Sermon Illustrations
1950's-Era Planned Parenthood Booklet Proclaims "The Gift of Life"
A pamphlet published in 1951 titled The Gift of Life contains some traditional advice about human sexuality and the sanctity of life. For instance, the first page states, "The gift of life is shown to us with the birth of each new baby." Then on pages 21-22 the authors inform readers (presumably the average American teenager), "If one of the new male sperm meets and unites with an egg cell, a new life begins." The cover has a picture of a happy family—a mom and dad and three children—apparently leaving a church building.
It's all pretty standard stuff for a 1950's-era booklet, until you notice the publisher information. It reads: "Distributed by Planned Parenthood of America, Inc., 501 Madison Avenue, New York 22, N.Y."