St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-11-08

iOie pOlub is uSclitiuoSS- Ole
must have it for her first aim in life, tO
live for some worthy end, be as cor
ner stone in the temple of home and
society, in the real solid sense.
The Vicar of Wakefield was right
when he selected his wife as she Sc
lected her wedding gown: for qualities
that wear well. A piece of calico that
will not wash and wear well, is not
worth making up. Much harm has
been done by forgetting Gods order,
and putting the ornamental before the
useful-living first for dress and dis
play, for society and fashion, and throw
ing the dregs of IA spent life to duty.
But such life is failure, and no more
signally in anything than in happiness
itself--the very end for which the
choice of pleasure was made. The ship
that would not be wrecked must give
attention to ballast as well as sail.
The path of duty, as it comes to our
lot in life, is the path of happiness. 1t
may wear Il sober garb and look for
bidding at first. But life of simple
toi! at the service which God appoints
and sets before us here, if we take it up
in brave, true spirit, us our portion
in the word-something attempted and
something done every day-we shall
grow into strength and peace and happi-
ness, and all our own will come to us.
The path of duty is the path of safe
ty. There are a thousand pitfalls in
the way of pleasure-snares are set to
take the thoughtless feet. Harness the
steeds of self-indulgence to your chariot
and who can be sure to manage them ?
They have dashed myriads to ruin.
But in the way of usefulness there is
safety and protection.
The path of duty is likewise the path
of usefulness and salvation. Froude
says, "You cannot dream yourselves
into ii noble character-yOu must ham,
mel and forge yourselves one"
The first idea, therefore, of life for
daughters as well as for sons, is hat of
usefulness. Work is to he taken up us
ii divine mission, without shrinking.
Life is not ii summer holiday. The end
of all true education and culture is that
there may be preparation for life's holi-
days. Duties well done give us the
only right we have to holidays.
II-There is in the text the idea of
beauty as well as utility. That our
daughters may be as corner stones.
polished after the similitude of palace.
The corner stone, although chosen for
substantial service, is also to receive IL
finish and the tirmer and richer the
texture of the stone, the higher the
finish possible. 1t takes an earnest,
true character to receive il high polish
A soft, spongy, inefficient soul, given
up to the vanities, cannot be FURNISHED
into high moral and intellectual beauty,
any more than piece of chalk. The
more genuine the strength and useful
ness of the character, the finer the grain
of Christian life-the more beautiful
the Oruamentation it will receive. The
polish suggested and permitted by the
King of Israel is of the choicest and
finest order; not that which it's for the
ordinary positions of life, but that which
is adapted even to the courtesies and
amenities of Il palace.
Without the solid worth. character,
could not be for Il corner stone with
out the graceful carving and finish, it
could not be for Il palace. Both are
essential in order to the best results.
First the work, then the play-the use
full first as Il basis, then the ornamental {;
the firm texture, then the fine finish !;
the loaf first, afterwards the frosting.
The diligent and faithful service that
makes the corner stone is the ground
work of all true refinement and beauty.
He that eateth the bread of industry
shall stand before kings. So the daugh-
ters that are willing to begin 10y being
corner stones, shall end with the charm
of manner that fits for palace. Solid
qualities, therefore, for solid service,
and grace and elegance of culture for
beauty; this is the end of training for
daughters.
The useful is not less so because if
has the tracery of becoming ornament
The graceful ivy does not make the
church wall less strong, but it adds to
tirmness and strength Il winsomeness
that delights. The true Christian wO-
man, from the tineness of her nature,
can wreath homely work with sweet
ness of soul which pleases while it
profits, and throws charm and attrac-
tion around all she touches. If she is
merely practical, there is something
essentially wanting. We need more
than corner stones. # she has the
polish which is after the simiitude of il
palace, and that alone, she is only Il
doll-it is the frosting without the loaf.
1t is the glory of true womanhood
that it may possess both excellence and
beauty-the beauty heightened in i'll
terest because of the substantial ground
work out of which it springs, and the
practical excellence, enhanced by the
sweetness and light which weave their
r. oh
nOblest character and best deeds have
their roots in the union of these ele-
ments.
Thousands of polished daughters are
graduating during the school festivals
OF these summer days. Ought not So
ciety to be better? Who can reach, lis
woman can, all classes to benefit them,
and all vices to rebuke them Intem-
perance lives but by her permission :;
vanity and frivOlity would die the day
that she decreed it. Impurity asks
leave of her to be; all virtues and
graces come into new bloom at her
smile. Dark days in business grow
bright under her ministry. BY her love
the sick and sorrOwing, the poor and
the care-wOrn rise again. Are men
tempted, harrassed and discouraged,
she is the angel of their strength and
hope.
Dangers to society thicken in these
days. Life even is threatened. Proper
ty ut times is impeliled by the torch of
the communist. Trade has lost its an
clent integrity, and patriotism and
craftsmanship have parted with much
OF Their former purity and spirit of self
sacrifice. Crime abounds, and justice
has soiled its ermine. Widely we feel
the thrOes of upheaval.
Where shall we look for permanent
cureF Some would find it in military
force. But the sword only represses
the evil it does not heal il. 1t only