the other was intended to find that which was wanting in itself,
and to approve, love, and admire both qualities and actions, of which
itself was imperfectly capable; while in their reciprocations of
tenderness, and good will, each beheld every blessing greatly enhanced,
and intensely endeared. The only instance in which these mental and
moral qualities were ever united in one person, is in the Lord Jesus
Christ. And I would here note the fact, that in Christ we have as
perfect an example of the woman's nature as we have of man's nature. All
the kindness, gentleness, softness, endurance, and unselfishness of
woman were in him combined, with all the majesty, firmness and strength
of the manly nature. All dispute, therefore, about the superiority or
equality of man and woman is absurd and inconclusive. They stand on the
same platform, were both made in the image of God, and the platform upon
which they stand is wide enough for them both, and not completely filled
until both are upon it.

My object, however, in selecting these passages is to present some
thoughts on the mission of woman in our world, which have not perhaps
been as prominently presented as they deserve. Men have their distinct
objects in life before them, their various professions. One aims to be a
lawyer, another a merchant, another a physician, another a mechanic, and
thus through all the vocations of life. But what is woman's aim? what
her object in life? These questions are more or less frequently asked in
our day, and asked in reference to that general spirit of reform and
progress of society which seems to characterize our age, and in relation
to which, just in proportion as men forget to listen to the Word of God,
they grope about in the darkness of their own feeble light.

Our theme then is Woman's Mission.

What is it?

The general answer to this inquiry is very plain and easy. God created
_man_ in his own image; _male and female_ created he them. The general
design, therefore, of the creation of woman is precisely the same as
that of the man. He created but one race when he made them male and
female, and had in view but one object. In relation then to that object,
no distinction is to be drawn between man and woman, and the perfect
equality of the two sexes again becomes apparent. Indeed, it is a matter
of wonder that this question of superiority has ever risen, or at least
has ever been agitated by reflecting men, who for one moment considere