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Preface

I have written this book from a strong conviction of duty. Christ commands us to let: our light shine.

There is no reason why this subject should not be considered as calmly and candidly as any other. We should not refuse to examine it in the light of Scripture and of reason because of any apprehension of dreadful consequences if some women should be ordained. By the Friends, for over two hundred years, woman has been accorded the same rights as man, and yet she has lost none of her womanliness in consequence. Among no class of people are women more true, and modest, and domestic, and noble, and refined, and given to every good work than among them. Nowhere else can be found more beautiful, happy homes than in the Society of The Friends.

Nor need we have any fearful forebodings, if giving to women equal in the church should lead to giving her equal rights in the state. This experiment too has been tried.

United States senator Carey is reported as saying: "In the State of Wyoming woman has had the ballot for twenty years. None of the objections which are made to this extension of the suffrage had been found in actual practice, in his State, to have a good basis. The result there bas been more than satisfactory. It was not true that women in general took no interest in the question of suffrage. Those who were not originally advocates of it exercise their privileges when they once received them. There was fully as large a proportion of women who voted in his State to-day as of men. Anything that related at all to their interests was sure to bring out the full vote. He thought that the women gave more thought to the subject than the men, and were more conscientious in the exercise of their right. Their influence was exercised always on the side of good government and for the of the selection best men for office. Their influence in politics was of such a character as to make men more circumspect in the transaction of the duties of public office. He added that it was a particularly good element in all municipal elections. Women, as a class, can never be on the side of corruption, of the ignorant and the criminal elements- which have such control in the municipal affairs of the leading cities of the United States."*

I have purposely avoided all appeals to sentiment and to ''the spirit of the age," and based my arguments mainly on the Word of God. Where texts have been interpreted contrary to the generally received meaning, reasons have been given, which, I trust, will be found satisfactory. I have endeavored to make everything plain.

I ask as a special favor of those who have decided not to agree with the position I have taken that they will read before they condemn. The subject is worthy of patient and prayerful investigation.

I have no misgivings as to the truth of what I have written, nor evil forebodings of the consequences that will result if the views herein advocated come to be generally received.

I only ask that truth may prevail, Christ be glorified, and His Kingdom be advanced on earth.

*T. Crawford in N. Y. Tribune, Feb. 22, 1891.