lfish idolatry is preferable to social neglect. This argument will not
bear a critical examination; for it is asserted that in a happy union,
"love is so exclusive that there is hardly a liking for good neighbors,
and scarcely any love at all for God." If the "good neighbors" were
equally blessed, they would not suffer from this exclusiveness, and it
is practically true that there is no higher incentive to love and obey
our Maker than the blessing of a happy marriage.

THE PERPETUATION OF THE SPECIES.

The third essential object of marriage is the perpetuation of the
species. The desire for offspring is innate in the heart of every true
man or woman. It is thus a law of our nature, and, as such, must have
its legitimate sphere. The essential features of reproduction proclaim
monogamy to be the true method of procreation. Promiscuity would render
the mother unable to designate the father of her children. Among lower
animals, pairing is an instinctive law whenever the female is incapable
of protecting and nourishing her offspring alone. During at least
fifteen years, the child is dependent for food and clothing upon its
parents, to say nothing of the requisite moral training and loving
sympathy, which, in a great measure, mould its character. Fidelity to
one promotes multiplication. It has been argued by the advocates of
polygamy that such a system interferes with woman's natural right to
maternity. Of the many marriages celebrated yearly, comparatively few
are sterile. The statement that many single women are desirous of having
children, would apply only to a very limited number, as it is seldom
that they would be able to support children without the aid and
assistance of a father. Promiscuity diminishes the number and
_vitiates_, the quality of the human products. "Women of pleasure never
give to the world sons of genius, or daughters of moral purity."

* * * * *

CHAPTER XVII.

REPRODUCTION.

Every individual derives existence from a _parent_, which word literally
means one who brings forth. We restrict the meaning of the term
_reproduction_, ordinarily, to that function by which living bodies
produce other living bodies similar to themselves. _Production_ means to
bring forth; _reproduction_, the producing again, or renewing. To
protract individual existence, nutrition is necessary, because all vital
changes are attended by _wear_ and _waste_. Nutrition is always engage