The Duty of American Women to Their CountryBeecher, Catharine Esther
History
The Duty of American Women to Their Country
Beecher, Catharine Esther
Education; Education -- United States; Women teachers -- United States
Many may be pointed out, some one of which can be adopted by every woman
in this nation.
Some, who are mothers, can superintend the education of their children,
and, while doing it, can seek in their own vicinity orphans, or children
of peculiar promise, and train them with their own children to become
teachers of others.
Some, who are sisters, can superintend the education of younger brothers
and sisters, and add to this class others of humbler means, whom they may
thus prepare for missionary teachers in some of the destitute villages of
our land.
Some, who are just returned from school, with all their knowledge
fresh, and all their powers in active play, may collect a class around
them in the vicinity of their homes, and impart the discipline of mind
and treasures of knowledge given them by God, not to be laid up as in
a napkin, but to be employed for the good of others. Thus they will
be raising up, not only useful teachers, but valuable friends for the
exigencies of future life.
Oh, how much happier, and more respectable, and more lovely, in such
benevolent toils, than in the shopping, dressing, calling, gossiping
round pursued by a large portion of the daughters of wealth!
Some, on completing their education, can interest themselves in the
common schools in their vicinity, seeking the friendship of the teacher,
and then contributing their time and labour to raise the school to higher
intellectual and moral excellence.
Some, who have a missionary spirit, may go forth to the destitute
portions of our land, and collect the future sovereigns and educators of
this nation, and train them for their duties.
Some, who have wealth at their command, understanding that much is
required from them to whom much is given--that wealth is bestowed,
not for selfish enjoyment, but for the good of others--that education
is conferred, not as the means of selfish distinction and advantage,
but as the instrument for benefiting mankind--such may devote _time_,
and _service_, and _wealth_ to this noble enterprise. Such may aid in
founding and superintending institutions for the education and location
of female teachers, thus originating permanent fountains of knowledge and
influence, that long shall send forth bounteous waters in all portions of
our land.
Some, who cannot enter personally into such labours, may aid in
furnishing means to send forth others into the field. There are hundreds
and thousands of benevolent women in the land, who would rejoice to spend
and be spent in this service, but who have neither the opportunity to
qualify themselves, nor the assistance necessary in finding the proper
location when prepared. Why is it not time to turn some of the charity
of woman, which so long has clothed and educated young men for their
benevolent ministries, to aiding their own sex in as important and more
neglected service?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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