afflicted sisters. I took the trouble to hunt up some good passages of Scripture to comfort them with. Also, that the Committee on Courtesies be entrusted with this duty; and if they will come to me, I will give them the passages of Scripture. Mrs. Lizabeth A. Turner: With permission, I will amend by adding the name of Mrs. Elizabeth D'Arcy Kinne of California, Past National President. Mrs. Lydia A. George of Minnesota added the name of Mrs. Nettie M. Norton, Past National Chaplain, and Mrs. Sarah A. C. Plummer of Michigan the name of Ella Powell, National Inspector. Mrs. Wittenmyer accepting these amendments, the motion was seconded by Emma B. Manchester of Nebraska, and carried. Augusta A. Wales: As the representative of Massachusetts, allow me to thank the ladies of the Convention for their kindness in sending this tender sympathy to the ladies of Massachusetts; for I also bring to this Convention, in behalf of those ladies, their love and greetings. Mrs. Barker was not able to see us off; but Mrs. Fuller was there, and, with tears in her eyes, said to me, "Tell them it nearly breaks my heart not to be with them, and only the hope that I may be spared and may be able to be with them another year at all comforts me." Therefore, I know how much this will mean to her, as she said to me, "Do not let them forget me." Mary E. Knowles: We have with us today the only honorary member at large of the Woman's Relief Corps, Miss Clara Barton; and I move you that she be invited to a seat upon the platform. Seconded by Harriette L. Reed of Massachusetts, and carried unanimously. Miss Clara Barton was presented to the Convention by the National President, Mary Sears McHenry, and invited to address them. Miss Clara Barton: Dear Sisters: It is no time now to use moments in courtesies. More important work lies before you for this day and for the coming days. If I were to talk to you never so long, to try to convince how great this pleasure and honor is to me, you how dear it is to my heart to be reckoned one of you, either honorary or active, to be a member of your special Corps as well, - I could not make the matter any stronger or more forcible than I believe you must know it in your hearts. From the first, before the Relief Corps ever existed, I was all that a woman could be or feel to the armies of this country- to the welfare of all that belonged to them; and when the Grand Army itself prepared for organization, I raised every feeble note in my voice for its existence. Then, when later came their call to the sisters to join them, nothing seemed to me so fitting, so welcome; and when in open Convention you opened the doors and made me one of you, I cannot express to you what that was to me; and when, at the same time, I was made a charter member of a Corps which has held me always since where I feel that I may do something more than mere honorary work, I was glad again. I have held myself from the first to the smallest as well as the highest duty of the Woman's Relief Corps. I have nothing to add. I can only say that in every movement you make you have my prayers, you have my wishes, you have my help so far as I can give it. Let us all pray God's blessing on this noble work, and that unity and peace and love and fidelity and loyalty shall be with us, one and all, to the end. Kate B. Sherwood of Ohio made the following motion: In order that there shall be no misunderstanding as to the status of Miss Clara Barton and the action of the Convention at California, in order to honor Clara Barton-we do not make her a voting member, -to honor her and place her on the rolls to grace us, I move that hereafter, on every National roll call of the Woman's Relief Corps, the only honorary members shall be Past Commander-in-Chief Paul Van Der Voort (for making our organization possible) and Miss Clara Barton (for her services in war and peace and her distinction at home and abroad) and that their names shall be carried perpetually on the roll as the only National Honorary members. Seconded by Mrs. Turner of Massachusetts and carried by a rising vote. Emma Stark Hampton : At the Milwaukee Convention, Mrs. Bell of Wisconsin made a motion that there be no more open sessions, as it took so much time, and many of the delegates were obliged to leave before the end of the Convention. This motion was, I think, carried unanimously; and I therefore move we proceed to a business convention. This was seconded by Sarah A. C. Plummer of Michigan. I rise to a point of order. The law governing conventions was settled two years ago at Milwaukee. No motion to the effect of this can undo that. It seems to me that this motion is out of order. It simply remains for us to stop where we are and receive a motion that we suspend that rule long enough for the President's address to be heard by the friends of the Order. The point of order was sustained by the Chair; Mrs. Hampton changed the construction of her motion, and it was voted that the President's address be read in open Convention. ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT. Officers and Members of the Ninth National Convention, W. R. C. : Since our last meeting in that far-away city by the sea, Time, in its ceaseless onward trend, has added another cycle to the history of the Woman's Relief Corps; and we are gathered here to-day to verify the work accomplished during its passing months, adopt such new methods as its experiences may have suggested, and take counsel with each other in plans for still greater usefulness. In the performance of this pleasant duty, I bid you welcome to the sessions of this Convention, and trust that the principles of our motto will be exemplified in an unselfish devotion to the work entrusted to you. Many questions of grave importance to us as an organization must be considered, and our usefulness advanced or hindered in accordance with the legislative measures here adopted. It is the duty of the hour, and the part of wisdom, to give to this work the most earnest, careful, deliberate thought, that the record we make may be clear, concise and full of helpfulness to those who shall follow us in the further advancement of the sacred mission to which we are called. I desire to convey to the membership of our Order, through their representatives here assembled, an acknowledgment, which my words can but feebly express, of my appreciation of the honor conferred upon me by my election to the office of National President of the Woman's Relief Corps - the privilege of acting as its representative during the year, and of presiding over the sessions of this Convention their generous confidence in my ability cheers and encourages me in the performance of present duties. Looking into your faces I realize that this is a gathering of noble, patriotic women, representing every section of this great nation. Many of you are leaders of public thought, through the press, platform and pulpit; many occupy high social position and influence; and not a few represent the benevolent and beneficent work of the world: and all are actuated by the mutual sentiment of love for the principles of the Order we serve, and a corresponding interest in the Order we represent. Appreciating the responsibilities of this hour, I ask you, each and all, with that Charity which "suffereth long and is kind" and a Fraternity that "faileth never," to loyally aid me in my endeavors to make this Convention the most harmonious one we have ever held. WORK OF THE YEAR. The year has been to me full of responsibilities heretofore unknown. Yet I have enjoyed its work and found a rare pleasure in the performance of its varied and ofttimes complicated duties. The months, as I recall them, seem but as days, and the time has flown too quickly for me to accomplish all I had hoped and desired to do. The work, as planned by the Eighth National Convention, has been carried into effect in so far as I have been enabled to interpret the action of that body, and to its fulfilment I have conscientiously devoted time and thought, to apprehend, whenever possible, the spirit and intent of its decisions. In presenting resolutions that shall govern the action of incoming officers, great care should be taken that they are so expressed as to admit of but one interpretation, and that one so clear that there may be no doubt as to its meaning. REVISED RITUAL. The Revised Ritual was issued immediately upon receiving from the Chairman of Committee on Revision the corrections and additions ordered and allowed by Eighth National Convention; and it was in the hands of Department Treasurers in time for use by the new Corps officers, 1891. Opportunity having thus |