The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-02-18
Epfsc0PNl Progress Back wa rd

In speaking of the refusal Of DR.. Cole
man (the Episcopal Bishop elect for
this diocese,) to accept the Bishopric, VIC
feel It almost an imperative duty to discuss
the action of the late Fond du Lac Conven
eion that elected him.
ltwould seem that the delegates of the do
cete thought that the first convention held
would furnish tie most opportune moment
to break from the time honored rule Of tie
old diocese, and to SO fix the representation in
the new. that they 1.-THE Churchl could not
be hedged around in future elections by the
influence of irreverent and worldly hus
bands who might happen TO have godly
wives.
We earn from the Church Journr', that
shcy passed resolution on future repre-.
scntation, giving the laity two votes IN con
vention and an additional vote for any
fraction over fifty members, in all matters
except the election of a bishop. At such
election, the clergy and the laity should
have only one vote each, as before, for each
hfty members, gracionsly counting female
as well as male members, conditioned and
restrained only hy St. Paurs gallantry when
he said that "W Woman should be silent in
the churches" and proceeded to recte that
the female members should have no vote in
the election OF the lay delegates sent to
elect bishops.
Lady members have heretofore had the
right to vote for such delegates ever since
Wisconsin became a diocese under the la
msnted Bishop kemper. But there has
come a change; what les mon there are in
the churches seem to have come to the he
roic conclusion to assert and maintain their
superiority as men, allowing women the
liberty generally accorded to interiors, of
ti"ng all the work, getting NJ fairs. ETC.,
etc, while they do all the voting.
Possibly this outside assumption was
necessary to appease their overweening
vanity. in which case they Gid well to "hedgc
II rUus{-'
The Southern Shareholders under the old
regime were similarly gracious. They also
thought it necessary to do all the voting,
until the Rebellion came and enfranchiscd
tho aat headed cotton picking negro. All
these reflections lead Us to think that the
inquiry is a potent one. 'ls the Episcopal
Church of this diocese progressing back
paris,'
We are not posted as to whether individ, (
nal ekeegymen or lay male members approve
oI this change or not, but the vote in the |
convention shows clearly that majority
were in favor Of it. We can, however
assure our readers thai the lady mem
beers who have no male members IL their
families have their own notion about this
assumption of their lay brothers of the I
Church, and as our imagination can add |
nothing more pointed, We give a verbatim |
.,f the other day between two lady members 4
of the Episcopal Church in this city even
at the risk of being adjudsed guilty of
breach of confidence:
Lady number one tour male rep
rescntnsives have no voice even through Us
in the election OF Bishop in this diocese,
yet three-fourths of the church members of |
this parish are women. It's the ole story !
Of BeEj. Franklin over again, the donkey ,
votes"
Lady number two replies pensivoly:
~ -. 4 -. I
owned a donkey. Would your
We can easily imagine that St. Paul was
comparatively safe in his day and genera
tion while commanding silence on the part
of women. But the bishop of the 18th
century who should recklessly dare TO re-
peat ST. Paurs command in an Episcopal
Church of to-day would undoubtedly step
..down and out" OF the chancel a bald head
ed bishop within five minutes, by tie watch,
from the utteraace thereof.