The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-01-18
Female Influence.

Man, viewed as an intellectual and
immortal being, has furnished the theme
for many beautiful and very interesting
compositions. When he is the subject,
and discanted upon by any adequate
profound attention.
Not less interesting and important is
woman. She has aseparate aud distinct
influence upon society. Her sphere of
action is different from that of man, still
hers as well us his exhibits the woful
effects OF our first parents disobedience
in the garden of Eden. Hence we find
her influence sometimes injurious and
sometimes beneficial. Poets, in the
flights of their Imagination, have often
represented woman as modclof all ex-
cellence, yet it must be admitted that
they have rather shown US what she
ought to be, than what she really is, for
no woman has ever yet attained to that
superlative degree Of excellence which
poets have painted. But whether her
character be good or evil, it does not en-
feeble her influence on society; for they
over whom it is cxerted are capable OF
being either the ministefsof~peace or OF
destruction. In all stages of human life,
society has felt the influence of the "gen'
tie SEX" Mans earliest associations are
derived fromlthe Influence of.his mother,
who supplied his wants, alleviated his
woes, cheered his hopes, and removed
his fears; but whose worth too often is
not sufficiently appreciated by him until
she is forever removed from him.
These rare sweets are not ephemeral in
their effects; but make<a deep and last
ing impression on society, and Influence
most of their actions. The individual
whose heart is capable of fine feeling can
be placed in 10 situation in which
woman may not be a welcome companion.
Is he in prosperity? None can be so tit
and acceptable partaker with him as
woman. Is he almost overwhelmed by
the waves of adversely? None can con-
sole him and so eitectually assuage his
sorrows as woman. Is he tossed OIL the
stormy tide of ambition, and his soul al
most swallowed up BY the foaming waves
of passions? Then comes to his assist,
ance soothing woman, and under her in
fuencc the winds and waves soon cease
their conflicts and all is calm.
But time would fail we're we to emu.
merate all, or even u good part, of the
situations in which woman proves a
blessing to society. Happy would we be
if we could stop with this view of the
subject. Thus far have we looked at the
fair side of this fair subject. Look now
to the blood-written catalogue of evils
And here, also, you will find woman a
conspicuous actress. Ifyou, at one time,
see an Egyptian princess drawing from
the fag-covered ark the smiling though
devoted Moses, who vas afterwards to be
the valiant leader of Isreal, yet by exam.
ining a little farther down the table o
time you will find Miriam equally zeal.
Gus to bring the destructive frown, ol
Heaven upon her own people. # YOU
point to the praiseworthy queen Of Sheba
on her long and difficult journey to hear
the wisdom of Solomon, you must at the
same time examine the character and
conduct of that most execrable ofwomen
Jezebel. Do you extol the <mildness
and sautarY influence OF the genial
Oclavia over the bold, war-Jike Antho
ny: you must at the sametime execrate
tue conduct of queen Cleopatra. Do you
with veneration mention the name O.
Elizabeth, queen of England, as the bull
wark of Protestant faith, and free insti
tutions: yet, you must acknowledge thai
she had queen sister, who was rs tou
as Elizabeth was fair. But time woulc
fail to follow down the contrast.
Suffer word of advice to be given tx
our female friends. Let US strive every
succeeding day to exhibit some new e1
cellence Of character, either in the per
fectien of our requirements, the amiable
ness of our dispositions, the elegance O
our manners, or the ardor of our piety
so that society may in all ages, with pro
priety, acknowledge the happy influence
of woman.