Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-20
Northern Methodlst Women.

The wires bring the news that the wo-
men OF the northern Methodist church
have won their fight and henceforth they
viii be privileged 10 sit as voting delegates
in the general conferences OF the church
II has been a long contention and speaks
loudly for their grit and perseverance in
The cause that success at last crowns
their efforts.
Several times Miss Frances E. Willard
was selected as a delegate, but always
zas denied the voting privilege during her
Hfe time.
Undoubtedly she would have made
nue lay delegate. or even presiding officer
IN the ministerial body. il necessary.
she was a postmaster in parliamentary
law and usages. and no one better under
stood the opportunities in a discussion.
She was a shining light in the church OF
her choice and rumor has IL that she was
ahianced az one time 70 minister who
afterwards became a bishop. but the
course OF true love failed 10 run smooth
until the knot could be tied. IL now seems
a pity that she could not have been given
the privilege now granted 10 other wo-
men FAR less famous for usefulness and
holy living than Miss Willard.
The northern Methodist church adopted
UE1E0AEo1 MNAA many years onA+
who feel called 10 this work enter the dea-
coness homes and devote their entire lives
to the work OF the church. They wear
uniform and IL Is said they are always
respected and given protection BY the
lower classes OF society. They live in
these deaconess homes just as foreign
missionaries devote themselves to the
Christian instruction Of the heather In a
city like Chicago you viii frequently meet
them on the streets. going 10 and fro as
missionaries 70 the poor and ignorant.
They receive no pay for their services, but
they are fed and clothed in the deaconess
homes
they have also a general conference at
stated times.
once when in Chicago attended two Of
their conference sessions. and met dele
gates from a large number OF other cities
beside Chicago. They are enthusiastic
Christian workers. and stand high in these
northern Methodist churches. IL was their
united testimony that their churches took
on new life when the way was opened
for these domestic missionaries.
II would seem consistent and proper TO
allow women 10 go out among their own
nationalities as helpers in religious work,
when such immense amounts OF money
are collected to send the same sort of reli-
rfous workers beyond the seas. This dea-
because the domestic mission work has
fewer drawbacks than that Of foreign mis-
sions. in al practical lines.
This deacOness work has had much to
do in pushing forward the question of
seating women delegates. which has just
been decided in favor OF the women II
stood 70 reason and was supported by ex-
perfence that an intelligent woman who
understood her work was quite as able TO
make a good report or reject a mislead-
Ing report as the male delegate who was
obliged to get his information from the
experienced woman before he could ex-
plain the matter TO the conference.
Aqufla and Priscilla were a fine team
for service II speak reverently 1 trust)
even in St Paul's day. and IL Priscillas
could instruct the young students OF divin-
fly In those early days. they can be trust
ed 70 decide upon religious duties and avo-
cations at the present time In a general
conference.
Sooner or later every evangelical church
IN the country will adopt the woman dele
gate system. certainly every one that car
Tfes on mission work wiz be impelled to IL.
The system naturally leads up 10 IL.
The Roman Catholic church has an un-
measured power and influence through its
Sisters OF Charity. Subtract their iafiu-
ence and the value Of their self-sacrifcing
work and an immense void would appear.
The world Is moving on. in what may be
termed new channels. but In truth these
Innovations are but the unfolding and de-
velopment OF lines already potent and
progressive
The southern Methodist church is dis
ctrSslux the deaconess work. and noted
church women In the south now attend
annual and general conferences regularly.