The silver star., 1900-05-25
A MENACE TO SOCIETY
PREACHER ACCUSES WOMAN
OF THIS CHARGE.
And Addaces Arguments to show That
She Il Undertaking. the Foanda tluns
OF the Accepted civilization Of
To-day.

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 startling sermon recently deliv-
cred he further said:
Whether woman is a menace to
civilization or civilization 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 l In
sist that she is the most potent factor
that menaces its integrity. If the pres
ent civilization, which exemplifles the
current standards of thought. is d.
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
whim and authority OF man.
"If this be SO what greater menace
to Christianity (Which is one 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.
then, is woman u menace to existing
civilization.
Then as to current morals. If the
existing moral standards are essential
to civilization. then again, woman's
growing intelligence is seriously
threatening it. Tradition has estab-
lished dual standard of morals; one
for each sex, each different from the
other. Because of the double sexual
standard of morals woman has be-
come her own greatest enemy. She
shudders at the blotch of sin upon her
own sisters bosom and runs from her
crying: 'Unclean. unclean.' But her
brother who sins, who comes to her
with the villainy of dishonor upon his
heart. she welcomes. admires, adores.
why is this? Where is the JUS
tice? Where is woman's Wanted gen.
tleness and charity? This is an age
of philanthropy and generosity. and
yet how pitiably little woman does for
her fallen sister. The most terrible
problem which confronts humanity to-
day is the succor Of the outcast, and
yet woman takes practically no part
In any step in this direction.
THE proud. hypocritical Pharisee
contemptuously passing on the other
side Of the roadway lest he be con-
taminated by association with his low
ly and suffering brother was a model
Of humility. Christian charity and
virtue. compared to the typical social
leader Of today. who proudly receives
in her palatiai dwelling male moral
lepers. men of the most notoriously
vile antecedents. whose very name is
a synonym for all that is foul. and yet
the same ladies lift up their dainty
white hands with startled horror at
the suggestion that Mary Magdalen is
their sister In God and has claim on
their help and pity.
But woman is beginning to see that
she need no longer be terrorixed by
the old traditions and the rebuke Of
so-called respectability. The dawn Of
better day is beginning to break
upon her vision. She now cries
halt to man. She exclaims: Sin In
me Is no viler than sin In you. II l
am punished for my sins. so shall you
be; and II you are condoned and re-
spected l. too. shall be. despite my
sins.'
"This new attitude of woman-this
new moral standard-one only. for
both sexes-will destroy all existing
codes and reduce traditional civiiixa-
ton to dust and ashes.
but II is In the commercial world
where woman is the greater menace.
Tradition says that woEian 10 by ma
ture set apart for certain duties and
that she should keep out of the world
| Of industry and coniinc herself to her
home. Already woman has driven man
out of the trades. out OF business.
out Of the bread winners occupation.
So true IL this that doctors. ministers
and philosophers nrc crying out that
II this state OF affairs is not altered
civilization will go. and with 1t. social
liberty and moral advancement.
Some industries woman already
monop0lixes to such nm extent TINT
more than one-half Of nll the situations
are hers: while men. by the million,
are falling into the ranks Of the tramp.
the paupcr. and the degraded outcnst.
and this social revolution. modern
woman. the woman Of freedom. has
brought about.
Here. then is she mn efficient md
sinister menace TO civilization. But
my conclusion to the above is amen
and hallelujnh! The existing civiiixa-
ti0u an far na n rests tinOn tho nfore-