WOMEN AS TEACHERS by Eld. W. M. Healey

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 10, 1881

WOMEN AS TEACHERS.

By Eld. W. M. Healey

BY ELD. W. M. HEALEY.

THE Bible teaches us that woman was made for man; and the reason why she was made for man was because it was not good for him to be alone. God gave her the same faculties of mind which he had previously bestowed upon man, which fits her to share in all his joys, and bear a part of all his sorrows. She has the same power as man to love or hate, to be forgiving or revengeful. Observe the faithful devotion of woman at the crucifixion of Christ; she was last at the cross, and first at the sepulcher.

It would be difficult to find a case of more bitter hatred than that of Herodias, who desired the head of John the Baptist, and with fiendish joy received it from her daughter. While men and women may not be by nature equally well fitted for all pursuits, yet the difference comes more from education than from nature. King Mahoney of Africa has an army of women, who are said to be very fierce and warlike, more so than men. While this teaches us that women may be educated for war, we have no desire to advocate such a course, but much prefer that she be trained for peace. She was created a help-meet for man—that is, a help fit for man. This was while man was in a state of purity, his physical labor not irksome. He did not need her to assist him in obtaining a livelihood for himself; his food was convenient and plenty. She was not intended, or needed, as a servant or slave, but as a companion; and when she came into existence it became her duty to provide for her own wants, as much as it was the duty of man to provide for his. She had no right to sit in idleness while man labored for her support, but she was to be a help, and bear her part of the burdens of life.

A wise Creator has placed upon woman the care and early training of children. He has made her a teacher, a moulder of character to them, and so arranged the laws of nature that it is unavoidably so. The Bible speaks of woman as a help. This she should be in the family, although man is the head. She may help in religious meetings, the Sabbath-school, and elsewhere, but should not usurp authority over the man. 1 Timothy 2:11, 12.

In 1 Corinthians 14:34, where we are told that women must keep silence, it not being permitted for them to speak, it is evident from the expression, “but they are commanded to be under obedience,” that Paul had reference to their speaking with authority. He is here describing a disorderly meeting, where each one is setting up his authority to be the head; one wanting to have a psalm, another desiring to teach some doctrine, and others having revelations to give, etc. See verse 26. The apostle reproves the brethren for such a course, but some of the women had evidently been taking an active part in these disputes, and claiming the authority to say how matters should be conducted. To them he says, keep silence in this matter, and however it is decided be obedient; that is, let it go that way. After that, they could take their proper place and part in the meeting.

This is evident from the fact that in the 11th chapter and onward of this same epistle, the apostle has laid down rules to govern both men and women in speaking and praying in public. He suggests the propriety of women wearing their hair long, and of having the head covered, veiled, while prophesying or praying, which shows he had reference to the public assembly, it being common at that time for women to veil themselves in the presence of men. And Paul argues that it is more comely—becoming—for a woman to have long hair, but for a man to have short hair; and he appeals to nature to sustain him. Chap. 11:16. He says, “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” From the above we may learn that the length of one’s hair was not made a test of fellowship, although some styles were more becoming than others.

In Titus 2:11, 12, the aged women were told to teach the younger. In Acts 18:24-26, we read that Aquilla, and his wife Priscilla, went to hear the learned and eloquent Jew, Apollos, and they saw that he was a man capable of doing much good, but that he only preached the baptism of John; so they took him and instructed him more fully. Philip, the evangelist, had four daughters that prophesied, Acts 21:8, 9, and Anna, an ancient prophetess, in the temple spoke of Jesus, the infant Saviour, “to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38. This proves that she prophesied in the presence of men, as well as women.

In Acts 2:17, 18, God has promised to pour out his Spirit alike upon sons and daughters, in the last days. May we each share in this blessing, and by its influence be fitted for some part in the great work of God upon the earth. Let husbands and wives read carefully the fifth chapter of Ephesians; and parents and children, servants and masters, the sixth chapter of the same epistle.