Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-05-20

wy uutlts are also clear. am slInpiy Wlic
and mother and, God being my helper, |
will faithfully discharge a wife and mother 5
sacred obligations. At present these duties
take up all my time and conscience will not
permit me to neglect real duties for the per-
formance Of imaginary ones. In doing such
duties best serve the Church. This is my
religion and have learned it from the Bible. ~
She paused for a few moments. No one
replying to her remarks. she went on
ut has been alleged that am not pious
enough for the people here. Perhaps not
But of one thing you may all be certain |
am no hypocrite. l shall never put on pious
exterior to hide the want Of charity in my
heart. As am you will always see me-
Mrs. Newton paused again but as none
Of her visitors showed any inclination to
speak. she continued
MY religion is somewhat peculiar, | be-
lieve. do not keep il as a snowy Sunday
suit, but wear it every day. My essential
worship consists in a daily discharge of my
duty as a wife and mother my formal wor-
ship in the pious prostration of body and
spirit before my Heavenly Father at set times,
either in my closet or in the public assembly.
The Sabbath, to me, is the golden clasp that
HAiAAH NhANNhti tilN NiiNit VI WNNhAl uAAifof ~
is blessing and a consolation, Just in the
degree that the worship of my six days has
been essential worship
And are we to expect nothing of our min
ister's wife - said Miss Lane. in subdued
voice. She was evidently conscious of hav-
ing made mistake in her estimate of Mrs.
Newton's character.
Nothing more than her duty as a woman.
If she has qualities that will give her lead
ing social influence. and have time to spare
from home duties-which are always first
she ought to let these qualities become active
for good. But no more can, with Justice be
required Of her than of any other woman in
the congregation. Your contract for service
is with her husband, and not with her; and
you have no more just claim upon her time,
nor right TO control her freedom, than you
have over the wife Of your lawyer, doctor, or
schoolmaster. 1t is this mistaken idea Of the
people in regard to minister's wives that is
producing so much trouble in societies. and
making wretched the lives of hundreds of
poor women, who hardly dare say that their
souls are their own. IL is not enough that
the minister's wife is expected to keep her
house and clothe her children upon the low
est range Of income, that will not allow her
competent help, but she must spend half her
time in gossipng around among the idle or
well-to-do ladies' of the congregation-take
part in their sewing circles, and attend all
their various meetings for good or doubtful
purposes Now all this is wrong; and if
you arc not satisfied with my husband, be-
cause | will not initiate so bad an example,
you must give him notice accordingly; or if
you think my services absolutely essential to
the prosperity of the Church, just state the
amount Of salary you can afford to give, and
if. for the sum, can procure person in ev-
cry way as competent as myself to assume
the charge Of my children and household,
will take into serious consideration your prop
osition Beyond this, ladies', can promise
nothing"
Thank you again. my dear madam said
l. with warmth that expressed my real feel
ings, ''for giving this matter its right solu-
ton! You have spoken out like true, inde-
pendent woman, as you are, and | will see
that your views are correctly reported. Con-
slider me as your friend
She turned upon me a grateful look, and,
as she did so, | could see that my earnest
words had brought dimning moisture to her
eyes.
~ could WISH" she answered. in lower
voice, ito number you all as my friends.
have come among you as a stranger. seeking
no pre-eminence, but only desiring to do my
duty as a woman. side by side with other
women. The fact that my husband is your min
lister gives me Of right no position among
you, and gives you no right to demand of me
any public service. If my husband fails in
his duty admonish him; but in the name of
justice and humanity. do not establish any
supervision over me. Let my private life be
as sacred from intrusion as that of any other
woman. This have a right to demand, and
l will be satisfied with nothing less
Silenced if not convinced, was Miss Phebe
Lane. and she retired in due time with her
of remonstrance and accusation,
their colors trailing upon the ground. | lost
no time in giving my history of the interview
almost word for word the clear,
strong language of Mrs. Newton, that she
might have the full benefit of her own statement
of the case. And | am happy TO say that
there was common sense enough and right
feeling enough in the parish of st. Charity to
do her ample justice. Her husband is still
our minister, active, useful and beloved; but
as no salary has yet been set apart for his
wife, she has not assumed any duties in the
congregation, and, from present appearances,
think has no intention Of doing so. But
rs wife and mother her life is beautiful
and her example of far more benefit to the
people under her husbands care than all her
more public acts could be, had she entered
upon every duty that was so generously as
signed to her.