The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-30
What the Century Offers the
GentIer Sex.
Rev. Wallace Nutting's Third Dis
course in "RsIatiens Of Society,""
Young Womanhood Has Had Its OPP
portupities Since Our Era Began.

"foung Womanhood, ioilowlng tne
discourse on "Young Manhood" was the
subject OF the third In the series of Sun
day evening subjects treated by Rev. VOL
lace Nyttipg from the pulpit OF the I'm
ion Congregational Church under the
common head "Relations OF Society"
Last evenings discourse had for its
text: "And the same man had four
daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.'
(AcTs xxf;Ix The discourse in full,
ollows:
While the condition of woman has in
general greatly advanced through the in
fiuence df Christianity, 1t is nevertheless
evident that she occupied a position of
honor in Judea at the beginning of our
era. Very likely the woman OF that day
possessed more privileges and influence in
two hundred years since. The elevating
tendencies Of the Hebrew religion are
clearly seen in the honor paid to Miriam
and Deborah. The wife was her hus-
bands adviser, and the manager of all
hounsehold affairs, financial and other
wise, so that the modern husband who
doles out fractional currency to his wife
with the wondering inquiry what is to be
done with 1t may we'll go back two or
three thousand years and learn that they
days.
The possibility that any Jewish wife
might become the mother OF the Messiah
elevated womanhood to lofty spiritual
position In the eye OF the Jew, and made
ii no strange thing that women should be
among the most prominent witnesses and
agents in the Inauguration of Christian
ity. i only wish TO protest against the
current conceit that thinks the present
woman occupies q new position in COM
parison with any OF her foregoers. The
advanced status of woman is not some
thing new under toe sun. 1t Is renais-
sance. 1t is re-discovery, not a crea-
tion Of her capacities. il is the reinvest-
ment OF the woman with the Edenic hon.
or and the JIdean dignity in the church.
1t is to be noted, however, that at all
periods OF history and among most peo-
Piles an individual woman may occupy
place proportionate with her abilities. No
age lacks examples of women, who have
by their talents raised themselves to the
first place OF influence in the State, and we
hear of queens among the barbarous ma
tions OF other periods as well as our own.
1t Is pretty well known that Aspasia
reached the climax of her influence in
Greece, not so much by beauty as by sa-
gacity. And wherever women have ex-
hibited poetical genius, they have re-
ceived their due need OF praise. 1t IL true,
however, that ours is the first age
more favorable TO the education of
the sister than to that of her brother.
Hitherto the genius OF woman,
though praised when 1t appeared, was
HARAssEp IN IT'S EFFORTS TO RISE.
Probably q modern family contains more
daughters than sons tho are well educat-
ed; and after all deductions have been
made, q hundred years have seen
change in the condition OF woman that
is nothing short OF a revolution. We
have almost reached the social status of
our text, which tells of family OF four
minister's daughter all OF whom entered
the ministry.
On which fact make first observation
that being minister's daughter did not
spoil these girls. Ii is always comforta-
bic to nail another lie uttered in the
form of an oracular proverb. and OF all
proverbs that about bIscksmith's horses,
and shoemaker's children is the silliest.
There is boy OF my acquaintance, who
will be when his education Is finished,
the seventh lineal clergyman in the fam
lily. The failure OF children 10 follow
their parents is remarked, because il is
remarkable, and not generally the case.
Everyone notices IL, when u rogue comes
OF devout family. When the contrary
is true nobody notices it, because 1t Is
what is expected. To put it in another
way the obvious reason why these four
daughters OF Philip prophesed, is that
their father Philip was prophet. 1t will
be found spite OF 'wise saws and modern
instances" that most sons in the ministry
bad parents who prayed that they might
reach IL, and that most daughters who
prefer the prayer meeting to a society
gathering are the daughters of those who
have similar preferences. The first quail
fication, therefore, in being good
girl is to have good parents. 1t
may be little too late to say this,
but II may not be too late TO induce
you to look more attentively at the best
SIDE OF YOUR PARENTS CHARACTERS,
and not too late for them to let those
good sides appear more conspicuously. In
general, though the education OF wo-
man like that of the man begins hun
dreds Of years before she is born, we must
content ourselves with care for the pres
ent generation, and future generations
will not need care so much, thing
which we wish Eve had not overlooked.
Christian girl as rule comes out of a
Christian home. IL she is the only Chris
tian in ii her life will be little short of
heroic Some flowers indeed, blossom in
the desert air, but they are liable TO wear
an air somewhat deserted, and they do
better in well-tended garden.
1t Is tosbe noted also that these daugh-
ters of Philip had profession. A pro-
fession for women was not uncommon in
those days. Yet the working girl consti-
tuted larger share OF the population
than at present, and II was not blue
stocking who had tho honor of being first
charter member in the Christian Church of
Europe, but a woman who sold silk. Our
directories seek to enter the names of
young women engaged in any gainful
profession or business, but ii is apparent
that the young women are not eager to
have this circumstance known. 1t is sup
posed, or might be supposed by those
who read the magazines and reviews, that
all our young women were eagerly rush
ing into ganful occupations. But IL still
remains true, that too many OF them are
bit ashamed of being known as earnsrs,
and nearly every bride of high o. low de-
gree enters a blank line after the question
Occupation, in tho marriage certificate.
This modesty Is not called for, nor IL II a
peculiar merit to answer when asked what
you do. 81? I've been yachting this sum-
mer,' meantime ignoring the diligent
service and careful economies which have
made that yachting trip possible.
The daughters of Philip, probably un-
bent at times-not, indeed, that they
were prim at any time. Christianity in
its fullest development is conducive to
nsturainess, and a joyous temper, and IL