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London, England, 1862-03-08 00:00:00

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fact 8. The Roman Catholic Church does not regard
this marriage as forbidden in Scripture. '
Fact 9. The Greek Church allows such marriages to
those not of her communion.
Fact 10. Protestant Dissenters regard the prohibition of
• this marriage as unscriptural and inexpedient, the Depu-
ties of the Three Denominations having repeatedly peti-
tioned Parliament for its removal.
Fact 11. The laws of England, Ireland, and Scotland
declare all marriages lawful which are not prohibited by
God's law.
Fact 12. The canons, articles, and formularies of the
United Church of England and Ireland, and the confession
of faith of the Scotch Church, admit the lawfulness of all
marriages not forbidden in Holy Scripture.
Fact: 13. This marriage may be lawfully celebrated in
every country in the world, except our own.
Fact 14. This marriage is lawful in Lower Canada and
in all British colonies established before 1835.
Fact 15. This marriage was practically permitted in this
being
before 1835, its absolute prohibition in England
oeing a recent innovation, dating only from that year.
, Pact 16. No complaint was made of the operation of the
"l'iv as it stood before 183.5. Neither in this nor in any
other country has it been shown that the permission of this
marriage has been attended with injurious consequences.
Fact 17. The Act of 1835 was an unjustifiable compro-
mise, the majority of the House of Commons reluctantly
deceased
to the future prohibition of marriage with a
"eceased wife's sister, as the means of procuring the legalisa-
tion of all past marriages of the kind.
Fact 18. The Bench of Bishops on that occasion con-
kilted to legalise marriages with a deceased wife's sister,
Previously celebrated—a measure to which it was impossible
theY should have assented had they believed the maniage
contrary to the Word of God.
Fact 19. The Royal Commissioners on the Law of Mar-
r'age declare that the Act of 1835 has not secured the re-
spect or obedience of society.
Fact 20. Thousands of such marriages have been con-
tracted ; they are found in every town and neighbourhood
in the kingdom.
Fact 21. Seventy-four cases of such marriages have been
discovered in the united parishes of St, Margaret and St.
John, Westminster.
Fact 22. Society, almost without exception, regards per-
Bons so united as scripturally married, and worthy of re-
spect, and in so doing condemns the law which declares
their marriage void.
Fact 23. More than 400 clergymen of the Church of
England in and around London, besides numerous others in
all parts of the kingdom, have petitioned for the removal of
the existing prohibition.
Fact 24. Twenty-three Spiritual Peers, including two
Archbishops, have declared it to be their opinion that there
is no scriptural prohibition of these marriages.
Fact 25. Eleven Deemer and more than 360 other clergy-
toeriof the Established Church in Ireland, have expressed
a decided opinion that this marriage is not prohibited in
Scripture.
Fact 26. Petitions having 1,119,392 signatures have been
presented for the repeal of the present restriction.
Fact 27. The House of Commons, in 32 divisions, have
voted for repealing the existing law.
Fact 28. Property left to a wife's sister pays a legacy
duty of 10 per cent., as to a " stranger in blood. '

OPINIONS.
"Had the intentions of the Law-Giver been to prohibit
the marriage of a wife's sister altogether, even human wis-
dom would never have taken a coarse so sure to defeat its
purpose, as to lay down a rule forbidding it solely in one
par"titular case."—Archdeacon Hare's Charge.
I will undertake to say that in no part of the civilised
world is there to be found a more moral and intelligent peo-
ple, especially in regard to the intercourse of the sexes,
than are the people of the State of Massachusetts; and yet,
ray lords, in that State the marriages which the noble lord
Reeks to legalise are consistent with the law. They are not
Only legal, but they are of constant occurrence."—Speech
of Lord Lyndhurst.
"It seems to be established and admitted that the moral
feeling of the community at large is not with this law—that
the law, in fact, is not obeyed, and that a great number of
persons not cot sidering themselves to commit any moral
cffenee do contract marriages which the law prohibits.
That is not a state of things which ought to exist ; and not
being of opinion that there is any moral objection to the
contracting of these marriages, and believing that the law
as it stands is the cause of a great deal of misery and social
"11, especially among the middle and lower classee of the
community, I shall with great pleasure give my vote for the
Motion."—Speech of Lord Palmerston.
" I must say that I have satisfied myself that there is not
allY religious prohibition of these marriages. I think where
Persons feel that they can without scruple contract them
thp' should be allowed to do so."—Speech of Earl Russell.
, The arguments attempted to be drawn from Scripture
by the opponents of the measure were arguments by infe-
rence ; and, considering the conflict of opinion among emi-
nent divines of this and other Christian communities, and
that at best arguments by inference were of a very doubtful
character, he thought they might very well leave the reso-
lution of the doubt to the conscience of each individual.
13.111', believing, as he did, that Scripture, so far from prohi-
iting, sanctioned these marriages, it was a grievance of
which the people might justly complain, that the law of
the land was out of harmony with the revealed will of
n
're<l."—Speech of the Bishop of Ripon.
" We consider that the feelng against these marriages
18 ins great measure founded rather on a vague and unin-
formed assumption that they are prohibited by God's Word
than on a mature examination either of the Scriptures or
the law of the Church. We do not find that the persons
who contract these marriages and the relations and friends
who approve them, have a less strong sense than others of
religious and moral obligation, or are marked by laxity of
conduct. These marriages will take place when a concur-
rence of circumstances gives rise to mutual attachment;
they are not dependent on legislation."—Report of Royal
Commissioners, signed by the Bishop of Lichfield, Mr.
Stuart Wortley, Dr. Lushingion Mr. Blake, Mr. Justice
Williams, and Lord Advocate Rutherfurd.
"It is remarkable that while there is an express injunc-
tion against the marriage of a man with his brother's
widow' there is no such prohibi ion against his marriage
with his deceased wife's sister. In verse 18 the prohibition
1.4 only against marrying the wife's sister during the life-
time of the first wife, wich of itself implies the liberty to
marry the sister after her death."—Rev. Dr. Chalmers.
" I cannot bring myself to believe that the Divine law
pr hibits a man from marriage with a deceased wife's
aister."—Dr. Musgrave, late Arehbishop of York.
" lie should say that such marriages as the Bill was in-
tended to legalise were not prohibited, but were tacitly per-
mitted by the words of the chapter which had been so often
quoted. Ile protested against the opinions expressed by
those who contended that there existe any Divine prohi-
bition."—bishop of St. David's
Chaffin, that hath married twoSPeech (1851).
from your Grace and me, hangeh ai
stilsltbeergfOrueptohnehdiesleagappteeals,
and, as much as I can perce_isz,ou is not
they would decree itnot likely to take any
great hurt at their hands.
were lawful to marry two sisters, so should thern world be
out of doubt, as now it is passed away in a
Bishop Jewel, in a letter to Archbishop Par°lrcererYcl'a.t'e—d
June, 1563. From the original, in the Archiepiscopal
Palace, Lambeth. ( Phis opinion of Bishop Jewel was
given two years after the adverse opinion so often quoted.
This Court of Delegates, which would not condemn Chafin,
was the great Court of Appealh sin
ualarlleaeatencdlesTiaesmaatgispcaoawi
appointed by the Icing unders
Spiritual
Seal. It was fres
euently filled with Lords pin
ecclesiastical
It: atta:ne:Bf
always with Judges of the Courts at Westminster and Doc-
tors of the Civil Law.)
" The Scriptures should be therulemi
faith, and, as I can find nothing that iftaltiefse
o osition that in_such
maeriages, I feel bound to oppose. any
terferes with the liberty of the subjeeo,tf's' 13:RDpeavidS,isr.Erasmus
Williams, Bart., M.A. Chancellor
" The prohibition oetaking two sisters was meant for the
lifetime only."--Milton.
withins the • WV ed degrees' ? In a .
" Is the marriab're of a widower with histllaftreawnkifnee'ssssiastnedr
pro io
honesty I am ob ed tci
neither b g "et implication.
Canonical
y express veto, nor , by
austerity is not to be identified 14-1
answer—No. It is interdicted
of Biblical
menial fidelity."—Rev. Dr. Eadie, Professor s
fiend.
Literature to the United Presbyterian C:.`ttrt.h.
th moral purity
o shows
or
,matris
ripture d
" It appears to me, therefore, that first, as 57,."
that there is nothing immoral in such a connee
secondly, as it is obvious that much evil would be pro ..-41.=
Itts_ny, poor children saved from misery and ruin, by havi.7's
wouldat person over them who, in a majority of instances,
be the next best substitute for a mother, my own mind
's led to believe that the law of man ought to tally in this
l'''sPret with the law of Ged."—Rev. Canon Charnpneys."
" Eut has it never occurred to you, my dear Wynn, that
this law is an abominable relic of ecclesiastical tyranny?
Of all second marriages I have no hesitation in saying that
these are the most suitable, and likely to be the most fro-
g-111W)if tho law did not sometimes prevont Omni It is

quite monstrous, judges and lawyers speaking as they have
done of late upon this subject."—Robert Southey.
"People in general do not consider such marriages im-
proper. They cannot be proeed to be improper by Scrip-
ture. The question is therefore one of expediency, and my
experience as a parochial minister induces me to think the
Measure expedient. On these grounds, if ever a Convoca-
tion be called, and I be elected one of the proctors, I shall
move for an alteration in this regard in the table okindred
and affinity. Until this he the ease, I shall be glad to see
such marriages legalised by the civil rite."—Rev. Dr. Hook,
Dean of Chichester.
"Were the prohibitions founded on Scripture, we ought,
at whatever sacrifice, to obey God rather than man ; but I
cannot see the expediency of a law which, having no such
sanction, is observed only by the scrupulous, evaded by the
wealthy, and defied or disregarded by the poor."—Rev.
Canon Dale.
"It is not only not considered as prohibited, but it is dis-
tinctly understood to be permitted ; and on this point nei-
ther the Divine law, nor the Rabbis, nor historical Judaism,
leaves room for the least doubt. 1 can only reiterate my
former assertions that all sophistry must split on the clear
and unequivocal words, Lev. xviii. 18, in her lifetime.' "
EVidence of Dr. Adler, the Chief Rabbi of the Jews in
England.
"He asked them to reflect that the parting request of
many a dying wife was that the man should marry her
sister, which was the best testimony to the feeling of woman
in this matter. Such marriages were not repugnant to
nature nor to Scripture ; and if they did but look calmly at
these facts, sure he was that the day was not far distant
when the obnoxious law would be repealed."—Speech of the
Rev. J. C. Miller, D.D.
"As no clear and strong case has been made out of im-
portant advantage to the public from such restriction, I take
my stand on the broad general principle that every restric-
tion is an evil in itself—the burden of proof lying upon the
advocates of any restriction to show its necessity." . . .
" You aro at liberty to refer to me as approving of the aboli-
tion of the restriction on marriage to which you allude."—
Archbishop Whatley, in a letter to Q. A. Crowder, Esq.
"I admit that a marriage with ti wife's sister is not for-
bidden in Leviticus."—Bishon of London (Dr. Kay).
" Such marriages. I apprehend, e nearly as frequent as
the circumstances which usually give rise to them. I have
not known any social disadvantages attending them."—
Bishop M'llvain, Ohio, United States.
"Nothing is more common in almost all the States of
America than second marriages of this sort ; and, so far
from being doubtful as to their moral tendency, they are
among us deemed the very best sort of marriages. In my
whole life I never the slightest suggestion against them,
founded on moral or domestic considerations."—Chief Jus-
tice Story, United States.
"Whence, I pray you, is this rigour of man against man,
which God has not required ? Who has given to men this
power (of annulling or prohibiting marriage) ? Be it that
they were holy men, and influenced by pious zeal ; why
should another's zeal infringe my liberty ? Let any one be as
zealous and as holy as he will, so that he does not injure
his neighbour, or rob him of his liberty. Let them arm
themselves with the Divine law, and say, 'What God hath
joined together, let no man put asunder.' The union to
husband and wife is of Divine right, which is binding, how-
ever contrary it may be to human laws, and the laws of
men ought to yield to it without reserve. For if a man
leaves father and mother to cleave to his wife, how much
rather shall he trample under foot the contemptible and
unjust laws of men, and cleave to his wife ? And Pope,
Bishop, or officer, if he dissolve any marriage contracted in
opposition to merely human law, is Antichrist, a violator
of nature, a traitor against the Divine Majesty; for that
sentence still stands, ' What God lath joined lot no man
put asunder.' Perish, therefore, those cursed traditions of
men, which have been brought in only to multiply dangers,
offences, and miseries in the Church."—Luther.
" However inexpedient such marriages may be in certain
cases, I have been unable to discover their unscriptural
character. With these views I willingly subscribe the
opinion already given on the subject by my respected Me-
tropolitan, the Archbishop of Dublin."—The Bishop of
Limerick.

"As it is now admitted by the ripest scholars and most
accurate critics that there is not the slightest prohibition in
the Scriptures against the marriage with a deceased wife's
sister, I consider the legal restriction to be both unjust and
most injurious, producing the deepest social evils."—The
Bishop of Down and Connor.
" I believe such marriages as you wish to make lawful
are already lawful, according to the letter and spirit of Holy
Scripture, and I hope the civil and ecclesiastical law will
speedily be made conformable to the Divine."—Dr. Close,
Dean of Carlisle.
" You are understood to state that you are of opinion that
so far as the interpretation of Scripture goes, either in the
Mosaic or Christian dispensation, there is nothing repug •
nant to those marriages?"—" There is nothing repugnant
in my opinion."—Evidence of Rev. R. C. Jenkins, M.A.
" The petition was probably entrusted to me in conse-
quence of my having declared without hesitation that the
marriage of a sister of a deceased wife was not prohibited by
the Levitical law."—The late Dr. Copleston, Bishop of
Landaff.
" I shall only add that all persons who voted for the Act
of Parliament which legalised such marriages of that de-
scription as had taken place—nay, all who had an oppor-
tunity of opposing that act, and did not oppose it, must be
regarded as subscribing to the declaration that these mar-
riages were not in opposition to the Word of God."—The
late Bishop of Meath.
"Without pursuing the subject further, I shall give it as
my opinion that the marriage in question is not against
either nature or the law of God."—Rev. I'. Binney.
"Are marriages of this description considered in Ger-
many to be at at all `contra bones, mores ?"—" Nof at all.
So far from their being considered `contra bonos mores,' the
feeling of the people of Germany is undoubtedly in favour
of such marriages."—Evidence of A. Bach, Esq.
" Socially speaking, if a case was made out that morality
would be endangered by the Bill, that would be a reason for
rejecting it; but he had not heard it established that such
danger could arise. Marriage being a civil rite, they were
bound t 3 make that civil rite co-extensive with the feelings
of the country. He had therefore come to the conclusion
that it was his duty to support the second reading of the
Bill."—Speech of the late Lord Herbert.
"He was entitled to say that the evils anticipated from
permitting these marriages here had not manifested them-
selves in those countries; for if they had, the law which
had authorised them would not have been suffered to con-
tinue for 12 menthe—Speech of Lord Chief Justice Cock-
burn.
"He had before stated his belief that if the matter came
to be investigated before the courts, it would turn out that
the marriage contemplated in this Bill was in Scotland a
lawful marriage ; and he had good reason for saying that
that was the opinion of an hon. baronet than whom no per-
son ever stood higher in the Church of Scotland—Sir H.
Moncrieff. For himself, having come to the deliberate
opinion that the marriage in question was not forbidden by
the law of Leviticus, he came also to the opinion that the
connection was not a crime, and that the marriage was
effectual for civil purposes."—Speech of the Lord Adv-
ocate of Scotland (Rutherfurd.)
" I express my conviction that Scripture says not one
word against marriage with a deceased wife's sister. Surely
it is not a crime, and, if it be not, the law that constitutes
it so must be, for the worst of all crimes is an evil and un-
just law."—Rev. Geo. Gilfillan, Dundee.
" The prohibition of such marriages is, in my judgment,
sanctioned neither by Scripture, nor by physiology, nor by
expediency."—Rev H. Renton, Kelso, Scotland.
" If this marriage be lawful in the sight of God, then I
go upon the broad ground that, in such a case, no man has
a right to impose a restriction on his fellow-man which
God has not imposed; that the doing so can only bring a
snare upon the conscience, and be the occasion of sin ; and
that no sanction of human law can be expected ultimately
to succeed in enforcing what a man feels is no transgres-
sion of the law of God. . • " That it is lawful, accord-
ing to the Word of God, I consider incontrovertibly proved
by the passages in Leviticus of which I feel sure T have
established the only correct translation."—Rev. C, J.
Goodhart, M.A.
" The petition from the City of London in favour of this
marriage was signed by a large number of persons, and
among others by the Lord Mayor, Governor and Deputy-
Governor of the Bank of England, and a considerable
number of the Directors of the establishment, 59 private
bankers, by the Chamberlain of the City of London, by
237 merchants, 146 solicitors, 124 barristers, and 61 phy-
sicians. It was his good fortune to be acquainted with a
large number of persons who signed this petition, and he
could say, from his knowledge of their characters, that
their opinions were entitled to the greatest weight and at-
tention."—Speech of Lord 0 verstone.
"That the enactments of the Levitical law are entirely
misinterpreted when applied in condemnation of marriage
with a deceased wife's sister, was the decided judgment of
Mr. Wesley, the founder of our societies; and I believe that
similar views have since been entertained by many of those
among us who have been led by circumstances carefully to
examine the matter, and whose competency to judge of such
a question has given great weight to their conclusion."—
Rev. Dr. Bunting.
"He had given his best attention to the arguments ad-
duced to show that there was a Divine prohibition against
these marriages, but he was satisfied in his own mind that
no such prohibition existed."...." Then came the question
as t o the effects of this measure upon society, and he thought
that the great preponderance of arguments, and facts upon
which arguments were grounded, were in favour of the alte-
ration of this law."—Speech of Sir George-Grey.
" There was no prohibition of the wife's sister, except
during the lifetime of the wife."—Rev. Professor Robinson,
New York, author of " Researches in Palestine."
"From the fact that the prohibition of marriage with the
sister of a wife is restricted to the lifetime of the wife, Ms
evident that under this prohibition is not comprehended
marriage with the sister of a deceased wife, the limitation
`in her lifetime' leaving the marriage free after her death"
—Cardinal Cajetan.
"Moses, in Leviticus, prohibited certain marriages and
permitted others in the same degree. For he prohibited
marriage with the wife of a brother even after his death,
and did not prohibit marriage with the sister of a wife, un-
less in her lifetime ; and, consequently, did not prohibit it
with the sister of a deceased wife."—Cardinal Bellarmine.
" Do you construe that passage in Leviticus (xviii., 18) as
prohibiting marriage with a deceased wife's sister, or merely
as saying that a man should not take two wives together, at
the same time, being so related?—Certainly, that verse ap-
pears to have the latter meaning, that two sisters should not
be li% ing together in the same house as wives of the same
person." . . "Is such a marriage held by your church
rdprohibited in Scripture ?"—" Certainly not. It is con-
ered a matter of ecclesiastical legislation."—Cardinal
Wiseman.
" The prohibition in Leviticus xviii. 18, being limited to
marrying a wife's•
ne-
cessarily sister during the life of the first wife,
ex cases,i
te ntelieeosft(thoughritonnyaepsrvitomrhtiuobdai
tleiloyonfanasgadanictnatsicotintmliyna,6r;737linmcghplhiieesrs, itnh emnaonny_
death of the first wife."—The Rev. Dr. Bag•ot,
Dromore. afterpeant the

" Ho hial given his best attention to the arguments
entsnad
ad-
duced to show that the
hero was a Divine prohibition against
these marriages, but
ddSerPtaheteeic'Ynconfiictin erospinions respect-
tion existed. Then camew was satisfied that no such prohibi-
a%aitrieonan
Compromise ot
the
et his best laevicanns—:ii thea question as to the effects of
this measure upon society,
prerenderance of argnin _he thought that the great
facts was in favour of the
of Sir George Grey.
it
iee that a
oft La or
deceasedd Bury's Bill
wife's
Bteo j can give to it, '.t
sisgr."—The Rev. T.
n fair and rea-
sonable
Hartwell Her• P.D.
1 41 From Tarim omicleratiotio, guob, ward. 1,
ainpgpetahres
intoa
Eqs um laaTO

ibnegc on
contrary very
opinion,
con-
trary, inclined to consider them both natural and.desi able.
We express our conviction that there ought to exist perfect
liberty between widowers and the sisters of their late wives
atshatupcehoplearrariaer ittrarbe-
to contract such marriage."—Ducal Saxe Coburg, M inis-
try in Council.
" It is my decided conviction, after careful investigation
and consideration, that there is no direct scriptural prohi-
bition declaring such marriages unlawful. Ido riot stop to
consider how the repeal of the present law may affect the
intercourse between a husband and his wife's sister. This
is not a matter for legislation. I could not support the law
as it now stands."—Bishop of Manchester.
" Whether the question is considered in a religious, moral,
or social point of view, such marriages are unobjectionable,
while in many instances they contribute to the happiness of
the partiei, and to the welfare of motherless children, and
among the poor have a tendency to prevent immorality."
—Petition signed by the Bishop of London (Dr. Tait),
1819.
" There is even among the opponents of this bill (the
Marriages Bill) a wide diversity of opinion as to there being
a Divine command prohibiting these marriages, and the
weight of authority is ag-iinst the existence of any such
Divine injunction. If among the richer classes there is a
dislike upon social grounds to a change in the law, that
dislike rests upon sentimental rather than on substantial
grounds ; whereas among the poorer classes it cannot be
denied that the law causes great immorality and unhappi-
'uess."—Speech of Lord Wodehouso.
" We who support this bill do not think that the marriage
of deceased wife's sister is opposed to the law of God, and
we do think that it is as wrong to restrict that which God
permits, as to grant dispensation for that which God for•
bids."—Speech of Viscount 'Afford. -
" These marriages are not contrary to the Divine com-
mand. The Scriptural argument against them seems to
me to break down at every step. In proportion as, by our
prohibitions, we multiply the opportunities of temptation,
and prevent.the enjoyment of any seeming advantage, not
evil in itself, in ' Ills same proportion ws extend and
the power of the enemy of mankind."— Speech of the Bishop
of Killaloe.
"He did not think the measure proposed was any in-
fringement on Scriptural precepts or commands. It was a
remarkable fact that from the time when the Scriptural law
was given to the present day, so far as could be ascertained,
the Jewish people themselves had never interpreted that
law as a law of prohibition. Referring to marriage with a
brother's widow, the Bishop said it was inconceivable that,
on a subject of moral purity and moral principle the author
of a Scriptural law should in one place permit that which
in another place was prohibited. He felt bound to say that
he did not perceive in the Scriptures any direct prohibition
or any inferential prohibition against such marriages."—
Speech of the ex-Bishop of Norwich.
" So far as the poor are concerned, I believe that an al-
teration of the present law is much to be desired."—Lord
Auckland, Bishop of Bath and Wells.
" If a layman may, without presumption, take place in
controversy, and adopt the conclusion arrived at by the
Bishops of St. David's and Norwich, that marriage with a
deceased wife's sister is not only not prohibited, but permitted
by the Divine law—not through negligence, as too fre-
quently happens in the best essays of human legislation, but
studiously and of purpose—can any human authority be
justified in nullifying a marriage contracted under such
sanction, and putting asunder those who are united with
such approbation ?"—Lord Chief Justice Denman.
"The unlawfulness of the case you mention arises from
the Canon, not the Civil Law. As for sinfulness, it is en-
tirely out of the question ; and as to natural consanguinity,
in such cases, it does not exist. Against such a connexion
as that which your friend projects, there is nothing in na-
ture, nothing in grace."—The Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke.
" In the judgment of the Board, the marriage of a widower
with the sister of his deceased wife is scripturally lawful,
and ought not to be prohibited by human legislation.'—The
Board of Baptist Ministers in London and Westminster.
" I certainly have a strong opinion against the Act which
forbids the marriage with a deceased wife's sister, and have
no objection to put my sentiments on paper for you to make
any use of that you think proper."—Rev. J. H. Gurney,
Hon. Canon of St. Paul's, and Rector of St. Mary's, Mary-
lebone.
"He was acquainted with the working classes, and he
must tell the House that the Act of 1835, in reference to
their happiness, had worked most injuriously. He consi-
dered that the religious objection to legalising the marriage
had been virtually given up."—Sir S. Morton Peto, Bart.,
M.P.

" I know of no social disadvantage attending such mar-
riages. The apprehensions expressed in England on this
hea are entirely dissipated by our experience."—Right
Rev. Bishop Burgess, Maine, United States.
" I am not one of those who hold that such marriages are
forbidden by Scripture—and I am not aware that any spe-
cial disadvantages, social or domestic, have resulted from
thern."—Right Rev. Bishop Potter, Pennsylvania, United
States.
" The question was discussed extensively in the Presby
terian Church in the United States, and the new school
body as it is called generally held to the propriety of such
marriages. I did then, and stilt do coincide with them in
that opinion."—Authoress of " Uncle Tom's Cabin."
" The division the other night (in the House of Commons
in 1835), proceeded upon the principle that there was one
particular degree of affinity within which marriage ought
to be allowed—viz., the sister of a deceased wife."—Speech
of Sir William Follett. _ _ _

" He denied the right of the Legislature to infringe upon
the conscience of any individual whatever with respect to
those natural rights of which marriage was, of all others,
the foremost and most necessary. The right of marriage
was given by Providence; and it-was not for man to impose
restrictions upon it."—Speech of Dr, Lushington, M.P.
" These marriages were formerly permitted only by dis-
pensation; but by a law of 1832, for the Evangelican Lu-
theran Church of Russia, they are perfectly free to parties
contracting them. Such marriages are indeed frequent,
particularly among the rural population, where members of
families are thrown more together. It is more than mere
supposition that such marriages are happy ones. Public
opinion in this country is for, rather than against, such
marriames."—Theological Faculty of the Imperial Univer-
sity of' Dorpat, and Livonian Evangelical Consistory of
Russia.
" Public opinion, which feels no scruples of any kind as
to such marriages, approves of them most particularly when
there are young children of a first marriage, as giving them
in the sister of their late mother a second loving mother.
The permission of such marriages has with us been pr3duc-
tive in no way of evil consequences."—Consistory Court of
the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg Strelitz.
" My Lords, the vote which I shall give in support of the
Bill before your Lordships' House, will, I think, be in ac-
cordance with, and not in opposition to, the Levitical law.
I acknowledge that law to be binding. I hold as strongly
as anyone a belief in the inspiration of the Scriptures, but
in saying that, I mean that there is not a word too much,
nor a word too little. Believing, then, that every word has
its own important meaning, I would remark that the verse
in Leviticus, which has been so often alluded to, contains
these words, during her lifetime.' My impression is that
these are qualifying words ; that they imply a prohibition
to take a wife's sister as a wife, during the wife's lifetime to
vex her—but, that the wife being dead, the prohibition was
removed—that the marrying a wife's sister on the death of
the wife is virtually pronounced to be perfectly lawful."—
Speech of the late Bishop of Durham.
" I can see no Scriptural prohibition of the marriages in
question. I believe the repeal of the laws which forbid them
is desired by a very large number of the people of England,
and by many clergymen and other persons in Ireland, and
that such repeal would bo followed by beneficial results."—
The late Dean of Cashel.
"I am of opinion that marriage with a deceased wife's
sister is not forbidden in Holy Scripture, and that the repeal
of the laws which prohibit it would be followed by results
beneficial to society."—The Dean of Kilmacduagh.
" I can find no Scriptural objection to marriage with a
deceased wife's sister, and I consider that the repeal of the
existing laws against such unions would be of much public
usefulness."—The Hon. H. M. Browne, Dean of Lismore.
" He frankly confessed that, if founding a new republic,
he might be disposed to authorise marriage with a deceased
wife's sister."—Speech of Lord Robert Cecil, M.P.
" Having again carefully examined the question, and con-
sulted some of the highest authorities in Hebrew literature
as to the meaning of the Scripture passages, I am confirmed
in the opinion formerlysexpressed, that marriage with a de-
ceased wife's sister is not only not prohibited, ' either ex-
pressly or by implication,' but that, according to Leviticus
xviii. 18 (concerning the translation of which there is not
the least uncertainty), such marriage is plainly allowed."
" I confess that when I entered upon this inquiry I had not
an idea that the case of those who wish a change in the pre-
sent marriage law was so strong. I had thought that the
opinions of grave and learned students of the Bible were
more equally divided, and that, as authorities were pretty
evenly balanced, they who had contracted such marriages
must bear the inconvenience arising from such doubtful
interpretation. But Ido not think so now. Confirmed by
the testimony of antiquity, and the judgment of the most
considerable interpreters at the Reformation, and since the
Reformation, I now believe that there is no reasonable room
for doubt—that there is no verse in the Bible of which the
interpretation is more sure than that of Leviticus 4viii. 18:
and I think it a case of great hardship that they should by
the civil law be punished as transgressors, whose marriage,
according to the Divine law, is permitted and valid ; and
harder still, that the children of such marriages, legitimate
in the sight of the infallible Judy,e, should be visited with
civil disabilities."—Rev,'Alemander M'Caul, D.D.. Profes-
sor of Divinity and Hebrew Literature in King's College,
London.

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