e manner, a spirited poetical reply, from the pen of
Maria Weston Chapman, to "A Clerical Appeal" published in 1840. Mrs.
Chapman was one of the grand women in Boston, who, during the early
days of Anti-Slavery, gave her unceasing efforts to that struggle. Her
pen was a power in the journals and magazines, and her presence an
inspiration in their fairs and conventions. When Abby Kelly, Angelina
Grimke, and Lucretia Mott first began to speak to promiscuous
assemblies in Anti-Slavery Conventions, "a clerical appeal" was issued
and sent to all the clergymen in New England, calling on them to
denounce in their pulpits this unmannerly and unchristian proceeding.
Sermons were preached, portraying in the darkest colors the fearful
results to the Church, the State, and the home, in thus encouraging
women to enter public life.

"PASTORAL LETTER."

Extract from a Pastoral Letter of "the General Association of
Massachusetts (Orthodox) to the Churches under their care"--1837:

III. We invite your attention to the dangers which at present
seem to threaten the female character with wide-spread and
permanent injury.

The appropriate duties and influence of woman are clearly stated
in the New Testament. Those duties and that influence are
unobtrusive and private, but the source of mighty power. When the
mild, dependent, softening influence of woman upon the sternness
of man's opinions is fully exercised, society feels the effects
of it in a thousand forms. The power of woman is her dependence,
flowing from the consciousness of that weakness which God has
given her for her protection, (!) and which keeps her in those
departments of life that form the character of individuals, and
of the nation. There are social influences which females use in
promoting piety and the great objects of Christian benevolence
which we can not too highly commend.

We appreciate the unostentatious prayers and efforts of woman in
advancing the cause of religion at home and abroad; in
Sabbath-schools; in leading religious inquirers to the pastors
(!) for instruction; and in all such associated effort as becomes
the modesty of her sex; and earnestly hope that she may abound
more and more in these labors of piety and love. But when she
assumes the place and tone of man as a public reformer, our care
and protection of her seem unnecessary; we p