Newspaper Page Text
No. 38.— VoL. V.]
TO THE EDITORS OF THE MISSIONARY.
The queries proposed by Syphax in your
paper of the 23d alt. though obviously in
tended as a statement of facts, and by him
probably considered as a conclusive argu
ment against the side of the question I have
endeavoured to support, I shall attempt to
Ainsiver them, in the same manner as if they
were a modest, unassuming inquiry for in
formation. Let it not be understood that 1
wish to provoke controversy; if I can excite
the exertions of any person of influence in
the interesting cause of female education,
my object will be accomplished.
Syphax, to give his positions a more spe
cious appearance, has attempted to call to
his aid the authority of divine inspiration,
and more than intimates that God, in the
creation of the first pair, decreed the infe
riority of the female sex. ‘ He first asks—
“ Were not the male and female sexes de
signed by the Creator to fulfil different du
ties in the world?” In the accouut given
in the Bible of the formation of the man
and the woman, there is not an intimation
that the female was created in an inferior
mould, or of a lower grade than the male.
If any argument can be derived from this
source it is in favour of the woman,* for af
ter the dust had been refined for the for
mation of man, a part of his substance was
tefined for the formation of woman. True,
in the curse pronounced on woman after
the fall, it was said her husband should rule
over her; hut she had been the first in the
transgression and deserved the greater pun
ishment, and ibis subjection to her hus
band was a part of the penalty for her of
fence. But it does not follow that the ru
ler should be superior in intellect to the go
verned. This we know is not the case
where the sovereign of a nation is a child
or an imbecile old man, or like some of the
present potentates of Europe. Even ad
mitting there are in reality different duties
assigned to the two sexes, may there not
eti-ll be an equality in mind ? There are va
rious and distinct duties in every profession
and business in life, and who will pretend
to determine which requires the greatest
talents?
In the second place, we are asked if
these duties are not understood in Christian
nations—and if the Bible does not give the
woman as high a rank as the God of nature
intended she should occupy ? This query
l consider as a very unfortunate ooe for the
side which Syphax has attempted to sup
port. It is a well known fact, that women
hold a higher rank in the scale of intellect,
& are treated with more respect & humani
ty in nations which have the light of the
Gospel than in those countries which still
remain in heathen dcrkness. This is sole
ly to be attributed to the influence of the
principles of Christianity, for exactly in
proportion to its diffusion in a nation, and
its consequent effects, civilization and re
finement, are women held in estimation.—:
In my turn I would pul a question to Sy
phax Does the Bible any where assert, or
did our Saviour ever by word or action, in
timatp that womeu were to be considered
infenour to men ?
The import of the two uest questions is
very nearly the same ; whether the will of
God requires-women to neglect the duties
of domestic life to become ministers at the
al'ar, ptsilosophers, statesmen or warriors?
Oo the contrary, are not engagements in
these pursuits forbidden by the whole tenor
■Ofsacrpd writ? I have heretofore said no
thing that could induce Syphax or any one
else to suppose that I wished women to neg
lect their domestick duties; I esteem that
woman who well performs the duty she
-owes her family, and I am anxious that wo
men should have an education, that they
mav perform those duties in a wiser and
better manner. But where in the whole
tenor of sacred writ are females forbidden
to enter into pnblick employments? Was
not God’s favoured people led to battle by
Deborah , and did he not evince bis appro
val of her by granting success to the ar
mies under her command? Was she not
likewise a judge and a prophetess; and it is
related that during her administration the
land had rest for forty years.
If women possess the same intellectual
gifts as men, why are they called the
weaker vessel? It is very obvious that no
thing but the corporeal part of females was
Jiere meant, if not in what other place,
THE MISSIONARY.
either in sacred or profane writing, is the
soul or mind called a vessel? We bad im
agined that the body was the vessel that
contained the soul, and if the powers of
the mind are regulated by the strength of
the body, then we must conclude that a
person of the greatest bodily dimensions
bas the most towering intellect. Instead of
this do we not often see persons of a weak
frame and sickly constitution with the clear
est and soundest heads? May not that dia
mond be of the purest water, which is en
closed in a poor casket ?
“ Does the whole course of history pro
duce a single instance, in which women
have equalled men in any pursuit, where the
great powers of the mind are necessary.”
I recollect to have read, though I cannot
now call the name to inind, of a French lady
who was highly distinguished for her math
ematical knowledge, who was a professor
in one of their Universities, and who presi
ded over a literary association, composed
principally of men of a literary character.
Madam Docier, another French lady, was
critically versed in the dead languages, and
her annotations upon several ancient au
thors, are considered as authority at the
present day. Astronomy is a science
which calls into exercise the highest pow
ers of the miud, and we have it from good
authority that the world is indebted to the
sister of Dr. Herscbel for many important
improvements and discoveries in that sci
ence.—To the next question relating to the
Queen of Palmyra, we answer in the nega
tive. YVbat fault could Syphax find in the
administration of Zenohia ? Is he so bent
upon calumniating women “ en masse,” that
he is not willing to allow one of their num
ber to possess a particle of merit ?
“Can the Poems of Sappho and Corrin
na compare with those of Homer k Virgil ?”
I answer, no, nor have they their equals
any where among the ancients. Sappho
and Corrinna did not however, devote the
whole of their lives to the cultivation of
poetry as did Homer and Virgil, if they had
it is probable they might have produced
poems equal to the llliad and Eneid. Sy
phax would give to the counsellors and ad
visers of Elizabeth all the praise and cred
it which history has bestowed upon her.
What can possibly display the talents of
Elizabeth in a fairer or more hriliant light,
than the very circumstance of her being
surrounded by a constellation of great men.
doring the whole course of her long reign.
The character and genius of a Sovereign
may be known by those of his ministers,
and had not Elizabeth had discrimination
enough to perceive ‘hat Cecil ami Bacon
were wise and able men, she would not
have admitted them into her councils.—
The talents of Jane Gray and Elizabeth
Smith, were certainly above (he mediocrity
of men. It is related nf the first, that she
excelled Prince Edward with whom she
was educated, & if we recollect right he was
a young prince of the most promising tal
ents. If Miss Smith attained such a high
rank in the republick of letters at twenty
nine, the age at which she died, too much
could hardly be prognosticated of her sub
sequent improvement.
The remarks heretofore made, will ap
ply with equal force to mo9t of thesucceed
mg questions proposed by Syphax for our
consideration. If the females of the pres
ent day and of our own country have not
distinguished themselves in any particular
science it may be attributed to other causes
besides their inferiority of intellect. They
do not possess the same advantage of acquir
ing knowledge as the males; there are no
female colleges and universities, and no
woman is permitted to devote a life
to literature. It has been remarked by
those who have made instruction their bu
siness, that female children acquire kuovv
ledge with more readiness and facility than
males, particularly is thi9 the case as it
respects languages. A noted teacher of
modern languages has said that the females
under his tuition acquired a language in
much less time and with much less labour
than those of the other sex. We have a
right to conclude that the case would he
the same with other brunches of science
and literature, until the experiment shall
have been fairly made. It may be true
that no woman ever made any valuable
discovery in science, but inventions and
discoveries are often the effect of accident, |
j- ... , . the world, and preaoh t i Gospel to every creature.— Jesus Christ,
e isposi ions and habits whicb lead to political prosperity, eligion and Morality are indispensable supports. — Washington.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1824. s
and they are often made by the ignorant <
and unlearned. As useful an instrument as ‘
the telescope was first found out by chil- !
, . i
area, and it is no more than possible that ,
one of them was a femals.
We hardly allow oonelves to hope of ‘
making Syphax a convert to our doctrine; 1
we fear that he is some crusty old Bachelor
who entertains a profound contempt for our
sex, or like his name ske of old can disco
ver no excellence in tie mental charms of
Cato’s daughter, the accomplished Marcia.
Perhaps too, like him, he thinks that,
“The glowing dames ofZuma’s royal court
“ Are flushed with more exalted charms,”
and much to be preferred to
“ The pale unripened beauties of the north.”
Freedom ofspeech and opinion is ooe of
the greatest blessings arising from our form
of government, and even this privilege Sy
phax would deny us. Are not Women as
much interested in the advantages of good
government as men, and cannot they dis
cuss and comment on the policy of Wash
ington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Mon
roe, with as much judgement and propriety
as a set of drunken politicians in a grog shop.
Syphax has shown much originality in his
advice to the ladies, to be satisfied with one
tongue, and a little while since he would
hardly allow them the use of that one.
For his vast liberality in allowing us to have
books on Geography, History, Biography
and Poetry, we feel bound to thank him in
Ibe name of the whole sex, yet we strong
ly suspect that he would like much to limit
them to the Cooking Book, and the “ Art of
Cleanliness.”
Arethcsa.
From the Connecticut Courier,
SHIP PARIS.
It will be recollected that we published a short
time since, from a New Yorkpapei, an account
of the loss of the ship Paris, on the coast of
France, near Cape La Hogue. The following
is an extract of a letter from one of the passen
gers, to his brother in this city, giving some in
teresting particulars of that distressing scene.
Paris. Nov. 20, 1823.
“ Long before this reaches you, you will
have beard of the dreadful catastrophe
which terminated our voyage—want of
time more than any thing else has prevent
ed my writing to you before. From the
time we left New York until the 20th of
October, we bad more or less adverse
winds, with tlje exception of eight or nine
of the first days, during which the wind was
tolerably fair. In the night of 29 to 30,
we succeeded in beating round the Sicily
Islands, and getting into the channel, when
we had a fair though light breeze which
lasted a great part of the day. In the even
ing we had rather squally weather, the
wind more ahead ; however, we expected
(o get into Havre with the morning’s tide
ot Friday 31. But how vain are human
calculations ! About midnight commenced
one of the most violent gales which bas
been experienced,on this coast for twenty
five years, i had been some time in bed as
well as the rest of the pnssengers—about
two in the morning E awoke me, say
ing it blew very hard, and I found the ship
rolling roost terribly. Nothing was beard
at that time, (for the passengers were ge
nerally aslepp,) but the mo9t terrific howl
ing of the wind, as it passed the spars and
rigging of the ship, and the already hoarse
voice of the Captain, hardly distinguishable,
repeating every moment, “ How does she
head?” I dressed myself as quick as possi
ble and run upon deck; nothing was to be
seeo, so totally dark was the night. The
rain accompanied with heavy hail fell in
torrents. Our good and brave Caplaio, who
was obliged to face the storm, had his face
cut with the hail stones, and was perfectly
drenched with salt as well as fresh water;
while standing in the companion way a blast
more severe than before struck the ship,
aod parted the fore and mizen topsail
sheets which were connected by heavy
chains—for a moment the light emitted by
the breaking of these chains, permitted me
to see the sea in all its terrific majesty. A
wave at the momeut broke over the ship,
& to avoid a second drenching, I went down
into the cabin to await the morning; there
I found most of the passengers already out
of their births, some cheerful others cry
ing. Our Captain came down a moment,
wrung out his coat, took a glass of porter
and a biscuit, told us not to be afraid, as it
was only a slight squall, and again hastened
upon deck. The gale, however, continued
to increase, and early in the morning I as
sisted E——- in going up into the compa
nion, in order that she might have an op
portunity of seeing what she had never be
fore seeo, “the waves rolling mountains
high.” She was soon satisfied with (be sight,
and went below, where we remained until
about teD o’clock, when I again went up,
and was immediately ordered down by the
CaptaiD, who said be wanted no passengers
upon deck. This a little frightened me,
and I looked around me—what was my as
tonishment when 1 saw as it were towering
over oqr heads the high rocks of Alderney ; <
i then went down to inform E of our I
situation—the Captain followed me, and <
examining the chart, thought it could be no <
other than the Island of Alderney, for the i
weather was and had been so thick that we <
could hardly discern more thau a mile. He i
told me our case was a most desperate ooe: <
the storm, together with the current, had
forced us roto the worst situation—that
there was a passage round the Island be
tween it and the Casket rocks, but’ that a l
vessel larger than a small fishing boat had
never passed before. Not to attempt the
passage was inevitable death—-on the con
trary to attempt it might possibly be sue
cessful. He did not hesitate—-the ship waa
put before the wind, with what little sail
she could carry—all the gentlemen pas
sengers were now on the deck viewing
what to them appeared their tomb; for the
eye could discover no possible passage after
having passed tbe first rocks, over whicb
the sea broke with ungovernable fury. Our
good Captain (and I shall Dever forget him)
trom the moment of our entering the pas
sage, had taken his stand upon the mizen
topmast shrouds from which lie overlooked
the rocks and saw some prospect of escape,
and did not for a moment lose bis calmness
and fortitude; be had now become so hoarse
that bis orders were conveyed by one sai
lor to another, until they reached the
helmsman. About midway tbe passage, a
rope from the spanker struck and twisted
itselF round the wheel, and the rudder for
a moment became unmanageable. At this
critical juncture, as we were about striking
the rock, the Steward ran with an axe, and
with one blow freed the wheel—the ship
obeyed instantly, aod a9 we afterwards
found, rubbed up a small piece of her cop
per upon the rock, whicb would otherwise
have terminated our mortal career. Be
hind us was a brig in much the same situa
tion with ourselves; but in endeavouring to
follow us, struck upon one of the rock 9, and
it is presumed all on board perished. We
were fortunate enough to escape them all,
and getting between the bland and the mam
land, our captain came down and went into
. the cabin, where he was greeted by all the
passengers, the ladies in particular jump
ing upon his neck to give him the affection
ate kiss of gratitude. However, before all
had finished, the first officer came running
down, saying there was high land ahead,
under the lee bow—from its situation the
Captain immediately recognized the point
nf Cape La Hogue, and said“ then our voy
age must terminate ;” for it was impossible
to gain the centre of the channel and go to
sea. When we came near enough, we saw
two vessels already on shore. The Captain
ordered all sail to be set that could, in or
! der that she might go up higher than other
wise, thinking there was more hope of
saving our lives by being near in shore;
accordingly she was put head on, and struck
with a tremendous crash about five o’clock
in the afternoon. Thanks to Provideuce
we were in a good ship, commanded by a
I first rate officer. The tide wa9 at its utmost
height—whicb was a bounty unforseen ex
i cept by Him who orders all things wisely.
I Every moveable in tbe cabin, except trunks
i &c. went to pieces—crockery, &c. disap
peared from the shelves and was seen scat
i tered oer the floor. Here we lay until
about nine o’clock, when a man from the
shore came on board, and said we were
i high and dry, for the tide had left us—al-
I most a dozen of us left the ship with him,
and arrived at midnight at his little hut,
where we found persons from other vessels
I which had been lost. My wife upon reach
ing the shore, (although she had strength
, to walk some distance upon the rocks,)
fainted away, her courage having left her,
and she bemg no longer agitated by the fear
of danger. About two o’clock in the morn
ing other passengers arrived, and at four
the Captain and crew left tbe ship. We
were received with more than expected
hospitality—the beds were given up to the
ladies, their former occupants sleeping with
tbe gentlemen upon the floor. The next
day beipg All Saints, we went to church
with hearts filled with gratitude towards
that Great and Good Being, who had so
wonderfully and in so special a manner pre
served our lives. Although a Catholic
church, and tbe service in Latin, it did not
prevent us from silently and fervently of
fering up our prayers of thanksgiving and
praise. The next day, Sunday, we again
went to church and beard a most impres
sive sermon from our worthy fellow pas
seoger, the pious Bishop Cheverus—l was
, sorry my wife could not understand him,
hut he made a short and pathetic address iu
English to tbe Captain aDd Passengers after
the church service wa9 over. Ail the in
habitants of the village, called Audeville,
seemed to vie with each other who should
be the most hospitable—although we had
little else (ban bread, milk, butter aDd cab
bage soup, yet it was all they bad, and was
given with a cheerfulness which made it
equal to the most kingly fare. We left
these good people on Tuesday morning for
Cherbourg, 20 to 25 miles distant, some on
horseback, some on foot, and tbe ladies
with the old and lame, on the carts which
transported our baggage, for carriages
could not go down to the cape. At the end
of five or eix miles, 1 found my wife so un-
[Price $3 50 yer am.
comfortable that I took her up behind me,
having made a sort of pillon with a great
coat and cloak, npon which she rode to
Cherbourg very comfortably. Here we re
mained two days to recruit our strength,
and then proceeded to Paris, where we ar
rived on Monday the 10th, about two
o’clock.
THE REWARDOF EDITORS.
There is, perhaps, oo class of persons
from whom so much is expected, and to
whom so little liberality or generosity is
extended as Editors of newspapers. They
are expected to feel for every one but
themselves, to correct publick abuses and
private ones also, without giving private of
fence ; to sustain the difficulties of others,
without regard to their own; to condemn
the improper measures and practices of eve
ry one, and no one, at the same time; they
are expected to notice every thing that is
important or extraordinary, and notwith
standing the diversity of menls opinions,
their notice must be in terms calculated to
please every one, to offend every one! and
at the same time wo one; and they are ex
pected to regard and promote the interests
of every one but themselves; and to live
themselves upon air. They are expected
to labour day and night for the promotion of
the publick interest, and while they accord
with others in opinion, a naked expression
of approbation may be bestowed upen them ;
and even that poor consolation is frequent
ly withheld from them ; they are expect
ed to be independent . and at the same time
servile tools of every mao they meet; they
are expected to be honest and open in-the
expression of their opinions of publick
measures, and at the same time to condemn
every thing, and approve of every thing.
If they are industrious in their vocation,
they are dangerous fire brands; if they
write nothing they are stupid drones who
are unworthy of support, and should betake
ihemselves to the shovel or hoe (or a living.
But should they be active and industrious—
-hnuld their labours be approved of, and
should they succeed in the promoiion of a
particular object, those who bare been in
terested in the success of that object, may
rejoice io that success, but they must not
reap any advantages from it. The bene
fits are ail reserved t’or other hands, and
■ others too, who, if they have not, ai one
, time or other, been engaged in doing every
i ihing in their power (o oppose or retard
; the accomplishment of that object, have, at
least, done nothing to promote it I
. And after years of unabated toil, and
i unceasing difficulty, if an editor should
i ohaoce to err in judgment, in the judgment
, of others, he meets with no indulgence.
His innocent expressions are carefully col
lected, and after having been metamor
f phosed and transformed into a thousand
; shapes and figures, he never dreamed of,
; they are thrown into mountain clouds, to
; threaten him with a tempest; and that too
i by men who wear towards him fares beam
i ing with kindness, honey and oil upon their
tongues, and with lips apparently too soft
and smooth for butter to melt upon them !
Like Joab, they inquire, l * art thou n htal'h,
i my brother ? n while a deadly dagger is con
cealed beneath the cloak .'—Del Gar
\ RELIGIOUS.
i Plan of the Jewish Settlement.
From the Boston Recorder.
i The Directors of the American Society for
, meliorating (he condition of the Jews, have
> come to a decision as to the plan of their
■ future operations. The views of the Direc
t tors are now limited to tbe purchase of a
) tract of 5 or 6000 acres. The purchase
■ has not yet been made. Until tbe land is
• procured such Jews as may come to this
country, are to be provided with accommo
’ dations at some place in the neighbour
■ hood of New York, where they are to re-
I side in one family.
’ Plan.— l. The object of tbeSociety is to
i invite and receive, from any part of the
t world, such Jew 9 as do already profess the
i Christian religion, or are desirous to re
i ‘ceive Christian instruction, to form them
> into a settlement, anJ to furnish them with
the ordinances of the gospel, and with such
• employment in the settlement as shall be
t assigned them.
2. The Jews who come to the settle-
I ment are to be principally employed in
■ agricultural aDd mechanical operations.
3. In order to facilitate this object, the
Board shall procure as much land as will
I afford a site for the necessary buildings,
i and the contemplated mechanical and agri
cultural operations.
4. In order to afford the emigrants suit
able religious instruction, a minister of the
gospel shall be procured by the Board,
I whose duty it shall be to act as general so-
I perintendaDt of the settlement.
5. A schoolmaster shall be provided, to
• teach the children and youth such branches
> of the different sciences as may fit them for
l becoming intelligent, respectable and use
• ful members of society.
i 6. Theological iosiructirn shall be pro*
i vided in Jhe settlement for such youth of
i piety and talent among the Jewish converts
i as it may be deemed expedient to have
I qualified for ben mmg turn liters ol the got*
- pel ur missionaries.