Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1944-07-20

dented liberty Of action and almost
limitless opportunity to show their
ability to meet responsibility and to
accomplish great things. They are
measuring up to that opportunity
both In the armed services and in
the multitude Of tasks they are
creditably carrying on in civilian
life.
To those who seem surprised at
their response to the nations need,
the church could well testify that
women have always served well in
those things which count most for
God and country.
I. A Woman Can Rule wv. 1-5).
God has established an order in
the world which places woman
where she best fits-in the home.
There, under the guidance and with
the help of her husband, she exerts
her most powerful influence in the
rearings Of children. That Is her
normal, most effective and most
blessed position. 4
But all too often conditions in the
world are not normal, and woman,
like man, is thrown out of the GUS
tomary orbit Of existence. Deborah
faced such day. Israel had sinned
and been given over to the chas-
Using hand Of the Canaanite. Then
God heard their repentant cry and
was ready to send a deliverer-as
He did in the case of each Of the
judges. Apparently no man was
ready to take up the response
bility. or willing to thus serve God,
and so He called Deborah. She sat
under her palm tree and Israel
came to her for judgment.
She typifies many women who
have been the leaders Of their
people, and her story has been an
inspiration to women in the church.
May many more be encouraged to
take up the weighty problems of
moral and social righteousness,
which the men Of our nation (and
others) do not seem to care or dare
to attack
ii. A Woman Can Lead wv. $50 =
Barak was a man Of ability
Deborah gave him full credit for
his capable service (5:1, 12), bur
evidently he lacked that initiative
which would send him into confic
with his peoples enemies. Without
Deborah he would not go ". 81,
under her leadership he was willing
and courageous.
It is easy to ridicule Barak, and
no doubt he deserves some measure
Of censure, but let us not be too
severe on him. When the records
are all in, it will be known that
many of the feats of courage, the
high and noble decisions, the VIC
tories in the fields of science and
culture, and particularly those
things that have been accomplished
in and through the church, were the
result Of the leadership of some
woman.
Many are the distinguished ma
tional and spiritual leaders who
have said that all they were and
had accomplished they owed to their
mothers. Others speak with high APP
probation of a noble and inspiring
wife.
Think also of the many social and
religious causes which have been
largely carried on by determined
and sacrificial women. Yes, wom-
an can lead, and often she must
lead out to get the men to follow.
Not all the pursuits of life are
lived out in peace or In preparation
for war. The time comes when battle
must be joined, and then we see
that
Iii. A Woman Can Fight wv. 10
16).
True it is that it was Barak who
led his army, but he went out at the
word of Deborah. Hers was the re-
sponsibility for strategy, for the de
termining Of that important D-dayy
when the blow must be struck.
The courage of women in the
battles for country make, an inspir-
ing story. Not the least o that cour-
age has been shown by those who
have quietly stood by the. stuf''
at home, who have bravely -
with their cherished loved
who have borne the dark hour
loneliness, uncertainty and Otter
heart-piercing sorrow. They shy
not be without their reward Csc
I Sam. 30:24.
This is the place 10 say a furthe
word Of appreciation Of the wome
of the church who have fought sue
valiant fight against liquor, socia
degradation, vice, evil politics, et
Hats of to themi" May they B
encouraged to go on.
Then too, one ought to say a
Of sad and earnest admonitil
those countless women who
used their great freedom in on
as license to live wicked an
cody lives. They do not hav
courage to stand against the h.
moral standards. the common
ceptance of intoxicants, the iinn,o
est apparel Of the day.
Christian women have the gold
opportunity Of setting a fne pate
Of useful living now. Let them m