GIRLS' CLUBS, societies with a member ship of girls banded together for recreation, study, mutual helpfulness, etc. Formerly there was apparently less spontaneity among girls than among boys in regard to the for mation of clubs; now large numbers of girls are found in clubs organized and to a greater or less degree supervised by older persons. In women's clubs, so called, large numbers of girls are found either as regular members or in a junior branch or department. Some large societies, such as the Young Women's Chris tian Association, do not apply the name club to any of their branches, and could not accu rately do so, and yet the opportunities they afford to girls for entertainment, self-improve ment and social intercourse and the use of rooms for gatherings, reading and writing, etc., afford to members what is largely equivalent to club membership, a fact appreciated by the girls themselves, who sometimes give as a rea son for joining such societies the wish to be connected with *a Many girls are found in the large organization known as King's Daughters and Sons, especially in the junior cir cles. In such bands, religious or benevolent features predominate, but the social element is cultivated in a greater or less degree. The Girls' Friendly Society is also largely of a re ligious nature but in additon to church and missionary work it provides opportunities for recreation and for the mental and industrial training of its members. Instruction in hygiene is an Important feature, and receives much attention. The aim of the society is to encourage purity of life, dutifulness to parents, faithfulness to employers and thrift; and to cultivate a spirit of fellowship and kindliness. It ensures the privileges of the society to its members wherever they may be, by giving them an introduction from one branch to another. The parent society was started in England in 1875 (at a time when much interest was shown in *rescue wor10), with the central idea of helping young women along preventive rather than ref ormatog lines. The form of organiza tion follows as far as possible that of the Church of England, being diocesan and paro chial. Any girl of good character 12 years of age or over may become a member, and younger girls may become probationers or candidates. Associate members must be communicants. This society is extends wherever the English lan guage s spoken and is the largest society of girls and women in existence, with a continu ally increasing membership. The Girls' Friendly Society in America is under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Branches were started in Lowell, Mass., and in Baltimore, Md., soon after the organization of the Eng lish society and a central council was formed I in 1886. In 1916 the society reported 900 branches, in 67 dioceses; and a total member ship (including associates, probationers, can didates, etc.) of 52,000. There are six holiday
houses, belonging respectively to the diocesan branches of Massachusetts, New York, Penn sylvania, Rhode Island and New Jersey. The organs of the society are two monthly periodi cals, The Girls' Friendly Magazine and The Associates' Record. The central office is in the Church Missions House, New York. Some individual churches maintain girls' clubs as a part of their parish work. The club connected with Saint Bartholomew's Church, New York, has a clubroom, baths, classes of various kinds and a mutual benefit fund. In the social, uni versity and college settlements in large cities throughout the United States, dubs for girls generally constitute an important feature of the work.
The use of the word *girl)) in connection with working-girls' clubs is somewhat vague, as the term is very elastic in its application. In most working-women's clubs girls are admitted who have passed the age of 14, but in some cases there are also junior clubs for the younger girls. These "sub-clubs° are to some extent under the supervision of the older members, but usually have their own offlcers and constitution. The State and city associations of working girls' clubs secure for the individual clubs belonging to them enlarged advantages and more effective working. The results of united effort are illustrated by the success of the movement for the early closing of stores in Boston in 1896-97, a step due in great part to clubs having a membership largely drawn from girls in stores and factories. One of the objects of the Massachusetts association is to assist clubs in obtaining the services of good teachers, physicians and lecturers. Among the subjects very taught in the classes connected with working-girls' clubs are plain sewing and embroidery, millinery, cooking, gymnastics and singing. Lessons in English literature, elocution, French, German, stenog raphy, drawing, modeling and painting are also offered to many club members. In some of the clubs the teachers are paid and in others they contribute their services. Besides the more formal lessons, talks are often given to club girls on hygiene, nursing, morals, manners, etc ; and concerts, lectures and readings, with *even ings of travel)" fill many of the de voted to entertainment. Outings of various kinds form a summer feature in many clubs, and vacations are often made possible at cheaper rates than could otherwise be obtained by the members. Large clubs or associations conduct vacation houses at the seashore or in the country. The pleasures and privileges con nected with club life form the brightest and most hopeful element in the life of many a self-supporting girl. See BOYS' Curtis; CLUB;