GIRL AS A PREACHER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 241, 12 October 1931, Page 9

GIRL AS A PREACHER

MELBOURNE ‘‘TEST CASE” WOMEN’S PLACE IN CHURCH QUESTION OF ORDINATION. MELBOURNE, Oct. 1. Great interest was aroused in Melbourne last Sunday when it was announced that Miss Doreen Rita Alien, the girl preacher, would conduct tho service at Wesley Church. When she mounted the pulpit she faced a highly critical congregation and won its confidence by her charm and sincerity. if I feel that I am in a somewhat awkward position,” Miss Allen said. “Apparently I am what, you might call a test case on this thing. I did not seek it, but there it is. Still, I have very decided views about women’s place in the church. There is a great deal of prejudice against us, I know. I think that it is slowly being broken down. Women, I feel sure, could play a big part if they were admitted to the ministry. “There are special features of the work that women could handle much hotter than mon. Kvon so, I do think that tho church should bo very carotui about tho women it doos admit. One unsuitable woman, wore she ordained, could do incalculahln harm. Wo do not want to develop our women ministers along the lines of some of the ‘•cranksin America. You most ronmnibor though, that it is not wise to judge all women hv one woman. Romotimns men who have no business in tho Tpinistry are admitted.” When asked whether she thought wo’"on who had boon o rl ainod should to allowed to marrr. Miss A’len ‘•aid: “That is the burning question. MothoI d ; st practice is nil against a '•nlibnte ministrv. hut tho problem tliov are trying to solvo is what would b.nnp'n if a woman minister married a lavmnn. T supnoso T ha”O no right to suggest it. but T think women minxrerid got along all even if thov did marrv lavmon. Of course, th* nf two ordained wO’d *l ho . Ini. That wou’d give tho church two ministers for t K o nrien nf nno. An •)r*an.Tn mont like that should appeal to tho oennnniicjfq "Miss Allen exn’Tssod herself ns being wholo one of the younger n'onoration. She sn>d she could not ngroq that voung nooplo wor-> frivolous and not in*«rostod in the things fhnf mattered. That was t’-o idea fhn nhlor generation nlwavs had about the <»onorn+ion that was coming along. Rhe said she would continue her studies so ns tn fit herself for tho m‘nl«trv. and she henns; that the da-” w* 1 ’ come when s' o wi’l bn a im’”od. TTo r sermon certainly impressed tho congrega- , tion.