Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1901-06-20
WOMA' 5 CLUB COLUMN.
MRS. GEO. BUTLER TREATS
AN AUDIENCE
To a Graphic Description of the
Manners and Customs of the
People of Brazil.

People OF Brazil.
The Mental Culture Department
of the Goldsboro Woman's Club in
vited Mrs. Butler, missionary from
Brazil, and daughter of Mrs. NJ. o.
Humphrey, of this city, to give a
lecture on Brazilian women and
children, on Thursday afternoon of
this week, at the club room. The
lence greeted Mrs. Butler, who was
introduced by Miss Mary ID. Robin
son, chairman of the department. It
would be impossible to give clear
conception of the lecture unless it
were reported verbatim.
Mrs. Butler held the audience
with intense interest from the first
words spoken, until the last syllable
uttered First she gave geographI-
Cal sketch Of the country, the princi-
pal cities, Industries, exports, etc. SO
vivid was the description, we were
ager to be introduced to the inhab-
itants, which came next. we found
ourselves wandering along the mar
row streets, meeting paupers, with
outstretched leprOus hands, asking
for aims; entered magnificent cathe-
drals; took a peep into homes saw
girls of twelve years of age making
ready for the marriage to the groom
she had never for a single moment
been left alone with. We pitied the
young mothers of thirteen and four,
teen years Of age, who are uneducat-
ed, and wholly unprepared for the du-
ties OF motherhood; and turned With
lOatning from a state OF society that
made it unsafe for a woman to go
unprOtected,e ever SO short a distance
from her own home, and debarred
her from taking any position OF self
sustenance, SUCH us typeWrltlng,
stenOgraphy, clerk, or even servant,
because she would be subject to In
suit, and rejolced IN the chlvalry and
strength OF American MANHOOD, tnat
gives to american wOmanhood the
privilege OF getL1ng married or re-
manning slng4e, making her own llv-
Ing Ill any profession she IS qualified
to grace, and to go anywhere she
has the WhereWlth With winch to go,
assured of the protecting care of the
man she may chance to meet.
Mrs, Butler gave as one reason for
such q state of affairs that we who
possess superior advantages have
not been faithful in our duty to-
ward those less favored; Brazil Of
fered no educational advantages to
woman, while everything was done
for the advancement of man. She
gave an instance of highly educated
man marrying child of IL years of
age The women are equally bright
and anxious TO learn. Old women Cf
sixty years will study the alphabet,
in order to learn to read the Bible.
They are grateful for being taught;
many loving tokens of appreciation
had come to her from the natives.
Mrs. Butler first went to Brazil q
bride, without the least knowledge
Of the Portuguese language. Her
husband would leave her each morn
ing at 6 o'clock and return at g.
Had not our sympathies been so en- :
listed for the sweet girl bride among
strangers, unable to speak word
to those about her, we would have
been amused at the struggle she had
to make herself understood, by pan
tomlme, as it were. Every woman
who listened remembered the time
when her own heart was filed with
inconsistencies and clamored for the
voice of loved ones, refusing to be
comforted, consequently tears were
muca nearer than laughter.
Mrs. Butler does not pose as a
martyr to the service the Master
has given her, but reiolces in this
field of usefulness. She is not afraid
of the leprous hands, nor the fevers
that lurk in every breeze. Her hus.
band being a physician as well as
a minister, she comes in contact with
every class of people; has helped the
outcast, and been socially associated
VITA the President and represents
tlves of the land. Brazil is the home
OF her adoption; as to it's people
their joys are her joys; their sorrows
are her sorrows. She feels that Goo
has given her a rich portion in per
mltting her thus to labor and suffer
for His names sake; therefore sh'
g.adly returns to her work, after {
wear spent in the homeland of he
birth; and, returning, she takes witt
her the love and abiding best wishe
of all who know her; and will receiv
a royal welcome from the Brazilian
people, who so anxiously await he
return.
After the lecture delightful re
freshments were served, and tn
universal verdict was that the Olul
had never enjoyed more delightful
entertaining and Instructive OF
casion, u.