Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1893-07-25
wOMAN's DEBT TO TEE w. 4. L. U.


A paper read by Mrs. Clara u. Drake before the
Edwards W. {. Z. L. and published by re-
quest Of that body.
The nineteenth century whose en-
lightened Christianity has given wo-
man her true position side by side
with man. will ever be memorable in
history for the inauguration eff two of
the grandest movements the world has
ever witnessed: the Woman's Mission
airy Society, or as it may more distinct
lively be called. Woman's Work for Wo-
man: and the Woman's Christian TEN
perance Union. or Woman's Work for
the Home These movements flowed
forth from the hearts and heads of con-
secrated womanhood inspired by love
to God and Humanity. 1t would be
impossible within the short limits of
this paper to dwell at large upon the
wonderful work accomplished by these
two grand agencies in the redemption
of the world We shall not touch up
on the work of Woman in Missions,
and shall review that of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union only in
regard to what it has done in develop
ing woman herself-physically, intel
lectually and spiritually.
To begin with the lowest of this
trinity of forces: We repeat that the
w. c. r. L. has boon largely beneficial
to woman in the physical realm. 1t
gives emphasis to the laws of personal
purity and cleanliness. 1t calls wo
men out from sort of dull routine or
treadmill of home duties; and while
making the home the centre of its
thought and work. eniarges the circle
Of their activities. Thus. a variety is
impaired to life, not only pleasing, but
positively restful Muscles that have
been tired, and nerves that have been
strained by one sort of employment
are allowed to rest while a different
work calls others into play. An hour
or two given to the w. c. L. L. ought
to make us return to our home duties
with greater zest and vigOr.
Then the physical condition of wo-
man has already been improved by the
gradual reforms in dress which the
w. G. T. U. has always encouraged and
largely adopted. Tight lacing and its
attendant evils are less practiced than
formerly and are destined in the near
future to be reckoned among the fol
lies of past ignorance.
Many of our free schools and high
er institutions of learning are indebt-
cd to the w. C. II. U. for the emphasis
given the Physiological and Hygienic
studies, and for the introduction of
these studies as related to the effects
of alcohol and narcotics on the hu
man system. Our girls as well as our
boys enjoy the benefits of this instruc
ton; the practical application of
which is destined in the near future to
work moral and physical revolution
in society.
No less attention does the C. II. U.
give to the great laws of heredity and
environment, and no other Organiza-
ton gives more hearty Endorsement
TO Physical Training, with gymnastic
exercises which is coming very prop
erly to be regarded vital part of the
education of our girls, and will in a
few years be an essential requisite of
every Woman's College.
The beneficial results of such train
ing will be apparent before this gener-
alton passes away. Expansive lungs,
trained muscles, steady nerves. strong
and vigorous circulation "a well
rounded development of the whole
body-will at our young women for
the great intellectual and spiritual
that await them, and re-
store our debilitated, nerve-wrecked
race to its pristine vigor. The sons of
such mothers will have strong minds
in strong bodies; and as in ancient
times, so in the rapidly approaching
future there will be "giants in those
days"
The work of the w. c. L. U. began
in woman's heart. 1t now makes the
largest levies on both heart and head.
We do not claim that all of the great
development of woman
and her rapidly enlarging facilities for
higher education are due to the work
and influence of the w. c. L. u, but
that our organization has been one of
the most potent factors in it's accomp-
lishment. / believe it has had no
small influence in opening so many of
the great colleges and universities to
women, and will soon make co-educa
ton the rule and not the exception in
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