The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 574

such ari image of- utterly unselfish, of completely eelf-so.crificing love as that of a. woman for her child. She almost gives her lifo for his infant existence. All through his helpless years she watches over him with untiring care. When he goes forth into the world, she follows him with never-flngging interest. He may forget her; she will :qever forget him. If he. does well, her joy is unbounded; if he does ill, her heart is broken. Without a thought of self, she spends herself on her child, and finds her life or her death in his conduct. IV. I'l';IB GUIDED BY DEEP KNOWLEDGE, The mother may not know much of the outer world; she may be quite ignorant of the most recent dicta of science; some of her notions may seem old-fashioned to her modem-minded son. But foolish indeed will he be if he dares to despise her counsels on such grounds. She knows him-bis strength anci his weakness, his childish faults and bis early promises. Here lies the secret of her wisdom. V. IT ,CANNOT BE NEGLECTED WITHOUT CRUEL INGRATITUDE. The son may think himself wiser than his mother, but at least he should give reverent attention to her advice. So much love and care and thoughtfulness do not deserve to be tossed aside in a moment of impatience. The wise son will acknowledge that his mother's wishes deserve his most earnest consideration. It may be, then, that he will be held back in the hour of temptation by the thought of the poignant grief that his shameful fall would give to his mother. It is much for a life to be worthy of a good Christinn mother'o ·counsel. • Vers. 10-31.-The typical woman. I. HER RPHERE. This is domestic. 1. In marriage. 'l'he typical woman is a wife and mother, not a St. Agnes, the mystical bride of Christ,·nor even a Virgin Mary. We see her in Sarah, iu Naomi, in Hannah, in Eunice. There is invaluable service for the world which only women who are free from the ties of home can accomplish; there is a noble mission for single women. But there is nothing in Scripture, reason, or conscience to suggest that virginity is more holy than marriage, that the _maiden is more saintly than the matron. 2. In the work of the home, Moreover, for unmarried women household cares and quiet home duties usually have the first call. Some women may be called to more public positions. A queen may adorn a throne. A Florence Nightingale may live as an angel of mercy to the suffering. But these are exceptional persons. Every Jewess was not a Deborah, and even the martial prophetess, unlike her French counterpnrt, Joan of Arc, was" a mother in Israel." 3. Thlfl'efore with domestic respoosibility. The typical woman will be judged primarily in regard to domestic duties. 'l'he true wifo is the hclpmeet of her husband. Her first aim will be to" do him good" (ver. 12). If she fails here, her public service is of little account. II. HER OHARAOTER., This is described in e. graphic picture or her life-a picture which ie iu striking contrast to the ignorance, the indolence, the inanity of an Oriental harem. Observe its chief features. 1. Trustworthiness. The true wife is her hus- band's confidant. She must be worthy of confidence by being (1) faithful, (2) sympa- thetic, (3) intelligent. 2. Industry. Nothing can be more foolish than the notion that n " lady" ·should have no occupation. 'l'he ideal woman rises early nnd busies herself with many affairs. In old days, when the spinning was done at home and most of the family gnrments were made by the women of the house, the clothing or husband and children bore testimony to the industry of the wife. Machinery hns destroyed this antique picture. Yet the spirit of it remains. The true wife still finds an abundance of domestic occupations. 3. Thrift. The wife of the Proverbs is quite a business woman, selling the superfluous work of her hands to merchants, nnd buying land with the proceeds. Yet by her foresight she provides warm clothing for the winter, and therefore she can afford to laugh when the snow cometh. 4. Strength. "She girdeth her loins with strength." The physical education of women is just now receiving especial attention, and rightly so. It is a woman's duty to be strong, if by means of wholesome food and exercise she can conquer weakness. No doubt the ailments of many women spring from lassitude, indolence, and self-surrender. . But even when ·bodily frailty cannot be conquered, strength of soul may be attained. 6. 0/1arity. The strong and thrifty wife might be hard, cold, and selfis~. But the true woman "etretcbeth out her hand to the poor" (ver. 20). 6. Gracious speech, 604 THE PROVERDS, [ea. xx.n. 1--31.