Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-27
Christ Not the First Suffragist.

10 the Editor OF The star:
In Mondays Star Presbyterian min
lister from Knoxville was quoted as de-
claring that Christ was the first woman
sufrragist Nobody can make such a
statement after reading the New Tes-
lament at all faithfully or understand
ingly. Instead of being an equal suf-
fragist. He was not a suffragist at all.
His kingdom being not of this world.
He did not NEEDLE in politics. but dis
missed the whole subject with Render
unto Caesar the things that are Gaze
sars. and unto God the things that are
Gods This same instruction was lat
er given out by His apostle, when he
said for Christians to obey the existin &
authorities. Christianity Is not Of this
world. and does not intrude as dicta :
tor in civil government. 1t only says
that its adherents shall obey whatever
under. No nation can claim the Chris
tian's God as its special protector. No
party can claim the Lord Jesus Christ
as it's patron or as it's dictator.
Jesus was not a stickler for suffrage
at all. even for men. The doctrine OF
mo taxation without representation
found no place in His teaching. On the
contrary. by His own example He
taught that every man should pay his
taxes cheerfully. even though he might
leCHHlCdly Chilli once,
when tax collector asked Peter
whether his Master paid taxes. Peter
replied that He did. Then, when Peter
and the collector went into the house
where Jesus was. He spoke up before
they could state their errand, and asked
zens or of aliens. Peter replied, "Of
aliens" Then Jesus said that citizens
were free, and intimated that, there
fore. He was exempt. But" said He.
Test we should offend them"-we will
pay the tax. He did not demand the
ballot as a right. or as condition of
paying the tax, even for men. Later,
the question came up in Rome, and
Paul, the apostle of the Lord, said that
rulers are entitled to respect and ODE
dience, as such, and their governments
are to be sustained by cheerful paying
of taxes. The basis of taxation. taught
he. Is not the franchise, but the fact
that civil government is a divine police
regulation for preserving some order in
the world, and must be supported. See
Romans, 1867. No Christian can shirk
taxpaying. No Christian will want to
escape 1t. No truly Christian church
will claim exemption for church prop
erty. IN the presence Of the plain teach
ing of the Lord and His apostle.
No Christian can consistently demand
the franchise. but If 1t is offered, should
use 1t as one of the things involved in
rendering to Caesar the things that are
his In spiritual matters there is in
Christianity neither male nor female u
but In social affairs the distinction was
not only not abolished by Christ, but
was specifically retained. AS before In
dictated. Christianity does not dictate in
secular society or government, but is
content to let the leaven of righteous
ness work as men will permit But in
the church. over which Christ claims
headship. and which may indicate the
proprieties elsewhere, women are re-
quired, by the prescribed regulations of
the New Testament, to be in modest
subordination. This is not based upon
any arbitrary distinction, but is d.
rectly referred back to the original
constitution of humanity in the order
of creation. That woman shall not
usurp authority over the man, or even
claim equality of authority. is stated in
the plainest language in the New Tes-
lament. Christ was not the first suf-
fragist, nor is He now one at all.
NJ. E. SLOAN.