The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-23

livery. He rose and took for his text
the 29th verse of the 31st chapter of
the Book of Proverbs: Many daugh-
tiers have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them ALL
He said he had often been called
upon to address Young women. but
never before had he had the pleasure
of addressing young women. He said
it reminded him of a prominent young
minister who was asked why it was
that he was called upon to address
young men So oftener than women,
replied that God would look after the
young women; but unless the young
men had special services they would
go to the bad. He said it was in a
way true. That we found young men
subject a great deal more to tempta-
tions, but to remember there were
temptations surrounding women also,
and that it gave him great pleasure
to be able to bring to these young Wo-
men a special message, to set forth
certain truths, so as to help them to-
better serve the Lord.
DIR. Laird's talk was not only inter-
esting, but instructive. He set out
great truths. He pointed out tempta-
tons unto which even the conscien-
tious woman was apt to yield, and al
ways compared the one who yielded
to the one who resisted contrasting
the beauty and goodness of one with
the sorrow and hideousness of the
other.
First, he said be practical. Young
womanhood is given to dreams and
allowing fancy to have sway, but this
he said, if properly directed, was not
bad thing. That a life without
dreams was like unto an ill-furnished
house. Dreams help the mind and
give color to the picture Dreams stir
the soul oftimes to great deeds, but
remember to dream of achievement is |
not to achieve. Always examine the |
secret precincts of your heart and see
into what shapes our dreams are
forming themselves. Is this fancy the |
ideal that our mothers gave; is it the |
voice of God calling for service; the |
good, the helpful: the beautiful? Or /
is it wicked fancy? Is it Vanity |
Fair? Do you imagine yourself a gra-
cious queen; the most favored daugh-
ter of fortune; always receiving ia
vors rather than performing personal
tasks. He declared youth had whiled
away too many years in idle fancy and
begged these young women to study
our text, live a true, higher and ideal
life, for many have done virtuously.
but thou eXcellest them ALL"
Next, he said, be Industrious. Some
women imagine that they should sit
and hold their hands, and it was in
tended only man should work They
may lay with a novel in their fair
hands while their brothers toll He
declared an idle life to be a selfish
life, and that there were always duties
for women also. That the woman who
shrank from work was wicked, that
she could never be noble and had
nothing inspiring in her nature. He
read an account of the murder of
time, and plead with them to return
to their homes and make themselves
useful and never imagine because they
were the objects of love that they
should lead an idle life, for even love
in time will turn from idleness.
She considereth a field and buyeth
1t; with the fruit of her hands she
planteth a vineyard"
Next, woman should be sympathetic.
He declared sympathy to be the touch
that made all on earth akin. Every
one expects to find sympathy in the
heart of woman. Man in the face
of a great sorrow looks on and asks
what can be done. but it is the wo-
man who holds the cup out to the
Hes declared sympathy to
be the gentlest of woman's graces. the
chiefest of her charms, the brightest
Of her attractions.
2 He referred to the great sympathy
that Christ had for the world. How
seems to draw us nearer
God and how much the world needs it
today. He went further and said
gave to woman the power to
bless. That it was her mission to
to the world Gods great love
and sympathy, and that through this
channel God often drew back to him
self the lives of those lost and ruined
by sir.
Woman should also fear God. Re.
ligfon means the fear of God, and it
Is the browning virtue of a woman'sI
character. 1t gives to her life it's
highest sphere. 1t makes her angelic
It gives her an influence of the widest
range. and makes her more blessed in
her results.
How strangely unnatural and mex
sad to see a woman who
does not fear Cod it is as deplorable
as to see not the beautiful in Him
who among ten thousands is the most
beautiful. The browning grace of q
life is that she fear God;
hat she oDeneth her heart to Him.
Young ladies, take home with you
these truths; write them in your
hearts; may you live your lives for
Him and for His service in this world
which stands SO much in need of SER
vice. that after awhile the King may
come and say unto you: MANY have
lone virtuously, but thou excellest
them ALL"