The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-01-10
wOMEE IN PRESBYTERIAN PULPITs

WOMEN IN PRESBYTERIAN PULPITS.
The right of Presbyterian ministers to IN
vite women to preach in their pulpits is ike
Iy to come up for a full edjudication. Some
years ago DR.. I. L. Cuyler, Of Brooklyn, in
vited Miss Smiley, then Of tho Friends (or
Quaker persuasion, to preach in ais church.
The question was brought before the Pres
bytery, where much division vas manifested,
if we remember rightly. It also went to the
General Assembly, either SIS a personal case
or in the abstract form. The Assembly, we
believe, treated it about as charitably and in
definitely as general and very large Con-
larenoe of Thinkers from ell parts Of the
Cnitsd States, meeting ia Augusta county,
Virginia, once resolved this momantous ques-
ton, viz Whether in sending around the
kiss Of charity, it is best to begin first on the
right hand among tie men, or on the left
among the vomsn." We were present and
heard the following answer, which vas given
after due and grave elaboration "Consid
cred, that in sending around the kiss of char
ity, it may be best to begin first on the right
hand among the men; butt that is not con.
veniens, it will DO no harm to begin first on
the left hand among the women and if that
is not most convenient, they may begin on
the right hand among the men, and on the
letthsnd among the women, both as che same
time"
But the question Of wonen's rights to
Presbyterian pulpits las broken out in a
fresh place. Among toe delegates to a TEN.
peranee convention in Newark, New Jer-
sey, meeting there sometime last October,
was certain Mrs. L. F. Robinson, and a
certain Mrs G. S. Whitney. Upon invita-
ton Of the Rav. Isaac NJ. See, pastor Of one
Of the Presbyterian churches in that city,
these women oficiated in his pulpit on q
Sabbath day, both morning aud evening
For this he has been formally arraigned be
fore the Presbytery of Newark by the Rev
r.. Craven, D. D., distinguished member
of the body. The defence of Mr.. See is,
that he acted very prayerfuny-shss toe
Lord was opening up a new field for bis
daughters, and no was determined to help
them to the utmost Of MS power" he gave
a special and enthusiastic enoomium upon
Mrs. Dr.. Palmer-a Methodist perfee,iOnist,
who, with her husband has been reversing
England and America, and scattering wild
FIRE in her train. " Ee had heard many
persons of undoubsed eloqueuce, but tht
greatest eloquenee ne had listened TO Wal
from her ips He could not hesitate Co al
low her to teach Chriss'g gospel where he
stood and taught Il himself" lie attempted
to Justify his course on the ground Of Scrip
ture, and asserted that it was not forbidden
by the standards ofshe Presbyterian Church.
The trial was going on last week, and is
probably concluded before now but We have
not heard the result. There is hardly a
doubt that Mr.. See will be condemned By a
large majority Of the Presbytery. Dr.. Ora
ven declared that his object was to have this
question determined judioislly, and it is an
derssoOd that, whatever the decision in the
Presbytsry, it will be carried up to the Gen
eral Assembly for final adjudication. No
doubt, when the case reaches that venerable
court, and where it cannot be lodged, toe
general voice there also will condemn Mr..
See. But there is an active element in the
Northern Presbyterian Church which is
fierce in its demands for the right to intro
dues women into their pulpiss. So on this
and kindred questions We are likely to see
what is to be seen.
- Since the above was written We End
it briefly announced thas the Pre5bytery has
sustained the charge Of DR.. Craven, and con,
demned Mr.. See, BY vote Of Is to r.
The large minority is a sign of the times.