The past four years have brought me all that I feared, and more; more of the feeling of responsibility (which I am now able to spell with a small "r"), but more also than I had anticipated of joy and satisfaction. For MRS. B. W. FIRMAN the physical discomforts and personal. sacrifices involved in the "journeyings and perils," I ask no sympathy and deserve none. The compensations arising from my varied experiences have almost invariably overbalanced the "weariness and painfulness." Attendance upon public meetings from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Puget Sound to Florida, in the capacity of Federation president, has given the opportunity for many visits to mission fields in various parts of the land. While I have tried, on all occasions, to remember my destination and primary purpose in the long journeyings, still I am free to admit that the most interesting, and often, I believe, the most profitable part of the work has not been done from any platform, but in the tarryings by the way; heart-to-heart talks with tried workers in out-of-the-way places; in extending, in the name of the Congregational women of the Homeland, the glad hand to all who need it; taking an interest in all kinds of people in all kinds of places. To be president of the Federation means also a most varied kind of correspondence, proceeding from the idea that the office represents a friend at large, who ought to be able to answer every impossible kind of request arising in connection with Home Missions. This does not refer to those of our own constituency, from whom the president of any organization is always happy to hear; neither does it refer to the interesting correspondence with our national secretaries, those real people who are not, as we sometimes think, simply names on letterheads. To be president of the Federation means the frequent receipt of letters which are not of the waste basket variety, and the wonder grows as to whom many of said letters could have been sent had there never been any centralization. Since our organization, we have been called upon to participate in broad interdenominational innovations with the women of other denominations. The especial tax upon the strength of mind and body for duties of this nature has been wonderfully compensated by the pleasure and profit of contact with leaders of other women's organizations, who are trying to solve the same problems that we are. Someone with a broad vision should write an article on what it ought to mean to be president of the Federation in the future years. It must mean very much more sometime. Our work has hardly begun. God grant to all of us widsom to make the Federation the greatest possible help to Him in bringing in the Kingdom in the Homeland! I A UNION By Mrs. C. R. Wilson, Detroit, Mich. Na spirit of deep humility the writer consents to say a few words upon this subject. At the outset, let her state that she feels so keenly how far below the aim she would gladly have attained, lies the mark she really has reached, that she undertakes this article with much hesitation. Perhaps it were wiser, in view of this feeling, to consider the subject under a slightly different. head, and put it this way: "What it ought to mean to be president of a Union." It would seem that every Christian woman should ask herself, "How may I serve my Master and His Church?" She should not accept more work than she can reasonably expect to do well; she should feel herself congenial to the work she undertakes, and be sure she makes this particular service her choice when she consents to enter upon obligations so sacred as an officer in an organization which has for its object so vast a concern as the upbuilding of God's Kingdom. If duty calls her to be president of a Union, she should give her best endeavor to that task. She should by all means cultivate love for her work. One of His ministers has said, "The peace of God is the peace of perfect love. My restlessness is the restlessness of a selfcentered life, overdesirous for itself, too eager for self-fulfillment and selfsatisfaction. But in the heart of God love broods eternal, and all the outgoing of His thoughts is the outgoing of sustained and sacrificial love." So she should let her attitude to this work be one of unselfish love. Coupled to this, she should add a devout zeal and a holy enthusiasm, in order that she may help to imbue others with the same spirit. And, while drawing her inspiration for her work from the deep well-springs of the soul, realizing her union with God as His co-laborer, she must not forget to be wholly practical. The degree in which a state president assumes responsibility for her organization depends, in the first place, upon the constitution under which she and they work. In these days when parliamentary practice is being understood and observed by women, she should first of all be sure of a right attitude toward her fellow-workers. Any usurpation of authority is apt to entail criticism, while a true appreciation of just what is expected of an officer, and a conscientious endeavor to discharge the duties belonging to her office, will inspire confidence and enlist coöperation. In the constitution of the particular society to which the writer belongs, her duties are defined thus: "She shall have the general oversight of the affairs of this corporation." We presume most of our state societies expect as much of their first officers. A president, as the word implies, should have executive ability. This signifies the power to direct affairs. It were folly for any woman to attempt to carry all the burden of the missionary interests of the women of a state alone, and she who can best work in harmony with a corps of well chosen fellow-officers, counseling with them frequently, guiding them discreetly, sympathizing with them always, deferring to their judgment. rather than dictating too often, will be of greatest service to her Union. The importance of this work should carry with it such an imperative obligation as will relegate to after consideration all relationships less sacred. sacred. But this should come second to the duties of one's household, which ought to be paramount. The prayer she should daily offer might well be this: "Dear Father, let not Thy work suffer through any mistake or delay of mine; show me my duty and teach me how to do it well." MRS. C. R. WILSON One of the first requisites of a Union is, that it shall be well organized. Every state should have a district arrangement, with a responsible woman at the head of each district, who shall be a connecting link between the president and the local auxiliaries in her territory. Intercommunication between these various agencies should be frequent. At least two meetings should occur annually in each of these districts (or associations, as they are termed in many states), where the women of that particular section may plan for the extension of their work. The president should let her personal friendship and interest be felt by the remotest auxiliary, SO that the women of no church shall feel isolated from all the others. In many cases, she must act as field secretary, where the Union has no such representative, but care should always be used not to divert from the treasury too large a precentage of funds for administration. It is remarkable how much may really be accomplished. by letters, if the personal element is emphasized and a cordial good will manifested in the tone of the letter. Optimism should be one of the characteristics of a true leader. Wisdom and tact also deserye a very large place in her make-up. A wise president will feel the need of frequent executive meetings, when she may share responsibility with her co-laborers, and gather to herself encouragement from the feeling of mutual helpfulness and dependence. Too much stress cannot be laid upon the annual meetings. It is one of the strongest levers she has. The program should be the choicest; the spirit of the meeting exalted by prayer and praise and spiritual meditations; the addresses informing; the topics up to date; the management businesslike. An impartial hearing should be given all our national homeland societies in turn, and the needs of all branches of home mission work carefully considered, so that gifts may be directed wisely. It need hardly be said that the president should keep herself well informed. Missionary literature should find a large place in her reading. She will avail herself of the privilege of personal acquaintance with the officers of national societies so far as possible, and particularly with the missionaries themselves. To these latter it will be a joy to offer the hospitality of her own roof, for from no other source can she gain so clear a vision of how eminently worth while is the work in which she and they are engaged. As a factor in the National Federation of State Organizations |