Joint Convention'. 237 



to those with whom their path in life is blended. There is no 

 earthlv ambition purer. An ambition designed by God and wit- 

 nessed with great delight by the angels in heaven. Here is the 

 great question to be solved by every wife: How can I be truly 

 companionable? This is a deep and solemn question; one which 

 every M-ife can define to a certain degree. Are we all sure that 

 we are as companionable as we are capable of being? How many 

 of us, were we weighed in the balance, would be found wantitig? 

 Furthermore, do we not expect our daughters will some future 

 day till the ])hiC3 of wife and mother? Is it not our duty to 

 teach them to develop the mental faculties and to cultivate and 

 refine their tastes mentally and socially th.it they may attain the 

 highest level in society? We can do this more effectually by ex- 

 ample than by .precept. 



H" only for the gratification of our children, we ought to 

 '' keep up with the times," as the saying is. If we do not, I 

 fear, when we find it too late to retrace our steps, we will be 

 awakened to the painful fact that our daughters are blushing at 

 our "solecisms," and desire to " keep us in the background; " our 

 sons will be ashamed of our ignorance; even the little innocents 

 will wonder that mamma does not know this or that, " Papa can 

 tell us all about it." 



Mothers, has not God endowed us with intelligence and intel- 

 lect? All! I fear we are fold in 2: the talent He has given us in 

 a napkin to be returned to Him without increase. God has 

 created woman as well as man, for thought, for intelligence, for con- 

 stant mental elevation, and rather than to sink with the uncon- 

 genial drudge, let us seek to rise above circumstances which 

 v;ould enslave us, and in our thoughts and conversation attain a 

 higher level. " Our lives marlc the boundaries of our bciing, and 

 if we will, they may be broadened until they reach the highest 

 possible level for the finite mind." AVe certainly have a place 

 to iill and not ocriipij. Let us fill that place in such a manner that 

 our husbands may love and adore us, our daughters may be 

 proud to call us mother, and our sons may " rise up and call us 

 blessed." 



