Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-07-26
BY WILLIAM K. GILROY, d. ID.
Editor of The Congregat.onaIIst

We are apt to think OF wonan's
active participation in public af-
fairs as OF relatively late date. COM
ing to its climax only during the
last few years. Perhaps. however,
few things are more remarkable in
history that the way in which. deS-
pite the general RELOCATION Of women
TO a place inferior to man, women
have, none the less, achieved con-
spicuous leadership and rendered a
profound service.
Here in a crisis In the affairs Of
Israel, In a time Of unsettlement.
when Israel was surely In need OF
leadership, 1t is interesting to find
the chief leadership entrusted to a
woman. Deborah. we note, was
also a married woman. Whatever
her personal or home obligations
may have been, they had become
enlarged by the strength and rich
ness Of her character, for she was
not only a leader in the civil life
"a Judge Of Israel, but she was a
prophecies. II was her prophetic
vision and messages that had no
doubt given her her pre-eminence
in y nation
The Source of Her Power
II Is rather q stately picture
that we have OF her dwelling under
the palm tree that had become as
ISOLATED with her name-a notable
tree in the hill country OF Ephriam.
whittier the children Of Israel came
to her for judgment.
The influence Of good women
has never been greater than when
1t has been exercised upon men.
and Deborah's power seemed TO
lie largely in her capacity TO in
spire and guide others. She called
Barak and gave him a military
commission TO 60 TO Mount Tabor
and take with him ten thousand
men to fight Sisera. a captain Of
Jabin's army, who had nine hun
bred chariots OF iron. and who for
twenty years had nightly OPP
pressed the children OF Israel"
Barak was not altogether ready
for his task. He evidently feared
the greatness Of the power which
Deborah was urging him TO fight;
but he was profound In his faith in
Deborah. SO much SO that he de-
clined TO 60 without her; but he
agreed 10 60 II Deborah would &C.
company him. Deborah did not de-
pend merely on womanly influence,
she vas a woman Of decisive action.
She announced her readiness TO 90
with Barak. though she also rebuked
his lack OF manfulness by remind
ing him that he should have no hon
or out Of the encounter, as Sisera
would fall through the hand OF a
woman.
The upshot OF the whole matter
need not be fully dwelt upon. De-
borah's prediction fell true. and
Sisera succumbed to assassination
at the hand of Jael whose vigor
and determination rather than her
womanlinesS seemed manifest in
the driving Of a nail into Sisera's
skull.
II must be remembered that
the whole period was n Of un-
settlement when the life Of Israel
was IN some measure d~isorganized,
and there "a a lack Of that patient
religious enthusiasm characteristic
Of the people IN their highest ex-
periences. 1t Is against this back
ground Of a people lacking faith
and courage and weak under oppres-
sion that Deborah's own faith and
power Of action stand out.
II was probably not the first time
IN history that woman's consecra-
ton TO a great task had inspired a
new hope and action in those around
about her. nor was il to be the last.
One thinks Of Deborah as q sort OF
matronly Joan of Arc, fired with
zeal and spirit, conscious Of a voice
leading her forward and giving her