Page:The Relations Tolstoy.pdf/63



&hellip; In the first place, I consider you are quite mistaken in thinking you should not appeal to the father of your children. You write: I do not want to, and I cannot." But the link between man and woman from whom children have been born is indissoluble, independently of whether this link has been sanctified in an eternal way by an ecclesiastical rite. And, therefore, I think that in whatever position the father of your children may be, whether he be married or single, bad or good, whether he has insulted you or not, you should appeal to him and point out, if he has overlooked it, his duty to serve with his life, his children and his wife. Should he answer this not only with indifference but with contempt and insult, you still are bound before God, before yourself, before your children, and above all, before him, to appeal to him, to remind him, to entreat him for his own sake, to fulfill his duty, to entreat humbly, lovingly yet persistently, as the Gospel widow did with the judge. This is my well-considered and sincere opinion. You may either overlook it or follow it, but I have felt it my duty to speak it out.

Physical union of husband and wife who are without spiritual affinity is one of the means established by God for the dispersion of His truth; for trial and growth if strong, and for enlightenment if weak.

I have received your letter and should like to answer correctly your misgivings, which often occur and are indeed unsolved.

In the Old Testament and the Gospel it is stated that husband and wife are not two beings, but one,-and this is true: not because it