Manuscript Releases, vol. 4 [Nos. 210-259]

Marital Relations

The animal passions, cherished and indulged, become very strong in this age, and untold evils in the marriage life are the sure results. In the place of the mind being developed and having the controlling power, the animal propensities rule over the higher and nobler powers until they are brought into subjection to the animal propensities. What is the result? Women's delicate organs are worn out and become diseased; childbearing is no more safe; sexual privileges are abused. Men are corrupting their own bodies, and the wife has become a bed servant to their inordinate, base lusts, until there is no fear of God before their eyes. To indulge impulse that degrades both body and soul is the order of the marriage life, and what is the sure result? The most terrible, painful diseases are brought upon women, and the curse of God rests upon men and women in loathsome diseases that need not be at all, if a righteous course were pursued in eating and drinking.”... 4MR 378.2

Nothing but the truth of God can either make man savingly wise or keep him so. If there is an immortal life to be obtained, if a pure and holy character must be developed in order to gain entrance to the presence of the Lord God and the society of heavenly angels, then why do not teachers, physicians, and preachers act this in their example and by their teaching? Why are they not more zealous for the Master? Why do they not have burning love for souls for whom Christ died? If man is to become immortal, his mind must be in harmony with God's mind. The true disciple in the school of Christ, whose mind is in harmony with the mind of God, will be not only constantly learning, but teaching as well as learning, constantly reflecting light, teaching upward and away from the common, prevailing errors of this perverse and adulterous generation.... 4MR 379.1

A Christian is to be constantly watching the Pattern, and imitating the holy example of Jesus. Then a right spirit will be infused into the life and character of others. If God were daily sought in earnest, humble prayer for light and guidance, there would be a sure detecting in the individual course of action, unholy practices and many unholy plans would be repressed, and Jesus would be made the rule of life.—Manuscript 14, 1888, 2, 3, 5. (Untitled, February 1, 1888.) 4MR 379.2

Let the husband and wife in their marriage relations prove a help and a blessing to one another. Let them consider the cost of every indulgence in intemperance and sensualism. These indulgences do not increase love, nor ennoble and elevate. Those who will indulge the animal passions and gratify lust will surely stamp upon their offspring the debasing practices, the grossness of their own physical and moral defilement. By physical, mental and moral cultures all may become co-workers with Christ. Very much depends upon the parents. It lies with them whether they will bring into the world children who will prove a blessing or a curse.—Manuscript 3, 1897, 13, 14. (“Health Reforms,” January 11, 1897.) 4MR 379.3

Again the apostle writes, “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” How can a man love his wife, who subjects her to continual child-bearing. Before her strength is recovered from one trying ordeal, she is subjected to another. There is no real love in this; it is merely the low, sensual gratification of animal passion. How can that man keep the glory of God in view? What does he know of the pure, elevated attribute of love? 4MR 380.1

Christ loved the church, “and gave Himself for it, that He might ... cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself ... [without] spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be ... without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself, ... but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” 4MR 380.2

Will the man who loves his wife as Christ loved the church imperil her life, and cut off from all missionary service, by filling her hands and mind with the grave responsibilities which children bring with them into the world? Will he gratify his own passion to the sacrifice of his wife, subjecting her as often as possible to the painful ordeal of maternity? Is this cherishing the wife as Christ nourishes and cherishes the church? In pursuing such a course is the husband studying the spiritual and physical good of his wife, that he may present her to God without spot and blameless? 4MR 381.1

That man is not fit to stand as the head of his wife who does not realize his obligations to God to purify himself even as He is pure, and to present his body to God a living sacrifice. If he enervates his system by base earthliness and corrupt practices, how can he present his body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God? The husband who stands as the head of his wife as Christ stands as the head of His church, who loves his wife as he loves his own body, and cherishes and nourishes her as Christ the church, will not act in a way to destroy either his own powers or the powers of his wife.—Manuscript 152, 1899, 3, 4. (“The Temple of God Must Be Holy,” typed October 31, 1899.) 4MR 381.2

The lower passions are to be strictly guarded. The perceptive faculties are abused, terribly abused, when the passions are allowed to run riot. When the passions are indulged, the blood, instead of circulating to all parts of the body, thereby relieving the heart and clearing the mind, is called in undue amount to the internal organs. Disease comes as the result. The mind cannot be healthy until the evil is seen and remedied.—Manuscript 24, 1900, 4. (“Words of Instruction to Physicians and Nurses,” typed April 3, 1900.) 4MR 381.3

Released May 14, 1970.