The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-02-14

as they too often are, woman is sending
forth proofs to the world of her own
mcapacity and failure. And she has
no right to ask-nay, by her revealed
lack of a sense of justice she fOrfeits
her right to ask-to be made ruler over
more things, until she has been faithful
to those already committed to her
charge.
Many women have asked with scorn.
as the whole duty of woman that Of
child bearing?" Some women have
even been heard to ask. How much
better am l, then, than an animal -
Little better if she can ask this question.
The physical burden laid upon woman
i'll the economy of nature must be a
factor in the argument that wOmans
mission is distinct and separate from
that of man; for it hampers women
the delicacy and tineness of their
organisms, setting them in measure
apart; but it is only detail of the
larger function of maternity The full,
wide spiritual mission of motherhood
is the dignity and the opportunity of
the SEX
How do women fulfill the mission of
their lives, which-be it welcome Or
unwelcome- has been divinely ordered ?
BY false and foolish sophistry, and "a
shallow prudery, it is something too
often approached in ignorance, CON
cealed and yelled as they draw near to
it this mighty mystery which is the
portal for the race. The whole edu-
cation of women is often a tissue of
half truths, ''even the blacklist of lies -
Girls trained by mothers for wifehood
are kept in ignorance of the real design
for their lives. The preparation for
marriage is an equipment, greater or
less, for all things worldly and unworld-
ly; but instruction or mention that
marriage "Was ordained for the pro-
creation of children has seldom been
given.
| That this miscalIed innocence pleaSeS
the new husband, and is to him an
evidence of purity, is but proof, more
over, that his mother has failed to teach
him true standards of estimate. Purity
is not negative, but pOSitiye-as all
moral force must be- Ignorant, she
bears her child; uniformed. and often
unthinkingIy, she rearS him, as an
''aside" to some active motive in her
life of fame. fashion or religion. Even
if her every motive be absorbed in him.
and she be devoted mother, the pat
tern of dOmesticity in her very excess
of virtue she often loses the higher
conception of a broader righteousness
in her work; she may coddle and fOndle
and pray over her child faithfully and
devOutly, may neglect no care of his
physical well-being, and yet be all I'M
mindful of the far-reaching issues she
has in her keeping: and, in the mould
ing of the plastic stuff she has in her
hand. be Indifferent to the bends and
imprints that are to initiate against
her in the future. Nay, she even en-
cOurages and deepens them.
Woman must compass in herself a
trinity: physical well-being, because
she is the mother of the race; mental
we'll being, because she has its youth
to teach: Spiritual well-being, because
to her keeping have been given souls
to save. The woman who is really
earnest, unseltish and singleminded
will be willing to wait-confdent in the
Justice and truth of her own con
victions- and to utilize the present
quickening of minds for process OF
regeneration as the prelude to rea
emancipation. And the woman who is
self seeking and dissatisfied, who says
and too many have been heard to say
my lot is bondage to man: for woman
is but little WORTH, may have eyes, but
she sees not the possibilities for he
own high destiny KATRINA TRASH
in January Forum