 | What can she do? |  |
PREFACE.
THIS book was not written to amuse, to create
purposeless excitement, or secure a little
praise as a bit of artistic work. It would probably
fail in all these things. It was written with a
definite, earnest purpose, which I trust will be apparent
to the reader.
I have nothing to say tending to disarm the
critics. They will speak their mind, as they ought,
and it is wholesome for us to have our faults pointed
out.
As society in our land grows older, and departs
from primitive simplicity, as many are becoming
rich, but more poor, the changes that I have sought
to warn against become more threatening. The
ordinary avenues of industry are growing thronged,
and it daily involves a more fearful risk for a woman
to be thrown out upon the world with unskilled
hands, an untrained mind, and an unbraced moral
nature. Impressed with this danger by some considerable
observation, by a multitude of facts that
write earnestly if not wisely.
Of necessity, it touches somewhat on a subject
delicate and difficult to treat—the “skeleton in the
closet” of society. But the evil exists on every
side, and at some time or other threatens every
home and life. It is my belief that Christian
teachers should not timidly or loftily ignore it, for,
mark it well, the evil does not let us or ours alone.
It is my belief that it should be dealt with in a
plain, fearless, manly manner. Those who differ
have a right to their opinion.
There is one other thought that I wish to suggest.
Much of the fiction of our day, otherwise
strong and admirable, is discouraging in this respect.
In the delineation of character, some are
good, some are bad, and some indifferent. We have
a lovely heroine or a noble hero developing seemingly
in harmony with the inevitable laws of their
natures. Associated with them are those of the
commoner or baser sort, also developing in accordance
with the innate principles of their natures.
The first are presented as if created of different
and finer clay than the others. The first are the
flowers in the garden of society, the latter the
weeds.
According to this theory of character, the heroine
must grow as a moss-rose and the weed remain a
be visited on the other. Is this true? Is not the
choice between good and evil placed before every
human soul, save where ignorance and mental
feebleness destroy free agency? In the field of
the world which the angels of God are to reap, is it
not even possible for the tares to become wheat?
And cannot the sweetest and most beautiful natural
flowers of character borrow from the skies a
fragrance and bloom that is not of earth? So God's
inspired Word teaches me.
I have turned away from many an exquisite and
artistic delineation of human life, sighing, God
might as well have never spoken words of hope,
warning, and strength for all there is in this book.
The Divine and human Friend might have remained
in the Heavens, and never come to earth
in human guise, that He might press His great
heart of world-wide sympathy against the burdened,
suffering heart of humanity. He need not have
died to open a way of life for all. There is nothing
here but human motive, human strength, and
earthly destiny. We protest against this narrowing
down of life, though it be done with the faultless
skill and taste of the most cultured genius. The
children of men are not orphaned. Our Creator is
still “Emanuel—God with us.” Earthly existence
is but the first notes in the prelude of our life, and
the discord, and give an earnest of the eternal
harmonies.
We all are honored with the privilege of “coworking
with Him.”
If I, in my little sphere, can, by this book, lead
one father to train his children to be more strong
and self-reliant, one mother to teach her daughters
a purer, more patient, and heroic womanhood—if I
have placed one more barrier in the tempter's way,
and inspired one more wholesome fear and principle
in the heart of the tempted—if, by lifting the
dark curtain a moment, I can reveal enough to keep
one country girl from leaving her safe native village
for unprotected life in great cities—if I can add one
iota toward a public opinion that will honor useful
labor, however humble, and condemn and render
disgraceful idleness and helplessness, however gilded—if,
chief of all, I lead one heavy-laden heart to
the only source of rest, I shall be well rewarded,
whatever is said of this volume.
| What can she do? | |