The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-09-16
The Influence Of Woman in the Church.

Meeting Of the 3rd Ulstrlct OF the
Z Saluda Association, held with Shiloh
Church, in.Anderson County, on Satur.
) day, 2Sth August, and is published by
/ request of said Church:
Iwould but be stating an old and uni
versally recognized truth to say that the
influence of woman, in whatever sphere
/ OF direction exerted. is most potential.
While created by God "the weaker ves-
sell" not onlyi in body, but in those pow
lers Of mind that fit and qualify man for
the sterner duties and conflicts of life,
yet her work in her legitimate spheres of
action, as compared with that of man in
s his, is perhaps the better performed.
And when We consider her influence upon
man, from childhood up-upon his work
and his life-may we not safely assert
that, directly aud indirectly, she exer-
& cises more control over human affairs
than man himself? Who can estimate
how much of the success of a Washing
ton or Napoleon, Judson or Spur
geon, is to- be credited to ,s mothers in.
! fluence and training7 Who can trace in
the affairs of 8 nation the thousand secret
springs of influence exerted by woman,
and observe their effects upon men and
upon: measures, and not realize the power
of woman for good and fer evil? 1t is
stated, and Ishaye no reason to doubt the
truth Of il, that the influence of one wo.
man mas sufficient TO make Martin Van
& Buren, President of the United States.
Ard from the days of Samson and De-
liiah does history record instance after
I instance Of of5heroes, statesmen and con-.
querors Who, while ruling men and ma
tions, are yet ruled themselves by wo-
man.
But the subject We are now to consider
issnot Woman's influence in the world,
but in the church. And let me here say
that there is no field Of usefulness or
labor for which. she is better fitted, or
s which she adorns more, or to which she
over more.
When ne look into the heart of a pure.
woman, even before the spirit of God
has renewed that heart, weftfnd much
Of the divine image there, and 'tis easy
to impress that heart and to convert it,
and kindlei within it the love Of God.
In other words, there is naturally in The
hear of woman a closer affinity to the
Divine. more of a devotional spirit, more
susceptibility to religious impressions
than IN man, aad these advantages have
their force and effect upon her life as a
Christian. ;,a3 s
Then the comparatively quiet, secluded
life Oh woman is favorable to Christian
development. For while it is true there
are worldly pleasures and domestic cares
and yexations to try and to tempt her,
yet these things are not SO strong in their
influence, or so fatal to Christian life and
character, as, the temptations and snares
of evil of every kind that beset the path
. of the busy man of the world. Every
man is inclined to concentrate his ener-
gies aud his efforts in the pursuit of some
earthly object Of desire. One seeks am
bition, another money, and another the
qualification Of his passions and his
lusts. And how often, alas does one or
the other of these objects SO take hold
even upon the Christian man as to bind
him in its tolls and enslaye him.
Another advantage woman has in her
Christian life is her faith. She reads
! Gods word, and its promises are refresh
ing and sweet to Her. She believes them
with simple, trusting faith, and stops
not to weigh them in the scales of reason
and skepticsm. Mans faith is less
simple aud perfect, because he is more
disposed toreason abont things, and be.
cause there are mysteries he cannot
: fathom his faith is staggered. Then in
his intercourse with the world he sees
more of the frailties and shortcomings of
B those who profess to be Christians, and
these things try his faith. A man, but
few days ago, said TO me, n used to be a
member of the Baptist Church, but /
was treated so badly by old and leading
members that I lost confidence in reli-
8 gion, and now am not member Of the
Church at all"
Then tie Church of Christ has pecu-
liar claims upon woman, for it has done
so much to elevate her. Just compare
her position in the world now with that
before the light of the Gospel. The one
: idea, then was that she was made forman
mot to be his companion and the light
of his home, but his slave. Now, while
y retaining the idea that sue was made for
B man because it is of Scriptural authori-
ty), ne realize that God designed hes, by
endowing her with virtues suited to such
mission, to bless mans home, and that
it is truo that tie more she is sheltered
and loved, che greater blessing she will
prove. He who said the woman was
made for the man, also said, Husbands
love your wives even as your own bodies"
Having considered the peculiar ftness
of woman for work and influence in the
Church, as we'll as its special claims. upon
her, let us now consider what are tbo
particular duties that devolve upon her
in this sphere.
First.-What are the duties of the
q Christian woman and member of the
Church in the home circle? Is ita wife?
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