Graham’s and Fowler’s Teaching on Sex

On pages 157, 158 of Prophetess of Health, Ellen White is portrayed as basing her position on Sylvester Graham and O. S. Fowler, who favored sexual intercourse in marriage only once a month. On this point see page 15 of this Critique. Ellen White established no rigid rules. In fact when Graham’s and Fowler’s statements are carefully examined it can be seen that they, instead of rigidly establishing a maximum of “once a month” (p. 158) were considerably more liberal. Here are Graham’s words:CBPH 74.8

It is, therefore, impossible to lay down a precise rule, which will be equally adapted to all men, in regard to the frequency of their connubial commerce. But as a general rule, it may be said, to the healthy and robust; it were better for you, not to exceed in the frequency of your indulgences, the number of months in the year; and you cannot exceed the number of weeks in the year, without impairing your constitutional powers, shortening your lives, and increasing your liability to disease and suffering.—Graham, Lectures to Young Men [on Chastity], p. 37.CBPH 74.9

Fowler held the theory of “as often as the moon quarters” for a certain type of individual whom he described as “light-built, fine-skinned, fine-haired, spare-built, sharp-featured, light-eyed persons.” (O. S. Fowler, quoted in A Solemn Appeal, 200). He did not elaborate on what he thought would be good for the rest of the human family. Where does this leaveCBPH 74.10

Prophetess of Health?CBPH 74.11