not only shrinks, but stands outraged, and which has, through centuries past, entailed upon humanity the unhappiness and misery recorded-or a free, unhindered, God-inspired motherhood.

* * * The Infinite Patience has waited through the ages for the human mind to grow into an appreciation of principles, and out of the sphere and dominion of animal appetites. Let us imitate that patience and work faithfully for the truth that is revealed to us. The protest of the great army of the outraged and desecrated motherhood of the past wails adown the ages, and transforms itself into an appeal to every woman's soul to claim for posterity the rights of its office to work with God in that empire which cannot be shared, and should not be interfered with, by any relation. The creative function has a dominion all its own, spiritually as well as physically. Here God and motherhood should be the holy of holies. Selfishness has no right to lift the veil. Teach thy daughter that in this sphere she is, by every consideration of her own well-being and that of her offspring, ruler supreme. We have a literature which may aid and instruct, but there is no power which can, with the knowledge, impart an elevated tone of feeling, no method which can so effectually preserve the purity of the tablet while it receives the impress of knowledge, as familiar converse with the holy mother-heart. Be courageous then, O woman, and bequeath to the future the qualities, by transmission, and the knowledge, by instruction, which shall lift it out of the dominion of appetite and selfishness, that we may rejoice finally in the redemption of motherhood and the salvation of humanity.-Mrs. L. B. Chandler.

WOMAN'S TRUE POSITION.

There is nothing of greater importance to the well-being of society at large-of man as well as woman-than the true and proper position of woman.

This subject has claimed my earnest interest for many years. I have long wished to see woman occupying a more elevated

position than that which custom for ages has allotted to her. The kind of homage that has been paid to woman, the flattering appeals which have too long satisfied her-appeals to her mere fancy and imagination--are giving place to a more extended recognition of her rights, her important duties and responsibilities in life. Woman is claiming for herself stronger and more profitable food. The increasing attention to female education, the improvement in the literature of the age, are among the proofs of a higher estimate of woman in society at large. Therefore we may hope that the intellectual and intelligent are being prepared for the discussion of this question, in a manner which shall tend to ennoble woman and dignify man. Free discussion upon this, as upon all other subjects, is never to be feared; nor will it be, except by such as prefer darkness rather than light. It was sound philosophy uttered by Jesus, "He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." This age is notable for its works of mercy and benevolence, for the efforts that are made to reform the inebriate and the degraded, to relieve the oppressed and the suffering. Women as well as men are interested in these works of justice and mercy. They are efficient co-workers, their talents are called into profitable exercise, their labors are effective in each department of reform. The blessing to the merciful, to the peacemaker, is equal to man and to woman. It is greatly to be deplored, now that she is increasingly qualified for usefulness, that any view should be presented calculated to retard. her labors of love.

Why should not woman seek to be a reformer? If she is to shrink from being such an inconoclast as shall "break the image of man's lower worship," as so long held up to view; if she is to fear to exercise her reason, and her noblest powers, lest she should be thought to "attempt to act the man,” and not "acknowledge his supremacy;" if she is to be satisfied. with the narrow sphere assigned her by man, nor aspire to a higher, lest she should transcend the bounds of female delicacy;

truly it is a mournful prospect for woman. We would admit all the difference that our great and beneficent Creator has made in the relation of man and woman, nor would we seek to disturb that relation; but we deny that the present position of woman is her true sphere of usefulness; nor will she attain to this sphere, until the disabilities and disadvantages, religious, civil, and social, which impede her progress, are removed out of her way. These restrictions have enervated her mind and paralysed her powers.

So far from her ambition leading her to attempt to act the man, she needs all the encouragement she can receive, by the removal of obstacles from her path, in order that she may become a true woman. As it is desirable that man should act a manly and generous part, not mannish," so let woman be urged to exercise a dignified and womanly bearing, not "womanish." Let her cultivate all the graces and proper accomplishments of her sex, but let not these degenerate into. a kind of effeminacy, in which she is satisfied to be the mere plaything or toy of society, content with her outward adornings, and with the tone of flattery and fulsome adulation too often addressed to her. True, nature has made a difference in her configuration, her physical strength, her voice, &c.—and we ask no change, we are satisfied with nature. But how have neglect and mismanagement increased this difference! It is our duty to develope these natural powers by suitable exercise, so that they may be strengthened by reason of use. In the ruder state of society woman is made to bear heavy burdens while her "lord and master" walks idly by her side. In the civilization to which we have attained, if cultivated and refined woman would bring all her powers into use, she might engage in pursuits which she now shrinks from as beneath her proper vocation. The energies of men need not then be wholly devoted to the counting house and common business of life, in order that women in fashionable life may be supported in their daily promenades and nightly visits to the theater and ball

room.

Nor will woman fulfill less her domestic relations, as the faithful companion of her chosen husband and the fitting mother of her children, because she has a right estimate of her position and her responsibilities. Her self-respect will be increased; preserving the dignity of her being, she will not suffer herself to be degraded into a mere dependant. Nor will her feminine character be impaired. Instances are not few of woman throwing off the incumbrances which bind her, and going forth in a manner worthy of herself, her creation, and her dignified calling. Did Elizabeth Fry lose any of her feminine qualities by the public walk into which she was called? Having performed the duties of a mother to a large family, feeling that she owed a labor of love to the poor prisoner, she was empowered by Him who sent her forth to go to the kings and crowned heads of the earth, and ask audience of these; and it was granted her. Did she lose the delicacy of woman by her acts? No. Her retiring modesty was characteristic of her to the latest period of her life. It was my privilege to enjoy her society some years ago, and I found all that belonged to the feminine in woman-to true nobility, in a refined and purified moral nature. Is Dorothea Dix throwing off her womanly nature and appearance in the course she is pursuing? In finding duties abroad, has any "refined man felt that something of beauty has gone forth from her?" Is she compromising her womanly dignity in going forth to seek to better the condition of the insane and afflicted? Is not a beautiful mind and a retiring modesty still conspicuous in her?

Indeed, I would ask, if this modesty is not attractive also, when manifested in the other sex? The retiring modesty of William Ellery Channing was beautiful, as well as many others, who filled elevated stations in society. These virtues, differing as they may in degree in man and woman, are of the same nature, and call forth our admiration wherever manifested.

The noble courage of Grace Darling is justly honored, leading her to present herself on the coast of England, during the raging storm, in order to rescue the poor, suffering, ship

wrecked mariner.. Woman was not wanting in courage in the early ages. In war and bloodshed even, this trait was often displayed. The courage of Joan of Arc is made the subject of popular lectures. But more noble moral daring is marking the female character at the present time, and better worthy of imitation. As these characteristics come to be appreciated in man too, his warlike acts, with all the miseries and horrors of the battle-ground, will sink into their merited oblivion, or be remembered only to be condemned. The heroism diplayed in the tented field must yield to the moral and Christian heroism which is shadowed in the signs of our times.

Who knows but that if woman acted her part in governmental affairs, there might be an entire change in the turmoil of political life. It becomes man to speak modestly of his ability to act without her. If woman's judgment were exercised, why might she not aid in making the laws by which she is governed? Lord Brougham remarked that the works of Harriet Martineau upon Political Economy were not excelled by those of any political writer of the present time. The first few chapters of her "Society in America," her views of a Republic, and of government generally, furnish evidence of woman's capacity to embrace subjects of universal interest.

When, in the diffusion of light and intelligence, a convention shall be called to make regulations for self-government on Christian principles, I can see no good reason why women should not participate in such an assemblage, taking part equally with man.

Let woman then go on—not asking favors, but claiming as a right the removal of all hindrances to her elevation in the scale of being. Let her receive encouragement for the proper cultivation of all her powers, so that she may enter profitably into the active business of life; employing her own hands in ministering to her necessities, strengthening her physical being by proper exercise, and observance of the laws of health. Let her not be ambitious to display a fair hand, and to promenade the fashionable streets of our city, but rather coveting earnestly