Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-04-10
ABLE DISCOURSE.
REV. w. E. GRAHAM
breaches TIE AN.
NUAL SERMON
OF Sylvia Court |. 0. of
CaIanthe.
A SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON.
Subject-"Woman's Place in Life"

Genesis 2:lS-"And the Lord God
said, 1t is not good that man should be
alone will make him an help meet
for him."
From the beginning it was designed
that womsn's mission on earth be a
high and exalted one. She was Gre
ated partner-a consort counterpart
to man, and not as an ignoble hand
maid to do his biddings, as many ma
tions seem to think. She has posi-
tion in life that never runs in a subor-
dinste sphere. In whatever her dis
tinctive line of duty exists it is parallel
and equal in importance and validity
with that of man; in those features
where there is identity and reciprocal
relations OF duty, woman is still part
ner and not an inferior
1t is true that man has ever opposed
woman's rightful position SIS taught in
the scriptures-butt this stubbon stand
grows out OF vanity. He feels himself
lord of creation, not because he is, not
because he is intellectually superior.
nor Is it because he is better in sub
stance, but all his selfishness rests up
on q foundation of superior physical
strength. But though he has been slow
to acknowledge the true position Of
woman, yet here and there some men
have risen high enough above preju-
lice TO concede, some to contend for,
and few to admire her appointed ex-
allied sphere. And it is in proportion
that the Divine Mind is understood
a. L. =
recognized and respected.
1t is the glory of Pythianism that
our chivalric principles recognize wo-
manhood as the essential consort of
manhood. Under our noble ord er,
Calanthe and Hermione step forth in
the glory and strength of womanly
beauty respected, protected and be-
loved. How grardly is this fact set
| forward to-day, when out of Difference
| TO those Courts tke noble Sir Knights
have set aside their established thanks
giving day to assemble here on equal
terms before Him who. over all, gov
erns aad directs the destiny of his
children.
Man, according to record, was first
in creation and first in appointment to
a position of honor and responsibility
In such q position, no doubt, he, al
first, was lordly and stately. He must
have felt sense of unnatural pride
not to say vanity-there in Eden, with
all its primeval vernAl grandeur
amidst beautiful scenes of landscape
and flowing streams. visited by ange
guests, and permitted in the very
presence Of the Faf her himselfl
1t was his duty "to dress and keey
the garden ;" but with all the beauty
and Safeguards thrown around hin
man had not advanced very far before
God declared him worthless if lef
alone 1T is not good that the maj
; should be alone, ] will make him al
help meet for him " Man could no
take care of Eden alone, na has nevei
been known to accomplish much o
merit anywhere unless woman hat
something to do with it.
Even Paul, the Apostle. whose word
: have formed the basis for the chief ar
guments against womAn's rights foun,
it difficult to preach the gospel with
out the aid of women. Priscilla, Pho
> be and Lydia were strong supports t.
> him. Indeed Lydia received Paul i
her house when all others refused I
&, entertain him at Phillip. No wonde
; he argues in another place that he ha
7 a right to carry a sister about with hir
to help in the spread of the gospel. w
: ourselves worthy Sir Knights, wOul
l be in q most pitiable condition but 70
T these our helpers in the affairs of life
r From the day our text was spoke
woman has ever been the essentis
= help to man among all nations Wher
= ever she renders the most help theT
we find the condition of the race mo,
q advanced there we find the hom,
4 the Church, the state most success
= full. But where she is most degrade
: by the cruel hand of caste, discrimin,
tion and oppression there man is mo-
nearly akin to the brute creation GiN
woman her rightful position in til
world and man makes progress rapid
take from her this divine right ar
man finds himself on the down graC
march of life.
The home without woman is chez
, less, dreary and monotonous.
7, mothers counsel, advice and care;
! daughters place in the home reple
7 with affection and angelic devotio
;, what can replace them2 Woman
~ | voice in song, in soothing words
a time of trouble, in encouraging advi,
in hours of dependency, what cou
man do without herr ALL may v
not, through reasons clear vision s,
T. the picture of that home that DIRE
T. Damon's soul with such cords of lo'
l as to make him plead in piteous ton
ol oc bended knee before heartless de
4 pot, Just for one last farewell word wi
his dear HermiOn? And may we n
"a reason that Hermion's proud soul lei
"a fire to that noble Sicilian Senator
10 he poured out chain after chain Of i
'e vincible logic in opposition to govel
ment of tyranny AT d despotism2 II
" oOrrl - fhad fb i'm Iroo of 1fbovsk
III his soul being the express image of Il
in principles OF our ancient order "
id easily fred to duty, like Charles Sur
ner. he plead for Freedoms cause u
til butte forces, losing all power of a
gument, dealt him a savage coward
blow. He was benevolent in it's Ori
nal sense he therefore willingly ris
ed his life for the good of his fello'
ge man.
W Was not there q woman in Damon
n home of the cast of that woman VI
!. wrote Uncle Toms Cabin 81
iuiS stirred the nations of earth in Ere
ia dom's favor? My friends. home wit
out woman is pile OF rags, a I,
n pieces of broken and soiled potter
- crockery and china ware; smok
~ walls half cooked food and desOlatiC
But home with true womanhood in
-, becomes the fountain head of pea
"a and enjoyment.
W Jesus Christ while on earth lov
~ best that home where dwelt q Mart
~ Of service, Mary of devotion.
- But the worth of woman is not CT
~ fined solely To the home. She '
needed to help Adam in the gard
among the flowers, amidst the fruit,
the case OF the animals and in
guarding Of the percolating strea
at that made Glad their haarfa 40 Il