¢ FE NSS lay — VOLUME II. ? Qualifications ee An address read by Supreme Oracle E. D. Watt, before the meeting of Illinois deputies at Peoria, Ill., October 4. Deputies: We have met today for mutual benefit and for a discussion of the best methods to advance our field work, and for an interchange of views on the subject that is of special inter- est to our deputies and to your Su- preme Officers. I believe, and know, that these meetings can be made profitable if each one comes here with a view of learning something that will assist her in her work in the future. There is sometimes a tendency among our deputies to relax their efforts and to let a few failures or discouragements distract their interest, and hence the work suffers. We all fully understand that the deputy’s avocation is not al- ways attended with ease; neither can you secure members without having to put forth a great personal exertion to secure them; but we also know that if persons succeed in any line of busi- ness they must expect to meet difficul- ties, and there must be a strong will which is able to overcome these diffi- culties; and you must all learn to make good the motto, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” and in many instances trial after trial has to be made before success crowns your efforts. Deputies in our society have such a good cause to labor for they need have no hesitancy in approaching a person time and again; as they can assuredly feel that in all their work they are. doing something for the good of man- kind. And it is work that none need be ashamed of. A word about those who should ap- ply for deputy work. None should ap- ply whose family cares are such they cannot be left, and who is so situated that she cannot go from home at any time and remain away from home for a length of time if work requires her to do so. Home is a mother’s king- dom, and a woman should consider well if this kingdom can spare her gov- erning hand before she applies for work as a deputy. No woman should apply for deputy work with the idea that it is a great honor to be in pos- session of a commission as a Deputy Supreme Oracle. True, it is an honor, but the responsibility must be weighed with the honor. I believe many wo- men apply for work as a deputy who do not have the least conception that there is work connected with the posi- tion, and are somewhat surprised and almost indignant when questioned as to their abilities along this line, ap- parently having gotten the idea that all a deputy had to do was to sit in an easy chair and direct the movements of an army of solicitors who would consider themselves so honored by do- ing this work that they would do it all for glory and fame, and she would have | EDITORIAL OFFICE, | ROCK ISLAND, ILL. Me True, Noble Womanhood and Ability and an Inclination for Hard Work ¢ ROMA RA AAR RNR NN NNN RRR a S of a Deputy the proud distinction of being known as a Deputy Supreme Oracle; but after learning that she would be expected to do personal work, she would con- clude to try for something else with less work, more honor, and better pay. NOVEMBER, 1901. she must gain the respect of the peo- ple and treat all with whom she comes in contact in a thoroughly business manner; must endeavor to gain their confidence, both in her integrity and high standard of character. Deputies, you should endeavor to make friends so that you will be wel- comed again should you have oceasion to visit there at some future time. Make it your aim to make friends and keep them, too. When commissioned, begin at once to canvass your district. Depend upon yourself. It is your work, and if you wish it properly done, do it yourself; do not depend on others. You, no doubt, will be at some expense and labor, but you will succeed if you IRISH MELODY—By E. HEBERT. We will now look at some of the qualifications for deputy work. First, A deputy should be a good, true, noble woman, with an abundance of the ar- ticle known as good, common sense, and possessing a disposition of unself- ishness; one who can forget self when necessary. A woman who can be gen- tle, yet firm, and with strong enough character to conduct herself as a wo- man in all places and upon all oceca- sions; and she should familiarize her- self thoroughly with the by-laws of our society and be able to give straightforwafd information about the society in such manner as to prove to those whom she solicits to become members that she knows and fully un- derstands the principles of the society which she represents. She should on all occasions be loyal to the society which she represents, and to its officers, for in union there is strength, and in order to become a successful deputy, persevere, and whatever is worth do- ing at all is worth doing well. Take Do your utmost to make the best record of any one in the field. Be very painstaking in your selections of members, both morally and physically. Always secure the bet- ter class of people in a community. Endeavor to harmonize all differences, if any exist, and in your example teach the true principles of fraternity. Do not tolerate or encourage in any way adverse criticism of the manage- ment of the society you represent, nor of your sister deputies. Many depu- ties have brought just criticism upon themselves by their unjust critiesm of the work of some other deputy. None are perfect, and if some new or inex- perienced worker has erred in some way, let the mantle of charity fall upon her mistakes. Be patient with new beginners. Many women coming into our ranks were never inside a pride in your work. PUBLICATION OFFICE, LINCOLN, NEB. NUMBER 11. lodge room and all is new to them and they may seem to you very dull and stupid, but these are the persons who need your best efforts, and they will look to you for thorough and com- plete instructions. Do not disappoint them. If you do, you are not a suc- cessful worker and are not doing what you could for the work and for your own credit. Deputies here present, have you all done all that you might have done in your work? Do you believe that you have accomplished as much since the meeting of our last Supreme Camp as you might have done? Have you spent as much time in your deputy work as you have at other things? Please answer these questions to your own conscience, and if there.is any good reason why you can not give the work for which you have been ee Oo and you have signed a contract t perform, your best energies, time, and efforts, I beg of you to resign and let some other woman have an opportun- ity to do the work that must be done. The perpetuity of our noble society depends upon your work. Will you do the best to discharge the duties of your office and to make a success of your work? Since May 1, 1901, the smallest num- ber of reports of organization of camps had been received, ever re- ported since the incorporation of the society; the work in the last five months not being as good by one-half as had been in one month formerly. I am sorry to have to report this to you; but I believe that we should know and consider these facts, for we should have better work done, and we must depend on our legally commissioned deputies to do it. Can we not have better reports from the grand old state of Illinois which has always so proudly led all others in this work? Deputies, what say you? we Courage A timid man, a discouraged worker, a sad-hearted struggler can never do the best work of which he is capable. The timid man is afraid to let out his forces. The discouraged man thinks there is no use in exercising his forces. The sad- hearted man has weakened his forces so that they cannot respond to a call. It is not merely cheerfulness in our work. that we need; it is downright faith, honest, whole-souled daring. Try to do your best with a question whether it pays or whether there is any hope of success, or whether life is not a great cloudy experience, and you will fail. The best in us comes up through confi- dence, and it is kissed into power by smiles of hope, and it is led on by shouts of victory, and crowned by beautiful patience. ‘The best” is born of content, and is colored by blood. And it is measured in God’s glorious presence, not by banners, or human plaudits, or sounding trumpets, but by the amount of virtue which has en- tered into it.—Reserve. we Me Look to the past, act in the present, aspire for the future. It matters not if by a glance backward we see the tents of bright hopes are torn and tattered or they are fluttering banners of success in life’s breezes.