Choi, Eun Soo (1996) The religious dimension of the women's suffrage movement: the role of the Scottish Presbyterian churches, 1867-1918. PhD thesis http://theses.gla.ac.uk/3943/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] THE RELIGIOUS DIMENSION OF THE WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT: THE ROLE OF THE SCOTTISH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES, 1867 - 1918 BY EUN SOO CHOI, B.A., M.DIV. SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY THE FACULTY OF DIVINITY THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW OCTOBER 1996 ABSTRACT This study aims to show that when the religious dimension of the women's suffrage movement is considered, it can be seen that while the Scottish Presbyterian Churches at an official level remained neutral in their attitudes, the ministers and members of the Churches gave significant and varied support to the campaign, and their efforts contributed to the success of the suffrage movement. Although the term 'the religious dimension' includes both positive and negative responses to the movement in the Churches, this thesis concentrates on the positive efforts which were made. Chronologically, it covers the period from the official founding of the national suffrage organisations in 1867 to the enfranchisement of women in 1918. In surveying the history of the movement, account will be taken of both male and female contributions to the cause. This thesis consists of seven chapters. Chapter I surveys previous studies and outlines the scope of this piece of research. Chapter II contexualises the role and status of women within the Church and within society during the period which the thesis covers. In particular, it examines the relationship between women's religious suffrage and the women's political franchise movement, and e~~plores factors contributing to the Churches' concern for women's suffrage. Chapter III reconsiders the involvement of the Churches and their members in the suffrage movement prior to 1900, focusing particularly on Bright's Bill (1870-1873) and Woodall's Amendment (1884). Chapter IV examines the attitudes of the Churches and religious leaders to the tactics of the mili tant suffragettes. Chapter V investigates both the extent of responses to the movement from presbyteries and their members, and the content of the debates on women's suffrage in the Church courts. Chapter VI examines the significance of the Scottish Churches League for Woman Suffrage wi thin both the Churches and the suffrage movement. Chapter VII concludes the study by considering the significance of the religious dimension of the struggle for votes for women. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Particular gratitude must go to my supervisor, Dr. Douglas M. Murray, for his endurance and encouragement in completing this research. I am grateful to Dr. W. Ian P. Hazlett for his kindness and help. I am also indebted to my previous mentors, especially to Professors Chi Mo Hong, Chang Sup Shim, Jun Ki Ryu, and Gun Tak Park, who are teaching at Chongshin University in Seoul, Korea. Others to whom I am particularly grateful are the following: Dr. C. Marrs, Dr. L. o. Macdonald, Mr. J. Bradley, Rev. S. Chester, Rev. J. H. Kim, and Rev. and Mrs Harding. I am grateful to the following for their financial help: The Torch Korean Mission Centre; Chongshin Uni versi ty; the Uni versi ty of Glasgow; and Kil Tong Presbyterian Church. I wish to acknowledge the kindness, courtesy, and assistance given by librarians and archivists in the following: Aberdeen City Archives: Aberdeen University Library; Ayrshire County Archives; British Library; Central Region Archives, Stirling; Central Public Library, Stirling; Colindale Newspaper Library, London; Dundee City Archives and Record Centre; Dundee Central Library; Fawcett Library, London; Glasgow University Library; Mitchell Library, Glasgow; Morayshire District Record Office; National Library of Scotland; New College Library, Edinburgh; Religious Society of Friends Library, London; st. Andrews University Library; Scottish Record Office; Strathclyde Regional Archives; and William Gallacher Memorial Library, Glasgow. I am also grateful to the Kirk Session of Whitekirk, East Lothian, for access to material in the Church. Finally, a debt of gratitude is owed to my parents, Mr. Gyu Chae Choi and Mrs Sam Bun Choi, for encouraging me to persevere and complete this thesis, to my late father-in-law, Mr. Jae Hoon Kim, and Mother-in-law, Mrs Don Hee Kim, to my uncle, Mr. Jong Man Lee, and to other members of my family. lowe an immeasurable debt to my wife, Kyung Ae Choi, and to my lovely sons, Hwa pyung and Yu Pyung. Without their endurance and love, this thesis could never be completed. r declare that this thesis has been carried out by myself, and is entirely my own work. EUN SOO CHOr OCTOBER 1996 CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. Historians and the Religious Dimension of the Women's Suffrage Movement 2 1.2. The Aim and Scope of this Study 11 CHAPTER II THE ROLE AND STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE SCOTTISH CHURCHES AND IN SOCIETY 14 2.1. Introduction: why should Women be granted the Franchise? 14 2.2. The Role and Status of Women within the Church 15 2.2.1. Churchwomen in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries: A Prelude 15 2.2.2. Women's Votes in the Eighteenth Century: the Secession Churches 17 2.2.3. Female Suffrage in the Early Nineteenth Century: the Free Church of Scotland 27 2.2.4. Women's Franchise within the other Churches 31 2.2.5. The Relationship between the Vote for Women in the Churches and in Society 34 2.3. The Status and Rights of Women in Society 36 2.3.1. In the Pre-Industrial Revolution Period: the Subjection of Women 36 2.3.2. In the Post-Industrial Revolution Period: Reform Movements and Women's Suffrage 38 2.4. Factors Contributing to the Churches' Support for Women's Suffrage 50 2.5. Conclusion: the Religious Aspect of Women's Political Suffrage 63 CHAPTER III 'THE SPIRITUAL FRANCHISE': THE FAILURE OF WOMEN'S ENFRANCHISEMENT AND THE CHURCHES, 1867-1903 65 3.1. Introduction: were the Churches and Religious Leaders a hindrance to the Women's Suffrage Movement? 65 3.2. The Removal of Women's Political Disabilities and the Churches 66 3.2.1. Introductory Remarks: The Emergence of the Bill 66 3.2.2. 'Civil and Religious Liberty': Professor Canderwood and Dr. Wallace on Women's Rights 69 3.2.3. 'The Charter of her Liberation throughout Christendom': Glasgow Divines and Miss Taylor's Mission for Women's Suffrage 72 3.2.4. 'The Religious Well-Being of the Community': Ministers and the Women's Campaign 74 3.2.5. 'God'S Order and Design': the Campaign of Miss Taylor and Miss Craigen 83 3.2.6. Conclusion: the Failure of Bright's Bill for the Removal of Women's Political Disabilities 92 3.3. The Church and the Movement for Woodall's Amendment to the Refor.m Bill 94 3.3.1. The Movement for Women's Parliamentary Franchise before the Introduction of Woodall's Amendment to the Reform Bill 95 3.3.2. The Movement for Woodall's Female Suffrage Clause 100 3.3.3. Concluding Remarks 107 3.4. The Churches' Theological and Historical Response to the Failure of Women's Enfranchisement 108 3.4.1. 'The Spiritual Franchise': the United Presbyterian Synod 108 3.4.2. 'The Promotion of Social Purity': the Free Church 109 3.4.3. 'A Beneficial Influence on Public Questions': the Established Church 113 3.5. Conclusion: the New Aspect of the Women's Suffrage Movement in relation to its Religious Character 116 CHAPTER IV 'THE USE OF FORCE IN LIFE': THE MILITANT SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT AND CHRISTIAN VIEWS OF VIOLENCE, 1904-1914 119 4.1. Introduction: were the Militant Suffragettes Anti-Christian? 119 4.2. The Suffragettes' Militant Action and the Church 120 4.2.1. Introductory Remarks: the Church as a Target of Militant Activity 120 4.2.2. 'If you don't stop, I shall stop': the Aberdonian Suffragettes and Professor George Adam Smith 123 4.2.3. 'Our holy and our beautiful House is burned up with Fire': the Suffragettes' Arson Campaign and the Whitekirk Incident 128 4.2.4. 'It is antichristian': the Suffragettes and the General Assemblies 143 4.2.5. Concluding Remarks: the Result of the Militant Action 146 4.3. The Church and the Counter-Action of the Government 147 4.3.1. 'Brutal Militancy': Police Violence and the Clergy 147 4.3.2. 'God save all Prisoners who are being tortured': the Forcible Feeding of Prisoners and Christian Ministers 153 4.4. The Christian View of the Militant Suffragette Movement and its Use of Violence 159 4.4.1. 'The Use of Force in Life': the United Free Church 160 4.4.2. 'The Battle for Women's Rights': the Church of Scotland 163 4.5. Different Interpretations of John Knox's Position on the Use of Force and the Role of Women 165 4.5.1. The Use of Violence in Promoting a Righteous Cause 165 4.5.2.