government of the nation. The angel that she is! Woman is a great power.
She has made kings and conquerors, and she can unmake them. She has
influenced the acts of statesmen, and made children of grave Senators.
Yes, my hearers, her power can be made greater than the throne. And yet
how few husbands appreciate their wives as they should do." Here the
reverend gentleman paused for a few seconds, and cast meaning glances at
several of his male hearers, who were evidently not inclined to receive
his remarks with favor. Indeed, Mr. Holbrook, while making a high bid
for popularity with the female portion of his audience, was throwing an
immense fire-brand into the family circle of a number of his hearers.

"My hearers, remember this," resumed this odd little man: "Manage a
woman right, and you have a mighty power to carry out the greatest
project the world ever saw."

Disjointed and illogical as this sermon was, it was just what Chapman
and Mrs. Chapman wanted to put the church of the new ideas firm on its
legs. It was popular with the women; and with their favor Holbrook could
ride triumphantly over any number of quarrels.

Mrs. Chapman intimated to another admiring female that the little man
they had just listened to was very like an oyster--looked better when
opened. In short, it was the general opinion of the women that Mr.
Holbrook had preached a very sensible sermon; and they were delighted,
notwithstanding what their husbands said to the contrary. "We have got a
preacher now," said the women, "who will stick up for our rights. You
men have had it all your own way long enough." Some of the men,
however, were not inclined to let these taunts pass quietly, declaring
that they had never listened to such nonsense before. One shook his
head, and declared that no good could come of such preaching, since