The New York herald., 1877-03-04
woman in tho Pulpit.


On Monday morning the Methodist minis
ters of this city and vicinity met to discuss
the general interests of their Church They
are mild-mannered body ofgentlemen, but
are susceptible of unusual excitement and
able to use some of the prohibited adjectives
of their mother tongue when unduly pro-
vokcd. The provocation was not absent
from this particular meeting neither was the
hot temper nor those robust expressions
which show that the blood is at fever heat.
The cause Of the volcanic but ecclesiastical
eruption was ofcourse, a woman. Miss Oil
yer had been invited to preach sermon be-
fore the clergymen constituting this assem-
bly,. Serious second thoughts trod on the
heels of this impusive invitation, however,
and it was determined on the part of some
to sacrifice their gallantry and to refuse to
listen to this maid Of divinity. The dilemma
was n serious one. Miss Oliver was regu-
lar graduate Of the Boston Theological
School, was possessed of degree conferred
by distinguished company Of Methodist
divines, and had a license in her pocket
which gave her the right to talk to sinners
wherever she might find them.
The decision of the meeting to recall the
invitation may have been just, but the way
in which it was done was scarcely defensible.
The whole question of the propriety OF
feminine preachers was evaded in the most
ignoble way. A large proportion OF the
gentlemen present failed to vote at all,
fearing to commit themselves to either side
of the vexed question. Those who did vote
preceded it with a controversy SO pugilistic
and extravagant that the result is regarded
MS the effect of prejudice rather than good
Judgment
Rev. Mr.. Buckley. whose language is
more remarkable for its strength than its
appropriateness, avcrred that if the mother
of our Lord were to preach lie would OPP
pose it, AS an exposition OF the depths
which can be reached by a persistent bad
taste the expression is to be commended,
but for nothing else. Only mind carnal
to the last degree could allow itself to con-
jure up IN expression which can serve no
better purpose than to startle by its audacity.
Snch sensationalism, at once gross and use
Of feminine tact and good sense in tho pull
pit, whether the women themselves are
allowed to enter it or not, there would be
less reason for the sneers to which the cause
of religion is sometimes treated.
The same gentleman is credited with say
ing in effect that the popularity of certain
women preachers among young men is due
to ian alteration Of amativcness." The
language was not claimed as original, but
attributed to Finney. That Mr. Buckley
should not be anxious to be known as the
originator of the statement is not strange. It
and none at all to his successor who per-
petuated it. The only reply is, Of course,
that to the amorous all things are amorous.
If, however, the statement be true, why is
not the counter statement also true? When
young women are converted by preacher
of the masculine gender and flock to hear
the popular discourse of one of the sterner
sex, why are they not oil affected in the
same way by an alteration of amative-
ness ?" This is not one of those rules which
refuse to work both ways.
We shall be glad to have this woman ques-
ton settled, either on the basis of Scripture
or expediency; but the Methodist ministers,
in their Monday meeting, had better
have let it alone. Good temper and good
Judgment are both necessary to the solution
of problem SO intricate. In the meantime
Miss Oliver and. Mrs. Van Cott and the
score of lesser lights may shine upon
naughty world and show the path to tenn
perance and virtue to any who happen to be
caught in the brambles. If Mr.. Buckley is
in danger of alteration" he can very easily
confine himself to the narrow sphere Of his
uncertain usefulness. AS for the rest of the
world, it will probably go to hear the
preacher it likes best, whether it be man
or woman. And so mote it be.