Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-07-31
TALMAGE
SERMON
by Rev.
FRANK DE WITT TALMASE. DID,,
Pastor Of Jefferson Park Pre,by-
terrain Church. CHICAGO

~~~ess 0AN AOhANCAA( cOuESit tAAt PlOO-
lem of family help is rapidly becoming
one OF the first Importance in our great
cities. DIR. Talmage's sermon shows
that domestic service, far from being
a vocation to be despised, should right
ly be regarded as one OF honor and lu-
crative reward. The text is Matthew
Xxx. "a. whatsoever win be chief among
you, let him be your servant"
Startling themei Apparently a con-
tradiction in terms, but really a pro-
found truth proved by reason and ex-
perience. The men most honored in the
world today and the men Of the past,
whose names history will never for
get, are the men who have rendered the
world the best service. Eminence and
lasting fame are won not by riches or
titles, but by doing something that ben
efits others. That is sound general
principle which applies not only to the
highest walks of life. but to the
humblest. 1t may correct our views of
q station which it is now the fashion
to hold III small esteem if we see how
it is affected by this principle. speak
OF the girls who, in performing the
humble duties of domestic service, con-
tribute so much TO the comfort and
happiness of II family.
The tremendous opportunities of use
fulneSS open to consecrated domestic
is the subject. No position today ac-
cessible to q woman of ordinary men,
tai and physical capabilities will bring
greater returns, financially and spirit
ually, than that offered to the average
servant girl. The gods were supposed TO
have allowed the beautiful queen Of
Cyprus to bless her little kingdom in a
wonderful way. Every place OF the
rocky island which her foot might
touch would instantly be covered with
brilliantly colored flora or with rich
green verdure. Not so does God endow
any human being; but in better way
does the fable come true. The humble
domestic servant, be she cook in the
kitchen, or n guardian in the nursery
or waitress in the dining room, or
simply a chambermaid, may live n life
which will carry fragrance wherever it
goes.
Two Glasses of Servants.
But this sermonic theme has its dark
side as well as its bright. 1t is shad-
owed either by avoidance or by sloth-
fulness-by avoidance because in de-
spising it and seeking other occupa-
tons Inconvenience and social diff
culties are entailed on others; by sloth-
fulness because no one can do a duty
badly or carelessly without deteriorat-
ing in character. The kitchen or the
nursery may be n throne room, with a
fnd a
queen, or it may be den of miserable
drudgery and the scene of constant
pickering and discomfort. In olden
times there were two classes OF serv-
ants, both male and female. The one
was that consecrated band of workers
which clearly realized that true serv-
Ice, no matter how humble, implied
honor and usefulness. Thus Joshua,
great man that he was, gladly and
willingly became the servant of Moses.
and Elisha was the servant of the
great Elijah, and Eliezer was the serv-
ant OF Abraham and Samuel OF ELI.
These men knew that they. i'm their
humble sphere, We're working for the
advancement of the world as truly as
were their masters in their more con-
spicuous sphere.
The second class of servants was
composed OF the sullen slaves captured
In war. They were, for the most part.
disgruntled and rebcllious servitors.
They felt that the tyranny of fate had
placed the captiycs' manacles upon
their wrists, and as soon as possible
they would flee when chance for es-
cape offered. So there are women to-
day serving in the kitchen and in the
nursery who act as IL they believe that
they are captured slaves. They are
grumbling against their work and
meager pay. They are spending one
hait OF their time in finding fault
with their mistresscs and the other
half In trying to find out n way OF cs-
cape into some other occupation where
they can have more liberty and in
creased emoluments. AS we would
praise the grand work of the conse-
Grated domestic, so we would denounce
the evil behavior OF the wicked and
slothful servant" We would try TO
show that the servant girl who buries
her one talent in napkin and refuses
TO do her legitimate work is lust as
reprehensible in Gods sight as the
King or queen who deliberately souan-
ders life's capital OF ten talents. Di-
vine rewards and punishments are not
dependent upon the amount of returns
accomplished by Gods children. but
upon the faithfulness and consecra
ton with which we perform the tasks
he has given us to do.
Concerning the Word "RoyaI.,
The word royal" Is not restricted to
station. 1t is, legitimately applied to
any woman whose conduct in her own
sphere Is noble and faithful-conduct
which Is becoming or fitting to a
queen" Nor is the financial compen-
saton for her service inadequate. Her
remuneration is as large as any other
wage Garner in proportion to the phys
lcal labor and mental training which
are required OF her. Prove it? 1 viii.
Compare today the net financial re-
turns or the average servant and those
O. the unskilled worker in any other
departments OF life. In our large cities
the nurse girl receives at least $3.50 to
II and So per week, the good cook
from 81 TO 81, even to $40, per week,
the waitress 81 per week, the cham
Dermaid 81 per week. That means that
each one OF the household servants re-
ceives, usually, wages running any
where from SIT to $50 per month.
That Is more than many of the well
dressed hoorwalkers in the large city
stores get. That Is more than the
average typewriter receives, for she
has TO pay rent and board, which the
domestic servant gets free. That is as
much as farm hand or a private SOL
der in the United States army receives.
oh, no." some one answers, that is
NOT true. foorwalker will get So
per week There Is many q typewriter
receiving $40 per week, or about $40
per month" But, my brother, when
you estimate the salary of the down
town clerks you must at the same time
estimate their expenses. AS 1 remark
ed, the servant girl receives a greater
net return, not gross, than any other
class OF labor requiring equal mental