The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-10-20

in the memories of the Church. That which
gave to Ruth, the Mnahitcss, an aroma whose
fragrance has outlasted the GhnnGcs OF lhree &c
sweetness in the 1owly valley; ana beautllu
the rose which blooms in the garden OF spices
But iaircr and far more beautiful to look up
on is she whose heart Is early Watered oy tne
dews of the Spirit. and whose life is but re-
Election of that or Jesus! Whctheryo call hel
"sister," "daughfpr" or "wife," she adornt
the household where she dwells-its brightest
jewel Her chill ldren ari up, ana cali nel
blessed her husband also, and he praisetl
her" "Favor is deceitful, and beauty Is val2
but woman that feareth the Lord, she shai
be praised"
SOME OF THE DUTIES WHICH YOUNG LADIES
OWE TO OUR SAVIOUR.
II. Please now TO consider, in the next
place, some OF the duties which Christian
young ladies owe to the Saviour. a..
lst. And the first to be mentioned is, thI
exercise of that influence forEood which Gou
commentator of the Catholic Church conies
not from her popcs, or priests, or cardinals, OF
confeSsionals, but from the loving labtrs o.
her "SiStcrs of Charity" Their influence Is
simply powerful, and finds its way to many q
heart. When you see them in the sick room
and hospitals as nurses; on the field OF battle
caring for the wounded and dyins-when
you sec them providing for homeless orphans,
and drying their tears; visiting the aims
houses and prisons, to alleviate SUFFERING
you are constrained to give them the plaudit
Of "well done" But IL is not for cloiSterS, or
nunnerics, or wells of celibacy, that l plead:
but for the earnest and decided influence OF
Christian young ladies, put forth in the be.
half of Jesus. An Influence that can make IT
self felt at all times and under all circun
stances. They can affect many whom no one
else can reach. They can accomplish much
where church authority seems impotent:
Take, p. o.. that hotly.contcsted field be-
tween the church uuU Luo Worl9-the rail-
room. If they would not engage In II fewer
scandals would come upon the cause OF Ghrist s
would make it Il point to abiure the dance,
our Christian young men would hardly en-
gage in it. A word from them would he om-
snPelS would take BART in It. II the Christian
young lady of his love should request him to
give it up. Here their influence is almost STU
prcme. Upon them, thcrc:or", rests largely
the responsibility VI ptrpctu"ting t:.:ls
Again, young ladies should exert their infll-
ence i'm preserving the sanctity of our Chris
tian Sabbaths. They should scrupulousily
a, old entertaining company OF the LorHs
sen. The Lord has said, "Remcmber the Sab
bath day to keep 1t holy" No young lady,
therefore, has the right 10 set that command
AS defiance or TO encourage It's violation by
young men. No right 10 desecrate its sacred
hours hy parior entertainments. or pleasure
drives ON the streets, or strolltngs about FOR
pastime. No, nor have they u right to pro-
fame Gods house by introducing there the
habits Of the theatre and the opera, and by
laughing, whispering and talking there as
they would at other places OF public resort.
God is exceedingly Jealous OF His own sweet
day of rest, and will certainly visit It's VIOLA
tion with marks OF his dispieature. SuHoatn,
day courtships are almost sure TO he followed
by trouble. Where they eventuate In mar
riage, the results. II only known TO the pub
lie, would he such as to bring the practice 10 a
speedy end. Let yoHr Influence, which Is SO
potent for good or evil, be exerted for Jesus.
and not ngainSi him.
End. A second duty is to receive ana oncy
the special injunctions of Gods Word touch
younger women" He has been pleased to
record number of these TO aid you in order
ing your steps Alright. \ few WI! nave
to suffice to night as samples OF all. Ere call
ing attention to them, permit Inc To- say by
way of preface, that no one abhorS ana repro
bates more emphaticaily the practice OF these
who hold up To ridiculc the bcSctting sins ana
peculiar intirn,ities cf young women. IL Is
something too base and ,ntcmptible even To
notice. With God as my Judge. ! shall al
Jude To them only in the spirit Of the Master,
and with the earnest hope that it may result
In benefit TO them.
AseUT DRESS.
The frs. injunction relntes TO adrcss." Here
It Is. ms pcnned by the Holy Ghost Himself:
"In like manner also, that women adorn
themselves in modest apparel, with sham",
fcedness and sobricty; not with braided
hair. or gold. or pearls, or costly array; but
(Which hecoineth women protesting godli-
neSs) with good works." The idea is, and II is
a most beautiful one that good works." Ia;
hors of lcre and piGty, are the greatest and
grandeSt adornments of the female sex New
or docs woman appear more like her Divine
original and never does her character seem
half so beautiful, as when engaged In these
labors of love. 1t is then that she is looked
upon rs n miniStering angel, then that her
influence Is felt in it's real power, and calls
forth upon itself the bcnedlctions of all.
GOOD WORKS ADoRN THE SOUL.
"Good works" are the adornments OF the
soul, which shall survive when the boly per-
ishcs. DRESS" Is only the adjournment OF the
hody, which IS soon 10 crumble and be
eaten Of worms. It,: therefore, can ney'
God meant for woman: IT can never
give to her the grace, and charms, and power
for good which render her the object of uni
verSi,l regard Originally, when given to our
badge of shame. 1t therefore should never bc
exalted into an idol, to receive the proinl'
nencc now given II.
THE DISPLAY OF FINERY IN TIE CHURCH
HAS DRIVEN THE POOR FROM TIE
HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
That was sad day for the cause of Christ
principal preparation for the house Of God
When people .drpssed" for the church as for
the opera or the drawing-room! For with the
"drcsS" of these, came also their manners anu
naughty bearing, the Indifferent attention,
the tendency to regard preaching as but q
performance, and the desire to seek in IL not
profit, but entertain nmcnt. In this way the
simplicity Of Gods house has disappeared
until now there Is In It's stead n display OF
tinery that rivals the most brilliant assem-
blagcS in the landi In consequence. the poor
are forsaking the sanctuary their natural
delicacy shrinking from The unequal compe-
tition. The sacrifice they are thus forced tC
make is surely too great to be required al
their hands. even the sacrifice OF the princi-
pnl means of SraGe 1t souls perish IN IN comSs sm,Se
ones door. The "drcSs' of all Christians
should be modest" neat and clean. Beyond
this simple gospel rule lies region beSet
with dangers, where many have made ship
wreck OF their souls.
TIE soBERNEss WHICH ADoRNs THE FE
MALE MIND.
Another Injunction is, to "teach the young
women to be sober, discreet, ch0Slc
keepers at home.n This Is repete with wis
all who nrc worldly-mint'ed indeed. Gayety i:
the bcse!ting sin Of the young. Hence Chris
says, "tcach them to he sober" They need Il
be taught this lesson just Ms children
write; and for the same reason, 1t does no.
come TO them spontaneously. 1t has to bC
drilled into them.
Gayely units them for the more rcsponsi
Bile concerns of life. IT gives diStastc for tbt
Bible and secret prayer. ltkcepS open dan
gerous avenne to temptation. 1t destroys ST.
riOuS Impressions, tends to grieve away the
Holy Ghost and thus cndangcrs salvation
"reach them to be sober. discreet. chaStc
Keepers ut home" Each of these points dc
serves to he brought out, and pressed homo