e, it is as explicit as language can
make it; and with regard to polygamy it is so plain as to have secured
the assent of every portion of the Christian churches in all ages. The
very fact that there has been no diversity of opinion or practice among
Christians with regard to polygamy, is itself decisive evidence that the
will of Christ was clearly revealed on the subject. The temptation to
continue the practice was as strong, both from the passions of men, and
the sanction of prior ages, as in regard to slavery. Yet we find no
traces of the toleration of polygamy in the Christian church, though
slavery long continued to prevail. There is no evidence that the
apostles admitted to the fellowship of Christians, those who were guilty
of this infraction of the law of marriage. It is indeed possible that in
cases where the converts had already more than one wife, the connection
was not broken off. It is evident this must have occasioned great evil.
It would lead to the breaking up of families, the separation of parents
and children, as well as husbands and wives. Under these circumstances
the connection may have been allowed to continue. It is however very
doubtful whether even this was permitted. It is remarkable that among
the numerous cases of conscience connected with marriage, submitted to
the apostles, this never occurs.

Dr. Channing uses language much too strong when he says that polygamy
was common and licensed in the days of the apostles. It was contrary
both to Roman and Grecian laws and usages until the most degenerate
periods of the history of those nations. It was very far from being
customary among the Jews, though it might have been allowed. It is
probable that it was, therefore, comparatively extremely rare in the
apostolic age. This accounts for the fact that scarcely any notice is
taken of, the practice in the New Testament. Wherever marriage is spoken
of, it seems to be taken for granted, as a well understood fact, that it
was a contract for life between one man and one woman; compare Rom. vii:
2, 3. 1 Cor. vii: 1, 2, 39. It is further to be remarked on this
subject, that marriage is a positive institution. If God had ordained
that every man should have two or more wives, instead of one, polygamy
would have been lawful. But slaveholding is denounced as a _malum in
se_; as essentially unjust and wicked. This being the case, it could at
no period of the world receive the divine sanction, much less could it