Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-06-07
stanton Female Seminary.
SERMON BY REV. J. I. MILE 4

p
The commencement sermon of the staunton
night in the Hall of that Institution by the
Principal-Rev. J. I. Miler-and, like others
which he has delivered on similar occasions, it
was exceedingly appropriate. The main object
ofthe sermon was to show the blessings, social,
domestic, intellectual, and moral, which the
gospel had conferred upon woman, and the con-
sequent obligations she was under to do all that
she could for Christ. The subject was the loving
act of Mary in pouring precious ointment on
the head of Jesus. and the text was: Matthew
XVI, Beverly say unto you, wheresoever
this gospel shall be preached in the whole
world, there shall also this, that this woman
has done. be told for memorial Other"
Marble and bronze statues are reared to per-
petuate the names of men-but these memo
rails perish with time. The hest memorial is
that enshrined in the grateful hearts of loving
people. The memory of Washington will be
green and fresh after the monuments of marble
erected in his honor have crumbled into dust
What Mary did-her motive being love-will
live as long as time.
Before the dawn Of the Christian era,-before
the gloom andidarkness. of Paganism, which en-
shrouded the world like a pail, was dispelled by
the sun of righteousness, the lot Of woman was
| ~ eaeu Out,-pub llLJle D0GL6r IMAM G0at OF CQe
brute of the field.
In heather lands at this day woman had no
social recognition or position. After the Arab
men and their sAves have eaten, then the
women are permitted to eat. No religion can
bless woman as Christianity does. We are too
apt to forget the source OF our blessings-even
those of secular character. In her domestic
relations. Chris ianity enables woman to occu-
py her proper position. Her septre is love: her
throne, the heart; her kingdom. home. It is in
the home that woman reigns; and it Is there
that her affections are developed. and find graf
1acation. But in Pagan lands there IL no home
in the full sense Of that term.
Christianity has done much for the intellec-
tual Improvement of the whole race, hut espec-
Tally of woman. Whether the mind Of woman
be equal to that of man, may be questioned, but
yet 1t is true that there are no heights on the
hills of science which woman has not scaled
and no avenues of learning she.has not trav-
ersed.
Christianity recognizes the proper moral re-
lationship of woman, and places her upon a
moral equality with man. In heather lands
she is not considered a moral belng-hOw very
different in Christian lands, where she as well as
he is recognized as an heir ofimmortality. The
moral influence upon the world which woman
eXertS Is DeyOnQ calcu1atlOn. Ii the WOrlO Snall
ever be evangelical. 1t will be chiefly through
the agency Of woman, and the resistless pow err
of the light she reflects as it flashes out from
the cross The world is hundred fold better
than it would be, If the influence Of woman
were not exerted. The education of the nur-
sery. though 1t be, like the rner-stOne of a
structure, hidden and overlooked yet it deter
mines the destiny of nations, and man, society
the State. and the world, just what women
makes them.
In closing, the Principal urged upon his pu-
pills the obligations they were under-in view
of what Chrisanity had done for their sex-to
do all that was in their power for Cnrist-to
consecrate their lives to his service-to lay al
upon the altar for Him who had redeemed
them-to give themselves wholly to the Lord.
The closing exercises of this session of this
school Twill take place -day-Tuesday-I
com mencing at 10 O'Clock, A. NJ. The annual
address will be delivered by Rev. Tkos M.
Boyd. Pastor of Mt. Horeb church, in this ccun-
y. All who wish to attend are invited to do SO.