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THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.

emotion, associating it with a sentiment and imagery which Christian hearts will ever love and cherish, and in which they will find refuge and comfort. Such hymns strike light across the consciousness of Christians everywhere.

Other names not yet mentioned, associated with other lines of thought and action, who have written creditable sacred verse, are: Julia C. Dorr, Margaret J. Preston, Mar­garet P2. Sangster, the latter of whom we associate with journalism, as we also do Alice M. Guernsey, Laura M. Rittenhouse, Mary H. Krout, author of “ Little Brown Hands;” Hester M. Pool, Mrs. Nicholson, so long editor of the New Orleans Picayime; Marie L. Eve, of Georgia; Lide Merriwether, of Tennessee; Emily Huntington Miller, Dinah Muloch Craig, who wrote, “ Where is the unknown country to which my soul must go?” Adelaide Proctor, in “ The Lost Chord,” “Will He Come?” who also wrote the words of “Cleansing Fires,” which Virginia Gabriel set so charmingly to music; Annie Wittenmeyer in, “I have entered the valley of blessing so sweet; ” Ellen Oliver in, “The Prayer of the Wanderer,” and Lucy Larcom, whose productions are noted for their brightness and sunshine, and who not long since passed from earth to Heaven, taking some of earth’s brightness with her. It is always a genuine pleasure to quote any of her lines; for instance, the simple couplet:

“Thank God for the work He lets us do!

I am glad that I live in the world with you.”

Lucy Larcom was in love with toil, and sung it as a lover sings to h ; 3 adored one.

And the triplet, claiming all the children as her very own:

“ Too many for one house you see,

And so I have to let them be In care of other mothers.”

She had the true mother instinct.

Mary Clemmer Ames-Hudson was one whom we associate with journalism who has written choice verse.

What shall be said of Jean Ingelow, with her matchless “Songs of Seven ” and myriad other gems; of Charlotte Bronte and others who deserve mention in this con­nection? What need be said? They are known and their works speak for them.

Of the deaf mute sisterhood whose names are among those taking the lead, may be mentioned Angie Fuller Fischer and Laura Redden Searing (nom de plume, “How­ard Glyndon”). The latter’s “Sweet bells jangled out of tune” is extensively known and largely quoted, while Mrs. Fischer’s volume of poems entitled, “The Venture,” was extolled by Whittier and other people of eminence.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox has written on a multiplicity of topics. Her patriotic verse and that on temperance may be classed as sacred, and her poem entitled “The Engine,” is among the most forcible of all her word-paintings, and ranks with the best of that style among men.

All are familiar with Mrs. Elizabeth Aker’s “ Rock Me to Sleep, Mother,” and many know the sweet sacred songs of Susan P. Bartlett, Susie V. Aldrich, and many of whom time and space forbid mention in a limited paper.

WOMAN AS A COMPOSER.

Does anyone assert we have no high order of music or song composers among women? What can be finer than Mrs. Gen. W. S. Hancock’s “ Magnificat,” and her “Te Deums?” Her “Song Service Book,” for the Episcopal Church, has won high encomiums. The “Ave Maria,” in six flats, of Helen Douglas, now wife of Lieut. John F. French, of the Regular Army, is unique, decidedly original and very difficult, being most pleasing to the higher grade of cultured singers. The instrumental “ St. Agnes Eve ”—a song without words, by Madam Careno—is exquisite, and is placed among the classical music of the century. Mme. Clara Schumann took up the thread of harmony divine dropped by her lamented husband, and is still carrying it on with marvelous success.