The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-24
WORK, BUT KEEP STILL.
A Helena Lady in Reply to D1
Bickel,

A Helena Lady in Reply to DR..
Bickel.
To The Independent:
l was surprised to read in yesterdays
paper the u%tterances credited to Rev. DR..
Bickel. l think the good brother must
have been taking g Rip Van Wrinkle sleep
and has no idea of the rogress women have
been making. Would he shut the mouth of
such women as Frances Willard, Mrs.
Booth and hundreds of others who have
consecrated their God-given intellect for
the uplifting of humanity? Saul was a
grand, good man, but when he made that
speech the intelligent women were not the
good women. Therefore he laid great
stress on women being quiet and modest.
Neither does Saul claim that all he says
was inspired. "He that marrieth doeth
we'll. but be that marrieth not doeth bet
ter" Perhaps DR.. Bickel accepts that as
inspired, and governs himself accordingly.
Even ignorance does not condemn a wo-
man to silence. | have heard good old
women talk and pray in a manner that
showed they talked with God daily, and
which could not fail to be helpful to all
who heard them. though their grammar
was imperfect.
II Dr.. Bickel had been in some of the
prayer meetings | have been in. and the
women had not taken part. it would have
been enough to damp the ardor of the
most enthusiastic minister. | am happy
to say that ministers of DR.. Bickel's
opinion are rare. The majority of them
welcome women cordially to all the priv
ileCes of the church, as we'll as its duties.
There is nothing in our Savior's teach
ings that would suggest the silencing of
women. what are our Christian Endeavor
societies for but as a training school to the
church, to teach the young of both sexes to
take part and testify for the master? "He
that coufesseth me before men, him will |
confess before my father in heaven"
1t Ia generally conceded that Christ
did not mean men alone. We have
made wonderful strides and left behind
us, the age when women were not per
united to speak IN teachers meetings,
though allowed to teach. Susan i. An
thony relates an anecdote of that time.
when she was teaching. The male teachers
were complaining that they were no,
treated with the respect accorded mon in
other professions. She said she could not
resist the temptation to rise ana explain.
She told them she could tell them the rea-
son: They put themselves on an equality
with women. they thought women could
teach school"
The Rev. DIR. Bickel has stayed there. HI
certainly IS not living IN advance of the
age. As the other brother said, women are
dong q great work III saving souls. w.
read in the Bible that she that saveth {
soul from death. covers e multitude o.
sins" SO doubtless she good they do hal
covered any inherited sins, | am glad they
can and do speak. 1t ia helpful and en-.
couragius to others to have them tell Of
what they has accomplished, even though
it makes u feel Gamble, that have SO few
sheaves to lay at the .laster's feet. | snp.
pose 1T Is well enough that they should WISH
dive, sFloons. rlsons on their errands o.
mercy, but keep silence III church. We car
well leave the verdict in the hands of thu
Christian people, and ministers, too. thost
know M. +. Is.
Helena. Feb. -. 1893.