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CONCLUSION.

We have, in the preceding pages, endeavored to show what the original sphere of woman was: that she was made to be a partaker of the sovereignty of the world with man; a help, meet for the condition in which he was placed; and, consequently, a sharer in those labors which his sovereignty implied. We trust that we have made it apparent to every candid mind, that labor, so far from being incident to the fallen state of man alone, was a condition consequent upon his sovereignty over the external world, and one strong original trait of resemblance to his Father, the being who set the example of alternate labor and rest, by creating the heavens and the earth in six days, and resting on the seventh.

We have sought to make it apparent, that labor, in the fallen condition of our race, became so vitally essential to our well-being, temporal and spiritual, nay, to our very existence, that God enforced it by the most binding necessity, cursing the ground, that it might not yield its fruit until earned by the needful toil of man; and that he increased the cares and sorrows of woman, that she might be sooner constrained to accept the terms of salvation, and thus be led back to her Creator.

We have also endeavored to show that the way, and the only way of returning to our original state is, by a strict conformity to the laws of our being, ordained by our Heavenly Father, and consequently, that labor should no longer be looked upon as a reproach, but as an honor; and should be cheerfully performed as a high instrumentality in elevating us to happiness and holiness. And, seeing that through the intercession of Jesus, the way has been opened for our return to our Father's mansion, we have been led to inquire into the causes why we have not thus returned. Our investigations have led us to contem

plate, woman as the first in transgression, and we have hence inferred that she is of right bound to be the first to return to her allegiance to her king. This has been argued, not only from the fact that she was the first to sin, but from the position which she occupies in society. Being the mother of the race, and consequently to leave her own impressions upon the heart of her offspring-being the heaven-appointed moulder of its earliest habits of thought and feeling, as well as a most important agent in modifying its physical nature—it is utterly impossible for the world to be regenerated without her purified agency. And in our inquiry into the causes why she has not returned, and with her, a regenerated race, we have seen that selfishness and vanity have interposed themselves as the great obstacles to female progress, and consequently to the regeneration of the world. And now, beloved sisters, we ask you, do you believe we have spoken truth, and that the misery of the world, at the present time, is, to a great and most alarming extent, chargeable to your folly and disobedience? If So, what a fearful weight of responsibility rests upon you! Not only the temporal, but the eternal destiny of millions is determined by you. And will you, can you suffer your own selfishness, idleness, and vanity, to oppose themselves to the holy will o God, and to the highest interests of your whole race? Can you, for the sake of securing the flattery of the vain, and the commendation of the foolish, waste the time, the talents, the energies, and the property committed to your trust, that you might be instrumental in extending the triumphs of the cross, and bringing back a revolted world to its allegiance to the "King of kings?" Of al the folly and ingratitude that are recorded in the history of the world the selfish indulgence, and over-weening vanity of fashionable women, which lead them to sacrifice body and soul, that they may gain the admiration of fools and the sure contempt of the wise, stand unrivalled in it

shameless effrontery. That the professed votaries of fashion should do this, is by no means surprising. But that women, professing godliness, should thus devote themselves as willing sacrifices on the shrine of vanity, is itself a miracle of inconsistency.

What! immortal beings, destined, through grace, to a communion and fellowship with angels, and even to a participation in the glorious kingdom of our ever blessed Redeemer; casting down their blood-bought crowns, that they may immolate themselves on the altar of their own hearts' lusts! Heaven forbid that this should longer be ! Let women cast aside their selfishness and vanity, their love of ease and frivolity, and let them come up to the help of the Lord, with enlightened minds, strong hands, and willing hearts, and we may soon expect to see the day of our physical and moral redemption drawing nigh.

What a glorious prospect for woman! What a privilege is conferred upon her, in that she may become one of the highest instrumentalities in bringing back the world to God! Let her no longer sit in the dust, but arise, and put on her beautiful garment, and go forth to prepare the way for the reception of her king. Let her be clothed with knowledge and humility; with purity and love; let her adorning be that of a meek and quiet spirit, and again will she become the most perfect of all God's terrestrial creation. Then shall arrive the time, so sweetly described by John,-" And I John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, adorned as a bride for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain for the ormer things are passed away."

JL

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