The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-01

The first part Of THE Wonan's Bible
has been published. and the design OF the
whole made manifest. IL is not IN edition
OF the Bible revised to bring out the equal
Ivy OF woman. but a very clever analysis
Of passages relating TO the sex. Although
the first part on Genesis, Exc
dus. Leviticus. Numbers and Deuteron-
orny, probably most interest centers on
Genesis. wherein the relations between
man and woman are established by the
highest authority in Christian dogma.
In the Introduction. Elizabeth Cady
Stanton briefly sums the position OF wo-
man as defined by the Bible. According 10
this the Bible teaches that woman brought
sin and death into the world. that she pre-
clpltated the fall OF the race. that she
was arraigned before the judgment seat
OF heaven. tried. condemned and sen
fenced. Marriage for her was TO be a
condition OF bondage. maternity a period
OF suffering and anguish. and In silence
and subsection she was to play the role
OF a dependent on mans bounty for all
her material wants. and for all the infor-
nation she might desire on the vital ques-
tons OF the hour she was commanded
to ask her husband at home. Following
this. the canon and civil law, church and
state. priests and legislators. all political
parties and religious denominations have
alike taught hat woman was made after
man, OF man. and for man, an inferior
being, subject to man. Creeds. codes.
Scriptures and statutes. are all based on
this idea The fashions. forms. cere-
monies and customs of society, church
ordinances and discipline. all grow out
OF this idea.
Admitting the grand truth taught by the
Book Of Books. Miss Stanton makes the
following bold declaration OF belief which
forms the foundation Of the work she has
undertaken: The only points" she says,
lin which 1 differ from all ecclesiastical
teaching is that I do not believe that any
nan ever saw or talked with God: / do
not believe that God inspired the Mosaic
code. or told the historians what they
say he did about woman. for ell the reli-
glons on the face of the earth degrade
her: and SO long as woman accepts the
position that they assign her. her enamel
patton is impossible. Whatever the Bible
may be made to do in Hebrew or Greek.
in plain English It does not exalt and dig
nifty woman"
The comments cite Genesis 1868, par
tlcularly the declaration: God cre-
ated mar in His own image. in the image
OF God treated He him: male and female
created lie them. And God blessed them
and God said unite them. BE fruitful and
multiply . and nave dominion over
. every living thing that moveth upon
the earth" In this 1t is claimed is de-
clared the eternity and equality OF sex.
but nothing OF the dominion OF man over
woman. Referring then 10 the two appar-
emily inconsistent accounts given OF the
creation in Genesis. and 10 their revision
by modern theoiogiaus out OF the Elohistlc
and lahoist.c versions. the
claim for woman the right Of Judgment N
the equality OF the sexes, Adams "
words are quoted: This Is bone Of my
bone ana flesh Of my flesh" in which is
no suggestion Of s-uAordination.
The dramatic scene in the garden Of
Eden. leading mp TO the fan of man. IS
vigorously dcalt Nil After relating the
familiar story. Miss stanton says:
Ia this prolonged interview. the un-
prejudiced reader must be impressed with
the courage. the dignity, and the lofty
ambition of the woman. The tempter evl-
IDENTIFY had a profound knowledge Of hu-
man nature. ana saw at a glance the high
character az tao person lie met by chance
IN his walks in the garden. He did not
try 70 tempt her from the path Of duty
by brilliant Jewels. rich dresses. worldly
~luxur.es or pleasures, but With the prom
ise q kuowie5ge. with the wisdom Of the
! gods. Like Socrates or Plato. his powers
( q conversation and asking pulling ques-
tl1us. We're 10 doubt marvellous. and he
reused !u the woman that intense thirst
Tor knowledge th5t the simple pleasures
OF picking flowers and talking with Adam
dd not satisfy. Compared with Adam she
appears TO great advantage through the
entire drama"
TIE ready acquiesce7ce 81 Adam comes
IN Tor its share OF condemnation. but the
most scathjns eomment Is reserved for
LIS excuses;
The subsequent conduct OF Adam was
to the last degree d~astar5ly. When the
aEfal time os reckoning comes. and the
Jehovah God appears 30 demand Nhy HIS
command has been d~-sobeyed. Adam en-
beavers % shield himself behind the gen
tie being he has declared 70 Re 50 dear.
The woman Thou gavest to tie with me.
she save me ara / did eat he wines
trying TO shield himself az his w.fe's ex-
/ pense. Again We are amazed that apoa
such a story men ave ouirt up a theovy
OF Their superiority
The intense interest IN these rassares
IS not eclipsed by the later chapters. but
Il VIII oe easy 70 demonstrate that the
enurs work is based upon ar erroneous
Idea weEan IS not the inferior " man.
sui her sGocrdius;ion arises from 10
divine - human law. but through varying
customs ard conditions wAerever elvlll-
sAuon reached. woman has always been
regarded as the equal II not the superior
! 81 man m many respects. Mere brute
strength has often sslSAi - Araas woman