FROM

"THE BIBLE, I SAY THE BIBLE, ONLY, IS THE RELIGION OF PROTESTANTS."--CHILLINGWORTH.
VOL. I.	PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1844.	NO. 1.

      in the mirror of human history, Woman is reflected with many colors and shades of character. Sometimes, like Lucretia and Penelope, we see her virtuous and of unshaken fidelity; like Zenobia, learned; or fair as the Queen of the Scots, or Helen, or Esther. Perhaps, like Judith, brave, or Deborah, or the wife of Jael. It may be she sits upon the throne of kingdoms, and like Semiramis, and Cleopatra, and Elizabeth, and Victoria, wields the rod of empire. Or she pays court to the muse Clio, and is seen with the lyre and plectrum of history in her hand. Or Thalia or Melpomene by turns delight her, and she assumes the mask, or sins the misfortunes of heroes. Or she herself is a heroine, and like Boadicea and Joan of Arc, "forth to the van before the sons of fame" she comes, "the observed of all observers"--and with angel greatness, on the edge of battle as it rages, rules warring armies!

      As Dacier, Apripina, Plotina, Rowe, Gourney, Russell, Maintenon, and Graffeigny, we have seen woman. But where in life is her loveliness more appreciated, or her excellence better felt, or the complement of her destiny so completely filled up, as when at home she is seen, at early morn or dewy eye, a christian wife approaching the beloved and honored object of her heart's dearest affections--her own husband--with the book of God, the holy Bible in her hand, that he may read and pray!

      This is the true glory of the United States.--This is the strength of our Republic--the sure foundation of our highest national grandeur--the secret spring of our boundless prosperity. It is the infallible national policy--the very American system itself. And for all the ends to be compassed by legislation, in peace or in war, one such angel, be she poor or rich, is worth to this nation more than all the prating and plotting politicians from Maine to Florida. Ye daughters of Columbia--mothers of great men--be such a woman.

ED. SEN.      

["The Christian Wife at Home." The Protestant Unionist, 1 (September 25, 1844): 4.]

      Walter Scott's "The Christian Wife at Home" was first published in The Protestant Unionist, Vol. 1, No. 1, September 25, 1844. The electronic version of the essay has been produced from microfilm of the newspaper.

      Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
373 Wilson Street
Derry, PA 15627-9770
e_stefanik@email.msn.com

Created 1 February 2002.