Polygamisl converts are not allowed, as being it is sup- posed in an inferior state, to bear office in the Church.* Now this view of the Bubject and corresponding prac-
only be founded on an opini r theory. « hich,
if true-, would render polygamy universally allowable among Christiana, Lei us ask ourselves the question, Is polygamy, according to the new dispensation, allow- able, or indifferent, or sinful? If allowable or indiffer- ent, why should it only be partially conceded, and not permitted at all tun. b? It it be wrong or sinful, how can we be justified in allowing it even during the short-
est period V Its temporary permission among heathen
converts rests on no authority, scriptural or patristic,
or any valid plea whatever: no primitive pi
can be quoted, though it i- obvious that thi
son- for it mi.'lit have been alleged in the apostolic
Bge, and also, it may be added, by missionaries in aux- in modern times. In truth, its permission under any circumstance - can only by logical had to it- lull sanction, as in the foul and tformonism. But the defenders rn polygamy will perhaps say that their strong- est argument in it- d< fence baa not y< t been examined : they lay especial Btress mi the example- of the Old- Testament -aini-. which i- probably the real reason why they venture to allow it, maintaining that God would not have permitted it for many ages had it been
rily immoral or -mini. But an- I hey prepared
which is the real question at issue that in the New Testament there i- no precept on the Bubject of marriage? If there be, the argument derived from the permitted usage of the old dispensation is of no value whatever, and may thus be stated: there was no law on the Bubject in the old dispensation, and . iny oft he Jews were polygamists; there is a
inference of missionaries of rations de-
, including those of thi
ion. and the Church Missionary Societies, of
ind the American Presbyterian
is bad the whole subject frequently nn-
■ ' II— deliberation,
eedou the following propositions, though
o i-lv bei u urn h diversity of opinion
I olntt : " It a convert before be-
■ v. ivcs than 01 e,
I nice with the practice of the Jewish
U I to keep them nil: bnt • , any office In the
Church. In no .,*. to lie tolerated
I
If proof I wng n||owed In
the enrly Cl . on the Bnbjecl would
n at an end ; II modem times to
from heathenism ralghi have been allowed, or
even In i •, ment it-
no support whatever either from Scripture or the
direct law or precept in the New Testament, and as such binding on believers, by which the Christian is limited to one wife. But should it be asserted that there is no positive precept on marriage in the New Testament, we shall thus have to fall back upon the old dispensation lor instruction and guidance; in which case, why should we permit polygamy only lor a time, or in the case of heathen converts, instead of allowing Christians universally to follow, if they please, the example of the patriarchs and saints of the Jewish Church? If polygamy be permitted to convert- from heathenism, on the ground that there is no positive a the subject in the New Testament, and that we may have recourse to the permission of the Jewish law, no reason most assuredly can be given why Chris- tians generally may nol be permitted to avail them- selves of the sanction given to polygamy in the old tion, and by the example of its patriarchs and saints. "Experience,"' says Dr. Spring, -has abun- dantly and painfully proved that polygamy debases and brutalizes both the body and the mind, and renders society incapable of those generous and refined affec- tions which, if duly cultivated, would be fonnd to be the inheritance even of our fallen nature. Where is an instance in which polygamy has not been the source of many and hitler calamities in the domestic circle ami to the State? Where has it reared a virtuous. heaven-taught progeny? Where has it been distin- guished lor any of the moral virtues; or. rather, where has it not been distinguished for the most fearful de- generacy of mankind? Where has it even been found
friendly to population? It has been reck id that the
number of male infants exceeds that of ft male- in the proportion of nineteen to eighteen, the excess of the males scarcely providing for their greater consump- tion by war. seafaring, and other dangerous or un- healthy occupations. Il seems to have been 'the order of nature that one woman should be assigned to one man.' And where has polygamy ever been friendly to the physical and intellectual character of the popula- tion? The Turks are polygamists, and so are the A-iaiics: but how inferior a people to the ancient Greeks and Romans!" The practice of polygamy lias sometimes been alleged to originate in the influence
of climate, but the fact cannot be denied thai in the coldest as well as in the warmest climates it i- found to exist. And though it must be admitted to prevail more extensively in regions situated towards the south, tin- more probable cause id' this peculiarity will be found in ancient usage or religion. The manners of different countries have varied in nothing more than