The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-29
THE GIRL WHOSE EDUCATION MUST
&C ON.
IJas. II. Carlisle. L. L. d., in Southern
Christian Advocate.

Jas. II. Carlisle. L. L. d., i'll Southern
Christian Advocate
Our daughter must leave home now
to carry on her education" IT marks a
crisis in the family history when the
parents so decide. A father once gave
a very good reason for moving to college
town: II have five daughters, and of
course / could not think of turning loose
on society five ignorant women"
The man who sends out into the world an
ignorant daughter assumes a great re-
sponsibihty. No one moving in ordinary
society now thinks of doing this. Parents
would as soon think Of letting their child
dren grow up without helping them to
talk and walk as of letting them grow up
without knowing how to read.
All these lessons are but means to an
end. Will parents be satisfied to teach
their children how to talk, without any
anxiety as whether they shall speak truth
or falshood? Will they have their Children
taugh to walk, and feel no concern as to
whether they walk into the water or the
fire? Will they have their children taught
to read, not caring what they read, wheth-
er helpful or hurtful matter? Parents
usually seem anxious that their children
shall be educated. Have they no anxiety
about the kind of education, the manners
and morals they learn, while securing it,
or the use which they will make of It?
81 am determined I will not send into life
from my home weak woman. Every
daughter bearing my name shall have
some strength. But as to the means by
which she gains it. or as to what use she
may make of it. | feelDo special concern:
Surely no father or mother will say this!
And yet, to send out into society a
frivolous selfish, heartless, woman, IS
even worse than to send out an ignorant
daughter. Her strength may be only III
creased power to weaken and 1nlure
others. She may only move, with evil
Influence. in a wider circle and with added
power of mischief. It might have been
better for her, and for others, if she had
never learned the alphabet.
The girl runs risks as she grows. In
creasine kowledge brings the knowledge
of evil as we'll as good In her intercourse
with teachers, schoolmates, friends, Wis,
itors, casual acquaintances, she may feed
on pages that are weak, or worthless, or
even poisonous. The quiet scenes and
duties of home lie may fail to please her,
United to lay hold of her own appro-
pirate duties, she may be a source OF lrrl-
tation and sdiscontent instead of becom-
inc a centre of womanly, healthful in
fuence and power. The disappointed
parents may be tempted to say, in mortl-
fication and despair, "Oh, that I had sent
out into society only an ignorant woman:
But have done even worse than that"
The old proverb, "The perVersion OF the
best is the worst" finds an Illustration
here. The educated, thoughtful Chris
tian woman, blessing all around by her
Quiet. wholesome influence, helps US to
measuae the loss which society sustalns
when bright girl is changed By an m
propitious education into foolish, pleas
ure-seeking, unchristian woman.
Anxious parents may we'll seek to throw
all possible safegards around the educa-
ton of their girls. A Christian mother
said: II have noticed that the girls gen
orally come away from - rehg1ously
impressed" This may well be taken as
a chief element in deciding where to send
a daughter. Let the home be favorable
TO the growth of Christian life and charac-
ter. Then let the school or college Sc
lected be the one most likely to carry On
the great process, without break or jar, or
collision. There is too much at stake to
try experiments rashly here.
Phillips Brooks lies near his mother 1n
the Cambridge Cemetery. -Four OF her
sons were ministers. On her tombstone is
this startling epitaph: 30 woman, great IS
thy faith: be it unto three even as thou
wilt" Her grateful sons seem to have
chosen this verse to express their admlra'
tion of her character. She asked that her
bows might become Christian men. This
great prayer was granted. Her faith rose
still higher. She coveted for them that
they might be called to be co-workers
| with their Lord in the ministry of His
Word. This too was granted. There Is
| immense possibility in the faith OF all the
Christian mothers of our country. Their
husbands and sons are filling the land
| with confusion and strife. Let all the
praying mothers combine, and it may be
that the God of our fathers may ever
say to them by HIS providence: 0 bellev
ing woman, great is your faith, be it untss
ali even as you will; take your native land
and make of it just what you will!
Let those in charge of the "FemaIe
Colleges" of our land have all possible
sympathy and support. Their RESPONSE
bility is great. The good results to HoT
from their successful labors are great
And great too, unspeakably great, are tn
possibilities of evil, if they fail!
Wofford College, S. G.