The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-05-10
LECTURE TO YOUNG WOMEN.
Subject-''The Coming Woman"

| lecture to the young men OF our cOngfe-
CATION on "The Coming Man. And
since we would not for anything pass by
the other side of the house unnoticed, we
are here tonight to remember them with
lecture on "The Coming Woman" BY
the coming woman we mean she who will
rank high both in the mind of God and In
the estimation of the world twenty-five
years in the future. For we know that
| twenty-five years of care and work, is a
very severe test on ones womanhood, and
in that time every mask of deception will
| be lifted, and the woman will shine forth
just as she is. A young woman's virtues
are her twelve disciples. And if among
these graces that adorn her character
there is one false disciple, before twenty
five years have passed away, it will have
proven itself false. But if her character
is made up only of virtues, twenty-five
years of hard testing will only rank her
the higher. In addressing the young
women of our congregation, we are re-
minded of the prominence that is assign
ed to woman in the bible. We would not
forget that illustrious woman Deborah, a
judge, a prophecies and warrior, who so
gloriously led Gods people to victory.
Neither would we forget that praying
trusting mother in the temple, there upon
the altar consecrating her child to God,
and leaving him there with the aged
priest to grow up in the temple, till God
should make him great judge in Israel.
While now the angels are singing their
favorite song of GLORY to GOD in the
highest" we would be introduced to
Mary, who was "most highly favored
among women" whose lot it was to be
the mother of the worlds Redeemer.
And then we will go to the cross, and we
will find this same highly favored woman
there, and we will hear Jesus addressing
her in that tenderest and sublimest word
"Woman." And early in the morning on
the first day of the week, we will meet
the faithful women Of old on their way to
the sepulchre, bringing with them their
sweet spices that they might anoint him.
They were the faithful ones, the last at
the cross and the first at the sepulchre,
but they found it empty. They saw Jesus
and communed with him. And their
spices not needed at the sepulchre, seem
to have spent their perfume on those who
brought them, for ever since that day
there has been a new fragrance in the
word Woman By these things we are
reminded that the bible gives woman a
very exalted position. But we are here
tonight to consider the subject of women
as they are, and to indulge some thoughts
of what they may be and what they will
be. The leading thoughts to which we
invite attention in the consideration of
this subject, are, The Sphere of Woman,
Domestic Culture, Mind Culture, Heart
Culture, and Soul Culture
First then we come to notice the sphere
Of aOonlG7a, which is a very much discussed
question, and upon which the world has
never reached any definite. conclusion.
conclusion, by way of limiting or setting
bounds to the exact sphere of woman,
any more than it is possible to mark out
the boundary lines of the sphere of man.
There is no iron rule that in either case
can be applied to set bounds to the sphere
to say "Thus far shalt thou come and no
farther
If however we are after facts instead
of pursuing theories and fancies, it may
be stated as matter of fact that the
main sphere of usefulness in which wo-
man shines most brightly and blesses the
world most, is in the home as the head
of a., Nj;
ther is this narrow limited sphere, since
good homes must be the basis of all good
government, and of all successful life in
this world and the next. Out beyond the
home circle, woman has very important
field of usefulness in society, where she
circle, and where the touch Of her power
and influence for God and the right on all
social questions, may make society better
and purer.
The women of the nation have very
much to do in molding the national char
acter. The question of placing in wo-
mans hands the ballot, is an unsettled
question which we are not here to dis
cuss. But whether she wields the ballot
or not no one can doubt but that her in.
fiuence is an important factor in national
affairs.
While womans main field of usefulness
has been and will probably continue to be
in the home circle and in the humber
walks of private life, there is no rule of
which we know that forbids her entering
public life, when she feels her call of duty
in that direction. And the fact that
some women have been greatly success
full in public life, would seem to argue
that woman is sometimes called to great
public field of usefulness. For instance
we have known some women who have
had remarkable success in the business
world. We have known some women
who have been in very high degree sue
cessful in the practice of medicine. We
have in mind number of instances
where women have succeeded in the min
istry, and where their preaching has been
sealed with many saved souls. We know
of one woman who Is an eloquent pleader
at the bar and has great influence in the
| courts. While a great many women have
made their mark high in the literary
world, and their books are among the
choicest writings in literature.
Woman has had great field of useful
ness opened up to her in the moral world,
and in this sphere of her womanhood has
she blessed humanity. Her uncompro-
missing convictions of right on the great
moral questions that agitate the state and
nation, prove many times a SAVIOR Of life
to rescue society from the compromising
spirit that would sell out right at the pal
try price of sin, and would surrender up
principle at the demand Of policy. For
iDCtapoo in tho oraot ton,Doranoa iScua