A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Sandford, Mrs.
SANDFORD, MRS.,
Wife of the Rev. John Sandford, wrote a little work much commended on its appearance—"Woman in her Social and Domestic Character." This was reprinted in Boston in 1832. At that time few works on the subject of woman's duties and influence had appeared since Mrs. More and the Rev. Mr. Bennet wrote their stiff treatises. Mrs. Sandford keeps religion constantly in view, and thus inculcates moral goodness as the cardinal quality of worth for the sex. So far, her work is excellent; but she, like most writers on this subject, falls into the grave error of making reason and physical power superior to moral goodness. She constantly describes woman as inferior to man. While such is the tone of British writers their works will do little for the cause of Christianity. That the Saviour's precepts are more generally and perfectly obeyed by women than by men no person will question; if to be a Christian And do good is the highest glory of humanity, above physical strength, which is held in common with animals, above mental power, which, without this moral goodness, is used in the service of devils, then woman's nature is the superior; and those who teach otherwise are really promoting the kingdom of darkness—the reign of licentiousness and infidelity.