The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-03-23

''This is all new to ME, ladies'" said the min
ister's wife. ''I was not aware before that any
one. in the congregation regarded me as hav-
ing failed in duty
"Every one so regards you" Our spokes-
woman was a parsonage who used grea. plain
ness of speech.
'This should have been stated in the begin
ming" Raid Mrs. Newton. GLOW wa 1 to
know. your views in the matter? l saw all o.
my husbands correspondence. but not word
was said about his wife, or the parish require
ments in her case. Now it appears that her
range of duties is almost as wide as his. [
ought to have known this before I came here,
ladies; and l really think the complaint of
failure in duty is against you instead of me
Let me ask, so as to reach clear understand
ing of this matter, what salary you pay your
minister's wife ?''
"Salary!' gasped Miss Lane, her under jaw
falling, and her eyes projecting at least quar-
ter of inch beyond their ordinary position
Salary" she repeated, in bewildered, half
confounded way: 1910
+ eyes," quietly replied Mrs. Newton. '.The
salary. You do not, of course, require the
services of your minister's wife in the way you
propose without compensation" III
ssPreposterous!' sNIiss Lane had recovered
herself, and gained a little blind indignation
with her partial sef-possesson "Did any one
ever hear of thing so absurd ! In hiring your
husband for minister sa -
s'You did not hire mep' interrupted Mrs
Newton, with calm dignity. ttBcar that in
mind, if you please"
''Thank you for the remark, Mrs. Newton"
said [ coming almost involuntarily to her aid.
at throws flood of light upon the whole sub
ject. True as Gospel! We did not hire you,
and have no claim upon single hour of your
time All that the Church of ST. Charity has
right to ask of you is, that you do your duty
as a wife and mother" = 81 sa-
Mrs. Newton turned to me with. a grateful
look, and grasping my hand, said,
sThank you" in return.
A little while she paused; but no one spoke
in the deep silence. think some wholesome
even into the mind of Miss Lane, who, some
how, reminded me of a wilted leaf, or piece
of stiff1y starched muslin suddenly drenched
with water i'-9t 5 7 7-il
''My husbands duties are clear, very even
ly spoke Mrs. NeWton-very kindly,-yet very.
firmly and very lucidly. "My husbands du-
ties are clear He has come to us as a spirit
ual guide and instructor. His office is to point
to Heaven and lead the way. 1t is a high and
holy Office. I honor him in it, and sustain him
to the best of my ability. My duties are also
clear I am simply wife and mother and,
God being my helper, I will faithfully discharge
a wife and mothers sacred obligations. At
present these duties take up all my time; and
conscience will not permit me to neglect real
duties for the performance of imaginary ones.
In doing such duties I best serve the Church.
This is my religion, and have learned it from
the Bible" -.-z'=25 ~ T
"And are we to expect nothing of our min
ister's wife" said Miss Lane, in a very sub
dued voice. She was evidently conscious of
having made a great mistake in her estimate
of Mrs NeWtOnS character
''Nothing more than her duty as a woman.
IF she have qualities that will give her a lead
ing social influence, and have time to spare
from home duties-which are always frst-she
ought to let these qualities become active for
good. But no more can, with justice, be re-
quired of her than of any other woman in the
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 school
master. 1t is this mistaken idea of the people
in regard to minister's wives that is producing
so much trouble in churches, and making
wretched the lives of hundreds of poor women,
who hardly dare say that their souls are their
own. It is not enough that the minister's wife
is expected to keep her house and clothe her
children upon the lowest range of income, that
will not allow her competent help, but she
around among the idle or weI-to-do ladies of
the gation-take part in the sewing cir
eles, and attend all their various meetings for
good or doubtful purposes. Now all this is
wrong; and it you are not satisfied with my
husband, because will not initiate SO lad an |
example, you must give him notice according
y; or if you think my services absolutely
essential to the prosperity of the church, Just |
state the amount of salary you can afford to
e., r
on in every way as competent as myself to as /
ume the charge of my children and household, |
Will take into serious consideration your pror-
'sftion Beyond this, ladies, can promise
lothing.'' /
"Thank you again, my dear madam" said I, |
With warmth that expressed my real feelings |
for giving this matter its right solutionl You
AVE spoken out like a true, independent wo-
man, as yon are-and will 500 tl,ut-yuur views
re correctly reported. Consider me as your
riend"
"I could WISH" she answered. in lower
oice, "to number you all as my friends. l
ave come among you stranger, seeking no
re-eminence, but only desiring to do my duty
> a woman, side by side with other women
he fact that my husband is your minister
ives of right no position among you, nor
ight to demand of me any public service. If
~ husband fails in his duty, admonish him
Ut III tne name OF Justlce ana humanity, do
OF establish any supervision over me. Let
~ private life be sacred from intrusion as that
any other woman. This I have right to
emand, and will be satisfied with nothing
lss?"
RG~The infant child of Samuel Kear, of
richmond, Ontario county, N Y, died on
Fednesday of last week, in consequence of |.
shawl pin, which it picked from
he clothing of the mother, and which, un-
nown by her, was taken into the mouth
nd Immediately passed into the larynx-suf-
cating the little fellow in few moments.