The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-29

r4faf
Victor Hugo. in his matches roms"oe'
81 es Mlserables" SAYS You look ~
n star from two motives. because +, "a
luminous and because IL is impene raDie,
You have at your side softer rao''"N'
and greater mystery--Woman -
/ am not insensiblc 10 the honor ~ J,
corded me IN being requested 70 Iesp 'l''
To such a noble theme. but Deihs i-n"
rant Of ali occult. sciences, am az = iDaa
To understand why I was selecter W
spand to such a toast. ana reaii1e ''"
after all / may shy. | snail leANe 'i'
subject still a mystery. a..
nj az Byron says. the stars are th'
poetry Of heaven. and In their DfiEh,
leaves reveal the destinies OF men anu
empires. / hold that woman is the poe,rg
OF earth. and that from her radiatcs we
Influence that inspire ana cohtfoi tho
destinics of men and empires
we must turn from The metaphysical
being Of woman. as something St''tt
ins0iuble and deal with the phenoni'n'i
OF her nature. as revealed in her llt
and deeds. n we would understand her
character.
For. who can solve the mystery OF a
womans heart? 30 surveyors chain
has ever marked the boundaries OF ner
love, and no plummct has ever souhoeo
the depth ~ her loyalty and devotion.
I see her the companion OF the prima !
man. ! see them together as they Dih
farewell 20 Paradise. | see her his sup
port and strength amidst the SHADOWS
and sOirONs OF our dtWninE worm.
Through tho centuries her liie mas been
one continuous prayer as II to MAKE
atonement for her sin OF diobedience. /
read the records Of her glorious life and
deeds I'm the law Of Moses and the an
nails of the prophets.
stand upon the plains Of Palestine
and hear the voice of angels singing the
advent hymn Of peace on earth. good
will towards men, FOR unto the world Is
born glorious King. And following the
lead Of the radiant star ] lind IN Beth-
lehcm n woman. the Virgin Mother or
the Perfect Man the King or heaven
and earth. the Saviour OF the world. ]
see her faithful 20 her Lord and Master
amidst the scorn and contumely OF the
world ! see her with Him on the dolo-
rous way TO Calvary and I'm the gloom
Of the early dawn. standing alone at the
tomb OF the risen Christ.
/ see her i'm heroic days tuning the Tyre
OF the ancient muse. and inspiring the
loftlest songs Of modern poets
] see her the slave of man, In the
worlds dark ages. and yet his master.
see her seated upon the throne in regal
splendOr the subject of the king. and
vet. the power behind the throne. | see
her the queen regnant welding the rod
of empire with firm. yet gentle mana.
[ see her I'm some lonely attic. with
pinChcd and palid check. stitching her
life away. and with silent and heroic
fortitude facing the sings and arrows
Of outrageous fortune.
T see her the subject OF tho law. with
out a. voice i'm the councils Of the nation.
and set, shaping and moulding the laws
to her own greater liberty ana advan-
tage.
see her IN the divine attitude OF
mother. the priestess Of the nome, with
a love that never fails and an unfalter-
ing patience. rearing her children in the
fear and admOniti0n OF her God.
Amidst the storms Of adversely. i see
her faithful 90 her marriage VOW, Tor
better. or for worse and clinglng 10
the partner Of her married life like the
ivy 10 the oak.
/ stand beside her upon the field OF
battle unterrifcd by shot and shell, and
watch her angelic ministratOns 10 the
wounded and the dying. ! see her In the
hospitals Of the world, with tenderness
divine. soothing the fevered brow, ana
bringing sunshine and hope to the de-
spairing soul
| stand at her bedside and witness her
calm courage as she approaches the por-
tails Of death I'm the dark hour Of her
maternity.
see her the support and pillar OF the
Christian Church, and j see, without
her. a churchess and Chrstless world.
And lastly. 4 see one, who 20 me IS the
incarnation of all wOmanly virtues. one
who went down 10 the portals Of death
that 1 might have life. One who guided
my infant footsteps. and taught me TO
lisp a prayer of thanksgiving 10 Almighty
God One whose unfaiiing love and SYM
pathv have followed me all the days OF
nay life.
/ see her growing more beautiful under
the inhrmltics of age. with the SHOWS OF
winter upon her head and eternal spring
within her heart.
Her name win thrill your hearts. oh.
men, because you know her. II IS mother.
ooh woman. mother. woman. wife
The sweetest names that language
knows
Thv breast. with holy motives rife.
With h0hest affection glows.
Thou queen. thou angel OF my life"