The Preaching of Women.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 215, 17 September 1901, Page 3

The Preaching of Women.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sik, — In my postscript tho expression “divine principle (better divine principles " —the s was unfortunately missed by the copyist) was not used in tho vague way your correspondent “ Hopeful ” would use it. One would -have thought that there could have been no difficulty in understanding its force to be, God's wiil expressed in God-given specific words

(i. Corinthians, 2nd chapter, 13th verse), “ Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing (or communicating) spiritual things by spiritual (means),” —as against mere human opinion expressed in merely humanly-selected words. If this be a narrow interpretation of inspiration, it is nevertheless the claim made and established by the Holy Writings them-

selves. I am aware that “higher ” critics, evolutionists, new religionists, and others, reject the claims of Holy Scripture, but what Ho promised with His mouth He will perform with His hand. i. Kings vni., 2-1. Here one might pause for a moment, and ask whether it bo honest for a correspondent to manufacture an expression, then put it in inverted commas, and charge home to another the product of his own imaginings, as though the expression were the very words used by that other'? And yet this is what your correspondent “ Hopeful ” has not scrupled to do. He would try to make your readers believe that certain words put into my mouth by himself were my own. And then “ Hopeful ” goes on to chargo mo with profanity for using an expression which ho himself has forged. Just a remark by the way: the term “ profanity ” seems altogether to bo misapprehended by him. It means to make common holy things, and it may be left to your readers to judge at whoso door such a charge could lie.

Sir, six months ago this very day, there appoarod in your columns a letter headed “ Jerusalem, tho Natural Capital of the World,” and signed C. I’. W. Longdill. In the early part of that lotter, the writer alludes to a former article by his pen, “The Federation of tho World,” etc. Now, why do I mention this just now? Because, sir, here is now an echo from a secular source of what was divinely foretold two thousand years ago. As to the federation of tho world, which this writer says is coming to pass, read Revelations xm., 3rd verso (part):—

“ And all the world wondered after the beast (the boast being the head of the Confederation), Russia and the NorthEastern Powers being outside that confederation, having a confederacy of their own (Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 3"9.) And again Revelations xvn., 13th verso, “ These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto tho beast.” 17th verse, “ For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil His will and to agree, and to give their kingdom unto the beast. . . until tho Word of God shall be fulfilled.” As to Jerusalem becoming the capital of the whole earth, read Jeremiah, 3rd chapter, 17th verse, “ At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord: and all the Nations shall ho gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord to Jerusalem." That this will he, however, subsequent to devastating judgments we see from Zachariah, reading from the 12th to tho 14th chapters, inclusive. Need it he pointed out to your readors how all this is tending to fulfilment under our very eyes ? Look at the position of -things in the East. Look at the position- of things in the West, and look at things in Palestine itself —all rushing towards the establishment of the Word given by the Holy Spirit to holy men chosen of

God as vessels of His Word. “ Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times, things that are not yet done saying, My Counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”— Isaiah, 46c, lOv. If it be asked what has all this to do with the “ preaching of women ” ? the answer is that when that practice could not bo maintained from Seripturo then the question was also made an occasion for an attack upon the inspiration of the Word.—l am, etc., Vox. Sept, 16th.

(To the Editor of Times.) Sib,—Your correspondent “Vox” complains of me for not adhering to the subject in hand, and overflows himself with quotations on other subjects. His style and spirit in commenting on “ Hopeful ” exhibits a want of that charity that vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, and reminds one of the Pharisees and the man born blind, “ Thou wast altogether born in sin, and dost thou teach us?” But it was the spirit and prayer of the Publican, not the Pharisee, that was commended by Him of whom the soldiers sent to take Him, testified, “ Never man spake like this man.” He now commissions his servants and his handmaidens by the guidance and teaching of His Divine spirit, to proclaim the glad tidings that he is able and anxious to save all who are willing to enlist under His banner, fight the good fight of Faith, and obtain eternal Salvation through believing in Him, and by obeying His teachings.—l am, etc., J. Peckovek.