which is nothing more nor less than supreme selfishness, and nothing short of a permanent separation will then satisfy them.

Let us refer to the history of the divorces already described, and the causes that led to them. How can we account for such changes in the marital relation, and for such strange developments of human conduct, unless there was something wrong in the motives or influences operating at the start? Passing by the most flagrant cause adultery-how could "intolerable cruelty," "willful desertion," and "abusive treatment," occur in such a multitude of instances between married persons? How can we account for such dislike, such bitterness, and even hatred, between parties once apparently so tenderly and happily united? Such conduct is surely the farthest possible from anything of a moral and religious character. What a strange spectacle does it present in social life, that, within twenty years, more than twenty thousand divorces should have been granted in four New England States-that in this period the marital relations should be severed between forty thousand persons! In 1860 the number of divorces, in these same States, did not average seven hundred, but now it averages every year almost twice that number. If we include the divorces granted in Maine and New Hampshire with those in the other four States, it makes two thousand families broken up every year, and four thousand persons at the same time divorced. And it should be remembered that this destruction of the family does not apply to the foreign population, but is confined to the strictly native New-Englanders.

The value and permanence of the family as an institution can not be too highly estimated. It is indispensable to all organized society. It is the nursery of the Church, and no state or nation can prosper long without it. Wherever a people have attained the greatest prosperity, or advanced to the highest civilization, there the interests of the family have been most sacredly guarded. The experience of six thousand years, through changes numerous and varied, has demonstrated the superlative importance of the family institution. And the stronger the safeguards surrounding it, furnished by law and custom, the more permanent and successful will it be, and the greater the prosperity of any nation. Among no Christian or civilized people at the present day do we find divorces sought and obtained to such an extent as now in New England; and in only three instances in the history of nations can we find such a breaking up of the family by this means. The first indications of decline in Greece and Rome were disturbances in the family. When

the interests of this institution began to suffer in various ways, divorces multiplied, which with other evils brought on the downfall of those nations once so renowned.

In 1790, when the floodgates of the French Revolution were opened, the frequency of divorces became alarming. Within a year and a half more than twenty thousand divorces were granted; but even these, in proportion to the whole population of France at that time, are not equal to the ratio of divorces to marriages as now found in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

If there had been no accessions to our population from a foreign source, and the increase or changes had been confined exclusively to the native stock, we should probably witness an exhibition of facts very different from what exists at the present day. Could this foreign element be at once eliminated entirely, domestic life would present in New England a very different appearance. The real state of the family and its relations to the public might then be better understood. Without entering upon any detailed discussion of this subject, two or three points only will be noticed.

An inspection of the tables in the early part of this paper shows that the difference in the number of marriages in the four States, between 1860 and 1878, was quite small. In Massachusetts the increase of marriages of 1878 over those of 1860 (the whole number being over 12,000) was only 489, while the increase of population between these years amounted to 420,846. From the Registration Reports it appears that this addition of population is made up largely of the foreign element. It is evident, too, that this increase has gained more rapidly of late years than formerly. From the same reports it appears that the birth-rate of the foreign class is more than twice as large as the American, and the marriage-rate of the foreign is also considerably larger. It also appears that the birth-rate and the marriage-rate of the strictly American have, for a long time, been decreasing-so much so that the increase of numbers in this class is very small, and in some places even doubtful. From the same reports these two facts are gleaned : 1. In a much larger number of cases than formerly marriage is postponed to a later period in life; and, 2. A greater disparity of ages between the parties is found to exist than formerly. It may be that these general facts sustain a more intimate relation to the increased number of divorces than at first would be supposed.

What can be done to eradicate, or arrest the progress of evils which so direfully threaten the vital interests of society? May

there not be something wrong in the notions and views of marriage, as entertained at the present day? Has there not been a departure, in the teaching and practice, from what once prevailed in New England as to the objects of marriage? Have not the vital interests of the family, in too many cases, been undervalued or misunderstood? What, then, are the teachings of experience? What are the instructions on the subject as given by the oldest and largest Christian denominations in Europe?

The primary objects of marriage as indicated in works on the subject, in formulas of marriage service, in liturgies, and prayerbooks, may be summed up under these three heads: 1. The production of children; 2. The preservation of chastity; and, 3. Mutual company and help. These propositions not only derive their support from the Scriptures, but are confirmed by all experiThey have also their counterpart in the laws of human organization. Independently of all evidence derived from the Scriptures, or even from experience, in favor of the family, we believe the necessity of such an institution, in order to promote the highest welfare of man, can be proved from physiology alone.

ence.

The primary objects of marriage as stated in these propositions can be secured only by a proper observance of the laws of this science. Moreover, the failure to comply with either one of these propositions goes so far toward weakening and breaking down the marriage relation. While the observance of the commands of Revelation on this subject is indispensable, the laws of physical organization are equally important. The teachings and instructions derived from the former source would have a far more powerful effect were their connection with the laws which govern the body to be more clearly and forcibly set forth. It would be seen that the penalties attached to the violation of physical laws are as sure and terrible as those attached to the violation of spiritual. In many cases the retributions are even more severe, and come much sooner. Besides, not only the violators of these laws, but their descendants, frequently suffer the penalties.

The science of physiology is comparatively in its infancy, as far as a practical application of its principles to the domestic relations of life is concerned. It might be shown that the propositions stated above as to the objects of marriage sustain a most intimate and important relation to this science. It might also be shown that its principles, practically applied, will shed light upon other dark spots or evils in domestic life, and afford a better ex

planation of some of the causes which have led to so many di

vorces.

What can be done to check divorces, and place the domestic relations upon a more permanent foundation? The primary objects of marriage and the importance of the family institution must be better understood and appreciated. The public, and especially the young, need instruction upon this subject. Parents have here a sacred duty to perform to their children. The pulpit and the press should give more attention to it. By this, and other means, considerations of a high moral and religious character should be brought to bear upon it with all the appropriateness and power that is possible. The value of the family and the need of securing its health and permanence can not be too thoroughly impressed all classes.

upon

As long as the interests of the family were made paramount, as long as a "home and the blessing of children were the end and essence of life" to the Roman citizen, Rome flourished. But when "marriage on both sides became a matter of mercantile speculation," and there was a "general unwillingness to rear families," arising from "an extravagantly high standard of comfort"-when infidelity in the domestic relations became a matter of frequent occurrence, and divorces multiplied-the Roman Empire perished.*

When an institution has such a forming and governing influence upon society and the state as the family, too great safeguards can not be thrown around it, both by law and custom. We should have wiser and more stringent legislation upon divorces. There is need of higher intelligence and greater watchfulness on the part of those who direct public opinion and make our laws. In addition to a more general diffusion of knowledge and improved legislation, those physical laws which lie at the foundation of all others must be recognized and obeyed. If false views prevail in the community as to the objects of marriage, and habits are indulged which violate physical laws, these views and habits must be corrected. Also, if changes are going on in the physical organization of our people which interfere seriously with the duties and responsibilities

* "Rome is a most interesting study for us Americans, because her vices, greed for gold, prodigality, a coarse material civilization, corruption in the family as manifested by connubial unfaithfulness, and divorces, are increasing among us. Whether we are to be a thoroughly Christian nation, or are destined to decay and loss of our present political forms, depends upon our ability to keep family life pure and simple." ("Essay on Divorce,” p. 49, by T. D. Woolsey, D. D., LL. D.)

of domestic life, they should be thoroughly understood. If such an intense nervous temperament, with a lack of muscular power, is being developed as to beget both an indisposition and an inability to comply normally with the propositions laid down above as to marriage, it is wise to pause and consider. How can a people truly prosper and increase in numbers, while constantly violating great fundamental laws?

NATHAN ALLEN.