THE YOUNG WOMAN'S FRIEND; OR THE DUTIES, TRIALS, LOVES, AND HOPES OF WOMAN. BY THE AUTHOR OF "YOUNG MAN'S FRIEND," "In that stillness Which most becomes a Woman, calm and holy, - Thou sittest by the fireside of the heart, Feeding its flame." - 920 468 Extered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by WENTWORTH & COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. ELECTROTYPED AT THE 74-272 PREFACE. A FEW years ago the "Young Man's Friend" was published. It has already passed through more than forty editions, and one hundred thousand copies have been sold. The generous patronage bestowed upon that work, the commenda tory words spoken of it, and the evidence from various directions that it has been useful, have led to the publication of this volume. It is the hope of the author that this humble work may contribute to the formation of honorable and beautiful human character, lead the mind of the reader to a higher conception of the aims and purposes of life, unfold and develop the graces that adorn and bless humanity, and lead those who find no rest here to the great source of rest, the Redeemer and Saviour of the world. In unostentatious garb, it endeavors to set before the reader several striking Scripture characters, with such comments on each as may be calculated to impress truth, and, enforce the great lessons of morality and religion. For an evident purpose these characters are taken from the order in which they are found in the Bible, and transposed to suit the purpose had in view, in the selection of the group; and it is believed that there will be found here nothing to vitiate the taste, deprave the morals, or wound the heart. With an earnest prayer that the work may be "a friend indeed," it is sent forth on its mission. If it shall succeed in planting in the bosom of one person a principle of integrity, kindling in one soul an aspiration for the true, the beautiful, and the sublime, it will not have been published in vain. CONTENTS. MISSION OF WOMAN. EVE- an innocent woman-a tempted woman -a fallen wo- man. Woman not designed for the field or the forum-for charity—for home-for religion. Mrs. Sigourney. Joan of Arc. Charlotte Corday. Mrs. Newell. Mrs. Judson. True objects of life. Where woman appears best-how best moves the world-how renders herself happy. Educated PAGE JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER - her history-her fate. Beautiful instances of obedience to parents. How such obedience adorns a daughter's character-improves her manners and her heart. Illustrations of the happy effects of such obedi- ence. Home made sacred. The self-sacrifice. How daugh- ters may add to the happiness of their parents. Lost children. |