natural duties in the world, it is but too likely to betake
itself, from the mere craving for action, to self-invented and
unnatural duties out of the world. Ignorant of true science, yet
craving to understand the wonders of nature and of spirit, it is
but too likely to betake itself to non-science--nonsense as it is
usually called--whether of spirit-rapping and mesmerism, or of
miraculous relics and winking pictures. Longing for guidance and
teaching, and never having been taught to guide and teach itself,
it is but too likely to deliver itself up in self-despair to the
guidance and teaching of those who, whether they be quacks or
fanatics, look on uneducated women as their natural prey.

You will see, I am sure, from what I have said, that it is not my
wish that you should become mere learned women; mere female
pedants, as useless and unpleasing as male pedants are wont to be.
The education which I set before you is not to be got by mere
hearing lectures or reading books: for it is an education of your
whole character; a self-education; which really means a committing
of yourself to God, that He may educate you. Hearing lectures is
good, for it will teach you how much there is to be known, and how
little you know. Reading books is good, for it will give you
habits of regular and diligent study. And therefore I urge on you
strongly private study, especially in case a library should be
formed here of books on those most practical subjects of which I
have been speaking. But, after all, both lectures and books are
good, mainly in as far as they furnish matter for reflection:
while the desire to reflect and the ability to reflect must come,
as I believe, from above. The honest craving after light and
power, after knowledge, wisdom, active usefulness, must come--and
may it come to you--by the inspiration of the Spirit of God.