These two passages settle beyond controversy the oft-disputed question as to the equality of the sexes.  In the image of God created he man; male and female created he them.  Had God created him male and female, in one person, the question of equality could never have arisen.  Nor should it arise because in his wisdom he has been pleased to create man in two persons—­both man and woman are made in the image of God.  It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a help meet for him.  The exact rendering of the original translated help meet, is an help as before him, i.e. one corresponding to him, a counterpart of himself, in a word, a second self, contrived to meet what is still wanting to his perfection, and to furnish mutually a social and superior happiness, of which solitude is incapable.  A more delicate and beautiful form was united in the woman to a mind possessing gentler and lovelier affections, a more refined taste, and more elegant sentiments.  In the man, a firmer and stronger frame was joined to a mind more robust.  In each, the other was intended to find that which was wanting in itself, and to approve, love, and admire both qualities and actions, of which itself was imperfectly capable; while in their reciprocations of tenderness, and good will, each beheld every blessing greatly enhanced, and intensely endeared.  The only instance in which these mental and moral qualities were ever united in one person, is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  And I would here note the fact, that in Christ we have as perfect an example of the woman’s nature as we have of man’s nature.  All the kindness, gentleness, softness, endurance, and unselfishness of woman were in him combined, with all the majesty, firmness and strength of the manly nature.  All dispute, therefore, about the superiority or equality of man and woman is absurd and inconclusive.  They stand on the same platform, were both made in the image of God, and the platform upon which they stand is wide enough for them both, and not completely filled until both are upon it.

My object, however, in selecting these passages is to present some thoughts on the mission of woman in our world, which have not perhaps been as prominently presented as they deserve.  Men have their distinct objects in life before them, their various professions.  One aims to be a lawyer, another a merchant, another a physician, another a mechanic, and thus through all the vocations of life.  But what is woman’s aim? what her object in life?  These questions are more or less frequently asked in our day, and asked in reference to that general spirit of reform and progress of society which seems to characterize our age, and in relation to which, just in proportion as men forget to listen to the Word of God, they grope about in the darkness of their own feeble light.

Our theme then is Woman’s Mission.

What is it?