The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-07

pointing his finger ss her calling Shame euths
woman shame on the womapr and by down
right rowdyism reputable, acknowledgements
anee worker vas deprived Of her rights -
of the events Of later years, of the power, in
fusnce and recognition women gained in the
auti-slaverv and temperance movements, the
action Of those two conventions seems almost
incredible. So it may be expected that the time
will come when the objections raised in the
Methodist General Conferences Of 1880. S4. and
'S8 against the ordination Of women a. ministers,
and against their admission a. lay delegates,
will seem equally incredible; when the Meth
odist clergy viii be as willing to extend
the right hand of fellowship to Miss
Frances e. Willard in the highest
places and councils of the church as they now
are in temperance convention. The philo-
sophie woman, however indignant she may feel
over the narrow views expressed by mec with
reference 70 ':womans place. in church or state,
always has one consolation-she knows the
woman will get there In time.
This is only the fourth General Conference
since the inauguration OF lay delegation. In
1872 the General Conference composed entirely
of ministers. declared that vote Of the laymen
should be taken. and . two-thirds vote decide
whether laymen should be admitted. Il also
decided that the term laymen is generic, eonse-
quently women took part in the voting in the
local churches and their vote carried the
measure. That women are laylnen to the sx-
tent OF voting for delegate is unqusstioned.
but when it comes to serving ~ delegate they
are not, so say some of the churchmen.
The present disturbance in tho conference
had its beginning among the women ia Lincoln,
Nebraska. After talking and praying about is
among themselves for six months the women OF
the five Methodist churches of Lincoln assembled
In March, 1887. and declared their conviction
that Methodist women should avail themselves
of their privileges and take part in Methodist
lay conferences Next they asked the women
of the churches composing the Nebraska Con-
ference to see that women were appointed by
the local churches to the lay electoral confer
snce to be held ia Lincoln in September. A
committee was appointed to carry out the plan.
and as . result twenty-one women were thus
appointed. Twenty were present from as many
churshes ready for the next STEP Oue-fourth
of the conference were women, and . woman
was elected secretary Of the conference.
One OF the women delegates nominated
Mrs. Angie l.. Newman delegate to the General
Conference, and she was elected on tho first bal
lot, the first woman ever elected to that posi-
ton. A gentleman was elected on the second
ballot, the conference being entitled to two del
gates, and the ladies being perfectly willing to
this conference the Rock River Conference, Illi-
nois, elected Miss Willard delegate, and several
other conferences followed their example.
Now. If those Nebraska women had only
s'kept their place. and been content with con-
Quoting female prayermeetings" and getting
no church fairs; if they had only buried their
talents in oyster soup and grab bags in all prob
ability the General Conference would not be all
torn up over the attempt of women to usurp au-
ence in 1880. they ALREADY had IS many rights
in the Methodist Church as are good for them"
FLORENCE NJ. Atkinson.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 5.