The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-04-14
WOMAN MINISTER ABOUT
WOMEN MINISTER'S

Kew. Mary L. Whltney is one OF the
most successful of the few women min
listers in New England. She talked with
reporter recently about the openings
in the ministry for young women.
81 believe there is a wide field open.
ing in this profession for young women, {"
she said, just at PRESENT their best
opportunities are found in the small
parishes outside of the cities. These
places cannot afford to pay large salaries,
but good ministers and good instruction
are just as essential for them as for the
largest city churches. We sometimes
fail to appreciate the people who live in
these small country towns. l have in
mind one little village which is nearly
depopulated now. 1t was never any
thing but small country place, and is
even smaller now than it was few years
ago. But the reason it has grown so
much smaller is that so many of its PEG.
pie have gone out into the world to pur-
sue professions and earn a livelihood.
And these very people who came from
that little village way back in the coun-
try hold respected positions among the
best men in our cities to-day.
II know of another just such town,
among the hills of Vermont, from which
udVO COHlC SOllC VI Jul lCSD anu
most successful lawyers, doctors and
ministers.
st is for this reason that say the
people of these country towns are in
need of the best religious instruction,
Just as much as those of the largest
cities. And women can successfully fill
these positions where men might often
be unable to live on such small salaries.
Some of these parishes can pay only
5000 year, which is more than meagre
for a man with a family. But an enter
prising woman can live quito well on
5000 year, especially in these country
places where living expenses are cheap"
do you think there is as good a fl
nancial opening in this as in other pro-
fessionsP asked the reporter"
much better than in any Others" re-
piled Mrs. Whitney. Just at present
the large churches of the East may be
said to be closed to women ministers.
While even the majority might not OBJ
ject OF might even favor calling a
woman, there would be the rich and rul-
ing minority who would control the vote
in this, as they do SO largely in our
government. But in the West the feel
ing is much less conservative. The
large churches are rapidly opening their
doors TO women.
1.-THE Unity Church of Cleveland, Ohio,
has recently called Miss Marion Murdoch
and Miss Florence E. Buck, who are now
studying in Oxford, Eng, but who will
very soon come to fill this position. The
pastor of this church had always been a
man, until short time ago they called
Rev. Miss Bartlett of Kalamazoo to sub
stitute for them one Sunday. They were
so we'll pleased with her that they at
once called her to that church. But
Miss Bartlett, feeling that she could not
leave her own church in Kalamazoo, rec
commended Miss Murdoch and Miss
Buck, who were accordingly called"
Mrs. Whitney is pastor of the Second
Unitarian Society in West Somerville,
and is the wife of the Rev. Herbert Whit
ney. Mrs Whitney taught for number
of years in New York State, where she
was educated, and was interested in
kindergarten work for time. But in
1885 she turned her attention to the min
istry. She has been the pastor of parish
es in Upper Lisle and Middleville, n. Y,
and also in Millbury, Mass.
She is very cOngenial and cordial, and
has commanding presence, which,
with her ability as speaker, gains for
her the attention and interests of her
listeners.
81 think young women are turning
their attention more and more to the
ministry" she said ''And it is very i'm
portant that these should be women of
culture, refinement and ability. l think
many young women enjoy the ministry
who have no taste whatever for teach
ing"
How many women ministers are
there in New England?' asked the caller
81 believe there are three beside my
self, who are in active work. Two are
in Maine, one of these being Unitarian
and the other Universalist. The third
is Congregationalista and is now preach
ing in Nantucket. "-Woman's Corner
of Boston Journal