WOMEN PREACHERS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 7 May 1919, Page 4

WOMEN PREACHERS.

A CHANGE IN CUSTOM,

A woman in the pulpit is an even more unusual sight in England than in New Zealand, but; there are indications that custom is slowly changing in this . respect. Even in the Church of England there is visible an inclination to recognise women preachers. The inclination has not yet gone very far — that would be too much to expect, but expression has been given to it, in a guarded manner, in no less influential a quarter than the Upper House of Convocation. At a meeting of that | House in February the Bishop of Ely moved: “In order that fuller use may be ■made in the Church’s service of the . gifts and experience of women, this ! House makes the following reeommen- ! dation, viz.. ‘That under conditions j laid down bvStlie bishop of the dioec.-c 'it should be permissible for women duly qualified and approved by him lo speak and pray in consecrated buildings at services or meetings for prayer or instruction other than the regular and appointed services of the Church.’ ’’ 1 The mover mentioned that they found women speaking in regard- to social causes - and -political -matters—as indeed they have done-for many years past. They had. in the bishop’s opin- ' ion, a wonderful evangelistic gift, and there were indications that'ilicy ought to have a larger and more recognised place in the ministrations of the Church.