The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-11
Written for the Sentinel.
Whom NAV l Marry?

WhOm May Il Marry.
This is momentous inquiry. 1t comes
to every man in the land. 1t demands ra-
tional answer by all who purpose assuming
the marriage relation.
Whom may / marry? According to the
law of God, you may marry one of your one
race. You may, if you like, marry person
of any Nation, white or black. This choice
is left to your taste. The moral law neither
compels nor prohibits you in the exercise of
your preference as regards nationality and
color.
Dear reader, as you may be contemplating
the formation of this union, than which
none is more intimate, more holy, more en-
dearing, more sacred in its obligations and
results for time and eternity, see to it that
you marry in the Lord; that you form
holy alliance; that your companion be a
gift of God.
But whom may l marry?
l. YOU MAY MARRY A VIRGIN.
Here all agree. Both the civil and moral
law sanction it. Hence it needs no argu
ment to sustain it.
II. YOU MAY MARRY WIDOW.
Not ''grass widow" for the moral law
does not recognize any woman under this
title; nor yet is il found in the civil code;
but a widow whose husband is dead. For
a woman which hath an husband is bound
by the law TO her husband so long as he
liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is
free from that law; so that she is no adul-
teress, though she be married to another
man. Rom. vii, 2-3.
III. YOU MAY MARRY DIVORCED WIFE, If
THAT ENFORCEMENT BE SECURED on THE
GROUND OF THE INCoNTINENCY OF HER HUs-
BAND.
The unmistakable implication in Matt,
xix, 8, is, that man may put away his wife
for unchastity, and may marry another, and
yet be innocent of adultery. Here there is
and can be no controversy. But both sexes
are under the same law in the marriage
bond. Both are bound or loosed on one and
the same condition. Hence the cause that
frees one, also frees the other. If so, then a
woman may also put away her husband for
incOntinency and may marry another, and
be likewise innocent of adultery. This will
not be disputed.
But whom may not marry?
I. YOU MAY NOT MARRY YoURFATHER's, NOR
YET YOUR SONS WIFE.
This is not only heathenish, but sin of
such magnitude and criminality as would
soil a heathen's lips to name it, Read the
testimony: 'It is reported commonly that
there is fornication among you, and such
fornicatiOn as is not so much as named
among the Gentiles that one should have
his fathers wife u. Cor, ", l. "And if a
man lie with his daughter-in-law, both of
them shall surely be put to death; they
have wrought confusion; their blood shall
be upon them. Lev, Xxx, u.
II. you MAY NOT MARRY A DIVORCED WIFE,
UNLESS THAT ENFORCEMENT BE SECURED ON
THE GROUND OF INCOSTINENCY.
Here, again, the Scriptures are very spe-
cific. They speak in the clear, clarion notes
of inspiration. They are words that can not
be misunderstood: ''Whosoever shall put
away his wife, except it be for fornicatiOn,
and shall marry another, cOmmitteth adul-
terry; and whatsoever marrieth her which is
put away doth commit adultery."-Matt.,
xix.
Such is the plain teaching of the higher
law-the law of God. Who, them dare vio-
late it with impunity? Who can disregard
it and yet be able to stand in the judgment?
But will you justify yourself upon the
sanction of the civil law Dear reader take
heed to your foundation. Stand not on the
slippery rocks, underneath which roll and
dash the angry waves of Gods wrath against
adulterers.
1t is indeed, true, that the civil code, in
certain States, authorizes enforcement for
reasons other than that given by Jesus
Christ; and it legalizes the marriage of per-
sons thus divorced; but are such enactments
morally right2 Are they not in direct viola
ton of Gods law? Are they then binding?
Not at all.
L. BECAUSE LOWER LAW CAN NEVER SET
ASIDE A HIGHER ONE.
The marriage institution is divine, and
the laws regulating ii are divine. And these
laws were not only adopted prior to the en-
actment of civil regulations conflicting
Herewith, but are of higher authority; and
hence can no more be annulled by any hu-
man Legislature than the Constitution of
the United States can be set aside by the
Constitution of a State.
The moral law is above amendment save
by its divine author. But the law touching
the matter in question can not be changed
or annulled.
II. BECAUSE 1T is so DECLARED IN THE WORD OF
GOD.
Jesus says "What, therefore, God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder."
Matt, xix, 6. Thus it is seen that, accord
ing to the very letter and spirit of this
e ton, il is not in the province of an
ual, a community, a State, or a
y ION. TO grant divorcements contrary to
tie law of Christ. Hence, they who attemI b