The domestic slave
(John Angell James, "Female Piety--
The Young Woman's Guide Through Life to Immortality")
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There are various kinds of slavery
in the world, and many classes of
victims of this cruel bondage. There is
among others, the domestic slave,
whose tyrant is her husband--
and the scene of her
bondage is her home
His stinginess allows her scanty supplies
for bare necessities. His selfishness is so
engrossing and exacting, that his demands
for his own personal ease and indulgence
are incessant, and leave her no time for
the consideration of her own comfort.
His disposition is so bad, that all her
diligence to please are unavailing
to give him satisfaction, or to avert
the sallies of his irritability,
discontent, and complaints.
When such a man protests against
Negro-slavery, let him begin the work
of emancipation at home, by raising
the oppressed woman he holds
in bondage there, from
the condition of a drudge--
into the station of a wife!
But there are also many sad cases
in which the slavery is self-imposed!
The bondage comes from the wife
herself! The husband would
gladly release her--
but she will not let him!
Some are slaves to neatness--
and make their fidgety anxiety about
this matter a misery to themselves
and all around them!
Others are slaves to fashion--
and are always anxious and troubled
about elegance and refinement!
Others are slaves to domestic display,
parties and amusements--
and are always full of anxiety about
making a splendid appearance!
Others are slaves to frugality--
and are ever vexing themselves
to economize!
In these ways women will torment
themselves and fill their minds with
unnecessary cares and self-imposed
troubles! To all such we say,
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious
and troubled about so many things!"
(Luke 10:41b)
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