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married in the sight of God. These are, however, ulterior, though in fact great evils, threatening the breaking up of those domestic habits, which are so great a blessing to the English nation. The great evil is the contradiction to the laws of God.” (Dr. Pusey, II., pp. 54-57, and see Preface, p. xcii.)
And now, in conclusion, to what extent will any of the arguments I have brought forward avail? Who will be convinced by them? Not those, I fear, whom self-interest or family convenience are urging on in this matter, unless indeed it please God to over-rule their hearts. But at least I may challenge these, and I do challenge them, to show any other than these motives, as the mainspring of their advocacy for marriage with a deceased wife's sister. But they must be the minority, however exalted their station, or however powerful their influence. Are these then to cause the majority to suffer on their account, and for the desire of, it may be, but a very few, shall grievous hardships be inflicted on so many others? If I am not mistaken, it has been stated, that it was not likely that the number of these marriages would be much increased by the law being altered in their favour. If this be so, it only makes it the more selfish and cruel in those who are demanding the alteration, regardless of the many injuries they would be inflicting upon the many who derive protection from the law as it stands at present, and who “quiet and retiring are to be sacrificed to the clamorous”. Is there then no hope of averting such an impending calamity, as would be the case, if this became the law of the land? No hope of altering the opinion of members of both Houses of Parliament, that by triumphant majorities they may reject this measure and settle the ceaseless agitation on this point for at least some considerable time? Let me appeal to those to take this line, who are supporting this measure from no personal or self-interested motives. Surely I may appeal to them to re-consider their opinions and to re-call their votes on the next occasion. They can have no truer and safer interest in so grave a matter as this, than to follow the better, the safer, the Scriptural, and the Christian way, the way which will preserve the sanctity of marriage, and the purity, decorum, and happiness of the households of this country in their domestic and family relationships, and
