The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-03-19

period between an engagement and
marriage Is the last hope and the best
hope OF salvation 70 you. II your lover
has thus far kept back or kept down, by
stress OF fear or desire In securing from
you promise Of marriage, any vice, faint,
or wrong evil to you, not repented of,
abhorred, and iorsaken, utterly and for.
ever, though dear to him as righ. hand
or right eye, will be very apt 10 slacken
his vigilance and begin to dabble again in
his iniquity. Now's your time-your last
chance Of either saving him or Of yourself.
And by your love to him, as well as for
your own security and seli.respect, l
charge you to be loving, faithful and i'm.
movably persistent in doing your duty.
An eminent case may serve TO illustrate
my point. TWAS real case. VIM. Writ,
q young lawyer Of Washington City, many
years ago was engaged to an estimable
young lady Of the same city. Alter the
engagement It was ascertained BY her
that he was In the habit Of using intoxi-
eating liquor. She frankly told him that
such habits would utterly preclude their
marriage. She fully acknowledged her
love for him, did not intimate any wish 10
break the engagement, yet told him with
loving decision that he must amend his
habits radically or she would never marry
him. His lordly sense Of personal indie.
pendence and honor precluded q compli-
ance. She remained kindly decisive, and
he became more reckless. One pleasant
afternoon Of summer she was on a walk
in the suburbs Of the town, and saw
her affianced lying by the road in
drunken sleep with his face to the
sun. She gently shaded him as
best she could, and spread over his
face her own white handkerchief, having
her name embroidered on 1t, and passed
on. Awakening from his debauch and
finding the handkerchief OF his beloved
on his face for protection from the rays OF
the sun, he at once resolved with all his
heart and mind that never would he again
touch the intoxicating cup. BE became a
reformed man, married the object OF his
supreme affection, became q master in his
profession, the Attorney General Of the
government Of the United States, lived an
honorable and happy life, leaving an hon.
ored reputation and name OF great fame;
all the result Of the loving and unyielding
decision OF his betrothed, not TO marry
him until he had reformed from the incl
pient habits Of evil which he had held in
allegiance during their courtship.
II in regard TO intemperance, how
much more in regard to licentiousness?
Two unerring safeguards OF divine origin
ever accompany woman on earth. They
are her angel keepers, sent OF God in love
and mercy.
First-The natural instincts with which
she is endowed OF her Creator TO discern
the true intent OF every man who ap-
proaChes her. Relying upon these and
upon divine aid In every extremity OF
need, she Is safe from the wolf as lamb
in the fold.
ESecond-God has thrown around every
woman an invisible and an Undesirable
something charmed circle, halo OF
glory, as around the hidden Christi With.
In this circle every woman is safe. It is
the panoply OF heaven. which no fiery part
Of earth or hell can penetrate. 1t is not
laid down in the books. It is not OF edu-
cation or cultivation. Yet it is instinc.
lively recognized and felt by every right
minded man or woman. This barrier once
passed unlawiully and there is NO safety
in the intruders presencei noryet safety
for the woman's retreat 1t Is too late to
escape harm. No man but an accepted
lover should be permitted to pass 1t, and
then only through its outer circles, until
an honorable marriage make them one,
when he may enter the hottest OF holies
as the inner temple OF loves most sacred |
abodel Know thou thy danger, and thy |
safety, tool There will be some parley-
ing within by theporter before any enemy
can enter. Your citadel is improbable
from without, and any man who attempts
TO enter unbidden should receive the full
force OF a woman's scorniul and fiery in.
dignation, and the hot thunderbolts OF her
outraged innocence and wrath!