American Pocket Library of Useful Knowledge/Influence of Women
INFLUENCE OF WOMEN.
BY JUDGE HOPKINSON.
If men hold the political power of society, women have mainly in their hands the more important moral power. There cannot be a moral community where they are licentious; there cannot be a refined society where they are neglected and ignorant. Upon them depend the earliest education and first impressions of their children. They regulate, or materially iufluence, the principles, opinions and manners of their husbands and their sons. Thus the sound and healthful state of society depends on them. It is a remarkable historical fact, that the wife of Oliver Cromwell endeavoured to persuade him to recall the exiled king, and that alt his children save one were loyal. We must believe they derived their feelings and opinions from their mother. Alfred, one of the most extraordinary men of any age, who rescued his country from her enemies by his courage, and by his wisdom and energy rescued her from extreme barbarism to a high degree of civilization, in his youth was given to idleness and pleasure. His mother roused in him the ambition and virtue that has made him the admiration of mankind for a thousand years. Napoleon said that to the manner in which his mother formed him at an early age, he principally owed his subsequent elevation. It was his opinion that the future good or bad conduct of a child depends upon the mother.
Mothers, while you are proud of this distinction, rememember the responsibility it imposes on you. Be worthy of it.
The list of great names might have been swelled by that of our Washington, who has paid so beautiful a tribute to the memory of her who formed his youthful mind, and by those of many thousands of others who have ascribed to the affectionate care and counsel of mothers all their virtues, their distinction and honours.
But recently the eloquent and popular O’Connell thus publicly testified:
“I wept over the grave of my sainted mother, who early instructed and brought up my infant mind to the possibility of failure, but the impossibility that the lessons I received could tarnish the morals or virtues of her son; and I do sincerely believe that, when at her last expiring breath her sainted soul poured forth a blessing on my head, whatever success I have had through life was owing to the efficacy of her last pleasing though melancholy lesson.”
THE PRECIOUS PEARL.
Religion in a female secures all her interests. It graces her character, promotes her peace, endears her friendship, secures esteem, and adds a dignity and worth indescribable to all her deeds. How pleasant, when the absent husband can think of home, and reflect that angels watch the place! When about to leave her a widow, how consoling, if her character is such, that she can lean on the widow’s God, and put her children under the guardianship of Him, who is the father of the fatherless! Then he quits the world calm and happy, supported by the hope he shall meet them all in heaven.
A HINT.
It is not the money earned that makes a man wealthy so much as that he saves from his earnings. A good and prudent husband makes a deposit of the fruits of his labour with his best friend: and if that friend be not true to him, what has he to hope? If he dare not place confidence in the companion of his bosom, where is he to place it? A wife acts not for herself only, but she is the agent of many she loves, and she is bound to act for their good, and not for her own gratification. Her husband’s good is the end to which she should aim–his approbation and love is her reward.
THE MOTHER’S DUTY.
Important as are schools, and invaluable as learning may be, they are nothing, nay, worse than nothing, unless right habits are formed at home. Without a proper training of the mind in early childhood, the learning of after life may only serve to direct bad habits to evil purposes, and lead the way to greater wickedness and crime.
All who have the care of children, or who feel an interest in their welfare, can do them no greater good, nor society a greater blessing, than by aiding in the correction of bad, and the formation of good, habits.
Habits in youth are easily formed, and the hand that aids in forming them is doubly blessed. Let all those who love little children–let mothers, especially, watch unceasingly, and carefully nip in the bud the slightest propensity in a child to exercise cruelty of any kind, or upon any object, and early create an habitual abhorrence of dram-drinking, theft, and hypocrisy. Assiduously cultivate a love of truth, of industry, frugality and order; observing that though children may be governed too little or too much, they can never be governed too well.
See “Habits,” page 39.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Whatever may be the views entertained towards Mr. Adams as a politician, it is conceded by all acquainted with his private character, that be is a man of high-toned morals, and of the strictest integrity. The mother’s character is shown in the following extract from a letter, written to her son, then eleven years of age, who was residing with his father at Paris.
June, 1778.
My dear son,–The most amiable and most useful disposition in a young mind, is diffidence of itself; and this should lead you to seek advice and instruction. Improve your understanding by acquiring useful knowledge–and virtue, such as will render you an ornament to society, an honour to your country, and a blessing to your parents. Great learning and superior abilities, should you ever possess them, will be of little value and small estimation, unless virtue, honour, truth and integrity are added to them. Adhere to those religious sentiments and principles which were early instilled into your mind, and remember that you are accountable to your Maker for your words and actions. * * *
The inadvertency and heedlessness of youth require line upon line, and precept upon precept; and, when enforced by the joint efforts of both parents, will, I hope, have a due influence upon your conduct; for, dear as you are to me, I would much rather you should have found your grave in the ocean you have crossed, or that an untimely death crop you in your infant years, than see you an immoral, profligate, or graceless child.