The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-29
NIP

Polygamy may be defined as the union for life
of man with two or more women. And this
kind Of union appears to have existed as an es-
tablished institution in all the ages Of our world
by the universal evidence of ali history, whether
sacred or protane.
This understood, shall not oppose the preva-
lent idea that poIygamy is an evil in itself A
physical evil it may be; but this does not satisfy
the judgment of lis more Jealous idversaries
since they contend that it is moral eyiI-l posi-
| tive sin in man to be married simultaneously to
more than one woman.
Here, therefore, | es the true aspect of the con
troyersy. And it is evident that it can only be
settled by the Bible. For every Christian is
bound to assent to the rule Of the inspired Apos.
tie, that sin is the transgresson OF tie law,
namely, the law laid down in the Scriptures by
the authority of God--tho supreme "L4wgver
who is able to save and to destroy" From His
Word there en- be no appeal. No rebellion can
be so atrocious in his sgtt as that which dares to
rise against bis government. No basphemy can
be more objectionable than that which imputes
sin or moral evil to the DEGREES of the Eternal
Judge, who is alone perfect in wisdom, in knoBl-
edge and in love.
If il were a matter to be determined BY my
personal sympathes, should be a. ready as any
man to condemn the institution Of poiygamy, for
all my preiud,ces of education, habit, and social
position stand opposed to it.. Bu. as d Christian
! | am solemuly warned not to BE- "wise in my
own conceit," and rot " to lean to my own I'M
derstanding.' As Christian, am compelled to
submit my weak and erring intellect to the au-
thority OF the Almighty. For then only can be
safe in my conclusions, when know that they arc
in accordance with the will Of Him before whose
tribunal | must render suic. accoun. at the last
great day.
proceed, accordingly, to the evidence of the
sacred Scriptures, which lons ago produced com
pete conviction in my own mind, and must, as
regard it, be equally conclusive TO every candle
and siCcere inquirer.
The first appearance OF polygamy in the BbI
is in the case of Lamech fifth in descent from
Cain, whose two wives, Adah and Zllah, (Gen
w. 1929 are mentioned by the inspired wr,e
without any expression of reprobalion, or any al
fusion to the transaction being unusual or rregu
lar. Introduced thus early, it may be regarded
as among the primal principles of human society
though our knowledge of antediluvian times is to-
scanty to enable US rightly to determine its ex
tension and prevalence 1t is probable, however
that the great duration of existence might we
render men cautious how they bound themselve
for life to more than one partner whom incom
patibiity Of temper might render distasteful afte
few centuries.
For several generations after the Deluge popu
lation was not sufficiently dense to render poyg
amy frequent. Accordingly the first who revive
the timehonored custom appears to have bee
Esau, as might have been expected from his viz
orous nature and ardent character. lie seems
have contented himself with three wives, judith
, Bastemath and Mahslatb. Gen. XVI. 3d. xvii
g. xxxvi 2, 3
II the descendants of Cain and Esau however
, be regarded as somewhat questionable sponsor
for the custom, all doubt as to its righteousne:
is removed by the example of the patriarch j
cob, the blessed OF Heaven. His union wit
, Leah and Rachel is well known, as we'll as tn
amiable zeal with which his wives supplied hil
, with supplementary consor.s in the persons
-; their handmaidens, Bah and pah (Gen. xxi!
Xxx J; while the blessings subsequently promise
to him and TO his posterty show that the pluralil
I Of wives was sanctioned in the highest and mo
direct manner.
, Po!ygamy being thus divinely approved it b
I came recognized part of the domestic econom
, Of the chosen people, as we learn from the dire
rule established by the wisdom Of God for lsrae
on the very point in question.
Ii man haye'tV 70 wives, one beloved and al
other hated, and they have borne him chldre
both the beloved and the hated and if the frs
born son DE hers that was hated;
"Then shall it be, when be maketh his son
3. inherit that which he hath, that he shall NJ
y make the son of the beloved frst.born before II
:. son of the hated, which is indeed the first born
8 (De,d. xxi. l5-l7)
! With this law before his eyes, what Christia
, can believe that the Almighty attached mmora
ty or sin to the condition of poiygamy, especial
when one may look in vain through tue Mosa
10 regulations of marriage (Levh. xvili) for al
= limitation GA the number OF wives?
~ The blessing vouchsated to those who took
. Il emselves numerous consorts and The lofty D
. sitons to which th y arose show that in the ey
of God and man they were pure from sin al
D worthy OF all honor.
70 1t is recorded of two judges of Israel, Ibzan ar
10 Abdon, that the one had thirty sons and thir
i daughters, while the other had forty sons, sho