Page:Women of distinction.djvu/462

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION.

confidence (and yet no friend should be regarded more confidential than mother), but somehow it is true that they, as children, talk of their desires and inclinations so that even in early childhood an older sister may do much good in assisting the mother in the care and well-being of the children. When her influence is combined with that of the mother, she may be even more powerful. The two constitute possibly the greatest powder of the ho.me, and especially so in giving counsel to those who are approaching womanhood and manhood, and are formulating their plans for the future. The restraining influence of a sister is far-reaching in its effects. It may haunt even an older brother in the midst of his wildest deeds and reclaim him therefrom.

How many young men, talented young men, have been saved by the tears and pleadings of an affectionate sister even when the fleecy locks of a tender mother were of no effect. She has often led to the mercy-seat a wayward brother whom God has greatly blessed and used as a means of saving thousands of souls.

III. As a wife. Possibly woman is never so powerful as when queen of her own home—the wife of a faithful husband. Here she mav reign in the fullness of her power and to the fullest extent of her love and sympathies, with almost unlimited interest and a never dying-satisfaction. She is indeed a queen in the full sense of the word; the ideal of a fond husband whom she serves and loves and obeys as a part of the joys of her life and the aspirations of her soul. Here her influence upon the community is most powerful as a neighbor and a sympa-