The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1907-09-27
(Copyr.gat. oy Joseph b. Bowles.)

Copyright. oy Joseph b. BowlesD
fint t-c'- f-afnt shaw. ~. u. has the
tMoioid d.s;:uctio5 Of being a regularly
oiuaihed minister 9! tise gospel and a
Ph.siclau- The latter title Was gained
by study 50 that tbc gifted woman might
W'dth her scu!e OF usefulness IN her
Charitable Nt:@ among the poor She
MAS born N England. but her parents re-
moved 10 this country when she was four
yeasr OF age Her FIRST studies We're car
iiod on by reading the newspapers pasted
"n the waits vi the log cabin IN which
she lived In a Mid part of Michigan Al
Ia wears OF age she became a teacher.
In 1873 she was graduated from the theo-
logical department of Boston university.
Her iirst pasturate was in u Methodist
church at Htu2ham. Mass. She after
ward filed other pulp,:s. For some years
she has devoted her time to occurring
and preaching ratne- thau to parish
work.
lf the civilization of an age is
measured by the degree of freedom
accorded to women this age is making
vast progress toward that much-de-
sired goal of human development.
The nineteenth was prominently
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
these changes there still remains
much to be accomplished before
women will be free to develop them
selves or to exercise their highest
powers along any line of human Gu
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-
ligion is exceedingly difficult. There
has accumulated about the subject a
vast amount of futile discussion,
much of which is irrelevant. which
has hidden it's real and vital signiti-
canoe. The only hope of a clear un-
vorce our thought from the narrow
view of our own time aud 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 problem for to-day it
Will give us a clearer vision and a
more rational basis for our hope of
tomorrow.
There a lie no question that in
the development of ecclesiastical his
tory and in the propagation of relig-
ious systems women have constituted
one of the most effective agencies. In
all ancient religions, as priestess,
prophecies and sibyl. women partici-
pated in the worship and service of
the temple. And as the government
OF all pagan countries was chiefly
th~eocratic. women. after they ceased
to meet in councils with men. enjoyed
great dignity by virtue of their office
AS deliverers of the inspired, oracles.
From the earliest history of the
Hebrews women were teachers, proph-
etesses n servants of the church.
The recorded ministry of Miriam, the
prophecies joint leader with her
brother of the hosts of Israel: of De.
borah. who became the theocrattc
ruler and Judge of her nation; of the
little Hebrew maid whose evangelistic
farYor led Naaman to bowsbefore the
true God: OF Anna. the prophecies
who departed not from the temple.
with scores of other illustrious names.
VIII remain forever famous In the
poSoN "a SuC lCUISW n9LlOl.
II we turn 70 the story OF the
Founder OF Christianity we learn that
the three sublime events Of His life.
which form the basis of all orthodox
creeds. were first revealed to women
aud announced by them to the world
the a~nnunciation by the angel to
Mary. the declaration Of His Mess,.
aOtc mission by Jesus to the samari.
tan woman. through whose ministry
many believed and followed Him and
the manifestation of Himself to Mary
Magdalene after His resurrection ana
her commission from the highes. au.
thoritY to preach a risen Lord.
His example paved the way for
w0men,A activity in the apostolic
church Here they stand GU pre
eminentiy - teachers. preachers
cvangelists and missionaries. The
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