The Grange advance., 1874-11-11

|
she said II have been good girl, and
| am readXto die. He only disturbs
me-
W0MAN'S uAApPllEo TALENT.
BY NARY EVANS.
1t is watchword of the times that
women can do more than the world or
they have deemed possible. If, in the
fine arts. in literature, in business, in
politics, why not in eternal interests :;
why not in t'making straight in the
desert highway for our Gode" The
women Of our churches have executive
ability. If the world was ever skepti-
cal on this point, the unjust doubt was
silenced in our war. time, when our
women followed in the steps of Flor.
ence1 Nightingale, and wroug ght with sys.
tenn and promptness for the alienation
of suffering. Women can do, as we'll
as dream of doing. Some possess the
talent in ten-fold measure beyond
others. It is said of one whose
memory is fragrant in English
hearts and homes for deeds of
mercy in hospitals and work-honses,
"She could do and did do more Of her
Fathers. business in six hours than
ordinary women do in six months, or
than NEST Of even the best do in six
days, because she had cultivated in
herself the power of getting through
business in short time.'' All women
can be efficient and business-like. Why
should not the tact, the energy, the in.
ventive resources called forth in the
daily life of the household, or on great
er occasions, like the provisioning of
conference, be applied to Christian work
beyond! But the talent is too often
hidden in a napkin, when that call is
heard, and we cannot avoid the con-
clusion that there is vast amount Of
wasted power in our churches-wasted
in needless work and worry, frettea
away in vain ambition for higher social
standing, lost in an almless waiting for
opportunities which are all the while
standing at the door.
God has given US not only the ability
and opportunity for Christian work. but
the time in which to do it, though our
hurried, feverish life seems to contra
dict the statement. Saying to women
with special emphasis, "Go, work to-
day in the vineyard" by labor saving
and time saving inventions he sets our
hands free to do the work. Alas, that
We must bind them fast ag<in in re-
sponse to every whim Of fashion! We
might also have strength for the work.
Women were never so we'll instructed
as now in the theory Of health, and vet
their fcebleness, their absolute inabili-
ty, was never so alarming. May there
not be some unapplied talent in the
care of health, in the forgetting of ner-
vous, ailments and the careful guarding
of strength with this high motive, that
we might be about our Fathers busi.
ness!
Christian work must be largely car
ried on by the earnest words of Chris
tian women. If any deny that We have
talent for speaking, let them listen in
the next informal gathering of women,
when some topic of absorbing interest
is discussed, or mark the tones of a wo-
mans voice, when some point is to be
gained,--how tender, how earnest, how
persuasive! There is unapplied talent
in the very voice Of woman, though it
may be untitled for large or promiscu.
Gus assemblages, and there is an elo-
quence peculiar to herself, with which
she can win the Wayward and sinful.
There is vast amount Of unapplied
sympathy in the women of our
churches. Woman is quick to feel and
quick to give the helping hand.
Blessed, God given talent, not often
hidden when our beloved are in need
But God gave us tender hearts for the
worlds healing. The ready tears that
can flow over some page Of poetry or
romance should fall for .'the hurt of
the daughters of my people," We who
can feel keenly and work bravely when
friend OF near neighbor is in trouble
should be able to sympathize with
wretched lives in far.of heather habi
tatidhs, never. to be blessed by the
sweet name Of home till Christian
women make it possible by precept and
example, by prayers and almsgiving.
Nor are we called to sympathize only
With want and suffering. A personal
Saviour calls for our sympathy in this
work. Here is an impulse for each of
us; here is. strength for hours of en-
couragement. We watch; we work
with him. We are sure of his sympa-
thy. Every woman in our churches,
however busy with household affairs,
possesses this talent. $ It was with a
knowledge of these absorbing home
duties, that our Lord taught US to pray
daily, "Ihy. kingdom COME andit will
come, when, stirred BY this divine sym.
pathy, Christian women arise to all their
privileges and ppp rtuniti 4drnnce.
Kate Field SAYS the man Who has