134 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



treated lightly, for it means a great deal to the man in the case, whether 

 the woman realizes this or not. 



Solomon, the wise man, tells in Proverbs what are his ideas concerning 

 a model wife. Conditions have greatly changed since that time^ yet much 

 that he says holds, true as regards the woman of the present time who 

 would do her full duty as a helpmate to the man of her choice. It is not 

 required of the wife of today that she spin and weave, but she needs to 

 labor for the best good of her family as zealously as did the woman of 

 Solomon's time. 



The true helpmate will not be foolish enough to wear herself out trying 

 to do the work of two women, thereby ruining her health, bringing sick- 

 ness and perhaps death to the home. This is a mistaken view which some 

 women have of being a helpmate. She will rather endeavor to be a com- 

 panion, a counselor, a guide as well as a loving co-worker so far as her 

 strength will permit. 



It should be one of the prerogatives of the wife to be a helpmate to her 

 husband in his business. Too frequently she knows little or nothing of 

 this. She should be an advisor in all business transactions. 



Intellectually most men need a little help. They need to be encouraged 

 to read more, to keep abreast of the times in current literature and in a 

 knowledge of passing events. 



Spiritually women should ever lead the thoughts and lives of their 

 husbands to higher planes. If it is true, as some affirm, that we as a sex 

 are cast in a finer mold than our brothers, how evidently this duty de- 

 volves upon us. Let ours be the word to uplift, to elevate the minds of 

 those around us. Let our influence ever be exerted for things spiritual, 

 things pure and holy. 



O! my sisters, is it not true that many times our ideals are considered in 

 the light of impossibilities? We know how we ought to live, what we 

 ought to do, then meekly acknowledge our weakness by going on in the 

 old way. We should not only think more about our ideals, but we should 

 try to attain to them. 



Sometimes we get discouraged and we begin to think life isn't worth 

 while after all. There are times when everything looks dark, times when 

 we think whatever we do unappreciated. But we must not allow our- 

 selves to get into this line of thought. Let us dwell more on the bright 

 side of life; enlarge upon the pleasant things, forgetting those which are 

 unpleasant. We must keep doing; there is no such thing as fulfilling oiir 

 whole duty in life and living a life of ease. It is worth while to w«rk 

 for the happiness of others; to add in the smallest degree to the bright- 

 ness of another's life; to speak an encouraging word to some disheartened 

 one; to lift for a moment some one's tourden; this is surely worth our 

 while. 



DIVORCE. 



Now let me add just a few words about divorce. Shun it as you would 

 the plague. There may be unhappy homes, but while a divorce 

 will dismantle them and separate those who ought to be near and dear to 

 each other, it does not always banish the unhappiness. I question if a 

 woman who has once truly loved her husband can ever be made happy 

 by a divorce, no matter how unworthy he may have been. 



