Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-26
SYNOD OF VIRGINIA.
currRING REPORT OF THE COM
silTTEE ON CHARACTERIZATION.
YOBlE'S SPHERE IN The CHURCH
Rcport submitted Upon This In
teresting Subject-WOman's Duties
and HeSponsibiIities EIabOrately
Dehned-Animnted Debate.

HUNTINGTON. w. VA, october o.
tspecial)-The Presbyterian synod of Nir-
einla held its second days session to-day.
Rev. John Pearson. d. D.. the field agent
Of the American Bible Society. made am
address on the work of the society which
n represents. calling special attention 10
what is being done i'm circulating the
Scriptures in Cuba. Porto Rico, and the
Philippines.
Rev. j. X Hazen. y. D., spoke ON the
great work Of publication and colportase
being done by the Committee of Publica-
tion located in Richmond.
A larce number of reports were received
and referred to the proper committees.
Ono Of these was an overture from Nor
folk Presbytery. asking the synod to take
steps 90 establish an orphan asylum.
EVANGELIZATION.
The report OF the Committee on Evan
YeNzati0n was presented by the chair
man Rev. j. T. Booker From it the tol-
lowing facts arc gathered: Five eVduge-
lists have been employed during the past
raar. working in nine presbyteucs. They
preached 6J3 sermons, made 300 visits
talked with 300 persons on the subject
O.. religion held family prayers 100 times,
travelled 1900 miles, and raised $l,S.o.
There were seventy-hve professions OF
faith. and ffty-six members were aooed
u The Church. The work has been chiel-
ly that of going into the destitute secllohs
of the svnod's territory and laying The
foundations for future growth. Ihe Whole
amount received for this work was >ia,S'
u ..I
emolInt is asked for for the coming year.
The venerable Dr. John G.. Patton, mis-
slonary from the South Sea Islands, VINO
recently spoke in several ol the chuTches
FIN Richmond. was introduced 90 the syhou
and invited to sit as correspondents
member. and was given very cordial re-
c,rtion. -
RIGHTS OF WOMEN.
Ih. synod, AT its meeting IN lS5'' APP
pointed "a committee 10 make special
study vi the Word OF God upon the
ern.f. and rights of women i'm the Church
O. Cod. especially in the public exercises
thereof such as leading in PRAYER ana
maxim. public addresses before mixed au-
olcnces. conducting such services anu lHe
public preaching OF the word
A report was presented last year. ana
this report was referred 10 another COM
IulIANf, fNi.r.a Il.I- NI iafN. ifi ". We
ley. a. W. Frazer. NJ. j.. Lacy. ana Elders
G.. v. *. Kempcr and O. Il. Morgan.
The committee to-day presented "a very
able and caroiu.ly-preparod report show
ing the Scrptural teaching ass TO wo-
mans position in the home and I'm Che
Church The report shows that from
the time Of Eden God has placed woman
under man as 20 rule, and authority. as
an equal. not as an inferior and this
relation IS recognized an through the
Scriptures. There is "a clear-cut dlstinc-
ton. the report says, between the spheres
OIL man and woman. The family
the homc. is made the special sphere
ol woman. There is her true throne
and there centre her duties, her rights
and there is exercised her widest doc
mu.oa. AS 90 womans sphere and
rights iu thc Church the report says
tlr Scriptures forbid a woman 90 hold
office or bear rule in the Church; nor
o1 they permit d woman 10 preach cX-
hort or lead in prayer IN public as
srmb.y. llt they command her TO keep
silence.
WHAT WOMAN MAY DO.
A. 90 what woman may do i'm the
Church the report says the Scriptures
teach That in tho privacy of her home,
or from house to house. she may teach
children. mDn. ana women. both in the
home :auC foreign work. but not pub
h.y in the chapel or on the street
ia the sabbath school. where rightly
diluted and conducted women as
'.acn.f. are acting not Independently
nor representatvcly nor addressing
public assembly. but are directly under
ia, appointment and control OF the pro-
tcr authority OF the Church and deal
only with their separate classes.
Ite Scriptures DO not prohibit woman's
singing iu church. as in this there is not
ding on representative duty. as i'm
stEIng and praying in public There
nothing boz The principles laid down
i' prevent concert of action Tor prayer
w cefout women. nor anything TO pre-
ft'i tho formation Of aid or missionary
s''leles 10y women in their own church
.Nn under the control Of the session OF
lhal Church The bearing Of All that
"' have found in the Scriptures
"' 10 woman's place, duties, and
Hkhlf in the home and in the church,
D''h her place and rights In the
H.aie 81 strong and difect-the same
I'helle Of subordinafiOn The same
reasons for preserving the modeaty
D@4liy and true wOmanliness Of woman