Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-22
Woman's Rights.

The independent existence, the me, that
came alone into the world and must 20
alone out of it, this part of our nature, that
was given to be cherished and developed,
the intangible, immortal vital spark of
heavenly fame" Gods breath, we forget.
In short article like this, it seems al
most impossible to say anything that shall
avail for good upon so important a subject
as self culture-the up building of thesoul,
its true growth. In this earnest, busy
working, every day world, with cares and
fears, hopes, joys, sins, sorrows, pressing
close upon US, with multitudes Of little
nothings jarring and jostling, crowding ev
cry day and hour with their small Interests,
imperative and relentless it is so difficult
that one is tempted to say it is impossible
to put in any other claim. The busy moth
er, with her house to keep, her children
and her husband to think for, waking in
the morning with her cup of care full and
running over; going to bed at night worn
and weary, with aching body, unstrung
nerves, and faint heart. it seems almost a
mockery to come to her and say: Woman
if you have no other thought beyond these,
you are living low, ignoble life. You are
FORGETTING your birth right, and et-and
yet-the saddest part of the whole is that
it is true.
If there is one point more than another,
upon which the bible is clear and decisive,
it is this, work out your own salvation
do not quote the text now, of course, in
its theological bearings; it has nothing
here to do with old school ornew, it means,
simply, see to it that you arrive at such
perfection Of being, such growth and en-
largement Of the powers bestowed that your
salvation, your higher and better life, is
secure-or in other words, that you are
worthy to receive the great gift of immor-
tality. Worthy, that is the point,
And here, my pen hesitates. 1t Is 50
easy to show the goal, so difficult to point
out the way to reach it. The question is
simply this-not the necessity and crown
ing story Of a high self culture, everybody
acknowledges that-but how in this life OF
women can We reach it? Where find the
/ time, where the courage, where the heart
By what means can we separate our lives
from those to whom God has bound them
so closely, how without being neglectful
or selfish, can we appropriate time anc
thought to ourselves?
| answer in this way, and in no other
Realize that the more perfect woman yor
are, the greater, the nobler, the better yon
influence will be upon those around you
Take two mothers, one wholly absorbed il
the petty-but l will not call it petty, 70
nothing is small that touches the interest
of home-cares which each day brings
breakfast, dinner, tea the house to be KEEP
in order, the children to be dressed, tn
husband to be cared for, the endless plan
ming and doing, which necessarily burthe
our lives. Into these one woman throw
her whole soul, she thinks of nothing else
1t is not even doing her duty, doing
cheerfully and faithfully; there is some
thing of true growth in this, but it is az
complishing work, bringing about trivia
ends. Her life is a means to them, nothin
more. What in this sharpens her intellec
what gives breadth, and depth and strengt
to her thoughts, what nerves and Civ
power to her will, what elevates her heart
Is she as capable of doing we'll what 81
does as is the woman, who, day by day il
vigortes, develops, and builds up her tru
i, inner self, taking literally from all thing
appropriating Gods gifts, be they VIII
they may, for the accomplishment of Il
: great purpose for which he designed ther
the fitting of soul to be in unison wi
himself viii she be less wise, less lovin
. less tender, less womanly, because 5
- brings to her daily life, her homely dutit
!. trained powers? As well might you say
the bud, which, lifting itself to the ligl
= and the sun, and the dew, drinkingin fro
!, each the gentle influences God bestowe
p, at length blossoms into the perfect flow,
! it would have done as well if it had sta
;. groveling in theea from which it sprur
Il as to compare these two types of woma
hood.
s. Let me tell you, the woman who c
d free herself most entirely from the fettt
e which bind her down, who can wiring {
ID of toll, discipline; out of little cares, c
es largement, who sees something behind a
id beyond the trivialities of today, is the We
p best mother, the very best wife, the pate
re housekeeper, the influential member of
m ciety, and the one, the aroma of whose
p floating out silently, reaches, touches, V
rs ifies all who dwell within her atmosphe
if What you do, really do, not seem to,
err ponds upon what you are. You must ma
be yourself. no one can help you and, tina
of God no one can hinder.
IT. There is religious aspect of this 81
>" culture, which incline to touch but v,
ne briefly here. If all our responsible
ny ended with our fellow beings, many of
sc might prefer to choose what seems
en- easier way, of self forgetting. | use
Ike words in their common meanings.
H. what of the account to be rendered, wi
n the talents are to be returned? What
en- the might-have-been, when we bring
ct poor, time-bruised souls, starved and lie
to back to Him who gave them? Punctu
full with needles, scanned and worn with swe
en- ing and busting, shriveled by washings
en- bakings, and brewings, what has becc
Tot of Gods Giving breath ?"
Tie All, well, this is not pleasant thou,
IN let us not investigate it any further
-od a great comfort, when we feel how W
IN we are, how powerless to do, or to be
I'm we would wish, to fall back on words
get these, resting, hopeful, trusting word
ter They are full of benson.
to in them, and thou in me, that t
Ter may be made perfect in one, and that
e world may know that thou hast sent
and hast loved them, as thou hast lo
ose me.
tier Till we come in the unity of faith,
II of the knowledge Of the Son of God
ion perfect man, unto the measure of
full stature of the fullness of Christ.-.MI,
ms S. Robbins ia Adgance.
hen -.--
Just Beautiful Answer.
reS, What is gratitude?
pea Gratitude is the memory of the hear
seS What is hope?