INTRODUCTION.

Christianity is the special friend of woman.  Christian civilization has exalted her almost infinitely above the position to which either paganism or Mohammedanism assigned her.  This elevation is the natural outgrowth of the example and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.  Unlike other ancient great instructors, he did not repel women from discipleship, but cordially welcomed her presence wherever he taught.  His lessons of wisdom, and his precious promises of life everlasting, were in all their fullness addressed to her as freely as to the most honored of men.  His illustrations of sweeping the house to find the lost piece of silver, and of the leaven hid in three measures of meal, were drawn from her employments, and were probably suggested by her presence.  To the cry of the poor Syro-Phenician woman, no less than to that of the centurion or nobleman, did he give his attention and sympathy, and with equal speed did he answer the agonizing prayer.  Rising far above the trammels of Jewish prejudice, while he sat weary at the mouth of Jacob’s well, he taught the beauty of spiritual worship to the astonished woman of Samaria.  She became his first missionary to the people of her city, to whom she told the story of his wonderful wisdom, and said, “Is not this the Christ?” How kind must have been his spirit, how tender his words, to the sisters at Bethany, to cause the exclamation, “If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died!” How consoling must have been his accents, which drew the fair penitent to his feet, and which led her, in loving adoration, to wash them with her tears and to wipe them with the hairs of her head!  How wonderful the manifestation of that Divine condescension and love which elicited that gratitude which still lingers in the rich perfumes of the alabaster-box of precious ointment!  No marvel that women “followed him from Galilee,” stood sorrowfully beholding his crucifixion, and when he was taken from the cross, “followed after and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid.”  Their devotion was rewarded, on the morning of his resurrection, by their being made the first messengers of his glorious triumph.  On such perfect equality were men and women placed by the blessed Savior as to terms of salvation and Gospel privileges, that the apostle exclaims, “In Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female.”  All are members of his body, and in him all become one.

As Christian influences more fully control society, and as the spirit of Christ permeates the masses, the position of woman becomes more elevated.  She is no longer considered as a slave, and compelled to bear every burden, as in savage life; nor is she a mere attendant, or minister to sensual pleasure, as among the Mohammedans.  The bars are removed from the doors of the harem, and the veil is taken from her face.  She sits with the family at the table, entertains her guests, and enjoys their society.