The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-15

the church Of Rome. Who would not
grasp that power? 1t is the very thing
we are seeking for-to learn the secret
of the power OF that organization. |
resist the evils Of the church of Rome.
| shall always respect the wisdom that
has directed that wonderful organization.
1t lies in the principle that whenever a
preacher enters that church he has that
organization always at his back, and
knows that the church will hold up his
hands so long as he stands to his duties.
Let the North Carolina ministry under
stand that all the parishes stand behind
him. l have witnessed with shame the
abandonment of churches at Rutherford
ton, Monroe, Cleveland, Statesville and
other parishes. They were abandoned
because the few people did not have
money enough to pay priest, and he had
to surrender or the place had to become
a mission field. Suppose we had guaran-
teed DIR. Buxton, when he held Ruther-
fordton, that his salary should $500
year, such places would not have been
abandoned.
Every month witnesses the abandon
ment by our church OF important out
posts because the church does not sus-
tain the men put in charge.
Rev. F. w. Hilliard expressed his re-
gret that the committee had not re-
ported in favor of the original resolution,
instead of postponing consideration for
year In 1870 lay member made this
identical proposition. Since then l have
had n wide experience as missionary in
the far West. The sufferings Of mis-
sionaries in the West do not rise from
personal hardship. The church has made
its missionaries, who minister to women
Their husbands who have no more reli-
gion than a dog are made vestrymen. be-
cause they want a church in the town to
boom it.
The church has suffered because it has
failed TO make the clergy independent of
those to whom they are sent. 1t is the
great movement that will carry the
church forward.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE in CHURCH.
Mr.. r. III. Battles amendment to the
Canon to strike out male" so that wo-
men could participate and have vote in
parish meetings and the election of YES
trymen, came up for consideration. There
was wide discussion, and deep feeling
manifested.
Mr. Osborne said he world vote against
this measure. 1t is detrimental to the
welfare Of the church. 1t does not arise
from lack of respect for the devotion and
wisdom OF the woman. 1t will dwarf the
manhood Of male members, and produce
some Indifference and inefficiency among
the men. 1t would put the women in full
charge. If the women begin with the
hoe, they will later have to pull the plow.
1 have seen women in North Carolina
pull the pillow (Mr. Battle said, "she
couldn't vote" and Mr.. Bachelor said
il she could vote she could protect her
SELF Mr. Osborne said the women do not
want it. 1t would be unmanly in us to
put this responsibility upon the shoulders
OF the women.
Rev. Mr.. Plummer said to give the real
power of the parish a voice would be
wise. 1t is notorious that the vestry is
self-perpetuating body. 1t is not re-
sponsible in a real way to the parish.
The men OF the church are not doing their
part OF church work, and the participa-
ton of women would inspire men to bet
ter work. In my parish the vestry was
man brought into the meeting. In Vir-
GINA women vote in the parish elections.
Women are now eligible to hold office.
l oppose that Women do the work and
are deprived OF their rights.
Rev. c. l.. Hoffman said the convention
was attempting to offer the women
something they do not want. They have
not asked suffrage. They ought not to
vote. In my first parish the women had
the right to vote. Not one OF them ever
came.
Mr.. r. III. Battle wanted to present to
the women the privilege Of having a voice
in the real management OF the parish.
1t is written upon the scroll of the fu-
ture that some day women will vote.
In the North women vote in school cleo
tons. If desirable in education, is it not
more SO in spiritual affairs? However
much woman pardons delinquencies in
her husband, she hates corrupt men.
If women vote. unworthy men would
not be continued in Offices in any parish.
The death Of some parishes conyinccs
me that we need a change in the parishes.
Let the women, with husbands, sons and
brothers come to these meetings. They
will vote for men who pay their honest
debts as church officers Women inspire
the men. Why shouldn't they have a
voice? | have found as good business
men among women as among men.
have seen widows manage estates wise
ly. Let woman know that responsible
ty is upon her, she will be equal to it.
Mr. J. B. Bachelor said in the begin
ming it was his own bantling, and when
it was spanked he felt that it was his own
child. This proposition has in it the ele-
ments OF right. No man can prove that
in the church convention, presided over
by st. James, and the court martialing
OF st. Peter for dining with Cornelius.
the women We're not present. You shut
the mouths Of the women and then ask:
DO the women want this right?' We
make of the women
Infants crying in the night,
Infants crying for the light.
And with no language but a cry
1t is innately right that women should
have voice in church management.
The church has grown so slow that no