Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-08
True womanhOOd.

10 AAtIAAOuAAs
"She was nv peer:
No weakli,g girl. who would surrender viii
And life and reason, with fer loving heart,
To his possession; no soft, clinging thii.e.
Who would find breath alone within the arms
81 a strong master, and Obediently
wait upon his whims in slayiSh earefulness;
No fawbing, bringing spaniel, 10 attend
His royal pleasures, and account herself
Rewarded by his pats and pretty words,
Bnt a noble conan. who, with insight keen, !.
Had wrought scheme Of life, and measured
well
Her womanhoOd; had spread before her feet
a fine philosophy to guide her steps;
Had won a faith % which her life was brought
III strict adjusturent-brain and heart mean
while
Working in conscious harmony and rhythm
With the great scheme OF Gods great universe
On towards her beings end"
Do not say this is a creature Of romance.
There are, thank God, many women just
like her, some we know, and many will die
unknown. You were created to be Just the
women described. "Do you know" says
one of our writers, 'swhat we most admire
IN yOmen?' II is not your dress-we could
make beast fine with trappinss; nor your
abilities-for what but fine creature is
Gabriel to us? What we admire is your
sympathy, fellOw-ieeling, tenderness of
heart, pity for the wretched, compassion for
YOUR neighbOrs, and reverence for your God.
The melting eye, the soothing tone; she
who must and lrdi do good While we adj
NIT that In the heart lies w0meTt's great
strength. still we claim that the higher lsr
mental attachments, the greater her in
duence. She can then take her stand by
the side of man, his equal and companion;
and if allowed TO cccJipy this position can
the world ever estimate her influence?
Let us look at society and see what VIC
men aspire to. Alas, alas, a walking la
gar How much precious time and money
IS wasted in the effort 10 KEEP MP With tie
latest style in dress, and what is gained by
il all? | own, you receive more admiTa-
ton and attention for all your frizzes and
fGTbelows; but rho would stOOp to be fiat
tered by such minds2 You have abilities.
| however sadly misused, that place you
above such shallOwnesS. Show that you
win neither admire, nor be admired by
them. Have a standard, not only for your
self, but for men. Men viii aim to come
up 70 anything you ask Of them. If the
highest tone Of mind You desire is a just
appreciation Of your curls and frizzes, they
will. as they do, prove themselves fully ca
pable. Let the standard be, ''principle"
and ''mind," and then see the effect. This
is duty which has been neglected by wo=
men as a class. We see no other way 10y
which society can be elevated.
Men are not entirely free from blame in
this matter. We often hear them say,
''what shallow minds We find in society,"
Let me say, to these "mighty masculine
minds" that those women who take ideas
with them into company find the demand
so small that they prefer enjoying them at
home, and consequently supply themselves
with small talk, that they may render
themselves more agreeable, or at least more
Ineligible. Bring ideas with you. and
you will find women your equal. Men say
they seek society for a relaxation Of mind,
leaving care and business in the Office.
That is right; leave all that, but bring your
brain with your head, where it ought 70 be.
A smart man has no right 10 be stupid and
dull, 10 the annoyance of society, if he
does enjoy it. You may think l have
wandered. but the influence Of society
IS great. Such being the case, both men
and women should exert themselves 10 give
it higher tone. But it is 10 woman that
particularly address these words, that she
may realize her duty TO God, herself, and
her felloW-beings. Aim TO be a 'noble
woman Be a kind, sympathiZing friend
to all. but the companion Of the good and
wise only. FrOwn upon sin, and never be
afaid to say you deSpiSe il in whatever
shape it NAV assume. You will not be
popular. Oh, DO, But there is a reward at
the end of the race. Be the blessing God
intended YOU should be. Elevate and
guide those around you, that they may say
in one united voice, Woman, ministeTing
angel, God be praised for thee
GgoTruTr