Mrs. Robert Anderson Mrs. William Pendergast Mrs. George S. MacKay

Miss Lottie Brown Mrs. John Quinn Mrs. Wallace MacKay Mrs. John Cullen Mrs. Leander Reid Mrs. A.J. MacLeod Mrs. J .E. (Clara) Fleming Mrs. Thomas Bolger Mrs. Theodore Pickering Miss Mary—Ellen Gallant Mrs. Honeywell Bulman Mrs. Clarence Reid Mrs. Wilbur Hiltz Mrs. Ann Fleming Mrs. Walter Simpson Mrs. Archie Johnston Mrs. Alfred Fyfe Mrs. James R. Stewart Miss Alice McGuigan Mrs. William Graham Mrs. Arthur Walsh Mrs. H.S. MacEwen Mrs. J .E. Hiscott Mrs. John Wedlock Miss Geneva MacKay Mrs. George McAulay Mrs. Boyce McKie Mrs. John McGuigan (inc.)

HOME

Mrs. Mary Ada (Walter) Simpson, as part of her annual report shared with the members of Sterling Women’s Institute, her thoughts on “Home”. The report was made available from the

collection of Mrs. Maud MacEwen who had kept a copy through the years.

There are no two names so dear to each of us as home and mother. We all have homes and happy are we who have mothers.

Some things we acquire, while others are born with us. We see this as we watch the little ones develop. The little boys will play horse, drive nails, Whittle, etc., while the little girls will play at house-keeping; she will dress and undress her dolls, make believe having company and enter— tain as she sees older folks do — This is but the budding of home and Motherhood which God has implanted in all of us. As we grow older we build our air castles and picture an ideal home, where we will be “Queen”. We never reach our ideal, but it is our will to aim high. Much should be taken into consideration beforehand as we have only part of the responsibility and can only do our share to make an ideal home. There must be co-operation, and we should

choose ‘one’ with whom we can co—operate.

My ideal was a little farm home, cozy and warm. I never craved a mansion or riches. I always imagined that the happiest home life was begun on a small scale, where each helped the other, and willing hands and loving hearts together build a home - each year adding comforts which we more appreciated because of the united efforts and sacrifice that obtained them. My choice — the farm — because I loved the work and am fond of everything connected with it. The farm ani—

mals are all my friends and we understand each other.

Back of the home the cozy little vine-covered cottage with windows full of house plants and its little front garden where there is a balm for every heart—ache - for the flowers do talk to us as their little faces are turned up; they tell of Him who careth for the lilies. The children love them and our husbands learn to admire them. I have some for winter. They hide the snowstorms and

frosty windows and a plant for the table will help the poorest appetite and the plainest meal.

The real home means love and perfect confidence. Children taught to confide in their parents,

particularly Mother, can’t go very far astray. We should keep young, play with our children and in every way enter into the joys and sorrows - and there will be no place as good as home — n0 objectionable allurement will draw them into temptation if home is made bright and cheerful, a

place where they can bring their chums and have then always welcome.

Remember the birthday and Christmas. I do not think there is any danger of making too much of such occasions. They are only children once and now is the happiest time before they slip away from the love and shelter of home and it may cost us more if they go away to find enter—

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