CHAPTER XI.

THE YOUNG WIFE AND MOTHERHOOD.

Manifold duties of the wife.--The great army of martyred wives and mothers.--Need of consideration on the part of husbands.--Parenthood the great purpose of marriage.--The great wrong of purposed and persistent evasion of parenthood.--It places lust upon the throne of love.--Such evasions always punished by nature.--Queen Victoria as a model mother.--Motherhood may not properly be forced upon an unwilling wife.--How to effect the necessary change of mind.--Why many wives are unwilling to become mothers.--How children mold the characters of husband and wife.--Children golden links to bind husband and wife more closely.--They are buffers to break the jars of family life.--They become their parents' benefactors.--Desire for children natural and commendable.--Barrenness.--Causes of, 146