The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1872-07-11
OUGHT WOMEN TO BE MINISTER'S
OF THE GOSPEL?

OUGHT WOMEN TO BE MINISTER'S
OF THE GOSPEL?
An Essay by Rev. S. q. Smith, of Franklin,
Ohio. Read before the Dayton District
Ministerial Association, Cincinnati Con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and Published by Request.
This subject is one Of the living
questions of the times. 1t has re-
ceived fresh impulse by the recent
arrest and trial of an eminent and
most useful minister of the gospel in
a sister denomination, for the alleged
crime of inviting a regularly author
lied minister of the gospel Of anoth-
er religious Society to preach in his
pulpit.
The complaint was not that she
was of another denomination, nor
that horesy was preached, but that
the preacher was acom0'a.
The matter was considered with
due gravity, for two days. No effort
was made to prove the fact charged
that was admitted-but whether
or not it was a CRIME.
The question was scarcely decided.
Mer of honesty and ability were
found on both sides. The ecclesias
teal body was of high standing. It's
prominence gave to the contest a
wide publicity.
The Importance of the subject has
elected much discussion from minis
tiers, editors, and writer's of various
religious denominations.
Agitation in nature tends to purlf.
cation: the same is true in the sphere
of morals.
The true sphere of woman in the
church, is by no means fully recog-
niZed in our own denomination. We
need further discussion and greater
progress.
II is no question with Methodists,
whether or not woman should par
ticipate in the exercises of prayer
and praise, or of experience or ex'
hortation. as freely as men; but all
are not clear with regard to the spe.
cifio work of the ministry. Let us
consider this subject:
FIRST IN THE LIGHT OF REASON
l. There is nothing in woman's
relation to God that should disqualify
her for this work. She is Gods
workmanship. She bears His image.
In her true spiritual relation she is
in sympathy with Him. He commun.
icates to her His will in her heart
His love is shed abroad. She feels
desire for the extension of His
kingdom-the winning of all souls to
Him.
Had shefaO soul, as many of the
orientals hold, the question would be
settled against her. But having a
mind capable of knowing God, and
heart capable of loving Him, why
may she not be "worker together
with HIM." in the ministry of His
gospel ?
2. There is nothing in her natura al
relations to mankind that should for.
bid her entrance upon the ministry
Toward God she is sympathetic
and receptive. Toward her fellows
she is sympathetic and communica.
tive and what more is needed to
constitute her moral medium be.
tween God and humanity
Shall she receive light and be for
hidden to reflect it Or, rejecting
it, must it be limited only to her own
sex, or to her own family which may
contain both sexes
Must she discontinue her work Of
moral instruction when children Of
both sexes from neighboring families
mingle with her own? If not, how
large number may she teach thell
duty to God and men
Ii there be no limit here, how old
may the members of this promiscu
Gus company be, before duty ceases
and sin commences =?
Where is the great difference be
tween giving expositions oftruth and
exnortations to duty, in converse
tional way, and present the same il
the more formal manner of a sermon
Whether she stand on the floor
among the people, or in the pulpit
before them? 1t is evidently mere
N latter of form and convenience.
Is she capable of presenting truth
to men in an instructive and persuas
i've manner
Do men receive truth by intellect
ual perception So does she.
Do men feel the force of truth in
their moral sensibilities ? So doe.
she.
Do men need regeneration and
sanctiicatiOn She needs the same
Having common intellectual and
spiritual nature with men, can she
not present to them the gospel doc
trinally, experimentally, and practi.
cally, and that, too, quite as effecru.
ally as they to her ?
If she were an angel, she might be
disqualified for the ministry of the
gospel to human beings, not having
want. and experiences in common
with them. But she is not an angel;
she is seven as one of u.s."
Has she influence in society /? She
does more than man to form its char.
acter. During the most formative
period it is under her chief control.
Do men excel in argumentive and
legal power ? Women excel in the
affectional and persuasive. She is an
important agency in the formation of
public sentiment.
Much of our literature is written
by women written, too, for promis.