The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-12
BY CAROLINE c.

To -: You have asked me, IN momen' '"
doubt and perpiexity, where lies woman's mission
ground What is her proper sphere Of action
Contradictory voices, and that other and loud
er voice speaking from your own soul, have be-
wildered you-you who, perhaps without knowh
eiee of this warning Of tongues which has lately
troubled so many, would have gone onward In
the right path at once without hesitation, tRlfH-
ing the purpose for which you were born:
The desire which you have expressed, that ],
an entire stranger TO you, should "speak my
mind on this subject without reserve, leads me
to speak plainly-more plainly than would dare,
perhaps if you were by my side to-day, looking
on me as you listened
Let me preface what | have to say, by stating,
that while | do not and cannot recognise any
right of precedence among mortals save that
fully aud obviously given and endorsed by wealth
of heart and intellect, 80 also among human De-
ines can conceive of no such thing as precedence
81 sex-of weakness and inet6cieucy, helaagtng
to one of the two great classes of mortals, more
than 10 another.
Morally, mentally, men and women are created
equal-usng the word equal in its broad signih-
cation. To my apprehension strength of mind,
grasp of intellect, capacity of high attainment Is
given to woman as TO man, and to man as TO wo-
man. But, obviously the sphere of their duties
differs widely. While those devolving upon man
have led him, as general thing, into paths where
the powers of his mind were chiefly taxed, the
sympathies and the affections OF woman have been
called more frequently into life-into constant
action leave out of contemplation now the two
great extremes among women, the few deep think
ing. aspiring, and struggling intellects, lstrug-
oEnq-to escape from the narrow routine ofthought
which the custom and habit of ages has imposed
anon her. and the myriad others whose life is made
mn of trihes light rs air." Of the great mass OF
women who are compelled by circumstances 10
the performance of little, wearing, but holy, and
therefore noble, duties; there are myriads voice.
less. who if early in life called to occupy the sta
tions held by their brethren, would nave oy their
career friumphantly disclaimed the narrow and
r;dicuious idea of spiritual, mental sexuality
1--WE are all sentn observed one to me, not
,opo since-a woman whose sphere Of labor,
though contracted, is richly filed, whose sympa-
tbes are wide as the world. And ! was struck
Inv her remark more forcibly than ever by the
6ercely agiated questions of Womans Rights
and w oman's Mission"-she has 30 well con-
ceived her own duty she has so fully recognised
the mission of upobtrusive goodness on which
God has sent her to the world
Everything rests on our own apprehensions OF
duty-on the courage we have to act on those ap-
prehensions. If the inward oracle speaks from
the gloom of doubt, telling Us convincingly that
our way lies over the Atlantic or the Pacific, to
those far regions where the heather dwell, 1t will
he over an easy path that we shall tread and we
shall surely find our mission ground there. There
have been many, there are many, who, with hero
ic courage, have struggled against the love of
home and kindred, and ease, because voice from
the depths of heathendom has called to them !;
they have gone forth conquering and to conquer ];
and we should not do well to doubt their sacrifice
was not pleasing and acceptable to God-should
not do wisely to doubt His spirit had illumined
their eyes to see where their paths of mission led
You remember the young and much-loved Har-
ret Newell you have not forgotten her, who has
recently gone forth to find in India a sphere of
glorious labor, leaving behind her mourning
hearts of kindred, and countless loving friends
who never looked upon her face; the gentle,
brave-hearted daughter Of song who adjured the
love of fame for loftier, holier love. When we
remember all that she left, and all that she had
gained shall we doubt whether her mission
ground has yet been entered and worked?
There have been those, again. ian army of mar
tyrs would come before as speak of them, had
| a conjurcr's power who, by the calls of inexo-
rable duty have been heJged in within the walls
of their own homes, whose labor there calls for a
moral strength, courage, and power of
during, in which men, if put to the test, would be
found, more frequently than woman, man,mg.
call to mind one girl who has not yet reached the
age of womanhood By dreadful accident her
mother had been deprived of The use of her arms
is helpless in her household These winter SHOWS
have fallen upon the new-made grave Of the IA
Their and this child, the eldest Of eight children,
is the only strong hand of that miserable home.
That she is a martyr, dying an awful death, few
can doubt, on looking at the little coorless face,
and pinched stunted FORM that moves about un-
complainingly, with piteous calmness laboring
at her neyer-competed work
Necessity has brought the girl to this continu-
Gus, wearing labor but necessity never enabled
one to do with patience and love what was drying
the life-blood in the veins. Recognition Of duty
it is that supports her it will soothe her when
her weary head droops for the last time on the
comfortless bed 1t will make a martyr Of her,
as il has Of countless multtudes; but it will make
a saint of her also
There is little needed to uphold any mortal in
these conflicts Of life, in this Battle of Lfe,n
bnt moral courage, pure and kindly heart, and
trust in Providence. Without these we shall be
weak missionaries indeed-feeble to wage against
besetting foes with them we shall be conscious
Of no want of strength.
There are wastes Of corruption nearer than
those Of the heather lands; to penetrate these,
one needs the most exalted courage-needs to pnt
on the {" whole armor Of Godo Even around
about us are minds that grope in the thickest
darkness Of ignorance-deaf and dumb and blind
ed TO the oracles of God. IL you have any scru-
pies as TO whether this mission is mission ground
In which woman may properly enter, and success
fuIly labor, without an effort you may recall the
names OF some Of those whom God has greatly
blessed in the work of moral reformation and you
will have triumphant proof that it is msii for
woman to reach hand down from heights of pu-
rity even to the lowest depths Of degradation, if
she may thus elevate and restore brother or a
sister! As have said before, her own apprehen-
sion OF the kind Of duty that devolves peculiarly
upon her, will lead woman into that path in
which she can best labor
From what you have written me, feel that
have not yet dwelt upon that mission ground on
which it Is your probable destiny to tread You
Tell me that you are almost entirely independent
OF human control That your fortune is great,
your desire to use it well also great; yet you
would take counsel Of another, would ask Of me
what is your sphere of duty.
IL would seem to me that the great social circle
which surrounds You has been drawn towards
you for purpose. You are in society almost
constantly; necessarily you are In a manner Of
The world. There are many who, by virtue Of
your riches, Il say this because know II Is
ce4sary sure consequent Of such possession
wall look up to you, follow, fatter, be led by you
ana there are other some who will love you, IL
allowed There are enough OF men and women
VINO will study your deeds more than they will
.neir Bible, whether you would have them or not
our words and actions will be quoted and imi-
uted' to an extent that would convince you were
you weak and vain, that you are, or that you pos
sess something that is more than priceless. Your
"orus convince me that you anticipate this that
You have had cause to prove the truth of il In
measure already
such being your position, would beg you TO
aspire n>osr to become a "leader Of fashion, q
pleasure queen" Those who soar to such
lights seldom exert saving influence on the
minds OF their associates and the vain, extrsva-