Woman: Man's Equal   By: Thomas Webster

MAN'S EQUAL.

BY

Rev. THOS. WEBSTER, D.D.

WITH

AN INTRODUCTION BY BISHOP SIMPSON.

CINCINNATI: HITCHCOCK AND WALDEN.

NEW YORK: NELSON AND PHILLIPS.

1873

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873,

BY HITCHCOCK & WALDEN,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

TO READERS.

The publishers of "WOMAN MAN'S EQUAL" conscientiously feel that they are placing before the public the discussion of one of the most important topics of the day; and they indulge the strong conviction that the author of this little volume presents this important topic in a manner at once attractive and convincing. The teachings of nature, history, and the Word of God are freely drafted, and skillfully arranged to show what nature designed, what God has taught, and what woman has proved herself capable of being and doing in the world. The abuses to which the sex has been subject from the physically stronger "lords of creation," in heathen nations and in brute ages, are ably and fully set forth.

The lessons of the past are the teachings of the future. Christianity has enlarged woman's area, and multiplied her duties and responsibilities. America is ahead of all other nations in opportunities offered to woman. Public sentiment is in favor of enlarging her sphere, and woman is venturing into hitherto untried avenues of employment and usefulness. This is an age of experiment. An ounce of experiment is worth a pound of theory. Woman's capacity will first be tested; and, if found equal to the opportunity, no door will be closed against her. She may preach, orate, lecture, teach, practice medicine or law or politics; may vote, marshal armies, navigate ships, and go sailoring or soldiering to her heart's content, and at her own good will and pleasure, if she only proves to the age that she has ability to do and dare in all these directions. This is an age of discovery, as well as of experiment; and man is daily waking up, applying, and marshaling new forces for the benefit of the race. Steam, light, electricity, magnetism, mechanics, have all contributed of their boundless capacities to human welfare. Man is gradually coming to be aware that, in the latent powers of woman, only just now on the eve of development, half the capacities of the human race, like the powers of steam and lightning, have slumbered, until now, from the beginning of the creation. A new era is dawning upon the world. This little volume is one of the rays that herald the coming sun.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

NATURAL RIGHTS.

Equals in the Beginning Apparent Mental Inferiority result to be expected when Means of Mental Culture are denied Natural Rights Flattery not an Equivalent for Justice Dawning

CHAPTER II.

WOMAN IN ANTIQUITY.

Women of Antiquity Their Condition in Heathen and Mohammedan Countries Marriage, Divorce, etc.

CHAPTER III.

LATER ESTIMATE OF WOMAN.

Estimation in which Women were held later Cause and Effect Mental Attainments despite of Oppression and Prohibition Equal Men in Government, etc. Frivolity, Literature, and Home Duties Muscle not Mind Marriage Ceremonies

CHAPTER IV.

THE SEXES EQUAL AT CREATION.

Created Equal Genesis iii, 16, considered Monogamy Lapse into Heathenism Polygamy The Patriarchs The Law of Maid servants and Bondwomen Divorce; Christ recognized the Equality of Right therein Eminent Women of Israel Virtue and Vice of no Sex

CHAPTER V.

NEW TESTAMENT TEACHINGS.

The New Testament Scriptures How they Define the Position of Women

CHAPTER VI.

WOMAN BEFORE THE LAW.

Equally amenable to Laws, Human and Divine To rear and govern a Family rightly, requires Sound Judgment Relative Mental Capacity of the Sexes not yet fairly tested Comparisons Christianity has done much, yet much remains to be done Right in Each Other's Property Men juster than the Laws Query Justice should be even handed A United Head Women trained to perpetuate the Wrongs of their Sex