Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-03-03
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Woman's Mission.


And while some may be fitted by nature and
education for the pulpit, the bar, or the ora
tors chair, and these vocations may seem
part of their mission, for ali should labor in
the sphere to which their talent entitlesThem,
yet this is not the God.given mission of
every true woman, for to woman is given
mission more worthy, more exalted, one that
the angels will look down on and approve.
1t is to woman that the task is given OF
making home attractive, and her influence
throws around it halo of peace and happi-
ness Home is the grand starting point, and
from it emanates every sentiment of virtue
and integrity. Here the child with the first
dawning of reason and intelligence receives
its first impressions Of right and wrong, its
first ideas of beauty and goodness, and while
yet in its cradle the formation Of character is
begun that will exert an influence through
life From woman it imbibes not only its
earliest, but its most important ideas Of truth,
of honor and justice. She gives the frst ell
sments of moral and intellectual culture aud
bends the mind in the direction of future
worth and greatness.
Look at the child. There is something
more than Its bewitching smile and perfect
form. There is spirit that will grow in in
tellectual strength and power till it is felt
throughout the nation; mind that will
bend its utmost energies to promoting the
best interests of humanity, or will descend to
the lowest depths. and will perform deeds
that will send the blood curdling through the
veins, and thrill of horror to the heart.
Who but woman is to mould this mysteri.
Gus, this tremendous energy, and transmit to
it the vitality and principle needed to make
it blessing to itself aud mankind. She has
the formation of the mind and character Of
man which, like the diamond when first taken
from the earth, is rough and unpublished.
The process is one requiring patience; it is
not the work of day, but requires years of
perseverance. Little by little the rough
corners are rounded, the imperfections are
removed, and he stands forth in his glory.
There is but little in the rough diamond to
excite the admiration, but in the hand OF the
skilliul artifcer it will soon glitter like a
bright star. And thus it is with man. The
casket may be uucouth, but the gem within
is priceless, and when found and polished
and refined will shine forth jewel Of rare
worth in the ranks Of intellectual improve
ment, aud reflect glory upon the Creator.
To refine and polish the mind is part Of
womau's mission, but it is not all. To We
man we look for those noble traits that cle'
} vate us above the brute, and make us Q
little below the angels. To her we look for
love and sympathy in every trial and aifiic-
ton of life. Like an angel Of mercy she il
ever foremost in deeds of love and charity
ever ready to minister to the sick and sor
rowful, and pour the balm Of consolation OIL
the wounded spirit; no hand so soothing t
. the fevered brow as that Of the gentle, al.
. fectionate woman none SO successful in re
claiming the erring, for she draws them with
the strong but invisible chords of love back
to the paths of honor and rectitude.
, She Yields an influence in society NOR,
e potent than that of king, for he rules with
Q rod Of iron, while woman's scepter is love
and her mission to refine aud ennoble man
kind; to make home an earthly paradise
$ where love and harmony have full sway, anC
( be social and moral reformer. Woman
influence is felt in every department Of soca
:, life 1t steals in with noiseess tread AM
occupies the inmost recesses of tn,
Q heart.
Woman is the builder or destroyer of tn
best interests, the highest happiness of man
" Her influence is controlling either for gooC
or evil. And in this view how responsible
. is the position of woman. Not only il sh
= responsible to society, to mankind, and t
the world at large for faithful discharge O
e the duties incumbent upon her, but she
1f also responsible to God. To her care II
% intrusts the little ones that are so soon [
= succeed US, and become as we are to-day
- part of community and exert an inAuenC
q. for the veal or woe of the nation. Not onl
ID will her influence be felt at the present time ,bl
in the countless years that are tocOme. M
a only in time, but in eternity, for she has ais
ID the guardianship of the immortal spirit #
to her is the important task given of not onI
lg fitting them for the varied, changing scenes
OF life, but for the solemn hour of death
90 And is not woman's mission fraught wi
r! the most important duties2 And does 81
ID not need more wisdom than is common
ID given to mortals We think she does Al
to fully perform her mission she must be
a . great thinker and more active doer, for
%. this way alone can she carry life's burde
oil aud fulfill its mission. There is but o
source from whence she can derive wisdC
" to successfully perform life's labor; but o
nd fountain that will supply the grace a
de strength she needs, and from this may $
Id drink deep and long, till she obtains wisdC
'er to perform her mission on earth, and to
a. her for her reward in the glorious hereaft'
lv MATTE LAWRENCE
he MAJ Cottage, Sutton.