American Constitution, it could be interpreted to mean anything—­slavery, when we protected that “Institution,” and freedom, when it existed no longer.  Others said that woman’s sphere was clearly marked out in the Scriptures, and all attempt at emancipation was flying in the face of Providence.  Others said they considered all the revisions made by men thus far, had been so many acts of sacrilege, and they did hope women would not add their influence, to weaken the faith of the people in the divine origin of the Holy Book, for, if men and women could change it in one particular, they could in all.  On the whole the correspondence was discouraging.

Later Miss Lord became deeply interested in psychical researches, and I could get no more work out of her.  And as soon as we had finished the Pentateuch, Mrs. Blatch declared she would go no farther; that it was the driest history she had ever read, and most derogatory to women.  My beloved coadjutor, Susan B. Anthony, said that she thought it a work of supererogation; that when our political equality was recognized and we became full-fledged American citizens, the Church would make haste to bring her Bibles and prayer books, creeds and discipline up to the same high-water mark of liberty.

Helen Gardener said:  “I consider this a most important proposal, and if you and I can ever stay on the same side of the Atlantic long enough, we will join hands and do the work.  In fact, I have begun already with Paul’s Epistles, and am fascinated with the work.  The untenable and unscientific positions he takes in regard to women are very amusing.  Although the first chapter of Genesis teaches the simultaneous creation of man and woman, Paul bases woman’s subjection on the priority of man, and because woman was of the man.  As the historical fact is that, as far back as history dates, the man has been of the woman, should he therefore be forever in bondage to her?  Logically, according to Paul, he should.”

I consulted several friends, such as Dr. William F. Channing, Mr. and Mrs. Moncure D. Conway, Gertrude Garrison, Frederick Cabot, and Edward M. Davis, as to the advisability of the work, and they all agreed that such a volume, showing woman’s position under the Jewish and Christian religions, would be valuable, but none of them had time to assist in the project.  Though, owing to all these discouragements, I discontinued my work, I never gave up the hope of renewing it some time, when other of my coadjutors should awake to its importance and offer their services.

On October 27, 1886, with my daughter, nurse, and grandchild, I again sailed for England.  Going out of the harbor in the clear early morning, we had a fine view of Bartholdi’s statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.  We had a warm, gentle rain and a smooth sea most of the way, and, as we had a stateroom on deck, we could have the portholes open, and thus get all the air we desired.  With novels and letters, chess and whist the time passed pleasantly, and, on the ninth day, we landed in Liverpool.