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372 present writing. The Baptist Women's Educational Convention saw in her the fit material for a worker, and elected her second vice-president in 1884, and a member of the board of managers. In 1885 she was elected assistant secretary of the Convention, and continued on the board. In 1886 she was made secretary of the board, and in 1887 the Convention made her its corresponding secretary and its executive officer for the work of the board of managers.

Her position is one of vast influence among the women of her state. She has appeared on the Convention platform several times, and did so at the jubilee meeting, January 18, 1889. At that time The American Baptist said of her: "The history of the Convention, by Prof. Mary V. Cook, their corresponding secretary, was a concise and comprehensive paper. She left the well-beaten tracks of most of the lady speakers, and dealt entirely with facts, and without sentiment traced the Convention from its incipiency until the present time. It was an interesting paper, brimful of information, and was well received. Miss Cook is never more in earnest than when saying a word for the women's work."

She has appeared on the public platform often; notably, before the American Baptist National Convention at Mobile, Friday night, August 27, 1887, when her subject was "Woman's work in the denomination." The article received the warmest praise. And again, she read before the American Baptist Home Mission Society, in its special meeting, September 25, 1888, at Nashville, her subject being "Female Education." Before the National Press Convention, which held its session at Louisville, she read a paper,—"Is juvenile literature demanded on the part of colored children?" This was in 1887. She was again appointed to read a paper at their session at Nashville in 1888, but could not attend. She read a very strong paper on "Woman, a potent factor in Public Reform," before the Kentucky State Teachers'