The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-09

their own influence. and their own
rights and duties and. Their o~
strength
Our strength is at home our held
of action is there-our hopes. our du-
ties, our happiness are there-and As
said before. believe most heartily
that the woman who makes her home
a happy and beautiful one has done
her duty in that state to which God ;
providence has called her.
In this great work. as in everything
else, things begin at the beginning.
and with No. l.. 4 woman who sets
out with great thoughts of heart about
her noble, far-reaching mission, must
begin ,cith herself. She wishes to
sanctify and beautify her home. n
must begin with sanctifying and beau
| tifying herself. She is the high priest
ess of the sanctuary-her robes must
be undefled All, me what a work
is hers. What a work and what a re-
ward Think of il, \ work "brlet,
and vet endless :" a reward never
tasted in this life, perhaps, yet sure,
ample, and long-lasting as Love itself.
1t is every woman's sacred duty,
then. as a servant of Love, "A co-wOrker
with Him, who filleth all things, and
also as a good and patriotic citizen, to
think much of herself, to TAKE care of
herself, to study, and be sure of her
self, and to make herself as attractive
and influential as she possibly can.
To think much Of herself. She is a
partner in the firm OF humanity. She
has much power in her hands has
abilities proportional to her sphere,
and rights and dignities inferior to
none. Her position is sabordihotp-
but not inferior.
To take care Of herself. She must
understand her own physical frame
its strength and it's weakness-so as
not to undertake more than she can
do, or be induced to go beyond the
nature. A woman cannot do a mans
work, and ought to resent being called
upon to do it. 1t is a rude life that
women live who neglect the delica-
cies and requirements of sex.
To study aud be sure Of herself. So
as to know her own temper and dispo-
sition, and where her weakness or
strength lies. To know what she IAN
do best. and be surest of success in
not wasting her force by attempting
what she has no turn for, or vainly
initiating lines of action when she.
herself, might be a leader in another
direction.
Nothing has given us all more
trouble than these vain e~ndeavors.
Some women can do but one or two
things well. Some seem to be equal
to many various calls upon them.
Some are good in one department..
some in another, who are comparative
failures outside of them. Understand
yourself and your own capabilities.
and while neglecting no duty within
your proper sphere do not think of
of being perfect in all, or rivaling
every good neighbor in every particu-
lar piece of good housewifery. See
which way your turn lies. and let Love
direct that. What is your keynote?
Set your life to it.
To make herself attractive. Ger
tainly. Have you beauty Take care
of it as something God-given and pre-
cious. Have you not? Make the best
of your person, nevertheless, for the
sake of others and the good influence
you hope to nave on them. Let it be
a part of your religion to be neat and
clean. always, and pretty as often as
you can. Make "a conscience of having
your hair smooth and shining, your
collar neat, your dress if only a cheap
calico)c!ean and weli-fitting. your feet
neatly dressed. Slip shod feet, strag-
Cling hair, soiled dresses. discolored
lips and teeth, and breath according
thereto, in wives and mothers, have
made many a Dad citizen. many a
%drunkard, many a penitentiary con
yict.
These are the first steps towards
making home a place to love. a place
to be drawn TO. TO cling TO. TO refuse
to emigrate from. 10 work for. and. if
need be. to die for. Make Yourself
loveabie and respectable. and your
home. your husbands and children's
home will be like you. G.. L. 5.
One hundred and fifty women were