The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-01-20
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"CertdInly, ma'am You have expressed
the difference Of relation exactly" replied
Miss Lane, led on by The peculiar way in'I
which Mrs. Newton put the question to ad.
NIT the existence Of q very wide range Of
duties as required Of that lady by the con.
grega,!on Of ST. Charity. .
"T'his is all new to me, ladies'" said the
minister's wife. II was not aware before
that any one in the congregation regarded
me as having failed in duty" '.".'. !
every one so regards you" Our spokes-
woman was parsonage who used great
plsinness Of speech.
"This should have been stated III the be-
ginning" said Mrs. Newton. "How was
to know your views in the matter! ] saw
all of my husbands correspondence, bot not
word was said about his wife or the parish
requirements in her case. Nov it appears
! that her range Of duties is almost as wide as
his. l ought to have known this before !
came here, ladies' and really think the
complaint of failure of duty is against you
instead of me. Let me ask, so as to reach
clear understanding OF this matter, what
salary you pay your minister's wife!"
"3alary !" gasped Miss Lane, her under
| jaw falling and her eyes projecting at leas,
| a quarter OF an inch beyond their ordinary
position. "Salary! !" she repeated, in be-
wildered, half COMPOUNDED waT.
"Yes," quietly replied Mrs Newton.--
1.-The salary. You do not, OF course, re-
qure the services of your minister's wife
in the way yea propose without compensl'
tion." .a- .. .sga,
/ "Preposterous !" Miss Lane had recov
cred herself, and gained oalittle blind indg
nation with her partial self possession.-
"Did any one ever hear Of thing so absurd
In hiring your husband for our minister"--
"You did not hire me /" interrupted Mrs
Newton, with calm dignity. "Bsar that il
mind, if you pleuse." ..
"Thank you for the remark, Mrs. New
tom" said |, coming almost nvoluntarily I
her aid. "It throws q food of light upo
: the whole subject. True as Gospel! w
8 die not hire you, and have no claim upon
single hour Of your Time. All that tn
: Church of st. Charity has right TO ask {
g YOU is, that you do your duty os wife an
G mother" ...
Mrs. Newton turned to me with gra:eil
. look, and grasping my hand, suid--
8 "Thonk you !" in return.
: A little willis she paused but no on
e spoke. In the deep silence, think SON
G wholesome ccnvic tions Of truth were findr
;. their woy even into the mind OF Miss Ian
who, somehow, reminded me of awiltt
fe leaf, or piece of stifTly starched muslin su
e denly drenched with water. -.-s.
|, "Nly husbands duties are clear" We
{. evenly spoke Mrs. Newton--very kindil
,- yet very firmly and very lucidly. T"My bu
,r't bands duties are clear. He has come
you as spiritual guide and instructor. Fl
:, Office is to point to Heaven ard lead Il
way. 1t is high and holy Office. hon
" him in it, and sustain him 10 the best OF I
II. ability. My duties are also clear. II
he simply wife and mother and, God bel
I'D my helper, will faithfully discharge W
and mothers sacred Obligations. At prest
1t. these duties take up all my time and co
"a science will not permit me to neglect r.
duties for the performance of imagini
CT ones. In doing such duties ! best serve
nd Church. This is my religion, and ! hl
n. leurned it from the Bible" aE.
GU She paused for few moments. No o
replying to her remarks, she went ont
,ct sit has been alleged that am not pi
he enough for the people here. Perhaps n
lar But one thing you may rest assured: /
no hypocriIe. shall never put on pi
ice exterior to hide the want Of CHARITY in
ind heart. AS am you will always see me
re. Mrs. Newton paused again; but as NJ
of her visitors showed any inclination
Ike speak, she continued: .......r ..
"My religion is somewhat Peculi r, !
/ is lieve. / do not keepit Us q showy Sun
me suit, but wear it every day. My essen
d worship consists in daily discharge Of
we duty as wife and mother; my formal Y
chip, in the pous prostration of my b
wv. before my heavenly Father at set tin
ice, either in my closest or in the public ass
hit bly,. The Sabbath, to me, is the gol
vas clasp that binds together the circle of W.
and Iy duties. 1t is blessing and and col
ted lation just in the degree that the worshi
4 my six days has been essential worship.
- Sand are we to expect nothing of
q | minister's wfe!" said Miss Lane, in
ult, subdued voice. She was evidently consc
ofhaving made great mistake in the
our mate Of Mrs Newton's character.
eak "Nothing morethdn her duty as a won
ave If she have qualities that will give h
cta- leading social influence, and have tim
spare from her home duties, which are
- ways first-she ought TO let these quail
i no become active for good. But no more
fore with justice, be required OF her than 1
inns any other woman in the congregation.
contract for services is with her hush
in. and not with her; and you have no more