USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > A history of the Harriet Hollond Memorial Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, Pa. > Part 8
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DR. MILLER'S LAST 31 : 5. The church was filled
SERMON with a deeply interested and at- tentive congregation. This serv-
1
WILLIAM J. BARR
141
OLD LEADERS AND NEW
ice witnessed the close of a long and faithful ministry.
On Sunday morning, June 12th, Dr. Martin again preached, and at this service an- nounced his acceptance of the DR. MARTIN'S call which had been extended to ACCEPTANCE him by the congregation ; it being understood that he would not enter upon his pastoral work until Sep- tember.
Dr. J. B. Brandt, pastor of the Tyler Place Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, Mo., had charge of the work during the month of July, and by his genial, kindly nature made many friends among the people. He received valu- able assistance from the Rev. Harry W. Bloch, who was very helpful both in the church and school work during the summer. After Dr. Brandt's departure, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Harry Bloch, Dr. Frederick J. Stan- ley, of Atlantic City, N. J., Dr. C. S. Sargent, of St. Louis, Mo., Rev. A. B. Robinson, editor of the Church at Home and Abroad, and Dr. George S. Chambers, of Harrisburg, Pa.
Dr. Martin was installed pastor of Hollond on the 17th of October, 1898. Dr. S. W. Dana, pastor of the Walnut Street DR. MARTIN'S Church, presided and proposed INSTALLATION the constitutional questions; Rev. E. P. Terhune, D. D., preached
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OLD LEADERS AND NEW
the sermon ; Dr. Samuel A. Mutchmore, * editor of The Presbyterian, delivered the charge to the people; Dr. Charles A. Dickey gave the charge to the pastor, and Dr. J. R. Miller made the installation prayer.
On the Wednesday evening following the installation the Ushers' Association gave Dr. and Mrs. Martin a reception in the chapel.
The Rev. L. L. Overman accepted an invi- tation to become Dr. Martin's assistant. He was in the pulpit for the first
time on December 5, 1898, and
REV. LESLIE L. OVERMAN assisted in the service. His first sermon was preached January 8, 1899, his text being " And he spake this par- able unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others." Luke 18 : 9.
It is earnestly hoped that under these our new leaders, our beloved church will go for- ward to greater spiritual power and ever-in- creasing usefulness.
* Dr. Mutchmore came from a sick bed to take part in the in- stallation service. He had been in poor health for some time. His death took place thirteen days later-October 30th. On Sunday evening, May 26, 1861, on the invitation of the Rev. Dr. W. M. Rice, he preached his first sermon in Philadelphia in the old Moyamensing chapel in Carpenter street. Thus by a singular providence, his first and last sermons in Philadelphia, although delivered more than a generation apart, were preached in the Hollond field.
ANDREW R. POULSON
I43
OLD LEADERS AND NEW
The officials of the church at the present time are :
Pastor
Rev. George Edward Martin, D. D.
Assistant Rev. Leslie L. Overman Elders
Robert C. Ogden William L. Cooke
Theodore H. Loder George D. McIlvaine Henry A. Walker
Deacons
Charles Hunter George H. Kelly
Charles A. Chew Charles A. Hoehling
H. P. Ford
Trustees
Robert C. Ogden Theodore H. Loder
William L. Cooke William J. Barr
Amos Dotterer Henry A. Walker
James C. Taylor
Andrew R. Poulson
H. P. Ford
Treasurer William L. Cooke
Janitor George W. Taylor
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
Hollond owes much to its Sunday-school, from which it had its origin. But for the de- votion of Miss Estabrook, Miss Penrose and Mr. Beadle, and the faithfulness of a number of little children away back in October, 1865 (see chapter entitled " The New Life "), it is doubt- ful whether our church would be in existence to-day.
To the school belongs the honor also of making the first attempt to raise money for the new church building. Through " brick- books," and other means, $898.76 had been collected as early as November, 1882.
The additions to the church membership come largely from the school, and from those who are influenced by the teachers and schol- ars, supplemented by the earnest efforts of the pastors.
Then, too, through the generosity of the school, the church is represented in a number of benevolent enterprises, thus bringing it into prominence as a liberal supporter of worthy charity. Among the objects to which it has
WILLIAM L. COOKE
145
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
contributed comparatively recently may be mentioned the Young Men's Christian Associ- ation (South Branch), the Boards of Church Erection. Home Missions, Education, Minis- terial Relief, and Publication and Sabbath- school Work ; Presbyterian Hospital, Presby- terian Home for Aged Couples and Old Men, Seaside Home, Visiting Nurses' Society, State Sunday-school Association, Midnight Mission, Hampton Institute, French and Waldensian Missions, Consumptives' Home, Presbyterian Orphanage, Mariners' Church, Armenian Re- lief, Whitman College, Children's Aid Society, Magdalen Society, Albert Barnes Memorial, Seamen's Mission, and Lincoln University.
It would be pleasant, if it were possible, to record the names of all those who have taught in the school-some for a brief season only, others through many years. The sand-dunes on the New Jersey seaboard, although nameless and constantly changing, are quite as effective in keeping back the destroying waves of the ocean as are, on other sea-coasts, the giant rocks whose names are world-wide ; and so the transient and forgotten teachers who have labored with us have, in their way and for the time being, doubtless been as forceful in help- ing to stay the waves of sin as have those who are known to us all through their long and splendid service -- " To every man his work."
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THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
We are grateful to one and to all who have in any way contributed to the usefulness of the school.
A full list of the officers and teachers of 1876 appears on pages 49-50 ; a list of the present teaching force will close this chapter. For the purpose of comparison, the names of the offi- cers and teachers of 1887 (a period about half- way between 1876 and 1899) are herewith given : Superintendent, Robert C. Ogden ; as- sociate superintendents, William L. Cooke and Henry A. Walker ; treasurer, William L. Du- Bois ; missionary treasurer, Samuel R. Sharp ; statistical secretaries, Daniel J. Weaver and William B. Hens ; librarians, James A. Main, Thomas Harkness, CharlesV. Williams, Samuel Brown. Teacher of Primary Department, Miss Minnie Sherwood; teachers of Junior Depart- ment, Miss Sallie Cooke and Miss Mary J. Col- well ; teachers of Main School, William L. Du- Bois, Prof. Edward MacHarg, Miss Elizabeth Potts, Mrs. Charles E. Morris, Rev. William M. Paden, D. D., Rev. J. R. Miller, D. D., Samuel R. Sharp, Theodore H. Loder, Mrs. R. D. Clark, Miss Lydia S. Penrose, Miss Mary E. Hill, Samuel M. Kennedy, Miss Fannie Fithian, Miss Caroline A. Douglas, Miss Eliz- abeth L. Pinkerton, Mrs. A. C. Windle, James Whyte, Wm. J. Mclaughlin, Miss Katie B. Davis, Charles Hamilton, Miss Kate Beard,
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THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
Miss Jane MacHarg, David Glandfield, Miss K. A. Austin, Miss Mamie McCorkell, Henry A. Walker, T. Miller Plowman, Samuel O. Walker, Miss Sadie Fleming, Charles A. Chew, Morris S. Hamilton, Miss M. E. Lennington, Miss Alice Douglas, Miss Helen Merrick, Miss Ida Blodget, Miss A. B. Spear, Miss Julia Og- den, Mrs. Mary V. Mitchell, Gilbert Elliott, Miss Mary A. Jones, Mrs. Jane Skerritt, Miss Jennie Crosgrave, H. P. Ford, Mrs. J. R. Miller, Miss Addie Cooper, Miss Harriet Scott, Miss S. H. Chew, Miss Emma Bryant, Miss A. C. Woods, Miss Lizzie Henry, Miss Laura Penn, Mrs. Mary Furber, Miss Lizzie Holland, Miss Elizabeth P. Cresswell, Miss Stella White, Miss Helen Ogden, Mrs. Kate Robinson, Madame Fillot, Miss S. M. Bloch, and Miss Elizabeth Rivell. Eighteen of these workers are still connected with the school.
Mr. Robert C. Ogden, who in 1879 was elected to the office of superintendent, made vacant by the death of Mr. Charles E. Morris, was broad-minded, enthusiastic and generous. Under his wise leadership the school continued to grow in numbers and efficiency, and its high standard was maintained.
Many will remember with pleasure the " Flower Mission," which was introduced into the school by Mr. Ogden about 1882, " to en- courage the cultivation of flowers as a means of
148
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
spiritual growth." Flower seeds were given out in the spring and an exhibition held in the fall. Prizes were awarded for the best single plants, the largest collection of plants, and for the best bouquet, basket, or collection of flow- ers. "The movement was found to be of value in many ways-in giving pleasure and instruc- tion ; in the refining of taste ; in a beautiful ministry to the sick ; in bringing the scholars together for other than the ordinary Sunday- school purposes ; and in the practical demon- stration that Christian work has a right to make use of anything that tends to brighten life's hard places and to broaden humanity." For years afterwards flowers found their way weekly to the superintendent's desk (due largely to Mr. Ogden's liberality), and at the close of the session were taken to sick scholars, to whom they were a blessed and beautiful bond of union between themselves and the school.
The "Boys' Nobility Club" was instituted by Mr. Ogden in the fall of 1890, " to cultivate noble ideas of living in the minds of the Hol- lond boys." In order to encourage the boys to familiarize themselves with stories of heroic actions, prizes were awarded to those submit- ting, at a specified time, the best papers con- taining ten incidents representing to their minds the noblest deeds of heroism.
HENRY A. WALKER
149
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
In February, 1895, an appeal for help was received from the Mizpah Presbyterian Sunday- school, Eighth and Wolf streets. Hollond re- sponded in a very practical way by sending a number of workers to act as teachers. Among these were Miss Bella Chalker, Miss Hattie Ramsay, Miss Marie C. Sutphin, Miss Tillie McKinley, Miss Elizabeth Mckinley, Miss Cora S. German, Miss Margaret Burns, Miss Bertha Coward, Mr. and Mrs. Huntley Mur- dock, Mr. Charles K. Gibson, and Mr. Robert G. Maguire. Of these teachers, Mr. Thomas Gamon, the then superintendent of Mizpah, wrote : "The homes of many of these devoted workers are quite a distance from the school ; yet, with very few exceptions, not a Sunday has been missed, but, wet or dry, cold or hot, pleasant or otherwise, these friends are always at their post of duty." After rendering valu- able assistance for a time, these teachers finally returned to Hollond.
For years Mr. Ogden personally gave re- wards of books, etc., for faithful attendance on the sessions of the school, and many fine records were made by teachers and scholars. It frequently happened that the number of those who had been absent but two Sundays or less during the year approached one hundred.
The annual excursions to pleasant country places are very popular. They afford an ex-
150
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
cellent opportunity for the church and school to unite with each other for a day of gladness in "God's first temples "-the woods. Class picnics and other outings are also frequently held during the summer months.
Much is made of the Christmas entertain- ment, at which time the chapel is always pret- tily festooned with evergreens, and some form of amusement provided. Giving, not get- ting, however, is the uppermost thought in the minds of all. The teachers and children bring whatever they think will prove useful to the needy-groceries, vegetables, baskets of pro- visions, toys, money, subscriptions to maga- zines, and orders for coal. These are assigned either by the donors themselves or by a com- mittee specially appointed for that purpose. Through this generous custom nearly two hun- dred families, many of them not connected with our church, annually receive a bit of Christmas cheer and blessing.
Special attention has always been given to our Primary and Junior Departments, they being important factors in replenishing the class forms of the Main School. Miss Cooke has been for many years at the head of the Junior Department, and has given to it faith- ful and conscientious service. The teachers of the Primary Department also are devoted to their important work.
151
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
Both Dr. Paden and Dr. Miller taught in the school during their connection with the church. Dr. Paden had charge of the young men's class in the west gallery, now taught by Mr. Overman; and Dr. Miller taught the young ladies' class which occupied the east gallery. This class numbered 275 members. It con- tributed largely to the building fund of the new church, and in many other ways materially in- creased the effectiveness of the school. The class is now taught by Mrs. George E. Martin.
The school has quite a large library. A number of the books were presented by Dr. Miller. A large addition was made to it from the Sunday-school library of the old Tenth Church upon the dissolution of that organiza- tion.
Our book of worship, for which we are in- debted to Mr. Ogden, is, perhaps, one of the best Sunday-school books in existence. It was compiled, under his direct supervision, for our special use, and contains eight " Orders of Ser- vice," which may be varied indefinitely by the use of the additional seventeen "Selections from the Psalms." The book also contains 163 hymns, all of which are of exceptional merit.
After each session of the school, some of the teachers linger for a few moments to attend the helpful prayer-meeting, at which earnest peti-
152
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
tions are offered to God for his blessings to fall upon the work of the afternoon, and for the seed sown in the hearts of the scholars to be quickened into rich spiritual life. It is a rev- erent and stimulating service.
A monthly teachers' meeting is held, at which the affairs of the school are freely dis- cussed, and suggestions, having for their object the improvement of the school, offered. At some of these gatherings tea is served, and this never fails to add a delightful social flavor to the meetings.
For many years special emphasis has been placed by our leaders on the necessity of a careful study of the lesson on the part of the teachers. In order to encourage such study, weekly teachers' meetings have long been an important feature of the work. Until some- what recently these meetings were held in the chapel parlor ; they are now held in the hall of the South Branch Young Men's Christian As- sociation, where not only our own teachers but those of neighboring churches enjoy the privi- lege. For many years this class was taught by Dr. Miller. He relinquished the work only on severing his connection with the Hollond field.
On the 4th of April, #879, the school /& met with a serious loss in the resignation of Mr. Robert C. Ogden. On that day he oc- cupied the desk as our leader for the last
---
WILLIAM L. DUBOIS
153
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
time, and in his accustomed address on the lesson made no allusion whatever to the fact that the close of the session would also wit- ness the close of his official connection with the school. He ended his splendid service of eighteen years with no self-laudation, with no mawkish sentimentality, with no undignified allusions to his noble record. He went from us as quietly as he had done on hundreds of other Sunday afternoons, and in his going only the teachers and a few of the scholars knew of the almost irreparable loss which had come upon us. His letter of resignation, dated April 4th, was received and accepted by the teachers at their meeting on the following evening. It had long been known that his business relations with Wanamaker's New York establishment, of which he was the head, would, sooner or later, compel him to give up the superintendency of the school, and the teachers were in a measure prepared for the letter. It was, however, with unfeigned regret that they acceded to its request. One para- graph of his letter was as follows :
" It is impossible to refer at length to the happy associations in the Hollond school-to its vicissitudes, anxieties, failures, and suc- cesses. The officers and teachers do not need any assurance from me of sympathy and re- gard. An expression of my gratitude would
154
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
be equally superfluous. The many years of comradeship have made an understanding that is beyond verbal statement."
The following action was taken by the officers and teachers:
" Resolved, That in accepting the resigna- tion of Mr. Robert C. Ogden, superintendent of the school for the past eighteen years, we hereby express our sincere regret that circum- stances over which he has no control have compelled him to sever his connection with our school. His loss will be the more felt when we remember his worth as a man, his ability as a teacher, his effectiveness as a speaker, the urbanity of his manner, and his activity and benevolence as a Christian. He carries with him to his new sphere of useful- ness the highest regards and best wishes of us all."
Mr. Ogden's fine personality, uncompromis- ing integrity and masterful strength of char- acter exercised a strong, uplifting influence on the members of the school. He raised the standard of manhood, and gave to the work an added dignity. Life to many means more of earnestness, of self-reliance, and of faithful en- deavor because of his kindly presence among us.
Mr. William L. Cooke, who became the as- sociate superintendent under Mr. Charles E. Morris in 1871, had temporary charge of the school after Mr. Ogden's resignation, until
155
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
November 1, 1897, when he was elected, against his earnest protest, to the superintend- ency, a position which he has continued to fill with unwavering fidelity. Mr. Henry A. Walker, his associate in the work since Octo- ber, 1886, gives invaluable assistance in help- ing to maintain order, and in seeing that classes are supplied with teachers.
The officers and teachers at the present time are : Superintendent, William L. Cooke ; asso- ciate superintendent, Henry A. Walker ; Sab- bath-school treasurer, Wm. L. DuBois ; mis- sionary treasurer, John Russell ; recording sec- retary, Robert G. Maguire; statistical secre- taries, Wm. B. Hens, T. Ellwood Frame, Geo. Rhea Carr, John C. Heil ; distributing secre- taries, Wm. H. Fulmer, Wm. E. Thompson, Warren P. Dexter ; librarians, A. W. Martin, J.T. Williams, Wm. Macpherson, R. B. Parsons; leader of singing, Frank S. Holloway ; organ- ist, Miss Tillie Keller ; cornetist, Asher H. Frame ; violinist, Chester Griesemer.
Door-keepers-William McFarland, A. H. Kruse, Wm. Moeller. Teachers of Primary Department-Miss Josephine A. Bloch, Miss Martha J. Crowe, Miss Bessie G. Overbeck, Miss Anne P. Gamon. Teachers of Junior Department-Miss Cooke, Miss Tillie McKin- ley, Miss Emma P. Blume. Teachers of Main School -John Russell, H. P. Ford, Miss
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THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
Elizabeth Potts, Mrs. E. B. Morris, Theodore H. Loder, Mrs. George Edward Martin, Major George Gow, Miss Lydia S. Penrose, Mrs. Mary B. S Fox, Henry A. Walker, Miss Alice F. Douglas, Thomas Gamon, Miss Leah Welsh, Miss E. L. Pinkerton, Miss Bertha Sutphin, Miss Laura Hurgeton, Miss Katie Davis, Frank L. Hansen, Mrs. Rebecca C. McVickar, Walter J. Whitaker, Huntley R. Murdock, Miss Margaret Auld, Miss Mattie Patton, James F. Wallace, Miss Jane L. Ham- ilton, George D. McIlvaine, Miss Ida Bloch, Miss Sara Eddie, Robert G. Maguire, Miss Mary Niven, Miss Mabel H. Briscoe, William L. DuBois, Mrs. W. H. Gill, Mrs. M. V. Mitchell, Miss Anna E. Blume, F. M. Brasel- mann, Miss Minnie I. Taylor, Miss Sara Barst- ler, Miss Sara J. Hanna, Miss Harriet Scott, Miss Annie Kennedy, Miss Mary B. Allen, Miss Harriet K. Hopkins, Miss Margaretta B. Morris, Miss M. A. Dickson, Mrs. George D. McIlvaine, Mrs. Catharine S. Tomlinson, Mrs. Etta Harpel, Miss Margaret Burns, Miss Isabella Chalker, Miss Elizabeth Rivell, Miss Margaret Welsh, Frank R. Buckalew, Rev. L. L. Overman, Miss Tillie Mckinney, Miss Mary Macpherson, James H. Taitt, and Samuel H. Barstler. Substitute teachers- Benjamin F. Lutton, Robert H. Preston, Miss Margaret M. Smith, Mrs. Mary McAllister,
ROBERT G. MAGUIRE
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THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
Miss Mattie McFadden, Miss Mary Murphy, Daniel B. McAllister and Prof. Edward Mac- Harg. As teacher, substitute teacher, and recording secretary, Prof. MacHarg has ren- dered valuable service to the school for many years.
Of the seventy officers and teachers connec- ted with the school in 1876, six only are now actively engaged in the work-William L. Cooke, Miss Cooke, Miss L. S. Penrose, Wil- liam L. DuBois, Miss Elizabeth Potts, and Miss Elizabeth Rivell. Miss Rivell was one of the charter members of the Moyamensing Church, and has always been devotedly at- tached to the work.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Attention has been given at various times to many plans which have had in them promise of usefulness in the development of the church and school; some were temporary expedients, others obtained a permanent place in the work. Among those which have been, or still are, more or less influential for good, may be men- tioned the Young Men's Improvement Society, Young People's Pastors' Aid, Pastors' Ladies' Aid Society, Kitchen Garden Class (the first of the kind in Philadelphia), Sewing School, Mothers' Meeting, Parents' and Children's Meeting, Boys' Lyceum, Gospel Links (a temperance organization), Wadsworth Deba- ting and Literary Club, Young Men's Prayer and Conference Meeting, Young Men's Union, Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip, King's Daughters, King's Sons, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, Boys' and Girls' Mission Band, Young Ladies' Mission Band, Little Light Bearers (a mission band for chil- dren under five years), Boys' Brigade, Literary Circle, Fifteen Club (also a literary circle),
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CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Chatauqua Circle, Young People's Association, Christian Endeavor Society, Junior Endeavor Society, University Lectures, Young Men's Christian Association, Athletic Association, Ushers' Association, Choir, Beneficial Society, Building Association, Conference of Workers, Organ Vesper Services, and Normal Class.
It seems well to give a more extended out- line of some of the present working forces.
We have always been proud of our volunteer chorus Choir. It is an organization on which depends much of the effective-
THE CHURCH CHOIR ness of the Sunday worship. The members are faithful in the performance of their duties -often at a considerable sacrifice of time and of self. Mr. Theodore H. Loder was for many years the devoted leader. On entering the new church in the autumn of 1893, the Choir was re-organized and greatly enlarged under the supervision of Mr. Russell King Miller, who occupied the dual position of organist and musical director until 1895, when Mr. Charles M. Schmitz became musical director, Mr. Miller continuing as organist. Mr. Schmitz served with entire acceptance until June, 1897, when, to the regret of all, he relinquished his position. The members of the Choir presented him with a complimentary letter setting forth their appreciation of his services.
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CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Mr. Miller again resumed the duties of musi- cal director in addition to his work as organist -a position he continued to hold until the 7th of August, 1898, when he resigned to accept a similar charge in the First Church, German- town. The Choir took the following action on his resignation:
Resolved, That we express our high appre- ciation of the long and faithful services of Mr. Russell King Miller in our behalf, and of his untiring and successful efforts to elevate the musical standard of our church; and be it further
Resolved, That we extend to him our grate- ful thanks for the help, the devotion, and the encouragement he has given to us in the past. Our most sincere and earnest wishes for his prosperity and usefulness go with him as he enters upon his new duties.
Mr. William Smith had charge of the organ until the 2d of the following October, on which date Mr. D. E. Crozier, who is still with us, assumed the duties of organist and musical director.
On the 12th of February, 1898, the Choir became a regularly organized body, with Mr. J. Milton Carr as its president, a position he still holds.
Organ Recitals were introduced by Mr.
JOHN MILTON CARR
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CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Miller shortly after the dedication of the new building. At these recitals some
ORGAN RECI -
TALS AND of the leading organists of the
VESPER country have been the perform- SERVICES ers. The Vesper Services, also introduced by Mr. Miller, and continued by Mr. Crozier, are held during the winter on Sunday afternoons. They are designed to give opportunity for a quiet, restful half-hour to those who feel inclined to enter the church for meditation and prayer. The music, the beauty of the windows, and the holy stillness, all conspire to make lives cleaner, thoughts nobler, and hearts purer.
On the evening of February 5, 1887, Dr. J. R. Miller invited a number of young ladies to meet at his house to talk over KING'S the practicability of an organiza- DAUGHTERS tion in Hollond somewhat similar to the one started the year pre- vious in New York City by Mrs. Bottome, known as the King's Daughters. This was the first meeting of the kind, so far as known, in Philadelphia. It was determined to under- take the work, and the Circle which was then organized was known as the " Ten Times One Club "-the name, " King's Daughters," was soon after adopted. The members of the original circle met together a few times only and then went out by twos to form other
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