The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-08-18

with thanksgiving. But particularly,
/. Because virtuous, prudent or ri
ous companion, through whose benign in
auence, all that which is honest, amiable
pure, humane, gentle, benefcent and viz
tuous are steadily encouraged and cult
waited in ones family--and extended tc
connected society around her-well de.
serves the thankful reception, not merely
as of good gift-but as of divine Dor.
ton.
:. Because the providence bv which a
person is introduced to the possession OF
such companion, is far more special and
mysterious, than that by which person
is introduced to paternal inheritance.
The latter is an expected event and hap
pens of course: But, as to the former,
the native places of the twin-born pair
are often at long remove. Vast noun
tains and wide countries may divide; riy-
ers, gulphs and seas may roll between.
And even this distance, if possible, may
be widened by the different conditions of
their early life. Hence cit frequently seems
impossible that the at last, happy man
should ever find and be joined to her !;
who was, perhaps alone among men, form
ed--to be the delight Of has eyes, and the
jog Of has heart.
8. Because the fair prizes of such truly
accomplished and amiable companions,
are more rare than those of patcrnal in
heritance. Solomon, who had been un-
der eminent advantages to decide in this
matter, hath left us his deliberate result,
saying, " Who can find virtuous woman !?
Her price is far above rubies."
Not that the virtuous female is as rare
| ly to be found, in the age in which We
live, or in the happy climes which we
possess, as they were in the times of Sol
omon: But still, may it not be said, Her
price is d6oge rubies !?
4. Because the choice, if happily made,
is in higher sense directed BY divine
overriding care, than it is in regard to
paternal inheritance. In regard to the
latter, there is little room, when left to
choice, for doubt or disappointment. But
touching the former, melancholy fact hath
fully shewn that the wisest of men are
liable to embrace a false exhibition-iu-
stead of a virtuous reality: And that they
have been sadly non-plussed in the incest
point-domestlc happiness He, there
fore, who is happy should not be unmind-
full that his choice hath been directed by
the special, proyidential care Of a divine
hand.
5. Because prudence itself is direct
gift from the hand of the Lord; in a sense
that houses and the inheritance of fathers
are not. But the wisdom that is from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
and easy to be entreated, full of mercy
and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy. jan. iii. II.
6. Because parents are generally more
anxious for the outward, superficial accom-
plishments of their children, than they
are to decorate and endow them with the
better accomplishments of the mind.
Finally, even in Paradise and innocence,
man stood in such need of those priyi-
leges and pleasures which attend social
intercourse,-as to deserve special crea-
tion. But how much more needful amidst
the multiplicity of business, cares and
sorrows, which attend lapsed state.
A prudent wife, therefore, of so salutary
and useful an influence to man, in family
and to society around hers to be
considered among those essential good
things which are, in peculiar sense,
worthy of God to give.
IMPROVEMENT.
/. THE subject is suited to charge
the mind afresh with the special prlvi-
leges of conjugal attachments and family
connexions. And it should impress those
extensive obligations lasting on the con-
science and the heart, (which are mutu-
ally binding on husbands and wives, high
| ly to respect each other.
Such friendship is the highest cordial
in life. Without it either of the sexes
are never what they should be. True
dignity and delicacy droop in their man
ners. Morals are ravished of their prac-
tical, their highest beauty. And the soul
is filed with painful void ALL human
prospects and successes, without this
friendship, are roseless thorns-winter,
without spring !-Ah, tasteless pleas
ures, joyless griefs -" Husbands, love
your wives, as Christ loved the Church.
And, as the Church is subject unto Christ,
so let wives be to their husbands in every-
thing. Eph. V. "a. 25.
Ii. The subject teaches that it is not
the sphere, in which We are called to act,
that makes one most beloved or happy !;
that secures the greatest pleasure or ap-
lplause but the wise and faithful dis
charge of the duties incumbent.
instance, although according to personal
constitution female partner cannot be
the head in the sanse that har b,,o naad