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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 27, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 11

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WOMAN AND RELIGION.

By Ada Van Luven

The adaptation of the Christian religion to mankind is acknowledged by all those who have studied the wants of human nature. But more particularly does it seem congenial to the female character. Much has been said and written about the holy and elevating influence of woman; but it should be remembered that these expressions apply appropriately only to the influence of Christian women. Can the stream be pure if the fountain from which it flows be not so? Or can light radiate from an unilluminated body? No more can woman exert a holy and redeeming influence if her heart be not purified by communion with that which is holy and good. She may be beautiful as a poet's dream. Her mind may sparkle with the rich gems of thought. She may possess a long list of accomplishments fitting her for the easy gentility of the parlor; but if her heart be not cultivated, she is destitute of the highest charm of which her nature is susceptible. The fairest beings in creation without religion in the heart are like gathered dew-drops. The elements are there, but the sparkling is gone.
In every relation of life, woman needs the holy principles of religion, and the education which will fit her for her duties as a mother. She must feel her inability to train her children for eternity unassisted by that wisdom which is not of earth. What more beautiful sight than of a mother instilling into the youthful mind the holy truths of religion, or teaching the infant lips to lisp the name of Jesus! This may seem insignificant to those whose object and aim in life is to win for themselves a name among the gifted of earth; but not so to her who feels called to a destiny more lofty than a life of pleasure or gratified ambition. But it is the true woman's glory to do good. Her mission, to walk in the path of noble, unpretending usefulness. Her influence is more moral than intellectual, stretching out from home like the rays of a beautiful star, entering the abodes of poverty and want, and shedding abroad the sacred influence of hope and religion.
Selected for Review by ADA VAN LUVEN.