Page:The Feminist Movement - Snowden - 1912.djvu/101

 Probably they do not mind this inglorious distinction. It is quite conceivable that they are proud of it! But to the average Briton no less than to the intelligent foreigner it is a source of complete mystification, not to say of amused contempt. The Universities of London, Wales, Liverpool, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Dublin—in short, all the great centres of learning except Oxford and Cambridge have granted equality to women and men in the matter of taking degrees.

Women have still to gain the right to enter the various theological colleges to receive special training for the ministry of the gospel. At present the office of preacher, which is occupied by thousands of women in the Salvation Army and by a few in the Unitarian and Congregational Churches, does not command the laying-on of hands which is supposed to be the sign and symbol of divine ordination. It will be necessary to show to the satisfaction of the various churches that women may have the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy, and, more than all, a divine commission to preach the gospel, ere they are allowed to enter those special schools where preparation for the ministry of religion is made.

Women may study law and take the necessary examinations, but they may not be called to the Bar. The profession of medicine