Woodland, Cal by M. E. Cornell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1873

Woodland, Cal.

By M. E. Cornell

The interest in Woodland is still good. I have baptized ten more since last report, thirty in all, this spring. The social meetings, Bible class, and Sabbath-school, are starting off well. The cause here seems now to be established upon a firmer basis, and the prospect is bright.

One of the greatest drawbacks here has been the prevailing idea that women ought not to speak in social meetings. Many seem more than willing to have it so—to believe the sentiment. Being unused to speaking, they regard it as a great cross. But the Scriptures seem clear on the point. Not one word in the whole Bible is ever found with which to oppose it, except in the writings of the apostle Paul. And a careful comparison of all Paul’s statements on the subject shows that he had reference only to unbecoming conduct of women in the public assembly, such as contradicting, altercating, and assuming authority over men in business meetings of the church. But in social and prayer meetings, Paul gives explicit direction in reference to how women shall dress and appear in a becoming manner in the congregation while engaged in prayer or speaking. See 1 Cor. 11:1–18.

In another place the apostle exhorts that believers should not forsake the assembling of themselves together, but should exhort one another, and so much the more as they see the day approaching. Now if the duty to assemble together applies to the sisters, I see not how we can avoid the conclusion that the “exhorting one another,” applies to them also. We must not wrest the words of Paul, for we read that some will do so to their own destruction. See 2 Pet. 3:15, 16.

The evident meaning of the apostle is well expressed by Dr. Adam Clarke. He says:—

“It is evident from the context that the apostle refers here to asking questions, and what we call dictating in the assemblies. It was permitted to any man to ask questions, to object, altercate, attempt to refute, &c., in the synagogue; but this liberty was not allowed to any woman. St Paul confirms this in reference also to the Christian church; he orders them to keep silence; and if they wished to learn anything, let them inquire of their husbands at home; because it was perfectly indecorous for women to be contending with men, in public assemblies on points of doctrine, cases of conscience, &c. But this by no means intimated that when a woman received any particular influence from God to enable her to teach, she was not to obey that influence; on the contrary, she was to obey it; and the apostle lays down directions in chap. 11, for regulating her personal appearance when thus employed. All that the apostle opposes here is their questioning, finding fault, disputing, &c., in the Christian church, as the Jewish men were permitted to do in their synagogues; together with the attempts to usurp any authority over the men, by setting up their judgment in opposition to them; for the apostle has in view, especially, acts of disobedience, arrogance, &c., of which no woman would be guilty who was under the influence of the Spirit of God.” On the words, “It is a shame for women to speak in the church,” he says, “The apostle refers to irregular conduct, such conduct as proved that they were not under obedience.”

Paul speaks of the “whole church,” being assembled in one place and says, “Ye may all prophesy, one by one, &c.” Now if the “whole church” embraces the sisters, then “Ye may all speak,” means the sisters also. But they should all speak in a becoming way, one by one, not as had been the case in some places, three or four talking at the same time, in perfect confusion.

“They that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it.” Mal. 3:16. Do these timid, trembling sisters fear the Lord? Then may they speak often, and the Lord will hearken and bless them. Come right along, ye trembling souls; take up this cross also. Your feeble testimony may seem poor to you, but it will do good, however short and broken it may be. Even though you should feel that you cannot speak to edification, you can speak to mortification, and that will do you good. But I notice that those who speak so tremblingly often edify the most. Fear not, go forward, and not be found among the “fearful” at last. “With the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.” God will strengthen and help you.

M. E. CORNELL.