“ THE MODEL MAID."

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 177, 23 December 1892, Page 3

“ THE MODEL MAID."

From Our Paparoa Correspondent. The Rev. John Walter, late of Cornwall, now on his second visit to this place, rendered his interesting lecture on the above snbject. On Moaday, 6th December, in the Vi esleyan Chapel. A fair number of residents assembled, a goodly sprinkling of young ladies included, who listened attentively to the lecturer’s remarks, and were at times convulsed with laughter at tit-bits in the way of spicy illustrations . and anecdotes, with which this venerable lecturer always intersperse* his remarks. Mr G. Cliff was voted to the chair, and with a few appropriate remarks, introduood the speaker. Mr Walter, on rising, said he felt to some extent sorry in having to go over the same ground a second time, (he having given the lecture en the occasion of his first visit here, although only few had the pleasure of heariug it.) After one or two anecdotes by way of introduction, which neither time nor space will permit of my giving, Mr Walter went on to say that on the maids of today depended the destiny of future generations; as those who are now young women will become the future wives and mothers, who will train up the young minds of those who will be the mea and women—the world’s citizens—of future years, He impressed on tbe young women present the great responsibility which would rest on them. Tho mother filled even a more important position than the father, as the ohild’s earliest years, sav to seven or to eight years old, are under her irfiuence : she ha 3 the moulding of the young character, and with the mother will rest the making or marring of her fellow-creature* lives. As illustrating the influence for good or evil one life has on those associated with it, Lord Shaftesbury was quoted, who owed his reputation, and the good he had done in the world, to a godly servant girl. The lecturer here gave his definition of a ‘ maid.’—the whale lifetime of a v Oman’s single blessedness up till she reached the mature age of seventy: after that she passed out of his category, he would call her ‘ madam ’ There are all kinds of models. A model maid should possess beauty, utility and naturalness, also physical beauty, mental beauty, and moral beauty. The question arises, * what is physical beauty ?’ It had been definedas an assemblage of graces that pleases tbe eye. The speaker pointed out that physical beauty is not to bo despised. But beside tbe outward graces of feature asd complexion, our hearts must be renewed asd sanctified by the love of Christ. If Christ be ia the heart, love and gentleness will shine out in the face and adorn it, this, tbe lecturer said, would make or constitute beauty, Mr Walter said the model maid should b« ‘ Miss Helpful,’ ‘ Miss Careful,’ ! Miss Aofiva,’ ‘ Miss Natural,’ not ashamed of honest toil. Several anecdotes were quoted, illustrating th« exercise of these desirable qualities.. Obedience and reverence to parents, also go to constitute the model. Let us thank God if wa have parents who insist on strict obedience. Children of such fathers and mothers have made some of the grandest men and women the world .-. i ae-rn Mr Walter here gave an amusing acooun- of his own courtship, or rather ‘ wife choosing.’ He had four young ladies to pick from, ‘Miss Modest,’ ■ Miss Perfection,’ ‘ A Sparkling Gem,’ and another whom he dubbed a ‘ Spanker.’ Ha subsequently decided on the ‘ Sparkling Gam,' as the ‘ Spanker' appeared likely to be a tartar. Young men in search for a wife were recommendad to visit the home of the young lady early in tha morning. If the maid was found with her arms in the soapsuds, hard at work, and not ashamed of it. or if she was beard sweetly singing songs of praise to God while about her household duties, Mr Walter advised the young man to pay a second visit If on the other hand a harsh and unpleasant voice met the ear. that young lady should have a wide berth. The -peaker said he hid been reproved by ladies for advising the young men to go and see them at a disadvantage, for instance, in the early morning, as above quoted. But Mr Walter denied this. Probably he considered that at such a time one could see the kind of stuff the ‘ model maid • was really made of. Bachelors were denounced as a ‘ curse to society,’ which appeared to some a rather striking and unwarrantable statement. Mr Walter warned young ladies on matrimonial views intent, to avoid the dandified fop, who with a bell-topper cocked on one aid© of his head, cigar in his mouth, brass ring on hie finger, hair oiled to perfection, and waxed moustache, endeavoured to win the affections of the fair sex. This gentleman usually had two or three strings to his bow, and did not ke«p his appointments particularly well, not being'able to be in more than one place at one time. Sack an abomiuatson should be shunned by any young woman. The lecturer in conclusion said that hi* sol* object iu giving these lectures was to do (rood. He did not object to a bit of fun, he considered it did both him and bis audience good. A vote of thanks to Mr Walter brought * happy and useful meeting to a conclusion. During the reverend gentleman’s visit he has repeated his address on ‘ The Model Meld • at Matakohe, and also given a leoture *t Paid to ‘ The Mode! Mother, *