THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.

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And the spirit of ’76 still lived,

And rose Phoenix-like from the fray,

And the glorious crown of Liberty,

Wears Columbia still today.

FIFTH PERIOD.

And what of Today, watchman? What of Today?

Help me now its import to unfold;

How 7 read we the symbols, the signs of the times? What’s Today’s record to be unrolled.

Not the men alone are giving their thoughts,

So earnest, so wise, so great,

Columbia’s women keep pace by their side All over each sun-kissed state.

A national work of meaning so grand Is felt in our land today,

The echoing voice of a far-off state,

A sound to be heard for aye.

A few little seeds by some earnest minds A few years ago were sown,

By “ Chautauqua’s shores,” in the “ Empire State, From which rich harvests have grown.

’Twas a great, grand thought to give to the world, This plan by a few outlined,

To raise the w T orld to a betterment,

To lift up and ennoble mankind.

The clear Bryant bell, by Chautauqua’s lake,

Has rung its sweet peals in our ears,

Carried music and joy to thousands of homes In these later passings of years.

Other circles for culture and study and growth Are springing up, side by side,

In city and village, and hamlet and town,

From Atlantic to the sun-down tide.

They traverse the fields of science and art,

Of language and poetry rare;

They seek for the wisdom of Grecian sage,

Read old Egypt’s sculptures fair.

The old circle for sewing, and the gossipy tea,

On the roll of Today have no part;

When women convene now 7 , in language choice They converse on “ Ethics ” and “Art.”

SIXTH PERIOD.

Yesterday is gone to the tomb of the past,

Today let us not trouble borrow,

For here w r e find gladness and peace and hope, But, watchman, what of Tomorrow?