The Newtown bee., 1892-09-16
The Bee Buzz.

1
G. w. B. thinks my s'article on MARI.
age was too common, too physically ex-
pressed, so to speak, attributing flames
to man that God himself kindled.' My
first query is, why, if he is prepared to
assume the role of critic, does he neglect
the opportunity to write something more
uncommon and spiritually expressed on
this burning subject. Most anybody can
find fault by telling what he likes or does
| not like, but the world is all agape to
hear of something better. If G. w. BIS
pen has power TO deal with the mOmen-
tous questions of social science, let him
just dip it deep into the subject and never
mind the little Bee Buzz. 1t has been
observed by some one that Cat will
watch q mouse while an elephant strides
fby. 1t might be remarked that critics
sometimes exhibit that same popularity.
In the first place, marriage is a very
common subject in the nature of
things. Not so common an event as it
used to be, perhaps, not so common in
Newtown and vicinity as it ought to be
just at this particular period, may be.
But certainly common matter of pri-
vate opinion and conversation, always.
Moreover, my notes on the subject re-
ferred TO we're particularly touching the
physical aspect of marriage, suggested
by the recent marriage of girls of IA and
Is years and other whispered cases, in
doubt. Now, these physical topics need
to be ''physically expressed" for the
benefit of the young who need instruct
ion and fair warning, that they may not
be led astray by the example of those
who profess to believe in the 10 COM
mandments and then, by their conduct,
prove beyond doubt that they do not.
The writer thinks right knowledge on
this subject is quite as important to the
young as that relating to the proper care
of the eyes. or of the stomach, or even
as to the value of money, or the art of
dressing we'll. Wise instruction would
prevent idle curiosity and save from
wicked Imagination and many snares and
temptations of the social life. Indeed,
the chief trouble in this whole matter is
that of false and vicious education.
We inherit preternatural tendencies, if
not morbid conditions of the animal life.
The sexual appetite is awakened too
soon. People marry too young. We live
too fast and are premature in many ways.
This most vital branch of physiology is
strangely ignored on false or prudish
considerations and children get their first
ideas on this subject in the streets. or at
school, or from the foolish conversation
of parents and friends who have forgot
ten the intense curiosity of childhood
concerning this common mystery, or do
not realize how serious and sacred the
subject of their baudry jests ought to be.
The low, coarse talk so common about
love and marriage and kindred matters
constitutes the education of most people
in this department, with perhaps the adj
ditional reading of doubtful love stories
and libidinous advertisements, and, if
that is not enough, the bugbear PAM
phlets of quacls will put on the finish
ing touch.
1t would not be strange under such
conditions to find not a few people hav-
who would be only too ready to adopt
the loose suggestion that "God himself
the "fiames" and, therefore, it
is all right to let them "burn," the 10
and all hnman expert
ence Notwithstanding.
The simple fact is that the sexual funct-
ions, which are the noblest powers of the
physical life, involving the whole being,
body, soul and spirit, in the great mys-
terry of proereation, are naturally latent
until the maturity of manhood and wom-
anhood; and should be dormant until
awakened by the tender and spiritualis-
ing sentiment of conjugal love, which is
the sacrament of marriage. God does
not kindle the s'hames" of passion. 1t is
lust that s'bnrns." Love is pure and
marriage is it's completion. Ipcontinenee
of the body comes by unappeased unnat-
ural desire. God is not the author of
mans sin and crime, but there is every
means of grace to help man to perfect
self control. Marriage is the natural es
tate and the safeguard of chastity.
St. Paul's verdict is that one should
be continent or married. To marry and
be content, Or to let it alone. This great
function of life is not involuntary, but
subject to the human will. Fire is la
tent in nature and God supplies fuel;
bat man makes matches and kindles
fiame.-[O. @. Wright.