The morning call., 1892-12-28

hold work with all her outer wraps on. and
was compelled to keep her hands in her
muff whenever they were disengaged in or
der to keep them from freezing
Her first summer there was spent In two
low. narrow rooms over store, where IL
was so hot that she had sunstfoxe Her
husbands growing infrmities ana the size
of his parishes made ii necessary Tor her to
help him in his pubic work.
First she led and organized Sunday
schools and conducted prayer meetings.
Then. at her husbands request, she began
to hll some of his appointments, first by
reading sermons, then by modestly ex-
pounding the Scriptures. and at last by
preaching herself, as the Lord gave her
word.
Last year this woman's work was reeog-
niZed by the largest council ever convened
In the Dakotas, but not until she had been
the chief agent in founding three strong,
growing churches in the State.
"This woman is not only preacher and
teacher, but she is literally shepherd of her
flock. Her house is depot of supplies, 10
which benevolent persons in the East send
boxes and barrels of provisions and CLOTH
ing, TO be distributed according to her
knowledge OF the peoples need
There every suffering, body and soul,
finds comfort and help from the ministerial
brother whose missionary trousers have
given out on the way TO conference, to the
frontier baby who opens its eyes upon the
poverty OF settlers shack.
''She has performed every service to which
a Christian minister is ever called, even
that at which most draw the line-passing
the hat
II am sure that the American Home Mis-
sionary Society has no representative VINO
better deserves the title reverend than this
brave, CHEEKY, motherly pioneer on the
Western plains.
81 know another woman, the wife of a
clergyman, who had worked for ten years
with her husband in his parish, who was
forced by his failing health TO become the
breadwinner for family of four.
'She tried the woman's usual resort,
teaching, She was not unsuccessful In this,
but it involved her absence from home, and
was In many wavs uncoDgeniaL journey
throughout the State in which she lived in
the interests of the Home Mission aroused
In her this question:
"'Why should not do the work which
can do best?'
'She saw many country churches that
could not command average ability in the
pulpit falling into ruin for lack of preach
ers. Well, her husband encouraged her, and
before long the superintendent of the Home
Missions sent her out fully accredited to
meet her wandering congregation. 1t num-
bered twenty i've at the time, for the church
was at It's lowest ebb after q rousing Ie-
vival held by an irresponsible and illlterate
preacher.
when the proposal was made to that
church TO send IL woman preacher many
Of them said that il it had come 10 that pass
when woman must fill the pulpit they
had better shut up altogether before they
were disgraced.
For two years now this woman has
served her church faithfully, travelling TO
aud from her parish every week, having a
well-hlled house in all weatheTs. growing
Snnday-sch0ol and a large Bible-class.
Under her management the church has
been decided success, and this wuman's
work has been formally recognized by a
council called by the church.
ut is such trials as these that have made
the women preachers of America what
they are and have at last gained for them an
honorable recognition"
Several years ago Mrs. BOwles resided In
this city, where her husband was pastor OF
the UniveTsalist church. His pastorate
followed that of DR.. Rsxford, and only con-
tinued for about year and half.
Mrs. Bowles Is stopping at present with
her daughter and sOn-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs.
Hem, in Alameda.
The Eastern papers have spoken in high.
est praise of Mrs. Bowes' ability as q
preacher, and her work among women and
in the church is widely recognized and
commended.
There are but two working women
preachers permanently located in Califor-
MIA. One is Mrs. Sprague, a Unitarian
who resides with her husband and works
with him in Pomona.
The other is the Rev. Carrie f. Rice, also
OF Pomona, and pastor of the Universalist
church there.