Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

:

glect; she will attract notice, and confer happiness, even when descending into the vale of years. The ravages of time cannot reach the soul death cannot strip off the habits of immortality: it will only change her 'from glory to glory' only remove her from earth, unworthy of continuance, and place her among 'the innumerable company of angels.'

In adorning ourselves, the opinion of others is very influential; especially if the admirers discover taste, possess sway, or can give law to fashion. This decoration is in the SIGHT OF GOD of great price.' 'Not' she 'who commendeth herself is approved, but whom the LORD commendeth.' What is the honour that cometh from man?' How wavering, how vain, how debasing! But the honour that cometh from GOD only,' is purifying, satisfying, enduring. It is impossible to feel a complacency in ourselves, while conscious that we are disesteemed by a Being of infinite wisdom, excellency, and goodness. His 'judgment is always according to truth.' 'In his favour is life;' on his applause our happiness depends; and in vain we approach him with

[ocr errors]

any of those distinctions which dazzle and deceive mankind; for the LORD taketh pleasure' only in them that fear him, in them that hope in his mercy.'

5. Much depends on the MODELS you choose for imitation. The apostle would have you conform, not to the flutterers of fashion, not to the triflers of a day, who live only to please, and derive all their consequence from vanity; but an illustrious company of female worthies, who drew towards them the eye of God, who served their generation according to his will, who obtained a distinguished place in the annals of inspiration, whose names have been long glorified, and will be had in everlasting remembrance.' 'A gracious woman

6

retaineth honour.' Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised: give her of the fruit of her hand, and let her own works praise her in the gates.' 'For after this manner in the old time, the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose DAUGHTERS

ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.' The honour of this alliance awaits you, however inferior in talents, however obscure in your stations, however poor in your circumstances, here is a passage, by which you may obtain a place in this glorious assembly, and sit down by the side of a Lydia, a Mary, a Hannah, a Deborah, a Sarah, "in the kingdom of God.' For by what are these pious women distinguished? By excellencies which fall within the reach of general imitation by preferring the soul to the body; by meekness and gentleness; by modesty and reserve; by a ready submission to the demands of their stations. Thus Sarah, though of the same family with her husband, and distinguished by peculiar honours, never rose above the most humble duties of her situation; never suffered even the princess, to injure the wife; and, willingly yielded Abraham reverence and obedience.

<

But in all these instances, you will never

6

do well,' and become the daughters' of Sarah, unless you maintain a holy MAGNANIMITY;

"NOT BEING AFRAID WITH ANY AMAZEMENT'

-so as to be staggered, confounded, dismayed, in the course of prescribed duty. There can be no impartial obedience, or unwavering perseverance in religion, without courage and confidence. The man needs it, the woman needs it the husband requires it, and the wife equally requires it. It would be rendered still more necessary, were a period to arrive, in which every airy speculation would be preferred to practice; things important, because plain and of old standing, would be lightly esteemed; and nothing would strike, nothing be relished, unless dressed up in novelty, and seasoned with extravagance. Such, my female friends, is the period in which we live. Many of the things which we have been recommending on sacred ground, would be considered as barbarous notions, as ignorance of the world, prejudices which philosophy would cure, the airs of hypocrisy, the effects of prudishness. Can you form yourselves by these rules? Can you encounter opinion? Can you bear the charge of singularity? Can you abandon the multitude, laughing or lampooning as you retire? Can you live according to the dictates of rea

and wanton.

The apparel of a woman pro

[ocr errors]

fessing godliness,' should not be the attire of a woman of the world, much less, the attire of a harlot.' Females sometimes wear a label, on which indecency and indelicacy are written, and then appear to be offended because observers can read. I would not always infer too much of the disposition from these outward hints, but in the name of a blush, on what principle can we explain the invention or adoption of certain modes?--I describe nothing. She will beware of exceeding her rank, and her circumstances, or even of reducing her means of beneficence. Shall I here avail myself of the season? How many miserable objects are there around you! What an insult on the wretchedness of the times, is the dress of many extravagant females! My fair hearers, escape this censure. Remember Dorcas; enter yonder 'upper chamber;' see the 'widows standing and weeping, and showing the coats and garments which she made while she was with them.' What will afford you most pleasure when you come to die, the recollection of the property you employed in clothing

« AnteriorContinua »