8

[fol. viii.]

7

It is your duty to soften what is hard, to make smooth what
is rough, it is your duty to send a ray of light, of hope
through the darkness of the clouds. Like the illustrious Beruriah
of the Talmud who, though inexpressibly grieved for at the sudden
loss of her 2 beautiful children, yet had the courage to console the
partner of her life, & to utter such words of wisdom as impressed
upon him the duty of resignation; be always unto your
husbands the advocates of kindness, indulgence, forgiveness
& patience. When the winter of your fortune sets in Remind your husbands of resignation, of courage
of bravery, but do not forget religion. A gay or agitated youth
has perhaps taught them to believe little & to practice less.
Banish that leaven, banish it for the sake of your God. for
the sake of your children & by your smile which is a reflection
of the smile of heaven itself, by your gentle manners which can be
made the secret of your power, bring back to religion &
worship, that spirit which only needs a soft & graceful
guide. Then will you prove yourself to be a type of the
noble-minded woman of whom King Solomon speaks "The heart
of her husband will safely trust in her. She will do good &
not evil all the days of her life. Be good wives for this is the
first way of destroying all leaven. The second means