The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-06-29
THE SPHERE OF WOMAN

THE SPHERE OF WOMAN
There are very few in this world who
are stisfed with the condition in
which nature or their own acts have
placed them. The millionaire is forced
to be guarded by policemen to protect
his life against anarchists, and perhaps
enjoys less peace and happiness than
he who tolls increasingly with his
hands for his daily bread. On the
other hand, the wage-earner imagines
that his lot is the most grievious OF
any of the ill-fated mortals who are
doomed to exc out an existence on
this globe, and is continually complain
ing about the hard lines that encom-
pass him. If it were possible for these
two classes to change places for short
time perhaps each would be more con-
tented with life; but as this cannot be
done, each must bear his part patient
ly. The toiler must enjoy life by
being contented with his environment,
and, if the rich man cannot live in
peace and comfort, he should dispose
of his wealth or emigrate. This world
is large enough for all, and may be
very desirable place in which to live
if people would only think so.
But aside from these there is discon-
tent because of the natural sphere in
which the supreme being has placed
people. One man is dissatisfied because
he was born black, red or yellow in
stead of white, and perhaps there are
some who would prefer being black in
stead of white. Complete happiness
is not to be found, and perhaps never
will be while life lasts and conditions
vary. Of all the discontented beings
the new woman appears to head the
list. The professions have been opened
to her, and she has the privilege OF
matriculating at all the universities;
but there is an old book, and one very
much venerated, that has not placed
her in as high a position as modern
civilization has accorded her. This
book is the Holy Bible, and the mod
ern woman comes forward and says
this must be changed. There must be
another translation that will give wo-
men some of the honors which have
heretofore beer given man. The lat
est revision of the Hebrew and Greek
texts is considered very correct, and
committee of women, however much
they may be actualed by a sense OF
wrong done them through all ages
past, cannot change these without do
ing violence to the intent and mean
ing. AS moral guide this old book
is above all others; but it was written
in very barbarous age, and is truth
full portrayal of the customs and habits
and thought of a people who had not
enjoyed the benefits of the civiliza-
tion that then prevailed in some coun-
tries. Any alteration of the pages
that treaus of the condition of woman
at that time would be base fabrica-
tion, and would undermine the reputa-
tion for truth which the old book en-
joys. Among all uncivilized people the
male was always considered the ruler,
the controller and the manager of all
affairs, social, political and religious,
and it is true in great measure in
this age of the world.
The women of the Bible have many
excellencies of character, which are
not found in any contemporaneous
history. From the histories of Mother
Eve to Mary Magdalene, the graces of
are set forth in this book
in an admirable manner. The affec-
tion of the mother, the devotion of the
wife, and the higher moral qualities
of the sex are truthfully recorded.
The mother of Moses hiding him in
the bullrushes to save his life is a
beautiful example of maternal af-
lection, and worthy of imitation even
by the coming woman. Ruth, declar-
ing that "where thou goest 1 will go;
ihy people shall by my people, and
ihy God my God," could there be a
more ennobling picture of the love of
wife portrayed by pen? Then Queen
Esther, petitioning the king for the
of the Jews, affords the
inest example of patriotism ever
riven in any book. Coming down to
lew Testament times there are given
n the sacred pages the beautiful char
cters of Mary, the mother of Jesus,
dary Magdalene, and Martha, the
lister of Lazarus, and none more ad-
nirable have ever adorned the history
# any people. The stories of Zen
'bia, Cleopatra and Boadecia are
epulsive to the idea of refine
1ent, and compile the holy
anne of mother with lust, revenge
nd murder. The Bible exalts the re-
alton of wife and mother, and places
Toman in the highest sphere of human
xistence. 1t surrounds the mother
18th love, and gives to the ordinance
marriage its greatest sanctity and
ids it of all the communicating degra-
alton of lust. If the woman of the
ineteenth century would pay more at
sntion to the sanctified relation of
larriage, blessed by God for the per-
of the race, and be willing
, enter it as a sacred duty to human
y, there would be less unhappy fam
les and courts would have fewer di-
orce cases. Woman reigns in the
aradise of the affections; she is the
lother of the race; her glory should
e offspring, by which she signifies her
bedience to Deity and comprehension
[ the exalted sphere that nature de-
gned her to occupy.
There has been and will be discon-
mt; but it should not exist among !,
omen. If they will follow the Bible :.
ca, and pattern after the examples /.
mothers and wives the race
Ill be reformed to higher
ane of existence; but if they
ntinue to decry motherhood, and !:
axe the marriage relation simply
contract, then lascivious-
,ss will increase, and the few progeny -
at come into existence throuph az.