The Woman Question
The Committee on Discipline male a partial report, concerning the question of woman's right to serve as a deacon. Miss Martha A. McConnell was elected a deacon in the McKeesport congregation. Session asked Presbytery for her ordination, but inasmuch as it raised an entirely new question, Presbytery preferred to send the matter up to Synod for a decision. The case was by Synod referred to the Committee on Discipline, who reported as follows:
“Pittsburgh Presbytery refers the question of the right of woman to ordination to the office of deacon, from McKeesport congregation to Synod. Your Committee would reply that we know of nothing either in nature or in the word of God that forbids such an ordination.
“J. C. Smith
James Kennedy
J. C. McFeeters
Wm. Dearness
J. D. George”
This report was received, adn on a motion, discussion ensued for probably two hours, a brief of which we give herewith:
Rev. D. S. Faris thought a woman might be a deacon by service but not by ordination, and that the Scripture was positive in its opposition.
Rev. J .B. Williams thought there was much work in a congregation which men couldn't and wouldn't do that women are ready and able to do. He favored the ordination of Miss M. A. McConnell.'
Rev. T. P. Stevenson thought man's constitutional precedence over woman was sufficiently assured, so that he need not jealously guard against its loss, because, no matter what rights are granted to woman, she cannot overpass natural limitations. He believed the Bible provided that a woman might occupy the position of deacon, being regularly ordained as such, and he thought the time had come for the restoration to woman of her right in this matter - that the church's finances would be the better for it.
Dr. H. H. George thought Rev. D. S. Faris had misinterpreted Scripture, in that he mistook the meaning of the word usurpation. He thought that woman may do anything wherein she does not usurp authority over man.
Rev. David McFall wanted to speak a word for Deborah. He thought man and woman were given equal authority.
Rev. J. S. T. Milligan thought that the question did not involve the position of authoritative rule; he thought it eminently proper to have a woman serving as deacon for certain work. He thought it in harmony with the law of God and the need of nature.
Elder Gilchrist gave two illustrations of practical work done by women in his neighborhood, showing their splendid ability as Christian workers.
Rev. James Kennedy maintained first that there is as much authority in the New Testament for deaconesses as there is for baptizing women or permitting them to commune at the Lord's table; second, that it shows there is work in the church which women can do better than any man; and third, that ordination does not confer power to preach, but simply certifies as to election. He would rather place his hand in ordination on the head of a woman as deacon than on the head of many a man elected to a higher office.
At this point a recess was taken until seven o'clock…
[Synod for a time discussed a resolution discussing a jury summons]
The question of ordaining a woman to the office of deacon was at this point resumed. A motion was made to lay the whole matter on the table until next Synod, and under this motion the debate went on.
Dr. H. P. McClurkin insisted that according to Scripture, male and female, we are all one in Christ Jesus. He was strongly in favor of the report - was even willing to ordain women to preach.
Prof. D. B. Willson thought the unanimity of Synod indicated the unanimity of the church at large to accept woman's services in the church. We have got to get rid of this prejudice against the equality of man and woman. We took the right position on the slavery question, and he was glad the church had got so far forward in this great truth, that God intends to use man and woman in advancing of his cause.
The motion to postpone was lost, and the original report was amended to read, " That in our judgment the ordination of a woman as deacon is in harmony with the New Testament and the Constitution of the Apostolic Church." The Report thus amended was adopted by a rising vote of 93 to 24.
On motion the Revs. Dr. James Kennedy and T. P. Stevenson were requested to prepare an article on this question and publish it in the church magazines.