Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-09-05
Premature Matrimony.

~ $50 Premature Matr1mOnY.
Marriage is a divine and beautiful arrange.
rnent. 1t vas designed by providence not sole
Iy as the means of keeping up population, or
as mere social and economical convenience,
but as the blending of two spirits into one
the masculine representing ,cisdom, and the
feminine affection. When there is true spir-
itual affinity between the two, then the design
is accomplished.
Premature marriages are among the great
est evils of the times and it would not be a
bad idea in these days of reform, if an Anti.
marrying-in-a-hurry Society were Instituted
Nowadays, people leap into the magic life
circle with no more consideration than they
would partake of adiuner-little thinking that,
when once in, they are there until their end
comes. There is little, sometimes no mutual
analysis of disposition, and comparison taste
and affections. They seem to fancy that, if
there are any discrepancies, ths fatal Gordian
Knot, which can be seldom cut and never I'M
tied, will harmonic all.
The numbers who have felt this truth-the
numbers sill feeling it to their hearts core
are incaleGlable. They recognize it as the
great mistake of their lives. The chain is not
to them a silken one, but a cable of iron, that
tightens around them more and more, crush
ing out all hope and energy, substituting hate
for love. and eating out with its rust, the very
inner life of the soul.
Boys and girls now marry TO a greater ex-
tent than ever before, instead Of waiting until
they become full-grown and matured men and
women. The young dandy, as soon as he gets
out of short jackets, and finds little t3srSe
gathered on his upper lip-and the young miss,
as soon as she ernerges from the nursery and
abbreviated frocks-think they are qualified
to assume the most solemn responsibilities of
life. And so if spa" and ssAla'' won't consent,
they post offto some Gretna Green, and there
take obligations that. in ninety-nine cases out
of hundred, they will never cease bitterly to
repent.
Marriages should never be the result of fan
GU. The ballroom and the evenieg party
rarely develop real character. Under the ey
hilirating influence of the dance, the glare of
lights, and the merry squib and joke. the dis
solute young man may appear a1niable, and the
slatternIy scold loyable. Matches made at
such places or under similar circumstances,
are not of the class that originate in heaven.
They more generally are conceived in the op
posite place, and bring forth only iniquity.-
The true way to learn each other is to do it at
home. in the parlor in the kitchen, and on oc-
casions that fest the temper. We see the result
of these unions in the almost daily divorces
that are taking place, in the running away of
husbands, leaving their wives and chileren to
starye aud in the elopcment of wives. Not
cnly this, but we witness it in broten-spirited
men, made old in the prime of life, struggling
on for food and clothing, and shelter, and in
women cross, dirty, sluttish, and wrinkled.
1t would be quite impossible for us to depict
faithfully the multitude of ply steal and moral
sevils that result from these sinful alliances
for sinful they are. They ruin the body, cor
rupt the morals, and stultify the mind. And
the result does not stop with husband and wife.
There are the children. They partake of the
feebleness and vices of the parents, both ply
sical and moral, and go out into the busy
world stunted and gnarled. God pity them
We would not be understood as speaking
against the institution of marriage. 1t is holy,
beautiful, and benefcent. But let every one
take his mate or none. Let not the brave eagle
pair with the stupid OWL nor the gentle dove
with the carrion crow. Like should have like
1t is glorious sight to see two old people who
have weathered the storms and basked in the
sunshine of life together, go down the gentle
decliyity of time, with no angers, nor jealous
les, nor hatreds garnered up against each 9TH
er, and looking with hope and JOY to the ever
lasting youth of heaven,wher they two shall
be one forever. That is the true marriage
for it is the marriage of spirit with spirit
Their love is woven into a woof of gold, that
neither time, nor death, nor eternity can
sever. isa-