MARRIAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 116, 19 May 1933, Page 6

MARRIAGE.

The lecture by the Rev. W. Lawson Harsh, M.A., on "Why Be Good" will probably give rise, in the minds of thoughtful people to several serious problems. This reverend gentleman is reported by the "Star" as saying: "For example, Earl Russell regarded present day marriage as the chief social obstacle to happiness, and frankly proposed that ideals of married honour and loyalty should be thrown to the wolves." Earl Russell, still kflow 11 in literature as Bertrand Russell, has written brilliantly 011 many things. By far his most valuable work is "Marriage and Morals," which discusses the subject of sex with a dignity and comprehensiveness not previously equalled. A large part of the book is given to the .consideration of questions usually shirked by lesser men. 111 this volume Mr. Russell gives us his own recipe for domestic bliss: "A companionship which has lasted for many years and t'lrough many deeply felt events has a richness of content which cannot belong to the first days of love, however delightful tlie.se may be. * And any person who appreciates what time can do to enhance values will not lightly throw away such companionship for the sake of new love. It is, therefore, possible for a civilised man and woman to be happy in marriage, although if this is to be the case a number of conditions must bo fulfilled. There must be a feeling of complete equality on both sides; there must be no interference with mutual freedom; there must be the most compete physical and mental intimacy; and there must be a certain similarity in regard to standards of values. It is fatal, for example, if one values only money while the other values onl,c. good work. Given all these conditions, I believe marriage to be the best and most important relation that can exist between two human beings." Mr. Russell's style is generally excellent, clear and pointed. But his greatest quality is that he can sometimes rise to an elevation of language which no other writer of our time has reached. S. GLADING.