WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4454, 26 June 1893, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH.

"l/lodel Younq Women."

An exceedingly large congregation assembled in the Wesleyan Uhuroli, Masterton, last evening to hear the Eev. S. J. Gibson, of Greytown, deliver bis address on " Model Young Women." Iu hia opening remarks, the reverend gentleman stated ho bad not entitled his proposed address " Model Young Ladies," although in this nineteenth century a considerable number of gentler sex would be grossly insulted if they were termed " women," butjn his mind the grandest old words in the English language were" man" and" woman," and noone should be ashamed of their usage, The terms were pronounced vulgar by persons of exulted rank, and tho difference of title,"lady" or "woman" were now in a great measure used to distinguish classes. Some one had said that " a true woman was the grandest work of .God," and ho believed no more beautiful words than these had ever been written. Would the names of Florence Nightingale, Grace Darling, Lady Somerset, and others ever be forgotten? Their heroio deeds would be always held in sacred memory. Heroines, however, were not confined to those who are known, and reported in history, but there were countless heroines in tho world who were now doing unlimited work, bravely and fearlessly, in their own homes. The ideal woman was undoubtedly one gifted with strength, beauty and usefulness, Physical strength was one of the greatest gifts of God, but all unfortunately were not possessed of it, through no fault of their own, It may be thought lady like to be frail, delicate/ with a pale complexion, and unable to work, bat the real woman who was best fitted for the trials and vicissitudes of life was the healthy, bright-ooloured girl, not afraid to eat a good meal, and do the needed washing, baking, and oleaning at home. Every organ that God has given them should be rightly used and not abused. In educational matters the young women of the Empire are rivalling the young men, and it was a great shame that women should not have thn same chance as men to enter professions, There should be no limit to positions for women, if they are fitted to achiove them, The theory had of late years been played out that women were inferior to men mentally. No less than sixty five per cent, of the teachers in the United States were women, and their tuition was regarded as more successful than that of the opposite sex. But girls might take honours at Universities, and if they were not well up in matters of howo life, tbey were only half oducated, The future of ' this colony was in their hands; they had the moulding of the next generation, and whether for good or evil time alone would tell. Ue urged upon his hearers to make a commencement to put down those little pests of society; gossiping, back-biting, snubbing, and above all, flirtation. The art of deceit was unhappily being carried on to ut great extent, and it often ended in breaking the chords of a man's future; sending him to a life of misery and despair, and often worse. Beauty could not be over estimated. It was God's gift, and " God's gift let no man despisi," There was an old saying that "a handsome woman waß soon dressed." Some people fancied that they could improve upon God's work, but for the better it was impossible. Mr Gibson then referred to the shapeless beads of the Fijians, the cramped feet of the Chinese, and the tightening in of the Wftiafc of Europeans, as ridiculous, and tending to make unshapely tho human figure God had designed. Ho referred to the absurd fashions of society, and the unpardonable extremesthey went to with the " Greoian bend," the " Alexandria )imp," and tbe 11 crinoline," which made a vulgar display of line-looking women, Physical beauty was not gVanted all, but the beauty of a noble character all could possess. It was better to lack tho flashing eye and pretty face than have it marred with a hasty tomper and bad spirit. Many are morally beautiful \yhp are not fair to look upon. Bad temper and decoit destroys all the natural beauty, but gentleness, peace, and love, would make plain features charming. The girls of. to-day in a great many eases were , not (aught housework,but could play the piano and do fancy work, It was not thought lady-like to work, or help to. earn one's living I The 'model woman should be useful at heme* in sooiety, and at the church; : Every girl should endeavour to lighten the troubles of her parents in their advancing age, a meek return for the years of pain and suffering they have gone through for their ofifeprihg. It was in the ' power of women to purify the world, and the many reforms now under consideration, raid be (#4 wet and 1

for all if tho women were in real '

earnest. He would urge the young men to seek iho society of God-fearing young women, who would moke any home happy, brjgbt, bad comforting, and would be the guardian angels of abetter world,