Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-01-20
[ Written for the Beacon)
u Il II ia.
BIT ERIE.
CHAPTER X.


Far down through the dim light Of
the middle ages, we see woman branded
with the curse of God, eating with man
the fruit of labor and sorrow. For a
short time his companion and helper,
but as man walked farther and farther
from the Everlasting Light, soon be-
coming his servant. Women were con-
tent thus. They had no knowledge OF
better condition, and the men, TO
Justify themselves for the degraded po-
sitlon assigned to woman, taught the
doctrine that only manly souls were ad-
mitted among the immortals. Was it
wonder, then, that they had none -
After being reduced to mental barren
ness, 1t is almost a miracle to see their
present enlightened condition.
Hers is the rich ore far down in the
newly opened mine, not yet brought to
the surface; his, the NINE worked tor CEN
tunes, at first, it is true, with the clumsy
machinery of the ancients: later, with all
the ingenious devices of modern science
rapidly perfecting the ores for com
--asRerees -As-fnan became more enhght-
ened, he tried TO delude this precious
indulgence, that was fit only to fawn
on and pamper him into the belief that
the highest aim woman should have
was to make men happy.
Many believed, and even now, there
are still some devotees at that shrine,
who bow more devoutly to the image
of their Maker than TO their Maker
himself; who, because they are not
able to elevate their souls to a coucep-
ton OF the Infinite, worship the finite
Women, from their lack OF strength
and the power the stronger has over the
weaker, were, for long time, excluded
from affairs of any Importance, Blu: the
tide has now turned in her favor
Man intellect has developed sufficient
ly to see that such restriction is as in
furious to himself as to her. And who
would injure himself?
His superior culture requires that she
with whom he IS so intimately assocIa-
ted, shall be has equal. All, there is
the secret! Mans and woman's intel
lccts are equal. He has greater strength,
and concentrates his purpose on some
one aim for years She traes, plays,
and concentrates her thoughts on moth
ing, except, perhaps, how to "captivate
a husband"
1t needs no prophets eye 10 foresee
the result. ] imagine two pupils, side
by side in school; one working with, the
other without, an object. We would
have no hesitancy in deciding at once
who would have the superior mind when
the Ultima Thule of school life was
reached. Years before he leaves col.
lege, or considers himself fitted to min
gle with cultured men, she has settled
down" and is already beginning to think
the world weary place, because she
has found the object OF her pursuitto be
human, and herself bereft of higher in
centive to press onward. Woman has
wide fields of enterprise, but with the
womanly instinct of curiosity, early de-
veloped in the Garden of Eden, and with
a generosity also characteristic of those
primitive times, wishes 10 share with
him, not now the apple, but the common
occupations of daily life. This last
morsel is not so palatable, and man en-
deavors to reject the bitter ashes OF this
Sodom apple.
Man has gone before and beaten a
solid path for woman to tread in. Let
her walk in it, and the knowledge
gained by men will steady her footsteps;
but let her also fit herself for positions
of trust, and not stand in the ridiculous
posture Of the worlds laughing stock
by claims to rights Tor which she has
no capacity. Was there ever such an
anomaly seen as man who despised a
thoroughly capable woman Sister