Appendix C—Exhibits Relating to the Ordination of Women
239
under the necessity of asking that you excuse me from answering for a
few days. Upon my return, early next week, I will endeavor to send
you a reply, accompanying same, if possible, with the extracts called
for. However, I might say that I have not understood these extracts as
teaching positively the ordination of women as ministers of the gospel.
I have supposed, rather, that they refer primarily to the ordination of
God-fearing women as deaconesses in local churches. But of this I
will speak more fully when I write again
.
“I hope to write you about the twenty-eighth, and will address you
as above. If you are leaving San Antonio for other parts, it would
be well for you to leave a forwarding order, so mail addressed as
above will reach you in due time at the Union Conference.”—Clarence
Crisler
.
“June 16, 1916
“Mrs. L. E. Cox
“Dear sister,
“In my answer under date of March 22, I was unable to forward
you copy of the Review article called for, but ventured to say, ‘I have
not understood these extracts as teaching positively the ordination of
women as ministers of the gospel. I have supposed, rather, that they
refer primarily to the ordination of God-fearing women as deaconesses
in local churches.’
“Since writing the above, I have found the article in question and
[255]
have had same copied. Enclosed find a copy of this article. [
The
Review and Herald, July 9, 1895
.] I am also forwarding a copy to
your local conference president, Elder E. L. Neff, and to the president
of your union, Elder J. W. Christian, that they may know what I am
sending to you.
“While I do not make it a part of my work to presume to interpret
that which has been written, yet I may be pardoned for expressing as
my conviction the thought that this article published in the Review
does not refer to the ordination of women as ministers of the gospel,
but rather touches upon the question of setting apart, for special du-
ties in local churches, God-fearing women in such churches where
circumstances call for such action
.
“And may I add that Sister White, personally, was very careful
about expressing herself in any wise as to the advisability of ordaining
women as gospel ministers. She has often spoken of the perils that