The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 575

So energetic a woman might still be thought somewhat unlovable if we had not tl1i11 final trait: "in her tongue is the law of kindness" (ver. 26), How much ma.y the tone of a woman's conversation do to keep peace in a household, and shed over it a spirit of love and gentleness I 7. True religion, This is the root of the matter. 'fho typical woman" feareth the Lord" (ver. 30). III. HER REWARD. 1. In her influence. "Her husband is known in the gates." She helps him to honour. Herself too busy in the private sphere to take her part ?1rectly in public life, yet indirectly she is a great force in_ the large world through her rnfl.uence over her husband. 2. In the sucoess of her energies. We have here a picture of a wife in affiuence-not of a poor domestic drudge in the squalor of abject poverty. Nevertheless, the prosperi~y of the home larg~ly depends upon her. Her thoughtful- 11.ess, energy, careful oversight of others and kmdness of heart and words, are the chief causes of the welfare of her ha.ppy, comfortable home. 3. In the hOW'Ur of her family. "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her" (ver. 28). Surely this is a better reward than public fame. 4. Continued influence. This true woman deserves to ha.ve "the fruit of her hands." If she is to be spoken of "in the gates," it should be in praise of her domestic duties, which cannot but be known to her neighbours, however modest and retiring her manners may be. Ver. 30.-Rival attractions. Lemuel's mother Wims her son against the fascinations of superficial charms in his choice of a wife, and points to the attractiveness of a God- fearir.g woman. I. 'l'HE VANITY OF BEAUTY, 1. It is but temporary. The bloom of beauty fades with youth; but a wife is to be a man's helpmeet throughout life, and, if both are spared, his companion in age. In making a choice for life a man should consider enduring traits. 2. It is supeijicial. Beauty of face and grace of form are only bodily attri- butes. They ma.y have no corresponding mental, moral, and spiritual merits. 3. It is deceptive. The fascination of a pretty face may delude a ma.n into neglecting more important considerations in the woman of bis choice. Ill temper may be taken for strength of character, frivolity for liveliness, mere softness of disposition for love. Bat the great disillusion of lifelong companionship will dispel all these mistakes, when the discovery is too late to be of any use. On the other hand, there is no need to take refuge in a monkish contempt of beauty. .All beauty is a work of God. It is the duty of a woman to make herself pleasing to others. The finest beauty is a product of health, good temper, and the expression of worthy sentiments-all of them desirable things. Note: The,vanity of beauty shows the mistake of pursuing "art.for art's sake," to the neglect of morality, duty, truth, and charity, II. THE GRACE OF RELIGION. The "woman that fea.reth the Lord" is to be praised. Though, perhaps, Jess beautiful in form and countenance, she has the higher beauty of holiness. The Madonna stands infinitely above the Venus. The grace of the God- fearing woman has its own true attraction for those who can appreciate it. 1. It is enduring. Beauty fades; goodness endures. This should ripen with years into a more rich and mellow grace. 2. It is deep, The prolonged acquaintanceship th_o.t reveals the utter hollowness and unreality of those attractions which consist only 1n bodily form and skin-complexion only makes more apparent the treasures of a true and worthy character. Trouble that ploughs fatal furrows in the cheek of the me:e "beauty" unveils the tender grace of the truly godly woman. Those sc~nes ~he~em earthly beauty fails open up wondrous treasures of hea.venly grace. 3. It 1s satisfying. A feverish excitement accompanies the adoration of earthly beauty; b~t the beauty of a sweet, true, generous soul is restful and comforting, 4. It is worthy of h?nour. Poet~ give us their dreams of fair women. A higher subject w:ould be the praises_ of God-fearin" women. How much of the world's blessedness springs from the devot10n Df uuselfish women-the self-sacrifices of true wives, the toils and prayers of good klothers I Ver. 31.- Woman's rights. The strenuous advocacy of the rights· of women by shrill oratory bas injured the true cause of women by covering a serious subject with ridicule, and suggesting the unreality of the grievanoee urged. When extravagant demands are made, people assume that every just right has been conceded; and when CB', XXXI, 1-81.] THE PROVERBS. 605