possible. And yet where is the practical evidence that this is believed?
If these teachings of Christ were fully and practically believed, would it not so divide the church from the world that there could be no mistake as to who are Christians and who are not? And is there any such marked divisions in most of our churches?
It may be urged that this doctrine has been set forth with such hideous detail and additions entirely unwarranted by the Bible and so abhorrent to the best feelings of humanity, that the more men become humane and Christ-like the more they revolt from it.[178:A]
Yet if this be so, the fact remains that Jesus Christ, the only reliable messenger from the invisible world, has in the strongest language both literal and figurative, set forth these dangers and enjoined on his followers as their first concern, to save as many as possible, by training them to a knowledge of God's laws and to habitual obedience to them. And is there not a want of belief in this—that is, a want
that practical faith in Christ and his message, which it is the great and chief mission of woman to secure by her ministry in the family and school? She it is who daily is to train all under her care to become righteous, that is, to feel and act right according to the rules of right revealed by Jesus Christ. She is to teach that "repentance" which consists in such sorrow for wrong doing as involves turning from it, and such love as secures obedience to the Lord and Savior.
Now the Christian woman in the family and in the school is the most complete autocrat that is known, as the care of the helpless little ones, the guidance of their intellect, and the formation of all their habits, are given to her supreme control. Scarcely less is she mistress and autocrat over a husband, whose character, comfort, peace, and prosperity, are all in her power. In this responsible position is she to teach, by word and example, as did Jesus Christ? Is she to set an example to children and servants not only of that of a ruler, but also of obedience as a subordinate? In the civil state her sons will be subjects to rulers who are weak and wicked, just as she may be subject to a
husband and father every way her inferior in ability and moral worth. Shall she teach her children and servants by her own example to be humble, obedient, meek, patient, forgiving, gentle, and loving, even to the evil and unthankful, or shall she form rebellious parties and carry her points by contest and discord? God has given man the physical power, the power of the purse, and the civil power, and woman must submit with Christian equanimity or contend. What is the answer of common sense, and what are the teachings of Christ and His Apostles?
Let every woman who is musing on these questions, take a reference Bible and examine all the New Testament directions on the duties of the family state, and she will have no difficulty in deciding what was the view of Christ and His Apostles as to woman's position and duties. She is a subordinate in the family state, just as her father, husband, brother, and sons are subordinates in the civil state. And the same rules that are to guide them are to guide her. She and they are to be obedient to "the higher powers"—those that can force obedience—except when their demands are contrary to the higher
law of God, and in such a conflict they are "to obey God rather than man," and take the consequences whatever they may be. And a woman has no more difficulty in deciding when to obey God rather than man in the family state than her husband, father, and sons have, in the civil state. And obedience in the family to "the higher power" held by man, is no more a humiliation than is man's obedience to a civil ruler.