The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-07


the public. The young of both sexes read
them, and, imagining them true dellneatons
of character, imbibe fatal error. Men, be-
lieving themselves what they are there de-
scribed to be, and what their observation of
others leads them ~ suppose all men are,
tacitly resolve 10 act out the portrulture, aud
| finding the softer sex almost universally mn
swer 10 their representation, think II but ac-
cordnnt with the designs of Providence TO af-
| ford them every opportunity of exercising
their native attributes. Thus many man
whose natural tendencies, ifproperly cultivat-
ed, would have rendered him tender father,
a devoted husband, mn nffectionate brother,
and AN exemplary son, has become selfish
and iuconsiderate, if not actually tyrannical,
! in his several relations, and made wrotched
the destinies he might have blessed. Now,
these things ought not so 10 be- Alteough
the progress of society, and the consequent
government of nations rs such, has widened
the sphere of mans jurisdiction, andconnect-
ing him with public affairs, has appointed
! him 10 move in more enlarged circle than
he originally occupied, God never purposed
thereby TO render one of his private RESPONSE
bilities less binding on HIM. The patcrnal,
| fiaternal, conjugal and Gliul relations remain
paramount in importance still, as first i'll insti-
tuition, and the duties he owes the world can
|
of home obligations. lfmnn is bound to pro-
mole the well-being and happiness of socie-
ties, he is still more particularly engaged TO
guard, cherish, and diffuse peace ard felicity
in his own family. Indeed in proportion 10
his power 10 affect the happiness of another
in his responsibilities and where is this power
so unlimited as beside his own hearth stone?
How careful then, should we be to ascertain
the true character ofour obligations, Us faith
crs, husbands, brothers and sons.
Sincerely hoping that some ADLER pen than
mine may undertake an analysis and eXhibi-
ton Of the duties Of those several relations,
will now essay my purposed task, which IS
10 iInpart Il lesson TO married men, which |
pray may prove salutary when be who he
Qneuihes it shall be beyond the reach Of NOR
tai udmoniton. Had lac learned il earlier,
himself, the bitterness Of self rcproach,
through wears Ofsorrow and loneliness, might
have heeu spared him. A sad and painful
experience has rendered me clearsgbtcd to
the Interesting obligations ota husband, and
if''thcy can paint the best who feel The most"
am peculiarly qualified Tor an instructor Of
conjugal duties. Ere commence the mourn
fnl details which are to illustrate my subject.
I wish TO dircctth attention oflhe reader 10
the remarks of ST. Paul upon it, III the chap
ter from which the motto fthis sketch is hor-
rowed, Ephcsiaus, filth chapter, 9th 10 35H
verses. Bachelor as he was, h6 dwellS more
particularly OH the duties ofliie sevcraly than
amy ofthc other apostles; and his observations
prove him TO be Il man of discriminating as
well rs cultivated mind, and to have noiiced
attentively the circumstances transporting n
round him. But on no responsibilities does
he descant more impressively Than those that
marriage involves. In the discourse to which
now alude, after brief and conprehens
sive address TO the wife, he makes the nIosi
solemn and striking appeal 10 the husband !
haze ever seen peeuch. NetlIillis that every
man who intends TO occupy tlat relation
should read and ponder it well! The cold
and selfish lessons u nlisiulgiug world
attempts to teach hita would then have little
influence. lie would learn that II man par
taking Of his cominou nature, guided Ivy the
spirit Transportation, depicted lin ms capable
of love us pure, high and DISTINGUISHED, rs
ever gave impulse to the heart of woman. A
m0Sher's affection mas been beautifully en-
empifed in many touching incident of real
occurrence, aud ceSehrated ia strains of swe Get
pocsy We hive heard OF the devotion of
sisters and daughters-ilat Of wives is pro-
verbal. But where, either in history or song,
however glowing the description, is there an
attachment SO vividly and ottlly, yet tendrrly,
portrayed as a husbands love, by Paul? Aud
he was writing Under the direct dictaion of
Gods holy spirit, Tie painted not from fiction,
but Dipped his pen nts the very well spriug
oftruth! See to it, then, ye husbands, that
you eXemplify his precepts, else yours viii be
fearful condemnation, for the Christian dis
pensatiou issues no command its subjects arc
incapable of1ulflliug! OH have looked up-
OH the bride as she went forth from her IA
theirs house, trusting and hopeful, g. thought
how bright would he her lot, were he TO whom
she had committed its control governed by
the admontion of Paul. have contcnplnt-
ed the thoughtful face of the neglected wife
i'll her solitary home, watching Tith eager eye
and quickly beating heart the approacho of ev
cry footstep, while lie for whom she waited
came not, aud thought of Il love which 'nour-
isheth aud cherisheth. even US the Lord, the
church, | have seen the temper sorred and
the manner rendered unattractive by the cank
er at the heart of her who had found alas. too
late, that slight preference was the price of
her unmeasured devotion, and have remetn-
bered a love which guarded The purity as well
as the happiness gifts object with a tender
moss that never wave:ed, II vigilance that new
~ tired, until death set its seal upon it. And
| this is the love of IL husband. Let every one
of you in particular so love his wife, cEei as
! himself ...-r
1 l know that there are many persons who
draw a marked distinction between the love
of man aud that of woman; and females espec-
ially as age and experience give authority to
their teachings, endenvorto prepare the
young and ardent for disappointment, by as
surfing them that men love less tenderly and
tlisinterestedy tlian women But am pre-.
pared to defend my sex, and prone that there
is no original difference. /, for once, believe
that my sensibiity is naturally as acute, and
my capacity for l0ving as limiless as that of
a woman. But the reader asks forpro0f, not