Aims and Aids for Girls and Young Women | Page 3

above it to ward off danger. There is
nothing in the world of man and things which impels a provident regard
for it. Suns, winds, frosts, storms, time, diseases, and death pay no
deferential respect to it. Man respects it, bows to it, but while he does it,
it withers under his devotion, so little does he mingle wisdom and care
in his regard. Society professes to respect it, and so it does, but it
subjects it to so many untimely trials and injurious customs, that that
very respect is fearful. A young girl, fresh from childhood, blossoming
into a woman, rosy health in her veins, innocence in her heart, caroling
gaiety in her laugh, buoyant life in her step, the rich glance of an
opening soul in her eye, grace in her form with the casket of mind
richly jeweled, is indeed an object of beauty. He who can behold it and
not feel a benevolent interest in it, is an object of pity. He who can live
and not live in part for Girlhood, is devoid of the highest order of
feeling. He who can see it wither under unrighteous customs or pass
away by the blight of unholy abuses, and not drop a tear of sympathy,
is less than a generous man. He who sees its perilous position and lifts
not his warning voice, fails in a great duty. It is not enough to admire
Girlhood; it is not enough to do it graceful honors, make it obsequious
bows, strew its pathway with flattering compliments, and call it by all
beautiful names. Such outward expressions, unless most judiciously
made, are quite as likely to do it injury as direct abuse. Girlhood is full
of tenderness and weakness. The germs of its future strength are its
most perilous weaknesses now. Its mightiest energies often kindle the
fires of its ruin. Its most salient points of character are often soonest
invaded. Indeed, it can scarcely be said to have a character. It is
forming one, but knows not yet what it will be. Its interior now is not
exactly a chaos, but a beautiful disorder. The elements of something
grand are there, but they are not yet polished nor put together, nor

compactly cemented. This work is yet to be done. It is the great work of
Girlhood. It is the moral art to which it is to apply all its ingenuity and
energy. Girlhood is not all a holiday season; it is more a working time,
a study hour, an apprenticeship. True, it has buoyant spirits, and should
let them out with fresh good-will at proper times. It has its playful
moods, which should not only be indulged but encouraged, but not
wholly for the sake of the momentary enjoyment, but rather to infuse
the forming character largely with the element of cheerfulness. A
gloomy Girlhood is as odd and improper as it is unnatural. And it is
improper, not only because it is out of place and wrong, but because it
shades the character with a desponding hue. Desponding is absolutely
wrong in itself. It is a perversion of our minds. To put on weeds when
nobody is dead, to weep when it would be more becoming and useful to
laugh, to wear a face of woe when the sunshine of gladness has the best
right to preside in our sky, is all wrong. It is absolutely wicked, because
it casts a baneful influence upon all with whom we associate, and
prepares us to go through life like a frowning cloud or a drooping
willow, shading the circle of our influence with melancholic gloom. No,
better sing with the birds and laugh with the babbling brooklets than be
gloomy in Girlhood. Trials and troubles of course will come. We must
sometimes weep, and when we do, it should be done with chastened
spirits for real sorrow, that we may be the calmer and happier when we
recover from the shock of grief. Such weeping is a gracious and healthy
exercise. It does not check the true joyousness of Girlhood's nature, nor
cast any darkening line into the future character. April suns are all the
brighter for April showers. The real sorrows ordinarily incident to
Girlhood are not many; the real causes for gloom are few; the most are
imaginary. This is true of all ages. Our borrowed trouble is much more
than that which comes as our own in the legitimate course of our life.
Trouble is the worst article we can borrow. We have the least need for
it, and it is a miserable dose to take. Of all things which it does,
Girlhood should not borrow trouble. A heavy interest will have to be
paid for it in the future; and there is danger that it