ABSTRACT
The Church Congress at Reading has been carrying on discussions about women which, however unwillingly, we can only designate as a solemn farce. That the duties and responsibilities of women should be made the theme of papers and discussions by (men only, and in some cases to an audience of men only, while the only persons who are entitled to have a voice on these questions were expressly excluded from uttering an approve ing or a dissentient word would be laughable, were not this jealousy of woman's co-operation and partnership so pitiably weak. We could understand their exclusion if there had been a desire to limit the papers and speeches to members of the clerical profession, but if the laity were to be admitted at all, surely it behoved the 450National Church to show the example of impartiality, and invite the participation of all its members and all its communicants alike. At previous meetings of the Congress ladies have been permitted to read papers, and we understand that that their exclusion has been decided by the Local Committee, the only permanent stipulation being that none but bonâ fide members of the Church of England, or churches in connection with it be permitted to address the Congress. But from whatever cause proceeding it is a grave mistake, and we may safely affirm will do much to lessen the authority and depreciate the value of these conferences. So great an authority as Miss Beale of Cheltenham, for instance, wished to speak upon industrial schools for girls, but was not allowed to appear, and her paper was confided to Archdeacon Emery.
