The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-20
CLERICAL DISCUSSIONS.


SHALL WOMEN PREACH ?--THE MErHoDIsrs
DECIDE THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES IN BAp-
r1sT PREACHING AND THE MODERN scIEN-
T,rIc BIBLE-THE REFORMED DUTCH
CHURCH.
For time yesterday in the Methodist minister's
meetings things took lively turn. 1t all about
woman and the question was, Shall she preach notY
Miss Anna oliver, NJ. A. ana q. d., tho colleges
have honored her. Is the lady In controversy and the
question turned the meeting inviting her to preach
or to deliver temperance address about any.
thing and everything she pleased. Some brethren.
with gram two more Of Calvinsm in their compo-
sition, quoted Paul against q woman attempting 10
teach men; but, In the minds Of the brethren OF Ar
mnian proclivities these excellent why
woman, and especially this particular woman,
should be invited to preach, and the present time
fitting than any future OCCASION because the
Prcsbyteriaus agitated about II, ana have az ID
were, chung up OF their ministers by the gis"
for permitting or inviting women TO speak from his
pulpit But, moreover. Miss Oliver is q regularly
licensed local preacher In the Methodist Episcopal
Church, has been the acting pastor of church in
Passaic for four months, and is doing good work
there.
MISSIONARY ITlNERANCY
But the brethren presented yesterday with =
able essay on mOdlucatOhS OF tue tlnerAncy ny
the Rev. J. Simmons For long time-some say for
than forty years. but for half that period at
lcast-they ADMIT that Methodism has boon declining
in our large cities The have recommended all
sorts OF speeches. but the patient does not to
grow better, but rather worse, especially In this
vicinity. But within few years past somebody has
discovered the remedy. 1t Is simply to extend the
pastoral term in Now York and Brooklyn, Boston,
Philadelphia and elsewhere from year to year indch-
ntely, or SO long the work demands and the
rangement Is mutually agroeab to the local church
and tho pastor This was what Brother Simmons adj
vocated in his paper, giving his chief that
me" essential part OF the itinerant system Of
Methodism; that for the first iorty years OF Its exist
ence here ministers were changed every three or six
months, ard that sixty odd years ago the pas
tora term limited TO two years.
THR BAPTIST MINISTER'S
Tho Baptiss had two interesting sessions yester-
day or one prolonged The FIRST composed
largely II not wholly OF ministers, to whom DR..
Broadus delivered address freshness ID preach.
ing. He took the ground that there must be rela.
ton between text and the rcst OF Scripture In every
sermon which Is intended Tor special occasion.
Ministers ought read chapters In the BIblo every
day. together with all the helps they command.
They should systematze theology ana then doctrinal
sermons would become popular
The second part Of the meeting was occupied by Dr.
Tnomas Of Brooklyn, who spoke TO the ministers and
miscellaneous congregation besides, In the audience
room the Oliver urch, the Bible that the
scientists offer to give instead OF the have
He discussed the different theories OF modern scen-
tists touching the vitality Of matter selection OF spec
ccs survival OF the Attest, aud exposed their weak
points. The last named doctrine, he said, would
rclegate 10 barbarsm again. The Doctor VIII con-
tnue his lectures IN the same place next Monday bee
DUTCH REFORMED MINISTER'S.
conference OF tho German ministers OF the Re.
formed Dutch Church OF America was held yesterday
afternoon in tho Reformed church. corner Of Fifth
ark, presided, ana Rev. julius Hines, OF Brooklyn.
acted secretary The attention OF the meeting was
exclusively occupied by the reading Of the constitution
which submitted by committee appointed Tor the
purpose Of preparing II some months ago The Church
is now to be called 1.-THE Reformed Church in Americi
changes here and there IN the old constitution
the committee presented an entirely article rela.
tive 10 the reception new ministers. No Iiccntiate
ordained minister from any other ecclesiastical body
shall DO received into any ''cIassis until either W
documentary evidence or examination the heads OF te
Chassis shall DO satisfied Of his theological we'll as
literary qualifications, the soundness OF his faith aud
his general piety. candidate Tor acceptance shall
also show certificate that he attended theology
cal seminary and he show that he does not de-
enter the ministry OF the Reformed Church
from any other denomination In order thereby to 0e
admitted easier terms than tho students OF the Ro
formed seminaries
When a vacancy occurs in the ministry OF any
church list OF lcentiates shall be submitted to that
CHI urch by the standing committee on doctrine, and
during the vacancy tho Chassis shall exercise guar
dianship over the church Ordor to guard against
casual and indiscrim mnis:ration. No foreign
minister shall be received private letters Of
troduction but in all cases full ca
must be shown. Moreover, he must undergo years
probation under the supervision VI the Chassis aud then
present his testimonials and pass an examination.
The committee likewise addcd about fifteen 10 the
twelve rules OF which accepted The
rest of tho constitution likewise accepted read,
with the exception of the title which consider
able discussion began many ministers desiring to drop
the words 'ornerly Dutch Reformed" II was
finally decided, however, to retain them, as otherwise
the identity OF the Church could no longer be recos.
nlZed.