observed, her influence gains in power. All human good is founded in goodness.
If the Gospel is the supreme good revealed to the world, and if this Gospel harmonizes best with the feminine nature, and is best exemplified in its purity by the
feminine life, giving to the mother's instinctive love a scope, a hope, a support
which no religion of human device ever conferred or conceived, then surely God
has, in applying this Gospel so directly to her nature, offices, and condition, a
great work for the sex to do. "Christ was made of a woman;" woman must train
her children for Christ. Is this an inferior office?
Wherever the Bible is read, female talents are cultivated and esteemed. In this "Record" are about two thousand five hundred names, including those of the Female Missionaries : out of this number less than two hundred are from heathen nations, yet these constitute at this moment nearly three-fourths of the inhabitants of the globe, and for the first four thousand years, with the single exception of the Jewish people, were the world.
Is not this conclusive evidence that God's Word is woman's shield, His power her protection, and His gifts her sanction for their full development, cultivation, and exercise?
In preparing "Woman's Record" I have been aided by several friends in Europe, who have procured for me books and portraits not to be found in our country. Mrs. Mary Howitt has been very kind in her assistance, and I am happy to thank her thus publicly. Professor Charles E. Blumenthal rendered acceptable service by furnishing translations of a number of the Sketches of distinguished women of Germany. My American friends have also been ready to assist: W. Gilmore Simms, Esq. wrote the Sketch of Miss Lee, and the Rev. Dr. Stevens and Rev. Dr. Kip furnished each a Sketch. Those to whom I have applied for information, have, in almost every instance, given all in their power, and cheered me kindly with their encouragement. I hope they will find the finished work worthy of approval.
The volume is larger than was at first contemplated, but materials increased, new ideas were to be set forth and clearly illustrated ; I have not exhausted the theme.
One object is, however, accomplished : the picture of Woman's Life, as it has been developed to the world from the Creation to the present date, is here truly and completely displayed.
I am far from considering this outward semblance her best or loveliest praise. Millions of the sex whose names were never known beyond the circles of their own home influences, have been as worthy of commendation as those here commemorated. Stars are never seen either through the dense cloud or bright sunshine; but when daylight is withdrawn from a clear sky they tremble forth: so female
