Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-24
My bach eIor Friends.


Two years ago, when suffering with a
| fractured leg, / ventured you some adj
vice on matrimony. Now, that / am con-
| fined to my room by sickness allow me to
| continue the subject. | never write for
the papers without the hope Of doing
some good. l know hundreds of gentle
men In this city whom l have loved
for years, and in whose happiness l have
great concern. They would make fine
heads Of families. They have wisdom and
sagacity to wisely conduct the household.
| They owe II to themselves, 10 the city
of Richmond, and also to the State, to
get married. l think it hardly necessary
to enter into any argument 10 prove
that ii is in accordance with Gods will
and purpose that all men should marry,
especially such friends ~ those to whom
have referred. 1t is not always pleasant
for US to look far into the future. A
survey of few years i'm advance is all
that Is necessary. This is false philoso-
phyl Many present friends, to whom one
now looks for comfort and solace, must
soon leave you. You must prepare your
self for the inevitable. You must now
secure a friend who will stand by you
In all time, with undying devotion. You
must, I'm fact, determine 10 swap hearts.
You must seek some woman Of intelli-
piety also. who will cling the closer,
though all the world besides deserts you.
No one but wife can fill this role. Thou
sands Of gold and silver viii not buy
her. Her price is above rubies The
Bible says: "She will DO you good all the
days Of your life" Add 10 a good wife
loving sons and daughters. then you have
a perfect circle Of hearts. bound together
with hooks OF steel. Can money buy
these? Woman's sphere in life Is peculiar.
God has made her for a special purpose,
and has wonderfully endowed her. Her
love, gentleness, and patience are
marvel. She has always tear for
mans weakness and folly. No ingrati-
tude can repel her. The true prodigal
will always find her heart open wide to
receive him. Into her loving arms she
receives the helpless babe, and forgets
all the world for IL. Man in age and
feebleness. and bowed with sorrow, who
will soothe his aching brow and calm
his troubled feeling; who Will smooth his
pillow with her own hands, and point his
soul with triumphant faith 10 a land
where there is no sorrow, sin, nor tears2
None can do this but a loving wife, II
children's faces are around your bed
your comfort and confidence Will be
marvellously increased. What beauti-
ful picture we have or jacob 5 dying
chamber his stalwart sons about his
bed. With strong faith in God, with fun
assurance OF his own salvation, he
charges them concerning their duties In
the life before them. Is any such grand
scene possible at the deathbed of
bachelor? Jacob is living to-day In the
lives OF his children, but the bachelors
name perishes forever.
In conclusion. let me mention a little
incident which happened TO a bachelor
friend Of mine not long since. 1t may be
both amusing and instructive. Ny friend
got on a spree. His nurse was a spright-
ly, intelligent negro, and seemed TO take
great interest In his master. l charged
him above all things not to give my
patient one drop of whiskey, but TO adj
minister the medicine every four hours
The next day l found the patient no
better. ditto the third day. This as
tonisfsed me beyond measure. apd /
thought something must be wrong. |
said: Have you not given this patient
some whiskey?" mo. Doctor; l just gave
him a plenty OF milk teddy day and
night" Could any wife be guilty Of
such stupidity? y.