Page:Christian Marriage.djvu/149



It would seem to be the case that Christianity under modern conditions must affect marriage indirectly rather than directly. Take for instance the natural relationship itself, apart from legal and ecclesiastical regulation altogether. It is an agreed point that the essence of that natural relationship, that is, ultimately, the moral validity of the marriage covenant, depends upon the free, voluntary, intelligent, deliberate consent of both the parties. Now the meaning of all these adjectives will depend upon the standard of individual self-respect which the parties to the marriage accept.

Christianity ought certainly to have the effect of cleansing and exalting the act of