Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-14
Woman and the Home

Woman" and "Home" without awaken |
ing memories of the most sacred character |
Woman made Eden home for ADAM
Previous to her coming desolatiOn brooded |
over its garden walks, for hewas matchless |
and without an object to love. Beasts
there were, of matchless beauty, and birds
of sweetest song, yet for Adam there was
not found a helpmeet
Milton has pictured our great progeni-
tor in dreamland, behOlding the beautiful
creation, whose looks infused sweetness
into the heart unfelt before; from which
time the voice of prayer was heard, and
the cry of Adam was for wife. He slept,
and rib was taken from him, and built
up into woman. We can imagine his
condition. He felt that something had
been taken from him, or out of him. He
longed to get it back. 1t is an old story,
and yet, it is as new today as when first
written. Thousands and millions have
experienced the sensation, and understand
what it is to feel that part of him is away
from him. In the olden times there was
what they called, love at first sight be-
lieve in it. God built the woman. Man
loved her. When God brought Eve to
Adam, he was overjOyed, and said: "This
is now bone of my bone and flesh of my
flesh she shall be called woman, because
she was taken out of man. Therefore shall
a man leave father and mother, and shall
cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one
flesh :" thus in the morning of creation,
| Sod wove our marriage bond. The old
nuptial rite, with that sweet home picture
survives the desolation of the fall, and vet
fits before the eye of weary millions, a
source of holy and unfailing consolation
to all.
SIN RUINED THE HOME.
Because of sin, the relations between the
sexes were changed. Eve, created to be a
helpmeet, became tempter. She brought
ruin to the race because she turned her
back upon her Creator, and her face to the
enemy of God and man. From the ruin
of Eve to the restoration in Mary, the
home of Eden had no place. 1t was re-
built when the feet of Christ pressed the
threshold Of the home in Bethany
Then it was woman was lifted from the
position ola slave, to that of companion.
In Adam the home was shattered In
Christ the home was rebuilt. Wherever
the gospel of Christ is an unfelt power,
there is no home worth naming. In Orien-
tai countries, the home under the influence
of the gospel and through the example of
the champions of the cross, becomes the
morning star which precedes the dawning
of the sun of righteousness. The family
relation is essential to the elevation of the
people. Missionaries see clearly that do
nestle virtue must precede and create pub
lie virtue; that confidence, integrity, and
faithfulness must exist in the family, be-
fore they will appear as elements in the
national character. Hence, they aim at
restoring the dominion of the natural af-
fections, and abolishing those customs that
lead to the destruction of infants, the burn
ing of widows, and the desertion of aged
parents; they impress parents with a sol
emn sense of the duties they owe to their
children; and one of the first lessons taught
to children is obedience to the reasonable
commands of their parents.
1t is an acknowledged fact that the state
Of the family stamps the national charac-
ter. There is not in the French language
any word corresponding to our word home.
The name, even, does not exist. The great
Napoleon felt the want. He saw that gov
eminent, without it could find support in
homes, must be unstable and unreal and
so when asked What is the greatest need
Of France? replied, mothers, which is
the same as if he had said "homes." II
has been our boast in America that the
family lies at the basis of all that is valua-
bic in our public institutions. Home gov.
eminent underlies and supports the ma.
, tional government. Home religion is the
source of church religion Disturb the
home and you disturb the state, and per.
NIT anarchy, cruelty, and brutality to gain
sway.
The South lacked homes, else there had
been no revolution. Men found in the
system of slavery that which broke up the
family relation, and which kept the mar
riage bond violated. Hence Andersonvillt
and the terrible cruelties practced upor
our soldiers. Nothing so brutalizes mar
as wantoness.
WHAT CHRIST DID FOR WOMEN.
, Christ, though he did not permit Mary
to become Intercessor and so give sanction
to mariolatry; though he did not lift he
to the position Of ruler, and commission
} her to attempt the subjugation or the sub
: lection of the stronger sex; though he die
not, either himself or through his apostles
give any sanction to the wild vagaries of
class who are striving to overturn tn,
foundations of society, and who rebel ag
ainst motherhood, wifehood, and sister
: hood; he did turn the attention of tn,
world toward the graces of womanhood
and while he turned his back upon thos,
manly qualities of labor, of pluck, of brut,
courage, he turned his face toward meek
ness, gentleness, and love, and made tn,
{ wales of life to blossom with new beauty
He welcomed woman as companion. II,
, sought her for sympathy's sake, and open
ed his heart to her in the fullest confidence
The monster sin of adultery, the idol 0
, Mormonism, he struck with his heav,
hand, saying, "Whosoever looketh on
woman to lust after her, hath committed
adultery with her already in his heart
He gave the law concerning divorcemen
) and marriage which is our hope today
| saying to the Pharisees who asked, as i
lawful for man to put away his wife 70
1 every cause? Have We not read that h.
t who made them in the beginning mad
: them male and female. wherefore they ar
{ no more twain but one flesh. What, there
f fore, God hath joined together, let no maj
put asunder." In regard to the question
e of divorce, Christ was explicit in histeach
# ings, declaring fornication the only suffi
e cient cause, and whatsoever separates him
y self from wife for any other cause an
If marries another committeth adultery an
5 whose marrieth her which is put ava
l. committeth adultery! As Christ's conduc
il toward Mary saved us from the curse {
e mariolatry, so his words concerning maj
l. rage and divorce furnish the corner ston
Is 10 the superstructure of a home, and pre-
In | vide for IN the hest of protection when huil