Churches convened in the little country church at Oaks. As there was
no chapel or church parlor to be placed at the disposal of the ladies,
they withdrew to the grove, and there under the tall, symmetrical
oaks by the veranda of the little mission home of Miss Douglass, the
organization was effected with the aid of Miss Emerson, of New York,
who was present.

The following evening a public meeting was held at which reports were
heard from the local societies. The dark countenances were light with
eager interest, as they listened to the account of the work done
by the women. One told of a society, organized in February with two
members who became President and Treasurer. The numbers soon increased
to eight, all of them hard-working women, one of them the mother of
twelve children for whom she found it difficult to provide, yet that
society reported $10.61 as the result of their eight months' work.

Another reported a weekly Bible reading in connection with the Woman's
Society, at which one who could read took the Bible while others
gathered around, and "as they got to understand the Word" they spoke
to one another of the work of the Lord in their own hearts.

Report was made of a contribution to the Indian work at Fort Berthold,
also a quilt made by the little girls for a Christmas present to the
Indian children.

One society, embracing both home and foreign work, cared for the sick
and needy of its own church, and also sent contributions to Africa.

Knowing, as I do, the poverty of this people and the sacrifices they
make, I could but feel that if in the North there should be as ready