Year: 1867

the situation, advised an asylum. My
heart revolted against that, as it still re-
volts against it; although | have had,
for long time, an arrangement with a
noble friend of mine, the honored head
of New England asylum, to take her,
in case of my death, or some imperative
necessity. A new plan was proposed
by my patient herself, at first in jest,
then in earnest. The nominal tie be-
tween US should be severed, and then she
might have two instead of one to take
care of her. 1t will be said that no wife
could make such a proposition. Verify
no wife could. Let it be remembered
that she was a wife only in name in
reality, an adopted child. She had come
to regard it as religiously wrong to think
of fulfilling the relations of wife in her
condition. She ardently desired to be
released from the responsibilities of a sta
ton she could not fill. When asked by
me, with the ulterior object of divorce in
view, to assume The place required of
her by the external bond of our union.
she revGlted, declaring she should never
live with Inc again, and remaining ex-
tremely unhappy till she discovered my
true meaning \ simple attestation of
this attitude on her part satisfied the let
ter of the law. There was no witness
against her, except in tie technical sense
OF the courts. Tie testimony, Is seen
from the point OF view of our real life,
was for her, and as she wished it. The
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth, was told by the only one that
had the secret of our hearts That truth
satisfied the laws letter, while its Just
and pure spirit was satisfied by the pull
ty and justice of our aims.


In order, however, to satisfy some
scruples of conscience, We made a first
attempt TO procure n divorce on the ma
ked merits of the case, under that clause
in the Indiana law giving TO the Judge
power TO release from the bond of matri-
mony. when, in his opinion, it Is best for
all parties concerned. The cause OF our
failure is not a matter of public interest.
! We succeeded elsewhere Two months
after the divorce was procured | married
again. The divorced wife Stood by our
side with her attorney during the cercmo-
ny, not TO act as bridesmaid, as the at
tack has it, but 10 signify her approba-
ton in the strongest manner The mar
rage was private, in our own rooms As
the clergyman pronounced the last words
OF the service. she >aid in a clear, firm
tone " Ii is all Just as | want it." The
marriage was Solemnizcd in the presence
OF a dozen Christian men and women,
representatives OF some of the best fami-
lies in the city, who would not have
sanctioneda queer" much less an in
iquitous thing. The clergyman, pastor
OF one of the leading churches in the
place, who had performed the ceremony,
had lived in room, adjoining our all win
ter, and knew US we'll He would not
have married parties compelling (as it is
intimately "this divorced wife to stand
beside the woman who was 10 usurp her
place" The curse and blight OF the
Almighty. Is called down 10 avcngc the
wrongs Of this wrctchcl woman The
wretchcd woman has not been 80 happy
(till our peaceful domestic circle was III
vaded by this attack in dozen wears
as she has been since that hour when she
stood there like Il living corpse"


At the close of the ceremony. myself
and wife adopted the former wife in the
most solemn, religious manner. promis-
ins to keep her with us, to care for,
cherish and support her, las long as she
is spared to us, las We hope for mercy
at the Judgment seat" That adoption
is in the form of a document, signed by
US, witnessed 10y those present at the ccre-
mony, and left in the hands of II distin-
guished clergyman, open at all times to
albright minded persons tor inspection.
Before our marriage we signed legal
bonds, binding ourselves in heavy penal
ties, to the same effect; these bonds are
in the hands Of our attorney, where they
will remain and may be seen 10y properly
intentioned people. 1t has been publicly
reported that | have squandercd Tor her
large fortune. 1t is false. She had
an income when she was married, thir-
teen wears ago. of SlGG0. She now has
enough, from property and bonds, in her
own right and name, to secure her against
all contingencies.


As to the foul illusions to the physi-
cal uses of marriage, pass them over
in sorrow, not in anger. We here 'sSee
through 4 glass darkly." The medium
through which one beholds things is color
ed by the hues of his own soul. The life
OF the world, as it appears TO the vision
of each of us, necessarily takes this tint
of the observers spirit. thank Goo
that | and mine can see, all around us,
pure Christian men and women, whose
bodies are fit temples for the indwelline
of the Holy Ghost.


Thus, with the Maker of heaven ant
earth looking into my heart have | writ


ten the simple truth in regard to thi:
matter. Ii the world, with exact know


ledge of the facts, blames me, l shal


bear it meekly, hopefully.