THE COMMUNION OF LABOUR. A Second Lecture ON THE SOCIAL EMPLOYMENTS OF WOMEN. (Delivered privately, June 28, 1856, and printed by desire.) "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man, in the Lord." 1 COR. xi. 11. THE COMMUNION OF LABOUR. WHEN the following Lecture was delivered, more than one half was omitted, in consequence of its too great length. It is now printed as it was originally written, with additional notes and details. It must be considered, on the whole, as merely supplementary to the Lecture on "Sisters of Charity," as an illustration and expansion, through facts and examples, of the principles there briefly set forth,namely, that a more equal distribution of the work which has to be done, and a more perfect communion of interests in the work which is done, are, in the present state of society, imperatively demanded. This Lecture having been delivered orally to a circle of friends, has unconsciously assumed a somewhat egotistical tone and form, which the reader is entreated kindly to excuse, and to remember that its intention is not to dictate, but merely to suggest. AUGUST 17, 1856. THE COMMUNION OF LABOUR. THE INFLUENCE OF LEGISLATION ON THE MORALS AND Ir is now nearly a year and half since my friends gathered round me and listened very kindly and patiently to certain suggestions relative to the social employments of women, more especially as "SISTERS OF CHARITY, at home and abroad." The views I then advocated had been long in my mind: but great events, at that time recent, and coming home to all hearts, had rendered the exposition of those views more seasonable, more interesting, perhaps also more intelligible, than they would otherwise have been. The publication of that Lecture having attracted more attention than I had reason to expect, and having given rise to some discussion, public and private, I have been advised, and have taken courage, once more, and probably for the last time, to recur to the same subject. It is a subject which, if it be worth any attention whatever, is worth the most serious and solemn consideration; for it concerns no transient, no partial interest, lying on the surface of life, but rather the very stuff of which life is made. Some new observations, some additional facts, I have to communicate, which, while they illustrate the principles laid down in my former Lecture, will, I hope, add force to my arguments. These observations, these facts, will not at once overcome all objections, will not in the first instance meet with anything like general acceptance; but they will perhaps open up new sources of thought; and if thought lead to inquiry, and inquiry lead to conviction-for or against-I should be content to abide that issue. |