Marriage and parentage

Front matter

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Preface

Man has power to understand and appreciate whatever is essential to his welfare. The Repro¬ ductive Element is that to which the author of the following pages looks as the Heaven-ap¬ pointed means, not only to perpetuate, hut to refine, to elevate and perfect the race. To ascertain the nature of that element, its action on the body and soul, when retained in the sys¬ tem ; the only natural and justifiable object of its expenditure; the natural laws that are de¬ signed to govern it; how it can be made most conducive to the improvement of the organiza¬ tion, character and destiny of man, and most helpful to his individual progress ; —• these are subjects which must ere long command the atten¬ tion and respect of every true man and woman.

PREFACE.

The author has considered this element, not as a means of sensual enjoyment, hut solely as an instrumentality through which Human Nature may he redeemed from its diseases and its mise¬ ries. To those who regard and use it as a means of mere sensual pleasure, he can only say, they have their reward. 'Nature will he true to her¬ self, and, in due time, vindicate her violated laws. There is no peace to those who disregard her behests ; there can he none. But to those who seek to know her laws, especially in regard to the government of their sexual nature, and who conscientiously aim to obey them, she will manifest her richest favors and her purest de¬ lights.

To create a conscience in men and women, as to the use of their sexual nature and relations, is the great end at which the ensuing work aims. This is the want, in every class of society. Men and women have tender consciences about the use of other organs and elements of their natures.

PREFACE.

Iii the family, in the school, and from the pul¬ pit, the appeal is ever being made to the child, the youth and the man,' to bring them under the control of reason and conscience. But what is done by these sources of instruction to bring the sexual element under the government of an en¬ lightened reason and a tender conscience ? No other element in our nature has so much to do in deciding our birthright conditions of soul and body, and in forming our character and shaping our destiny; yet in regard to no one are children and youth, and men and women, left in such bewildering ignorance as in reference to this, or so much at the mercy of blind, reckless, animal passion.

In the first part of the following work, the author has endeavored to give the scientific facts in regard to the function of Reproduction in the human being, and to show that parents, alone, are responsible for the existence, the organiza-

PREFACE.

tion and constitutional tendencies of the bodies and souls of their children.

The second part — the Correspondence be¬ tween a Husband and a Wife — considers the laws by which the sexual element should be governed in the marriage relation, and how it may be made subservient to life, health, and happiness, or productive of disease and wretch¬ edness, to parents and children.

This work must speak for itsqlf. So far as it belongs to the Present, it will be found on the tables, in the hands and in the hearts of all who are able to appreciate and to obtain it; so far as it belongs to the ages of the Future, it will be found on the tables, in the hands and in the hearts of those who, in the “good time coming,” shall be able rightly to value and use it. Calmly it goes forth, earnestly to do its work, without anxiety as to its ultimate effect.

HENRY C. WRIGHT.

LETTER II. Distinction of Sex. In what it consists — Its extent — Its object.21

LETTER III. Tiie Reproductive System. Office of the Male — Office of the Female — Spermatic Secretion — Spermatozoa — Ovaries—Periodical function of the Fe¬ male ; its relation to her health and happiness ... 28

LETTER IV. Development of the Fetus. Nutrition be¬ fore Birth — Fetal Circulation — Connection between Nutrition and Reproduction.40

LETTER V. The Human Soul. Its origin, nature, and relations to the body — Science of Society — Communion of Soul with Soul.54

LETTER VI. Transmission of Disease. Hereditary con¬ ditions —Acquired conditions — Conditions of the Mother during Gestation and Lactation — Illustrative Facts . . 6G

LETTER VII. The "Welcome Child. Parentage the result of conscientious Forethought, not of reckless Passion . . 90

LETTER VIII. The Unwelcome Child. Questions to bo asked and answered in the Future of this World—Re¬ sults of Sexual Abuse to Parents and Children . . . 101

LETTER IX. Existence of Children. To whose agency is it to be attributed? — Who is responsible for it? —

A fatal popular Error.115

CONTENTS.

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