The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-05-26
A MENACE TO SOCIETY
PREACHER ACCUSES WOMAN
OF THIS CHARGE.
And Adduces Arguments to Show
she II Undermining the Foundations
Of tho Accepted ClvilizAtioa Of
To-day. v

OF tho Accepted Civilization Of
To-day. v
Woman is a ena to civilization
and an obstacle to advancement" is
the startling argument advanced by
Rev. Henry Frank, pastor of the In
pendent church of New York city.
In a startling sermon recently deliv-
cred he further said:
whether woman is a n to
civilization or civilization a menace
to her, all depends upon the definition
Of civilization II by that term we
mean the existing standards of morals,
religion and social status, then in
sist that she is the most potent factor
that menaces its integrity. If the pres
ent civilization, which exemplifies the
current standards of thought, is di-
vine and essential to human happiness,
then woman is its paramount foe-its
incarnate Nemesis. This civilization
is built upon existing standards of
morals: first, on authoritative relig-
ion; second, on those of current NOR
ais; and third, those of the economic
status. Each of these established
standards, woman is slowly, persist
emily, but unconsciously undermining.
Traditional history has taught that
woman must be subject in knowledge
and spiritual advancement of the
within and authority of man.
"If this be so what greater menace
TO Christianity (Which is n of three
proofs of current ~civilization) can be
discovered than the rapid intellectual
advancement and social freedom of the
modern woman? The new woman
spurns the creed of tradition and in
sists that the silent sphinx will solve
the riddle of life despite priests,
churches, Bibles and canticles. Here,
chen, is woman a menac to existing
civilization.
t'Then as to current morals. If the
existing moral standards are essential
20 civilization, then again, woman's
growing intelligence is seriously
threatening it. Tradition has estab-
ished a dual standard of morals; one
sor each SEX, each different from the
other. Because of the double sexual
standard of morals m has be-
come her own greatest enemy. She
;hudders at the blotch of sin upon her
,wn sisters bosom and runs from her
frying: 'Unclean, unclean.' But her
brother who sins, who comes to her
T., With the villainy of dishonor upon his
leart, she welcomes, admires, adores.
"Why is this? Where is the JUS
ice? Where is woman's Wanted gen
leness and charity? This is an age
" philanthropy and generosity, and
ret how pitiably little woman does for
Ter fallen sister. The most terrible
problem which confronts humanity to-
lay is the succor of the outcast, and
ret woman takes practically no part
n any step in this direction.
1.-THE proud, hypocritical Pharisee
ontemptuously passing on the other
tide of the roadway lest he be con-
animated by association with his low
y and suffering brother was a model
" humility. Christian charity and
virtue, compared to the typical social
,eader of today, who proudly receives
n her palatial dwelling male moral
epers, men of the most VIGOROUSLY
1ile ~antecedents, whose very name is
. synonym for all that is foul, and yet
he same ladies lift up their dainty
white hands with startled horror at
| he suggestion that Mary. Magdalen Is
heir sister in God and has q claim on
their help and pity.
But woman is beginning to see that
she need no longer be terrorized by
The old traditions and the rebuke OF
so-called responsibility. The dawn OF
\ better day is beginning to break
Upon her vision. She now cries q
halt to man. She exclaims: Sin in
/; me is. no viler than sin in you. II
am punished for my sins, 80 shall you
oe; and If you are condoned and re-
spected !, too. shall be, despite my
/. SINS
"This new attitude Of woman-this
lew moral standard-one only, for
both sexes-will destroy all existing
codes and reduce traditional civiliza-
: zion to dust and ashes.
But it is in the commercial world
where woman is the greater menace.
Tradition says that woman is by ma
ture set apart for certain duties and
that she should keep out Of the world
Of industry and confne herself to her
home. Already woman has driven man
/ out OF. the trades, out Of business,
out of the bread. winners occupation.
/ So true is this that doctors, ministers
and philosophers are crying out that
If this state Of affairs Is not altered
civilization will go, and with it, social
liberty and moral Advancement.
Some industries woman already
monopolizes to such an extent that
more than one-half of all the situations
are hers; while men, by the million,
are falling into the ranks of'the tramp.
the pauper, and the degraded outcast,
and this social revolution, modern
woman, the woman Of freedom, has
brought about.
Here, then is she an efficient and
sinister menace to civilization. But
my conclusion to the above Is amen
!und hallelujah! The existing civiliZa-