EVOLUTION AND WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.
By Elder E. W. Whitney
A POPULAR lady lecturer upon the much agitated questions of "woman's suffrage," in a recent lecture remarked that "all along the investigation of the subject of 'Women's Rights' there were those who were calling, Halt! Halt! Halt!" Indeed, it seems eminently proper that someone should call a halt, when such sentiments as those expressed by the lady referred to, and other speakers at the same meeting, are received with wild applause by a large audience. It is certainly time that there be in exercise wise discrimination between the true and the false, between the genuine and the counterfeit, in the consideration of questions involving such results as may not only be possible, but probable, in the present instance. The basis of the arguments presented in favor of woman's suffrage on this occasion, was the doctrine of "evolution," boldly proclaimed by the first speaker, a college professor. Man was presented as simply a development from the brute; and, as the only distinguishing characteristic of woman from man, when thus considered, is that of sex, the conclusion was reached (and, admitting the premises, logically enough) that women should vote and rule, as well as men. Are Christian fathers and mothers ready to discard the word of God for the vain philosophy of men, and accept that which it designates as "science falsely so called," because presented with an air of reverence, even by college professors, instead of truth as revealed in the same word by the Spirit of God? I trust many will "halt" and consider. As to the question of women's suffrage, the proposed limits of this article forbid a lengthy discussion. My only design is to call the attention of thinking men and women who regard the Bible as the word of God, to a few of its plain statements, and leave them to decide accordingly. First, then, in regard to the misleading premise assumed so boldly and persistently by women suffrage advocates—the theory of evolution. The Bible does not present man as having come by chance, or as a development from the brute, but as a noble being, created in the image of God, only a little lower than the angels, and placed, because of his superiority, over the brutes. For the record says, in the beginning God created man in his own image; and gave him dominion over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:27, 28. The writer of Hebrews says also, speaking of man, "Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor,693and didst set him over the works of thy hands." Heb. 2:7. The Bible is not silent either in regard to the relation of woman to man. It is explicit both as to woman's superior qualifications in some respects, as well as to her weaknesses in others. The teaching of the Scriptures throughout, however, is uniform and plain upon this point, that in matters of rule and authority over men, in the family, in the church, and in the civil government, she has been excused. Please read Gen. 3:16; Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Tim. 2:11-13, and Isa. 3:12. Many other passages might be cited, but these are sufficient, both as to the fact and the reason therefor. While the above is the plain teaching of the Bible, it at the same time just as plainly indicates where and how woman's influence should be exerted, and gives her credit for a power for good which is nowhere recognized as possessed by man. It is interesting to note, however, that this power, in reality, lies in the proper exercise of her rare qualities in the attitude of subordination alone; for Peter says, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation [conduct] of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." 1 Peter 3:1, 2. Notice particularly that the influence here commanded as that which women should exert over men, and which is said to be even more powerful with unbelieving men than the word itself, is the power of suasion and not the power of authority. No true man, whether husband, father, son, or brother, fails to recognize this power as the refining quality, the crowning glory, of our mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters, and let us consider well before we cast our influence or votes in favor of that which will surely sully the glory and blessedness of true womanhood—a glory which God himself has placed upon her—and reverse the design and order of God; for where men undertake to improve upon God's order, the effort invariably proves a signal failure, though men may not perceive it until it is too late to remedy the evil wrought. After all, is not the winning power, which in a special degree has been conferred upon women, the highest, the noblest, the most Christlike, the most Godlike of all powers? It is the love of God which leads men to repentance, and not his authority. Christ said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me," and not I will drive them unto me. Why is it that women desire the power of the ballot? Is it because they have lost, or are losing, the God-ordained power of influence, by departing from the principles plainly pointed out in the word of God as those which would give them this power in a marked degree? It is worth while to consider the question candidly at least. I do not question the sincerity of the advocates of women's suffrage. Women, with their naturally quick intuition and sense of right, see enough which needs reforming; and no one wonders at their desire to engage in the work; but let them engage in it in God's appointed way if they would be truly successful. In aspiring to control in political matters, the church seems to be getting ahead of her Head, which is Christ; and, when the subject is carefully studied, it is evident that the same principle is violated where the woman aspires to lead and control in positions which God has in his own word assigned to man—she is getting ahead of her Head. See 1 Cor. 11:3 and Eph. 5:23. In conclusion I quote a sentiment from Lamb which is in point:—“Still woman draws new power, new empire still, From every blessing and from every ill. Still she most hides the strength that most subdues, To gain each end its opposite pursues, Lures by neglect, advances by delay, And gains command by swearing to obey.”