Men, Women, and God. A Discussion of Sex Questions from
the Christian point of view. By A. H. Gray, M.A., D.D. (Student Christian Movement. 4s.)
This is a very outspoken book on a subject with regard to which a tradition of reticence is common in this country and the fact that it has been published by the Student Christian Movement indicates that there is a general feeling that this tradition has been carried too far. It was due to a reaction, partly against the freedom of much of the literature of the eighteenth century ; and partly against the mischievous ten- dencies of Catholic casuistry. But, the writer argues, " the policy of silence is as cruel as its assumptions are untrue Ignorance is an impossibility for the young. Our choice lies between a garbled, half true and distorted knowledge, and a knowledge that shall be clean, innocent and helpful."
The bearing of this on married life is close. For
" marriage is not the simple and easy thing which this policy would imply. Mother Nature does not teach young couples all that they need to know. Often they mishandle and spoil the beautiful relationship on which they have entered to their own disgust and disappointment. Uncounted couples to-day have reason for the bitterness with which they complain that nobody ever taught or helped them."
The writer's attitude is religious, though he does not preach ; and practical, though his appeal is to ideal motives. The book is characterized by a wholesome vein of common sense, founded on sympathy with, and knowledge of, human nature. The section on Drink," in which he declares himself " an enthusiastic Prohibitionist," is an exception. In Southern Europe the connexion between sexual gnd alcoholic excess is remote ; and in Northern less direct than he supposes. Were there no other objection—and there are many—to the tyran- nical fallacy of Prohibition, the test of the negative instances would be sufficient to justify the " want of will in the com- munity as a whole " to follow the American lead in this matter.
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