The Modern Women

Northland Age, Volume 28, Issue 58, 18 July 1928, Page 4

The Modern Women

What Would at Paul Say ? The Rev Edith Pickles, minister of Stanley Congregational Church Liverpool, had some trenchant r marks to make when interviewed by the Liverpool Daily Post on the Bishop of Durham’s speech on the place of women in the Church. She said : “Apparently, the Bishop’s greatest argument against the admission of women to the ministry is that it would mean a breach with the traditions of Christendom, but who will admit to-day, in any sphere of life that the dead hand of a past tradition is o fetter all advance and progress ? Are a tew words of St Paul, uttered to the women of Corinth in the days ot long ago, when women occupied a subordinate position, to hold good for all time ? The question is not what St Paul thought meet for the women of the first century, but what he would think meet for the women in England in the twentieth century, if he were with us now. Times have changed, and women have changed with them. Today we have women doctors, barristers, members of Parliament, and even a woman Lord Mayor. In every walk ot life women are filling positions of responsibility almost invariably satisfactorily, and sometimes with distinction. This is the era of women’s liberation from the prison house of a dead past, and it is a tragedy th it the Church, which is called to be the nursing mother of liberty, should prove the last stronghold of sex domination. But there is a more serious issue involved. To oppose the entrance of women into the ministry is to fight against the Holy Spirit. I cannot be said that women have no spiritual contribution to make to the life of to-day. God’s message is not limited to one sex but we limit His appeal by refusing to allow women to voice His message.

Women must take no one-sid-ed view of their responsibilities. They must minister to both sexes equally. If a woman is unable to do this her church will become a woman’s church and nothing more, and when that happens it is a clear indication that she has failed in her mission.”

“Mrs Pickles is in a unique position to express an opinion,” adds the Liverpool Post, “on the influence of women in the ministry, for she has been for four years in sole charge ot a church which is exceptionally well equipped for work amongst men, women and young folk. “Educated at Alexandra College Dublin, she graduated in classics at the Royal University of Ireland, and accepted the pastorate of Stanley Congregational Church, Liverpool, upon the death of her husband in 1Q24, after he had held the position of pastor for eleven years. Bv a course of study she qualified for the prefix* ‘Reverend’ and by her inspiratd ion, eloquence, and wise leadership has kept the church flourishing and progressive.”