St. Cloud visiter [sic]. [volume] (St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1857-1858, 1858-05-20
Woman's Best. Ornament.
BY REV. T.. p. ROGERS.

especially those who are in youth, the inn
portance of taking loftier and better views
Of life than those taught by the vain world.
It is a sad thing to see SO many Of the
young and fair, whose life is almost blank
Twill not say blot-whose keen suscep-
tibilities, whose noble powers, whose deep
affections, whose precious time is lavished
only upon dress and gayety, and fashiona-
bic visiting: who wear the brig ght apparel
Of the butterfly, and are as light and grace
full, and as useless too; whose conversation
finds no higher or more improving subject
than the idle gossip Of the day, the last
party, or the never-failing topic dress;
whose reading is the miserable trash which
is inundating. every community, and ener-
vating and dissipating the minds Of our
youth; whose whole life seems to be an
aimless, frivolous life; and who, as they
fit by us on their airy wings. provoke the
inquiry; For what were these creatures
made?" pray you, take loftier views of
life than these. While I would not draw
you from the rational pleasures Of society,
nor bring one gloomy cloud upon your
youthful sky, I still would plead for some
serious hours, some industrious moments ;
some time apportioned to the culture of the
mind, the enriching of the memory with
stores Of useful knowledge. would plead
that the capacities and aspirations Of the
immortal part receive some ministration.
and the moral faculties be cultivated and
stimulated, and the generous impulses of
the soul be expanded in labors for the best
good of those around you. Be assured
there is no beauty ike that Of goodness
there is no power like that of virtue; per-
sonal beauty may attract the admiration Of
the passing hour, but it is the richer beauty
of moral worth, the loveliness of the soul
that commands the deepest reverence, and
secures the most enduring affection. Even
men who have no religion themselves, but
who are men of judgment, and whose OPT
MON is worth the most, respect and admire
a lady most, who displays in her character
the g beauty Of holiness y
IF there is one sight more than any
other, in this world of sin and sorrow,
which combines all the elements Of beauty,
of nobleness, and of worth, it is that of a
young and lovely female, whose youth and
beauty, whose depth and richness Of afec-
ton, and whose powerful influence on hu-
man hearts, are all consecrated to the cause
of truth and holiness, laid as an humble
Offering at the Sayior's feet Such being
is indeed, worthy of the admiration Of
every true and noble heart; and she will
command it, even when the light Of he1
beauty is quenched, and the flower Of he,
loneliness is faded. But if there is sad
heart-breaking sight on earth, it is that q
one gifted with all the charms which ma
ture lavished upon her daughters, prostita
ting them upon the altar Of vanity or ia
shion, and starving the soul on the un
meaning fattery Of vain and hollow
hearted world; running giddy round O.
gayety, frivolity, and dissipation; laying W
IN the future cherries and forsaken ole
age, and miserable, remorseful eternity.
i ssOh! what is woman? What her smile, =.
i Her lips of love, her eyes of light?
:; What is she, If those lips revile
9ey The lowly Jesus! Love may write
!. His name upon her marble brow, 3. =.
, And linger in her curls Of jet: - -
The light spring flower may meekly bow -.
Before her tread and yet-and yet
Without that meeker grace she'll be ~
4 A lighter thing than vanity" =. ..-:--..