This book grew. Its history is very brief. The lecture entitled "Woman
_versus_ Ballot," while well received by the majority, has met with
a strong opposition from those who do not believe in the position
assigned to Woman in the Word of God. This turned the attention of
the author to the scriptural argument more and more, and resulted in
producing the impression that the effort to secure the ballot for
woman found its origin in infidelity to the Word of God and in
infidelity to woman.
In "Woman as God made Her" we saw Eve as she was brought to Adam, and
familiarized ourselves with the purposes He had in her creation, which
were chiefly embodied in the one word "_Helpmeet_." In "Woman as
a Tempter" we saw the _ideal_ woman despoiled of her glory, and
influencing the world to turn from the worship of the Creator to that
of the creature. For ages woman suffered the consequences of sin. In
Eve she lost her recognition; through Christ she regained it. The
study of the Bible has convinced the writer that the purpose of God,
in creating woman, still lives, and is to find its complete fulfilment
under the New Dispensation. We have seen that Christ--the embodiment
of all manly properties--turned his face towards and lavished his
blessings upon womanly characteristics, such as meekness, purity,
love, and humility, and that, because of His influence, woman is
invited to take her place in the church on an equality with man, to
help on the cause of truth by an illustration of those virtues which
received the glory shed upon them by the life of the Son of Man and
the Son of God.
In the work devolving upon mankind, woman has a distinct mission to
fulfil. Society owes to her love, honor, and protection. Every right,
social and religious, should be guarded. Associations calculated to
secure for her every privilege enjoyed by man, should be formed and
supported. Above all else, efforts should be made to lead her to
recognize in Christ her Saviour, for Christ in woman is her hope of
glory, her joy and strength. Said Florence Nightingale,--
"I would say to all women, Look upon your work, whether it be an
accustomed or unaccustomed work, as upon a trust confided to you. This
will keep you alike from discouragement and from presumption, from
idleness and from overtaxing of yourselves. Where God leads the way,
he has bound himself to help you _to go the way_. I would say to
all young ladies who are called to any peculiar vocation, Qualify
yourselves for it, as man does for his work. Don't think you can
undertake it otherwise.
"And again, if you are called to do a man's work, do not exact a
woman's privileges--the privileges of inaccuracy, of weakness, of the
muddle-head. Submit yourselves to the rules of business, as men do, by
which alone you can make God's business succeed. For he has never said
that he will give his blessing to sketchy, unfinished work. And I
would especially guard young ladies from fancying themselves like
Lady Superiors, with an obsequious following of disciples, if they
undertake any great work. I would only say, Work, work, in silence at
first, in silence for years. It will not be time wasted. And it is
very certain that without it you will be no worker--you will not
produce one 'perfect work,' but only a botch, in the service of God."
In the above spirit, and with a kindred desire, this volume was
written. For good or ill, for better or worse, the book is sent forth
in the hope that it may recall attention to the Divine IDEAL for
Woman, and aid in inducing man, to prize her as the first gift of God
to him, designed "as a helpmeet for him."