The Washington times., 1895-02-19
Church WORK OF WOMEN
Discussed by the National Free
Baptist Missionary Society.
COUNCILS EVENING SESSION
larger Recognition by Denominations is
Greatly Desired-outward Form Should
Not Displace True Observation-Disclosures
Church the Most Liberal-Home Life
Should BE Adjusted to Afford More Leisure.

The evening session of the National Coun-
ell of Women was devoted TO religion, and
the first half of the programme was given to
the National Free Baptist Women's Mission
ary Society, with Mary A. Davis as the pre-
siding officer A prayer WAS offered by Cas-
sic Smith. sThe ethical adjustment OF
women's home and sociological duties" was
the subject OF an interesting paper delivered
by Frances Stewart Mosher, OF Michigan.
She SAID that before the days of telegraphs
and newspa pers the interest Of mankind was
confined TO thoughts Of the family and imme-
diate surroundings The line between the
duties OF man and woman. was clearly de-
fined. Changed conditions have Iigntened
the work OF man, but not of woman. Her
need is lessening of her arduous duties.
Simplicity should be employed in home ap-
pointments. The plainest of foods are the
most healthy. Elegance and taste are not ln-
compatible with limited time and money
MORE LEISURE FOR woMEN-
The Iessenlng Of woman's work viii give
more leisure for friends. home, and society.
Cooperative laundries, bakeries. and estab-
Iishments for household work viii help in
bringing about this much-desired result.
There is need. she said. for an equitable ad-
iustment of woman's home and sociological
duties
Mrs. Emeline BurliDgame Cheney, OF Maine,
followed with a paper on Practical Chris
tian Living" She said thar religious theories
are numerous. The practice Of a religion is
the true criterion OF its value. Creeds are
not Christianity. Thev are largely doctrinal
statements rather than Christian truths
Since the beginning of Christianity there has
been a wide difference between its truths and
requirements and the actual lives OF its pro-
fessors.
The danger to-day is that outward forms
tend TO supplanI inward growth. Church at
tendance is important, but food is not
strength until it is assimilated. True Chris
tanity produces the ideal Of home life. but
before this is reached young women must
learn that there is such a thing as heredIty,
and that inherited evil tendencies can coun-
feract the best of motherly influences.
The second part OF the programme was
given 10 The National Council, and Mrs. May
Wright Sewai presided. A report OF the
work to secure the recognition OF women in
church conferences was read by Isabella
Charles Davis. Of New York, the recording
secretary Of The council.
ATTITUDE or TIE DENOMINATIONS.
The last number was an address by Mrs.
Mary Lowe Dickinson, Of New York. on
The attitude of the leading religious de-
nominations toward womans growing serv-
ice in the churches She said that if the
conventions OF the churches could be con-
sidered as erytallized opinions OF the various
denominations it would be easy to flnd out
their attitude toward women.
The Methodist, Baptist, and Episcopal
churches all used the work of women, but
denied them the right TO preach. The Uni
tartan Church was most liberal in this re-
spect. Inc common people are ahead of the
recognized church authorities, for they gladly
hear the voice OF women in the churches. M
longer docs craZy-Quiit c0usecration and pin
cushion Dicty bound the sphere Of woman's
Christian work Some have compared the
women in the churches 10 driitwood. but this
driitwood has become a great raft which
carries the greater burden OF church work.
Weed out the women from the congrega-
tions and it would take a spiritual micro
scope 10 find the remains. What woman has
had 10 say has not been such as 10 draw aD-
plause from the refined but robust reluctants
Of the brethren. but il has excited power
ful influence. Brother and sister should
work side by side, and in the last great day
bring their garnerings together and let theiI
voices join in singing the harvest home.
At the conclusion Of Mrs. Dickinson's ad-
dress Mrs Davis arose TO make a correction
of a statement made as 20 the Baptist Church
She said that the Free Baptist Church or
dained women as ministers.
Mrs. Sewall then introduced Miss Elizabeth
c. Yates OF Maine. for a few minutes talk
Miss Yates said she bad caught the Office
seeking fever while in Washington. and tha
she wished the help OF all TO get her The place
of bell ringer TO the United States Congress
There were seated on the platform besid
the speakers, Susan B. Anthony. Rev. Anpi
II. Shaw, Mrs. L. B. Grannis, and Hannal
7 RaiIa-