Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

timate affection; but which makes a woman more tender, more considerate, and more sympathising, than the most ardent passion of romance would do, or the most studied polish of the world.

But her piety must be sterling. It must be no latent form of a still restless ambition, that has exchanged the glitter of fashion for the tinsel of profession; that still finds its pleasure in a crowd; and, weary of the turmoil of the world, seeks some new and more exciting stimulus. This may, indeed, pass current for piety; and as it borrows from religion its lustre, so does it often recompense it with the tarnish of its faults. But that sentiment is ever suspicious that leads woman from home rather than to it; that prefers extraneous to domestic duty; that takes her to the conversazione rather than to her chamber; to her confidant rather than to God.

On the contrary, what more beautiful picture is there than that of the religious and retiring woman, who is struggling, perhaps, with domestic trial, and standing, perhaps, alone in sentiment and in duty? Her path is one of dif

[ocr errors]

ficulty, but she neither makes her trials a theme of gossiping complaints, nor avails herself of the faults of others to excite pity for herself. And, if want of congeniality in those most near to her, is her sore burden, - if even opposition is the appointed exercise of her faith, — she neither seeks notoriety by the cry of persecution, nor looks to the applause of others as a compensation for her trials at home.

It is thought very wrong, even by ordinary persons, to carry domestic secrets beyond our own walls, or to discuss the faults of our near relations with those who are comparatively indifferent. How much more tender should be the delicacy of a Christian! For, if nothing exasperates so much as the suspicion of a confidant, surely that impatience is, to say the least, most unwise, which flies to a stranger for relief; and pours forth, even on the unwilling ear, what ought to be strictly secret. It is a pity, in such a case, that decency does not impose reserve, that the complainant does not feel so identified with the faults she deplores, as to shrink from their

exposure,

that her interest

and affection do not so far prevail over her con

fiding propensity, as to make her keep her grievances to herself.

How much more Christian is the course of uncomplaining meekness! True, this awakens little interest; it encourages no meddling interference; it asks for no human sympathy. Perhaps, even, it may be mistaken by some for compliance or compromise. But how great is its reward!

[ocr errors]

For, if there be a recompense to consistency on earth, and a happy moment to the still-struggling Christian, it is when piety receives the accomplishment of its wishes, when the indulgence that has excused faults, the delicacy that has forborne complaint, and the kindness that has concealed infirmities, are at length appreciated, when these reiterated acts, which have long been treasured up in grateful recollection, are ascribed to their own pure principle; and when this principle is recognised as the one only source of virtue and of peace.

It is then, even in this world, that the secret prayer is answered, and the secret tears are wiped away.

54

CHAP. V.

CHRISTIANITY THE SOURCE OF FEMALE

EXCELLENCE.

It is usual to estimate principles by their apparent results, which may be naturally viewed as no unfair criteria. It is, however, a mistake to suppose that these are the only certain tests; for in matters which involve human conduct, there is so much that impedes the genuine operation of principles, that we may, not unfrequently, form a totally wrong estimate, by merely observing the actions of those who profess to be, and even are in some measure, under their influence.

Christianity has suffered from this superficial view. The infidel points to the divisions, the wars, the persecutions, that have found their pretext in sectarian zeal; and argues the fallacy of the system from the consequences he imputes to it. The careless, irreligious person marks

with a jealous eye the inconsistencies, errors, and mistakes of those whom he regards as preeminently pious; and concludes in favour of his own merely moral code, because he detects failures in persons who are actuated by higher motives.

This should, of course, serve as a stimulus to Christians, since they are thus regarded as the representatives of their faith: but, whilst it does so, we must beware of allowing the partial reasoning, which would judge of a system merely by the deportment of some who profess to be its disciples. To form a correct estimate of the value of our religion, we must examine its doctrines as well as their occasional effects on individual conduct; and not imagine ourselves acquainted with its real features from the imperfect reflection which a faulty mirror may present.

Perhaps there is nothing that affords a more satisfactory internal evidence of the truth of Christianity than the practical tendency of its most important doctrines. It is not merely that it contains the most perfect moral code that ever was given to man, it is not merely

« AnteriorContinuar »