Julia Ward Howe, 1819-1910Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe
History
Julia Ward Howe, 1819-1910
Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe
Authors, American -- 19th century -- Biography; Feminists -- United States -- Biography; Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910
When she finally got to Newport, she was "dazed with the quiet after the
strain of heart and fatigue."
The ministry was much in her mind this summer.
"I take for my guidance a new motto: 'I will ascend'; not in my
ambition, but in my thoughts and aims."
"A dry Sunday, _i.e._, no church, it being the women's turn to go. I
shelled peas for dinner. Began Rambaud's 'History of Russia.'... I think
of two sermons to write, one, 'A spirit of Power'; one, 'Behold, I show
you a more excellent way.'"
Suffrage had its meed too in these summer days.
"Have copied my Call for the Congress. In my coming suffrage talks will
invite women to study the history of their sex in the past, and its
destiny in the future; inertia and ignorance are the great dangers of
society. The old condition of women largely increased instead of
diminishing these sources of evil. The women were purposely kept
ignorant, in order that they might be enslaved and degraded. Inertia is
largely fostered by the paralysis of independent action...."
"I feel just now that we ought to try hard to have all the Far West
represented at the Denver Congress."
"Thought a book or article about 'Fooleries' would be entertaining and
instructive. The need of this element in human society is shown by the
ancient jesters and court fools.... In Bible times Samson made sport for
the Philistines. People now do their own dancing and their own fooling:
some of it very dull. Query: What ancient jests have been preserved?
'The Fools of old and of all time' would not be a bad title."
* * * * *
In October came the Woman's Congress in Denver; she was there,
"attending all meetings and sessions."
"Mrs. ----'s paper on 'The Redemptive Power of Art' was very so-so, and
did not touch my conception of the theme, viz., art made valuable for
the reform of criminals. I spoke of this with warmth."
After the Congress "the visiting ladies enjoyed a drive about the city
of Denver. I went early to the High School with A. A. B.[110] Found Mrs.
Cheney speaking to the pupils assembled. She did not notice our entrance
and spoke of me very warmly. Presently, turning round, she saw us and we
all laughed. I spoke to them of my 'drink of youth'; compared the
spirits of youth to steam given to carry them on a celestial railroad;
compared youth to wine in a beautiful vase; spoke of ancient libations
to the gods; our libation to be poured to the true Divine; urged them
not to starve their studies in order to feed their amusements. 'Two ways
of study, one mean, the other generous.' Told them not to imitate
savages, who will barter valuable land for worthless baubles; not so to
barter their opportunities for barren pleasures."
[110] The Reverend Antoinette Blackwell.
She preached at Unity Church Sunday morning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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