While the world abounds with records of noble lives--lives prominent
in almost every station and department, thereby as examples affording
stimulating incentive to high endeavour, there is one sphere of action
which has, perhaps, not received due recognition--that of INFLUENCE.
This moral force forms one of the most powerful factors in the
development of character and the conduct of life. And whatever may be
the varied opinions as to the political and civic rights of women, it
cannot be doubted that they have a mission in the world, and that a
mighty one. This province of influence is peculiarly their own, quite
irrespective of age or degree, and is absolutely limitless in its
power and extent. Where we may endeavour to drive or even to lead in
vain, influence, with subtle tact and potent sway, may, like a
gracious Divinity, become an unseen but pervading power, restoring,
controlling, directing those who come within her realm. And while the
gentler sex exercise this sovereign dominion more especially in the
familiar arena of Home, where each affinity affords its own occasion
for the exercise of that form of power befitting those who come into
contact with each other, no relation in life can be greater in
opportunity for beneficial influence, or need be richer in result,
than that arising from the sweet bond existing between brother and
sister. The natural tie, strengthened by the companionships of rosy
childhood, cemented during years of youthful growth, prepares a
fitting soil for life's seed-time, fit subjects for affection's
persuasive sway. Each stage of their undivided lives adds to that
store of mutual memories and loves, which gives to after life such a
charm, importing therein "The cloistered memories of youth."
Approaching thus her womanhood, a girl having brothers to whom she is
thus bound by the sanctities of the home life, has their future weal
in no small measure within her power.
Unusual talent, if not genius, is frequently found to have
distinguished various members of a family. The reason is not always to
be found in heredity. Where one has early shown an aptitude for a
particular pursuit, or become absorbed in a certain mental recreation,
a brother or a sister, animated in the first place by love, has become
interested in the other's work. From sympathy they pass to mutual
labour. The worker is stimulated and helped, and love itself is
strengthened. Kindred aim leads to kindred thought, oneness of purpose
to oneness of heart. Each acts as an aid to the other.
Their work becomes the better for their love,
And still their love the sweeter for their work.
The following sketches of exalted sisterhood are gleanings only, and
are offered as examples not heroic, but for the most part capable of
emulation. Probably many other instances, kindred in character, will
occur to those who may read these pages. We remember from the remote
past the tragic story of Antigone, a maiden of heroic devotion, not
only as daughter but sister. How, following her father in his
sightless-age, she ministered to him until the end. And when, after
the battle in which she had the anguish of seeing her brothers
fighting against each other to the death, each falling by the hand
which should have been the first to protect, the sister's heart
yearned over the one left unburied. The victorious army had removed
for decent burial those who had fallen on their side, but a tyrant
king had forbidden, on pain of death, the burial of Polynices. But
Antigone had a love which overcame all fear. Memories of mutual
affection in days of innocence thronged her thought, and steeled her
heart to defiance of the cruel law. Undeterred by the thought of how
uncertain it was whether she could find her brother on the vast field,
or that she would probably be discovered, and herself fall a victim to
the passions of war; drawn by her mighty love, she dared alone the
unknown and midnight horrors of the place of carnage, in the hope of
hiding the loved body from the beasts of prey. After much search she
came upon the dear object of her daring, and made in the ground a
little space to serve her end. We should have liked to read that love
so devoted met with its proper recompense. But, alas! Antigone was
discovered and ordered to be confined in a subterranean cavern; when,
no longer desiring to live, she died by her own hand.
An affecting incident of more recent days is recorded of Mdlle.
Gattey, the sister of a book-seller who had been arrested during the
French Revolution. The devoted sister determined to share the fate of
her brother, whatever it might be. She was present on the occasion of
his trial, apparently an indifferent spectator. When she heard the
sentence of death pronounced against him, eager to become his
companion to the scaffold, she shouted aloud: "Vive le Roi!" She was,
of course, immediately taken, and, though not allowed to die with her
brother, as her loving heart longed, she willingly shared his fate on
the following day.
We need not, however, look into the past, nor so much at the fields of
history as that of our own memories. Even the examples selected for
our study have not been, for the most part, in the world's sense
heroines, but rather sweet household women, doing the work which God
placed nearest to them. They are not, therefore, any the less noble
examplars; rather more. The common nature of humanity is not of heroic
mould, nor are everyday needs such as demand its display. The
restoration and salvation, the continual well-being and upraising of
humanity depend not upon the extraordinary so much as upon the
continuous exercise of those qualities which are our common heritage.
In the army of helpers the best results are not attained by great
endeavours so much as by the humble ministries which wait for the
willing hands and kind hearts.
It may be that reading these pages the shadow of a cloud may flit over
the thoughtful face of some sister, who, with a glowing feeling of
affection, thinks with regret on what may appear to be a narrow
sphere. If so, let it be remembered that lives are no less noble for
being less known. Happily in many walks of life--lowlier in the fact
that their events are unrecorded--beat hearts as warm, and in more
limited spheres live deeds as noble and shine influences as pure and
strong as those which, through the brighter light of exalted position
or conspicuous circumstance, have added to the world's best wealth.
"SIDNEY'S SISTER."
"They had been taught religion--thence
Their gentler spirits suck'd sweet innocence:
Each morn and even they were taught to pray
With the whole household; and could every day
Read in their virtuous parents' noble parts,
The mysteries of manners, morals, arts."