The record-union., 1891-03-01

The age was eventful The men and
women who called almost daily ut the
Necker drawing-room were full of in
formation and learning, and there this
girl caught the language and inspiration
of her remarkable lifetime
The inference is unavoidable that the
wealth and even moderate competence of
many persons inthe present time is leav-
ing many mothers and daughters free to
turn away from oldtime tasks, to devote
themselves to other forms of improve
ment and industry-and this release from
humble pursuits finds its meaning ia the
liberty to follow some greater calling, and
the woman who escapes the tasks OF the
kitchen should do SO in order to become
greater in the sitting-room and parlor. II
her escape from the utensils of the stove,
from the hand-loom and the spinning
wheel-from the garden and the orchard,
are only that she may sit down in idle
ness or live in the glare of fashions
there any gain in the transition? But if
she leaves the spinning-wheel that she
may take part in the threads and
FABRICS OF LIFE
And destiny, then her position is like
that of the great Franklin, who threw
down his candlewicks that he might
pluck the lightning from the heavens
above him, and the scepter from the
IL,
who cast aside his surveyors compass
that he might found a republic. When
woman casts away a loom or spinning
wheel we must not applaud her until we
See what she takes up in the place of
them. Oh, there are SO many lives,
women's lives-women who are
stirred with sweet hopes and noble
impulses, whose lives seem so small
and empty and narrow. Not all err
willingly. Many sit down because the
way seems so dark and the world SO
large, and their capabilities seemingly SO
little and unimportant. But who can
tell before they try what they can do for
good, and for God, and for others? Who
can tell how high they can lift themselves
in soul and spirit? 1.-THE life is more
than meat, and the body is more than
raiment!" They may do much great
work for God, and Heaven, for their
own eternal welfare, even if they cannot
do much of material nature. But who
is able to tell what they can or cannot do
before they have tried it--and have we
all really done our utmost? Have we
made. our highest effort? Could we see
society i'll its reality-see it in every
feature of itself as we can examine piece
OF statuary and mark eye and lips, each
form and feature, and mark the blending
of all i'll a perfect form of beauty it is
possible that this clear sight would show
as great to the world as the Platos who
have
THOUGHT AND PoNDERED,
And given to the world its philosophy
and logic, or the Virgils and Byrons, who
have written and sung their wondrous
poetry. We must remember that history
has come down to us through men, and
it is more than probable that mans part
in life has been more highly colored,
while woman's part amid the din and
rush of life and events, has been over
looked or forgotten! Could we grasp
the scene it is probable that
this age would say to us as it said of old,
"Behold thy mother" and Mother, be-
hold thy son. thus another face would
be added TO the roll OF moral grandeur.
Long ago given to the roll of beauty, this
face would be added to the roll of power |!
When we see the books and the music,
the paintings and opportunities, the dis
plays of cultured taste and refinemeut;
when we see that schools and seminaries
are making our mothers and sisters
scholars and students, we may well won
der if the modern woman may not be
| more powerful for good in this age than
any other.
This wonder might be a belief, did we
not live in an age devoted to secular
! things and material objects, and many a
mothers highest thought is only the ma
| terlal, financial success Of her sons and
daughters. If this is the highest quality
OF the modern mother, she is sinking be-
! low the standard of the times of Franklin,
| Washington, De Stael and others. The
! past fell below the modern woman in on
! portunitieS, but rose above her in am
! bition and aspiration -
! Let us i'll these doubtful days hope for
the best. Let us hope that the love OF
money and of fashionable pleasure is not
coming between the modern mother and
| her children to make them less cultured
and spiritual and more grasping and her
face less divine-less spiritually beauti-
| ful! Let us hope that increased property
and more leisure is setting her free from
| commoner tasks to seek a higher occupa-
ton ana development, and that her heart
| is fall of high impulses and purposes as
1t was when some of the greatest sons OF
| history drew their power and inspiration
| from that fountain which comes before
the school-house or the college and which
is looked upon with Il holy reverence
our childhood'S home with its sacred in
| tiuence and holy memories.
All the generations have taken up tha
words of Jesus and have said-yes, as
| they say to-day, to every child, 'Behold
| thy Mother, ,'-and may this gaze be re-
warded by beholding upon every Chris
tian woman's face love, tenderness, spirit
uality, goodness, and best of all a sweet
and holy example. For to this we must
look for the power and influence of the
home, and especially the teaching and
example OF our present mothers.