The Cecil Whig., 1851-08-09
A CHAPTER ON MARRIAGE.
BY lSR AEL OLDEN ,

/
| have heard great deal, at divers
times, about the ordainings and lcadincs
OF Providence in connection with this
matter. 1t has been suggested that Provi-
dence may wise y ordain the union-no.
| will not say union-the contrast of op-
posite qualities IN marriage, that there
by the greatest amount of good may be
distributed.
The learned shall instruct the igno-
rant, the refined shall polish the rude,
the liberal dispense the gains of the
covetous, and Il might also as we'll add
beauty reflect some Of its lovelmess up
on the face of uglincss. This is a very
comfortable doctrine for one to preach
-h- r-.fo "i'''',,' "",''y = 81 II
love to throw their sins upon the shoul-
ders of Providence, if they can, or on
circumstances, or even on the devil him
self. 1t is an easy way of getting over
piece OF egreglous folly.-No, no,
friend, just blame your own precipitan-
cy or thoughtlessness and let Providence
go clear. As for circumstances, very
likely you moulded them to suit your
own passions
do not believe that Providence intend
ed you to have any other than one of
the best of 'yives.--'A prudent Cor good
wife is from the Lord" You see Scrip
ture is plainly against you. If your
wife be not good one, l. e., not adapted
to you nature and circumstances YOU can
not regard her as sent to you from God.
except as punishment for your sins.
Had you taken the requisite pains, YOU
might have found one just adapted to
you. If there has been any leading of
Providence in the case, very likely YOU
took the lead yourself This sort of
leading of Providence is rife in the
world.
shall now address myself particular
ly to the unmarried, and more especially
to the young men. | shall not say with
Saint Paul, ''Seck not wife," sup
pose you to be thinking about the matter,
perchance to be a seeker Yeti would
say, seek not unless thou seekest rightly.
| tell thee, friend, it is the most import
ant step of thy life, asthou mayest here
after find. Pause, therefore, and con-
slider little. Think what thou shouldst
love most, and what thou shouldst love
longest. Believe me, you can love Just
as deeply, and far more safely, if your
reason and Judgment have considerable
to say in connection with this business.
go for love of the deepest, strongest,
and most lasting kind, and | am sure
that reason is no enemy of this.
If you suffer yourself to be blinded by
mere show and glitter, and are at the
same time led by some blind Cupid you
at least will be likely to "fall into the
ditch" have known those who have
regretted that in the choice of a wife
they We're led so much by passion and so
little by reason, or were so thoughtlcss
in matter ofso great Importance. Ma
ny, very many, bestow far more pains in
the choice of house, horse, or even a
dress, than in the choice OF wife or
husband. The house must be carefully
examined, the good points of the horse
looked after, and the dress turned over
and over; but companion for life, the
sharer Of our joys and sorrow. the mana
ger of all our domestic concelns-this is
nothing-hit or miss here goes. Isay,
be not hasty in this matter. Look.
think, before you commit yourself. A
knot of this kind is easily tied. but like
the old Gordian knot, it cannot b. 4
tied. Death alone can cut
would not have you think hl
coming, y(