The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-09-26
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles. }


(The Rev. Anna Shaw. NJ. D., has the
twofold distinction OF being regularly
Dcdained minister of the gospel and Il
physician. Tho latter title was gained
o. study SO that the gifted woman might
widen her scope of usefulness in her
charitable work among the poor. She
was born in England but her parents re-
Eioved to this country when she was four
yeasr of age. Her first studies were car
rted on by reading the newspapers pasted
Oh the walls OF the log cabin in which
she lived in wild part Of Michigan. At
IL years of age she became teacher.
Ia 1873 she was graduated from the theo-
logical department OF Boston university.
Her first pastorate was in a Methodist
church at bingham. Mass She after
ward filled other pulp.tS. For some years
she has devoted her time to lccturng
AID preaching rather than to parish
work.
Ii the civilization of an age is
measured by the degree of freedom
accorded to women this age is making
vast progress toward that muchde-
sired goal OF human development.
The nineteenth was pre-eminently
Woman's century. In it more changes
were wrought for the amelioration OF
her condition than in the 10 proceed.
Ing centuries. Great as have been
taese changes there still remains
much to be accomplished before
women will he free to develop them
selves or to exercise their highest
powers along any line OF human en-
deavor. This is particularly true of
their position in the ministry.
A correct appreciation of the rela-
ton of women to the service OF re.
Ngion is exceedingly difficult There
has accumulated about the subject a
vast amount OF futile discussion,
much of which is irrelevant. which,
has hidden its real and vital signih-
canoe. The only hope of clear un.
Outstanding OF the subject is to di-
Vorce our thought from the marrow
view OF Our own time and study it
from the vantage ground OF the great
religious movements of the past. And
while this will not give a definite an
swer to Our problem for to-day it
will give us clearer vision and a
more rational basis for our hone OF
tomorrow
there can bc no question that in
the development of ecclesiastical his.
tory and in the propagation of relig-
lous systems women have constituted
cile of the most effective agencies. In
al ancient religions. as pries,ess
prophecies aud sibyl women partici
pated in the Worship and service of
tie temple. And as the govcrnmen,
q all pagan countries was chiefly
theocratic, women. after they ceased
TO meet in councils with men. enjoycd
great dignity by virtue OF their Office
Us deliverers Of the inspired oracles
From the earliest history of tho
Hebrews women We're teachers. proph-
etesses and servants of tho church,
The recorded ministry of Miriam. the
prophecies and joint leader with her
brother OF the hosts of Israel: of De
dorah. who became the ,heocratic
riier and Judge OF her nation: of tho
little Hebrew maid whose cvanyeiistit
ferEor led Naanan to bow before the
true God; of xpna. the prophecies
Hao departed not from the ,cmr!c.
with scores of other illustrous names
will remain forever famous in the
history of the Hebrew nation.
IL we turn 20 the story OF the
Founder of Christianity we learn that
the three sublime events OF His life
which form the basis of al orthodox
c:eeds. were first revealed to women
and announced by them to the world
the annunciation by the angel tn
Mary. the declaration of His Messi
saic mission by Jesus to the Samayi
tan woman. through whose ministry
many believed and followed Him. sind
the manifestation Of Himself to Mary
Nagdalene after His resurrection and
her commission from the highes. an
thorfty to preach a risen Lord.
His example paved the way 10,
~omen's activity in the apostolic
church. Here they stand out pre-
emtnently as teachers. preachers
s;angeltsts and missionaries. The