CLOTH, 75 CENTS.
The Arena Publishing Co., Copley Sq., Boston, Mass.
The Woman-Suffrage Movement
IN THE UNITED STATES.
By A LAWYER.
The author of this book believes that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and that those who accept its teachings as authoritative must be opposed to the woman-suffrage movement. Though he bases his arguments mainly on the teachings of Holy Scripture, he does not overlook the lessons of history. But history only confirms him in his contention that marriage is something more than a civil contract terminable at the pleasure of the partners. From the true point of view marriage is an ordinance of God. Should it ever become the general belief that it is other than a sacrament, there would be "no protection, no honorable or elevated position, no high social plane or place for woman." And if marriage is a sacrament, there is but one valid cause for divorce—the one laid down in the Word of God. The husband is the head of the household, and his commands should be respected and obeyed, for obedience and protection are correlative terms; the interests of husband and wife should be identical.
The various "cries" of the advocates of woman suffrage, as "taxation without representation," "liberty, fraternity, and equality," are considered and declared to be without force, and this declaration is supported by cogent reasons. The author is confident that if woman suffrage were enacted into law it would not only harden women but work irreparable injury to man, for those now opposed to the movement would then "reconcile the principle and its effects upon their environment with the Bible by throwing the Bible away." Thus, the "attack strikes at the root of all moral and religious training."
The book merits a wide circulation. Candid advocates of the movement will desire to know what can be said against it; and its opponents will be glad to have at hand reasons so forcible and illustrations so apt in condemnation of woman suffrage.
We cheerfully say so much for the book, though, as is well known, we are strongly in favor of the movement towards a larger liberty of action for woman; and we are looking earnestly and expectantly for the coming of the day when woman emancipated and enfranchised shall work out her destiny in perfect freedom.
154 pp. Cloth, 75 cents; Paper, 25 cents.
The Arena Publishing Company,
Copley Square, Boston, Mass.