The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-11

We wish now to say woru OF TWO
about the course our young women
should take in human affairs. Let
them be modest by all means, but let
them be active. They not be aggressive
in an offensive sense. Indeed. they
must not be this il they would belnilu-
entail. Woman is never SO potent as
when she is apparently impOtont. When
she is weak. then Is she strong. Oi
course. this ~ true OF men also IN
spiritual serse. and that Is precisely
why IL must be true Of women all the
time. Her spiritual nature ought
always to be dominant. TINS Is the
source of her most potent influence.
As a religious helper. therefore, she
can do most good. Even III the home
circle. where every true aspiration has
It's birth. her spiritual power should as
scrt itself to It's fullest capabilitY. And
j, Is lust here IN the home circle where
the Influence Of our young wcinen
must first of all be- felt II they succeed
in dischargug the obligations which
their positions undoubtedly force upon
them. They should seek 10 make home
happy. If they have brothers they
should endeavOr TO make these brothers
realize that there is truly no place
like home. But even outside Of the
home circle our young women may be
useful We are convinced
that very generally their great power
has not been understood or appreciated
in our churches and chapcls. In many
of these Young women are only suit
able 10 help sing, or 10 fill up places IN
the Bible-ci3sses or Sunday schools.
But they ought TO become teachers. &C
tive workers. and thoroughly coDse-
Grated helpers M every direction where
woman IS work may be made available.
II is true that many women are
teachers i'm our Suuday-schools, but
they should bee teachers also in the great
social circle, i'm which they are special
~ az home. We have very little hope
for that class OF women who seem 10 as
pre- TO fill positions which are not suit
ed 10 them. In America woman Is posi-
ton Is somewhat different from what II
i8 in older countries. Here women
have freely entered hearty all the pro-
fess.Ous. and in some Of these they
have succeeded to "A reasonable degree.
but il D, generally considered by those
who are thoughtful Observers Cf the
growth OF our civilization that this ten
deucy of women To force themselves
into unnatural positions is Lot alto
geDher q healthy sign. We are not
pleading for any obtrusiveuess of on
Young on ola women. but We DO claim
that they have not yet eZerted the
whole extent of their influence upon
our religious. social and political dc.
vel0pmcnt. simply because they have
not been permitted To- occupy such q
position "a. they are capable OF taking.
The importance of neat and tasteful
h0usc-drcs sing cannot De Overe,timaieG.
The matron VINO appears before the
members of the family IN "a shabby,
soilcd wrapper. and makes the excuse
If indeed sine takes the trouble To make
one 40 all--t'at "it is SO much more
comfortable. has little idea Oi tire pos
,ib.e consequences Of such course.
Could sine but realize that her
dress is am evil example to her
daughters, and one productive Of
consequences that Will reach far beyond
her own span If life: that her husband
and sons cannot tail to draw compari-
Sons between her dress and that Of the
ladies' thcy meet in other homes, ana
lhal these comparisons cannot fail 10 de-
crease their respect for her. She might
be induced tO give moie attention to
her personal appearance. Not even tne
burden OF care and constant employ
mtnt can furnish sufficient excuse
for careless personal habits, for few
thing- are more important GO the we'll
being of q family. There Is an old say
ing t0 the ofIo ct that au untidy mother
has disObcIicnl children and Whllt
neither parents nor caliiicn may
realize the why and wherefore ~ d.,
vet there is always lack If respect
and au Indifference 90 the authority OF
"a mother who takes 80 pride m hel
personal appearance. And 1t is not the
mother alone upon whose shoulder.
rests the burden of responsibility for
home ueatuc-5 aud order IN dress, the
father has bis duties to look after "a.
well. and should never fail 20 insist
upon the younger members of th,
family presenting themselves Will
wcll-kept hands. clean faces neatly
brushed hmr. and orderly dress, al
least at every meal where the family
assemble.
There are thousand of women whOar'
wasting the present because they thiul
the real happiness Of their life i5 still u
the future. They ta5e up no serloU
duties. they fix no serious affections
because hey think the time and be
object have not come. and perhaps the
never come. although opportunities 10
high aud noble and unwOrldl.
life crowd round them, and suci
opportunities oIer the only tru
happiness. II you are working 10
wards no higher end than earthi.
happiness it is hut low. mlserabl
kind of life after all. IL Is JIG
that viii never satisfy. You wan
something the world cannot give yo'
to make YOU rich and 20 make yo
happy. You want what YOU may hav
this very night. if YOU really desire II
I On the verauda Of pleasant resldeDc
at tine northern entrance o. the Sue
canal. says writer. once spent a de
lightul afternoon. Immediately belo'
was the wonderful highway of water
with noble steamship, passing TO an
fro, bound for distant parts
the world. whilst across Oh
narrow line stretched the va
expause Of sandy desert. Biddin
me Use and look in particula
direction. my kind host said: DO 70
see that lake. about q mile of, lOOsin
so inyi,iug;" Yes. well. rcJOine
he. there is not a drop of water nor
green spot there. There Is an ILLUSION
a mirage. IL was difficult 90 belie'
1t. But. sure enough. before half a
hour bad gone. the picture that locke
soreal had vanished. leaving nothing
its place but q waste of barren SANE
An. such and So ileeting are the fare
visions of the future that rise befo
Won. 80 long as religion ana selt-sacI
fee are unknown. But become trl
disciples of Him who served mankin
and your happiness is secure; your TO
tune Is made: all things must work &
gether for your good.-The Churchma
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
1t is the perversitv Of human natu
that makes the things Of mortal
go. T.. faH