The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-04-10
ESSAY.
READ BY MISS VIRGINIA oLDs, BEFORE rHEo,
= W. A., FEB. IS, ISL

I
sw.s. A., FEB. IS, ISL
When we look abroad over the face of
creation, we behold every object in ma
ture occupying a particular space, and
seemingly existing for a specific pur-
pose. The purpose for which an object
exists, we call its mission, and the op-
erations necessary to effect that purpose
we call its sphere of action.
1t is said that no two natural objects
are precisely alike; that even the leaves
of the trees and the sands of the ocean
are sufficiently varied to give to each
distinct individuality. If this is the
case, and if, as we might infer, all things
were created for the purpose Of devel-
oping n higher form of Individuality,
it would necessarily follow that no two
objects could have precisely the same
sphere, but that their operations would
necessarily be as different as the things
| themselves. However, be this as it
may, there are so many points of resem-
blance among certain objects that man
has been able to classify them, and to
discover to a considerable extent their
mission and their sphere. We find, for
instance, that the cereals and all the
higher forms of vegetation require
moisture, warmth, light and soil to
bring the future plant to 4 state of per-
fection; therefore we decide that the
ground is their proper sphere, because
in no other place can all the conditions
of growth be so easily obtained. We
are also convinced that the birds belong
to the air, the fish to the sea, and the
wild beast to the forest, because we see
in each a special adaptation TO its sur
roundings. But what if the seed for the
field should refuse to be committed to
the productive soil so carefully pre-
pared for its reception, and should choose
instead the arid desert as the most suit
able place TO. bring forth its hundred
fold What if the fish should aspire to
dwell with the bird, and believing that
fins were made for flight, should floun-
der out onto dry land in the vain at
tempt to navigate the air? And what
If the beasts and birds should conclude
the sea was their proper element
and attempt to take up their abode
with the finny tribe? Would we not all
agree that each had made an unwar-
rantable departure from its sphere
Happily we see no such desire mani
tested among the lower order of crea-
tion. All are seemingly satisfied with
the position assigned them. 'Tis only
when we come the crowning work Of the
Masters hand-Voman-that we find
discomfort and unhappiness and de
mand for extended privileges. Man is
content to be what God made him, the
I Lord of Creation, the protector, sup
porter and ruler of women; but woman
is at war with her Creator and seeks TO
thwart His designs by becoming what
He never intended she should be, an in-
dependent being, possessed of the same
right as man to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. To be sure, all
women are not thus affected. The great
mass are still sweet, and pure, and wom-
anly, and even angelic in their gentle,
clinging tenderness and obedience TO
man; but there are those who are pos
sessed of an unholy ambition to wander
unrestrained beyond their sphere. They
seek to lay aside the beauties of wom-
anhOod and take upon themselves the
attributes of manhood; they ask equal
privileges with man, to drink and fight
and swear and frequent saloons and
other haunts of degradation; they wish
to desert their families and destroy all
that is beautiful and sacrad in the social
relationl My friends, such are the ae-
customs brought against us; but are they
just-are they reasonable? Can they be
: substantiated? Are we the monstrosi-
ties they portray us, and does our move
ment tend toward the terrible results
they depict? Cope, let us reason to-
gether,' and see il we can acertain who
is right and who is wrong, and what is
truly woman's sphere. To be able Ia
determine woman's sphere we must &c
back to first principles and endeavor to
ascertain for what purpose she was
formed, and by what laws she is gov
erned. I believe it is generally con-
ceded that the ultimate mission OF
woman, as we'll of man, is to make prep
aration for a future and higher state oI
existence; that God has intrusted to us
: the germs of certain capabilities anC
powers which it is our duty to develop,
as near unto perfection as possible. We
find that all human beings are three
fold in their nature-physical, intel
lectual and spiritual; therefore they
have a three-fold development 10 &C
eomplish, and must have a correspond
> ing three-fold sphere. The order of ma
ture seems to be that soul cannot exis
without mind, and that mind cannot
exist independent of body; therefore, i
r we would attain high degree of spirit.
. uality, or soul development, we mus
acquire a sound and vigorous mind; an'
to be able to acquire such mind w
} must have a strong and healthy body
: AS our physical nature is first in tin
! ! scale of development, it should receive
i our first attention. If we take up physi
e ology we learn that in all the vita
, functions of the body the sexes are gov
erned by precisely the same laws. Tn
4 principles Of their formation and devel
! opment do not vary What give