The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-07-03

Meta Walter of Waynesboro, Pa. Her
subject was "Historic Women"
We must be content with giving a
few only Of the many good things she
said
The good and the evil influences of
women have engraved upon the pages
Of history, name which time cannot
obliterate.
Because the physical nature of
woman is SO constituted as to pecul-
iarly fit her for the execution Of the
delicate home duties, this does not
justify the narrow idea which has pre-
vailed through all ages, that she is in
ferior to man in her mental capa-
bilities. When profound sympathy,
patriotism, or extreme danger awaken
the stronger elements of her nature,
none can be found performing their
work with greater loyalty than she.
As the dark clouds of ignorance
pass from earth's great kingdoms and
permit the star Of intelligence to dawn
on the inhabitants, we see woman not
only wearing the crown of kings, but
with undaunted courage, ruling with
peculiar frmness, the strongest
monarchies
After noticing the strong points in
the character of Madame De Stel,
Joan Of Arc, Florence Nightingale,
Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, and others,
she said in closing: If it is not possible
for us to occupy high station in life,
we can by faithfully performing each
duty, however menial, show to those
about us that the lowest position in
in life can be made honorable by
those who aim at true success as the
excelsior of their life's ambition.
LETTING DOWN THE BARS.
Laura May Kean.
This rather peculiar title was taken
as the subject of an essay by Miss
Laura May Kean of Hazelton, Pa.
On consulting the programme and
noticing this title, the wonder was
What will she do with itp We were
surprised and gratihed to find that the
"Bars" considered were some of the
fundamental principles Of moral, civil
and religious government that have
been recently violated, by the too
rapid and too eXtravagant living of
our day. Some of her main points
we're
Viewing our question socially, we
observe that few years ago, wine
drinking. card playing, theatre going
and dancing were looked upon as
influences tending toward the de-
moralization of society, and the cor
ruption Of youth, and INDUCED in by
those only, who were low, and de-
graded, or lost to noble purposes and
laudable aspirations Oh! for more
women like Mrs. Hayes who have the
moral courage to nobly declare their
position, and who refuse to let down
the bars even at the wish of being ex-
cluded from society.
In discussing the political bar that
had been left down, she said that to-
day the end was made to Justify the
means, and trickery, bribery, and
demagogueism seemed to reign SUI
preme.
The admission to our fair land, of
all nationalities, regardless of their
principles of manhood and woman
hood was made very important bar
in this essay.
In closing she said: Strong indi-
vidual characters, backed by de-
termination that knows no turning,
and founded upon true faith in Gods
promise will keep the bars in place.
The next number on the program
was beautiful and very well executed
selection by the Guitar club. The
leading parts were taken by Miss Hal
lie Keffer, with the violin, and Miss
Niles, with the mandolin.
woMANs PLACE IN 10TH CENTURY
LITERATURE.
Elizabeth W. ZHorburn.
The last essay was that by Miss
Elizabeth w. Thorburn of West Pitts
ton, Pa. who selected as her subject;
"Woman's Place In 10Th. century Lit
erature," and full we'll did she main
tain the credit of those who had pre-
ceded her.
In the eighteenth century notwith-
standing the brilliant intellscts of
Madame DeStael and Hannah More,
the place occupied by women in liter
ature was very limited. What was
lacking then was the opportunity for
development. AS in all other profess
sions, she was considered out of
her womanly sphere when she took up
the pen. When the critical eye of the
public examined her writings, they
were "only the work of a woman"
and therefore, could not be of much
intrinsic merit.
The writings and influence of Mrs,
Browning, George Eliot, Harriet
Beecher Stowe, Alice and Phoebe