The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-06
WORK WORTH DOING.

WaS oAfy WI NbaS ~ sNos 49, $500
nent clergyman felt called upon to say
to his flock some words like these: "And
now let me impress it upon you that not
occupation only, but useful work, is
necessary for every souls we'll being and
happiness. 1t would startle you to know
low many women among us are ill. de-
pressed, and diseased solely because
they have nothing on Gods earth 10 do
that is worth the doing"
The congregation listening was net
composed of mere butterflies of fashion
but represented what is known as the
more solid population of the city-the
old-fashioned. wealthy, conservative ele-
ment.
There was then, as there is now, a
class of women weighed down and strug-
Cling nobly under domestic burdens
which, for one reason or another, they
could not tighten by sharing. 1t was
not to these that the warning was
spoken. 1t was directed towards those
women whose cares were few and yet
who called themselves laborers. In the
past, after such a woman had fulfilled
her household obligations. no more was
demanded of her. She might, if she
chose. employ her overplue of time with
religious or charitable exercises. self-cul-
tivation that did not have practical
fruit, or social life, but these we're as
works OF election and of supererogation.
and an elegant leisure was not only ad
missible but admired.
II suppose" said a dame of the old
school, speaking of married woman
who was professional artist-"I sup
that poor Mrs. R.---has husband who
is not worth much. She evidently has
to work and support herself.
The remark was calm statement, and
it was vainly explained that Mrs. R -
painted as professional and had her own
studio and sold her pictures purely be-
cause che liked to work on that test basis,
and thus employed her otherwise leisure
hours.
This was no explanation to mind
that could not comprehend woman
working for money, or, indeed. working
at all, except at the bayouet point of
need. To the doubter. Mr.. R,-a wor-
thy, Woodworking soul. is still good
for-paught who does not support his
family. Yet to many women energetic
as is Mrs. R--social life is mere bur-
den, district visiting a sealed book. and
self-cultivation but pastime.
1t would be, on the other hand. a most
regrettable state of affairs If all the world
of women were like Mrs. R.-Tbere
must be come to organize and maintain
social life. and for those who have that
talent there can be no more useful and
graceful labor. District visiting must
be carried on. and surely that labor of
love is, for those whose talent points the
way. most needful integral part of the
worlds work. Self cultivation is more
selfish labor, but. rightly carried out. is
as valuable as any other labor per
formed.
Given a woman with no social ir-
stincts. and no pleasure in organizing
benevolent societies, nothing was left
her in the line of work but self-cultiva-
ticn.
II have been working hard all this
summer" said one young woman, with
conscious virtue to another. What
have you been doing since we partedS'
Nothing" said the other. II have
dawdled all this summer away shame
lessly. | meant to accomplish some
study. but l got interested 10 fascinat-
ing set of histories and biographies of