Page:An address delivered by the Hon. Mrs. Welby to the married women of Newton on the first Thursday in Lent, 1872.djvu/12

8 beg you, and help others to teach theirs, that no man will take liberties with a girl who really cares for her honour. Let a mother only bring up her girl in the belief that modesty and carefulness of conduct are the very first things she has to think of, and that loss of virtue is the worst thing that can happen to her, and we shall soon hear no more of "misfortunes" as they are called. And to those especially who already set a bright example among you I would say, let it be seen plainly with what horror and loathing you regard the sin of impurity; for if you pass it over lightly you actually encourage it. This is compatible with the utmost love and charity to the sinner; God forbid that I should wish you to judge harshly of anyone.

All this time you will see that I have been supposing that a girl has only anticipated her marriage, and that afterwards her lover has been faithful to her and married her. But how if he is not faithful; and, having been taught by the girl herself to think lightly of her, goes away and leaves her, perhaps with a fatherless child?