years. I have adopted it in my own work, and expect after this to have a 'Mothers' Day' in the campaigns. My own mother has been in heaven for thirty-five years; but her memory is to me most precious, and grows more beautiful with each passing year."

Thus wrote the Reverend Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman, the evangelist, apropos of the annual celebration of the second Sunday of May among churches and Sunday schools as "Mothers' Day" which was started in Philadelphia in 1908.

Many Sunday school associations and young people's societies in all parts of the country have adopted the day, which will be observed by a host of Christian people in 1909. About two hundred thousand, it is estimated, participated in the initial celebration.

The thought of a special "Mothers' Day" in Sunday schools and churches originated with Miss Anna Jarvis, of Philadelphia, to whom the idea came when she was asked by the superintendent of the Sundayschool in the Virginia town in which her deceased mother had long been the moving spirit, to arrange a memorial service.

With the carrying out of this congenial and sacred duty came a realization of the growing lack of tender consideration for absent mothers among worldlyminded, busy, grown-up children; of the thoughtless neglect of home ties and of loving consideration, engendered by the whirl and pressure of modern life; of the lack of respect and deference to parents among

children of the present generation; and of the need of a reminder of the loving, unselfish mother, living or dead. And thus the "Mothers' Day" idea came into the churches and Sunday schools, and has been expanded to include an outward demonstration of the latent love and gratitude to mothers, by a gift, words of appreciation, an act of kindness, or a letter, on the part of everybody.

SOME WAYS OF OBSERVING MOTHERS'

DAY

BY JANE A. STEWART

The services of Mothers' Day as observed in the religious bodies are marked by a deeply religious spirit and earnestness. In the young people's societies and Sunday schools circulars previously distributed are often used to urge every member of the Bible school and church to bring a mother to the special services of the day.

"If your mother be not living, bring some other good mother, one who cannot get to the service without assistance because of infirmity," the invitation reads; and it naturally includes "all mothers, young and old, as guests of honor of the school." Large jars of white carnations (the floral emblem of motherlove, because of its sweetness, purity and endurance) are set about the platform. These fragrant flowers may be the gift of those who have lost their mothers or of those who wish in this way to show respect and

honor to mothers at a distance. And at the close of the exercises one of these white carnations is given to each person present as an appropriate souvenir of Mothers' Day. This distribution of the flowers conducted by the young ushers is an impressive and beautiful feature of the celebration.

The program is naturally varied and impressive. After singing and a prayer, pleading for protection, consideration, and comfort for mothers, a solo is rendered, and some recitations followed by a psalm recited by the school and then a hymn. A brief address by the pastor, perhaps on the text "Honor thy father and thy mother," "The carnation salute," during which the entire audience rises holding aloft bunches of white flowers, followed by the benediction.

An increasing popular plan is to devote the morning service to the Mothers' Day observance, when mother hymns are sung; the pastor preaches a special sermon in recognition of motherhood; and the King's Daughters or similar society, distribute flowers.

The beauty of Christian motherhood is exalted and emphasized by the sweet services of Mothers' Day. The idea of a Mothers' Day has a broad and deep appeal to men as well as women, to rich and poor, to those within and without Christian organizations.

MOTHERS' DAY OBSERVANCE

Mothers' Day was observed in Oklahoma, May 12th, 1912. The proclamation of Gov. Lee Cruce asks that "Each citizen, whether old or young, rich or poor,

happy or sorrowful, remember her whose love passeth human understanding, and remembering, manifest to the world your love and gratitude by wearing a carnation in honor of the dearest of all mothers, and, wearing it, think of her and love her."

Olympia, Wash., April 28.-In accordance with a custom that has sprung up all over the United States of setting aside a day for Mothers' Day, Governor M. E. Hay has issued a proclamation naming Sunday, May 8, as Mothers' Day in Washington. He requests that each person wear a white flower on that day and that special religious services be held in all the churches.

What is a mother's love?

A noble, pure and tender flame,

Enkindled from above,

To bless a heart of earthly mold;

The warmest love that can grow cold;

This is a mother's love.

In recent years there has sprung up in many portions of our land a most beautiful custom-that of setting aside one day in the year to be designated as Mothers' Day. Of the many observances we have, there is probably none that appeals more to the average person than this, and as long as this nation shall endure, may this custom never die.

Therefore, in conformance with this usage, I, Marion E. Hay, governor of the State of Washington,

do hereby designate and set apart Sunday, May 8, 1910, as Mothers' Day, and do recommend and request that it be observed as such throughout this commonwealth. I urge that, on that day, all persons wear a white flower in acknowledgment and honor of the one who went down into the valley of the shadow of death for us. No more fitting place can be found for holding special services of this character than in our churches, and I request that all religious organizations throughout our State prepare a special program for this day, and I urge all good citizens to attend these services.

MOTHERS' DAY OBSERVANCE IN
SEATTLE, 1910

FROM A SEATTLE NEWSPAPER

Within the past two years America has imported an established English custom, that of setting aside the second Sunday in May as "Mothers' Day" and this year the churches, without regard to denomination, will use for their dominant sentiment the glory of motherhood and will exert every effort to make the day a time of tender remembrance.

The observance was first advocated in this country last year by the Presbyterian assembly. This year other denominations have taken the matter up, and through their assemblies and local church circles it is expected that more than fifty Seattle pastors will give the subject prominence in the services to-morrow.