What does the Church service say? It says "Marriage was ordained for a
remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have
not the gift of continency might marry and keep themselves undefiled
members of Christ's body."
Now this is a very negative blessing. It implies that where
unfortunately people cannot be continent that marriage gives the best
way out--enables them to get relief within the pale of virtue. This
attitude affords to sex love no positive purport or merit of its own,
and is in striking conflict with the facts of life through the
ages--facts which carry social approval.
The recent pronouncement of the Church as set forth in Resolution 68 of
the Lambeth Conference seems to imply condemnation of sex love as such,
and to imply sanction of sex love _only_ as a means to an end--namely,
procreation, though it must be admitted it lacks that clearness of
direction which in so vital a matter one would have expected. It almost
reminds me of one of those diplomatic formulae which is not intended to
be too clear. Allow me to quote from it:--
"In opposition to the teaching which under the name of science and
religion encourages married people in the deliberate cultivation of
sexual union as an end in itself, we steadfastly uphold what must always
be regarded as the governing consideration of Christian marriage. One is
the primary purpose for which marriage exists--namely, the continuation
of the race through the gift and heritage of children; the other is the
paramount importance in married life of deliberate and thoughtful
self-control."