79. Women's Preaching

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“B. B.” Judging from the number of questions which have of late been put to us on the subject of female preaching and teaching, we conclude that there must be considerable misgiving on the point in the minds even of some who engage in the work. We have again and again ventured to give expression to our judgment on the question. We believe the spirit and teaching of the New Testament, and the voice of nature itself, are entirely against the idea of a woman's taking the place of a public preacher or teacher. Home is pre-eminently the woman's sphere, whether we view her as a daughter, a wife, or a mother. And oh! what a holy, happy, elevated, sphere it is to one who carries herself aright therein! The most devoted heart may find in that sphere ample scope for the exercise of every gift. We know of nothing more lovely—nothing more attractive—nothing which more adorns the gospel of Christ and the doctrine of God than a Christian woman who occupies aright the place in which the providence of God has set her. Look through Scripture, and through the entire history of the Church of God, and see who were they that rendered most effectual service to the cause of Christ. If we mistake not, you will find, without exception, that those who showed piety at home, who walked holily and graciously in the midst of the domestic circle those who commended the truth to their parents—those who lived in godly subjection to their own husbands—those who trained their children in the fear of God—those who guided the house according to the authority of Holy Scripture—these were the women who most effectively served their generation, left the most hallowed impress on their times, and walked in fullest harmony with the mind of heaven. We would ask you, dear friend, of what use is it to point us to this one and to that one who can preach eloquently and impressively to assembled thousands? The real question is, “What saith the Scripture?” Is this a woman's work? And does it not sometimes happen that, while a woman seems to be reaching the most splendid and exciting results in a forbidden sphere, her simple, obvious, divinely appointed home duties are grossly neglected. Her parents are not requited—her husband is neglected—or her children are left to the care of godless or unprincipled servants, who pollute their imaginations, initiate them into vile practices, train them in deceit and falsehood, and lead them into habits which ruin them for life. It is vain to say that God blesses the preaching of women. This is no defense. What does not God overrule and bless '3 It was only this very week we heard of two young men who were converted through one of them praying, in downright mockery, at a public prayer meeting. God made use of the shocking conduct of one to bring conviction to both. Such is His sovereign goodness. But to use this goodness as an argument in defense of what is plainly opposed to Scripture is a fatal mistake, It may, however, be asked, What are we to learn from Acts 21:9,9And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. (Acts 21:9) and 1 Cor. 11:55But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (1 Corinthians 11:5)? The former passage simply teaches us that Philip's four daughters possessed the gift of prophecy, while the latter teaches that this gift was to be exercised only with covered head. It remains to be proved that the prophetic gift was exercised in the assembly. We do not believe it; on the contrary, it is plain that the apostle, in 1 Cor. 11, does not speak of the assembly until the seventeenth verse. It is important to note this. In chapter 14. the teaching is positive and unmistakable, “Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let thorn ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” (Verses 34, 35.) So also in 1 Tim., “Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (Chapter 2:11, 12.)
But it is further urged, that preaching the gospel to the unconverted is not teaching in the Church. We reply, the Holy Ghost commands the woman to be in silence, and to be a keeper at home. How far obedience to these holy injunctions is compatible with going about from place to place, and preaching to large assemblies, is for others to judge. It may, however, he asked, Is there no way in which a woman can take part in the Lord's work? Assuredly there is. In Luke 8:2, 3,2And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. (Luke 8:2‑3) we read of certain women who enjoyed the high privilege of ministering directly to the Lord Himself; and in Phil. 4:3,3And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlaborers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3) we read of other women who labored with the apostle in the gospel. There are numberless ways in which a woman may help on the Lord's work without going out of her divinely appointed sphere, and acting in opposition to the voice of nature and the authority of Holy Scripture.