New-York tribune., 1872-02-12
MAGNIFYING HIS SEX.
"HE LOVED WOMEN, BUT NONE or THEN
SHOULD EVER DICTATE 70 HIM"


To the EdftOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: This morning found the above words
acIbed the Rev NJ Johnson in your report OF his
marks before the Brooklyn Presbycry in favor Of
suring the Rev D.. Cuyler for allowing MISS Smiley,
gifted member OF Society OF Friends to preach in mis-
pulpit. Now, although the Bible declares that God
created man male ard female" this clergyman
claim superiority to all women not by virtue Of his man.
hood they share that with him, but by virtue OF his
sex that is, no matter what gift nd requirements.
telectual, moral and spiritual. may be possessed Ivy
woman and no matter how conspicuous Che want
Of taese qualities may be in man, vet, because
o. his sex, she caDno. teach him authoritative
y: None of them should dictate to him" Or. 10
analyze and ampify, there is something in being a
woman which takes away weakens the authority with
which he same faculties and qualities which she pos
would be invested II possessed by one OF the
posite sex; nav man, by virtue OF the sexual
difference between him and woman, may teach her
auth0rtatiyely when she is intellectually morally.
and spiritually his superior. This is not only making
much of the presy Office. but the most of sex; and it
may seem 10 some, in the light of tho Divine declara
ton. that God created man male and female, TO be
making the least of manhood The commandment
which came with promise from Sinai, - Honor thy
father and Thy mother that thy dayslsmay be long
upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee"
addresses all unless the Rev. Mr.. johnson be eX.
cludCd by third dspcnsatiOl. Who toll how
much the influence OF mothers Is weakened among rs
by mems assumption OF Inherent superiority TO women
Women cannot be degraded as women without losing as
mothers And moherly influence cannot fail without
them together But suppose that this PROPOSED lover of
women (what gratitude hey should feel for his o0nde-
sccnding grace had been ghty captain in the
time Of tile Judges, he would have had TO submit
to the prophecies who Judged Israel: And
90" day IN Which "'ti the Lord hath DELIVERED sseTa
into thine hand" CuriOusly enough. the hesitating
cheftain lost the glory his victory glory went in
those days. at the hands of another woman who slew his
adversary. Aud, doubtless to change the scene from
sacred to Proiane history. had the Rev Mr.. Johnson
been fighting Frencbman, he would have followed Joan
had he been lIIkah. the priest, when commanded by
Josiah. the King, Go yo inquire OF the LORD ioI me-
words of this book that is found, he would have gone
Huidah, the prophecies. the wife of Shaum, who dwelt
back the grand message-nore than manly in It's
tempt OF mere royalty: Thus saith the Lord God OF
Israel, tell the man that sent you TO me-"
And yet the Rev Mr. Johnson is reported 10 have said
that che did not conceive II possible that the Bible
Why, without thinking OF IT, he has probably tried to
preach himself from the uterances Of inspired wOmeu
sponse OF the Blessed Virgin. And has he not read of
Anna a widow OF about ourscorc and four ears who
ing and prayers night and day" "eIve thanks likewise
to the Lord, when Jesus was bOrn and spakc OF him
TO all them that looked for redemption III Jerusalem -
rnanation f tSe Pentecdsa worcrS I viii I'Ds nonr m
out my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
and 1u nv hSndmeiP viii nonr out in those davs
OF my spirit and they shall prOphesyl" IL would he
interesting TO have tue Rev. Mr. Johnson, any other
cergym who would crcumscribe Gods influence. ex.
be vailed aud should have power on their heads be-
OI the angels for the explanation would involve
the condition OF women aud the prevailing ideas and
habits TO sexual relations, in the Gentle world, and
also the important theological question whether rules
laid down la the Bible under certain circumstances
intended 20 be- should be- of perpetual application
without reference TO changed conditions. When Peter
had broken the Mosaic law and eaten with the unercum
cSed, he said To them OF the circumcision 1.-THE teralsts
who COnteDded with him: " "EOtasmuCh then as God
gave them the like gifts lie dd unto us who believed
ON the Lord Jesus Christ what was that could with
stand GOdP Aiterward. when certain Jewish Christians
earnestly argued FOR enforcing the law OF Moses
the GENTLE converts, the decision of the Apostles
based upon the Of God in his dealings with
not upon the letter OF the Old Testament, hut upon "A
deyOut recognition OF taCts-and IL was announced with
this remarkable preamble For Il seemed good TO the
Holy Ghost and 10 us-not whereas Moses being
diviney inspired has ordained" In the spirit OF Chris
tian liberty the important question for this praCtca,
age IN the matter OF Women In the Pulpit Is whetheE
authority Ia teach should he dependent the wsdos
and goodness or ON the of the teacher And, IN
oden times God reads us lessons OF HIS Will in this 0at
ter by the gifts aud graCes which He beStows HIS
sons and daughters and by the circumstances in which
lie places them. C.K
Aelc- York, Feb. z. 1870