The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-02

Mrs. Stthtnu' itUoi u ''-- W. Afi' 49,
Lady Henry Somerset.
This letter was sent by Elizabeth Cady
stanton to Lady Henry Somerset and
Miss Frances Willard in regard to the
''Woman's Bible" Many Of the evangel-
ical women. Mrs. Stanton says. are with
drawing from the committee on the
ground that her comments are not suf-
hciently reverent. Miss Willard wrote
to Mrs. Stanton on April 9th, saying that
as she and Lady h. Somerset would be
out of the country for the greater part OF
next year. the committee had better not
include them. Miss Willard wrote in
reference TO the Bible" mo eXegesis
will ever be accepted by the women OF
the churches which is not endorsed by
their leading women. They feel that the
Bible, as the word of God must be hand
led by those who regard 1t as such, in
order TO evolve such a result as they are
willing to look upon with any degree OF
confidence. OF course they would lOOa
upon the exegesis Of men with more
confidence than that Of any wOman-no
matter who they were-because the cler-
~ have no long been regarded by them
Is the special channel of communication
50 far as the sacred Oracles are concern
ed A minority OF the women Of the
churches do not hold this latter view;
they believe in the right Of private judg-
ment. no matter whether the one who
does the Judging is a man or a woman.
This is my own opinion, and | believe is
becoming more and more the opinion
Of bth the men and women OF the
churches"
Mrs. Stantons answer TO Miss Willard
is as follows:
&c west Sixty-sixth Street.
New York. May q.
Dear Lady Somerset and Miss France.
Willard: Your letter withdrawing from
the Revising Committee just received.
hope you will reconsider and give the
"Woman's Bible" the influence Of your
mature thought on the Scriptures has re-
vealed. 1t has all along been my idea
TO have all phases Of thought represented
In this work-Protestant. Catholic. jew.
Gentle evangelical and liberal-fairly
giving the views Of the educated wO-
men of the nineteenth century as 10 the
significance and authority Of the teach
ings Of the Bible with reference 10 the
position Of woman. To this end / invited
representative women 10 join a commit
tee and eminent on some one book Of
their wn choice. each over her own name
with the added privilege I criticisine
each other. To do this II was necessary
for each one to publish chapter by chap
ter. TO read and criticise each other. that
when the work was completed. and we
came together for the final decision by
vote. as TO what should and what should
not be accepted. We should all know
what each member had written and
what points were open for discussion.
With this knowledge and preparation the
debates would be more clear and concise
and the proceedings of the General AS
scmbly more harmonious and much short
fnfr 60 ...fft B. q
other, only those who could stand a diff
ference Of opinion would come into the
assembly Hence the good policy of
knowing something OF each others views
before meetinf in convention.
As to the friends Of whom YOU speak
the very fact that they do differ from me
is the reason | desire their opinions. ex-
plantations. and interpretations | would
like 10 know what they mean by the
Bible being the "Word of Cod"
Do they mean that the last revised edi-
.tion Of 1888 gives us in plain English.
from Genesis TO Revelation. the highest
moral, spiritual supreme thought in the
universe? That would be my idea of the
Word Of God" and | would naturally
adopt the most reverend language TO the
highest truths OF religion. science. phi
losopny, ana government and TO the
great Creator Of the universe Of matter
and mind. But If they mean the God of
the Hebrews as represented in the Penta-
teuch, His commands TO that ignorant
people as 10 their private lives. their
treatment OF each other and neighborng
tribes. and the wholesale Dissertation OF
woman are true. my comments are in APP
propriate language, condemnatory and
dlsparaging as they should be. Neither
the language. the sentiment. nor facts
recorded could command the reverence of
any honest mind. You surely cannot con-
sider that record of an ignorant. unde-
Vei0ped race too sacred for criticism be-
cause bound in the same volume with
much that is true and beautiful. To con-
denim the peccadilloes OF Sarah. Rebecca,
ana Rachael does not shadow the virtues
OF Deborah. Huldah, and Nashti.
To repudiate the general tone OF The
Pentateuch, its laws and customs for wo-
men. and the female OF all animal life
as unit even for a burnt Offering. does
not lessen the force OF the golden rule
and the ten commandments.
* does not develop the reasoning pow
ers OF women nor pure religious faith
10 yield a blind reverence 10 a book or
bishop. when half they teach is immor-
al and unjust. This perversion OF the re-
Igious element In womans nature is
to-day the greatest block to advancing
civilization. 1t v the fear Af tAA h'L-A