THE WOMAN'S CONGRESS.

AIN ADDRESS

TO THE

Women of America-.

A\-mYra. (R&A^)

BY MRS. LINCOLN PHELPS.

A.

Published for the benefit of the “ WOMAN’S AID SOCIETY” of
St. Bartholomew’s Church, Baltimore.

PHILADELPHIA:

CLAXTON, REMSEX & HAEFLEEIXGER,

624, 626 and 628 Market Street.

l sro. -

(Au4avivhOT,,'The unprejudiced and sensible articles contained, in this pamphlet were written for and published
in The Conservative Churchman, a Protestant Episcopal Journal of Baltimore. Its publisher desires
to express his appreciation of being the means of first disseminating the ideas of the erudite Mrs. Phelps
on “ Woman's Duties and Bights.” That her pure, noble and useful life may inspire others to fashion after
it, is his earnest hope.3^

TsW w*

WOMAN’S RIGHTS AND DUTIES.

U It is not without hesitation that I presume
to address the women of my country; but
y my advanced age and long service in the
cause of education give me courage to come
forward in behalf of what I consider to be
their true interests, and the welfare of society.

Two years since a congress of American"
women assembled in New York city; the
year following a session was held in Chicago;
and recently the third congress has been
convened at Syracuse, New York.

There is something grand and imposing in
the * idea of a national congress of women;
but by whom are the delegates chosen, and
what authority is there for such an assem-
blage? This subject is one which comes
home to the hearts of those who have
labored most for the advancement of their
sex, who would be ready to favor any move-
ment which would promote their best inter-
ests. But, at this time, when the European
nations are tottering at their- foundations,
and our own country threatened with bank-
ruptcy and anarchy, women should seek to
Q allay strife, and to concentrate their energies
j in efforts for the general good, rather than
^ acting for what they may deem best for
themselves.

) We have a national congress of men,
(f elected according to our laws; they have
refused to grant to women-petitioners to be
allowed the ‘political rights of men ; and shall
j women say,—“we will have a; congress of our
J2* own. If we cannot make laws, we can
discuss subjects; and, in our united wisdom,
T" devise means for the good of our sex.” This,
yr I doubt not, has been the thought of many of
>• the excellent women who have patronized
ry the three congresses. But we find that some
of the strong-minded females complain that
- there are not practiced remits) each has her
4 own favorite plan. One would place “art-
, studies” as the foundation of women’s culture
v and advancement; another would have atten-
y tion concentrated upon the kintergarten, and
l schools designed for the several trades and
f professions; and another would insist that
y home culture is the one thing needed; and
y then comes the plea for that society, which,
t with a long arm, is to reach from Boston
\ over the country, directing women what
f books to read, and where to buy them.

$ Women of talents can talk and write, but
they are not always practical. On scanning
the list of subjects proposed for future dis-

cussion at the late women’s congress, we find
much to approve, but intermingled with
tendencies to radicalism, so that we feel con-
strained to say, “Ye take too much upon you,
ye house of Zeruiah.” The claim for woman
suffrage is not even named in the list of sub-
jects proposed for discussion. The late
decisions of Chief Justice Waite, of the
Supreme Court of the United States, that
the constitution does not confer on women
the right to vote; and perhaps the develop-
ments at the late Brooklyn trial, have had
their influence in giving a quietus for the
present to the woman’s-rights agitation.

Among the subjects propounded in the
late women’s congress for future discussion
are the following:

1.	Professions.—Should women be educa-
ted for the pulpit and the bar? ’We would
answer in the negative; but admit that in
medicine they should be instructed, and, so
far as health would admit, might practice as
physicians among their own sex.

2.	Financial Independence of Women.—How
far is this practicable in the marriage state?
Shall the woman have her private fortune
secured to her, or the awards of her own
labor, while she is at liberty to make debts
which her husband is bound to pay ? There
is a dark side to this question, as when a
husband is bad or worthless.

3.	Mixed Schools.—Shall women be mem-
bers of male colleges and professors in the
same? We would object to this for reasons
which should be obvious to all.

4.	The claims that women are better jour-
nalists or authors than men, we regard as a
proof of the flippancy which success has
given to some who have met with success in
these departments.

As regards the education of their own sex,fe
by women; the oversight by them of public
charities for their own sex, in hospitals, alms-
houses and prisons, we would agree with
our sisters, and, as we we proceed, shall give
the opinion of one—Mrs. Emma Willard—
whose life was devoted to the welfare of her
sex; but who was ever fearful of that wild
and unchastened ambition which so often
leads intellectual women to extravagancies of
opinion and conduct.

What becomes of the romance and poetry
of life when the two sexes are at variance, or
chilled by suspicion and fear—where is the
chivalry which renders the dependence of

454

one sex upon the other a source of mutual
affection? Where shall we find the manly
man, and womanly woman,, in these contests.

W e shall, as we proceed, make free use of
an article on the “Duties and Rights of
Women,” published in the JNational Quarterly
Review, in June, 1874, prefaced by the follow-
ing friendly, perhaps too flattering remarks,
of Dr. Sears, the learned editor:

“The writer of this article is a lady to whom,
it may be justly said, the present generation
of Americans owe much, both as an educator
and author. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to
say that no country has produced two sisters
that have done more for the education of their
sex than this lady and her sister. The latter
died sqme years ago at an advanced age, but
retaining her intellectual faculties to the last.

“The snows of eighty winters, or more,
have passed over the surviving sister, and she
is still an indefatigable laborer in the intel-
lectual field. There is no female educational
institution in America in which her text-
books are not known, and there are few of
the best similar European institutions to
which their fame has not extended.”

“With these remarks as a preface, we al-
low our octogenarian contributor to speak for
herself, and for those who, like her, are an
honor to their sex; and, it will be admitted
that she does so with graphic eloquence and
unflagging vigor.”

The article in question thus begins:—We
shall enter upon our subject by referring, fi rst,
to the Bible for the origin of the human race,
as created man and woman; not according to
modern infidelity, gradually proceeding, by
fortuitous circumstances, from reptiles or
monkeys, to the dignity of rational beings.

In the Garden of Eden was a solitary man.-
The Lord said it is not good for him to be
alone, and a woman was made from his own
flesh, and given him for a companion. But
there was a subtle and seductive being, who ap-
proached Eve and began to question her as
to the privileges, ov rights, which they enjoyed
in their paradise. The simple-hearted wo-
man, who had never thought of questioning
the justice of God’s command, was persuaded
to comply with the suggestions of the tempt-
er; she then induced Adam to become a
partaker in her sin; thus they both fell from
their primeval state of innocence, and were
cast out of the Garden of Eden. Since then,
Jhere has been on earth no paradise for the
human race.

This lesson is full of instruction for woman.
She was created to be the companion of man,
to cheer his solitude, and to asssist him in his
duties. This very relation implies a differ-
ence between them. A companion or assist-
ant fills a secondary position. Bv the be-
liever in Divine revelation, the subordinate
condition of the woman at the creation must
be admitted. The weakness of Eve in listen-
ing to, and parleying with the tempter, is but
too characteristic of her frail daughters. The
yielding of Adam to the solicitations of his
wife indicates the influence of the won^an. The
sacred history of the creation and fall of the

first pair, contains the germ of the whole sub-
ject which has lately agitated the social system.

As the human race pass down the stream
of time, we find the man always spoken of in
the Bible as the “Head of the Family.”
Noah and his family were saved in the ark.
Abraham was the head of the Jewish family.
Isaac had a wife, Rebecca. Jacob’s wives are
named as connected with his history. Of the
wife of Joseph we only know that she was
an Egyptian princess. Yet there were dis-
tinguished women among the Israelites, as
Miriam, the poet and prophetess, and Debo-
rah, who, for seven years, was judge over her
people; but these were exceptional cases.

The records of ancient, profane history,
show that women sometimes acted an impor-
tant part as heroines, or sovereigns ; but the
destinies of mankind were mostly governed,
ostensibly, by men; for, in all ages, women
have greatly influenced the minds of rulers and
legislators. Yet Cleopatra, the great queen,
was subjected through her affections; and Eli-
zabeth of England had feminine weaknesses.

The Christian era brought out the better
parts of woman’s character, her spirituality
or religious feelings. Around the Mother of
Christ are grouped other Marys and good
women, who were faithful to Jesus even unto
death; and to whom was first declared his
resurrection. In the infancy of the Christian
Church, as recorded by the Evangelists and
the writers of the Epistles, especially St. Paul,
noble and honorable women ministered to the
saints, were foremost in good works, and
ready to give up the world for the sake of
their religion; and we now fjnd in Christian
churches, women more numerous than men,
and often more devoted, more spiritual-
minded, and more self-sacrificing. If it be
asked, why is this ? the answer comes from
the depths of the woman’s heart: “We are
more subject to pains of body and weakness
of mind through our peculiar physical organ-
ization ; we feel more sensibly the need of
help from God; therefore our emotions are
readily affected by the truths of religion. Our
very weakness becomes strength through the'
power of the Christian faith.”

We have' briefly sketched woman as she
came from the hand of her Creator, and as'
she is represented in history. We have now
to trace the origin and progress of opinions
which would upturn the established order of
society, and place the companion and subordi-
nate at the head, or in the position of him for
whom she_was created. God said, “It is not
good for man to be alone.” Shall we impugn
His justice in creating woman for such a
cause ? It may seem humiliating to our pride,
but, unless we reject the Bible, we must “ac-
cept the situation.” Let us, therefore, submit
to be what God made us. We find7 that in
spiritual gifts, and in intellectual capacities,
women are not inferior.

We shall not attempt, in discriminating
between the different vocations of the two
sexes, to explain the physiological differ-
ences which make women the “weaker vessel”
in respect to physical strengtli and endurance.5

The boldness and indelicacy with which this
subject is canvassed by public speakers, in
addresses before mixed audiences, and in
books written for popular use, are character-
istic of the present age, in which the Creator
of the universe is canvassed with daring
scrutiny, as if He were amenable to human
laws of criticism or analysis. We may
expect His works will be discussed with as
little reverence. But every woman of deli-
cacy must blush to see on the parlor tables or
shelves of the common family library, books
in which the mysteries of her organization,
(subjects that from girlhood she has been
accustomed to regard as sacred,) are explained
and exhibited. The discussion of “Sex in
Education,” and “No Sex in Education,” is
forced upon us. Physicians have felt called
upon to give reasons why women are not
able to compete with men in colleges, profes-
sions, &c. Developments and revelations
formerly confined to the lecture-room of
medical students, or to medical books, are
now published to the world. Women who
can add M. D. to their names, have, in some
instances, outraged modesty in their lectures
to miscellaneous audiences, in which the
most delicate subjects appertaining to mar-
riage, etc., are discussed as freely as one
would speak of the changes in the vegetable
kingdom, or in the brute creation.

It was in 1791 that Mary Wollstonecraft
published her “Vindication of the Rights of
Women,” a work which attracted public
attention, and, except in few cases, received
condemnation. It gave to her name notoriety.
Like many others who have followed in her
footsteps, she advocated the doctrine of free
love and no marriage. Meeting with the
infidel philosopher, William Goodwin, there
sprang up between these two gifted, but mis-
guided minds, a mutual attachment. At the
birth of her daughter, afterwards the wife of
the poet Shelly, the mother died; but in
order to legitimatize the child, the parents
had been married a short time before its birth.

Conspicuous as a champion of the new
doctrine, was Fanny Wright, afterwards
known as D’Arusmont. To a French educa-
tion, in the days of revolutionary France,
she attributed, in after years, the infidel and
immoral sentiments which she had advocated.
It is said that, in her last days, she partially
abjured her former theories and speculations.
But the bad seed, the tares, had been sown ;
Fanny Wright’s doctrines were^disseminated ;
and societies bearing her name were formed
in various parts of the United States. In
France, these doctrines have been carried out
by the Communists; to their influence, in a
great measure, may be traced the horrors of
the French revolutions in 1793, 1830 and
1848. A daughter of Fanny Wright D’Arus-
mont has recently appeared in Washington
as a disclaimer against the opinions of her
mother and woman-suffragists.

After the advent of Fanny Wright there
were occasional outbreaks in the country.
Some woman lecturer, or man, who had
espoused the cause, would make a sensation;

this phenomenon was not regarded with
alarm, as, in general, women were quietly
going on in the beaten track. There were,
indeed, some, who appeared as educators of
their sex, urging that the fathers of the State
should provide schools for their daughters, as
well as the sons. Men of enlightened minds
listened to these pleadings, and legislatures
showed a willingness to make provision for
such an object; and though there were diffi-
culties as to the best manner of doing this, a
liberal spirit was evinced. Thus, in the case
of a plea by Emma Willard to the legislature
of. New York in behalf of the endowment of a
female seminary, Governor De Witt Clinton
strongly advocated the claim, commending it
An his inaugural address. The petition was
favorably reported by a committee; yet the
bill was lost through some technical obstruc-
tion. But the good seed was not lost; the
improvements in education went on through
private patronage. This was a step in the
right direction.

Women, too, appeared as authors,—pro-
ducing works upon science, literature and
education, not inferior to those written by
the other sex. But none of these women
were among the advocates for women’s
rights, as synonymous with free love and infi-
delity. Yet they claimed the-right to their
own opinions, and that of influencing their
husbands and sons to do their duty as good
citizens and law-makers for the country.
But the sparks which had been scattered by
the woman’s rights champions kindled into
flame in many localities.

To this party have been added men, in-
fluenced by different motives, to espouse this
cause; some, doubtless, who sincerely believe
that women ought to have equal rights in
the government of the state and nation;
others, of cliivalric feelings, who would have
women gratified in their wishes. How many
of their male allies have been influenced by
the desire for notoriety, or the expectation of '
personal consequence or political advantages
by becoming prominent in this party, we -
will not attempt to say.	jr

At length the National Capitol resounded:^
with the shrieks of women for freedom.
There had been circulated throughout the
country petitions to Congress for the “right
to vote” Several thousand signatures had
been given to the petition. The name of
Biddy or Phyllis added, numerically, as
much to the list as that of any educated
woman. A new feeling of consequence was
given to the lower class by such an appeal to
them to demand their rights of the usurpers.
A sensation was created. A revolution seemed
impending. Even senators began to look
alarmed, and to inquire with solicitude, “Do
the women of the country want to vote ? ”

The cause seemed to be" gaining ground.
Washington became for a time the rendezvous
of the party. Women of refinement went
thither to join its forces, doubtless impelled
by various motives: some from honest con-
victions of right and justice, others from less
worthy considerations.6

The article from which we have borrowed
thus freely, (which, be it remembered, is our
' own,) proceeds to give a picture of the “Anti-
. Woman’s Eights Association,” which was or-
ganized in Washington in 1871, to oppose the
movement which then seemed fraught with
danger to the whole country. This associa-
tion sent out a petition to Congress which
was signed by thousands of the most respecta-
ble women in almost every State throughout
the country. Senators and representatives
. willingly presented these petitions to Con-
gress, and assured the two Houses that “the
women did not ask to vote.”

The following is the petition which is
referred to:

“To the Congress of- the United States, protest-
ing against an Extension of Suffrage to Women:

“We, the undersigned, do hereby appeal to
your honorable body, and desire respectfully
to enter our protest against an extension of
Suffrage to Women; and in the firm belief
that our petition represents the sober convic-
tions of the majority of the women of the
country.

“Although we shrink from the notoriety
of the public eye, yet we are too deeply and
painfully impressed by the grave perils which
threaten our peace and happiness in these
proposed changes in our civil and political
rights, longer to remain silent.

“Because Holy Scripture inculcates a differ-
ent, and for us, higher sphere, apart from
public life.

“Because as women we find a full measure
of duties, cares and responsibilities develop-
ing upon us, and we are therefore unwilling
to hear other'and heavier burdens, and those
unsuited to our physical organization.

“Because we hold that an extension of
suffrage would be adverse to the interest of
the working-women of the country, with
whom we heartily sympathize.

“Because these changes must introduce a
fruitful element of discord in the existing
marriage relation, which would tend to the
infinite detriment of children,' and increase
the already alarming prevalence of divorce
throughout the land.

“ Because no genera,] law, affecting the con-
dition of all women,' should be framed to
meet exceptional discontent.

“For these, and many more reasons, do
we beg of your wisdom that no law extend-
ing suffrage to women may be passed, as the
passage of such a law would be fraught with
danger so grave to the general order of the
country.”

A paper called . The True Woman was
commenced about this time, and continued
9 for some years, the object of which was to
oppose the innovations of the Woman
Suffrage party, by setting forth the true path
of duty. The lives and characters of women
who had labored to do good were exhibited.
Many able writers contributed to this paper,
from which we shall make some extracts;
Mrs. 0. McKay, celebrated for her heroism
and active philanthropy in the late civil war,
was the persevering editor. She who had

been on battle-fields in her mission of human-
ity, and who had been honored by the army
as a benefactress, raised her voice against
Woman Suffrage. Mrs. Admiral Dalilgreen,
the mover of the Washington society,-Mrs.
General Sherman, Mrs. Anna W. Dorsey,
Mrs. Cary Long, Miss Susan Fennimore
Cooper, Miss Catherine Beecher, Mrs. Sarah
Lanman Hopper, Mrs. S. J. Hale, with many
others, all, more or less, aided in contributing
to this publication. Among the contribu-
tions of the writers were several upon the
“Lives of Distinguished Women.” First, of
Emma Willard. This article appeared in
May, 1871, when the writer was mourning
the recent loss of a sister with whom her own
life had been, in a measure, identified. It
appears that, in a paper devoted to the
cause of woman suffrage, surprise had been
expressed that Mrs. Phelps should have used
the name of Mrs. Willard in an appeal
against this claim, asserting that she had
favored it in her opinions and wishes. This
assertion is met by producing Mrs. Willard’s
own words, published in 1848 in the Family
Journal: “The subject of women’s rights
has of late occupied the public mind and
press, and several persons have called on me
to define my position, which I here do.”
Then follows an argument to prove that the
Socialists were wrong—“Who would destroy
the order of family government, in which the
husband arid father is the natural sover-
eign.” Mrs. Willard then proceeds to say,
that, from her views in respect to the rights
of women to education, to the avails of their
own labors, and to li61d places of trust in
educational institutions, in the distribution of
public charities, in alms-houses, prisons and
establishments for the insane,, it might be
supposed that she would advocate the equal
rights of her sex to a representation in the
state or national governments. “But this,”
says she, “is not our plan. We do not believe
it to be the plan of Cod. * * * . Let each
sex, then, keep its own place. We find a
division of duties founded in nature.” In
her published letters and journals in Europe,
(1830-’31) Mrs. Willard frequently remarks
upon the woman movement then preached
by Socialists in France, Eobert Owen in Great
Britain, and Fanny Wright in America; she
says: “Their tenets are an unintelligible
jargon; they talk.foolishly of women’s rights.
When will mankind learn that their part in
the order of things is their duty; the submit-
ting to God’s commandments ? ” Mrs. Phelps,
in .a brief sketch of the life of her sister,
proves that no change ever took place in her
views thus distinctly stated; that she la-
mented that some whom she loved had fallen
into these errors, is the testimony of those
who were with her to her latest hours.

Professor Charles Davies, the life-long
friend of Mrs. Willard, in an address before
the New York State University, in alluding
to the claims of the women suffragists to her
sympathy and approbation, thus remarks:

“ The advocates of the current opinions
with respect to women’s rights seem anxious7

to bring to, tlieir aid the lives and examples
of all who have contributed largely to that
great advancement in female education which
• has marked the present century; among these
names that of Mrs. Emma Willard appears,
and we are sorry to see her opinions and
views referred to in support of doctrines con-
trary to the whole tenor of her teaching.”

In April, 1873, there appears in The True
Woman a short article, stating that among old
letters returned by Dr. John Lord to Mrs.
Phelps, after the completion of his biography
of Mrs. Willard, was found one to her nephew,
Wm. Lee, Esq., of Ohio, written so late as
February 7, 1869, from which the following-
extract was made:

“You ask my opinion of female suffrage'—•
by the way, there has recently appeared a vol-
ume entitled Eminent Women of the Age, in
which I am set down as the first of the pioneer
educators;—the women who have upheld fe-
male suffrage are there also. Now I have
never been' an advocate for female suffrage,
neither has your Aunt Phelps.”

Mrs. Willard then proceeds to state' what
women should be prepared to do, and what
men should apportion to them of a public
nature, for charities, education, etc. This
subject, in respect to Mrs. Willard’s opinions,
may* now be considered as disposed of; in the
words of Professor Davies, in the address re-
ferred to, “ We trust that the bitter weeds of
strife will not grow on such a grave, or
shadow such a memory; and that her Chris-
tian character and brilliant life may be per-
mitted to exert their benign influence without
being drawn into controversies for which she
had no taste while living, and which can add
nothing to her fame.”*

Lydia Huntley Sigourney is named among
the “true women.” In one of her latest publi-
cations, called “Selections,” Mrs. Sigourney
gives, with approval, the following extract
from Mrs. Phelps’s “Christian Households,”—
page 220:

“ In this period of innovation and revolu-
tion, injudicious efforts are being made to
break up the foundations of society, and to
bring women forward in unwonted places and
situations. Her true friends should advocate
her advancement in all knowledge and wis-
dom, suitable to her character and duties—
should guard her rights of property and
personal liberty, so far as may consist with the
organization of society; man being divinely
constituted the head of the. family and the
protector of woman.”

The beautiful, womanly life of Mrs. Sigour-
ney was in harmony with her sentiments. In
the introduction to her autobiography she
says, “ My literary course has been a happy

* In her Journal, written in France in 1831, Mrs.
WilJard says, “ France has her great women as well
a* her great men,” and refershis examples to her
friends Madam'es Belloc and JDe Montgolfier. “If
these noble women” (this was written in May, 1871,
during that reign of terror) “have survived the hor-
rors of the new revolution, now carried on by French
socialists, how would they be astonished to learn that
American socialists claim the name of Emma Willard
as the synonym of the extremest radicalism ! Note
from The True Woman.	\

one. It was begun in impulse and continued
from habit. Two principles it has ever kept
in view, not to interfere with the discharge of
womanly duty, and to aim at being, ah instru-
ment for good.”

Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale has a high rank
among distinguished women who have labored
for the elevation of her sex, string for the
rights of woman, to be what the Creator de-
signed her for. In her preface to “ Records
of Women,” she says :

“ I am not about to controvert the authority
of the husband, or the rights of men to make
laws for the world they are to subdue and
govern. I have no sympathy for those who
are wrangling for ‘ Woman’s Rights,’ nor with
those who are urging my sex to strive for
equality and competition with men.”

Mrs. Hale’s conclusion, drawn from the
Bible, is that when the first pair were driven
out of Eden, the Almighty assigned their
duties—man was ordained to become the
worker, provider, protector, and law-giver;
woman was to be the teacher or inspirer, and
the exemplar.”

None of the distinguished women, whose
names were brought forward under this head,
devoted much time or labor, indirectly, con-
troverting the suffrage doctrine. They found
enough to do in their efforts to enlighten and
improve their sex, and in strengthening them
to bear the trials of life and to fulfil its duties.
But they were ever firm in their convictions
as to an appropriate sphere for women.

Mrs. Hale still survives, and is as ready now
to stand up for the truth and fitness of things,
as when she began her literary career. In
December, 1872, we find in the Lady's Book,
of which she has long been the literary editor,
the following address to her readers:

“ Before this number reaches you, I shall be
in my eighty-fourth year. * * * I have
long passed the ordinary limit of human life,
and I am thankful to say I yet retain the desire
and, ability to work. * * * I hope to
spend the remnant of my long life in doing all
1 can with my pen in work which I hope will
benefit my countrywomen.”

A beautiful little poem, written by Mrs.
Hale in her eighty-third year, called “ My
Desires,” proves that her strong and vigorous
mind is not weakened by age; that her powers
of smooth versification are still under control;
and, above all, that her strong Christian faith
illumines the decline of this life, pointing to
the rising of the sun of righteousness in the
better life beyond. Mrs. Phelps, in her clos-
ing remarks, says:	“ A few weeks since,

while on a visit to Philadelphia, this friend of
forty years made me several visits; she came
unattended; was bright and cheerful in her
manners, interesting and instructive in con-..
versation. Beautiful is age when found in
the paths of righteousness! Truly, then is .
the Iioary head a crown of glory!” Mrs,;
Somerville, at the age of eighty-nine, pub-
lished her great work on molecular and micro-
scopic science.

A sketch of Miss Pamela Cunningham de-
serves our notice, and since this distinguished8

woman lias been assailed by “ envy, hatred,
and malice,” it is but just to the cause of
womanhood that she should be here named.
To her, the country owes the preservation of
the home and tomb of Washington from the
hands of speculators and showmen. Mount
Vernon is now held in the name of the women
of the United States. It was purchased by
the proceeds of many years of effort of
Pamela Cunningham, who, an invalid, and
upon her bed, wrote appeals to the women of
the country. Associated with the history of
her life will be the name of Edward Everett,
who presented to the Mount Vernon Society,
of which she was the head and founder, not
merely his sympathy, but the sum of $80,000,
the avails of his Washington lecture, delivered
throughout many cities and towns of our
country. That Miss Cunnigham should be
persecuted by enemies is but a sad comment
on human life. Mrs. Phelps, in her sketch,
gives the testimony of Mrs. Dr. Marks, by
whom she was educated in her native State of
South Carolina, that “among the many noble
qualities of her pupil, she was particularly
distinguished for integrity in all business con-
cerns ; her honesty and justice were unimpeach-
able.” “ It is right ” says Mrs. Phelps, “ that
we should feel a pride and admiration for this
woman, who has accomplished so much, and
that we should jealously protect her reputa-
tion from any assault of envy or malignity.”

Since the publication of that vindication,
Pamela Cunningham has passed beyond hu-
man praise or censure, but her name is still
with us. Will not the women of the country
unite in erecting, at Mount Vernon, a monu-
ment to her memory? Suppose the expense
of a Woman’s Congress for the next year
were saved and contributed to this object!
and where are the other women who would
be willing to use economy, that they might
aid in such a national womanly enterprise ?
The vice-regents of the Mount Vernon As-
sociation will, we hope, consider their duty as
to this act of justice and take measures that it
may be accomplished.

But to continue our history of the Woman-
Suffrage question: John Stuart Mill, iu the
British Parliament, in May, 1867, made a
speech in favor of it. We find here the
stereotyped logic to which we have been
familiarized at home: “The excluding of
one-half the nation from political rights is
an injustice!” Was the Creator unjust in
making this half of the human race women ?
“Can it be pretended,” says Mr. Mill, “that
women who manage a property or conduct a
business, who pay rates and taxes, often to a
large amount, many of whom are from
respectable families, and many of whom, in
Ihe capacity of school mistresses, teach much
more than a great majority of the males
ever learned, are not capable of a function of
which every male householder is capable?
Or is it to be supposed that if they were
allowed to vote they would revolutionize the
State, subvert any of our valuable institu-
tions, or that we should have worse laws, or
be in any respect worse governed by means

of their suffrage ? ” The writer of this arti-
cle for the National Quarterly acknowledges
herself a woman (moreover, as she believes,
almost the only woman who has been
allowed a place in this Review.) She confesses
to having been the sole head, for many years,
of a literary institution supported and
directed by herself, including a chaplain, with
a large number of professors and lady
teachers; a secretary, domestic superintend-
ent, matron, and the requisite number of
domestic attendants; the government was
allowed to be judicious; there was as little
jarring of the machinery as could have been
expected; perhaps she did as well in the
situation as a man could have done, or as
Queen Victoria herself manages her large
empire. Indeed, Her Majesty’s most loyal
subject would not affirm that her judgment
has anything to do with the government of
the nation; this she leaves to her ministers
and her “lords and gentlemen.” Neither did
she build up the British Empire; but we did
found and establish ours, and we administered
its government in our own way, to the best
of our ability. Now, according to Mr. Mill,
we ought to be allowed to vote for political
rulers We might, in the elucidation of this
subject, say that woman is happier to live
shielded and protected ; that there is, to her,
a kind of martyrdom in a public situation.
This has been understood by those who have
passed through such an ordeal. They would
be beloved rather than feared; they would
gladly be protected by an arm stronger than
their own against the storms of life.

Division of labor is required in the manu-
facture of a pin; in social life there should
be a division of duties and responsibilities.
The women who clamor for political rights
seem to forget that such would only add to
their duties; nay, that they would call them
off from those which peculiarly belong to
their sex. The woman’s care is needed at
home; the man goes to his farm, his store, or
his office. As he is more abroad he learns
more of political affairs; if he reads news-
papers at home, and his wife is intelligent, he
listens to her remarks, and may be influenced
by her opinion;—if both are to vote, and
political controversy be added to other dis-
turbing causes, domestic life would be greatly
embittered;—but these answers are as hack-
neyed as are the arguments on the other side.

That Mr. Mill’s suffrage bill was lost by 190
votes against the small minority of 73 in the
House of Commons, proves that his logic
was not effective. Mrs. John Stuart Mill
has written a pamphlet on the “Enfranchise-
ment of Women; ” it might seem that, with
a husband so liberal-minded, she would have
been contented with her own lot.

From the different laws of Great Britain
and the United States in respect to qualifica-
tions of voters, there may be arguments in
favor of .woman suffrage in the former
country that would not apply, here. That a
single woman, an householder and tax-payer,
should have a right to vote seems but reason-
able ; no domestic discord would arise from9

political disagreement with a husband; this
would remove one objection ; but even in the
British Parliament the Woman’s Rights bill
was defeated, showing that this subject is
repulsive under its best form. .

Bishop Huntington, in his “Sermons for the
People,” says: “The whole controversy
(Woman’s Rights) is a monstrous absurdity,
an insane insurrection against good manners.
* * * por tbe wrongs that remain ia the
position of woman, let her not, in the name
of all that is lovely, and all that is wise, go
to a separatist convention, nor to the plat-
form, nor to novel schemes of political
economy or social reorganization, but to that
moral tribunal where she is sure to win her
cause. Let her be content with the posses-
sion and exercise of powTer in all its higher
forms.”

When the writer who now addresses her
countrywomen had, in the last year, finished
her resume of the Woman’s Rights question,
she believed that her mission in respect to
this subject was finished ; she was willing to
resign all to the great “Disposer of events; ”
she believed there was little vitality remain-
ing in the party who had been most clamor-
ous for Woman’s Rights ; that this had been
strangled by itself, in its own convulsions.

But the Woman’s Congress seems to de-
mand attention. Their view's in respect to
certain subjects,—as public education, chari-
ties, &c., were long since advocated by Mrs.
Willard. Can the Woman’s Congress bring
about reforms? We doubt this, but rather
fear that by too much speaking, and writing,
they will darken counsel.

Of the distinguished women, as known
even in the middle of this century, few
remain. May their successors unite wisdom
with talents and genius; may they strive to
elevate their sex, that they may become the
guardians of public morals, perennial foun-
tains of purity and virtue, and examples of

Christian piety. May there be no divided
councils in the human family; the one. sex
arrayed against the other. On mothers
greatly depend the characters of the future
men; at the home fireside may they learn to
respect woman, and imbibe such sentiments
as will cause them, when they become law-
makers, to protect her rights, so far as may
be consistent with the proper organization
of society.

Let women in practical life reflect that
though their names may not appear on the
pages of history, they are yet, acting an
important part in life’s drama. How many
good women, heroines it may be, who have
never been named in public prints, except at
their marriage and death, have, in the sight
of God, been greater than those who have
governed kingdoms; for them is the “crown
of glory that fadeth not away.” Memory
brings tos the writer, among the crowds of
departed friends, martyrs who went from
trials and sorrows to inherit the “unsearcha-
ble riches” of Christ's kingdom. One noble
Christian woman, by her wise administration
of affairs, shielded her husband from the dis-
grace which a mean and parsimonious spirit
would have brought upon him,- and thus
enabled him to hold a respectable, even an
honorable position. When she was removed
from her life of mortification and anxiety,
the man appeared in his true character, and
died despised as a miser. We dare not enter
into particulars, but it is the testimony of
experience that there have been, and are,
heroines in private life, perhaps surpassing in
excellence the most renowned among the
good and great women of history. But we"
are now to take our le we of the sisters and
daughters who have perused these pages.
Though we may never meet in this life, may
we find each other in Heaven.

ALMIRA LINCOLN PHELPS.

. JEhitaw Place, Baltimore, Oct. 26, 1875.

The Influence of Woman’s Charitable and Religious Associations
upon the Members, themselves.

Christianity brought women into new rela-
tions to the religious world. In the Jewish
Church they were not recognized, not even in
the covenant, except as an adjunct to man.
But when Jesus Christ, the Saviour, appeared
as the child of Mary of Nazareth, there was
a new dispensation for women. Our blessed
Lord manifested especial tenderness for them,
even for the penitent sinners. Women min-
istered to His wants, followed Him in His
sufferings, and were the first to whom He
showed Himself after His resurrection. They
were recognized as disciples. They are hon-
orably mentioned by the evangelists in their
histories; they are referred to in the Epistles
as fellow-workers with the apostles and dis-
ciples, as ministering to the necessities of the
saints; as eminent for good works; women

professing godliness, patterns to others.
“Honorable women, not a few,” were engaged
in the great work of building up the holy
apostolic church. The grandmother and
mother of Timothy, first Bishop of Ephesus,
are mentioned with., distinction by St. Paul,
who, in writing to the young Bishop, whom
he calls his “ dearly beloved son,” says: “ I
am greatly desirous to see thee, being mindful
of thy tears, that I was so filled with joy
when I call to remembrance the unfeigned
faith which is in thee, which dwelt, first in thy
grandmotb er, Lois,. and thy mother, Eunice,
and I am persuaded that in thee also.” Here
again the apostle alludes to the early teaching
of Timothy: “ Continue thou in the things
which' thou hast learned, and hast been as-
sured of knowing of whom thou hast learned10

them, and that from a child thou hast known
the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation.”

The Second Epistle of the beloved disciple,
St. John, whose gospel is the last and crown-
ing history of our Lord, is addressed to a
woman; she is called- “ the elect Lady,”
whom, with her children, the apostle says : “I
love them in the truth.” Also he says : “ I
rejoiced greatly when I found thy children
walking in the truth, as we have received a
commandment from the Father.” The holy
apostle then cautions this honorable and pious
lady against any who should come teaching
any other doctrines than those which she had
already received. He warns her not even to
admit them to her house. He hopes soon to
see her that he may speak face to face; and
closes the epistle, by saying : “ the children of
thy elect sister salute thee.” The word, sister
may, probably, have reference to some mem-
ber of the Church, who, with her children,
was well known to the elect lady to whom
this epistle was'specially addressed.

Thus we have abundant evidence that
women in those c\ays were honored in the
Church, and active workers with the apostles.
In our own day the influence of women in the
Church bears a striking and marked charac-
ter ; and now, as in our Saviour’s life on earth
and the founding of His Church, there are
women who follow Christ, and those who. are
devoted to the world. But the line of dis-
tinction is not so clearly defined as it was
.then. It is now respectable,—nay, fashiona-
ble—to belong to a church. This, by many, is
considered as involving no sacrifices, and
rather as a means of popularity, and the form-
ing of “genteel associations.” Again, others
more honest, openly profess their entire devo-
tion to the world, disclaiming all religious obli-
gations ; we say more honest, because there is
t more hope for an open infidel than for a
hyprocrite, onp who would assume the cloak
of piety to conceal unworthy motives.

Among the various classes of women are
the ambitious, the fashionable, and the lovers
of pleasure; there is also the domestic woman,
who sees no duty but to her own family, and
has no thought beyond this world; or perhaps
she imagines, that if there be a future state,
she shall be approved because of her much,
sorting, and she has yet found no happiness in
religion; the burden of her life’s song is,
“What shall we eat, what shall we drink, and
wherewithal shall we be clothed t ” By such
a woman the words of our blessed Lord
should be received as representing rain upon
the parched earth. “Let not your heart be
troubled.” “Take no thought for the moiv
" r0w; your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye
have need of these things ”

' % .We shall proceed to consider the influence
of women’s labours for charitable and re-
ligious purposes, on the character^ of the
members; and the blessings which are reflect-
ed upon themselves while seeking to do good
to others. In short, we believe that no
woman should live wholly for herself and
family, even in a selfish point of view.

The origin of associations among women
for charitable and religious purposes, may be
traced to the early days of the Christian
Church;—but never, until the present time,
have the efforts of women to promote good
objects become so concentrated and so dif-
fused—concentrated as to power, diffused as
to extent. Allow me, my sisters, to call your
attention to some of the motives which should
induce us to favor such associations among
ourselves.

First, every woman should wish to improve
herself; for this end, she should consider what
influences would be most beneficial in mould-
ing her own character. We will suppose th at
she has not ambition to be a leader in fashion-
able society,—neither her taste or principles
tend in that direction; but she would not.be
a mere cipher in the world. She works to do
her duty in that state of life in w hicli God has
placed her—but she finds that constant atten-
tion to family and domestic details narrows
her mind, and affects her disposition unfavor-
ably ; she is alarmed at finding herself becom-
ing fretful and irritable; she fears to lose the
love of her husband, and respect of her child-
ren by seeming unamiable,—for this, alas,
must be the consequence of such deteriora-
tion of character! The woman now reflects
that she must begin to think of herself, that
she could do more and better for those whose
welfare depends on her, were her own feel-
ings calmer, and her mind better disciplined ;
—she is too old to go to school; neither is a
school, properly so called, a place for her—we
are, indeed, always at school; the “discipline
of life” is ever doing its work, but it depends
on ourselves whether we turn our lessons to
good account, and make the best of surround-
ing circumstances.

Women’s societies for the promotion of re-
ligious and benevolent objects furnish a good
school for all who wish to improve them-
selves. It may be asked how can she who is
burthened with duties, take more upon
herself Will an increase of labor and re-
sponsibility render her more cheerful and more
amiable in the domestic circle. We answer,
let our disheartened sisters try the remedy we
propose. Let them sometimes leave the
beaten track of every-day life—go to the “so-
ciety meeting”—ke&Y what others have to
say—enter into the plans proposed by them—
suggest better when they can—forget for a
time their home cares, and elevate their
thoughts to a higher plane ; then will a feel-
ing of peace and consolation enter into their
own souls; sympathy with others will diffuse
a warmer glow of emotion, which will tend
to elevate their thoughts. •

Those who have little to give, pecuniarily,
should not be discouraged from attempting
something in aid of a good cause. There may
be judgment to advise, or ingenuity to invent,
when the purse is light; and she who has
little money to give, may bless others by her
richer gift of intellect, or by indicating the
best way to employ means which may be con-
tributed by others.11

While attending to home duties, the domes*
tic woman will naturally reflect upon the
plans for doing good which she has heard dis-
cussed in “the Society”—without being less
thorough in her own business, she will feel a
lighter heart; kindly sympathies have drawn
her to others; new friendships with her sister
members have sprung up to diversify the rou-
tine of daily life; this has become elevated by
new and enlarged associations. A window
has been opened to the heart which affords
healthful and invigorating influences from
abroad.

We have described the situation of the do-
mestic woman burthened with family cares;—
by changing our kaleidoscope we see a differ-
ent picture;—human life is varied; no two in-
dividuals have the same trials, or the same
temptations. Some women may be in danger
of becoming too intent on the pursuit of
learning, or on literary occupations which
tend to withdraw the mind from the objects
around, to the neglect of the sympathies
which such objects claim; the devotee of the
world is in danger of forgetting the claims of
religion and humanity; all classes of society
have their besetting temptations.

We have enlarged upon the advantages of
societies for “religious and benevolent pur-
poses” upon the characters of the members
themselves, but human nature is imperfect.
“When we would do good evil is present with
us.” Even St. Paul records this experience

of himself. There is no paradise in this
world where the trail of the serpent may not
be seen. Even those who associate for the
purpose of doing good, may err in judgment,
or yield to the influence of jealousy or ambi-
tion. The Christian woman should be ever
watchful over her own heart and motives, lest
even when seeking to do good she may be fos-
tering some latent tendency in her nature
which should be repressed.

We have, in our remarks upon “Womens
Societies” carefully defined our meaning.
There are in our day new and various com-
binations of women for far different objects
than such as we advocate; as “The Rights of
Women to the Ballot” and for other purposes
which we consider adverse to the well-being
of society and to the word of God. We
would that the restless spirits which lead to
these extravagances and absurdities, might be
chastened, and their energies and talents
employed in works for the good of their sex,
and the world at large.

May every religious and thinking woman
consider her duty to her neighbor as well as
to the distant heathen; and promote the
formation of societies, which may include all
classes of respectable women; considering
such societies not only in relation to the good
objects for which they may be, specially, de-
signed, but as schools for the development of
the intelligence, virtue and piety of its mem-
bers.12

[From '•'■Our Church Work,” June, 1875.]

St. Bartholomew’s Woman’s Aid Society.

“The Woman’s Aid Society of St. Bartholo-
mew’s Church, met June 10th, at the resi-
dence of the President, Mrs. Lincoln Phelps.
The following extract from her address to the
members, is inserted at the request of the
Society: ”

I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche,
that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”
Thus did St. Paul write to the Church at
Philippi, his Epistle, in return for pecuniary
aid sent him while a prisoner at Rome. The
Philippians were most grateful to the apostle
for their conversion to the religion of Christ;
and they sent to him twice, by their Bishop,
Epapliroditus, supplies for his temporal
wants. The letter to the Philippians was the
answer returned by the hand of their Bishop.
As Timothy was sharing his bondage in
Rome, St. Paul connects his name with his
own in the address.

My object in selecting these words is to
show that even among Christians who had
received the word of the Lord directly from
the greatest of all the apostles, there were
sometimes dissensions. Euodias and Synty-
che were noble and devoted women; this
seems all that is recorded of them, except, as
we infer from this mention of their names,
that they were not always of one mind, as to
their work in the Lord. St. Paul, in the verse
following, entreats one, whom he calls “ true
yoke-fellow,” to help those women who had
labored with him in the Gospel; by which we
may understand that he called upon this fel-
low laborer to help to reconcile differences
which hindered the good work.

We are sorry that Euodias and Syntyche
should have marred this good work by any
disagreement, but they had doubtless given
efficient aid in the collection made in their
church for St. Paul; and he seems to have
held them in equal regard, while gently re-
minding them of their faults by exhorting
them to be “of the same mind in the Lord.”
There had been contentions in the Church at
Philippi. Some had preached the Gospel
from envy and strife -/yet the apostle said, he
would rejoice that the Gospel was preached,
whatever might be the motive. It might have
been that Euodias had her favorite minister,
and Syntyche hers; and that Christian women
as they were, they had erred through want of
charity;—or, perhaps, even their Bishop,

Epaphroditus, might have been, by one of
these good women, censured for laxity of dis-
cipline in their Church, while the other in-
sisted that he had claimed undue prerogative.
St. Paul did not enter upon these questions ;
he only exhorts them all, “ to strive together
for the faith of the Gospel.”

In this last meeting of our society for the
summer, I would express my thankfulness to
Him who hath made us to be of one mind dur-
ing the past year and who hath blessed us in
our efforts to aid the Church. But we have
been called to suffer a severe loss in the excel-
lent mother, Mrs. Hawthrone, and daughter,
Mrs. Henry Rogers, who have been removed
from earth. In our chapel, we see before the
chancel the memorial window—Christ ascend-
ing to Heaven. His worshipping mother, and
other women, who were at the burial and first
at the tomb after His resurrection, all are gaz-
ing up into Heaven. So should our eyes and
thoughts be directed, when we meet to wor-
ship our ascended Saviour. Forgetting the
world and its pursuits, we should strive to rise
in our thoughts and affections^ to those celes-
tial scenes where “ Christ sitteth on the right
hand of God.”

Our society was organized to aid a mission
church, St. Bartholomew’s; we have been en-
abled to render some good service, and to
strengthen the hands and comfort the heart of
our faithful “Rector, who has been unwearied
in his labors among us. We came together as
strangers, with different ideas on many sub-
jects. The ashes of civil discord have grown
cold, as our hearts have become warmed with
Christian love and charity. Political discord
has not been known in our Woman’s Aid So-
ciety, our vestry or congregation. Our Euo-
diases and Syntyches have all striven to be of
one mind, and to labor with one heart for the
prosperity of our own church and for the
cause of Christ’s kingdom at large.

I have, on former occasions, dwelt some-
what upon the good influence of associations
for Christian charity upon the characters and
the lives of the members. Thus far there has
been no occasion for any change in my opin-
ions. Each member of our society, in my es-
timation, stands pledged to live a good life.
In the language of St. Paul.in his address to
the Philippians, I would say in conclusion,
“Only let your conversation (or conduct) be
as becometh the Gospel of Christ.” ,

*Rev. Mr. Gholson.