E. 
 O. Hall, who was then agent for the “American Board of 
 Commissioners for Foreign Missions,” kindly wrote to them, 
 making inquiries as to the feasibility of our plans, and we 
 soon received answer that, as they paid Mr. and Mrs, Rand 
 $500 (five hundred dollars) a year, they would allow us to 
 pay Mrs. Rand $200 (two hundred dollars). 
 
 It was a glad day for us when we received this notification, 
 and Ht in consequence that we had a definite object to work 
 for. In January 1883 our first payment was made. 
 
 Aside from this and the $50 (fifty dollars) per annum 
 for the support of Annie Gleaner at the Kawaiahao Female 
 Seminary, we pay $2.00 (two dollars) a month for a Haw- 
 aiian Bible-reader in Honolulu. These are the definite 
 objects for which we work but we are always ready, as I 
 have mentioned before, to aid in any charitable object 
 which is brought to our notice. 
 
I o 
 
 Having a specific sum of money to raise has done us a 
 vast deal of good already, in that it has roused us to new ef- 
 forts and sacrifices. 
 
 Most of the members are school-girls consequently their 
 time is not all their own, and' they cannot therefore do as 
 much as they would like to. One of the first things we did. 
 to help raise our yearly fund, was to change our membership 
 fee from 25 cents a year to 50 cents for those over twelve 
 years of age which in addition to our monthly collections, aids 
 our fund wonderfully. Many of our number also have be- 
 come life-members, for which the fee is $2 50 (two dollars 
 and fifty cents). 
 
 We determined as well to make a new effort in the line of 
 fancy-work for sale, so, ladies, if you wish a particularly 
 handsome toilet set, or a lovely dress for baby, please apply 
 to us, and we promise to give satisfaction in work as 
 well as price. And gentlemen just the loveliest broidered 
 bat-bands you ever saw ! 
 
 But with all these helps we cannot raise the needful sum 
 without every now and then, a little aid from the public, and 
 this we hope to secure by giving you occasionally pleasant 
 and amusing entertainments, which we trust will be generous- 
 ly patronized. 
 
 The first one of these — being the fifth in the annals ot 
 the society — took place in April of last year, and was so suc- 
 cessful that we felt greatly encouraged for the future. This 
 time too we enlarged still further upon our former practice 
 (beware of next time !) in that out admission fee was raised 
 again from that of 25 cents at our last entertainment to 50 
 cents. But we made this fair and square by giving you a 
 double amount of entertainment — the first part of the even- 
 ing being devoted to the rendering of a choice musical and 
 literary programme, in the midst of which came the famous 
 fan-drill, which was performed by ten quaint little misses in 
 Kate Greenaway costume. 
 
 “After this” — to quote from our recording secretary 
 “stage and scenery quickly disappeared, tables and waitres- 
 ses taking their place, serving tea, coffee, ice cream and the 
 usual refreshments. The fancy-table was soon dispoiled 
 of its pretty treasures, and the evening passed quickly and 
 
11 
 
 •ileasantlv The words of the managing editor ot the Sat- 
 urday Press seem a fit closing for another ot the (ll ® aner ^ 
 entertainments-"— ‘And the best ot it all is, the affair. 
 
 fin lstnLed L< it was, the sum realized being something over 
 5-00 (five hundred dollars), which relieved us ot the 
 necessity of giving, and you of the pleasure of paying for 
 another entertainment for some time to come 
 
 \ few days alter this, our President, Mrs. E. O Hall, vwtn 
 her husband, left us to be absent several njo^hs tn t 
 United States. Soon after ner departure, our first 1 resident. 
 Mrs Hessie Dickson Howard, rejoiced all hearts by making 
 us a living visit. Her stay was all too short ; but the Glean- 
 ers managed to secure her for one evening, and gave her a 
 reception°in the ladies’ parlors of Fort-Street Church, mv.fi 
 i n ,r our parents and friends to join us in welcoming her. 
 wa°s a most enjoyable evening, and one seldom sees so 
 Dret ty a sight as those rooms presented that night the low 
 hness of its fioral decorations being enhanced by the groups 
 of merry girls flitting hither and thither in their pretty white 
 
 dresses and bright-hued sashes. 
 
 We rather pitied Mr. Howard as one alter another came 
 up to be introduced to “ Miss Hessie’s husband ; but he 
 
 bore the ordeal bravely. , 
 
 lust before refreshments were served, the girls slyly an, 
 quietly closed around their two principal guests, while our 
 Vice-president, Miss Sarah King, gracefully addressed Mrs 
 Howard in a few cordial words of welcome, offering her at 
 the same time a basket of choice flowers most e^qui^e > 
 arranged, as a love-gift from the society. 1 his took Mrs. 
 Howard somewhat by surprise ; but she was equal to the 
 occasion, and answered in her own lovmg+way. ending 
 passing to our .Treasurer the sum requisite for making two 
 of her daughters life-members ot the soiietv 
 
 Cake and ice-cream were then served, the company dis- 
 persing at a late hour, and a few days after we bade farewell 
 to Mr. and Mrs. Howard as they left us to return to their 
 
 home in Illinois. . , 
 
 Hut a few months after this happy gathering, we received 
 
 the sad news of the death of Mr. E. O. Hall. Mrs. Hall re- 
 
turned immediately, and at our November meeting sent in a- 
 request to resign. This was not accepted, and a committee 
 was appointed to wait on her, asking her to reconsider it. 
 This she promised to do ; but in February, after due con- 
 sideration, sent in her second and final resignation. It was 
 reluctantly accepted, as she had proven herself so faithful and 
 earnest in the interests of the society. 
 
 I was away at the time, and the Gleaners then took a very 
 unfair advantage of that absence by voting me to fill the va- 
 cancy ! 
 
 When I learned of this in my return and entered my pro- 
 test against it — as I did not feel that 1 had the time to de- 
 vote to it — I was answered by the qestion, “ What else could 
 we do ? ” so, without further words, 1 accepted, until our 
 annual meeting, thinking that I would not .place them 
 in such straits again, or subject any other person to the 
 ordeal of being elected to the honorable position because they 
 could find no one else ! 
 
 Next year we hope to secure a lady whom we know we 
 shall all love, and who is ably fitted in every way to beat the 
 head of such a society. 
 
 During the ten years of its existence, our society has been 
 a wonderfully prosperous one — for which we ascribe all 
 praise to the dear Master whom we serve — though we have 
 met with many discouragements, not the least of which has 
 been from the fact that, just as sure as the first Saturday in 
 the month comes around — which is the regular day for our 
 meetings — just so sure does some good mother or auntie, for- 
 getting entirely the meeting for that day, plan a picnic for 
 Waikiki or the woods, which always takes away more or less 
 of our members, and naturally their interests in the society 
 and its work flags : whereas, if they could only attend regu- 
 larly — and their parents make it a point to see that they do, 
 they would thus become intimately connected with what 
 transpires at each meeting, and would not make any com- 
 plaint of want of interest. 
 
 So, dear mothers, aunties and older sisters, and I might say 
 as well, fathers, uncles and big brothers, please don’t plan 
 picnics, or anything else distracting, for the first Saturday of 
 the month. 
 
i3 
 
 For such a society should exert an important influence 
 upon our young people in training them for Christian work 
 —and especially in these busy days, when our minds are so 
 apt to be diverted by other things. And here I would enter 
 a plea, in behalf of the Gleaners, to the Mothers. For we 
 have a duty in regard to it as well as our daughters who are 
 
 members. , , 
 
 It has come to me lately with much force that there is a 
 great deal in habit. If we do not teach our children the impor- 
 tance of attending church and Sabbath school while they are 
 under our influence, they are not likely to do so after they 
 reach manhood and womanhood. It we do not impress 
 upon them now the importance of joining such societies as 
 the “Missionary Gleaners” and the “Y. M. C. A. Boys, 
 and after joining, their duty in the matter of regular atten- 
 dance, where will be our future Woman’s Boards and Young 
 Men’s Christian Associations, as well as our ministers and 
 missionaries 5 It is all work for the Master, and if we, the 
 heads of our households, take no interest in this work, how 
 can we expect those under our care to do so ? Our children 
 should grow up in this atmosphere, or how keen will be our 
 disappointment in future years should they evince little or 
 no interest in the cause of Christ ! 
 
 And now, dear Gleaned, as we pass this landmark in our 
 history and enter upon a new term of years, may we do so 
 with renewed zeal — and wherever our work in the future 
 shall be, may we, as individual members, glean so faithfully 
 for the Master in the world’s vast harvest field, that, as was 
 written of one of old, so, when our life-work is done, it may 
 be said of each one of us, “ She hath done what she could ” 
 
 Nealie B. Damon, 
 
 Delivered May 22, 1884. President. 
 
THE FEAST OF THE FLOWERS. 
 
 Once on a time, long long ago, 
 
 When flowers could read, write talk and do 
 
 All that men in the present day 
 
 Are proud to own, think, act and say, 
 
 Lord Hollyhock whose royal blood 
 Coursed through his veins a purple flood, 
 
 A grand commencement dinner made, 
 
 And to it, all the flowers he bade. 
 
 ’Twas to the graduates ’twas given. 
 
 Those who by earnest toil had risen 
 
 Above the common class of flowers 
 
 And now stepped forth with strengthened powers 
 
 From out their college walls, t’ impart 
 
 Rich gathered lore to each flower heart. 
 
 The first and highest honored one, 
 
 Was Lord Hollyhock’s most noble son, 
 
 Then Crown Imperials nephew bold, 
 
 Sir Tulip’s heir, (high born its told). 
 
 The cousin of the Princess Feather, 
 
 And Earl Sunflower’s gifted brother. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Heartease’s sons, 
 
 And Bishop Dahlia’s prouder ones. 
 
 Old Admiral Seaweed’s youngest child, 
 
 With Pennyroyals cousin wild. 
 
 And many more of noble name. 
 
 High gifted and of fairest fame. 
 
 But Beauty graced the festal board. 
 
 And Fragrance all around was poured. 
 
 M ss Hollyhock in all her pride. 
 
 With Miss Carnation by her side 
 Received the guests both young and old, 
 
 The maidens fair, the heroes bold. 
 
15 
 
 The Rose with deepest blushes dyed 
 Came first, with White Rose by her side. 
 Fcrget-me-not with sweet blue eyes 
 Her friend Miss Pansy there espies. 
 
 1 he pure Gardinia, sweet and lair, 
 
 1 he Heliotrope with modest air, 
 
 With star-eyed Jasmine then came in, 
 
 And joined the gathered throng within. 
 
 The shrinking plant so Sensitive 
 It scarce dares move or breathe or live. 
 
 With fragrant Violet entrance makes, 
 
 And kindly met, fresh courage takes. 
 Magnolias pour their fragrance round, 
 
 And sweetness springs from all the ground. 
 The Marigold so wondrous proud, 
 
 With gaudy dress and voice so loud, 
 
 Walked in with gorgeous Daffodil, 
 
 And comments made, both good and ill. 
 The Lily white with stately mien, 
 
 Adds beauty to the floral scene ; 
 
 Geranium, Myrtle, Daisy sweet, 
 
 With wondrous Stephanoti’s meet. 
 
 All in the lovely land of flowers, 
 
 Wove grace and worth within their bowers, 
 Thus o'er the grand and festal board, 
 
 Was nought but sweetest fragrance poured. 
 
 Down to the Banquet Feast they sat, 
 Ambrosia, Nectar sweet, all that 
 Could tempt the taste of flowers, 
 
 Distilled in evening’s dewy showers. 
 
 In fairy cups they drank the health, 
 
 The future honor, glory, wealth, 
 
 Of all for whom this day was famed, 
 
 Nor ceased they until all were named. 
 
 At last. Lord Hollyhock’s proud name, 
 
 So high in virtue, honor, fame, 
 
 In drops of dew was sipped by all 
 Who graced the proud old banquet Hall. 
 
 To which in substance he replied 
 And eyed the gathered throng with pride. 
 He was rejoiced, he said, to meet 
 Such grace and beauty round his seat. 
 None better felt than he, the worth 
 Of all the advantages of biith. 
 
 But beauty, unless fragrance too 
 Was found in every leaf and hue, 
 
Had little worth, would pass aside. 
 
 And perish in its foolish pride. 
 
 Not simply to adorn the earth, 
 
 Did God to Flowers give their birth, 
 
 But for the benefit of man. 
 
 Who from them all, some virtue can 
 Fxtract, and thereby bless his race 
 With healing, culled {torn every place. 
 
 This healing balm was oftenest found 
 In lowly flowers, which shed around 
 The sweetest fragrance, and which grew 
 In silent vales, of softest hue. 
 
 Much more he said of caution, praise, 
 
 All that could for the flowers raise 
 Their noblest powers, their richest worth. 
 And fit them thus to bless the earth. 
 
 The hush of twilight came, and all 
 Departed from the banquet hall. 
 
 But thoughts were born, resolves were mad 
 That wrought such wondrous good, tis said 
 Their virtues great in every clime, 
 
 Are traced to that sweet Jlowcr time. 
 
r 
 
 v