A Lovely Poem

I wanted to share this poem on the true beauty of godly femininity. As we as young ladies continue in our Christian walk, it is always a blessing to receive encouragement from other like minded women. I don't know much about the author, but these words never fail to challenge me and give me focus for the future. May the words give you a new rigor to rise up and press on in your God-given roles as wife, mother, or daughter (or all three!). Enjoy!

The Need of the Hour

What does our country need? Not armies standing

With sabers gleaming ready for the fight;

Not increased navies skillful in commanding;

To bound the waters in iron might;

Not haughty men with glutted purses trying

To purchase souls and keep the power of the place;

Not jeweled dolls with one another vying

For palms of beauty, elegance, and grace.

But we want women, strong of soul, yet lowly

With that rare meekness, born of gentleness;

Women whose lives are pure and clean and holy,

The women whose name all little children bless;

Brave, earnest women, helpful to each other,

With finest scorn for all things low and mean;

Women who hold the names of wife and mother

Far nobler than the title of queen.

Oh! These are they who mould the men of story.

These mothers, oftime shorn of grace and youth,

Who, worn and weary, ask no greater glory

Than making some young soul the home of truth;
Who sow in hearts all fallow for the sowing

The seeds of virtue and of scorn for sin,

And, patient, watch the beauteous harvest growing

And weed out tares which crafty hands cast in.

Women who do not hold the gift of beauty

As some rare treasure to be bought and sold,

But guard it as a precious aid to duty-

The outer framing of the inner gold;

Women who, low above their cradles bending,

Let flattery's voice go by and give no heed,

While their pure prayers like incense are ascending

These are our country's pride, our country's need.

Ella Wheeleer Wilcox

posted by Lydia