The morning times., 1896-01-27

Rev. DR.. Alexander Kent preached at
the Peoples Church last night ia king
for his theme THE woman's Bible"
The following are extracts from his
sermon:
II am sorry to say at the outset that
] think the title exceedingly unfortunate;
not merely because il conveys the impression
that it is written in polemical spirit,
and, hike the old one, under the influence
of sex prejudicc. nor because IL will need
lessly offend many who hold the Bible
as the word OF God, but because the book
itseif-eyen If finished in accordance
with the ori ginal purpose-will in no
sense justify the title.
1T is only a collection Of comments
on few detached passages of the Bible
that refer in some way to woman.
NOT EVEN A COMMENTARY
1T, therefore, not even a commentary
upon the Bible. 1t is only a commentary
upon these disconnected passages that re-
fer to women. and should have been pub
lished under some title indicating this fact;
nevertheless l hereby welcome the book,
or rather that portion OF it already pub
lished."
OF the new book. saying of Elizabeth Cady
Stanton that she does her work in a very
rigorous, fearless and plain spea king way
.'She is not burdened," he said, with
any inheritance from orthodoxy, or any
reverence for ecclesiastical institutions, or
priestly functionsries."
In speaking OF Clara B. Colby. he said:
Mrs. Colby brings to her part of the
work, which is perhaps next in its pro-
portions TO that of Mrs. Stanton. more
reverent style and Catholic spirit. She
inclines naturally to the more favorable
construction
Her general estimate of the Bible makes
her more expectant of good, in the main
and her sympathy enables her to find it
where Miss Stanton does not.
IF the church has occasion to mourn the
publication of their own convictions of duty
this involved a sense of guilt, which no
one would willingly incur.
Hence the church has been able to hold
the great body OF religious women until
very recently in bondage to thought which
tends to tyrrany in man and slavery In
women"
WOMAN AND THE CHURCH.
by the church in what ii calls her tiivinely
ordained sphere and those reared in the
old belief have not been able to emancipate
themselves.
He quoted Mrs. Stanton, wherein she says
all authorities and teachings have made wo-
men the inferior of man and subject to the
will of man, and to free themselves from the
thraldom thrown around them by tradition
Ia
the teaching and authority of the Bible,
hence the origin OF the woman's Bible.
But Mrs. Stanton puts some very peril
nent questions at this point, which those
who think woman's attempt to revise the
Scriptures ridiculous, do well to consider.
..She asks why it is more ridiculous for
woman to protest against her present
status in the Old and New Testament in the
ordinances and discipline OF the church
than in the statutes and constitution of a
State?
why is it more ridiculous to arraign
ecclesiastics for their false teachings than
members OF Congress?
why is ii more audacious TO review
Moses than Blackstone. the Jewish code
or laws than the English system of juris-
prudence?
''Woman's position in the state is but
the outcome of her status in the Bible, as
that has been interrupted by the church.
.It remains for the intelligent women
OF this day 10 deal with the whole Bible
as Jesus dealt with the scriptures of His
time. He revercd the truth in them. He
reverenced the powers of His own soul.
by which He could distinguish truth from
error"
REVIEWING THE REVIEWERS.
DIR. Kent reviewed the comments In the |
new Bible at some length and the criticisms
Of writers, and said:
'.They may not have gone about their |
work in the best possible way, bat they can |
not fail to oren the eyes of great many. |
It is TO te hoped that in the succeeding |
portion of the book they will be able to |
show that the great principles of religion
as set forth in the Old Testament as well
as the New, know nothing of the subordna-
ton of woman which the creedniakers have
drawn from the legendary stories.
'As the old idea of textual authority |
oses it's hold on her kind and the leaven |
Df these principles is left free to do its |
work unhindered, woman is steadily en-
n rging her sphere 10 the measure of her /
gifts.
Whatsoever of good she can do she is |
free to do. Woman, as well as man, is here |
FOR service"
The doctor spoke Of the many achieve
nents of women, and closed with some |
remarks on the excellent |
work of the Woman's Suffrage Association. |
md called attention to the convention that |
S to hold its annual session in the Church |
If Our Father this week.