Chapter XI: The Future

What is to be the Future of the army of two million superfluous women?

We maintain that, with few exceptions, the vocation of women is matrimony. But where are all these two million to find husbands? Certainly not in England.

From time to time, the papers are full of the need for women in our colonies:—Rhodesia, Western Canada, or Australia. But does such a need really exist? Why cannot some thoroughly competent and trustworthy woman be sent out on a mission to these places—as the _Daily Mail_ quite recently sent one of its men representatives—to investigate, and produce a reliable report of all the facilities for emigration? It is idle and dangerous to pursue such ideas blindfold: we need exact figures and precise facts.

If there is work in the colonies for our women, why not send them out? If there _are_ men there wanting wives, the rest will follow as a matter of course.

When we read what the first Puritan colonists of America endured and suffered, and how the women battled along beside them, we need feel no fear of what Englishwomen can do when put to the test. In the fight for home and children woman stands out supreme. Who knows what a marvellous tale of love, adventure, and real heroism, a new exodus might call forth? But we must know the truth. Are women really needed in the colonies, or are they not?

Every woman has the right to some goal in life. She was not born to vegetate; and where the vocation of husband and children is lacking, a field of sufficient interest to absorb her whole life must be found. What about the Church? Or some other form of work in the service of Humanity?

Every student of human nature knows that great insatiable longing of one being for the special sympathy of another, the two making one perfect whole. The Roman and Anglican Churches have expressed this instinct under the simile of Christ the bridegroom and the nun or sister, His bride. This Union between God and man is perhaps the only one that can replace the wonderful exclusive tie between a man and a woman. How many women who buried their “one man” in the battle-fields of France, have found their consolation in Heavenly Union and taken refuge from the world in the service of humanity with the protection of the veil?

In Protestant England, however, the convent does not mean what it means in Latin countries, yet England assuredly needs women to labour for the certain benefit of their sex. She wants another St. Theresa, without her delusions. But where is she? Certainly not in the ranks of the women who would drive us to the Bar and the House of Commons. Nor amongst those who would send us back to crochet in our mother’s drawing-rooms.

Help must come from the religion of _practical service_; and who knows whether if women once gain a broader and saner outlook, they would not do fine and noble work in the pulpit. They must be chosen, of course, with the greatest care, or more harm than good will be done.

If only there were more of us like Miss Maud Royden, a broad-minded, deep-thinking, human woman, who can do only good wherever she goes.

We do not want the “shrieking sister” type. We want women who will preach that human nature is neither foul nor base, but a noble, beautiful thing; that men and women are neither angels nor beasts, but just men and women in sore need of help.

The non-conformist Church, too, should make room for more women in its foreign missions; and what a fine field there is for the trained nurse as Florence Nightingale conceived her. To-day the mere ‘paid’ nurse is a different being altogether, with few, if any, of the qualities of the pioneer. Too often she is neither working in God’s service to relieve suffering, nor straining her mind and strength to learn the laws of health. Florence Nightingale’s religion was her work. But where are her disciples now?

Nevertheless, there is a practical side to the Service of Humanity. It simply cannot be done without organisation and support. The “Sisterhood” provides this. Sister Leonie, working day and night in the St. Lazare prison, Paris, could not be tortured by the material worries of daily life. What a waste of effort that would have been, disturbing the work of service as she prays with and comforts her penitents.

Everywhere, in fact, and whatever their work or their mission, _provision for the Future must prove to be Women s real problem_. At present there is no sphere open to her in which the returns are substantial enough to allow of saving. Those who feel the Call may be freed from such anxieties; but where there is neither a home nor an income to depend on, in business or professions that do not carry with them an adequate pension, _some kind of insurance must be devised by the State_.

This is obviously a big question needing most careful thought. To-day, indeed, we must feel serious doubt whether women can place any real dependence even on the home and the family. Times are hard, and society is unstable. At any moment revolution or anarchy may sweep away, through no fault of our own, whatever provision the most prudent of us have been able to make.

There can, therefore, be no doubt that the Economic Insecurity among women is a grave problem. It may lead anywhere—to suicide, immorality, or crime. The matter is too serious for delay. All single women who have passed the age of thirty should now be included in some scheme of _National Insurance_. The other disadvantages, however great they be, are actually dwarfed before the monster terror of no money in our old age—or in times of sickness. True, there are old age pensions, there are charities for distressed gentlewomen, but no self-respecting professional worker can be beholden to these. We ought not to allow it.

Finally, as one who stands whole-heartedly for progress, may we not once more ask what is the use of a femininism that preaches hatred of the other sex, or a desire to exercise the wearing—for women, tearing—professions of men?

Man, with his better-balanced brain and uncomplicated physique, fills us with awe. See him at his magnificent work of building bridges, stemming rivers and piercing mountains, conquering Nature inch by inch! Woman can help his work and complete his life, but she may not enter into competition with him.

Let her not deceive herself: in spite of women in Parliament and other signs of advanced femininism, she has not gone very far. What she needs now is more humanity, more commonsense, and some of the Latin charm. If she works as man’s antagonist, she will be beaten back steadily.

_Male and Female created He them.
And a little child shall lead them._

There, in a nutshell, is the truth.

. From A. M. PHILPOT’S LIST .

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Transcriber’s Notes

Pg 14 Changed: the instrument of the Millenium To: the instrument of the Millennium

Pg 14 Changed: the promised Millenium is still far to seek To: the promised Millennium is still far to seek Pg 26 Changed: women doctors, and in the medical mission-field To: women doctors, and in the medical mission field