第 10 节
作者:点绛唇      更新:2021-02-20 17:41      字数:3410
  plain moral principles; first by your own personal example; and then
  by all pure influences in your homes and in the society to which you
  belong。 In no other mode can you so well forward the great work of
  Christian civilization as by devoting yourselves to the daily personal
  practice; and to the social cultivation; by example and influence; of
  these plain moral duties。 Your present domestic position is
  especially favorable to this task。 You have more time for thought on
  these subjects; you have more frequent opportunities for influence
  over the young nearest to you; you have more leisure for prayer; for
  invoking a blessing on your efforts; however humble they may he。 It
  is not enough to set a decent example yourselves。 You must go to
  the very root of the matter。 You must carry about with you hearts
  and minds very deeply impressed with the incalculable importance of
  a sound morality; you must be clearly convinced of the misery; the
  shame; the perils of all immorality。
  In this nineteenth century the civilization of a country must
  necessarily prove either heathen or Christian in its spirit。 There is no
  neutral ground lying between these boundaries。 Faith or infidelity;
  such is the choice we must all make; whether as individuals or as
  nations。 Thanks be to God we are not only in name; but also partially
  in character; a Christian nation。 Faith is not entirely wanting。 We all
  in a measure feel its good effects。 Even the avowed infidel living in
  our midst is far more under its influences; though indirectly so; than
  he is aware of。 And where there is life; there we have hope of
  growth; of higher development。 To cherish that growth; to further
  that higher development by all gracious and loving and generous
  influences; is a work for which women are especially adapted。 They
  work from within outwardly。 Men work chiefly by mental and physical
  pressure from without。 Men work by external authority; women work
  by influences。 Men seek to control the head。 Women always aim at
  touching the heart。 And we have the highest of all authority for
  believing that this last is the most efficient mode of working。
  〃Out of the heart are the issues of life。〃 This; therefore; Christian
  women; is your especial  task。 Use all the happy womanly influences
  in your power to forward the moral education; the Christian
  civilization; of the country to which you belong。 Be watchful; with the
  unfeigned humility of the Christian; over your own personal course;
  and the example connected with it。 Aim at keeping up; on all
  occasions; a high practical standard of sound morality at all points。
  Cultivate every germ of true moral principle in your own homes; and
  in the social circle about you。 Let the holy light of truth; honor;
  fidelity; honesty; purity; piety; and love brighten the atmosphere of
  your homes。
  What heathen civilization means we know from many sources; more
  especially from the records of Rome under the empire; in the days of
  St。 Paul; when it had reached its highest development。
  What Christian civilization means we learn from the Apostle: 〃Let
  him that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity。〃
  〃Whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are honest;
  whatsoever things are just; whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever
  things are lovely; whatsoever things are of good reportthink on
  these things。〃
  End