Newspaper Page Text
April 24, 1912]
WOMAN SECRETARY
Below will be found some words of
approval from ministers who believe the
request for a Woman Secretary of "Worn,
an's Work is scriptural, in harmony with
our standards, and should be granted.
Rev. Jno. F. Cannon, D. D., ex-Moderator
General Assembly, member Executive
Committee Foreign Missions, Alternate
Permanent Committee of Systematice
Beneficence:
"I am in favor of the Overture, and
believe it has clear Scriptural and Constitutional
warrant."
Rev. Egbert W. Smith, D. D., Secretary
of the Executive Committee of Foreign
.Missions:
"A thoroughly competent woman as
General Secretary of Woman's Work
would find a great and needy field, especially
in the unifying and systematizing
of the women's organizations in our
churoh."
Rev. James I. Vance, D. D., Chairman
of the Executive Committee of Foreign
Missions:
"One of the most hopeful signs on
the missionary horizon is the increasing
activity on the part of the women of the
church in organizing their work on as
effective a basis as possible. The
scheme to put a woman secretary in the
field is one that will commend itself to
the church."
Rev. J. T. Plunket, D. D., ex-Moderator
of the General Assembly, member of
Committee of Home Missions:
"I sincerely trust that our General
Assembly will grant the request of the
Woman's Missionary Union of Missouri
for a General Secretary of woman's
work in Missions. Such a secretary is
but the logical development of our woman's
Presbytterlal and Synodical Unions.
Consistency in our policies as well as
the realization of the highest efficiency
in the organized endeavor of our consecrated
women seems to demand it."
Rev. J. W. Bachman, D. D., ex-Moderator
of General Assembly, Chairman of
the Committee of Systematic Beneficence:
"I like the move of your Union. Jt is
in the right direction and with a loyalty
that makes us glad and proud. I trust
me Asaemoiy win give me secretary to
lead to greater efficiency."
Rev. E. M. Green, D. D., ex-Moderator
of the General Assembly:
"The women of our church form so
large a proportion of its membership
and their work Is so important that we
cannot afford not to utilize this power
to the utmost. There needs to be wise
organization, systematic plans and intelligent
leadership. The women of the
Missouri Synodical Union are moving in
the right direction."
Rev. W. R. I>obyns, D. D., Vice-Ohairman
Permanent Committee of Systematic
Beneficence:
"The Overture for a Woman Secretary
of Woman's Work has my cordial
approval. The unification, education,
and concentration of the women's organizations
would be productive of lasting
results. This can only be done by
a Secretary of marked ability?a woman
among women."
Rev. S. M. Neel, D. D., ex-Moderator
of the General Assembly:
"The movement to secure a Woman's
Secretary of Woman's Work for Home
and Foreign Missionary Work in the
Presbyterian Churdh, U. S., appears to
have every reason in favor of It, and
not one against it. I hope and pray
that the plan may be approved, and
adopted hv nilr Oonernl AM?m.hlv this
year."
Dr. H. H. Sweets, Secretary of the
Executive Committee of Christian Education
and Ministerial Relief:
"I earnestly hope that the request
which the Ladles' Unions have made ol
the General Assembly for a General
Secretary of Woman's Work will be
THE FRESBTTERIi
FOR WOMAN'S WORK
granted. 1 believe that Bucfa a work
under the joint direction of the four
Executive Committees of the General
Assembly will be able to accomplish
wonders in systematizing, unifying and
developing along all lines, the woman's
work in our church.
"The General Assembly has intro
duced up-to-date business methods in
the other departments of her work.
She would not lag behind with regard
to this important part of her forces."
Dr. A. L. Phillips, D. D., Secretary
Executive Committee of Publication:
"I am out and out in favor of the
paper adopted by the Missouri Synod."
Dr. S. L?. Morris, D. D., Secretary of
the Executive Committee of Home Missions:
"I most heartily approve of your plan
for having a General Secretary to unify
the whole work of Home and Foreign
Missions. In order that there may be
harmony and co-operation her field,
I understand, will Include all phases of
Mission work."
Dr. Homer MoMlllan, D. D., Secretary
of the Executive Committee of Home
Missions:
"I am thoroughly in sympathy with
the request of She Missouri Synodical
Union for a General Secretary of Woman's
Work. It is not only deserving
recognition, but it will serve to unify
and advance all the Missionary causes
of the church."
Dr. J. G. Snedecor, Secretary Executive
Committee of Home Missions:
"Considering the enormous work
done by women in the support of all
our benevolent causes it seems unjust
and unwise to have given her so little
recognition in the administration of
these funds, and so little encouragement
in their collection. I approve the
proposal to have a Secretary of Woman's
Work to include in their activities
all lines of benevolent effort."
Rev. R. O. Flinn, D. D., member of
ex-Committee of Home Missions and
Secretary of the Permanent Committee
of Systematic Beneficence:
"The plan suggested for a General
CammNifV WAmen'o TX U.W ?...
uwicim j iui vriiian o trui i\ liao iiiy
cordial approval. I believe the time
is opportune, the office is needed, and
the method is wise and scriptural."
Rev. Chas. R. Nisbet, D. D? pastor
Central church, Kansas City, Mo.:
"Because the Overture proposes no
new organization, directs that the -work
to be done shall be under the authority
and control of the church
courts; because of our need of more
efficient direction of our woman's work,
and because our most consecrated and
loyal women feel their need of help and
make this request, I am in favor of the
proposed Overture."
Rev. Ernest Thompson, D. D., pastor
First Presbyterian churdh. Charleston.
W. Va.:
"The plan to appoint a woman General
Secretary of Woman's Work in our
church commends itself to me very
strongly. I can see much good to be
accomplished and no harm."
Mr. R. E. Magill, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Committee of Publication
:
"I think there will be no serious objection
to the plan of work contemplated
by your Committee when it is understood
that you are keeping within Scriptural
bounds and not attempting to
usurp functions belonging to the pastors.
Session or other church officers,
i A glance at your "Questions and An
swers" clears the atmosphere as to any
i m-isapprefoension."
Mr. John C. Munce, member of the
Committee of Systematic Ben?flc$nce:
t "The Overture asking the appointf
ment of a General Secretary of WomI
an's Missionary Work has my very
i hearty approval From wihat I knovr of
IN OF THE SOUTH
the splendid work that has been done
by women in connection with all our
missionary movements, Home and Foreign,
and the interest they have taken
in them, I can see only good to follow
such an intelligent and capable direction
of study and methods and co-operative
work as is proposed. You can rely
on my very cordial and hearty help
in fnr^hnrirnr thn mtiMor "
Mr. Wm. T. Hardle, member of the
Committee of Systematic Beneficence:
"The Overture has my approval."
Judge S. D. Weakley, member of the
Committee of Systematic Beneficence:
"It seems to me that the movement
should meet with success."
Dr. J. L. Howe, member of the Committee
of Systematic Beneficence:
"I sincerely hope that the General
Assembly will see its way clear to grant
your Overture, and that it will result
in a great stimulus to the already grand
work that is being done by the women
of our church."
ur. j. w. Moseiey, jr., member or tne
Systematic Beneficence Committee:
'II am in hearty sympathy with the
effort to increase the efficiency of the
work of the women in the Presbyterian
Church, U. S., by the appointment of a
General Secretary for such work in the
bounds of the Assembly.
Rev. Thos. P. Hay, D. D., member of
the Assembly's Committee of Systematic
Beneficence:
"I approve of the Overture as safe
and conservative with the safe guards
and limitations which the plan contains;
and it is wise, timely and needful in its
aim to unify and develop the great worn
of our women and to extend and organize
their activities in all the benevolent
causes of our Assembly. It follows
naturally and hopefully the inauguration
of the Assembly's new plan of
systematic beneficence."
uawv uiiu i pppruvvainve citv
.UilM.ll a. w il "
CERNING THE REQUEST FOR A
WOMAN SECRETARY OF
WOMAN'S WORK.
The Missionary Society of Waynesboro
church has published resolutions
opposing the appointment of a secretary
for woman's work. Briefly summed up
their reasons for such objections are as
follows:
1st. They believe that the majority of
our women are opposed to the Overture.
2nd. The appointment would lead to
a Woman's Board.
3rd. If our present departments were
developed, we would need no secretary
4th. That the General Assembly and
Synod of Virginia have refused to en
dorse the request.
5th. In advocating this plan, we are
exceeding the Scriptural hounds of
woman's work.
Ij?t us consider these reasons separately.
1st. Upon what facts does this Society
found this belief, that a majority of our
women oppose the Overture?
The presidents of all of our Synodical
organizations have given R hearty
approval. Every Synodical organization
that has met since the Overture was
presented has given it unalmous approval,
and we have every reason to
neneve tne otner two will roiiow.
Thlrty-flve Presbyterial Unions have
given unanimous approval, and each
weeks adds new names to the list. The
number of individual societies approving
are numlbered by the score. In the
hundreds of letters received since the
Overture was framed, but three dissenting
voices have been heard. The hearty
approval of so large a number of women
of our Church is a strong argument
to prove that they believe the General
Secretary will fill a long existing need
in our mission work.
2nd. "The appointment would lead
to a Woman's Board." We quote from
(477) 17
our Overture concerning one of the
dutieB of the desired secretary.
"To organize the women into local
societies and into Presbyterial and
Synodlcal Unions under Sessional Presbyterial
and Synodlcal control."
"We desire this Secretary to work
under whatever efficient supervision the
General Assembly shall direct through
its Executive Committees."
And finally, lest there might be some
misunaersxanaing or our position at the
close of the leaflet containing the Overture,
and "Reasons Why a General Secretary
is Needed'" we find the following
positive and definite statements.
We are NOT asking more AUTHORITY.
We are NOT asking the HANDLING
OF FUNDS.
We are NOT asking the CREATION
OF ANY NEW AGENCY.
We ARE asking MORE EFFICIENCY
through BETTER ORGANIZATION
AND CLOSER UNION OF OUR
FORCES.
Could any office safeguarded by such
limitations tend toward the organization
of an independent board? But lest some
may tbink the Overture does not voice
the desire of the women of the church,
may we state in unmistakeable words:
(a). "Because it is opposed to the
Scriptures as taught by the Presbyterian
Church, U. S.
(>b). Because the latest books and
best informed mission workers unite in
declaring that a separate organization
impedes the work and lessens its efficiency.
The appointment of a woman secretary
unaer the above-named supervision
will not only lead to an independent
board, but by giving us all needed organization
and efficiency will do away
with all possibility of such a plan.
3rd. If our present departments
were developed, there would be no need
for a Secretary?
If our work as now administered
under four departments were developed
to its highest degree of efficiency, there
would still exist, that lack of unity in
our work, which is so deplorable. The
Church at large is striving to bring
about closer union of its causes. The
mission work of the women feels keenly
the same need. It can only be met by
some office which unites in itself all the
causes for which the women's societies
now work.
But it is a fact that our present departments
are doing for us as effective
work as is possible when the needed
link between them and the women
is missing. Our leaders In the Executive
offices feel this lack. Is it not a
significant fact that every one of the
eight secretaries who administer our
mission work is enthusiastically in
favor of the Overture? Would these
practical business workers in our mission
offices unanimously endorse a
superfluous office?
4th. The Svnod of Vireinia has in
deed withheld its approval of our Overture,
but the General Assembly will for
the first time have presented to it in
May an Overture for a Woman General
Secretary for Woman's work in our
Church.
5 and 6. "We are exceeding the
Scriptural bounds of Woman's \#ork."
The women of Missouri stand shoulder
to shoulder with the women of Virginia
in the conviction that woman has
her own world and work, and that this
work has not to do with authority in
o/t/tlnaiao^inol n *
cwiooinovioai luanci o.
But we do not believe that division of
work excuses slothfulness. We are willing
to assume our responsibility in the
the material affairs of life. Shall we
do less in the Master's work?
Our Assembly has approved our Preshyterlal
and Synodlcal organization. It
is OUIR duty to see that they are car(Contlnued
on Page 21.)