Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-09
HAWTHORNE WINS.
his CHURCH IN ATLANTA AGAINST
ALLOWING WOMEN TO SPEAK.
coionef Abbott Opposes the Resolution
and There Is Heated Debatefn
which DIR. Jones Takes Part.
fA,,anta Constitutional

There was nVely neotihs NJ 1ho hhS'
Baptist church last night.
And a lively scene just after the meeting
closed.
DR.. Hawthorne and Colonel Abbott were
the leading actors.
Il was tho regular monthly conference,
and the question of women speaking be-
fore mixed assemblies was discussed.
After the reports of the various working
societies OF the church had been read, DIR.
Carlton introduced the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas there has been raised In the
community some question. as to the pro-
priety of our women preaching or speaking
IN mfxed Assemblies; and whereas our pas
tor preached on the subject last Sunday
morning an able, eloquent, and conclusive
sermon: therefore
ResoIsed. 1. That we heartily endorse the
doctrine of the sermon and the teaching
of Gods Word that it is not permitted a
woman to preach IN mixed assemblies OK
men and women. al.
2. That we respectfully call the attention
of the committee and societies OF the
church TO this action and ask that they
will act in accordance herewith.
Colonel b. L. Abbott opposed the resolu-
ton on the ground that declaration from
the church on that subject was unneces-
sary and was only calculated to foster di-
vision. Colonel Abbott then gave his own
views, which favored granting to women
the privilege of being allowed to speak in
the church.
:" / recognize the fact" said he, "that |
am in the minority on this question, II not
alone, but many good mel and women
think as L do. The instruction in the
church is largely one OF religious expert
ence and a sanity good woman il her eX-
perience is one that she should bear wit
ness TO should be heard, and she has as
much right to tell it for the benefit of the
cause of Christ az a man. do believe
and | think il is logical conclusion that
Paul when he says that women shall not
teach was applying what he said to the
church at Corinth in its then turbulent
state. Certain it is that Priscilla and
Aqulla taught Apollus in house that was
used as q church, and if Apollus could
learn from Priscilla DR.. McCosh, DR..
Broadus, and any other doctor might
learn"
Colonel Abbott said under the common
law one hundred years ago woman was a
mere chattel, and under the laws of Georgia
forty years ago all Improperly OF woman
went TO her husband, and he could even
will it to his own family to the exclusion
of his wife or her relatives. Said he:
1.-THE tendency of the age is IN favor of
emancipating woman, and regarding her
as something more than a mere chattel.
There are women all over the land teach
ing the Scriptures, and there are women
missionaries in every country. Are they
to be called back? And is the entire work
to be remodeled? This must be the case
il those resolutions are to be followed"
At the conclusion of Colonel Abbotts
speech, DR.. Jones took the floor, He said :
~ could very easily answer the ingeni-
GUS argument Of the brother, but won't
do it now. Twill simply call for the pre-
yious question"
DIR. Hawthorne. who was acting as mode
rator, said he thought all should be given
o hearing.
The Doctor then proceeded to speak in
behalf of the resolution.
After forcibly repeating PauPs command
as a general law, he said that IL was evident
from the context that the injunction APP
piled TO all times and places if men were
descendants of Adam and not OF ourang-
outangs.
He then spoke of the whole matter as
having peen unheard Of until the last
quarter of a century, when it was promul-
gated by the Unitarians, who were semi
infdels.
Mr.. Walter Withers, of the Salvation
Army, then took the floor and started TO
say that he did not desire TO see women
muzzled, when DR.. Jones arose TO point
of order and wanted TO know If the gen.
tleman was member OF the church.
Or. Hawthorne gave an affirmative an
swer, and Mr.. Withers was permitted to
finish his speech.
Colonel Abbott said he desired 10 say q
few words in reply to what had been said
by DR.. Hawthorne. He SAID:
"Dr. Hawthorne has simply reiterated
what he said in his sermon. He has said
nothing to explain the case of Priscilla"
Il can explain it," interrupted DR.. Haw-
thorne. 1T did not take place IN a
church" =,
ut says in a house used for a church"
said Colonel Abbott.
A spirited colloquy then ensued between
the pastor and Colonel Abbott as to what
the Scriptures meant.
Continuing, Colonel Abbott spoke of the
missionaries.
The Moderator asked leave to interrupt
again, and stated that he had been for
wears a member of the mission board and
that the women missionaries never spoke
but simply taught the women.
The question was then called for. just
before the vote was taken DIR. Nichols
A9he0 IlG mOutIhLOE WutlutI VI uOJ, IL llb
resolutions passed, the ladies OF the socie-
ties would be permitted to say anything in
the presence of the male members?
DIR. Hawthorne replied that they would.
A vote was then taken, AZ voting In favor
Of the resolution and II against it, large
number not voting.
Mr.. Kiser suggested that the vote be
made unanimous.
Colonel Abbott said he could not stultify
himself in that way.
DR.. Hawthorne said he wanted it to be
thoroughly understood that no foreign
emisaries or woman propaganda could
speak in that church while he was pastor.
After the conference Colonel Abbott was
standing in the lobby discussing the de-
bate of the evening and receiving the con-
gratulations of several ladies and gentle
men when DR.. Hawthorne came out.
Colonel Abbott started to accost him,
when the minister, raising his right hand
with his index finger pointing towards
Colonel Abbott and the gentleman with
him, said
You folks who think that way had bet
ter take your letters out of this church"
II have got right in the church." re-
piled Colonel Abbott, and l propose to
stay in it."
A war of words ensued until the minis
ter was induced to leave by his wife.