Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-05-12
ALL HANDS MUST HELP.


The Methodist General Confer
ence, in session in New York during
the week, is an important religious
assemblage composed ofmany active
and able men, aud representing a
growing religious body that is most
actively engaged wherever it exists
in arousing mankind to the exercise
of christian duty.
An interesting question that pre-.
sented itself for consideration, was
the personal representation Of wo.
men in the government of that
church. No definite action was ia
ken, except to refer the question to
local conferences, after which it will
be brought up again before gener-
al conference.
With the scriptural side of the
question we have nothing to do, as
that belongs to those learned in the
law and the prophets. In this res
pect it does not follow that what
was done in apostolic times must be
done now, as custom and necessity
have greatly changed the demands
and conditions of time and church
and place.
The fact forces itself TO the atten-
ton OF every observant mind, that
within the past century woman has
come to the front and to the rescue
in business as we'll as in religion
in science and education as we'll as
in society and domestic affairs. In
this age the minds of men are most
occupied with politics and finance,
leaving the finer and higher callings
to the hands of-WoMEN. That
they have shown themselves capa.
ble,-powerful in work and influence,
their present standing and parti-
cipation in all the branches of life
and labor prove beyond a doubt
that there must be limit to confine
woman within the authority of man
and to the exclusion of the highest
objects of his creation, such as the
head of the family and head OF the
state and the church,-in peace and
in war,-seems equally certain.
Without the aid of the mother
and the sister in the past fifty years,
the causes of religion and citizen.
ship would not be as far advanced
as they are. While man is engross.
ed with the cares OF the world, wo.
man is training the young and lead
ing in the spread of religious teach
ing.
1t is fact recognized in some
churches more than in others, that
women are the best attendants and
the most readily engaged In every
good work. Men discharge their
religious duties none too earnestly,
and the least impeachment con-
flicts only too readily with their con
scientious obligations. Without the
promptings of the wife, the mother
and the sister, man would be an
entire absentee from home devotion
or congregational service. In some
churches there is more work for men
than in others. In the more rigid
ritualistic observances man has
nothing to do but attend and look
on, or follow a liturgy that may be
beautiful enough and inspiring, but
which does not engage more than
his passing attention. The manage
ment of church property is vested
in ecclesiastical right; and the
church work down to the least par
ticular is jealousy monopolized by
the ministry. Of course laymen are
invited to take part, but it is more
out of courtesy and as a matter of
expediency, than from real meaning
or sincere desire. 1t may be all well
enough as long as the ministry is
gwen absolute right ofway in every.
thing spiritual and temporal, but let
the layman assert a right or wish,
and he is fired out with kick that
implies more than can be expressed
or felt.
In the rapid advancement of gen.
eral enlightenment, and the struggle
of the church to keep the beacon
light of christianity shining more
brightly and with greater saving for.
ces than the false but alluring CLAM
our of skeptical and worldly enchant-
ment, it would seem reasonable to
call all hands to the oars, for there
is work for all on the great ship of
salvation.