er for the expectant
mother to allow intercourse at regular times, very gently, throughout
her gestation.

The object of marriage is the ultimation of that love which brings the
two together and binds them together, in the procreation and rearing of
children for Heaven. This is the only true aim and sole object about
which every earthly desire, interest and plan of the married pair should
cluster.

_As to the question of child-bearing._ No greater crime in the sight
of Heaven exists to-day than that of perverting the natural uses of
marriage. This is done in a great variety of ways, every one of which
is criminal, in whatever form practised; and none will escape the
penalty--no, not one. Nature's laws are inexorable; every transgression
thereof is surely punished, even at the _climacteric period_, if not
before. The questions of failing health, of physical inability, or too
frequent conceptions are matters for the investigation, advice and
decision of an experienced, judicious and upright physician. They should
never be taken in hand and judged upon by the parties themselves. And
to the objection "can't afford to have children; they cost too much," I
have faith enough to reply, "Our Heavenly Father never sends more mouths
than he can feed." Let each one do his and her duty in life and this
cavil falls to the ground like water--which, when spilled, cannot be
gathered up.

Good people everywhere rejoice when they behold a married couple living
together in an orderly manner and rearing a large family of children.
How often is Queen Victoria held up as a pattern of excellence in this
respect: she accepted and acknowledged Prince Albert as her husband and
gave herself to him as his wife; and so indeed she was in every sense of
the term. Although a Queen, sitting on the pinnacle of power, she did
not seek to avoid the pangs, the dangers or inconveniences of
child-bearing. By her own personal strength her twelve children were
brought forth and her own sensitive fibres and tissues felt the
suffering. She nursed, caressed and loved them like a good mother and
she was a _royal mother_! Other kings and queens have done likewise;
other husbands and wives, high in power, wealth and fashion have done
and are still doing the same. And how much the less should we, in the
humbler walks of life, obey the Divine command "Be fruitful and
multiply."

If a husband truly loves his wife and if she truly loves him, they will
live for each