WOMAN.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 210, 31 January 1866, Page 3

WOMAN.

It is idle, with the Scriptures before us, to argue the inferiority of woman from the fact of her subordination. If religion be the grand reality — the great end and aim of human life — woman has ever been distinguished for her elevated faith. Her claims to equality in this primary matter admit of no dispute — rest not on feeling or opinion, but upon the immutable basis of fact. In acts she has been valiant — in mental endowments dignified — in faith unwavering. A woman saved the life of the infant destined to be the lawgiver of the Jews ; a woman, Miriam, was associated with him in his mission, and sang her chorus to his song ; a woman, Deborah, judged Isral in a time of great danger, and delivered the nation out of its difficulties ; a woman, Hannah, was permitted to be among the earliest prophesiers of the Messiah's coming, and the very first to call Him by the hallowed name of Saviour ; a woman, the Virgin Mother, was the first disciple — the first to demand from others unqualified obedience to the Redeemer; women ministered unto the Lord of their substance; women were faithful unto death in the hour of His mortal agony ; women comprised a considerable portion of the first Church of Jerusalem ; a woman, Lydia, was the first convert of the first European Church ; a woman, Priscilla, was permitted to be an associate in teaching a purer doctrine to the eloquent Apollos ; a woman, Phoebe, was recognised by Paul as " a servant of the church;" women, throughout the whole apostolic age, were " succourers" of the saints, "fellow-helpers" of the Apostles in the Grospel. These are solemn facts, not quoted to excite pride, or a mean and injurious spirit of rivalry, but to deepen the conviction of responsibility — to show that Christian womanhood has now, as in former times,fa mighty work to perform ; that trivial pursuits, petty aims, neglected talents, are unworthy of her ; that the exigencies of the present age have claims on her of no unimportant kind ; and that, as spiritually descended from these sacred heroines, it his her duty to be " thoroughly furnished to every good word and work." Wherever there is ignorance it is her duty to aim to remove it — wherever there is suffering it is her privilege to alleviate it — wherever there is impurity it is her prerogative to destroy it. Childhood and youth look up to her for example; her erring and suffering sister-woman claims from her aid and sympathy. Man requires that she " open her mouth with wisdom ;" and on her tongue should be "the law of kindness." The Church gathers around her and says. " Be thou faithful unto and thou shalt inherit a crown of everlasting life." — Mrs. Clara Balfowr : " Our Own JPiresicle."