The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-17
HAsTY MARRIAGES.
Mr. Scudder Tells why to. Avoid

HLEFE = A4GAAl A.
The Rev. John L. Scudder preached on
the subject OF "Hasty Marriages" in the
Tabernacle last night. He said:-sThe re-
marks I have to make his evening will
be of a cautionary character for many
foolish things are don in the name OF
love which are afterwards followed by
vain regrets. A well-ordered marriage
the union of two loving hearts for a life
time-is one of the divinest of blessings.
It is surprising to see how th~oughtlessly
some girls embark upon the sea of matri-
mony and that triles affect them In the
choice of q life partner. But many a
young mans head. as well, has been
turned by a dolly face or a dimpled chin
and he has impetuously given his heart
and hand to the owner without even a
thought as to her housekeeping ability CT
her disposition. I would remind all young
people that marriage is for a lifetime. 1t
Is something more than a Irritation. 1t
is living together forty or fifty years. Six
months after the ceremony has been per-
forme all your romantic illusions will
vanish. 1t is surprising upon what short
acquaintance some people will marry in
this country and as a consequence of
their haste multitudes of them are sadly
duped. Frequently women marry men
whom they have not known two months
and take no trouble to investigate their
previous history. Some one has said that
marriage is a lottery. that a man cannot
tell whether he Is to draw a prize or q
blank; but this ! deny, unless those who
same senseless principles with those who
dabble In lotteries. If you exercise no
discrimination in your choice; If you
monial opportunity that presents itself
without studying your man and taking
time TO demonstrate his reliability and
suitability, you may catch a tartar. Even
if you have known your man for years
and are familiar with his record be in no
haste to wed; test your mutual love by
is the genuine article, will keep. SO take
Your time. 1t is far better to break an
engagement than to sunder the marriage
tie. ! am old fashioned enough to look
upon marriage as a most sacred relation
ship and something that lasts as long as
life I ask young hot-heads to stop and
think. Look twice before you leap and
be a long time in leaping.
This is the age of recklessness and in
discretion and therefore to all those yet
In their teens we say. Go ask you
think of your e~spousals.' They have cool
heads. maturer judgments and are deeply
out of ten their advice is sensible and
worthy of being needed. In this country
young people choose their own life part
ners and l claim that parents ought not
to interfere except in cases where their
children are positively ~foolhardy and
likely to make utter wrecks of them
selves The more frank and unassuming
lovers are in their engagement the
greater likelihood of a happy married life.
If, during this period of waiting. affection
wanes somewhat they lac better wait a
year longer; If 1t continues to flag they
had better wait forever. Marriage is a
loving union of two congenial souls.
Make it anything less thar this and you
make it at your peril. The best marriage
is more even than this. 1t is the union
of two congenia1 spirits who invoke the
favor of God upon their domestic enter
prise and try to realize the highest ideal
of earthly bliss by obeying God's Com
mandments and showing forth the spirit
of Christ to one another"