The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-07
WOMEN A. CHURCH DELEGATES.

Nothing y - tiekltsh . subject for COM
0sut Or 70 likely to provoke .rancorous
osbats - . question Of church govern
0sn4: and Il y better for . lay news
DApar 10 aiiuds TO such . controversy In
worry guarded terms. The question of tho
Admission OF women as delegates TO tho
Methodist conference. however, Is of such
general interest that the result viii DO
watched In circles far outside those which
onviron the church In question.
n seems that while tho discussion IL
upon . point OF constitutional law. the
possibilities OF Interpretation are so wide
shat whichever side wins viii find tho
necessary lawful authority. The funaa-
mental Law Of the church does no, prohibit
she admission of female delegates except
BY implication and. according to one Of
the speakers. mo one Is to be admittes.
unless specifically mentioned; and fur
ther. that Ia tho church the status of
women Is different from that OF men.
IA might be expected. some OF those who
oppose the Innovation take refuge In Saint
Paul who was very decided In his views
mot only upon church discipline. but upon
domestic discipline
6aint Paul seems 10 have deprecated
che participation Of women In church gov-
eminent. although he was always xener-
Gus In his recognition OF tho sentlcne
ndeli,y and good works OF women In thu
church. He very warmly comments
fhebs and describes her as a servant OF
the church who hath been a suecorer OF
many ana OF myself also" /, seems that
even In those DAYS. when the customs OF
many hundreds Of years s,iIl prevailed
even under the great changes worked by
the new gospel. and when the prcsadices
were stan great against any but men be-
inx officers OF the ehureh-evcn then the
women we're permitted to bake the cakes
for the feast and prepare the refresh
Gents.
Saint Paul Was very much opposed to
women acting as teachers ana yet the
changes which have taken place seem
Go have made It possible for women 10
teach ana a; the same time TO he very
good Christians. lndeed. when II comes
o. considerations az to women In the
church. the views Of the great apostle
should De accepted with run allowance
Tor his confessed psesgdices, AMI his words
may not always ee taken literally. For
Instance. he proclaimed q to be unbe-
coming for woman - 80 TO church eith
her head uncovered. but he dia not for
. moment contemplate furnishing a jus
Nneation for the worldly xiorles OF an
Easter bonnet. As to this matter. as IN
many others. Saint Paul Was very careful
Co make the distinction clear between
fundamental doctrine and mere matters
Of local preference and he particularly
says. "sut IL any man seem 70 to con-
tentie1s"-as 20 head eove.ins-~we have
ne such cassem."
Perhaps II 70 better solution offers it,
SELF. sihce the discussion Is pro,rAessi
and seemingly far from 4 result. II Nigh,
be well to Accept compromise which
10 suggested by the following fsosa his
nrss epistie TO the cerinthiAas;
The unmarried woman eareth fer the
things Of the Lors,. that she u,Ay be holy
both In heSiy and spirit. bet she tha, Is
married earesh fer the THINGS 20 the worl3
how she may please her hgsSAna.~
When q yeang lady haS arrived =, AZ
axe when she may safeiy os presumed te
Be Get IN her determination never 10 BE
persuaded 70 marry. sns snighs e eglxl.
bic not only ~ delegate. eai 20 hola
other ofiiee IN the church rs ucsgern
practice Eoes. woman bears q very large