Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-08-05
from the Lynchburg News.]
HOPE DARE
GIVES THE GIRLS SOME PRACTICAL VIEW
ON THE SUBJECT OF MARRIAGE.

GIVES THE GIRLS SOME PRACTICAL VIEWS
ON THE SUBJECT OF MARRIAGE.
We come now to consider another great
right which, by Gods own appointment,
pertains alike to man and woman, the right
to marry. Marriage, We are assured, is
honorable among ali men, and the Bible
everywhere epjoins that this holy estate be
entered into advisedly, discreetly and in the
fear of God. Mutual love and esteem are
made of primary Importance as the basis
of true marriage and the beautiful service
of the Episcopal church declares that they
who enter this sacred relation otherwise
than as God has ordained, their marriage is
not lawful. Think of the many unlawful
marriages there are in the world. Think
of the thousands who marry for money, for
position, for support, indeed for anything
else it would seem than the condition God
himself has laid down.
Marriage in the Roman Catholic church
ia regarded as sacrament and I am by no
means convinced they are not right in so
considering the sanctity of true marriage.
But how many marriages take place that
are only base counterfeits of the genuine
coin-marriages that bring only ridicule
and disgrace upon the institution and so far
from proving a mutual help and benefit to
those entering upon the bond, result in a
positive decline of everything like spiritual,
moral or intellectual growth to one or the
ether and perhaps to both.
Now girls you have a right to marry, but
you have no right to marry any other than
man. Beware of spurious limitations, be-
ware of dudes, beware of spend thrlfts, be-
ware of him who drinks. Better a thousand
times be wall flower, spinster your life
long, better cling to the wall until, like an
air plant, you grow there, than marry a
sham; better take care Of yourself alone
and by yourself than marry man whom
you may have to work for and support the
balance of your days. The world is full OF
indolent men who much prefer being taken
care Of by marrying some girl with money
than to work and take care of himself and
one other without that glittering charm.
The cities, if not the woods, is full of them,
men who like beasts of prey 60 about seek.
ing whom they may devour, that is deceive
by the honeyed, though perjured, recital of
"the old, old story" thereby winning an
innocent, con6ding heart, and with it per-
haps, enough of papa's hard earnings not
to be worried with the bread and meat
question which is after all of too small con-
sideration in their esteem to "concern a
gentleman"
Don't marry a man who drinks; don't
marry profane man. Profanity and in
temperance generally go hand in hand. A
drinking man is always in danger of be-
coming drunkard; profane man will of
ten make you ashamed. A woman's only
safety in marriage is to wed a good, con-
scientious, self-reliant, self-respecting, sober
and industrious man-one who, being true
to his God and to himself, will necessarily
be true to her.
Don't misunderstood me, dear young
sisters; dou't conclude that am discourage
ing matrimony. Quite the contrary.
believe true marriage is not only the best
but the happiest state for both man and
woman. l only want to guard you against
making mistake. The evil consequences
of an unhappy or ill.assorted marriage can
not be measured, and necessarily do not
con1ne themselves to ''the contracting par
ties" These evil consequences affect those
nearest and dearest to you as we'll as your
salf. Parents can feel no keener pang than
that which follows the discovery ola child's
unwise or unhappy marriage. 1t is life.
long regret and modification. Spare yours
this pain. Spare them this lifelong regret,
and spare yourself the untold misery and
wretchedness that cannot fail to follow
misguided step in this direction. In con-
sidering the question of marriage let not
the blind little god do all the pleading in
the case. Allow conscience and common
sense as well as due consideration of
those conditions God himself has laid down
to have voice in the prosecution. Mari
age is designed to be not only honorable,
but blest, and to make it so heart must be
welded to heart, mind to mind, and life's
aims and aspirations one and inseparab,e in
union and sympathy. Otherwise, how can
one hope to be happy? Incompatibllity is
one of the most frequent excuses offered
for divorce, and marriage entered into upon
any other grounds than those embraced in
moral and int lectual fitness must assured.
" end in disaster and Notifying failure.
Life offers no sadder spectacle than that of
good, true, refined woman linked in this
holy relation to coarse, unappreciative
and Enprincipled man. Better far had she
never been borG. Love is natural to the
heart of woman. do not ask you not to
love, only implore you to love ''wisely."
Do not be carried away with first sight,
Impressions. Many a man who would
please you at eighteen would at twenty. two
or three, prove so far below the standard of
your ideal that you would feel surprised
and ashamed that you ever preferred him.
But there are good and noble men in the
world; men eminently fitted not only to be
''lords of creation" but lords of the hearth
and home, companions, coupsellors and
guides to noble and true women. I can
only hope that if it be your destiny to mar
ry, the good fortune of &c Us guidance and
favor may bring you one of these.
HOPE DARE.
NERVOUS INDIGESTION,