New-York tribune., 1900-01-29
Opposition TO TEEN AS PASTORS MADE
CHIEFLY By THE LEAST QUALIFIED
cLAss-nfoDERN IDEAS WED
TEEN AS PASTORS MADE
COME THEM.

The Pauline edict Let your women keep silence
IN the churches has been lively OF con-
troversy ever since it uttered. For many gen
erations literal adherence was insisted upon, and
1t finally came to be regarded by the majority OF
mankind as an actual article Of faith.
The ascetcism OF the Middle Ages, which placed
women low plane. not only intellectually, but
morally. fostered the idea. and to this day in the
polluee holy places. All through the ages. however
there has been occasional woman whose genius
has triunphed prejudice and who has be-
come not only preacher. but founder OF a new
religious body.
Ann Lee and Mrs Hutchinson are well known
examples. Within the last two hundred years there
has been gradual change Of opinion the Ques-
ton Of womans place in the Church. The earliest
English Methodists permitted women exhorters, or
outdoor preachers, and Quakers have always held
that the Spirit likely to side of
the meeting house as the other America, having
established Church, has really done more than
any other country toward destroying the old ira
dition, and for many years women have been seen
in puipits and pastorates. leading useful, happy
lives, beloved and approved Of by the community.
In the Unitarian. Congregational and Methodist
churches they have long been appreciated and
lately the Baptist, Presbyterian and other con-
servattVe denominations beginning TO invite
women to ministerial duties
An interesting and significant ceremony took
place IN Chicago last month, on which occasion
Mrs. Vandeiia Varnum Thomas, wife of the pastor
Of the Peoples Church, ordained "a liberal
and independent minister" Every denomination
Of the Congress of Religions represented, and
the officiating minister the present pastor of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, which twenty
years ago excluded DR.. Thomas from it's member
ship Mrs. Thomas preached her first sermon from
her husbands pulpit the day Of her ordination.
She was educated at Franklinville Academy, Alfred
University and Cornell and for some time has been
a successful lecturer
OF other women who are IN pastoral pIaces the
Rev Frances Kimbau lately ordained to the
UniVersa1ist ministry three other women ministers
taking part in the ceremony. Mrs. Kimban VIII
have charge OF the churches at South Barre and
Wfliamstown, VI
The Congregational Church of Condon Ore on
the death Of It's pastor unanimously invited his
VIE 70 III the vacancy. The Rev. Hannah Jewett
Ierset We & &1ecenty installed as pastor OF the Uni
and Methodist ministers officiating The address
q welcome Icon on behalf of the parish was given by
The Presbyterian Church Of Crawford N. J., not
long ago invited the Rev. Belle Kearney, of Mis-
ssssigpi 70 preach at morning service this being
tne 1rst time woman was in its pulpit
The Rev Mary A Stafford has tust resigned the
pastorate of Unity Church Unitarian Of siouS snS
she as e%s & which she has held for fourteen years
seTes 11 eleven years and viii henceforh be its
quarters @ tiers IN Des Mones and the Conferences decid-
70 axe cnaIge Of IL as Miss Sanford
women Mrs. u Fiorenna nnstTy as profession for
gan expresses her belief that women ~ Nv
~ ttou!o alo VII. choose domestic life and that
laFra s proportion & Of women ministers viii never be
T7nSted s,+ Deng E onlY three hundred now in the
men me ac SGrk 5sr T siways R hye Qualifications which
equal eoufprnent VII YIoner Tor good. granting an
Meyes bsv eo.6eaeHes t6 Women Mrs CrooRer be-
gain their as conssn nyss Of the people and are able l to
also know how To dsaI MeIh Comparative ease They
children Neai with young people and
risgs III Etooker was minister hs,oo -. -
the beIa end since has acted state eGTe her mar
chnfches. selected and orSafrtasan an She organized
bSRas S9o IN many ways fuIfiled tb supplied
h her TINE is divided between assisqiS, Al present
and S PsIlsh work and ecturins On neF husband
a minister in San Francisco so
% Women tn the pulpit as foiloSss OF the position
.. The chief opposition TO wors
class Some Of Of fbt the poorer and least ous6eS
TonnS leIs, bishops and the Ike do oo eohserVatiye
many copee glIe on woman in the nn,njt pA Gitn SI
raadg lg congregations in the United p.ulpt SuH
ready Tor women ministers N states are now