The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-29
MINISTERS MEET
Methodist and Congregational
CIsrgymsn In Session Today.

The regular weekly ministers meetings
were held as usual at lo:so O'Clock this
morning.
The Methodist preachers OF Providence
and vicinity assembled in the Mathewson
street church parlors and the meeting
was called to order by the president, Rev.
b. y. Simon. Devotional exercises were
conducted by Rev. Joseph Cooper OF Cen
treville. r. l.. after which Rev. III. A.
Ridgway, pastor OF the Washington Park
Nj. h. church, told OF the improved finan-
cial outlook for that church through the
grant OF the Church Extension society.
At the close OF the business portion of
the meeting most interesting and
thoughtful paper was presented by Rev.
b. +. Simon. Ph. D.. entitled Sex as a
Factor in Religious Appeal After
few brief Introductory words the speaker
called attention to the fact that both men
and women live largely I'm their emotions.
He then by well pointed illustrations,
from literature and life. proved that
there is a decided mental difference be-
II am not attempting, however, he
said. ito discover which is the superior
sex. 1t is too small business. The
mental difference between the sexes is
one OF proportion. there being no faculty
or quality wholly masculine or wholly
feminine. Men are more inclined to, rea-
son, more broad and impersonai In
thought strong in the coarser feelings,
secretive as TO finer feelings, indisposed
TO ceremony. inclined TO larger rather
tnan smaller considerations ana tnlnks,
bold TO question accepted beliefs, impa-
uent with sadness"
Continuing. the speaker called attention
10 certain mental characteristics in wo-
men as differing from those Of men.
women are more strict In the finer dis
tinctions between right and wrong" he
said. they are moro given to sympathy,
more appreciative OF sadness, more given
TO brooding over trouble.
Moreover. women are more susceptible
TO religious influence; there are 81 men
to eight women douhters.
''If religions appeal combines these ele-
ments chiefly In the feminine proper
TONS" continued the speaker. ''it will be
less acceptable TO men than to women.
There has been n tendency TO give reli-
gion too feminine expression. II re-
qulres more moral courage for men TO be-
come religious than for women, hence re-
llglous appeal must he especially attrac-
tive TO men even though some OF the
finer excellence are made less promi-
nent."
The speaker declared II his belief that.
with the whole universe from which TO
obtain Illustrations that there Ia no need
OF making prominent the things that be-
long chiefly to women. THE feminine
side OF the gospel has been too much em-
phasized." he declared. There should be
less requirement I'm the way OF public ex-
preston OF feeling and as little ceremony
as possible.
Personal immediate submission TO
God should be urged. aside from the help
derived from ceremonies This method OF
presenting the Gospel is-found 10 be sue
cessful with twice as many men as
women"
The speaker further believed that men
should be given reasons for every re-
quirement and the practical side OF reli-
gion emphasized.
Women will appreclte tho more mas
cullne method" he said because they
will find Il reaches men even though they
may miss some feminine nlceties OF ex-
preston
In closing. the speaker said: 1T may be
asked what effect will the method OF ap-
peal here advocated have upon the
women OF our cougregation2"
II reply. they will be equally interest
"a. They are fast broadening out and
taking larger Views OF the world They
are much interested I'm many things sup
posed 10 be masculine Many girls read
boys books. many women by reading. or
business. are taking human rather
than a narrowly feminine view. When
the speaker IL a man, women expect him
90 be manly. Women. young or old. are
pleased 90 find men interested I'm religion
and will bo pleased with the methods
that accompany it"
Dr simons nne paper was followed hy
a discussion In which It's high literary
value and general excellence was COM
mented upon by many
CONGREGATIONAL
The regular meeting OF the Congrega-
tionalist ministers was held I'm the Bible
room Of the Bonencent church. this morn.
ing. when Rev. r. T. Root, pastor OF the
Elmwood Temple. read scholarly paper
entitled. Art and Truth or the Higher
Criticism OF the Bible"
The paper was followed by the usual
involved therein.