Woman's Profession as Mother and Educator, with Views in Opposition to Woman Suffrage

by Catharine Esther Beecher

The principle of subordination is the great bond of union and harmony through the universe. At the head is the loving Father and Lord whom all are to obey with perfect faith and submission. Then revelations teaches that in the invisible world are superior and subordinate ranks, each owing obedience to superiors in station and described as "thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers." Again, in this world are also superiors and subordinates, not only in the family state but in all kinds of business where heads of establishments and master workmen demand implicit faith and obedience.

This being so, one of the most important responsibilities of a woman in the family state is to train the young in this duty, not only by precept but also by example. And a woman who clearly understands the importance of this, will pride herself on her implicit obedience to the official head of the family state, as much so as the citizen or soldier does to his superior officer, or the subordinate operator to his master-workman.

But at the same time, such a woman will demand and expect a return for this submission, that the

husband and father fulfil his corresponding and more difficult duties; to love his wife as himself; to honor her as physically the weaker vessel needing more tender care and less exposure and labor; to suffer for her in order to increase her improvement, usefulness, and happiness, even as the Lord suffered to elevate and purify his followers.

The duty of subordination, though so fundamental and important, is one to which all minds are naturally averse. For every mind seeks to follow its own judgment and wishes rather than those of another. Especially is this the case with persons of great sensibilities and strong will. It is owing to this that so many women of this class are followers of Stuart Mills' doctrine that a wife is not a subordinate in the family state. And it is for want of clear instruction on this subject from the pulpit and the press that this doctrine spreads so fast and so widely.

The agitation at the present time in regard to woman's right and wrongs is greatly owing to the fact that, from various causes, large multitudes of women are without the love and protection secured by marriage. And yet the laws and customs of

society are framed on the general rule that every man is to be head of a family and every woman a wife. But war, emigration, vicious indulgencies, and many other causes have rendered marriage impossible to multitudes of women; counting by tens of thousands in the older States, and by hundreds of thousands in our nation. A large portion of these women must earn their own independence, while those who are provided with a support are embarrassed by false customs or unjust laws. In regard to the multitudes of women who flock to our cities and to such direful temptations it is often said, why "do they not become servants in families?" Let any woman who has a young daughter ponder this question as one that may reach her own family. Does not almost every woman feel, more or less, the bondage of caste and shrink from taking the lowest place even though the Lord of Glory set the example?

And is it not the chief attraction toward our pitying Saviour that He loves and tenderly cares for the weak, the wandering and the lost? And are we not walking in His steps when we try to help the weak and foolish who will not take care of themselves?