Overburdened Housekeepers
63
But what is the reason for this fear of household duties among
our girls? The great reason is, that such labor has been considered a
disgrace. As a general thing, the cook has not received the respect due
her. I have seen people, once poor but now rich, whose good sense
seemed to have fled with their poverty, and they became superficial in
everything. Some who learn to be seamstresses, type-setters, proof-
readers, book-keepers, or school-teachers, consider themselves too
aristocratic to associate with the cook.
These ideas have pervaded nearly all classes of society. The cook
is made to feel that her occupation is one which places her low in the
scale of social life, and that she must not expect to associate with the
family on equal terms. Can you be surprised, then, that intelligent girls
seek some other employment? Do you marvel that there are so few
educated cooks? The only marvel is that there are so many who will
submit to such treatment.
The cook fills an important place in the household. She is preparing
food to be taken into the stomach, to form brain, bone, and muscle.
The health of all the members of the family depends largely upon her
skill and intelligence. Household duties will never receive the attention
they demand until those who faithfully perform them are held in proper
respect.
Self-love, self-worship, idolatry of self, have bound upon the necks
of women a yoke grievous to be borne. They are weighed down with
burdens heavy to carry. And this wearisome labor in the interest of
fashion is repaid only by suffering and oppression. Christ, looking
down the ages, saw the state of things which now exists, and to these
overladen ones he gives the blessed invitation, “Come unto me, all ye
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke
upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye
shall find rest unto your souls.” [
Matthew 11:28, 29
.]
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