Q.-Will you please say, through the " Bible Treasury," whether, in your judgment, 1 Cor. 11:1-17 (re sisters covering heads) may be applied to a Bible reading in a private house, which is private in character? Also, whether, in such a reading, it is proper for sisters to pray? Such a meeting is not to be regarded as an "assembly" gathering, is it? Your reply in the May issue, if possible, will be appreciated. J. M.
A.-We should never confound a " Bible reading" with an " assembly meeting." The character of each is altogether different and distinct. For the freedom of speech and asking of questions which pertains to a Bible reading is altogether disallowable in a meeting of " assembly." Whilst, however, there is this freedom, and more or less conversational character, which obtains in the reading meeting, women, nevertheless, have their suited conduct which, in general, is " to be in silence." " The men " may pray in every place, lifting up holy hands; not so women, who (not in dress only, but) in seemly deportment, should be adorned with " modesty and sobriety." It would be a contradiction of this if women were to pray in public. We can well understand the liberty of a mother praying with her children at home, and that scripture does not call upon her in such a case to cover her head either then, or, as it appears to me, in the reading of God's word at " family prayer." But in a Bible reading, where men are present, even if held in a " private " house, would not this assume a " public " character? And if so, comeliness would call for the covering of the head on the part of the women as well as (need we say?) for their silence whether of prayer or speech.