Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-04-02
Written for the ACE,
WOMAN.

her price IL above rubies I King Aolo
mon the author Of the above words seem
ed 10 have no faith IN the goodness OF lh
female sex, or he never would have aske'
the above question, We know, ny friends
that IN those days Of Ignorance, befor'
Christianity had shed her mild beams up
on the earth, the women were but littl'
superior 10 the beasts Of the field, a. faI
~ wisdom and knowledge were concern
cd, They knew nothing Of virtue ant
pieiy, but were kept IN the most pFofbunt
ignorance by their lords and masters
Can we wonder that IN their ignorance
they should have rushed down some Of
the many paths that led their way IA
crime and degradation Their spirit
had been 80 Inundated and debased, by
q sense Of inferority, by man, tho proud
lord Of creation, that, that proud inde'
pendence which formed the main pillar OF
virtue hal been shaken down and lay Ia
ruins, and woman, the pride and orna'
ment OF our age, was sunk Into pre-
carIous aud yagabond existence, while
rcpinlng In hopeless poverty, u eanker OF
the mind unknown In civilized life, had
corroded her spirits aud bllgh'cd every
free aud noble quality OF her nature
This was the condition Of the women OF
olden times they were only machines
that went ut the wills OF men, being their
slaves and servants, II our author had
been an old bachelor, ] should not have
wondered at the question, but being a
many years. with wives and coneubines
without number, do wonder At the Ques-
tIon, unless he was ashamed Of the wicked
life he had led and wished to attach to the
women the cause, But how IL II with
woman now 7 She now stands forth a.
an equal, and In many instances superior
to her lord aud master, Her lofty scntl.
mcnts, purity Of taste, and simple but
steadfast piety, has already done much
towards redeeming the world from vice
and wickcdness. But whence came this
change It was Christianity aud cduca'
ton that raised her from degradation and
placed her by the side Of man and bid him
love, honor, and respect her. 1t also
taught him to treat her as companion
and equal A pure and noble woman ~
the masterpiece Of creation, and the most
perfect Image Of our Creator, here below.
How exalted and tender Is the love she
inspires, while man, proud naughty man,
becomes dazzled by her magic spell, and
willingly bows his head beneath her mild
and gentle sway. When in company and
IN conversation with u virtuous and noble |
woman, holy JOY pervades my soul, and
my spirit seems to be lifted up above tie
groveling things Of earth into that higher
life, until am led to exclaim, surely there |
are women whose price Is fur above
rubes. Who hath found vlrtuous wo.
man We, my friends, have found many
Of them in our age, and their influence Is
fast dispeling the gloom that surrounds
us, and opening up q brighter, happier
day, by teaching the world lesson OF
trust and love. During my life / have
met with many women, whose hearts
were oyerhowing with love to God and
man, and who were ever devising means
for meliorating human misery, for re-
forming the profigate, and leading all
within the sphere of their influence into
paths Of pie:y and peace. Again, l have
met with those who had devoted the best
part of theirllves, in endeavorlng to make
their sex more virtuous and lovely. They
exerted their whole influence in striving
to lift their sex above the vain and frivol-
GUS things of this life into that higher
life of joys celestial. If King Solomon
had lived in this age, he would have said,
we have found many virtuous women,
and their price is above many rubies.-
TO the ladies l would say few Words
! know that there are some among you
whose shoes am not worthy to unloose:
yet trust you will not be offended, il
endeavor to impress upon your minds
few truths in regard to the making ola
noble and virtuous woman. First: love.
Woman was made to love, and her love Is
more pure, holy, and gentle than the love
Of man. Therefore love should be the
of life-loye to God, and love
to man. And remember that in order to
love God YOU must sincerely and truly
love your fellow man, and exert your in
f1uepce to make his life more useful and
Finally, let your light so shine
in your daily walk, and in your dealings
with the world, that many may be led to
see the beauties Of your life, and say with
one Of old, "Many daughters have done
but thou excellest them all"