Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-08
A~NFOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
WOMAN'S MISSION.

49, o,|9s.s-I
Spirits are not finely tOuchsd-S
But e ans issues"
The imgo of the position of woman
In the scatV .hnmapity, no rational being
can doubt. wESe sex Characterized by noble
moral development. and highxiptelleetnal
capabilities is DESTINED 70 exeKkise no unim-
portant influence on Wand social
condition of mankind, indeed, the uAMedf
testimony of ages leaves this 20 q~nfoubted
fact. We claim for them less an office
than that of instruments under Goa) for
the. regeneration of the world-restorers OF
Gods image in the human heart.
Woman's mission is indeed an exalted one,
her destiny high and noble. Heavens last
best gift" this world would indeed be dreary
without hcr-life, a dull, pleasureless exis-
tence, aud man no better than the brutes OF
creation. Woman's influence is felt and ac-
knowledged in every department of life, in
every stage of civilized society heF-power is
boundless-her sway Ger the hearts and
minds of men is unlimited. Woman rntes
the loorLd-no government, moral or politl-
cal, but owns her influence she moulds the
giant minds, and trains the powerful intel
lects that dispenses and executes the laws of
LDelr COuubTy-OE SOftIHS VIZ q UA5HSJ
sceptre the subjects of a nation.
The man carries with him to the legisla-
tive halls the notions which the woman has
discussed with him by the domestic hearth
he there realizfs gentle insinuation'
has inspired. From the household of ever
citizen issue forth the errors and prejudice
which govern the world.
Whatever may be the civil institutions an
laws of a country, woman gives the tone t
morals-this influence, though, is more 0
less s~alutary according to the esteem l
which they are held. Let us observe tn
two great divisions of the human race, tn
east and the west. Half the old world n
J mains in a state of comparative degradatio
the women there are slaves; while I'll
! other is advancing in moral greatness an
9 intelligence the women there are honore
u and free.
Q The fairer and nobler portion Of humani
7 no longer crouch beneath the sway OF tyra
y ny and despotism they have recovered the
rights, moral and intellectual, and resum
9 their Importance in the eye of reason. Th
have become ornaments of society, the shl
ing lights of the world, and all that is go
n and great in humanity claims woman as
70 fulcrum, the great moral lever of action.
t. America. the home of the free and t
brave the land above all others supreme
IT blest! it is here, in this favored country MI
re especiallyt that oma exercises her intiueI
VI and power. The smile Of beauty stimula
IL man to action, for that he tolls, for that
braves every privation and danger e;
grand and noble resolve is rewarded by
ur approval-and in her fragile hands she no
y ! the reins of moral and social government
ng if there be an incontestible fact it is the
OF huence of woman. American women F!
nix a title indeed to be envied, and one for wi
q the crowned heads of other lands would
'ut exchange their majesty's sceptre. &c
OF privileges and equal rights belong to the
nat daughters of American soil they acknC
the edge and own no superiority moral or il
the lectual--and to American mothers, the b
and gifted of our land owe all their fame
up their glory. Truly may they exclaim,
the "If aught of goodness or of grace
his Be mine, hers be the glory;
ong She led me on in wisdom's path
cry And set the light before me-"
his
/ so Mothers yours is a great and fearful res
r in sibility. 70 you is entrusted the welfa
ex- Perform therefore with fear and trem'
the important Office assigned you. Tn
light BILE task of training the in,ant mind, is a
neri- second in Importance to none, and prouC
to happy may that mother be who guide
that tiny bark Alright DER the tUmultuous "
g up of life. The mother of the Gracchi was
hose of her jewels let American mothers so
and and educate their children, so instil into
none minds every high andnoble virtue, that
ober too may exclalm, " these are my jewels
How important then, considering the
f our er and influence winch she yields, thu
q p man should always be o operly traine
- adnoofaA GE Tho GRO nj ohiooE ~ Ebo n
raise ton OF woman should be the conscienc
shall heart, and the affections the develo,
erica of those moral qualities which Prov
n tie has assigned them with a wise and benz
n the purpose. Originators Of conscience
girls, can they implant what they have nett
tivated, or brought to maturity in thems
Sovereigns of the affections! how ca
AREA direct the kingdom whose laws they ha
it far studied, the springs of whose Cover
d the are concealed from them? The cons
ladly and the affections being primarily emil
ed all other cultivation as secondary
I not valuable" Intelligence, accomplish,
lures. even external elegance are important
shall ing the useful with the agreeable, com
,wing duty with pleasure. Such an educate
rid of hardly fail to command the inAuenC
reap accomplish the high and noble miss
~ for signed to woman.
. wild Religion, the handspring 81 all thos
ir ma tiles necessary to direct the undispu
as so fueRee Of woman into It's right char
and above all else to be desired and sough
/, their Female piety is the most beautiful
n that which we can conceive; w~ithoutit, VIC
III, the never what she ought to be; her gen
irning self.sacritclng nature is cminently 8
ey are to receive the beautiful teachings OF
rath," anity, and practice the disinterested |
lselves devotion which il inspires. Let chris
re and then be the basis of woman's educati
fellow every thing" says an eminent
[ fancy "that wants religion wants vital
horror without religion is a complex and
ulhiss factory riddle 1T certalnly is an j
ID even powers ana oounuless lnhuehce emu
ling on be an enlightened christian. Then
uury 10 our GOD. MOi
we and Aethelingay, Isle of Wight, Va.
from
future