Printed Invitation with Cloth Sack

The Woman's Missionary Society, more formally the Woman's Baptist Home Missionary Society, was formed in Chicago in 1877 in order to train and send women to missions both at home and abroad; later it joined with other similar societies to form the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. Printed card, heavy stock 3¼" X 4½," n.p., 20 March 1902. Near fine. Two small diecut holes near top (as issued) permit a cream satin ribbon to affix to the front a small, bright yellow cotton sack (empty, as issued). Within an ornamental border is a three-stanza poem telling the recipient how to use it: "We invite you to come and celebrate / What we give in your honor, a birthday fete; / This birthday party is give to you, / 'Tis something novel, something new; / We send to each this little sack -- / Please either send it bring it back." It continues: "Please put in the sack that we send to you / Some pennies, no matter if old or new; / One for each year of your life that is past, / One for the first as well as the last, / The secret the sack will never unfold, / Should you wish the years to remain untold." And finally: "Kind friends will give us good things to eat / And the ladies will furnish some kind of a treat, / Then come if you can, if you are well and hearty, / If not send your sack by some other party." Below which in boldface is identified the sender -- Woman's Missionary Society -- along with the date and place -- Cottonwood Church, Thursday Evening." Also present is the small original mailing envelope, addressed to Miss Phebe Green of Morrison, Illinois but not stamped or cancelled. We believe this quaint relic, which is in exceptional bright condition, was a celebration and fundraising effort for the Society's twenty-fifth birthday. Unusual -- a rare survivor.