of love. In persons of
refinement, true love seeks concealment in man as well as in
woman. I will not enlarge upon the subject, although it formed so
great a part of his lecture. The contrast drawn seemed a fallacy,
as has much, very much, that has been presented in the sickly
sentimental strains of the poet from age to age.

The question is often asked, "What does woman want, more than she
enjoys? What is she seeking to obtain? Of what rights is she
deprived? What privileges are withheld from her?" I answer, she
asks nothing as favor, but as right; she wants to be acknowledged
a moral, responsible being. She is seeking not to be governed by
laws in the making of which she has no voice. She is deprived of
almost every right in civil society, and is a cipher in the
nation, except in the right of presenting a petition. In
religious society her disabilities have greatly retarded her
progress. Her exclusion from the pulpit or ministry, her duties
marked out for her by her equal brother man, subject to creeds,
rules, and disciplines made for her by him, is unworthy her true
dignity.

In marriage there is assumed superiority on the part of the
husband, and admitted inferiority with a promise of obedience on
the part of the wife. This subject calls loudly for examination
in order that the wrong may be redressed. Customs suited to
darker ages in Eastern countries are not binding upon enlightened
society. The solemn covenant of marriage may be entered into
without these lordly assumptions and humiliating concessions and
promises.

There are large Christian denominations who do not recognize
such degrading relations of husband and wife. They ask no aid
from magistrate or clergyman to legalize or sanctify this union.
But acknowledging themselves in the presence of the Highest and
invoking His assistance, they come under reciprocal obligations
of fidelity and affection, before suitable witnesses. Experience
and observation go to prove that there may be as much harmony, to
say the least, in such a union, and as great purity and
permanence of affection, as can exist where the common ceremony
is observed.

The distinctive relations of husband and wife, of father and
mother of a family, are sacredly preserved, without the
assumption of au