The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-28

ridicule Of pothouse politicians, but feeling
that God called her TO the kingdom for
such an hour as this, she has risked popu-
larity and society influence In defense OF
home and children. Here, too. as elsewhere.
many a noble woman with voice and talent
for public speech has performed grand
service for the right. Again. one needs but
to recall the names Of Mary. Martha, Dor
cas-, Lois and Eunice to see what a prom
inent place women had in the Apostolic
Church: but the place she occupies in the
church OF to-day is far greater. She is the
heart of the church and Of every organi-
cation within IL.
Here and I'm the home-for / have kept
the home for our closing thought-lies the
most important work in all this widening
field Of woman's activity-ner part in the
evangelization of the world. 1t touches
mans deepest need. 1t brings him the
blessings of a Christian civilization and
the assurance of life eternal. 1t IS there
fore. the highest service woman can enter
into. and there is nothing that will yield
greater joy or larger returns.
IN THE HOME.
And this brings US to the home. IT is an
authenticated fact that all matter in its
normal state is circular in form. The
heavens are mighty dome, the horizon an
unbroken circle. the bright stripes of the
rainbow and the graceful curves of the
river are but succession OF circles The
whole physical universe is but wheel
within wheel. The principle is true else
where. We speak of life as a great circle,
whose circumference is eternity. Within
this large circle are the smaller ones, as
political. social, religious and family cir
Giles. OF all these. the family circle is the
one within which woman does her greatest,
grandest and most lasting work. In it
she shapes the destiny of the world In
IL she molds the minds that to direct
and control the future. The family circle
is womans throne.
But no woman is fully fitted to sit upon
this throne unless she has first bowed in
humble alteration at the feet Of Christ.
No woman is best fitted TO mold human
life until her own life has first been
nodded to the likeness of the Christ-life
To simply perpetuate low aims, frivolous
characters, mammOn- worshiping beings, is
TO curse rather than TO bless. This is not
the end nor kingdom to which woman has
been called message has gone forth
not to a favored one, but to every wom-
an, whatever may be her position. Some
are faithfully and heroically striving to
obey the command; others are Indifferent
They are asleep. But sleep must give place
to work, indifference to interest, selfish
ease to self-sacrifice. Littleness, worldli-
ness, must all give way TO the execution Of
the command.
"Knowest thou. woman, that thou art
|, come for such time and work as this?
If Indifferent, thou wilt sink into insignifi-
canoe and another will take up the crown
and scepter which might have been timer"
Donald Mitchell says: Man without
some sort of religion is at best poor
reprobate, a football of destiny" But a
woman without religion is worse. She is a
flame without heat, a rainbow without
color, flower without perfume. That sweet
trustfulness, that abiding love, that en-
dearing hope which man needs in every
scene Of life, is not then hers TO give. But
let the love of Christ take full possession
OF a woman's heart, and under its inSpira-
ton let her grow in purity, In character,
till at last she come to a perfect woman,
Ito the measure of the stature of the full
ness of Christi" then from human lips-of
husband, children, kindred neighbors.
friends-and from Him who stitch upon
the throne will come the benediction,
BLESSED art thou among women"