Wichita eagle., 1888-12-26
Written for the Eagle.
wOMAN'S INFLUENCE.

There ara many causes which assist in
facilitating or impeding tie progress of
the-tide of human life, but there is no
one influence SO potent as that exerted
by true woman. She has ever been
the first in all loving enterprises willing
mot to sacrifice others but herself that
good might result.
Through the long vista of time is still
borne to us in well remembered tones,
Earliest at the grave" Yet can we
wonder as one author has beautifully ex-
pressed it:
"True sister of the Son of Man,
True sister of the Son of God,
What marvel that she heads the van
OF those, who Gin the path He trod),
Still bear the cross and wear the ban"
In the "home circle" quietly she
moves about, ministering TO the wants
of those around her, now assisting a
brother, relieving the sorrows of sister.
supporting a mothers uncertain steps.
OF rendering tranquil and happy an aged
fathers declining years.
Who has not felt the influence
III IlOlltls ~ 10 HIS llOb OFTEN
looked back with pleasure to those even
Ings of infancy, when he knelt with
elapsed hand before her and softly hsped
"OW Father" It may be that mothers
voice has long been silent, but her men,
Dry is still fresh, and if there be one
shrine in the heart untarnished by the
dust of time, it is the altar erected to her
remembrance. Though silent, she vet
bpeaketh," and yields an influence no
other can exert.
We have seen how great the influence
ofwOman when deeds of kindness andlove
form the well spring of her heing, but it
is not less potent, when she, drawn aside
from the way of uprightness, seeks to
lure others in the same path. See how,
through the influence of one woman, led
astray and beguiled by the serpent. siudg-
ment has been visited ON the whole hu-
man race, and though small in compari-
son, still, at the present day, You NAV
see wherever you turn the result of
womans influence when vitiated.
The hands that bear the tempta-
ton lend an additional charm
10 its gilded brig htness, and because en-
ticing words are spoken by a womans
lips they become more poisonous. and at
last more deeply enStamp ruin on their
unwarned victim. After considering
this can we doubt the power of woman's
influence?
Some pirate of female suffrage and
claim she should have a larger sphere of
action place her upon an equal with
man. they say. All! place her upon an
equal with man and see how long she
Will hold the position, and WELD the
influence she now possesses. 1t is
The idea of her dependence on
man, and the obligation she
feels IN consequence, that gives
woman the place she now occupies. In
The place they would give her, with all
her most untring efforts she could only
succeed IN tiitering here little and there
a little. in the active stream of human
life. But leave her within the precincts
Of home, there let her good influence be
telt. If al every fireside there breathes
In air of culture ana peace-if home as
.he fountain be kept pure, the streams
thereof must also be pure.
Let greatness of mind and nohleness.
Their seat in her build lovliestn
So shall her influence be felt and
Acknowledged, and it shall be hers.
''On every heart TO grave her praise,
A monument which worth alone can
praise"
Wichita, Kan. LYDIA L. BLUMER.