Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-12-24
EQUALITY.
NASH Co., April 1st 1856

' Empolue1cu ny tne PRIV
ofthe day, I have the presumption 10
throw together for your amusement md
perhaps profit, some reflections on the OBJ
jects which should add should not be para
mount considerations in the selection of a
partner in the journey Of life. Being for
the Whale period of our earthly existence,
this is aa important affair. We learn from
the Bikte that the holy estate of n,atrimo-
ny was iGstituted by God-that it is hon
orable ia sll-that a man shall leave father
and motkar and shall cleave to his wife and
they twaiashall be onehesh. Being, then, |
a Divine ordinance, God purpose in iasti-i
tuting it must be carried out or we must
incrr has Ii pleasurp- Thus the impress If
holiness and of Gods pleasure or displeas-
ure is set upon it, as 1T Is entered into from |
proper or improper motives. The happi-
ness or misery of two beings created for
Immortality are staked on the selection they
may happen to make. How important
then that it be entered into from proper
motives.
All things earthly are feeting and En-
stable, and though Ee have FROM our very
nature to derive Eaany Of our en5oyments
and pleasures from earthly objects, yet we
should, when fixing our destiny FOR life, be.
careful to select those qualities which are
most permanent and least Iabh 20 be swept
away by m~isfortuDe, OF become eontempti-
BILE when familiarity shall have deprived
them of the charms imagination has thrown
around them. Wealth IS looked upon by
some as the only absolutely essential quail
f%cation, and all things else as almost un-
worthy ola serious thought. But oh . stop
and reflect how often riches take wings and
fly away, leaving thesr votafics more mis-
I cradle than if thsy had never possessed
/, them. True, all sSoaM shSn absolute pow
: erty, but God in b1s in Gnite wisdom has en-
dowed all with the ability 80 acquire a re-
r spectacle position IN society, if they but
exert themselves IF a man or woman
S marry for riches, they may very soon slip
, from them, and shen, horrible to realize.
q hat they have q husband OF wife who has
h been brought up IN a&uenec and now have
" nothing but their own exertions to depend
on. Better marry In moderate ciPeumstan
ces and accumulate; than rich and squande,
that for which youy wishes are so naueces
a sarily called forth.
Wealth is far 500 unworthy an object t
n induce any rasional man to pledge at th
c. altar eternal love to- her who possesses It,,
a. her person, character and habits are no
is agreeable. What then does observation
g reason and Judgment say are the proper IN
y, ne ~centives to marriage? They are goo
IA common sense, a reasonable share Of geo
in looks, an agreeable temper, econenics
lct habits, an irreproachable character, indu:
try, enough property to make a start, an
s, that holy blending of soul uhicb IS a
no unmtstakaNc evidence of sincere affectto,
We mr The first are important, though either sep
on rately would be but a secondary consider
les ton. Tie latter is absolutely indispensab
The to connubial happiness; and though son
lr- OF the others be wanting, yet with the latte
poverty will be shorne of its horrors az
OF happiness may be foand outside of a palac
me N; "Steady and continued esteem can on
We flow from a just appreciation of moral a,
nod intellectual worth" t9There is a bond
ion tender sympathy existing between spiri
nee in their nature c~ongenial, and whose hea'
nd beat together in undisturbed union-whi
their natural feelings Aow on in the sar
'rs channel of pure sympathetic a~ttractio
which gradually enchains unrestrained
fection-if not with asthree fold eord,'
It's least with a 'silken one whose soft and
uy- chanting flaments the voluntary capt.
and cannot cherish the least desire of breakir
put while there is evidence of a mutual rec
:" rocation." "For we must conclude, Il
are deep affection cannot exist without at lie
part some evidence of mutual return for til
of Love. and love only, is the loan for love
con- is a sentiment so universally admitted as
aely be almost undeniable."
ngs Trials and difficulties will come to
INC and without sincere affection to smooth
we pathway of life, how can those be hay
lear whose duty it is to mutually forbear "
ut of each other, or else raise a storm which
ost a prove the bane of married life? Time
! be sure to put your affections to the t
y no and if you have married for money or
other transient object, and that should
SAINT lost, as is often the case, there must be
ard an aching void In that heart which moth