all thus circumstanced were possessed of similar aspirations! She designated the composition

A PRAYER.

FATHER in heaven! my Father! at Thy feet

I humbly bow, and pray that Thou would'st cleanse
My heart from secret sin-my spirit purge
From the low dross of earthliness, and raise
To purer heights the drooping pinions which
Too long have swept the dust, and feebly striven,
Like a worn captive bird, to soar aloft

In the bright sunlight, where no galling chain
May mock its freedom.

Vainly have I striven

O Father! in my own weak strength, to bring

Back to Thine altar the sore-stricken heart

Which finds no peace in wandering. Do Thou draw

Its deep affections to Thyself, and grant

They never more may rove. Clear from my eyes
The mists of earthly love, which all too oft
Have risen between my soul and the pure light
Of Thy calm glory. May I lean no more
On earth-seek never more to rest upon
Its thorny pillows, but with upward gaze,
And fearless trust, lay my weak trembling hand
In Thine, Almighty Father! and, sustained
By Thy strong arm, feel Thou dost give me rest.
No more may earthly visions dim the light
Of heaven's high joys, but may a ray serene,
From the pure glory of Thy throne, shine out
On life's intricate path, and gild the gloom
Of death's dark vale. Thus may I safely reach
My Father's house! my everlasting home!
And, like a weary child, lie down to rest
Within His folded arms.

CHAPTER XII.

Woman's influence-Hints on the ideal of a true woman—, -Animadversions on the prevalent training of young women-Miss Hessel's increasing debility-Last letters to her friends-Self-reproach— Miss S. R- -'s interviews-Spiritual experiences-Death.

It is one of the gratifying features of our age that the subject of woman's position and work is attracting general attention. No subject is more worthy. "The greatest influence on earth," the Rev. A. Monod justly observes, "whether for good or evil, is possessed by woman.” In the varied relations of daughter, sister, teacher, wife, and mother, her influence upon our domestic, social, and national welfare, is incalculable.

What is the ideal of a true woman ?-a woman who sustains her various relationships with thorough efficiency? Fully to answer this question would require a volume. A few hints are all we shall attempt.

Her chief sphere, unquestionably, is the domestic circle. There to refine and elevate man should be one of her principal aims.

"For contemplation he, and valour formed ;

For softness she, and sweet attractive grace."

66

In this utilitarian age man is in danger of carrying “the principles of his ledger into every sphere of his life," of degrading himself into a mere machine for doing a large stroke of business," and "making money" rapidly. Let this become an actual state of things, and what is the

1857]

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED BY WOMAN.

result? Life is divested of all joy and worth

297

thing

barely to be endured; and man is divested of all dignitytransformed into a drudge, a slave. A vortex is created in which not only happiness, but social progress, and national stability, are ultimately engulphed.

Now to woman we must look, under God, for no small part of that agency by which such a calamity is to be averted. She must not only warn against the risk incurred, but unfold the grandeur of the object sacrificed, and, by her marvellous persuasiveness, allure and guide.

66

Numerous qualifications however, it will at once be seen, are requisite to this. Such influence can be exerted by those only who have won esteem, and esteem is the daughter of admiration. The woman that would sway the mighty invisible sceptre to which man is proud to bow, must not only possess good sense-" she openeth her mouth with wisdom;" amiability of temper-" in her tongue is the law of kindness;" domestic skill and habits,-for what avails it that a man has " a handsome property," or a thriving business," or a choice circle of friends, if he has a comfortless home? -some good degree of intellectual culture; how else can she be an intelligent companion ?-but above all, correct and vivid views of the great purpose of life. She can scarcely expect to lift those around her to a higher elevation than she occupies; to kindle aspirations in other souls with which her own is not fired. Would she witness the gratification of the senses subordinated to the culture of the intellect and heart?—moral worth estimated at a higher value than social position?-a sympathy cultivated with whatever is true and noble and philanthropic ?—in fine, would she witness in general society a full and harmonious development of all the faculties of our nature? Then must she herself exemplify these virtues. The embodiment of universal ex

cellence must be her aim.

U

It cannot be too strongly impressed upon the mind that the character of a woman's influence mainly depends upon the aspect in which she views the great purpose of life. If it be viewed chiefly as a thing for enjoyment, the influences most welcomed will be deteriorating. If, on the other hand, it be regarded as the preliminary period of an immortal existence, the future of which is to be determined by the present, as supplying mental and moral materials, out of which we may construct, and ought to construct, a noble character, by which society shall be benefited, and honour reflected on our benevolent Creator-then will the aspirations and purposes cherished be elevating.

Now it is Christianity only that furnishes right views of life; and the surrender of the heart to the love of Christ alone can ensure moral strength for the practical embodiment of those views. Where that is supreme, duties are not only seen but felt, and a constraint is experienced which impels to their discharge. A power of self-control is furnished, and the whole character is ennobled and beautified. Well might Solomon thus counsel his son: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." "Had

it not been for religion," a friend remarked to the writer on having read the previous edition of this memoir, "Miss Hessel would never have been known beyond a private circle. Her powers would have been wasted in frivolous pursuits." And the observation is just. Religion exalted conscience to its rightful supremacy. Revealing the guiltiness of living for mere amusement or the gratification of others, and the paltriness of aims confined to earth, it animated her to purposes harmonizing with those of Deity.

1857] STRICTURES ON THE TRAINING OF YOUNG WOMEN. 299

"All aim at present good; a wiser few

Look to the future; but THE WISE are they
Who make the future and the present one;
The future in the present ever felt,

And with high destiny attain to both."

A warning note is needed, in the opinion of many, on the prevalent training of young women. Let the now sainted John Angell James be candidly listened to on this subject. "How much in modern education is calculated, if not intended, rather to prepare our females to dazzle in the circle of fashion and the gay party, than to shine in the retirement of home. To polish the exterior by what are called accomplishments seems to be more the object than to give a solid substratum of piety, intelligence, good sense, and social virtue. Never was a subject less understood than education. To store the memory with facts, or to cultivate the taste for music, singing, drawing, languages, and needlework, are the ultimatum with many. The use of the intellect in the way of deep reflection, sound judgment, accurate discrimination, is not taught as it should be; while the direction of the will, the cultivation of the heart, and the formation of the character, are lamentably neglected. We ask not the sacrifice of anything that can add grace, and elegance, and ornament, to the feminine character; but we do want incorporated with this, more of what is masculine in knowledge and wisdom." In a similar strain writes one no less observant and no less worthy to be regarded—John Foster."How much I regret to see so generally abandoned to the weeds of vanity, that fertile and vigorous space of life, in which might be planted the oaks and fruittrees of enlightened principle and virtuous habit, which, growing up, would yield to old age an enjoyment, a glory, and a shade." "Fine sensibilities are like woodbines, delightful luxuries of beauty to twine round a solid, upright stem of understanding; but very poor things