The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-06
The Latter-Day woman.

Written for the Sunday Journal.
The latter-dsy woman exists in tens, hun
dreds, thousands. ten thousands.
She moves. thinks. works. sympathizes and
consoles in platoons
offered herself as sacrifice upon the altar OF her
country.
She has organized herself to death. She speaks
through president and secretary.
Is any afflicted or bereavedl She condoles
with him through the newspapers in along draft
of resolutions signed by the secretary.
is he sick or impoverished DE 10 waited upon
by q committee bearing soup and sympathy.
Does he stand ia need of help In overcoming
evil habits and encouragement in climbing the
upward path Of life! There are tracts innumer-
able for him, issued by order of the president
Does he crave intellectual companionshipf
Let him visit O sorosis or attend an art lect-
Does his soul long for music to quiet the rest
less pulse of care!D
The Matinee Musicale will receive him on
stated occasions.
Like Victor Hueo's devil fish, with its
thousand arms. she reaches in every direction.
Even the far islands of the sea are brought
within the scope of her influence. In purpose
she 10 lofty, in affection broad. in will indomita-
BILE, In labor indefatgable. With eyes fixed on
visions in the illimtable future IL is not strange
that she should overlook the stranger who sits
next her In church, and forget to extend her
hand with word of welcome.
How can grand creature struggling to recon-
strucr the world think to offer a seat in her car
rage to the overworked seamstress in hor house,
or the tired clerk who passes her dailyg
how can she find time TO take friendly In
terest IN the domestics Of her household while
a whole convention is waiting for her TO assist
az ~
womsnl
how can she pause long enough to entertain
tue homeless student. struggling for an educa-
ton, while whole union" demands her assist
ancs IN discussing and resoluting against the
evils OF intemperancep and the harm resulting
from the use of tobaccol
Or to extend the hospitality Of her home to
'ne weary teacher sinking beneath her weight OF
responsibility. while South Sea islander may
% perishing for the bread of lifei
one shcdders to think what would be the con-
sequences 10 the world If this msry-in-one
conan should suddenly resolve herself into her
originai atoms, and become q committee Of one
20 view lie through her own eyes, and carry
nope ana happiness to mankind as individuals,
instead or IN the lump. Wouid society totter to
us foundations. aud riot and ruin be esta
but why contemplate an event so unlikely "a
nappeni Does she not become daily moro and
more complex-until We see, at no very distant
oay, the whole world girdled with ORGANIZATIONS
which shall fash resolutions from San Francis
co to Japan, from Japan TO San Francisco, with
the rapidiiy Of lightning. while tracts shall be
scsItered ike snowfAkes upon the islands Of the
Atlantic and Paeiicl
constellation after constellation rises into view,
Al revolving round q central suu--the lesser
hents shining with the rehected rays of this
ereat numinary Surely the light of the latter
cav women Is not hid under bushsL
Esery talent, every accomplishment il In full
osp'ay; IL she has mono of her own, che shines
with borrowed lusrre.
But TO shine is her mission.
One grows little weary sometimes contsm-
piannf her glory, and falls to thinking, with 4
'onsh OF regret. OF the woman Of by-gons days.
Inc woman who didn't shine so brightly,
ous rno mad way OF creeping into the heart
ana building herself shrine there
Inc woman who wasn't In hurry: bat picked
her way leisurely along lsfs's pathway. and
di''nt mako business Of doing good aud saving