The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-24

the Tabernacle Last Evening
Ideal Womanhood" was the theme of sermoa
of much interest by Rev. j. Albert Rondthalei
last evening at the Tabernacle Church. Thu
text of his discourse was from the fourteentt
chapter of st. Mark. eighth verse; "She hath
done what she could, which was said of Nary
the sister of Lazarus, whom Christ raised from
the dead.
Large sympathy. brave-hearted devotion
ouickness of intention to do the best thing
at the right time, wise discrimination in using
the best means for the accomplishment of
high law, are some of the lessons, Mr. Rond
thaler said taught young women in the quiel
after.6inner scene in Simons house. To do thai
which in your measure is possible is the highesi
attainment in lfe 1t dignfes womanhood
as we'll as manhood. 1t lifts thought and pur
pose out of shallow frivolity and embarks life
upon the deep stream of duty and responsibility.
The important place given to this woman not
only in the Bible history, the weaving of her act
into the heart of the gospel aud the recognition
Christ gave her is indicative of the place
and blessing woman occupies by virtue or
the introduction of Christianity into
the world and the consequent Christian
civilization. Among the nations of antiquity.
before this advent of Christianity, and contem-
poraneous with 1t, the place of women was most
contemplate. In the Oreek Culture Sne WAS tho
abiect slave of man. Among the Romans.
though she was somewhat more highly honored.
vet she destitute of those rights which are
freely accorded her now. She could hold no prop
erty; she was not the mistress of her own actions:
she had no right to independent thought and
decision; and if you will compare the place or
honor held by women in Christian countries with
their abject and contemplate condition among
the heather of to day, you cannot but lay an ad-
ditional psalm of thanksgiving at the feet of Him
who first stood forth in the defense of your sex,
with these divine words of protection: Let her
alone; che hath done what she could"
Looking out on the worlds progress it is cause
for con graduation to you, young women, that you
are living in an age and under the impetus of a
gospel which is doing much to ennoble and dignity
the life of woman More and more does the
world recognize her great powers and large Ca
pacities. She has not yet demonstrated all that
she can do, for the world is a very sensitive
world and very much afraid that she is going
too far. and so hampers her yet with the letters
of conservatism, entangles her yet in the meshes
of sophistry, imprisons her yet in the walls OF
custom. But in spite ofloppostion, woman Is
proving her abilities never before. She ID
demonstrating that she is worth more than a
mere ornament to society. toy to amnse for the
hour. parlor knick-knack or the dull drudge OF
the kitchen.
Great changes have been going on in these
later years A generation ago the higher educa-
ton of women was chimera if here and there
one arose above her sisters it was by the sheer
sell educated if she would reach out beyond the
accom- pishments which the female seminary
gave. The university hall and college lecture
room were barred against her. She could not
measure strength with the masculine mind, or,
the argument ran "You will destroy her woman
illness if you cast her with the wild. rough life OF
the college," But day Oxford, In England,
and our own Harvard, in America with many
other schools of lesser note have thrown down
the bars and women have proved themselves in
every way competent TO cope with the masculine
mind in mastering the most abstruse subjects,
and every now and then she arouses little in
dignation in daring to be so bold so unwomanly
as to carry off the honors.
AS concerns the preservation of her womanli.
ness she not only is not overcome, but has by
her dignity, her womanly demeanor, created an
atmosphere of true geDtility and decency where
before there was much inexcusaole rudeness, NOT
to say anything of vulgaritv.
So as to the question of womans share in the
affairs of state in the full rights of citizenship
There has been remarkable progress. The laws
of one hundred years ago. that did little better
than class her with goads and chattels have been
purified until they extend their protecting arms
over her more and more, recognize her rights
and privileges. and give her more of that COM
mon justice that belongs to all Gods children
alike. Further advance will come as sure as the
world moves Conservatism holds back for
time, but the world is young yet and breaks
away from conservatism in the end. In Holland
already women vote on property qualifications.
plexon of scnool boards. The whole question
settles itself in my mind in the inherent sense
of fair play. Objection on the ground OF indet-
icacy makes one blush to even suggest it. be-
!ieve that indelicacy is not a matter of sex.
What is indicate for woman ought to be for q
man ANY man ought to be ashamed to do what
his mother. and wife, and daughter would be
ashamed to do. If it is indicate for woman
to 60 to the polls and decide who shall govern
and who shall make laws, then 1t 10 so for any
fpuo w
her work and forsake her household duties, am
not afraid of that Do we do itg 1t takes me
just about one hour every year, all told, to do my
voting I might do it in half that time. am
not afraid that womanly instinct. and womanly
conscientiousness, and womanly conservation to
home that has b zen ingrained into the ages by
God will suffer oy giving her the right TO decide
who shall guide the affairs of state. As to ca
pacity in deciding upon the merits of political
questions, true man, who has had the influence
of mothers education upon him, bushes seven
to suggest the question.
To the honor of your sex let it be said that
you have before you, in the records of history,
a most noble array of women. who, fully appre-
cating their womanhood, have taken high places
In the worlds culture, the worlds work, and the
advancement of the Christian kingdom. God
has thought proper to mention In Ills word,
with honorable commentator. many holy
women whose lives displayed the excellence OF
religion, and whose zeal IN duty, frmness in
suffering and intrepidity in danger entities them
to the rank of those of whom the world was
not worthy. And outside of Gods Bible, but in
the line of the development of Gods providence,
there is a noble array OF women whose devotion
to duty. endurance of trial, high aspiration or
aim. great reach of accomplishment, are in every
way worthy of your study. Their lives are
full of inspiration. See what array Of tai
ent, what record of accomplishment, what
a multiplicity of attainments have been
displayed by the women of the world. The
sweet life of Lady Jane Grey is no doubt
familiar to you. cast, as it was. in the rude.
bloody times of cruel age. Yet, In spite OF the
hindrances of circumstances she developed
fine mind and large heart At hfteen, she
spoke Greek, Latin, italian and French with
ease and correctness and had no inconsiderable
knowledge of Hebrew, Chaldaic and Arabic. And
of all the blood that drenched the floors of the
Tower of London. none flowed purer than hers;
OF all the heads that were laid upon the cruel