by the secret though sure knowledge I had that the three youngest
were the fruits of the unspeakable depravity of auricular confession in the
higher ranks of society.

* * * * *

CHAPTER VI.

AURICULAR CONFESSION DESTROYS ALL THE SACRED TIES OF MARRIAGE AND HUMAN
SOCIETY.

* * * * *

Would the banker allow his priest to open, when alone, the safe of his
bank, manipulate and examine his papers, and pry into the most secret
details of his banking business?

No! surely not.

How is it, then, that the same banker allows that priest to open the heart
of his wife, manipulate her soul, and pry into the sacred chambers of her
most intimate and secret thoughts?

Are not the heart, the soul, the purity, and the self-respect of his wife
as great and precious treasures as the safe of his bank? Are not the risks
and dangers of temptations, imprudences, indiscretions, much greater and
more irreparable in the second than in the first case?

Would the jeweller, or goldsmith, allow his priest to come when he pleases,
and handle the rich articles of his stores, ransack the desk where his
money is deposited, and play with it as he pleases?

No! surely not.

But are not the heart, the soul, and the purity of his dear wife and
daughter a thousandfold more valuable than his precious stones, or silver
and gold wares? Are not the dangers of temptation and indiscretions, on the
part of the priest, more formidable and irresistible in the second than in
the first of these cases?

Would the livery-man allow his priest to take his most valuable and
unmanageable horses as he wishes, and drive alone, without any other
consideration and security than the discretion of his pastor?

No! surely not.

That livery-man knows that he would soon be ruined if he should do so.
Whatever may be his confidence in the discretion, honesty, and prudence of
his priest, he will never push his confidence so far as to give him the
unreserved control of the noble and fiery animals which are the glory of
his stables and the support of his family.

How, then, can the same man trust the entire, absolute management of his
wife and dear daughters to the control of that one to whom he would not
entrust his horses?

Are not his wife and daughters as precious to him as those horses? Is there
not greater danger of indiscretions, mismanagement, irreparable and fatal
errors on the part of the priest,