Eliza Farnham — American Activist

Eliza Farnham was a 19th-century American novelist, feminist, abolitionist, and activist for prison reform... (wikipedia)

The human face is the organic seat of beauty. It is the register of value in development, a record of Experience, whose legitimate office is to perfect the life, a legible language to those who will study it, of the majestic mistress, the soul.
Each of the Arts whose office is to refine, purify, adorn, embellish and grace life is under the patronage of a Muse, no god being found worthy to preside over them.
Our own theological Church, as we know, has scorned and vilified the body till it has seemed almost a reproach and a shame to have one, yet at the same time has credited it with power to drag the soul to perdition.
The ultimate aim of the human mind, in all its efforts, is to become acquainted with Truth.