The influence of Rationalism, as inaugurated by Ingersoll in America
and Bradlaugh in England, was the opening wedge. Christian Science,
mothered by a woman, incorporated the phrase "Father-Mother-God" into
its literature, and unity has been the avowed ideal of all the variety
of new cults and philosophies presented under so great a variety of
names that we cannot here enumerate them.

Nevertheless, we are still many leagues short of realizing this ideal,
despite the preachments in its favor. Politically, the ideal of unity
is presented, more or less imperfectly, of course, as Socialism, and
Suffrage. Commercially, still more imperfectly in the merchants' "let
us get together on this," and in efforts at legislation that shall
control corporation dividends and labor schedules, and regulate hours
of work. In fact, all along the line we see the shadow cast by the
rising sun of unity.

We have thus briefly traced the history of marriage and of mating, in
order that we may discuss with sane impartiality the questions: What
does marriage symbolize? What is its function in the life of the
social body; in the existence of the sphere itself; of the entire
Cosmos?

Has it any real place and purpose beyond that of procreation, or any
more spiritual function than the perpetuation of the human species?

CHAPTER V

THE SYMBOLISM OF MARRIAGE AND OF SEX-UNION

Notwithstanding the patent fact that the institution of monogamous
marriage has not resulted in an ideal condition, it is also plain that
any other ideal of sex-union is impossible to a highly developed race.

Monogamy, despite its present unsatisfactory condition, is a promise
of the highest ideal to which mortals can aspire; it is the imperfect
image of that ideal state which human nature has always striven for.
That we have striven for the most part blindly; that we have fallen
far short of the ideal aimed at, should not deter us from realizing
that the ideal is right.

Monogamy, as a type of the perfect marriage, symbolizes the meeting
and the consequent union of a man and a woman who are perfect
complementaries.

In order to be a perfect and lasting union, they must be spiritual
counterparts. Without this counterpartal affinity as the base of
union, no power on earth can force them to unite, although all the
laws of men be employed to keep them tied to each other in the body.
If two persons belong to each oth