Arkansas weekly mansion., 1883-11-03
Marriage.

What an epoch in life is ones we'd
ding day! 1t is a day of victory and of
proud success. The day of days has
come at last. The VOWS are spoken.
The young man and maiden are now
husband and wife. They are one, and
their lives flow on together, linked in
separately for better or for worse.
Can it be that the marriage day, SO
long beautiful vision of the future, is
a present reality9 For years they have
both looked forward to this day. Each
has often painted it, and dreamed of
him or her who was to make it 4 day
of perfect bliss. The maiden, ''fancy
fire." has said to her fluttering heart:
''Will he come Soon-that knight who
will claim my hand because all my love
is his?' And then her maNlcn fancy has
wrought out an ideal of his rare quail
ties of person, mind and heart. Her
ideal lover is 4 kingly man, of mingled
strength and gcntlencss. How unwor-
thy she feels to mate with him! Yet less
will not suffice her, and she will, she
whispers to her heart, make it up to
him by her devotion and depth of love.
And he. too. has been picturing the
future. Before his heart has risen an
image of rare lovelincss. A maiden of
wcndrous grace, beauty and sweetness
charms him. Somehow, he knows not
how: sometime, he knows not when,
she listens to his suit and returns his
love, and, in Imagination, he is of all
men most fortunate. He vows to at
tempt all noble things for her dear sake.
Never was such y maiden, or lover so
conscious of his unwOrthiness to win
her. In his humility he would gladly
kiss the very earth on which she steps.
But the dream is one thing. The real
ity is another. Some day they meet;
perhaps meet and pass on their way,
thinking little that the knight has come
to his fair lady, and soon will claim her
as his own. After time Cupid draws
his bow, and the young man is sore
wounded. Doubtless even then, when
before his cnrapturcd gaze stands thc
maiden worthy to fill his dream, she
does not see a future husband. But true
love can wait. And there comes n timo
she never knows why, though Cupid
knows-whcn suddenly her heart an
swers responsive to his great love
Then each becomes transiigured in
the others ewes. And while others sec
only strong young man and lovely
maiden, they, with the lens OF love. SEQ
all their dreams had painted Tho
same. vet not the same; as good, as
beautiful. and yet all different. They
love, are loved, and all the world is bright.
And now dream and reality link hands.
They see the marriage altar, hear the
preachers tones praying Gods blessing
on their united lives, and see home,
Eden renewed, and little ones coming to
greet them.
Time passes; how swiftly when to-
gether; with what laggard steps when
apart! And now the day is come.
Friends surround them. Beauty and
strength grace the scene. In bridal
loyeliness the maiden stands before the
altar, and in low, sweet tones, with
hand in his, pronOunces with him the
solemn words which make them man
and wife. Congratulations and wedding
presents shower upon them. Was ever
day so sweet?
But all things human end. Friends
dopart. oroomsmen and fair brides
maids turn homeward to dream of fu-
ture lows. The family circle linger to
saw good-bye. Amid a shower of kisses
loving words and best wishes, the
Young couple launch out upon the sea
Of married life. All Joy attend them.
And when the dreams of former days
are all transmitted into coming realities,
NAV their welded happiness exceed
their fondest expectations. May
mothers fondest hopes be realized, and
all her solicitude relieved. May unset
fish thoughts of each others welfare fill
their hearts, and no divided interests
arise to trouble them. May sweet
parental joys be theirs, and Gods good
gifts and rich blessings crown all their
future lives. And may the peace OF
God rest visibly upon them.
Dear friend, if for you that marriage
dav is but a memory of the past, keep
it fresh, happy memory. Think again
of those vows, and live those hours
over and over again, not only in
memory but in worthy deeds. And the
Lord grant that for all of us marriage
may be, or has been, or is ST. to be,
the portal to happier, better Me.-
Golden Rule.