Page:Christian Marriage.djvu/153

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UNDER MODERN CONDITIONS
137

tween persons affected by certain forms of disease? Ought the mentally infirm to be permitted to marry? Ought intermarriage between Europeans and negroes to be encouraged, or even tolerated? These, and many similar questions, are in debate; and for their due answering they demand, not only accurate knowledge of the relevant facts, but also a self-suppressing temper of mind, and a willingness on the part of individuals to sacrifice their natural franchise to the clear interest of the public. There is no rival to Christianity as a power able to create the self-suppressing temper.

Christian marriage ought to be plainly recognisable as the true version of marriage, that which most completely fulfils the natural law of sexual relationship and brings to society the greatest strength and enrichment. The contribution which the Christian Church can make to the advancement of the general life and the guidance of the modern State is mainly