USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The Congress of Women : held in the Woman's building, World's Columbian exposition, Chicago, U.S.A., 1893 : with portraits, biographies and addresses > Part 50
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The rhythm of a beautiful soul may not, and need not, always be crystallized into forms of speech in order to be recognized and appreciated. This soul-radiance creates happiness within its sphere and, though no words are embodied in type, the sphere widens and widens nevertheless. The poetry of the human soul, which finds expres- sion in deeds not words, is the leaven which lightens and makes buoyant all humanity.
That the world is giving more attention to conduct as the expression of thought and feeling is shown by the novel of today as compared with the novel of a century ago. Novels are now the records of real life, and as such we study them.
Do we not observe that the desire to do some great thing often prevents the doing of those little things which, rightly considered, indicate true greatness? It was per- haps a little thing for Sir Philip Sidney to withdraw the cooling cup from his own parched lips and give it to another dying soldier. But, little in itself, it was the act of a true knight, and it touched a chord in the heart of humanity which will go on vibrat- ing forever. That simple act rendered the name of Sidney immortal.
There may be people toward whom nature is not prodigal of brain. At least some seem to find it impossible to be both agreeable and learned. All scholars are
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not like Sidney and Addison, both learned and polite. In fact, some seem to think rudeness a necessary part of their outfit. But this austerity may be organic. They may affect to be very good companions, when really their world is only large enough for one person. Occasionally we find a man so exquisitely made that he can and must live alone. But the majorities can not live in solitude. It is by constant contact with the world and its work that we are made happy. When we live with people and under- stand them; when we can adapt ourselves to circumstances; when we can fall in with the spirit of the times, without allowing our sympathies to degrade us, or our better natures to be overcome, then we place ourselves upon vantage-ground for doing good, and, if well disposed, can accomplish much.
Intelligent Americans realize that the true test of civilization is not in the extent of the public domain, the area of the crops, the returns of the census, or the wealth and grandeur of cities. It is rather in the kind of men and women that our systems of education and government produce.
People with much work before them must learn to discriminate with reference to the distribution of time and energy. They have no time to waste in discourtesies. It requires more time and effort to undo a wrong than to do the right thing at first. How the feminine soul is sometimes vexed with taking to pieces and making over ill-fitting garments! What diplomacy is sometimes necessary to correct some social error. It is a great part of the art of living to be able to do the right thing at the right time. Each should map out some line of work and pursue it. If the choice is domestic duties, then let those duties be well and faithfully done. If teaching, then let us magnify our calling. If ministering, let us wait on our ministry. Every line of work has some drudgery connected with it, but it need not be degrading, All-honest and necessary work is ennobling.
Heretofore women have not tried to see what they can do along certain lines of work. So, today, they are surprised by their wonderful achievements, and are saying that it has been given to the nineteenth century to discover woman! Many achieve- ments are possible. If some fail for lack of scholarship, or rhetoric, or eloquence, they may still be loyal, patriotic, and public spirited. They may thrill by their personality, although they may not sway by their oratory.
It was Sir Philip Sidney who advised his brother, saying, "When you hear of a good war go to it." There are good wars to which we should go, though not with sanguinary intentions. Our influence and effort should be on the side of patriotism, of temperance, of chastity, of equality before the law, of Christianity. When we hear of a conflict along these lines we should go to it. But the most higlily-favored per- sons are not always the most successful. Most of the great men and women of his- tory come from the middle classes, and this fact makes one believe that it is worth much to have some difficulty to struggle against; to have some obstacle in life to overcome; to have some hardship to endure. Often the great trials of life are the great purifiers of human nature. Do we not sometimes covet the privileges of royalty, and yet fail to perceive that royalty must suffer all the physical ills which are the lot of common mortals ? Even the queen mother must bear the pangs of maternity. But greater than the privilege of royalty is that profound blessing which comes to the person born with a bias for some particular pursuit or definite calling, in which both employment and happiness may be found.
When, from any cause, a swarm of bees has lost its queen, it proceeds at once, in a most curious fashion, to provide the conditions by which the loss may be made good. It is purely a matter of environment and food, when, lo! as by miracle, the common worker bee becomes a queen. If the mere matter of space and food have such influ- ence on insect life, changing form and function, how much more may these influences change the life and character of human beings! In our examination of self let us inquire whether we have sufficient space for growth and development. Is not our world too angular and too narrow? With greater opportunities would we not make greater advancement? There is a stimulating power in mutual sympathy, and when
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this aid comes to a life which earnestly desires improvement, it may make of that life a royal province. But when the goal is finally reached it must be by innate strength that we stand or fall. The power by which one conquers will ever be a profound secret to the world. The drop which the Divine Alchemist added to the blood, in order to impart individuality to each being, is a secret known only to the Great Life- giver. It is this personal element which we ought to prize as the one thing that dis- tinguishes each from every other being. W'e owe a sacred debt to every heart which has rightly influenced our lives-a debt which can only be repaid by imparting the vigor of our genius to our successors. It is right culture which determines right devel- opment. As soil, air, water and sunshine all have their effect upon plant growth, so in the development of human characters there are certain environments which must be secured and controlled. But do not for a moment suppose that all desirable things are also necessary elements of culture. Travel does not change one; scholastic training does not produce contentment; neither is there bliss in ignorance. The advantage of travel lies in the fact that it teaches us in various ways how to know and estimate ourselves-the acme of all true knowledge. Travel and study combined develop the sense of beauty, and aid in the cultivation of the element in us which may be called the sense of appreciating the beautiful. They show us in what manner we differ from others, and that we are not alike because we are incapable of being so.
The personality which leads us to differ need not be deplored. Each one has his own world, which is to him his castle. If, unnaturally, the fern and the violet seek to grow in the burning sun; if the rose and the sunflower choose the shade; if the golden-rod and the lily seek the arid plain, how dwarfed will become their devel- opment! Let us recognize and accept this personality, and cultivate it as a most pre- cious thing. Let us recognize the likeness to, and the difference from, our ideal of perfect humanity. But let us not be so anxious for the development of the higher faculties that we neglect the happiness which comes to all from pure sense of enjoy- ment. It is good for the most learned mortals to come back from the straining abstractions of speculative thought and to indulge in the common emotions and innate sensibilities of life.
People of one idea are, no doubt, very interesting when expressing themselves con- cerning that idea, but upon any other topic they may be exceedingly uninteresting. A musician believes that music lies at the base of everything, and that all happiness is developed through harmony of sound. The painter casts his enthusiasm along the line of color, while the electrician believes that electricity is the all-in-all.
Is it not because much of our training fails of effect, because success surprises us and seems like a venture, that we need to broaden our views of life in order to gain some standards of excellence, and obtain correct ideas of our own merits and demerits ? Have we not placed for ourselves some ideals, and are we not unhappy because we cannot attain them?
And as to forms and faces-well, some of us must forgive Mother Nature for her mistakes, and solace ourselves with the fact that no two faces are alike, and that, con- sequently, there can be no common standard of beauty. We are not dolls and do not live in dolls' houses. If this were our condition, there would arise another Ibsen who would so dramatize our social errors and our weaknesses that they would appear odious.
A few well-established tenets of faith each one must have for himself, and when he has reasoned them out and relies upon them, what more does he require? Some one has aptly said that a few strong instincts and a few plain rules are sufficient. Why not keep our intellectual lives clean and healthful, and allow our lives to be easier, simpler, and happier than they are? Nature teaches us many things, if we would only observe them; for the simplicity of the universe is infinite. Let us consider what daily takes place around us, and we will learn that painful labor is unnecessary. That which can be done readily and spontaneously usually evinces most strength. There are many people who, moved by sudden impulses, thoughtlessly attempt first one thing
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then another, only to find themselves exhausted without accomplishing any real good. There are others who, in the majesty of well laid plans, accomplish much without seeming to put forth great effort.
Of course we love impulsive people, but impulsiveness need not dethrone reason. On the contrary, it may lend vivacity and piquancy to life, thus removing the humdrum of existence. There are things which we can neither change nor control-things which are in the keeping and under the care of that Soul which is the center of the universe; which infuses enchantment into all nature; which brings prosperity, pleasure, and love- liness into the life of all.
When we seriously aim at right thinking and right living, we always discover that there is a class of writers and lecturers whose minds, moving in the same plane, aid in lifting the masses to our level, and we are thereby blessed with the sympathy and co-operation of those whom we are wont to class as our superiors. It is this inspiration that gives us pleasure and relieves us of regrets concerning personal imperfections.
Did you ever think that if the morning of this century could look down upon the evening of the same it would recognize few characteristics of a hundred years ago? Has all this progress been material? Have the liberal arts progressed beyond the power of the common mind to comprehend? Has there not also been a marked development in learning ?
The crowning glory of the ninteenth century will ever be the intelligence which, within the past fifty years, has seized upon the subtle forces of nature and applied them to the industries of the world. This age of steam and electricity is the triumph of labor. Let this advancement of labor, this material prosperity, this triumphal interpretation of nature constitute a plea for correct living-a plea for plain and simple modes of doing the common and necessary tasks of life. Let us abandon conceits, fads and superstitions, and let us pursue the careful and conscientious study of nature which the century has begun. By so doing we may hope for an era of great happiness. Let us make our lives consistent with the plan of nature, modeled according to the harmony of universal law. The model has been given us-a model without a flaw. It is a life full of beauty, of grace, of tenderness. It is of this perfect type of humanity that one of the most cultured of American women thus sings:
" In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom Which transfigures you and ine."
Bishop Wilson's definition of culture is " to make the reason and the will of God prevail." Matthew Arnold says: "Culture needs faith and ardor to flourish in." Since faith and ardor depend so much upon health and bodily vigor, in order to obtain the highest results in life, is it not necessary that we bestow more care on bodily perfec- tion? The true art of living is to aim at perfection; to seek a correct and perfect development of both mind and body, insofar as development is possible.
The best things we possess are our thoughts. Our best utterances and our best work are the embodiment and expression of thought. We can not always frame our words and deeds to utter all we desire to express. Our impulses are more charitable than they appear. There is more love in our hearts than is manifest in our lives. There is more of the Christ in our natures than we are ready to express. It is this element in human nature that renders character lovely. The more of this element we have, the more capable we are of being happy and of shedding all about us the gracious influences of a happy life.
To solve the great question of Christian charity by Victor Hugo's method may require more courage than is usually vouchsafed. He says: " Love thy neighbor by teaching him how to live." Can we furnish our neighbor with the example of " how to live?" Can we live simply, not sumptuously? Can we live happily, live honestly?
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Can we daily exercise enough courtesy to lubricate the wheels of existence and keep the tone of society sweet and pure? Can we cultivate self-reliance and couple with it good manners? Can we study nature and learn her laws? Can we respect our own individuality ? Can we respect others as possessing in equal if not in higher degree as noble qualities as our own? Can we cultivate powers of physical endurance? Can we control the emotions? Can we cause reason to prevail over the will? Can we summon courage to endure great trials? Can we become stout-hearted without becoming hard-hearted? Can we grow old so gracefully that our advancing years shall be the full fruition of a beautiful flower? If we can do these things, we can fight a good warfare and teach our neighbor " how to live."
In striving to progress we need not perplex ourselves with speculations foreign to us. We can never reach a solution of great theological problems by neglecting all the sweet and sacred duties of home and brooding over the mysteries of eternity. Such problems need not trouble us if we do not invite them.
When we learn to move among people, to live in their society, to transact our business affairs, to practice our economies, to perform our labors, to carry on our social and commercial interests, and not only keep ourselves free from any stumbling, but preserve and hold in view a high ideal of human existence, then we shall have learned the majesty of true manhood and true womanhood. We will not only have exemplified in our lives the real art of living, but will embody in them some of that glory which transfigures humanity.
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MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS.
2. Mrs. Sarah S. C. Angell, Michigan.
4. Mrs. H. F. Brown, Minnesota.
7. Miss Lillian Mason Brown. Missouri.
1. Mrs. Eliza J. Pendry Howes, Michigan.
3. Mrs. Francis B. Clarke, Minnesota.
5. Mrs. James W. Lee, Mississippi.
6. Mrs. John M. Stone,
Mississippi.
8. Mrs. Eliza Rickards, Montana.
9. Mrs. Clara L. McAdow, Montana.
10. Mrs. John S. Briggs, Nebraska.
11. Mrs. E. C. Langworthy, Nebraska.
MRS. AMANDA KERR LEWIS.
COLUMBIA'S WOMEN. By MRS. AMANDA KERR LEWIS. [Copyrighted 1893.] There are three little words which are often heard, Yesterday, today and tomorrow; They fall from our lips as mere idle words, Yet are fraught with joy or sorrow.
We grasp not their import, nor meaning so grand, 'Mid our hurry, and bustle, and strife, Yet they reach far backward, and forward, too, And cover the whole of our life.
We speak of a day as a trivial thing, And squander its hours away, Forgetting its passing so surely records Time, precious, gone, gone for aye.
Time infinite differs most widely from ours, For the sacred writers portray That "a day with the Lord's as a thousand years, And a thousand years as a day."
From this view of a yesterday passed Let us gather some memories sublime; Not from out the weird past of a thousand years, But from four hundred years of time.
Our continent then with its mountains, and plains, Spread from eastern to western sea; And tossed its bright leaves o'er its silver lakes, On its winds so wild and free.
The lords of the soil in that far-away time, Ere Columbus sailed over the sea, Were a savage, crude and ignoble race, Far-off sons of the ancient Chinee.
Then from sunny Spain came Columbus brave, With a hope in his anxious mind To traverse the seas and learn their bounds, And the east coast of India to find.
Mrs. Amanda Kerr Lewis is a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania. She was born February 5, 1839. Her par- ents were James Mason Kerr and Rebecca Dinsmore Kerr, both lovely Christian characters. She was educated at Washing- ton Seminary and graduated in the famous Calico Class of 1855. She has traveled quite extensively throughout the United States. She was married during the dark period of the Civil War to John Henry Lewis, of Bloomington, Ill. Her special work for much of her life has been in the interest of the Presbyterian Church and her missions; but for ten years, feeling the need for the higher education for mothers, she has given herself to the study and teaching of history and literature Her principal literary works are: "Half-Hours with American Authors," for the Social Literary Circle of which she was the founder. Her poems, " Columbia's Women," "Ships in American Bays," and "The Weavers," have been much admired. She is now in the lecture and " entertainment field," under the title conferred upon her in her city, "The Poet Lecturer of the Rockies."
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Eighteen long years he had plead and had prayed For aid from proud Europe's laws, Kings sneered, boys jeered, but a brave woman cried- " My jewels I'll pledge for your cause."
She was ready to give every necklace and brooch, From her arm every bracelet and chain, Columbia-flash the name with electric flame Of your patron, Isabella of Spain.
'Twas not Asia's shore Columbus trod, By the grand Spanish queen's bchest; But he found here, across the wide billowy foam, The India isles of the west.
These children of nature had never then heard Of a Calvin's peculiar creed; Nor from a John Knox, or a Wesley, Had learned of a sinner's need.
But living so close to dear nature's heart, Even midst all their wild forest strife, They reverent looked up to the Spirit Of the sun, which gave nature her life.
So here, as in all of the ages past, When strangers on newer lands trod,
The older historical people Called them always the sons of their God.
Four hundred years of time-is it true? America, the home of the free,
Since your hero, for whom you should have been named, On your soil dropped his reverent knee?
Oh hero! rewarded with chains and with scorn, It is time that the world should now know, That America, free, here at last exalts, The wise Christofal Columbo.
Four hundred years of history and fame! Stained with blood here and there; yet we sce Here the largest, the happiest, the grandest land- Columbia. America, the free!
SECOND PERIOD.
One hundred years more of the time passed by, In this wonderful, newly-found West, While England's kings were sowing some seeds, Which grew there without their behest.
'Till again from across the wide, watery deep Came a fairer and nobler stock, To seek for new homes, for liberty's sake, By the side of our Plymouth Rock.
Of the Puritan Fathers so often we've heard, Since our childhood's sweet, happy dream, In spite of their creeds, and their bigotry dark, Held up in such high esteem.
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But of Pilgrim Mothers-how little we know! They were patient, and true, and so brave, 'Mid the direst want, and hardships of war, They walked from cradle to grave.
For this century now, on the roll of old Time, Was a darkened and bloody page; For the pale-face oft fell 'neath the tomahawk Of the red-man's violent rage.
We censure him not, for such cruel greed, And treachery dark, was oft made The means that were used to drive him far back From his own forest home, and his glade.
Had the British invaders but practiced the rule Laid down in their Gospel, I ween That this land would not have been stained with their blood, Nor massacres ever been seen.
THIRD PERIOD.
The colonies soon formed, a little brave group, All told there were only thirteen; They cast aside all their swaddling bands, And entered a wild, untried scene.
Brave fathers and sons then entered that strife, Caring nothing for what it might cost, Gave their money, their homes, their treasures-themselves That their liberties might not be lost.
While patriots breathe, and country remains, This thought in our memory fix- No grander souls have ever lived Than the women of '76.
But this strife passed away, peace spread her bright wing, Washington sat with his kingly brow At the close of the year of his crucial test, A century ago, just now.
Fathers and husbands, brothers and sons, Were counted as gold then, we know; But what of the women who lived and who loved One hundred long years ago?
The mothers and wives toiled early and late, At the cradle, the wheel, and the loom, But for books, for study, for culture of mind, In their lives there was little room.
The brothers and sons must go off to school, Must learn figures to the " Rule of Three;' Enter college-university-read Latin and Greek, Pluck rich fruit from the knowledge tree.
But the girls were too weak, of too little account, Had not brains then to learn any rule; They could spin, and could weave, could nurse, cook and sweep, But were too feeble-minded for school.
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'Twas one hundred years ago and three That the doors of the common schools Were set, by some wise men, just a little ajar, To see if the girls were all fools.
They let them slip in-just an hour or two, To fill up a cold, vacant seat, When a boy was kept out, in the early spring, To help raise something to cat.
But by and by, these wiseacres said: "Why, the girls are clever, 'tis true, For they've held their place by the side of the boys, And sometimes have passed them, too."
For 'twas found in these years that woman had brains Near akin to the stronger sex, So they've let us in the universities, too, Even stately old Harvard-Annex.
John Hopkins, well known of the Southern land, Long held woman back as of old, But now it is said even that has been bought, Or at least the story is told
That a woman stood late at her portals and knocked, Saying, " Please let us into your fold, And I will give you what you very much need, A hundred thousand of gold."
FOURTH PERIOD.
A memory dark, of a sorrowful time, Comes rushing along as the tide, When a brother in blue, and another in gray, Fought, struggled and died, side by side.
Through that terrible war, when its balls and its shells Went whizzing all over the land, While the men kept the field the women at home Scraped the lint, and tore hospital band.
Women, noble in heart and unselfish in thought, Thinking nothing of profit or gain, Went forth from their homes, to the hospital tent, To care for the wounded and slain.
When that fell pistol-shot rang out on the night, And the nation's brave chief was laid low, The Stars and the Stripes of America drooped In her grief-stricken hour of woc.
When the future looked dark, and the country seemed wrecked, And the land was with terror alive, Brave men with sad hearts were aided and cheered By the women of '65.
The North and the South, both deemed their cause just, And together bore sorrow and pain; But now from the Lakes to the Mexico Gulf We are brothers and sisters again.
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And the spirit of '76 still lived, And rose Phoenix-like from the fray, And the glorious crown of Liberty, Wears Columbia still today.
FIFTH PERIOD.
And what of Today, watchman? What of Today? Help me now its import to unfold; How read we the symbols, the signs of the times? What's Today's record to be unrolled.
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