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258 LETTERS.
if we have once found such a home in anothers soul, then
every thing discordant which chanced to come between us,
was a mere fleeting cloud in a bright sky ; if we once have
felt such a deep union with another being that nothing in
the world could shake its sincerity; if we have felt that we
belonged to one another eternally from a deep, divine
necessity, then we can let much in this life come and go as
it will; can lose much, suffer much, and yet be tranquil,
still have enough, and still thank God for immeasurable
wealth in the confidence of our heart.
May it be thus with you! .....
I might be willing to accede to your views, relating to a
new législation with respect to matrimony,’ if you could
convince me that the children’s fate would thereby become
in a measure as much secured, or that it would not be more
exposed to chance and to neglect than is now the case. If
we contemplate man, such as he is in general on earth and
in society, we find clearly that it is not good to trust to his
inspirations.
Caprice and passion play too prominent a part therein ;
they frequently overrule his better conscience, and would
probably do this effectually, if he had not in the higher
conscience of humanity, and in the laws which pronounce
and represent the same, a friendly monitor and a judge,
who prevent him from becoming the slave of the tyranny
of selfish passions. It is no doubt clear that the judicial
ties in matrimony are the means at the disposal of society
for protecting the life and the future of the weak and help-
less (the wife and children) against the husband’s or the
parent’s neglect, or their disregard of their duties. And
the interposition of the clergyman, in the name of the
church or of religion, in order to unite man or woman, is
merely the visible expression of the inward truth and aim
which alone can make the union between man and woman
1 These views appear to have referred to the so-called civil marriage,
without the codperation of the clergy for its legal institution.
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