p. 152 | Paul Says So by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1857

Paul Says So.

By James White

SAYS what? "Let your women keep silence in the churches." But what does this prove? "It proves" say some, "that women should not rise in social meeting and speak." Well, what would you have them do? "Let them do as Paul says, 'If they would learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home.'"

Well then, you and Paul would have the sisters all stay at home. For certainly, if they go to meeting and hear all that is said, they will have no need to ask their husbands at home. It is evident that if Paul meant that women should not speak in religious meetings, his words prove also that the sisters should not attend religious meetings.

But as this view of the subject proves too much for our friends, who do not like to hear the Marys preach a risen or coming Saviour, we suggest a position to take on the text which will harmonize with both revelation and reason. It is this. Paul was probably speaking of meetings of church business. The sisters would be quite out of place in meetings of general church business. And "if they will learn anything" about such matters—quite immaterial whether they do or not—let them ask their husbands at home."

If they have no husbands to inquire of, it will do quite as well for them not to understand all the particulars of church business, the brethren generally being capable of managing such matters. J. W.