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

fish people were dependent on her action 1t
Is not often a woman has the opportunity
OF saving the life of a nation, but Esther
had such an opportunity, and proved her.
self equal 10 IT.
IL is, however, rather of the thought en-
bodied In the words of the text than or
Esther that we wish to speak. Every age
and every emergency has had the men
needed for the age and the emergency.
And this is equally true of woman. She
nav not have been so often as conspicuous
a figure, but she has been none the less
In portant When samuers mother conse-
Grated her boy to the service of Jehovah.
had she no part In determining the des-
tiny Of Israel? When the mother and
grandmother instructed young Timothy In
the Scriptures. did they have no part in
the establishment OF the Apostolic Church?
The mother of Henry VII, of England,
did more than her royal son for the dis
semination of learning. The rise OF Meth
odism goes back beyond John or Charles
Wesley to their noble, heaven-inspired
mother. The name Of Mrs Browning sug-
gests the possibilities and achievements of
women in letters The woman's building
at the worlds fair. graceful in style. beau
tiful In architecture and decoration, ana
filled with the specimens of womap's art.
was a monument to woman's energy. cour-
age and skill OF all these. and of thou
sands more, it might be said, as of Esther:
Thou art come TO the kingdom for such
time ss this.
A WIDENING FIELD
The. breadth OF woman's influence is
widening. the field of her activity is con-
stantly charging Woman is the strong
est social force of the day. Life is her
keyboard, which she may. sweep with a
masters touch If she will. To the woman
of to-day all doors are open, the only linn
itation being that OF individual capacity.
Fifty years ago about the only avenues
open to women outside of marriage were
dressmaking and teaching in schools or
private families. The idea Of adopting a
profession never entered the head of any
but the most audacious GIRL and she has
tened 10 lay IL aside. The girl OF to-day
Was born into conditions that did not exist
for her mother. The way into almost every
field OF activity is made easy for her. No
one wonders now at girl going outside
the shelter Of the home to find the employ
ment she desires.
Just as the throbbing commercial world,
the eager competitive world Of law and the
overtaxed world OF literature asked: How
can more be got out of day. stenogra-
having been tested, the question was asked:
How We make ii serve US better?'
and the perfected writing machine said:
''Take me" And when the work of stem
ography and typewriting was proven, new
avenues were opened for fresh workers.
With the opening OF the avenues young
woman awakened TO the fact that she
could take her place beside her brother as
wage Garner. Quietly yet forcibly she
did so, and to-day We find her work ac-
ccptable in legislative halls, council cham
fxrnw.l
camille establishments aud crowded work.
shops. With few exceptions the clerical
force OF large dry goods stores consists
mainly Of women.
There Is no more important factor in this
workaday nineteenth century world than
the factory girl. She has revolutionized
more than one trade, and 1t must be re-
membered that more than one factory girl
knows more about cooking and housekeep-
ing and Shakespeare than some who profess
TO look down upon her, and sometimes a
factory girl does not always remain SUCH
as the life OF the late Lucy Larcom is evil
dence. Many of you nave read with delight
and edifcation her dainty poems on birds
and flowers, and on the longings of a heart
reaching out after God and heaven. Though
not the equal of Whittier or Longfellow
yet she Will ever be associated with them
and remembered as the poet of friendship
and consolation.
IN TRADES AND PROFESSIONS.
Twenty-Five years ago you could hardly
have found one woman studying medicine.
while hundreds are now graduated every
year. And L know of none more noble
Zone more happy, and yet more self-sacri-
ficins, among those who love and serve in
any sphere than the thoroughly trained
and Christian nutured woman physician
Follow those who respond to the midnight
Call OF suffering in Minnesota or the Dako-
tas when the thermometer registers forty
hnfn lou r,iaN olf de- 4
sionary doctors in burning Asia, Drawing
what you have never read of to enter the
homes of misery-and you will never ques
ton the self-Sacrificing spirit of those who
have dedicated their lives in tender and
wise service to their sisters
To-dry some of the brightest journalists
are women. In the realm OF sculpture the
names of Harriet Hosmer and Anne Whit.
ney few years ago stood alone; to-day
numbers of distinguished names can be
added TO theirs. Among painters Rosa Bon.
heur may, never be surpassed; yet brush
and pencil are now the means of livelihood
to unnumbered women of genius and skill
In astronomy the name OF Maria Mitch
ell musS ever head the list, but the list is
ever lengthenirg in that field.
All these. with bookkeeping, telegraphy
and many similar occupations are open to
women. The vexed question OF self-sup-
port has. however. forced many into un-
thought-of spheres. One of the largest and
most lucrative livery stables in Chicago
IS run by a woman. Chicago's down
LOWE superintendent OF the SlTcelS Is
woman; fitted by natural executive ability
I and special study Of sanitation. paving and
I like matters. she is giving most efficient
service and has instituted many reforms
for the public welfare.
At a reception in a neighboring city was
bright charming woman, a social favor
tie with all-she Is at the head of a large
and we'll patronized laundry. In another
city a sign reading, Edith Gray, Real Es-
tate and Loans" catches the eye of the
passerby; and there are instances OF stock
brokerage and banking offices conducted by
women.
GROWTH OF INDEPENDENCE.
These opening fields Of usefulness have
drawn out the dormant forces in woman's
nature, and have given her chance to try
and to measure her powers. As a result
there is a feeling OF independence which
did not characterize the woman of a half.
century ago Youthful marriage is also
becoming thing OF the past the self
supporting young woman. knowing what
she can do. and approaching the freedom
OF her position. is slow 10 commit herself
In marriage. and the average marrying
age to-day Is twenty-five 10 thirty years
Woman's entrance into business circle:
has had the tendency to stop the CROWNS
bOOrishness which was manifesting itseli
there. IL is slowly but surely leading mer
TO recognize the one great work OF life
not 10 be money getting, but charactel
building. She Is giving a shading TO the
values OF life. hence we are beginning Il
place things more nearly where they be
long.
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