Women, because they have not
been led to consider the knowledge of their duty as the one thing
necessary to know, or, to live in the present moment by the
discharge of it, are very anxious to peep into futurity, to learn what
they have to expect to render life interesting, and to break the
vacuum of ignorance.
I must be allowed to expostulate seriously with the ladies who
follow these idle inventions; for ladies, mistresses of families,
are not ashamed to drive in their own carriages to the door of the
cunning man.* And if any of them should peruse this work, I entreat
them to answer to their own hearts the following questions, not
forgetting that they are in the presence of God.
* I once lived in the neighbourhood of one of these men, a
handsome man, and saw with surprise and indignation, women, whose
appearance and attendance bespoke that rank in which females are
supposed to receive a superiour education, flock to his door.
Do you believe that there is but one God, and that he is powerful,
wise, and good?
Do you believe that all things were created by him, and that all
beings are dependent on him?
Do you rely on his wisdom, so conspicuous in his works, and in
your own frame, and are you convinced that he has ordered all things
which do not come under the cognizance of your senses, in the same
perfect harmony, to fulfil his designs?
Do you acknowledge that the power of looking into futurity, and
seeing things that are not, as if they were, is an attribute of the
Creator? And should he, by an impression on the minds of his
creatures, think fit to impart to them some event hid in the shades of
time yet unborn, to whom would the secret be revealed by immediate
inspiration? The opinion of ages will answer this question- to
reverend old men, to people distinguished for eminent piety.
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