forth and rescue these little ones, what saith your great Exemplar? “Ye
are the light of the world; and if the light _in you_ be darkness, how
great is that darkness!”
Where, then, are your golden lamps? Whom will you guide to the light and
liberty of his presence? Awake, from the dream of thoughtless pleasure!
Awake from the reveries of selfish care, and save yourselves and your
country, ere it be forever too late!
A PLAN PROPOSED.
It is the object of what follows, to enable every woman, who wishes
to do something for the cause of education and her country, _to act
immediately_, before the interest awakened is absorbed by other pursuits.
The thing to be aimed at is, the _employment of female talent and
benevolence in educating ignorant and neglected American children_.
In order to give an idea of what _needs_ to be done, and of what _can_ be
done, some facts will be stated of which the writer of this volume has
personal knowledge. There are, in all parts of this country, women of
education and benevolence, and some of them possessing wealth, who are
longing for something to do, which is more worthy of their cultivated
energies than the ordinary pursuits of women of leisure. There is a
still greater multitude of women of good sense and benevolence, who, if
educated, would make admirable teachers, but who now have no resource
but the needle and the manufactory. It is melancholy to see, in all
mechanical trades where woman’s labour is available, how many thousands
are following pursuits, many of them injurious to health and to morals,
and none of them qualifying a woman, in any respect, for future domestic
duties.
In the schoolroom, or at domestic service, a woman is learning to train
children, and to perform domestic duties properly, but in the workshop
and manufactory, she follows a monotonous toil, useful neither to
body nor mind, often injurious to both, and forming habits and tastes
disqualifying her for future domestic duties.[3]
On the other hand, in all parts of our country, especially at the West,
there are multitudes of flourishing towns and villages willing and
anxious to have good schools, and able and ready to support them, but
unwilling to do anything to sustain the miserable apology for teachers
within their reach. And still broader regions are to be found, in every
direction, not only without good teachers, but in many cases without any
desire for schools of any kind. Our _two million_ destitute children are
an appalling proof of this destitution and apathy.
Now, there are hundreds and thousands of enterprising, benevolent, and,
many of them, well educated women, who would rejoice to go forth as
_missionary teachers_ to these destitute children. Such women, by their
influence, not only in their schools, but in the village around them,
could do almost as much as a missionary, and at far less expense. For a
woman needs support only for herself, a man requires support for himself
and a family. And there are multitudes of such women, sighing over our
destitute country and wishing to be sent forth on such a service, and yet
they know of no way to secure the object of their wishes.
In the Catholic Church, a wisdom is shown on this subject, which
Protestants as yet have not exhibited. In that Church, if a lady of
wealth and family is led to devote herself to benevolent enterprises,
a post is immediately found for her as Lady Abbess, or Lady Patroness,
or Lady Superior, where she secures the power, consideration, and rank,
which even ambition might covet. There is now a Catholic institution
in one of our principal western cities, known to the writer, which is
superintended by a lady of rank and family from Belgium, and which is
only a branch of a still larger institution in Belgium, over which
another titled lady presides. And there are several other ladies of
family and fortune from Europe, who are spending their time and wealth
in gathering American children into the Catholic Church. Meantime, all
women of humbler station have places provided, as _Nuns_ or _Sisters of
Charity_, where they can spend their benevolent energies in honoured
activity. The clergy, having no families to occupy their time, devote
their whole attention to the extension of their faith _by schools_ as
well as by _planting churches_. To these instrumentalities are added
the _Jesuit_ establishment in this country, expressly devoted to the
interests of education, with the head Jesuit for the West stationed in
Cincinnati, to supervise and promote all plans for education. He is a man
of winning manners, great policy, untiring industry, and, so far as human
eye can see, honestly and sincerely devoted to the cause he has espoused.
Under his watchful eye, no energy, or benevolence, or skill is ever
lost, but all is husbanded and skilfully directed.
But among Protestants there is no system or organization instituted, thus
to secure and employ the benevolent energies of the female sex in the
cause of education. If a woman finds it in her heart to turn missionary
and go away from her country to instruct the _heathen_, in most cases,
every facility is provided, and public sentiment urges and encourages her
efforts, and she knows to whom to apply for support and encouragement.
But let a woman become interested _in her own country_, and earnestly
desire to labour for destitute American children, and no such means, or
facilities exist as make it suitable, or practicable to undertake. Among
Catholics, let a woman of family and fortune talk of going to the West
to teach, and she instantly is lauded as a saint; bishops, priests, and
Jesuits are at her side to encourage and aid, and honour in life and
canonization at death are her sure reward. But let a Protestant woman of
wealth and high standing express a wish and intention to go to the West
to teach, and it would be regarded by most of her friends and associates
as a mark of oddity--a deficiency of good sense. Family friends would
oppose, acquaintances would sneer, a few would faintly approve, no
individual and no body of men could be found, whose appropriate business
it is to aid, and so many obstacles would oppose, that, in most cases,
it would really be Quixotic to encounter them. And women in humbler
circumstances find almost as insurmountable obstacles; they know of
no place where they can go, it is the business of no one to aid them,
they know of no one to whom to apply for assistance, and thus it is that
hundreds and hundreds of women, abundantly competent to act as missionary
teachers, are pining in secret over wasted energies, which they are
longing to spend in the most appropriate duty of women, the training of
young minds for usefulness and for Heaven. It may be replied, that in
the Catholic Church women take vows of celibacy, which alone can enable
them thus to act for the cause of education, and that no such efficient
action for education can be anticipated from Protestant women, whose
religious faith opposes rather than encourages this sequestration from
domestic alliances. A few facts will serve to show the fallacy of this
impression. A lady of New-England, who for a number of years conducted a
large female institution, furnishes this as the result of her experience.
During nine years, four hundred teachers went out from this institution.
Of these, _eighty-eight_ went to the West and South. At the end of
these nine years, of the _eighty-eight_ who went to the West and South,
_sixty-four_ (which is more than three fourths) _continued as teachers_.
Twelve of these continued teachers after marriage. During three years of
this time, a society connected with this institution was in operation to
aid young women in educating themselves to be teachers. This assistance
was in the form of a loan, which at no time was to exceed _two hundred
dollars_ to any one individual, and this loan was to be returned
whenever it was practicable. The society remitted the debt in cases where
it was not. Means were also provided for the appropriate protection and
location of these teachers. The number who in three years received aid
was _forty-three_, and the sum of $4340,00 was loaned for this purpose.
_Twenty-four_ of these, in the space of eight years from the first loans,
refunded from their own earnings all that was loaned. Eight refunded in
part. The remainder did not refund within the eight years, but all who
were not sick or dead were expecting and aiming so to do.
A clergyman, who for a number of years was a travelling agent for one
of our benevolent institutions, and who felt an interest in discovering
the results of the above effort, stated it as his conviction, that no
college in our country had, in the same period, done more for the cause
of education and religion in our land than this institution had done by
sending forth its female teachers. Many other similar facts could be
stated, showing that there is even a greater chance of permanent results
in employing _a given sum_ for the education of female teachers, than for
the education of young men for the ministry.
The lady who conducted this institution, and furnished these facts, also
stated, that at all times the number of those desirous of qualifying
themselves for teachers, and who would gladly have obtained loans for
this end, was far beyond the means the society could command, while
the demands sent on to this institution for teachers, from the South
and West, was altogether more than could be supplied; thus showing
that there were places demanding teachers, and teachers seeking for
places, and no adequate instrumentality in existence for meeting these
reciprocal demands. In the Eastern States, it is the testimony of school
committees, and others employed in selecting teachers, that _crowds_ of
female applicants are constantly turned aside, not because they are not
qualified, but because the number of applicants greatly exceeds that of
the vacancies.
Another lady, who had conducted a large female institution in
New-England, made an attempt to aid women of education and benevolence,
who were anxious to act as teachers, and wished for aid in finding a
proper location. The failure of health interrupted her efforts, yet, with
a very limited inquiry, _more than a hundred_ women of appropriate spirit
and qualifications were _immediately_ found, anxious to avail themselves
of such aid; while the rumour of such an effort, for two or three years,
brought letters to her from all parts of the country, asking assistance,
some of them in the most moving terms.
By the census, it appears that the excess of female population in
New-England over that of the other sex is more than 14,000. From
extensive inquiries and consultation, the writer believes that _one
fourth_ of these women would gladly engage as teachers; that a large part
are already qualified, and that the others could be fitted for these
duties at an _average_ expense of two hundred dollars each.
Another fact will be mentioned to show _the waste_ of female talent and
benevolence for want of some _organized agency_ which secures men whose
_business_ it is to attend to the interests of education.
A lady, who had conducted a large female institution in New-England,
removed to one of the largest western cities, and, in connexion
with several other ladies of experience and reputation, established
an institution, which they designed, eventually, should become an
institution for the preparation and location of female teachers, with a
school connected with it, supported by the citizens, which should serve
as a _model school_. It was hoped that, when the teachers had gained
public confidence at the West, as they had done at the East, funds would
be furnished, both at the East and West, which would enable these ladies
to say to hundreds of their countrywomen interested in the effort, “Here
is a resort for you, where you may qualify yourselves to be first-rate
teachers, and be _aided in finding a location_ in the many flourishing
but destitute towns and villages of the West.”
The school was abundantly patronised, and successfully conducted. The
ladies then applied for a fund of some $30,000, given for purposes of
education, by a gentleman of that city; and not specifically devoted to
any particular object. The trustees of this fund voted to devote it to
this enterprise, if the citizens would raise $15,000 for a building.
The citizens manifested all appropriate interest, so far as kind words
and liberal offers were concerned. Two gentlemen subscribed a thousand
dollars each, and several five hundred each, and nothing was needed
_but a person properly qualified, who should devote himself to the
enterprise_. The ladies conducting the school, with failing health and
many cares, could not carry forward such an effort, and no _man_ could
be found to devote himself to it. The result was, that the Catholic
bishop bought the building occupied by this school for a Catholic female
institution. No other suitable building could be hired. The hard times
came on, and funds could not be raised to build one; and thus, with
tears of bitter disappointment, the school was given up, and the whole
enterprise failed, and simply because it was _the business_ of no person
to attend to the general interests of education. Had these ladies turned
Catholics, bishops, priests, Jesuits, and all their subordinates, would
have been devoted to their cause, and rich funds from foreign lands would
have been laid at their feet. As it was, in a wealthy and most liberal
Protestant city, where _four_ of the largest establishments in its bounds
have been purchased for _Catholic_ institutions of education, and two of
them for females, a _Protestant_ institution, conducted by four female
teachers of established reputation, passed away for want of suitable
accommodations. Meantime, in that same city, the agents of various
benevolent societies took up liberal contributions for the heathen,
for slaves, for drunkards, for sailors, for convicts, for colleges
(both in and out of the city), for the education of young men, for the
distribution of Bibles and tracts, and for many other objects; because
_men are supported, by voluntary contribution_, to give their whole time
to these objects.
There is no just foundation for the remark not unfrequently made, that
the Catholic Church contains more _self-denying_ benevolence than other
communions, while _sisters of charity_ and _nuns_ are pointed out
as illustrations. There are hundreds and thousands of women in this
Protestant land, who, without the mistaken principles, possess all
the self-denying benevolence which, in Catholic communities, leads to
cloistered vows. The writer, after extensive inquiries in almost all the
free states, believes it would be far within the bounds of moderation
to assert that, if any responsible persons would pledge the pecuniary
means and appropriate protection, five hundred benevolent women could be
found _in less than one month_, with all appropriate qualifications for
_missionary teachers_. Some of these are possessed of wealth, and still
more command a pleasant home, with all the comforts of competence and
the best society; yet they would joyfully encounter the privations of
missionary life in efforts to save their country, could any _appropriate_
method be devised.
These allusions to the aid and encouragement offered to benevolent women
in the Catholic Church are not designed to be invidious. Whatever class
of religionists conscientiously hold, that there is no safety from
eternal ruin but in their church, not only _Christian_ benevolence, but
common humanity should impel them to all possible efforts, to gather
every human being into their communion. And it is feared that Protestants
do not always make sufficient allowance for this consideration.
The wrong lamented is, not that Catholics act consistently with their
faith, but that Protestants do not offer the same aid and encouragement
to benevolent Protestant women, who are so earnest in their desires to
devote time and talents, and, in some cases, wealth, to the salvation of
the children of our country.
In view of these facts, it is now proposed to attempt to raise means
for educating destitute American children, by the agency of women of
education and benevolence, who wish to engage in the work; and for
supporting at least one gentleman of suitable character and influence,
whose time shall be wholly devoted to this enterprise.
The first thing which will be attempted will be to select, from those who
are desirous to engage in such a service, a certain number of those who
are best qualified by education, energy, discretion, and self-denying
benevolence, and who are willing to be stationed, under the protection
of some adjacent clergyman, in places where there are neither churches
or schools, assured of nothing more than is allowed to home and foreign
missionaries, namely, a proper mode of conveyance and location, and _a
simple support_, secured by some responsible persons.
A small beginning will be made, under the supervision of a committee of
six gentlemen, one from each of six different Protestant denominations.
The following gentlemen have consented to act as such a committee until
more permanent arrangements can be made.
Rev. Dr. ELLIOT, Cincinnati.
Rev. Dr. LYND, ditto.
Rev. JAMES H. PERKINS, ditto.
Rev. Dr. M’GUFFEY, ditto.
Rev. Dr. STOWE, ditto.
Rev. Bishop SMITH, Louisville, Kentucky.
As soon as means are raised sufficient to support a gentleman who shall
devote himself to this object, the above committee will endeavour to
organize a Board of Managers, consisting of an equal number of gentlemen
from each of the principal Protestant denominations, who are resident
in different sections of the country, and possess general confidence.
This board will then appoint an Executive Committee, Treasurer, and
Secretary, to superintend and perform all the business connected with
this enterprise, who shall be located either in New-York or Cincinnati.
In order to aid in raising funds for this object, a method is proposed,
which will enable every woman who feels an interest in the effort, to
contribute, at least a small sum, to promote it.
Two works are now issued by the largest publishing house in the country,
which, it is believed, will prove useful and interesting to every
American woman. An account of these works and the terms of the contract
will be found at the close of this volume.[4] It will be seen that these
terms are very favourable, and involve no hazard of loss. These works
will be put into the market and be sold at ordinary prices. _Half the
profits_ (after paying a moderate compensation to the author for the
time and labour of preparing them, the amount to be decided by the above
gentlemen) will be devoted to this object, and as the works are of a kind
that will always be useful, a large sale would secure both a present and
future income.
Any woman, then, who is desirous to aid in promoting this enterprise, can
do so by requesting some bookseller in her vicinity to send for these
works, and then purchasing them herself and using her influence to induce
her friends to do the same. Still more will be effected by securing
notices of these works in newspapers and other periodicals.
Should means be obtained sufficient, to secure the services of a suitable
gentleman, the following measures are suggested as what might be
attempted.
In the first place, an effort could be made to secure committees of
ladies, of each denomination, in all our principal cities, who shall
agree to act simultaneously, on some uniform plan, and, if need be, keep
up a correspondence in order to secure this result. Such committees might
exert themselves in one, or all of the following ways:
They could, firstly, aim to secure the aid and co-operation of the
conductors of the periodical press, literary, political, and religious.
The gentleman who engages in this enterprise, could write, or cause
others to write, articles calculated to arouse the public mind in regard
to popular education. These articles could be transmitted to all the
affiliated committees in every part of our land, and by their influence,
be inserted in most of the newspapers, or other periodicals within their
reach. Thus a steady and most powerful influence would be brought to
bear on the public mind. _The people_ would be aroused, and through the
people, the _legislatures_ might be led to energetic and appropriate
action. And then, as fast as schools are formed, female teachers will be
in demand.
These committees, if it is deemed proper, might also address private
letters to clergymen of their several denominations, asking aid and
advice. Next to the press, the pulpit is the most effective engine of
moral power, and, happily, the clergy of this nation have ever been among
the most ardent and active friends of education, and the warm supporters
of almost every benevolent enterprise. An appeal to them for aid must
secure happy results.
Another method, which such committees could adopt, would be, to make
personal appeals, both to ladies of large means and to those, also, of
smaller ability, for subscriptions to aid in educating and locating
female missionary teachers. Such subscriptions, however, cannot be
successfully sought until some body is organized, consisting of gentlemen
of various denominations, who possess public confidence, and who shall be
properly authorized to receive and appropriate subscriptions.
Another and most important measure could be prosecuted by these
committees. At the East, where there is a superabundance of teachers,
and of women who could speedily be qualified to teach, such committees
could act in selecting the most suitable women of their own denomination
to receive the aid provided; and the _number_ might be regulated by the
relative amount of subscriptions in each denomination.
At the West, such committees could aid in providing schools for those
sent out, a suitable escort, a proper home, and the advice, sympathy, and
aid that would be needed by a stranger in a strange land.
Were such committees known to be in existence at _the East_, they
speedily would be addressed by multitudes of intelligent and benevolent
women, seeking aid in their efforts to gain opportunities to impart
knowledge and salvation to the perishing _heathen_ children in our own
land.
Were such committees in existence at _the West_, and their eyes directed
to the desolate regions of ignorance around them, they would soon find
their warmest energies enlisted in gathering outcast lambs into the fold
of safety, to be trained and guided to heaven.
To impart a more vivid idea of the wants which are to be met, and of
one of the first objects to be aimed at, in the efforts proposed, some
incidents in the experience of the writer will be narrated.
In a small village, less than thirty miles from one of the largest cities
of the West, the writer once stopped to dine. Several children were
playing about, when the following conversation took place:
“Is there any school in this place!”
“No, madam; it is a good while since we have had one. Miss L. came and
taught here nearly a year; but she went home, and we have had no school
since.”
“How many children are there here who would go to a school if there were
one?”
“I should think there are as many as forty or fifty.”
“Do you suppose the parents would like to have a school, and would pay
the teacher well?”
“Oh, yes! If we could get a _good_ teacher, she would be well paid for
her trouble; but none of us know where to get one, and the men folks are
too busy to go and look for one.”
“Have you any clergyman in the place?”
“No, madam.”
“Do the people here ever go to any church?”
“Yes, madam; they sometimes go off a _good piece_ to W., where there is
preaching sometimes.”
It was in another village of the West, and one as destitute as this,
that a young lady from New-England, who came out under the care of a
clergyman, stationed herself to rear up a school. She agreed to teach for
a small sum, and to _board around_ with the parents of her pupils.