REFORM OF THE MARRIAGE LAWS.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—To much that appears in your article of December 8th by Lord Buckmaster no Christian man nor woman can take exception, nor fail to be thankful that so clean and wholesome a tone should pervade an article. But the Christian may not contemplate divorce in his Marriage Service, simply because his Sacred or " Holy Matrimony " declares an ideal, nothing less than the union of male and female made in God's image, the primary object of which is the propagation of the divine species. Rightly the Prayer-book puts this object first. " Mutual society, help and comfort " are certainly objects to be prayed for and received with thanksgiving. But, if they are not given, whether there be Cross or Crucifix upon the altar, the sign is there. The service is performed in the Name of Jesus Christ, and His Sign accepted.
Are you irritated with this reference to ideals ? Are you saying : " We want to be practical ; we have got to face the hard facts of earthly life ; we want to free hundreds from unjust misery ; nay, we want to help towards the propagation of a healthier species " ? By all means say so, though be very careful. The family is the primary basis of all human society. It was declared to be so, in divers portions and in divers manners, ages before men's eyes saw, and their hands handled the Word of Life.
By all means, as statesmen, do all in your power, and according to your lights, to mitigate the evils of married life. But do not ask the Church to bless all such marriages. Demand a state or civil marriage from everyone. Let the Church only exhort those to seek God's blessing upon their marriage who are prepared to do so with heart and hand and voice through Jesus Christ.
Do not let us, who are trying to be Christians, criticize the State if it allows possibilities of marriage and re-marriage which we dare not ask God's blessing upon. But let us stand firm, be the cost what it may, for " Holy Matrimony." It is the foundation of the Holy Catholic Church, because it is the foundation of human society, the members of which God made in His own image.-1 am, Sir, &c., X.
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