Count life a dismal failure,
Unblessing and unblest,
That seeks ’mid ease inglorious
For pleasure or for rest.

With courage, strength, and valor
Your lives and actions brace;
Shrink not from toil or hardship,
And dangers bravely face.

Engrave upon your banners,
In words of golden light,
That honor, truth, and justice
Are more than godless might.

Above earth’s pain and sorrow
Christ’s dying face I see;
I hear the cry of anguish:—­
“Why hast thou forsaken me?”

In the pallor of that anguish
I see the only light,
To flood with peace and gladness
Earth’s sorrow, pain, and night.

Arrayed in Christly armor
’Gainst error, crime, and sin,
The victory can’t be doubtful,
For God is sure to win.

The next paper was by Miss Iola Leroy, on the “Education of Mothers.”

“I agree,” said Rev. Eustace, of St. Mary’s parish, “with the paper.  The great need of the race is enlightened mothers.”

“And enlightened fathers, too,” added Miss Delany, quickly.  “If there is anything I chafe to see it is a strong, hearty man shirking his burdens, putting them on the shoulders of his wife, and taking life easy for himself.”

“I always pity such mothers,” interposed Iola, tenderly.

“I think,” said Miss Delany, with a flash in her eye and a ring of decision in her voice, “that such men ought to be drummed out of town!” As she spoke, there was an expression which seemed to say, “And I would like to help do it!”

Harry smiled, and gave her a quick glance of admiration.

“I do not think,” said Mrs. Stillman, “that we can begin too early to teach our boys to be manly and self-respecting, and our girls to be useful and self-reliant.”

“You know,” said Mrs. Leroy, “that after the war we were thrown upon the nation a homeless race to be gathered into homes, and a legally unmarried race to be taught the sacredness of the marriage relation.  We must instill into our young people that the true strength of a race means purity in women and uprightness in men; who can say, with Sir Galahad:—­

    ’My strength is the strength of ten,
       Because my heart is pure.’

And where this is wanting neither wealth nor culture can make up the deficiency.”

“There is a field of Christian endeavor which lies between the school-house and the pulpit, which needs the hand of a woman more in private than in public,” said Miss Delany.

“Yes, I have often felt the need of such work in my own parish.  We need a union of women with the warmest hearts and clearest brains to help in the moral education of the race,” said Rev. Eustace.

“Yes,” said Iola, “if we would have the prisons empty we must make the homes more attractive.”

“In civilized society,” replied Dr. Latimer, “there must be restraint either within or without.  If parents fail to teach restraint within, society has her check-reins without in the form of chain-gangs, prisons, and the gallows.”