The San Francisco call., 1897-03-10
AN tbELL MEMBER
INVITES THE men
Is Surprised at the Interest
Shown in Their Re-
ligion.
Professor McChesney Is Not
Employed Because Women
Are Not Available.
Busts a.d B1s Rsliefs, Myths AMI
Politics Are Discussed, but
Not Religion.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, |


The Ebell Society is still chafing under
the unpleasantness because some OF its
mem bers will not preserve secrecy, but
will talk for publication, and because of
recent criticisms. The meeting to be held
in few days, in which the subject OF the
duties of members will be discussed, is
more than ever necessary.
A member who signs herself H. T. G"
has published a long letter in reply to the
criticisms of Rev. DR.. Wendte and Rev.
Marshall Law.
1T is difficult to understand" says the
writer, "why some Of the men OF Oakland
should be so alive to the difference In
religious faith among the women OF the
Ebell Society.
II have been a member of the Ebell
for years, attending nearly all of their
most important meetings, and, while they
have had talks, lectures and discussions
upon every subject under the sun, from
astronomy to mining. we have never gone
beyond the stars of the realms of peace, or
underneath the earth to the region OF
darkness. We have had talented men
and women to speak to us and lead US
in to thoughts beyond and out Of the daily
had a religious faith discussed or ones
sacred creed unfolded for inspection. 1t
has not been the subject OF even one
hours work among the women coming to
their clubrooms for study from week to
week.
"These women are actively engaged in
the church work of Oakland, each de-
nom nation having its share of mem bers
from agnostics to Episcopalians and the
former are women of singular purity and
elevation of character, strongly alive to
the moral and educational advancement
OF women. true and faithful, having vir-
tues doubt not, many of US long for and
miss. That they have gone away from
the paths their fathers trod' may or
may not be ours to criticise and persuade
as we may be near or distant friends and
we are on true character basis and not
from an outward profession of faith or
adoption of creed.
1.-The Episco palians lead largely in num-
bers among our members, earnest workers
In the four churches of Oakland. The
Pres byterIans anu Congregationalists are
largely represented also, many of them at
tending lectures at our rooms and then
leaving to bear Mr.. Munhall, and quietly
on the way persuading some one to go.
The Baptlsts, Methodists. Lutheran. Ro.
man Catholics, Swedenborgian, Unitar-
ians Universalists, Christian Scientists
are all with us honored and honoring
alike, and. as Emerson says we are near
to each and each one is near to US.
These same men who are troubled
and anxious of course, have wives and
mo hers and sisters in the society. or how
could they write so intelligently about us?
We ask them to come to our restful rooms
any morning or afternoon and meet the
classes which we call sections From
ten to thirty women are in each one study
ing the ways and thoughts and wisdom
and expe yiences of men and women from
the davs before time was down TO the last
bold stroke in Greece or the way the new
President will enter Washington and what
co!ors are most harmonious for Mrs. Presi-
dents new Gowns.
I'VE will open our doors to you and will
hold sacred your religious faith, undis-
turbed shall be your politics, unques-
toned shall be the cut of your coat, and
We care not at all provided truth, honesty
and intelligence go hand in hand with a
efficiently broad understanding of what
we as a club are thinking and talking. l
give you list cf some of the subjects this
last year: Myths In Modern Literature
The Public Schools, Discussions in Sill
yer and Gold Political Equality The
Making of Busts and Bas-reliefs, with
Practical Illustration The Mining In
dustry.' The Work Among the Child
w dnws of India.
I'VE have two German sections, one
Italian, one Browning, one botany, two
French, two Spanish, one cn ma painting,
three art, two architecture, book review,
current literature, history, living writers,
Shakespeare (this last Mr.. McChesney of
the High School kindly has in charge)
This was not because there were not.
available women, but because this same
gentleman has always been kind and
helpful and appreciates what it may mean
to woman to have only the limitations
of the home circle and no more. Now and
then a woman does long for some teach
ing outside of wnat may be gained from
her home and the mere surroundings
there, strange as it doubtless seems TO