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THE COMMISSION.
Yot. 3.
DECEMBER, 1858.
Eo. 6.
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LABORS OF FEMALE MISSIONA¬
RIES.
During my sojourn in America, I
have often been asked the question,
“What can female missionaries do?”
and as I deem the efforts and influence
of those women of no inconsiderable
importance, I have thought it well to
commit to paper a few remarks based
on my own experience and observation.
I doubt not as much might be said in
regard to the mission fields in Africa,
but ns I am more familiar with the de¬
tails of labor in China, I will discuss
the subject with more direct reference
to our need there.
Tho object of the missionary is to
win souls to Christ. lie or she must
ever keep that in view ; nor allow any
subject of secondary consideration to
divert attention therefrom. It is no¬
ble and benevolent to tench to the
young, the sciences — to inspire them
with a love of learning; it is great to
aid in civilizing a nation ; but the nim
of tho missionary is far above these, —
to point the heathen to the only name
by which they may obtain salvation.
This was the work committed to the
church by our ascending Lord, and woe
to that church or individual member
who disregards the obligation. On en¬
tering a heathen country, the Christian
is almost overwhelmed. by tho desola¬
tion, moral, mental and physical that
presents itself. He sees a thousand
evils ho would like to correct. But his
ability is limited. Ho can have access
.11
to only a comparatively small number
of individuals; — upon those few his in¬
fluence, however great, cannot make
them what he would. He endeavors so
to economize his labor as to bring about
the greatest amount of good. You can
readily see how a man, a minister, can
warn sinners from the pulpit, — how he
can go from house to house teaching
all with whom he may meet, — how in
the by-wnys — in the public thorough¬
fares lie may call men to repentance,
and find much more than he is able to
perform. But, you ask, what can
г
comen
do to promote the great object in view ?
Well, look at tho subjects; they are
шеи,
and women, and children. How
are they to be reached ? By various
methods. Besides the religious teach¬
ing from the pulpit, they must have
individual instruction ; each case re¬
quiring the truth applied in a way to
meet its peculiar difficulties. Oppor¬
tunities for this kind of teaching occur
daily. You have only to hold yourself
in readiness to embrace them and they
force themselves upon you constantly.
Nor need you confine yourself to the
school-room for something to do, going
through the drudgery of teaching chil¬
dren the rudiments of learning ; for
your whole time may be occupied in
the nobler work of imparting those
truths which make wise unto salvation.
I would not disparage school-teaching;
much good may be accomplished in
that way, and I would have each one to
choose her own department ; yet in my
