Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-07-30
lFor the Chronicle ]
Female Excellence.
BY IDA DE FORREST,

BY IDA DE FORREST,
There is no theme amid life's variagated
objects more attractive to the contemplation
of the refined and truly educated man, than
the projections of Womanbood. Of woman
in her diversified conditions and relations
wise men have spoken, poets sung, sages
philosophical, and divines discoursed. She
reflects upon society the brilliant light of
the most exalted virtues, socializes man
enhances his amiability and happiness,
smoothes the rough and unoecoming
asperities of his ature, elevates him in
| the scale cf existence, and at once maks
him noble being. This she does by the
amiable qualities of her heart and mind when
adorned with tie captivating embellishments
Of an accomplished education, and with an
extensive acquaintance not with the litera-
ture of the day, but the rich and luxuriant
thoughts of the Bible. For when she .ails
20 attend to those two great departments
| her influence is lost ard she becomes blank
in society and is regarded as an inferior
being. When her heart is softeneG by the
deep influences of permanent pietty, her
mind regulated with high toned sentiments
Of christianity, and we'll stored with an in.
exhaustible fund of sound biblical literature,
such communicates an influence that not
only will be cO-extensive with her existancs
but will continue to widen long after her exit
TO another world. though her tongue lies
silent in the icy fetters of death, yet she
speaks. She has left moral influence upon
the age in which she lived which like the
Iimpid stream deepens and widens as it re-
ceds from the fountain head.
The true excellence of female character
as doubtless will be readily admitted, by no
means consists in lordly dictatorial spirit.
all the traits which may appear in the
compound elements of female character,
none certainly can appear more displeasing
and unbecoming than this. It is never
found in the composition Of a refined and
Intelligent lady, it is found alone amongthe
lover classes where the embellishments Of
female dignity have never appeared, and
where the tender beamings of her sex have
never penetrated.
Woman may advise or suggest, but when
she dictates she is moving out of her appro-
pirate sphere and forge.s the hight position
she should occupy. There is something in
this SO foreign to her nature, SO incompaii.
BILE with her true character we have accus-
toned ourselves to think that as soon as
women assumes the office of dictatrix shs
begins to exhibit forwardness that is by
no means suited to her nature and certainly
very destructive TO her influence.
Wvm1n was not made to be repulsive but
by her amability to attract
Here is the glory and noble triumph Of
her sex. She embalms herself in the af-
fection of all by her winning manners and
her courteous and refined bearing in society.
In this she is peculiarly successful in her
influence upon her partner. If she gain the
asceudency over him it is not done by as
sumin9 an authoraIive or dlctatorial tone
but by the aggressive power of kindness
Kindness becomes the tremendous artillery
by which she storms his heart and brings it
into subjection to her unpretending authors
ty and is swayed with all imaginable ease
and grace.
Woman should be cautious here about
I elevated and so conspicuous she mas
suPerlative opportunity of evincing to the
world the true virtues of her sex.
We are proud to make the assertion that
woman has ever been upon the Size of
virture, has supported her cause through the
most frey opposition.
Religion hus been her theme in all ages;
she was the first to proclaim risen Saviour.
she was the last to forsake him. In every
condition, she has been the unwavering and
unti nching friend Of the dispised cause of
Along the mournful paths OF
sorrow, woe and grief, she has treYelled with
patience aud fortituds unhnolra to man. Shs
has borne on through lite the misfortunes
which alone are peculiar TO her sex.
Again behold fer clad in garb of mourn.
ing, bending over the remains of some dear
departed friend, and taking las. fond look,
lcr heart is filled with anguish to deep for
language to express, but with humble sub
mission and furtitude she bears it all su5-
hitting 10 the will of him who aoeth all
things well, keeping in view that bhssful
eternity, where parted friends meet TO part
10 more.
TIE bible is full of her deeds. and its un-
,riug lines record her hoy purposes and
heaven inspired sentiments.
The New Testament is not foregetful Of
Ter character and calling, but presents her
u all the loveliness OF humility and devo-
ion. One moment siting,,at the Saviour's
est wiping them with the hairs of her head.
rhe next publishing with sstcnishmen, and
elight the all pleasing story of risen
iedeemer.
Ii we are sometimes made sad over para-
Iise lost BY Eve We are made to rejuics with
joy over the though, OF Heaven
icing opened by the Son OF Mary.
But when we thus contemplate woman
II her Christian ana heather Condition, We
dmt while We review the past that Greecs
nd Rome presented to the world some
loble specimens of female dignity, but
rhen compared with Ruth's and Mary's Of
he bible they pass away like u fair flower,
hat in the mornings blooms, but sre the
un with all its golden beams shed the las.
AMI raw ON these fsir forms, they fade and
ass away, yes, they have passed awsy like
ne morning stars befure the luminous ap-
roach Of day. "Christian women" then
,e NAV say all nations may call Her bless
d."
MAzrIssFEIkI, July 1857.