The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-11-13
WHY NOT Q

upon the rack.
The earnest, energetic women of our
times invade legislative chambers with
suffrage memorials to the manifest dis
comfiture and betrayal of the mental
calibre of members, erewhile considered
wise; they discourse from the platform
to listening multitudes upon the various
themes that claim the attention of the
world they enter the realm Of newspa-
perdom and WELD the pen -editoriali
they show themselves adopts in the arts
of telegraphy, photography and print
ing; they fight their way through medi-
cal colleges, and with the formidable
NJ. d. affixed to soft-sounding feminine
names, establish themselves in lu-
crative business, Notwithstanding the
frowns of their brethren in the profess
sion; they come into the august pres
ence of the judges of the Supreme Court,
and ask the privilege to practice law on
equal terms with men.
Not content with all this and much
more, they have actually lifted up their
voices in the sacred precincts Of the
sanctuary, regardless Of the opinion of
st. Paul; this last being doubtless as
deserving of devout and unreasoning
acceptance as would be the opinion of
any old bachelor Of modern times should
he undertake to prescribe the sphere and
limit the duties of one-half of Gods
creatures. Indeed, one more earnest,
perhaps, than her sisters has even en-
tered an ecclesiastical assembly with a
recommendation for deacons' orders.
We can almost imagine the thrill of
horror that ran through the veins, and
stiffened the gray locks of the sorely-
tried Bishop, as he announced with
solemn severity that "the case was out
of ORDER" giving it as his opinion that a
woman could not be legally licensed to
preach by the great church which he rep
resented, and consequently could not be
ordained. 1t matters nothing if through
theinstrumentality ofa woman, or by the
grace given her, many have been turned
from the error of their ways, and with
songs of thanksgiving and love have set
their faces and turned their steps toward
the golden portals of the New Jerusalem.
A lDonlan, the Bishop says, cannot
legally do these things. He processes to
believe that ministers of Gods word are
called and sent of Him. Yet he, in sub
stance, declares that the Master made a
mistake If He called q woman to His
service, that to bear aloft the banner of
the Prince Of Peace, a woman is, solely
because of her sex, disqualified.
OF all the positions into which the de-
mand for equal rights for women has
driven its opponents, this last is the
most pitiable vnd untenable. Did it not
deal with a subject of grave importance
the pitiable aspect of the case would bt
changed to ludicrous. The tenacity witt
which men In high places in the church
hold on to that which custom and prec
edeut have taught them to believe th'
prerogative of their sex is accountabl;
only from the fact that it is a death
grip. But struggle as it may, its day.
are numbered and are fast dropping
from the hour-glass of Time, and thougl
Bishops may sigh for the return of til,
good old days when the sisters Of tn,
church felt that it was glory enough t
bake bread for the Sacrament, and cool
dainties for those who brake it unit
them, yet shall they sigh in vain; th'
car of progress will not backward turn
even though old-fogyism, thinking t.
conceal itself under the mantle of Chris
tianity, puts vigorous shoulder to tn,
wheel.
The Methodist Church is as progres
: sive as she is great. Among her minis
r listers are some of the laTgest-souled
, libersl-minded men of the age, who d,
: not regard the advancement of womeI
with jealousy and distrust, but VIII
would welcome them with JOY and glad
/ ness to any department Of the grea
{ vineyard wherein they might worl
2 with profit to the Master and benefit 4
those who, however lowly, are still Hi
! own. In proof of this we submit tn
2 following from the Aduocdte of las
: week, the same being the conclusion O
, an article abounding in logic and char
e ity:
SO far as Methodism is concerned, its Who'll
history, as a system, demonstrates il TO be won
: derfuliy adaptive 10 all the providential Gil
, cumstances which may surround 1t. Henc,
, in accordance with the Scriptures, and IN
Discipline literally interpreted, the early an
{ present usage in our church 20 adapting Il
1 self 20 circumstances, we conclude that "propc
persons" 20 be licensed 10 preach may includ
women who are marked for their "gifts grac
and usefulness" II so, who will say that bein
e called OF God to preach, and sent out by IN
I church TO do so, she ought not also 10 be en-
- powered with authority TO administer the Sa'
iamentss The greater in this case ought ce
tainly TO include the lees. II God blesses IA
G ministry OF woman in the salvation of man
souls who will say that IL is wrong for th
church 10 confer upon her authority 10 admin
lister the Sacraments to the comfort and edit
cation OF the souls she has been instrument;
D In saving? As the case Of Mrs. Van Colt hl
\ been appealed, we may undoubtedly expe,
this question OF ordsining women 10 come II
before our next General Conference for discu
sion and final settlement.
e A childless home is a misfortune, {
r be endured when il cannot be avoided
, but 10 be avoided whenever it is posi-