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MEN, WOMEN, AND GOD
A DISCUSSION OF SEX QUESTIONS FROM THE CHRISTIAN POINT OF VIEW
BYTHE REV. A. HERBERT GRAY, D. D.
AUTHOR OF"THE CHRISTIAN ADVENTURE," "AS TOMMY SEES US," ETC.
TO MY WIFE
WHO FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS HAS BEEN MY CHIEF TEACHER AND HAS INTERPRETEDLIFE AND GOD TO ME THROUGH THE CONTENTS OF THE DAILY ROUND
PREFACE
This book has been written at the request of the Student ChristianMovement, and is addressed in the first place to men and women of thestudent age. I have undertaken the task with great gladness because mylong and happy contact with men and women through the Student Movementhas taught me how great is the need for a fuller understanding of theproblems of sex, and how possible it is that men and women should findhelp through the timely suggestion of right and wholesome thoughts.
My brother, Dr. Charles Gray of London, has contributed a very valuableappendix dealing with certain facts in a way which is only possible toa medical man, and I am very greatly indebted to him for thus enrichingthis volume.
It will be apparent to all who read it that I also owe a great deal tomany who have shared with me their knowledge and experience. Inparticular I owe much gratitude to a number of generous-hearted womenwho have enabled me to write the chapters which are more especiallyaddressed to their sex.
I have deliberately omitted from these pages any reference to disease.I do that not because I am not impressed by the terrible penalties withwhich nature visits certain sins, but because I do not believe in thepower of fear to deliver us. Though there were no such thing asvenereal disease, immorality would still be a way of death, andmorality would still be the way of life and joy. Till we perceive thatwe are not on the path of progress.
Books of this sort have generally been addressed specially either tomen or to women. I write to both alike because I am quite sure thatuntil men and women understand and help each other, there is going tobe no happy solution to the problems of sex. When they do so learn toco-operate I believe we shall as a race find our way out into thatlarger and happier life which can only be ours when we have acceptedthe facts of sex and learnt to use them to the enrichment of human lifeand the glory of God.
A. HERBERT GRAY.
Glasgow, 1922.
CONTENTS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
I. KNOWING THE FACTS
II. COMRADESHIP
III. LOVE
IV. FALLING IN LOVE AND GETTING ENGAGED
V. OUR MORAL STANDARDS
VI. A MAN'S STRUGGLE
VII. PROSTITUTION—A CHAPTER FOR MEN
VIII. A GIRL'S EARLY DAYS
IX. INVOLUNTARY CELIBACY
X. THE ART OF BEING MARRIED
XI. UNHAPPY MARRIAGES
XII. THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CONDITIONS
XIII. FORGETTING THE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND
APPENDIX—SOME OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS. BY A. CHARLES E. GRAY, M.D.
INTRODUCTION
In the following