successor. Finally, the relaxation of the law would destroy those happy relations which now exist between families united by marriage, and which add so much to the purity and enjoyment of domestic life.
But, with many, these considerations would weigh but little against their own selfish interests, or against that indolent good nature of the public, which would let everybody do as they like. It is necessary therefore to shew that this prohibition rests upon higher authority, and those who might not care much for considerations respecting the general good and happiness would not willingly do anything contrary to Holy Scripture. They feel that they have in the Bible the only sufficient code of morals. Once depart from it, we know not whither our route may take us. Especially women feel truly that they owe to Christianity the equal position which they now hold towards men, and they would not wish the authority of the Bible tampered with. The object of this little pamphlet written by a woman, is to state the scriptural argument clearly and sufficiently, and there are, I am persuaded few, who when they have read it, will not feel that there are strong reasons for regarding the prohibition as resting upon the authority of the Bible. Most indubitably the Bible puts relationships by affinity upon the same footing as relationships by blood. It takes, no doubt, a high view of marriage, but are not such views the very palladium of the sanctity of the home, and the safeguard of all that is best in society! And all such as are unwilling to have marriage degraded to a mere matter of convenience, and would wish it still to hold the high position given to it in Holy Scripture will do well carefully to consider the arguments here stated, and weigh both them and the possible consequences that may follow from our setting aside any portion of the moral law, enacted for us, as all believers in the Inspiration of the Bible firmly hold, by God himself.
R. PAYNE SMITH.
- Deanery, Canterbury.
- March, 1880.
