Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-07-16
Congregationalism and Woman's Suf-
frage.

The Congregationalists claim in
their Manuals that it was their church
that shaped the Government and Ma
tional Constitution of Sthe United
States. Nor is this boast q vain one.
De Tocqueville and Thos. jefferson
have said the same. 1t was the natur-
al outgrowth or religious persecution
and governmental interference in mat
ters of conscience. Hatred of courts
Of high commission led the Puritan
Dlssenter to deny the right Of govern
ment to interfere with the worship of
individual congregations, each of
which, he claims, is independent. A
church, he said, was only so many COW
enanting Christians as could meet to-
together at one time in one place; and
the governing power was in the whole
body Of the church. So far, SO good;
but Lambert's platform which was
used as the model for the Congrega-
tional, contains the following clause
believing women may attend the
meetings, but without the right of vo-
ting Now, l wish to ask the editor
of wolhan's Realm to explain the
course of reasoning which could recon
cile these two apparentlg opposite ide-
as. A D1ssENTER.
1T would take about the same course
of reasoning as that which reconciles
the statement that governments derive
their just powers from the governed"
to the fact that fully one-half of the
governed in the United States are Civ
ing and can give no consent, and yet
would be considered disloyal if they
call our government unjust. IN Con-
gregational churches where ladies are
expected to contribute time and money
and allowed no voice in church govern
ment, the policy is similar to the q. S.
Government. However, each church
can make it's own rules regarding this
matter, and Notwithstanding Dr.. Dex-
ter and the Congregationalist, there are
many Congregational churches that
have q truly republican form of govern
ment. Space forbids q further discus
sion Of this matter in this issue. In
our next we hope to publish an article
on the views OF the Apostle Paul con-
cerning the duties and qualifications OF
women,
Let us teach our children patriotism.
Perhaps not as a set recitation at a
stated interval of the day, but all
through the school work an opportuni-
ty may be made. We should strive to
inculcate deep-seated patriotism, a
strong reverence for and belief in the
eternal verities OF our republicanism.
OF Late years there have 'been settled
among us lnobs OF the very scum OF
the earth, the vile, illitera5e product OF
crime, ignorance and bad government.
The result is the display if the red flag
and such scenes as occurred recently at
Chicago. The offset to any spirit Of
this kind should be made by educating
the children to a high standard OF pat
riotism. Let them be taught that an
archy, socialism, communism, dyna-
mite and boycottlng have no place
can have no place-in our country.
Teach them to glory in our principals,
and above all, to feel with pride that
they are Americans and that their
government is g For the people by the
people and OF the people" In the only
true sense,
DEMoREsI's MAGAZINE is always a
welcome visitor to the household circle,
and the July number possesses much
merit. Among the articles worthy Of
mention are "Ciara Morris, the Emo
tional Actress" by Mrs Croly, "a Dor
setshjre PARADISE" 1.-The Irish Maunts
Of Oliver Goldsmith" " Art work IN