s the sacred right of petition. She may be
heard, appealing to the legislative body for redress of the wrongs done
her, or of the grievances she suffers. Question, as some may, the
expediency of her ever exercising this privilege, she has still great
influence, a far greater one than the exercise of this right can give
her, over the destinies of her country. Think of the mother of
Washington. Peruse the biography of the wife of that sainted patriot.
Study the character of the elder Mrs. Adams, of the wife of Hancock, and
of the long list of females, who lived and toiled in the period of our
Revolution. Could they do nothing,--did they accomplish little,--for
this country? How many hearts were cheered in the Senate chamber, what
courage was infused on the battle-field, by the mother, companion,
sister, and daughter, among the noble race that then lived.

In these latter days, what is to give integrity to the statesman, purity
to the patriot, and true glory to the nation? It must be done in part by
woman. Let her be educated, and above all, let her educate herself, in
intelligence, grace, and holiness, and I have no fear of conflicts
abroad, or of perils at home. The little watchman, shut in the security
of a glazed frame, does not more surely save the ship, amid darkness and
storm, than does she, who at the quiet fireside, exerts the influence
which she may for her country, on son, husband, and brother, by
pointing out the path of political salvation.

The influence of woman is felt in the general interests of the Christian
Religion. We have already remarked that she was a personal friend and
servant of Christ, while he was on earth. Nor did her devotedness to his
cause, terminate with his ascension to heaven. We read of "some of the
chief women and the devout," as among the earliest converts of the
Apostles. Paul speaks of certain "women, which labored with him in the
Gospel," and he sends numerous special salutations to individual
females, who had "helped him in the Lord;" shewing that this sex took a
direct share in the promulgation of Christianity. They not only embraced
it with their whole soul and strength, but they gave their influence,
both remote and immediate, to induce others to participate in its
blessings.

Their efforts have been seen in determining the general character of the
Christian world. If any age has been peculiarly spiritual, or any people
more than ordinarily devout, it was because woman was th