THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.

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tives in Congress, that the hope of this nation is in teaching total aDstinence in the public schools. The celebrated Henry Thomas Buckle says: “When we see how knowledge has civilized mankind, when we see how T every great step in the march and advance of nations has been invariably preceded by a corresponding step in their knowledge; when we, moreover, see what is assuredly true, that women are constantly growing more influential, it becomes a matter of great moment that we should endeavor to ascertain the relation between their influence and our knowledge.”

Notwithstanding all the discouragements in the way of woman she holds a high place in the literary world. Our Elizabeth Barrett Browming, whose poetic gems enrich the choicest library, our Charlotte Bronte, whose name is familiar in every home of culture, and our George Eliot, whose rare literary worth was quickly recognized and acknowledged when the world thought her a man, have few equals as writers.

Pardon a little personal experience to show you how prejudice against woman’s work has reached all classes.

A few years ago, from sense of duty to her profession as a teacher of music, your speaker published some musical studies, and a catechism, and one of the largest pub­lishing houses in New York bought the copyrights, but modestly asked that the pre­fix of “Mrs.” be omitted before the initials of the name of the author, that the public might suppose they were written by a man, and thus the sale of the same might not be hindered by the prejudice against woman as a musical author. Caring only for the advancement of her life work, the author was glad to escape publicity, and quickly consented, never dreaming at that time of the injustice of robbing woman of the little crumb of encouragement which even that humble effort would afford.

Prejudice hindered woman in the medical profession, although all will admit her natural fitness and power of endurance as a nurse. Elizabeth Blackwell found the doors of medical colleges closed to women, but after severe trials and repeated efforts she gained entrance to the Geneva Medical School, where she graduated with the highest honors of her class in 1847. She also traveled in Europe, visiting hospitals and medical institutions in order to acquire a fitness for her calling, but on locating in a metropolis of America was ostracised by the profession solely on account of her sex. Since she opened this door, thousands of brave, cultured women have entered and today stand in the forefront of the profession, skillful, conscientious, disarming preju­dice and winning their way to the hearts and homes of the people.

In the philanthropic world Grace Darling and Ida Lewis risked their own lives on the stormy ocean to save those imperiled there. A multitude of earnest conse­crated women have left home and friends, being maligned and persecuted, have taken their lives in their hands, going forth at the call of God to protect the homes which are the foundation stones of the nation, and open up avenues of usefulness and development to women,hitherto unknown. Josephine Butles, of England, and Amer­ica’s Mary A. Livermore, Mary Clement Leavitt, Susan B. Anthony, our loved and revered Frances E. Willard, and hosts of others, are today in the field toiling for the uplifting of humanity and to save the homes of this w r orld. The enemy scoffs and the narrow-minded question the right of woman even to save souls outside the sacred place she calls home, but she hears the voice as did the Maid of Orleans, “ Daughter of God, go on, go on; I will be thy help,” and she will never waver or turn back.

The work of Lady Huntington stands out before us as an enduring monument of woman’s power in the church. Leaving her high position with its many social pleas­ures and advantages, she bravely met rebuffs from associates of her own rank and made the watchword of her life, “My God, I give myself to thee.” She established sixty-four chapels (selling her jewels to build one of them), organized a mission in North America, and maintained a college for the education of ministers in Trevecca, Wales. Doddridge, Whitefield, Berridge, the Wesleys and Doctor Watts were among her chosen friends.

Wesley justified female preaching on the same ground on which he defended lay preaching. The lollowing are his words: “What authority have I to forbid the doing ( 10 )