Spirit of the New Testament, The.
(Gay, Susan E.) (Pillsbury, Parker, his copy) The Spirit of the New Testament. Or The
Revelation of the Mission of Christ. By a Woman. Boston: Rockwell and Churchill, 1885.
8vo.; grey cloth, stamped in black and gilt.
First edition. A presentation copy, inscribed to feminist advocate Parker Pillsbury on the front
endpaper: With the author’s regards to one of the Anti-Slavery Apostles, who will most readily
appreciate all efforts to break down the age-long enslavement of woman. Boston July 6, 1885.
The reference to Pillsbury as one of the “Anti-Slavery Apostles” is a nod to Pillsbury’s book of
that title published in 1883.
Annotated by Pillsbury throughout, and with the following additions: the author’s name on a
printed slip, in autograph – “Susan E. Gay / London, Eng.” – affixed to the title page; a newsprint
review by Pillsbury affixed opposite the title page, annotated; a promotional printed title leaf
loosely inserted, annotated, “Susan E. Gay, Worc. Sq.” on the recto and as follows on the verso:
“Authors of The Perfect Way: Dr. Anna Kingsford, Edward Maitland.”
Pillsbury’s considerable pencil marginalia throughout includes his typical underlining,
exclamation points, stars and commentary. For example, on p. 405 he has underlined and marked
this paragraph:
The best “confessor” will be the woman of the future, the wise physician of mind and
body, who will give the life and the love of her very being to those who come to her with
their pain and tears, — who will be a mother to the child, a sister to her fellow-woman, a
noble friend to man. The confessional-box of the man-priest, is a travesty on the
unaccomplished work of womanhood, with its mighty power of love.
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