Miss Delany took the poem and read it with fine effect. The spirit of the poem had entered her soul. A RALLYING CRY. Oh, children of the tropics, Amid our pain and wrong Have you no other mission Than music, dance, and song? When through the weary ages Our dripping tears still fall, Is this a time to dally With pleasure's silken thrall? Go, muffle all your viols; As heroes learn to stand, With faith in God's great justice Nerve every heart and hand. Dream not of ease nor pleasure, Nor honor, wealth, nor fame, Till from the dust you've lifted Our long-dishonored name; And crowned that name with glory By deeds of holy worth, To shine with light emblazoned, The noblest name on earth. 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."