Connecticut western news., 1877-06-22

to the legality of licensing women to preach, it was made special order of dis cussion on Wednesday at 10 a. m. Two of the members of the committee on ex. animation of candidates for local preach CTS license, expressed wish to be excus- ed, as they held views which were opposed to the licensing of women. They were excused, and Key. G. w. Knapp, who said ''put me on that committee" and Rev. K. s. Bishops were appointed in their places. The committee reported on the case of Miss Lent that she passed most excellent examination, and motion was made that she be licensad to preach. This brought on spirited discussion, The P. E. said he was not clear in bis own mind as to the law of the church in this case, and asked for instruction as to his ruling in the mat ter. Dr, Osbon of Marlboro, an Ex-. P E.. said that he had no right to submit & question or entertain a motion that was in violation to our doctrines or discipline. Rev. R. Wheetly replied that it was not a violation of our rules, not of the establishad custom of the church that John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, established a precedent in this case by licensing women to preach in his day that under the minis try of one of these elect women, 22O ger sons were converted, who afterwards enter ed the ministry and labored successfully in the Wesleyan Church. Rev. James Birch replied that it was not scriptural, quoting largely from the Apostolic writings in re. gard oj"women keeping silence in the churches," and exercising authority over the men" etc. etc. One brother said he was opposed to licensing, "for if they were admitted to our pulplts the men would have to step down and out" An other read the section in our discipline where it says of the candidate, ''proyidinl he glves evidence of gifts, grace, and useful ness," etc. The be, it was claimed. de- fined the meaning of our rule. A brother repied, 'the he, always according to bibl, language, included the she." The conser- vative offered the granting of license tt l favored it. The discussion was at last ter. minated by adopting the following resolu
 tions
 "Whereas there is 8 great diversit,
 our church in regard to the licensing o I women to preach, as we'll as the propriety
 of doing so, therefore,
 | hot
 ate the gifts and grace of Miss Lent
 and cordially invite her to on
 churches as fellow laborer, but the licens
 ing of Miss Lent to be deferred for the pre- sent" .'. ..-N Hft-. s
 This sugar coated pill was swal
 lowed after considerable choking, by
 count vote of 3l to g. A number of th
 delegates refused to vote on the question
 On Wednesday evening grand temperanc
 meeting was held in the Washington Stree
 M. E.. Church. Addresses by J. G. Oak
 ley, Chas. Goss,, and O.. A. Strowbridge
 The following resolutions were read an adopted, which was the pith of the excel
 lent addresses made, and express the sent ment of the church on the subject of ten
 perance -.... t,n. ' Y.
 Res. l. That the sale of intoxicatin B drinks to be used as beverage is intrinsic ally and radically wrong: Wrong in itse
 and ruinous in it's results. No law ca
 make it right. The moral and monstror
 crime is not less with, than without le&,
 enactments- 2, that as each and ever Board of Excise in this state is fully author ized by law to refuse licenses to any an
 all applicants, we therefore hold that the
 are partic ipants in the crime and cons, : quences resultant, equally with the yer } ders 3, that we regard temperance as al l Einseparable part of our religion, and that
 is the special work and imperious duty 0 the church, to marshall all It's force against the wrongs and ruins of intemp 1 rance, as the greatest obstacle to tbe flu and final victory of the cross. 4, that tn :, ministers of the church, as it's drill officer : should be in the front of this temperanC reform. and that every pulpit in the Ian : should ring with manly denunciation o , this hideous and disgusting crime. g. ths
 recent decisions of the courts, the partis disorganization and defeat of the Rumocr ! cy, the noble efforts of the women, tt 8 Evangelistic labors of earnest, Godly mel q the increased activity and awakened col
 science of the church and the nation, 8 l these facts invite our combined actlviil l. and promise great and speedy results. D that we recommend the organization f temperance societies in all our churches,
 more thorough enforcement of disciplir
 against those of our membership who, C ther by use, sale, manufacture, or the ren ing of property for such purposes as co nected with the evil. z, that as the torc' f antagonistic to us are united and mutual . support each other, it is the imperious dut : of temperance men to combine and conso , ida their forces, and further, to help eac f other in business, so that DO man shall su
 fer loss as the result of temperance prime
 ples. 8, that we sanction and heartily e I dorse total prohibition. and wIu laoor steat : ily srd tirelessly toward that end, but
 the meantime will also bend our energies execute the stringent but imperfect law
 we have. Yours. REPORTER Craryville, June IA, 1877.