FEMALE PREACHING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2830, 20 April 1882, Page 2

FEMALE PREACHING.

[To .the Editor.]

Sir, —I also, as a student of the Bible, had scruples similar to your correspondent, “ A Believer in Practice as well as Preaching,” founded on the scriptures he quotes. The question, is by no means so easily settled as he would desire your readers to think. In Acts 21, verse 9, it is is stated that Philip the Evangelist “ had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy ” In Ist Corinthians, chapter 2nd, verse 5, is the following : “ But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonored! her head." In Philippians, chapter 4, verse 3, Paul exhorts one whom he calls his true yoke-fellow to “ Help those women which labored with me in the Gospel.” Thus women prophesying and engaging in Gospel work is sanctioned by the word. As to the scriptures quoted by your correspondent, they do not seem to me to forbid “ Female preaching.” The meetings now being held in the building called the Presbyterian Church, are not meetings of the church, either; of the Church of God as found in the Bible, or of any section of God’s people calling themselves a church, and it is in such a meeting only that they are forbidden to teach. Further, preaching the Gospel is not teaching ; the two are distinct gifts, the former being for tho benefit of the unconverted, the latter for believers. As to teaching, however, in Acts 18.26 we find Priscilla taught Apollos. The result would seem to be that women are forbidden to teach in the church, are allowed to prophesy and engage in Gospel work but are not forbidden (though expressly enjoined) to preach the Gospel publicly. The woman of Samaria did something very like it however, without approval, John, 4th chapter, verses 28 and 29. The real difficulty, in ray mind, is subjection, or usurping authority. As to this, however, we seem to bo living in days similar to those described in the Book of Judges when every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and then we find God raised up Deborah to judge Israel. With these objections in my mind I have been twice to hear Mrs Hampson, and if your correspondent has not, I advise him to do so. She has essentially the gift of an evangelist—unbounded faith, and earnest persevering love for souls. Is it a gift from God or not ? There can be but One answer. I£ it is Jfrom God who am I to say she shall not exercise her gift in the way she does ? If it is a shame for women to speak in the Church, ought not wo men to be ashamed that none of us have the faith and earnestness that Mrs Hampson has ? That is the secret of success in this work as in every other. Had not your correspondent been so positive in the inference which he draws from the Scriptures he quotes, I might not have troubled you, but as it is I trust you will not refuse these few remarks a place in your columns.—l am, &c.,

A Bible Student,