The Sanctity of Marriage

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 11, 1 March 1953, Page 4

The Sanctity of Marriage

Historians down tiie ages have labelled each period by some dominant factor of their time, and I should think the historian of the future might call our age the age of organisation. Never in any period have there been so many organisations taking the energy of the people as today. But this age is characterised by another feature, that of severely testing every movement, and only those which can stand such a test have any hope of survival. With such things in the melting pot, only those societies which are wise are taking stock of themselves and finding out which methods are most w’orth while. For instance, the founders of the League of Mothers were wise enough to lay down at the outset that once a year the purpose for which it was set up be recalled, and an address given on the fundamental aim, “The Sanctity of Marriage.” • \ The development of the human race which resulted in the conception of the home and family a:: being the most vital factor in a community, makes a fascinating study. Down through the ages steady progress has been made, interspersed with short spaces when civilisation has witnessed a return to barbarism. We are wise indeed if we learn from the past and s 6 mould the present that future mistakes may be avoided. Primitive ages saw' no advance whatever, for the best is never possible in isolation. Later, halting efforts w r ere made for co-operation and fellowship, and after a long struggle emerged the family; the union of man and woman in a spiritual contract—the only natural relationship to which the name “Holy" is universally given. We know of many things that bind people to--4 gether for a time—material gain, pow’er, even

crime—but none of these last.. For a union to last it must have an intangible, but real, spiritual bond, which endures because it knows no force but that of character. Loyalty to God and the home must go hand in hand and together form the security of any civilisation. A narrow loyalty can never endure, and where the door of the home is shut to God the way is opened up for disaster. Anything which is to live must keep in touch with the source of life. It is good, too, that as we think of the home in the community, we remind ourselves of what is laid down in the Fifth Commandment. This clearly shows that where there is a high ideal of family life, these nations last. The great empires of Greece, Rome and Hgypt fell because of the decay in family life, and any fellowship of women which strives to preserve something which is the life-blood of the community and nation must last and grow. The ideals of the spiritual unity by marriage are not easj to attain, but let each one look to his or her ow r n marriage and see that it is sanctified. • The war destroyed the wealth of the nations; spiritual and material forces were expended. These are being replaced and at the heart of this new era there must he sanctified homes. We must fight hard against anything from within or without which might tend to destroy the Holy Union, ordained by God Himself. By Yen. Archdeacon Rich.