The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-08

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crate her life to the service of God. Shortly
afterwards she removed with her husband
and family to Seattle, Wash. The great need
of church workers opened the way, and she
was soon prominent in the Sunday school and
as helper in the Young Mems Christian as
ISOLATION.
Her first sermon was preached at the re-
quest of the church of which she was MEM
Der during the absence of the pastor. She
says that upon this occasion her only thought
was that she had the blessed privilege of tell
ing five hundred souls, for whom Jesus died,
of the saving power Of his infinite love. Since
that time, for nine years, Mrs. Jones has
preached two and three times each Sunday,
besides holding meetings during the week,
and has had no rest save in travelling from
place to place to fill appointments.
Very soon after she delivered her first SER
mon she was licensed to preach. At the end
of one year she changed her theological views
and left the Methodist denomination and
identified herself with the First Baptist
church of Seattle. She was licensed to preach
by this church, and in the absence of the pas
tor was called to act as a supply. His pro-
tracted absence made necessary the service of
a regular minister, and the church called for
her ordination. On the 9th day of July, 1882,
she was regularly ordained by the First Bap-
list church of Seattle, sitting in council with
representatives Of other churches convened
there at a meeting of the Baptist Association
of Puget Sound and British Columbia.
The Hon. r. S. Green, then chief justice Of
the territory, was moderator of the council
that ordained her, and says in regard to the
matter: ''As regards her fitness-sex aside
the expression of those present was very free,
and displayed not the shadow of a doubt
Since her ordination God has greatly and
continuously blessed her labor to the CONVEX
sion of many souls, and to the implying and
charging of several churches" Although
this was the first ordination of a woman in
the close communion Baptist church, there
was no dissenting voice when the vote was
taken; it was, however, true that there were
several members of the council who did not
vote.
During her brief ministry, Mrs. Jones has
organized several Baptist churches and in
two instances fine houses of worship were
erected during her pastorate. Wherever she
has preached churches have proven too small
for the congregation.
In August, 1887, she was called TO supply
the pulpit of the First Baptist church at
Spokane Falls, and in January, 1888, she re-
ceived all the votes except two TO become the
pastor at a salary of 5 900 year. Until
this time the church had been dependent for
half the salary of their minister upon the
Home Mission society.
However, as the board refused to recog-
nize a woman as pastor, and because of this
would extend no further financial aid, the
church struck out boldly for itself, with the
preacher of its selection al the helm. In less
than two years one hundred and fifty mem
bers have been added to the church; the
Sunday school, which numbered forty when
Mrs. Jones accepted the call, has now one
hundred and seventy children IN regular at
tendance; lots for new church have been
purchased at a cost OF $1,000; Rev. Mrs.
Jones' salary has been raised to $1,000 year,
and the church IS free from debt.
Mrs. Jones has two children the youngest
being now Il years of age. In doing her pub
lie work she has in no way neglected nor
failed in her private duty. Enthusiastic and
inspirational, she is yet thoroughly practical,
and is as helpful in assisting her parishioners
in their everyday living as melting them to
higher ideals and aspirations. Less in rising
into lofty abstrSctions lies the difficulty than
in seeing well and lovingly the complexities
of what is at hand The complexities Of
what is at hand are ever the first care OF the
Rev. Mrs. Jones. She neither writes nor lee
lures, but devotes her undivided effort to
ministerial labor.
ANTOINETTE VAN HOESEN