the
department until the convention of 1887, kitchen garden work being
dropped in the meantime.

She was succeeded by Mrs. C. J. A. Jump, of Albany, who holds the position
at this time. The work accomplished by this "faithful few" cannot be
estimated, for who can measure the influence of the young women who
during all these years have been learning the lessons which should fit
them for better service in the Master's vineyard, and who during these
years have answered for themselves the question which opens this
department of organization work?

In 1892 a change was made, taking this from the regular department work
and making it the Young Woman's Branch, with Mrs. Jump as secretary, and
about fifteen hundred young women in our state march under our white
banner and demand "a white life for two."

MRS. MARY TOWNE BURT.

(OUR PRESIDENT)

Mrs. Mary Towne Burt, the third president of the New York State Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, has occupied that position now for twelve
years. If antecedents and previous faithful service are any indication
of desert, then indeed she "came to the kingdom" worthily, and we need
not wonder that she holds her place easily, nor that the work flourishes
abundantly under her administration. Gifted with a fine presence, a
pleasing address, and a well-balanced judgment, she is a fitting leader
for the largest state delegation in the national convention. It is
equally a pleasure to see her preside over our state convention of
capable women, which often outnumbers the national organization, if it
does not have so wide-reaching an influence. Her ability as a presiding
officer has often been complimented by competent judges, and a quiet
confidence in the fairness and impartiality of her rulings pervades the
atmosphere of the assemblage and greatly aids the transaction of
business, while many a pleasant little episode is graciously received
and made to facilitate the progress of the programme.

Born of English parentage in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, she was at
the tender age of four years bereft of the care of a cultured father,
who had been educated for the clerical ranks of the Church of England.
Her mother, with whom she had a rare sympathy, was spared to an advanced
age to encourage every good work by her sympathy and prayers. Her youth
was spent in Auburn, New York, where she received rare educational
advantages at Brown's Institute, and where in 1865 she was married to
Ed