Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-04-23


John Foster, In his Decision Of Cbarac-
ter" says, it is poor and disgraeeful thing,
not to he able to reply with some degree of
certainty to the simple questions. What
will you be What will you do? When
a uan, born to action, fitted for labor by
strength of body, aud will, and intellect,
vibraies his life through, between desire
to be this or that, or hesitates and questions
till it is too late to do anything, as to what
he shall do he brings upon himself the con-
tempt of every earnest man and woman in
whose path he idly aud stupidly stands
Has woman, ignorant Of her powers, and
aimless in her existance as TO attainment or
action, any stronger claim to our honor
1t is one Of the saddest facts Of our life
that SO many women are pushed along from
day to day by mere habit, bringing heart
and intellect to no searching trial, making
no account of treasure Of joy or usefulness,
looking for no daily mental aud spiritual
growth. Many of the wealthy live for en-
jOyment simply, and count themselves most
blessed when no perplexing questions and
troublesome thoughts can penetrate the en-
virons Of gayety and folly, and those less
favored pecuniarily do too many of them,
live as thoughtless and purposeess lives, be-
cause Of household or school duties or the
demands of some other branch of laber.
Yet few there are in whom noble
spirit has worked teaching them what God
and man expect of her He has gloriously
honored. From such an one the question,
What shall | be 2 brings the response, i
will he, first, physically strong aud WE'LL
There shall be elasticity in my step, motion
shall be joy, my form shall he erect and
aud rounded, the muscles of limb and body
fully developed, my lungs shall have a con-
slant supply Of pure air and ample room
for expansion, my cheek shall have the
freshness aud my eye the light and sparkle
of health. No dull headaches should make
me incapable of vigorous thought, quick
! decision, or Sprightly conversation. No
nerves unstrung shall make me jealous and
irritable, the shadow instead of the sun
light Of the household. To this end it shall
be primal duty to be much in the open
air. | will walk and ride and skate and
boat, just so murh as conscience enlight-
ened 10y the sad experience Of my sisters,
and the teachings of the wise direct, and
| will do this because firm health is the
foundation for the character would build.
| Il will rise above my present level intel
lectually. So far as possible / will know
history, and science, and home and foreign
literature the huSkS of romance shall not
satisfy me | will taste the richness of no
bic poems aud essays and discussions anC
upon all | will be able to exercise a cuItiva
ed aud discriminating Judgment. HillSanC
valleys, leaves and flowers and MOSES, beau
tiful and gnared trees, forests deep anC
dark, and sunlighted plains shall also be
my teachers. will be in sympathy with
those who study deeply, and from whose
soul spring mighty and beautiful thoughts
| will be, in fine, "A cultivated, refined wo
man. The talents God has given me, be
they one or fve shall be returned to Him
double
Il will hea ChriStigR woman. The love Of
God shall fill my heart. Chrisls meeknes;
and patience shall be mine, and l will be
free from vanity and envy and selfShness
| will be traveller through earth to Heav
en-a Child of God, receiving instruction
and discipline and publication from Him
My spiritual life shall he sustained 10y a
holy atmosphere aud lighted continually by
the presence of Christ. Gods word shall
he my treasury of truth, communion with
Him in prayer my highest joy. To thi:
phyeicaL, mental and spiritual hight will
a tain, God keeping me.
! i will aoOrk. If God calls me to teach
heart and mind shall be drawn out in this
| will awaken aspiration for mental anG
spiritual grO,oth will strive to make
not mere scholars, but earnest, high-souled
men and women. If the pen Of u ready
writer has been given, will consecrate il
to the service Of purity and truth. Its Of
fee shall be to cheer the weak and sadden
ed, TO strengthen the doubling, to lead tn
thirstng soul to Christ. If called tolabo
with my hands, this also shall be done with
all my might, & be ennobled by the though
that it is foa God If the holy duties of a
wife and mother are laid upon me, vii
take them with trembling joy, blending
purpose aud interest and hopes with al
others. Ny constant endeavor then shal
be 10 rise with him into higher plane L
work for him. and t0iih him for the Give
of our love, and to it the souls committee
to our care for a holy, eternal service. NJ.
act, my word shall he east forth into th
everything, ever-working universe !; and
will look for fruit in Coos own time
Does not woman so fortified in resolve
with such an ideal standing pure and nobl
on hight far above her, go out into rea
life with some hope of blessing others an
receiving upon herself Gods blessing? Il
u.s. angels seems to follow her, guiding he
in the way of useful happiness and shield
ing her from the temptations which besC
her path.
Try to make others Happy.