A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE "LITTLE FOLKS" HUMANE SOCIETY.
F
ifty thousand Officers and Members—such is the printed muster-roll of The Little Folks Humane Society. As most of the Readers of Little Folks are aware, however, this does not comprise all the names on the Register of the Society—for since this grand total was reached many hundreds of Children have enrolled themselves; nor does the fact that in future the publication of the Lists will be discontinued (as announced on page 55 of this Volume) signify that the work of the Society—which has been so enthusiastically carried on since it commenced in January, 1882—is accomplished. On the contrary, the Editor earnestly trusts that his Readers will not only still come forward in large numbers and become Members, by sending in their "promises" to him, but will also, in the future as they have in the past, continue to induce their relatives and friends to enroll themselves under the Society's banner. For it should be remembered that the Dumb Creation always stands in need of help and protection; and it is to a great extent by the aid of such associations as The Little Folks Humane Society—founded for the purpose of inculcating in the minds of children Kindness towards Animals—that the claims of the weak and defenceless creatures around us are recognised as they should be.
The names of all who fill up and sign the "form of promise" (which is again printed on the next page), and send it to the Editor, will, as heretofore, be duly inscribed on the Register of the Society; and Certificates of Membership will be forwarded to any who desire to have them, if stamped addressed envelopes be enclosed for the purpose. (The limit of age for enrolment is 21).
Members will also be eligible to become Officers of the Society and receive Officers' Certificates if they induce Fifty other Children to join, and send in that number of "promises" to the Editor, all together; but the small book and medal hitherto awarded to Officers will, in future (as stated on page 55), be given only to those who, in sending up their Fifty "promises," enclose a certificate from a Parent, Teacher, or other responsible person, stating that the collection of such "promises" had been commenced prior to July 1, 1884.
The wonderful progress made by The Little Folks Humane Society since its institution in January, 1882, has, the Editor feels sure, been a source of much gratification to all who have taken part in its work; and while tendering thanks to the Officers and Members—comprising representatives of every rank and station, and living in all parts of the globe—who have so zealously and heartily co-operated with him, he can only express the hope that in the accounts of the Society which he proposes to give in Little Folks from time to time, he may be able to record the same satisfactory progress in its growth during future years as he has in past ones.
The "form of promise" to be signed (which should be copied on half a sheet of note-paper and forwarded to the Editor, after being filled up, and attested by a Parent, Teacher, or other responsible person) is as follows:—
To the Editor of Little Folks.
[Here insert full name]
I ....................... hereby undertake, as far
as it lies in my power, to be kind to every living
creature that is useful and not harmful to man.
[Full name]
.........................
[Address]
........................
........................
(Age...........)
Witness [of signature]
.........................
[Date]
.........................
All communications to the Editor in reference to the Society should have the words, "Little Folks Humane Society," on the left-hand top corners of the envelopes.