the
victim, in her prime, of civilized life? Within the present century,
when the men of the Mohawk tribe were debased by Intemperance, and
embroiled in sanguinary wars with their brother Indians, the females
called a council, by themselves, and so did they protest against these
giant sins, as, for a season, to bring sobriety and peace within the
borders of their people.

Such being the power of Pagan woman, what might we not anticipate from
this sex, where the mild gospel of Jesus had appeared? It was for
conscience' sake that females, like the lady Arabella, left homes of
peace and plenty, and often families of noble rank, and came to these
shores with the Pilgrim band. How many of this sex once fled to this
land, from the religious persecutions of France, and chose danger,
privation, and death, rather than subscribe creeds hostile to their
faith. What sacrifices have they made in the Catholic Church. The
Convent may be the fruit of erroneous opinions, yet it has shown forth
gloriously the power of woman. Such self-denial, such unwearied devotion
to prayer and the ceremonies of a church, such offices of charity,
furnish proofs of the moral capacity of this sex, misled as they often
have been, on which the Protestant believer may dwell with grateful
emotions and inspiring thoughts.

Another encouragement to female effort may be found in the general
Facilities for Improvement in our age. Education is receiving more
thought, than in any former period of the world. She, who desires it,
can enjoy higher literary advantages, better instruction, more useful
manuals, and other aids in the school-room, than were ever before
possessed in any community. The pulpit is emitting new light for the
spiritual man, and the press is redolent with a moral fragrance. Such
is the progress of society, that conversation, social manners, and the
incitements of example, now combine in furtherance of personal culture.

Our Political Institutions present, likewise, eminent incentives to a
higher self-training than has ever yet been witnessed. The republican
principle not only gives scope for individual freedom of thought and
action, but awakens associated effort. We have, hence, Female Societies
for benevolent purposes, Maternal Associations to assist the female
parent in her responsible tasks, and Young Ladies Circles for reading
and intellectual sympathy and mutual enlightenment. These are a portion
of the fruits of our free institutions. T