S.A.Register 27 July 1888 p3,e,f

Sir — Your correspondent "Respice Finem" is right; man cannot alter the "desire" although he may traverse the design of his Creator. Read as spoken the word would have been "design" a printer's error which if "Respice Finem" had not been looking so very far ahead he might have detected. This correspondent urges that sentiment is against women's suffrage, this brings this question within the apparent range of "Respice Finem's" intelligence, but he states that women want argument. This last places the question beyond "Respice Finem's" powers, for whatever else he may be no one would have the hardihood to call him a logician. He says "I will endeavour to show" &c I admire his modesty though I cannot applaud his "endeavour". The gentleman quotes largely from St. Paul. Will he hold up his hands in holy horror if I tell him that though St. Paul's learning is unquestioned, and his inspired doctrine unassailable, his social rules are decidedly behind the age! Who cares whether I had my bonnet on or off while I spoke on Friday? Where was the "shame" if my hair were long or short any more than if it were black, brown or grey? St. Paul in the very chapters which "R.F." quotes, emphatically declaims that he is speaking under inspiration — 1 Corinthians, vii 6. It is especially noteworthy that in these utterances he himself hesitates to claim inspired authority. Chap. vii, 40 — "I think also that I have the spirit of God." It may have escaped the notice of "Respice Finem" that St. Paul in his persecuting days, while even then recognised as a very learned man, accorded to men and women perfect equality in his inenviable attentions. Disguise it as we may, St. Paul's tender esteem for women was much after the pattern of John Knox's. While humbly accepting his doctrinal teachings I gladly turn to a loftier model for my manners. I like my teaching at the Fountain Head. But allowing that St. Paul is to be accepted always literally in the chapter before us he says, "Be ye not servants of men." Now reconcile this with our Lord's teaching — "He that would be greatest amongst you, let him be servant of all." Again Genesis 1— "And God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it." St Paul say in effect "On no account marry if you can possibly avoid it." Clearly the latter was not like "Respice Finem" looking to the end St. Paul was evidently an ascetic and his ideas socially were influenced by this fact and by his Oriental environments he accorded to women what the customs of the age allowed. In writing to Timothy he brings a stern indictment against Adam, while evidently, without intention, finding an excuse for the transgression of the woman, in that she was deceived, he states, "Adam was not deceived." In other words Adam, like many of his successors, gratified his sinful appetite while holding full in sight all the pain and penalties due to his forbidden feast — thus Timothy, 'R.F.' refers us to common sense. What does common sense tell us of Hebrews xiii 5 Interpreted literally it would mean that we should at this date find ourselves relegated to the state of our ancestors in that grandly primitive period 'When wild in woode the noble savage ran.' But, as regards women let us turn for teaching to our Divine allgracious Master. Who was it who directed the eyes of the assembly upon the silent weeping woman anointing His sacred feet? Who inspired Martha in the presence of her many friends to that public expression of her faith? Who sent and called Mary from her lone sorrow that the crowd might learn from her timid lips the same glorious creed? Was the Mary sent from the sepulchre to the disciples that she might say nothing? Was the woman of Samaria told that her mission was a secret one? Was the poor widow reproved for not casting in her mite in darkness and secrecy? Were the four women who followed those bleeding feet to the foot of the cross when the disciples were — where? — told that this was a political matter, with which, as women, they had no concern? Sir, it is my fixed conviction that every question that concerns the highest interests of our race concerns the women of our race. Believing that I have the highest sanction for this conviction I mean to live for this reform, and if I die before it is achieved, like Mary Tudor and Calais, "Women's enfranchisement" shall be found engraved upon my heart.

I am Sir, &c,

MARY LEE

North Adelaide July 88