The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-04-19
The Bible on Women's Public
Speaking.
Editor Democrat-Star.

| have hitherto refrained, both in
the pulpit and through the press, from
any discussion of the question which
is now agitating the minds Of many
Moss Point people, having felt bound
by my published statement that |
would not discuss it "at present." but
that announcement was made with
the understanding tat least on my
part) that those who held the oppo-
site views, (an1 in Difference to whom
the announcement was made( would
also refrain from their public dissem-
ination.
As, however, this has not been done.
and the attempt has been made both
from the pulpit and through the
DEMoCRAT-STAR, to say nothing of
literature privately circulated among
my people, to justify the putting a
woman in the pulpit, l feel that no
further obligation rests upon NE, and
| now propose to say a few things,
which, had strictly followed conyic-
tions Of duty, should have been said
some time ago.
As to the comparative snccess Of
Mrs. SMELLS meeting, that is merely a
question Of opinion. Bro. Adams is
entitled to his opinion, Bro. Dantzler
to his, Bro. X. Y. z. to his, and all
the rest Of us to ours.
1t depends very much upon ones
idea of what constitutes success.
presume that had it been stated that
Mrs. SMELLS meeting was ONE of the
most successful ever held in Moss
Point, X. Y. H. would have been con
tent to let the statement go for what
it was worth, but when claims were
made, which discounted and mini
mized the divinely ordained work and
methods Of the church, it was but
simple justice, since there were many
in the community who believed other
wise, that their views should be voiced
and Gods ordained means justified.
But while l endorse the statement
of your correspondent X. Y. T., af-
firm that the question at issue is not
(which has been the most successful
meeting ever held in our town?"-a
very trivial question, and one con
cernlng which 1t is most unseemly that
ministers and churches should lose
their temper, while 50 many souls are
still in jeopardy, but the simple Ques
tion which cOnfronts this community
Is, "are we justified in doing wrong
that good may Gomez" That charge
has been laid to the Jesuits, but never
until recently have l heard it urged
by Protestant.
Now would be far from saying that
the recent meeting has not resulted
in good; it Is my sincere prayer that
the permanent results may justify al
that has been claimed for it; but does
that prove that it is right for a woman
to preach? Are we permitted to vic
late positive and unequivocal com
mand of God, if thereby good ma!
come?
Such principle would violate ever!
commandment in the word of God.
may lie, | may steal, may violate th'
Sabbath, | may do anything an evi
heart prompts me to do, and claim
that | do it that good may come, ant
thus justify the deed.
Now, what do the Scriptures say IL
. regard to women's preaching? lie
r your women be silent In the churches
for it is not permitted them to speak
+ but to be in subsection. Fo
it is a shame for women to speak II
the church. list Cor 14:34, 35. :"
e will, therefore, that MEN pray in ever.
place, lifting up holy hands, withou
d wrath and doubling. Let ;
. woman learn in silence with all sub
t jection For l suffer not a woman t.
teach, nor to usurp authority owe
the men, but to be in silence. list
Tim. 2:8, II, ~. (From John Wesley
version of tho New Testament.) No
Is there one sentence In the teaching
Of Christ, or any Of his apostles, whicI
cOntradlcts this express command.
Why did not our Lord choose a wo
man as one of his apostles, just 0Nl
!. to show that II was right? When h
, sent forth the seventy, did he send
| w0manY 49,
Why did not the apostlesSet apar
some onE Of their tnaoy&tet0aje COZ