When President Wilson Changed His Mind

[Gregory Matthews]

Gilbert M. Valentine is the author of a number of books  on SDA history to include Ellen White.  Recently he wrote an article entitled: When President Wilson Changed His Mind about Policy for Women, which ws published in a well-known magazine read by SDAs.

NOTE: I am intentional in not giving the exact reference.

Without reference to the article, react to the title which I have given above.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

I have not posted this because I wanted to play games.  In reading the article, I learned a lesion.  I am hoping that others may see the same lesion, which we can discuss.

 

[Kevin H]

This looks like it will be a good thread! I wish that either Elder Valentine or Elder Gerald Wheeler would do a biography on Lynn Harper Wood.

[pierrepaul]

I am guessing that the reference to president Wilson is a reference to President of the United States Woodrow Wilson and the "policy for women" deals with the right to vote.

[Gregory Matthews]

You guessed right. 

I began the article thinking it was about President Ted.  Instead, it was about President Woodrow Wilson.

How often, do many of us, obviously I am included, begin reading something with a bias that we got from the title, or something else.

It was of interest to me, the length of time it took me to get beyond my bias  to deal with historical facts about President Woodrow  Wilson and women's voting rights. 

Now that I have given it away, you can read it in:  SPECTRUM, Vol. 43, Issue 2‌, Spring 2015, pages 72 - 80.

 

[Kevin H]

This was my thought too but did not want to spoil it so fast if I guessed correctly.

[pierrepaul]

My main non-professional reading interest has always been military history, with emphasis on the First World War. So when I see the words "president Wilson" together I immediately think of Woodrow. I already had that association in my mind before realising that it might also apply to Ted Wilson or his father. However, we tend not to address our conference, union, division and GC presidents as "President so-and-so", preferring the title "pastor" or "elder", while the president of the US has been styled "Mr President", or "President so-and-so" since the days of George Washington.

[Gregory Matthews]

I address the GC President as President Ted for the following reasons:

1) It is an honorable position and title.

2) The duties of the GC President remove the President far from the relationship that a congregational pastor must build with the members.

3) If God calls one to serve as GC President, then take both the position and the title.  Do not asume the title of a position one has not been call to take--a congregational pastor.

 

 

Edited July 14, 2015 by Gregory Matthews

[Dr. Shane]

When I saw the title I asked myself "Woodrow" or "Ted".  When I saw the thread was started by Gregory Matthews I thought, "must be Ted". 

[Gregory Matthews]

Shane, a perfect example of the bias that all of us, to include myself, have.

Thanks for acknowledging it.