But the Roman Empire had its decline and fall. Why should not this society? Certain boys and girls had come in who cared more for place than for progress. They wanted to be highly thought of and to receive the offices. On one occasion four of them insisted upon being chosen president. Of course three of the four were offended and declared they would withdraw. Some others said they must be appointed on the programme committee and be allowed to manage things generally or they would establish a rival society. A few insisted that the time had now come for a change; that the old programme of singing, recitations, games, etc., was poky; that a little dancing and card-playing ought to be allowed a part of the time. To this it was answered that the Poplar Street Pansy Society was established for mental and moral growth and not for a dancing-school or card-party; that those who must have such things could find them elsewhere. Thus a division came. Two parties arose. The matter was discussed in the schoolroom and three times daily in forty or more different dining-rooms. Many bitter things were said. The meetings would sometimes break up in confusion. Then some parents interfered by refusing to allow their children to attend. The dance and card portion withdrew. Several who wanted the offices or wished to have the most to say, came no more. Some had moved out of the city. So there came a time when a very few attended the meeting. The many empty seats filled the few present with sadness. Then came a motion to dissolve the society; it was seconded, put and lost by one vote only. Then it was resolved to appoint a committee who should confer with some wise ones and see what could be done and report at the next meeting, or, if they thought best, adjourn the society till better times. The committee consisted of two boys and one girl, this girl being the very one whose perseverance had brought the society into being and held it together at times when it seemed ready to go to pieces. She invited her two friends to meet at her father’s house to see what was best to be done. Meanwhile she had done a deal of thinking for herself and had carried the matter to her mother for guidance. Things looked dark enough for her dear society. Her mother even doubted if anything could be done while there was such an opposition, and the best she could say was to let matters rest for the present, till the dancers and others had had their round of fun. This brave girl had seen too much good in the society, and hungered for more too deeply to easily give it up. She had a great Friend to whom all her troubles were carried. She took this one to Him.