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destruction before that period is an evil, perhaps, but, in certain cases, is lawful.
The following letter was received by a certain physician, from a clergyman of great influence in the community where he resides—a gentleman of rare intellectual culture, and, withal, a shining light in his particular sect. The letter and his reply are given verbatim, the omissions being only such as are necessary to avoid the possibility of exposure:
"Dear Sir,—Since my wife returned home she has not been at all well; she has seemed very much fatigued, etc. This morning, after rising, she was taken with a severe fit of vomiting. Is not this one of the symptoms attendant upon a certain condition? We are both somewhat alarmed about the matter, and we have further firmly decided that we must have no further increase of family at present. If Mrs.——is in such a condition, it would be entirely proper now, before life or animation has commenced, that something be done to bring on the regular periods. We are both very anxious it should be done, and in her present condition there would be nothing at all wrong. But knowing her, and also our general circumstances, as I do, it seems to me a Christian duty. Had life commenced the case would be different. She may not be in this much dreaded condition, however; if not, then what does the morning nausea denote? Please drop me a line, . . . and greatly oblige,
He replied immediately to this letter. It certainly merited attention! We reproduce the reply here, as indicating, in a familiar manner, our views on this subject:
