ombinations which stand out most
prominently in interest and importance are the organization of
capital, the organization of labor and the organization of women. We
scarcely can go back so far in history as not to find men banded
together to protect their mutual interests, but associations of women
are of very modern date. The oldest on record was formed in
Philadelphia, in the closing days of the eighteenth century--Female
Society for the Relief and Employment of the Poor--which in 1798
established a house of industry in Arch St., known as the Home for
Spinners. The society is still in active existence and gives
employment to a large number of women. Church Missionary Societies of
Women had their origin early in the century, but as mere annexes to
those officered and managed by men. The first association to approach
national prominence was the Female Anti-Slavery Society, founded in
Boston in 1833, which almost cost the reputation of every one who
joined it, so strong was the prejudice against any public action on
the part of women. The American Female Guardian Society and Home for
the Friendless was established in New York in 1834, and still exists,
having cared for 50,000 children. Later in this decade Female Bible
Societies came into being to supply Bibles to penal and charitable
institutions and to put them in various public places.

[Illustration: MRS. IDA HUSTED HARPER.

Author of Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, and Joint Editor with her
of The History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. IV.]

From 1840 to 1850 the old Washingtonian Societies, composed entirely
of men, were gradually replaced by the Sons of Temperance, and as they
also were decidedly averse to receiving women into their organization,
and as the latter were deeply interested in the subject, a few of them
timidly formed the Daughters of Temperance, in the face of extreme
opposition on the part of both sexes. In the decade following
commenced the agitation of the question of Woman Suffrage, and soon
conventions in its interest began to be of frequent occurrence, to the
joy of the newspapers, most of which treated them with ridicule and
denunciation.

The decade ushered in by 1860 brought the long Civil War, during
which, in the Sanitary Commission, the Woman's Loyal League, the
Freedmen's Bureau and other associations, women displayed an
unsuspected power of organization, and at its close their status in
many ways was completely changed and greatly adva