Telegram-herald., 1890-11-18
THE THOUGHTS OF A CRANK.
st. PauIs Dictum as to womAn's Place
In the Church

In the Church.
To the Editor Of the TELEGRAA-HERALD;
All day long the three commands of
st. Paul have been ringing in my ears:
LET the women keep silence IA the
churches: for II Is not permitted unto
them to speak; but let them be IN sub
lection, as also SAITH the law. And il
they would learn anything let them ask
their own husbands at home; for il is
shameful for a woman to speak IN the
church" II permit not woman to
teach"
Yet, in direct violation of these COM
munds, a woman, young, modest, tai
ented and sweet-souled, stood yesterday
in the sacred desk. sacred 10 man alone
If Paul spoke excathreda, and some
scores of men and women sat ut her
feet, as il We're, 10 learn the wayot life
and salvation. / remembered, TOO, that
the NJ. +. Church has also sanctioned a
ike disobedience to the commands of
Paul by permitting Mrs. NanCott TO as
sumo the sacred Office; and the UnI-
yersaiist Church has committed q like
offense IN Ordainmg Mrs. Livermore
and Miss Chaplin. Miss Hultn, Miss
MurdOck, Miss Bartlett, Miss Wilkes,
and others. | know not how many
women are officiating in other deuomi-
nations, but surelyeyery Sabbath-school
has women teachers who seldom, If
ever, ask their husbands for informa-
ton as TO the true apostolic canOns. As
a rule, the poor woman would ask IN
vain, rs her husband is much better
posted in baseball, cuchre, the markets
and politics than 10 the catochism.
What Is poor woman 70 90 IN such
ease? How quiet would be the prayer
meeting, and the Sunday-schoOl, II
women today were the shame faced,
slleut-tongued LObodies that Paul would
have them be. And yet, IL Paul spoke
by inspiration. and WAS the mouth
piece OF God, how bold for the church
TO ignore his dicta entirely and to act
according to the impulse OF their de-
PRAYED human natures 10y following
their own common sense. 1t certain
command was inspired, how dare the
church dlsobey 1t, as they are now
dong
Is the common sense Of today a bet
ter guide TO conduct than q sO-called
revelation OF two thousand years ago.
IL would seem so, and you may be sure
that Unitarian does not feel very bad
that il Is so. 1t seems TO your humble
servant that 4 would be well l sane
titled common sense dtove ont many
another ancient superstition.
There - no sex in soul we may well
believe; and If the Great spirit of
Truth Of Love has breaihcd upon the
soul OF a woman, has made it temple
OF the Holy Gaost because % vas pure
snd sweet,-s fit temple for ITS Irdweli-
iug presence. and tnat soul having re-
ceiyed the divine influx goes forth 50 DO
the work of the Lord, snail any other
. s0ul less favored bid DC. nayl
Truth and love are no less divine be-
cause a woman e their oracle; ana e. i,
ln company with others, felt that Paul
or no Paul, inspiration or no iusprs-
ton. Is was EoOd to be there, and our
souls were refreshed. It seems good 10
/ hear the Gospel from iips and soul asv-
ing mo- possioi6 flavor 81 present e. p8st
/ pollution. TIT YOUR readers want al iu-
I tellectusi treat. and tae SO and peace
/ which come from breathing TIE sput
7 of rect and peace, ard wn'ca oulf a
pure soul can mpsrt. they VII DO vel.
z 20 g. ard st ir receptive mon1 uoaer
E Miss kartiett's m p Istrafl0n. 4ne Jew
Z isa temple need net ieter anF one for
'Hod does nos dwell iu temples made
WITH hands" The spirit ot tne nf7e-
+ teenth century ought t0 have taus1e3
E from orr IN lufs any srrersf tous fear
E Or dread 81 plsce. God tan oe Wor-
Shipped sc devoat.Y snd 81 seceeta 2
E in Jew sa svraEoEue as ~ Roman
E Catholic cst1cdrsI or sn tFal e. sra
church f.In every narou ard
E eee.rar p af-f 49, ffss fee rrtr 4rr4 al