The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-27
agree among themselves az to what he'


standard of life should be.
4. What is expected of her? In
general way, that her entire time and
the chief efforts of her life should be
devoted to furthering the interests Of
the church over which her husband
has been installed as pastor. She is
expected to perform vast am cunt of
arduous labor without compensation,
because, forsooth, her husband Is com.
pensated for his work. To be sure
there is no contract made with her-she
is not hired-and She is not paid. She
is not even consulted rs to the contract
the church makes with her husband for
his services. But ignorance, prejudice,
and pure greed step in and make de-
mands upon her time and labor, while
she is expected to quietly and cheer
fully acquiesce. She is expected, in
case she has spent much time and
money in acquiring musical educa-
ton, to play the organ gratuitously
or sing in the choir. She is also ex-
| pected to be the working member of
each church committee named that
is made up of ladies. She is expected
to treat all the female members of the
church with equal consideration in all
things, no matter what the capacity
or social condition of the members may
be. She is expected to have no favor
ties, no special friends, no bosom com.
panions among the members of the re-
4 ligious society to which her husband is
attached.
5. What sh ould be expected of her?
Nothing more than should be expected
of any other woman similarly situated
4 in the community. She should not be
expected to stihe all her honest senti-
ments, and treat her real friends and
those who are companionable with no
greater consideration or fondness than
she treats others who are in no sense
!, objectionable. There is only one
leveler on earth, and that is death.
The church is not, cannot be, and
should not attempt the task of reducing
all grades of society to common level.
Since the dawn of the centuries there
have been grades, or classes in society
And these conditions must necessarily
continue to exist until time shall be nc
more. 1t is all right to expect the
church to be sort of leveler at certain
times and in certain places. But the
only place is within the church build.
ing. When society of religionists as
semble in church building, it is all
right and proper that there should be 9
community of feeling and purpose
which for the time being places all OIL
the same level. No one there should be
denied recognition-no one there should
: feel exalted or debased above his neigh
Dor. They have assembled in a house
dedicated solely to the worship of the
meek and lowly Nazarene, and all may
we'll be equals. But all will agree thai
the conduct of people inside church
building Is, and as we think should be-
different from their conduct when they
pass out into, the world. There is {
church, and there is world. Without
the worldly business there would be
little or no support for the church
Grant it that there should be no grader
or classes in the church, there is ant
\ will be, and should be grades and classeI
- the world. The minister's wifi.
should not be expected to 20 outside o.
!. her door to find friends and compan.
ions, any more than other womer
should be required so to do. Compel
ing or expecting her to do so will no
abolish grades and classes in society
She should not be expected to call a
often or remain as long with a membe
of the church with whom she has moth
ing in common, as with one who is
genial companion. She should not b.
Z expected to enjoy visit with coarse
: illiterate woman as well as with re
fined and educated one, unless she her
self is coarse and illiterate. She is no
hired by the church, nor paid by tn,
church for any such work. If it be salt
that she should carry her religion out
side of the church building, and int,
the world, we say yes. But the religion
! of minister's wife does not create an,
obligations for her, that the same relig
ION does not create for any other VIC
; man of the same church or community
And while grades or classes in societ
exist, the minister's wife should hav
the same right and freedom to choos
which grade or class of society she wi
enter, as any other lady either inside q
outside Of a church society.
Communicated.
Brave Men Fall