The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-10
WOMEN IN THE MINISTRY.
Hard Struggle Has Been Made for
Admission Into Each Profession.


New York, Nov. s.-Why prejudice
has so vigorously opposed women who
wished to proclaim the gospel" ana
to be teachers of morality, when it al
ways has been conceded that women
are the more religious and moral half
of humanity, is one of the many pecu-
liar phases of conservatism Most de-
nominations to-day exclude women
from their theological seminaries, and
refuse to ordain them. The churches
which are rigidly governed by prece-
dent naturally will not allow daughter
of Eve to administer the sacraments
any more than they would permit her
to sing in supplied choirs or have
vote in church government.
The more democratic and progressive
denominations, however, admit women
to fellowship, and a number of con-
gregations have an efficient woman
minister. The Universalists and the
Unitarian churches lead in the number
of women clergymen.
Rev. Augusta Chaplin, D. D., the only
woman doctor of divinity, was pastor
of a prominent church in Lansing,
Mich, as early as 1874. She officiated as
chaplain of the Legislature, both in
the House and in the Senate.
Rev. Florence Kollock Croker, a ia
nous Unitarian preacher, is the wife
of Rev. DR.. Crooker, a noted minister
Of the Universalist denomination. Last
summer they spent in Boston doing
literary work and filling some of the
prominent pulpits.
Rev. Mary Stafford, secretary of the
Iowa Unitarian Association, has prech-
ed and lectured 12S times and attended
1874 conferences during the past year.
She has Travelled 12,103 miles, and aver
aged more than two sermons Sunday,
besides class teaching.
1t is now a common occurrence for
women ministers to take. part in pub
lie functions, to deliver annual ad-
dresses before various organizations of
men, including memorial addresses be-
fore the G.. A. r., and to conduct the
funeral services of prominent men.
The need Of women physicians is no
longer subject of discussion. Society
now recognizes that its suffering wo-
men should have the privilege Of being
cared for by the skilled of their own
sex, and that the criminals should be
placed in charge of a police matron.
Those women who have known the
blessings of an efficient woman physi-
clan in delicate times are thankful for
the new di3pensation.
Medical colleges have been slow to
open their doors. but women have now
gained admittance in the most promi-
nent ones in the United States. Eliza
beth Blackwell was the pioneer and
rathbreaker for all American women.
The great new Wesley Hospital of
Chicago has as medical superintendent
the only "deaconess" physician in any
institution DR.. Rebecca Parish. She ~
highly educated and eminently success
full.
In Toronto DIR. Margaret Macallum
"a the first woman in all Canada TO
hold a hospital position. She is on the
resident staff of the Hospital for Sick
children. There are, however, many
women physicians in Canada
Or. Ethel Fraser won hrst prize In
a canadian competition with an essay
an "A Woman's Hospital" She has
been on the resident staff Of the New
Tngland Hospital for Women and
children, and now Is us assistant sur
DR.. Marie Merger of Los Angeles
heaneathed sums Of money 20 several
medical institutions, incluelng ss,vyV 70
he Woman's Hospital Of Chicago.
DR.. Frances Dickinson IN president 81
the Harvey Medical College 81 chicago,
q nighf school for poor students she
h incidentally the president OF tle