Woman's Work by Roxette Runck, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 30, 1914

Woman's Work

By Roxette Runck, M. D.

ROXETTE RUNCK, M. D.

In this age of advancement and civilization it seems almost impossible to come to any specific conclusion in regard to woman and her sphere. She has climbed the Alpine heights; she has demonstrated her ability in every vocation of life. She is wild with enthusiasm. She is drunken with the wine of success. She is shaking off the shackles of custom and tradition. Where this speedy train will lead her depends on the reason and wisdom with which it is guided. Many of her advanced ideas are a step in the right direction. But we as Christian women should be careful of the power we put on the pendulum. We do not wish to give it an uncertain swing. We do not want it to swing too far, lest our time record be marred. We

should be on guard lest evil creep into our achievements.

Upon woman depends the fostering of the race, the inspiring of the youth with principles of morality, nobleness, and truth. It means much that she stand for that which is good and true; that her influence be on the side for right. We shall speak of several phases of her work, each of which is a subject within itself.

Let woman think for herself. She should not be a slave to custom, depending upon man to think and act for her. She must think for herself in order to be a true helpmate, a companion in every sense of the word.

The religious movements in which woman may engage are many. She has accomplished much as a religious worker. As we look at the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, we see the yield of much fruit from these noble workers, and the Young Women's Christian Association has helped many a young woman to a position where she could help herself. This association has thrown home influences as much as possible around the young girl. This has kept her from the streets and from bad company, and has helped her to develop into pure womanhood.

Woman has a work among the anti-cigarette workers. The evil of cigarette smoking must be stamped out. We want clean environments for our boys and girls. In order to get at the cause, the foundation, of the liquor and tobacco habits, woman must learn how to cook good food, such as will not stimulate an abnormal appetite for the burning fire and the obnoxious weed. Here is a wide field of usefulness for woman. Many a young man is a drunkard because of the food placed before him. He is raised on stimulating, intoxicating foods, till his demand for stimulants grows stronger and stronger and ends in drink.

Another work which presents itself is teaching women how to dress healthfully and modestly. Women need education and example on this important subject, not only in regard to health, but also in regard to modesty and purity. Who is better fitted to instruct woman concerning her own organism and its care than woman? The teaching of special principles of health and hygiene belongs to woman.

Let Christian women arise in the beauty of womanhood in this age of uncertainty and unrest. The barriers of the home and of modesty are being torn asunder. Let woman arise to her God-given mission and stand in defense of truth and purity. Our sons and daughters need true motherhood to guide them in the way of right. The crying need has never been more piercing than now. Nothing is more fatal than indifference. Indifference is the fatal sleeping sickness of the world today. As Christians, let us awake to our God-given privileges and promote that which is good, that which will shine as gold in the mass of corruption and pollution.

Bush Run, West Va.