"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." (1 Cor. 6:18) "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Heb. 13:4)

Dear Abby:

You blew it when you told "Glad I did it in St. Paul" that couples who are serious about marriage should take a few weekend trips together to test their compatibility.

Abby, my husband and I did not live together, nor did we have sex until after we were married. Not only did this allow us to get to know each other without the confusion of a physical relationship blurring our thinking, it also developed the self-control that has carried over into every aspect of our life together -- including our arguments. Premarital sex in today's society can be very risky. You should be preaching abstinence, not condoning what could be very dangerous behavior. (Not Holier Than Thou -- Just Glad I Waited in Portland, OR, from Dear Abby, 4-2-93)