Pocket Words For Future Wives
This is the introduction to the 978th edition of Pocket Words For Future Wives, a book often gifted to Townsfolks girls on their fourteenth birthday. Extracts from the book itself have been included further down, with clipping such as this one to provide context.
Preface
To The Revised Edition
The 977th edition of this work having been picked up with such alacrity, the Church has been induced to revise and enlarge it, that it might be increased in its usefulness to those young misses who are lucky enough to be in possession of it, and thereby carry into fuller effect the original purpose of its compilation.
As most in receipt of this tome shall be aware, it was originally compiled by Chosen Brewin in the year of our Protector 2751, as a collection of verses chosen from The Word of The Protector for their ability to accurately educate young women as to what they should expect when entering into the honourable institute of Marriage. Since then, times, of course, have changed and later editions focused not only on the Marriage Act itself but also on aiding young women in their ongoing endeavours to emulate the ways of The Angels as all women should.
The principle differences between this edition and previous editions are as follows; The verses scribed by Chosen Ogburn and Chosen Clericson The Fourth have been completely removed. They and others have long since passed their usefulness and have made way for more purposeful passages. Secondly, verses relating to the tidy keeping of a home have been expanded to include some of the latest known techniques in table decor. Thirdly, and finally, the sequence of the chapters instructing in demure behaviour and being seen and not heard have been changed in order to allow for a clearer and cleaner reading.
It should be noted that at no point has the compiler placed any of his own interpretations or explanations upon the verses held within, for they are The Words of The Protector as He proclaimed them to His Chosen in the form of The Protector's Cleric of the time.
For this reason, some verses may be centuries older than others and so words and their uses may have changed over that time. So too may certain individuals chosen to be The Protector's Cleric have conversed differently with The Protector, and in so doing have had dialogue which differs greatly between them.
We would therefore remind the reader, in whose hands this book finds itself, that they hold not the words of some mere mortal, but the Word of The Protector, He who is on a sacred quest to battle The Forces and save us from the Evil they attempt to spread. The words in this book are powerful. They hold within them the wisdom of an infinite being, who has taken the time to bestow those golden drops of knowledge onto us. It would be to her credit not only to memorise these words but to take them into her heart and hold them there so that she might learn to live them.
These verses are taken from the first chapter which is called "My Protector" and relate to the importance of putting faith in The Protector. There is a theme of being silent and not bothering other people which was likely picked out specifically for the intended female audience.
Know me and know my word as you know yourself and truly you shall know evil when you see it.
Chosen Weller, Book Four, Sermon 29
Strong is he who can keep his own counsel, for he bears his own weakness only in The Protector’s sight.
Chosen Dutton, Book One, Sermon 37
And the women shall be like The Angels, for they were made in their same image, small and sweet to look upon and gentle of hand and foot, with the same grace. Neither shall they argue nor complain, instead knowing of their place, in the shadow of the men where they may be sheltered and protected and cause no trouble.
Chosen Weller, Book Two, Sermon 731
Women prone to bouts of jealousy concern themselves too much with others when they still have work to do on themselves. They should be as The Angels; humble and meek in all ways.
Chosen Weller, Book Two, Sermon 734
This extract is taken from the second chapter which is entitled "As The Angels" which pertains to the ways in which a woman should emulate The Angels, an impossible task.
These two verses are an extract from the third chapter of the book which is simply called "Silence". Ironically, perhaps, this chapter is the longest in the book by several pages and talks at length about how seeing women is far preferable to hearing them.
It should be noted that despite being The Protector's Cleric and therefore an extremely eligible husband, Chosen Clericson The Eighth never married. Only speculation exists as to why that might be.
No man desires a chatty wife. For a woman who is too fond of the sound of her own voice pays little heed to the voice of others, nor does she focus as she should on the good and proper running of a household. A man has enough to deal with without the wanton ramblings of a woman who, in truth, cannot have anything useful to say.
Chosen Clericson The Eighth, Book Four, Sermon 155
Smart is she who knows that her smiles are more attractive than her words.
Chosen Miller, Book Two, Sermon 9
Additional Quotations
A woman who is dirtied must be cleansed but she will never more be clean.
Chosen Miller, Book One, Sermon 17
Brave is he who knows his limits and lives within them. For he knows The Protector steps beyond those limits every day to save him and his brethren.
Chosen Dutton, Book One, Sermon 9
It is a good man who can recognise his mistakes but a better man who could forgive worse in others.
Chosen Clericson The Ninth, Book One, Sermon 944
Blech. Really well-written and interesting article, but blech.
Explore Etrea | March of 31 Tales
"Blech" is exactly what I was going for! XD Thank you!