It appears in the preceding pages that the daughters of the more wealthy classes who are educated in boarding schools and most academies and female colleges cannot enjoy advantages equal to what are given gratuitously in our best public High Schools to the children of the poor. Instead of following in the rear of public schools, those who have wealth should aim to elevate the public schools by the example of institutions of the highest order for their own daughters. And they also would be doubly blest if they would set an example that should both dignify labor and protect their daughters from helpless poverty should reverses come, by having them trained to some profession by which they could earn an honorable independence.
When the precepts and example of Jesus Christ fully interpermeate society, to labor with the hands will be regarded not only as a duty but a privilege.
TO THE FORMER PUPILS AND PERSONAL FRIENDS OF THE WRITER.
If this enterprise succeeds in Connecticut its example will be followed in other States, and this volume is sent to many former pupils and personal friends that they may co-operate in the several ways suggested.
As the writer in former times has received such aid and co-operation, with funds also to employ at her discretion, and for several years has had no official organs to report results, it is proper to state that her personal expenditures for many years have been in a style of economy which she has seen practised to such a degree nowhere else, and that all her income not thus employed has been devoted to plans from aiding her own sex to prepare for and perform their sacred ministry.
The question as to how much of our income it is our duty to give for the cause for which our Lord came and suffered is a difficult one to settle. But He instructed the rich young man, "Sell all that thou hast and give to the poor and come and follow
us," and he also approved the poor widow who gave her last mite to the service of God.
In following out the spirit of these teachings, even in this life, to the writer has been fulfilled His gracious promise, "Give and it shall be given, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over." And the added rewards will increase through eternal ages, as immortal spirits, rescued from ignorance and sin, will carry forward the same noble work of training immortal minds to virtue and happiness.
Those who spend their money and time for earthly enjoyments that perish in the using "have their reward" in the short lived pleasures. Those who most literally follow the Divine Master lay up treasures that fail not, but draw interest through everlasting ages. This is written for the comfort and encouragement of those who by the writer were trained to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."