Spiritual Affinity by C. S. LONGACRE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 9, 1905

Spiritual Affinity

By C. S. LONGACRE

C. S. LONGACRE

The doctrine of spiritual affinity is not a new one, yet it is new to many people because they are ignorant of the history of the past. Never did the devil devise a doctrine that was more deceptive in its consequences. The human family has been disgraced by its baneful fruits in every nation and age of the past. But, strange as it is, many of whom we would expect better things are falling into its seducing meshes to-day, and as I have seen some of its terrible fruits, I wish to expose the doctrine in its hideousness before the unwary are seduced to wear this spotted mantle.

Mr. Pierre Rosier writes from Paris as follows: “When Victor Hugo, old Dumas, and George Sand wrote, the belief prevailed that for every loving heart there was one of the opposite sex. These two hearts, when they met, exercised an irresistible attraction. When they failed to meet, there were vague, unsatisfied longings that made for matrimonial misery. Romance of this sort is now dead, save at the old-fashioned court of Austria. There the influence of romantic literature and its sub-products is yet active. Hence the plunges of the imperial family into morganatic matrimony, elopements, suicides, and undignified tragedy.”

The law courts of Austria are being disgraced at present, from the imperial throne to the lowest peasant huts, in vulgar matrimonial fights between husbands and wives, endeavoring to set aside the civil claims of previous unsuited marriages. By a careful study of the history of nations, we find that all were permeated with this doctrine of spiritual affinity, and after they learned the sad lesson of its fearful results by a costly experience, they unanimously set it aside by proper legislation. There are a few oriental nations that teach and practise it still. But that such a doctrine should find advocates in Christendom is, indeed, a marvel.

Many professed Christians imagine, because they do not get along agreeably with their companions, and each have his or her own way, that they did not get the ones the Lord intended for them, and they begin looking around to see if they can not find the ones intended—the so-called spiritual ones.

Many who come into the truth, but whose companions do not, and who even persecute them, jump at once to the conclusion that they made a mistake in their marriage,—that they are unequally yoked together. Under these conditions many are tempted to accept the doctrine of spiritual affinity, and regard their marriage as a mere civil contract subject to human legislation. If such ideas will not lead to legal divorce, they will lead to heart estrangement.

There is no doubt that God guides individuals when they consult him in this matter. He never makes a mistake. He always makes a selection of adaptation. But in cases where he was not consulted, and where the parties find they are unequally yoked together, what is to be done? Is there a remedy?—Yes; for the Saviour said that no one was to separate save for “fornication,” and that “the wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth;” and he is bound to her likewise, so there must be a way of getting along together under all other conditions without hunting for a spiritual affinity. While civil law may grant a divorce for many causes, yet God has made the tie indissoluble, and placed it far above human legislation, save for the cause of adultery. Many acts which are not punishable in civil courts, are sinful in the sight of God. If you have made a mistake, there is still a remedy. Become thoroughly converted, and with your renewed nature you will be enabled to bear all things.

If the theories of spiritual affinity were correct, then Paul was wrong when he said, “Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” When God started the human race, he started it right. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”