The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1900-11-24

proves the contrary; but it would do no
ha m, and it might save a great deal of
after trouble and misery. if young Amer
lea consulted their parents more in their
choice of companions for life. 1t may
seem an old-fashioned dictum, but it is
one not to be forgotten that 'the bless
ing of parents builds up the homes of
their children" Well, in this old mar
riage taie we have the picture of Abra-
hams servant reaching the end of his
journey, his meeting with the beautiful
Rebecea at the well whittier she had come
to draw water for the familys need her
modest demeanor and gentle courtesy
his hanging the golden earrings in her
ears and slipping the costly bracelets on
her shapely arms; her running back to
her home, and her brother, Laban. notic-
ing the ornaments; her explanation of
how they had come into her possession;
and then. Laban going forth to meet
and welcome the guest; the making
known of his errand, the appeal to the
maiden herself, her consent to a betrothal
lby proxy to man she had never seen,
land her departure with her brothers
blessing to the South country; the eager
waiting of Isaac for the return of his
fathers servant, his evening stroll in the
fields, his running to meet the returning
caravan. and his greeting of his betroth-
led wife-these most beautiful incl
DENTS and they are related with a SIM
plicity and a pathos that captivate the
heart They take us back to that tent
home in the gray dawn of the worlds
history which of all places on earth was
the most sacred to Isaac, because il had
been his mothers home, where she and
his father Abraham had lived their we'd
ded life, and wnere he and the beloved
Rebecca were to begin theirs. We have
before US, therefore, in this old world
story the picture of a new home. The
tent itself was not new but the ties were,
and they make the home. Let us, then.
ldraw aside the curtain of this old tent.
and look within, and see If there are no
lessons of wisdom and prudence, which.
IL learned by us in this closing year of the
| nineteenth century, would make the mar
ried life of men and women more what
God intended it to be. And Isaac loved
Rebecca, and he brought her into his
mothers tent, and she became his wife +;
and Isaac was comforted after his moth
Ier's DEATH"
In the first place, We learn the same old
: lesson about marriage that we learned
last Sunday evening from Jacob and
; Rachael about courtship. that love is the
beginning and the end of it; the welded
life of Isaac and Rebecca was filled with
5 love. And Isaac loved her." is the SIM
: pie statement of the text. And it is but
7 fair to infer that she loved him in re-
turn This love was no mere sentiment.
1t was not passing fancy. 1t was that
5 kind of affection which only deepens and
2 y
$ vanish away. 1t stands the strain of mis-
f fortune. and falters not before trial and
e ladyersity; and what is still more wonder
e full, it seems to be only purified and en-
$ nobled by. the revelation OF every phase
s of character and mood of temper, and by
S the relations and duties of the household
e I.cve is the cornerstone of true mar
t rted life. Love Is it's inspiration, it's de
II fense, its crown of victory. Sorrow, de
d feat. deprivations are vanquished wher,
:. love has wrought its perfect work &C
l. world, where is thy sting! poverty
y where is thy victory! is the paean o
5. him who is sheltered in the love that il
n the inspiration of every true marie,
,e life. When we hear 1t said, as We 81
e. often do in these days, that nearly ever
n married life begins apparently with love
it but ere long in many cases chang
ID takes place which transforms the happi
Is ness once so fondly dreamed of into keen
at est and almost uncomfortable misery,
e. can only be explained by saying tina
IL such instances illustrate the peril of er
he tering upon the married life thoughtless
at ly and without realizing beforehand tn
Ill solemn Importance of the STEP The apos
ties of social license point to these dis
to cords, and they tell us that they are til
IN result of the prudery of the old Bible ide
tn of marriage. and that affinity is the or
is requisite of human happiness; it's onl
he true seal. Well, for one / am not afrai
at to take this affinity from their lips an
re use 1T this evening, for nothing can con
h lpensate for it's absence in married lif
he But to trample under foot an institute
ms divine in its origin, and beautiful in
ce many of its associations, and to subst
ls- tute in its place licentiousness whic
,st saps the very foundation of faith and wi
ye tue. is both shame and crime tt
at place where affinity should come in is b
fe- fore the marriage VOWS are exchange
ID indeed before the passion of love is XII
lad In tEn bx..,,
in Its veil before the eyes until they are
is good as blinded. l believe in romano
he The world would be poor place witho
an it. l believe in love at first sight
ar young man goes into room of an eve
ing, with a heart as free as an unmat
ny swallow, and an hour after, comes out
las captive for life; and the maiden knoy
as what the youth knows, and in her hea
ie- says Amen" to the revelation, thou.
lot II may take some time for her to S;
ci- with her lips. Yes. l believe in love
of hrst sight, provided always it be love tn
1T VIII stand the second sight. If it be ge
tn; ulne, 1t only gets the more hallowed a
ar tender as the years roll on; but if it
ire mot genuine, If 1t be only passing fame
Ter a temporary spell, then you will so
ten find the divorce court in session, or t
nd domestic court disagreeing and conten
I'VE ing with sensitive intolerance In [
to case of Isaac and Rebecca we find tn
his their love, which seems to have be
nd love at first sight" was deep and la.
ter ing. What a beautiful picture we ha
les before us this evening! Two immortal
her ings. maintaining lifelong unity pre-
lch ing mutual blessing to each other. a
cry setting an example to the world. whi,
nd IL universally foliowed, would surrou
the home with bulwark against whi
SOL the waves of RIGHTEOUSNESS and soc
est corruption would dash in vain 7 do I
re; mean to say that such married lives {
nto rare in which there is a love that no m
ing can measure. God pity the world if t
ose were so, If there We're no true wedd
but love in its myriad of homes Wearine
ave anxious care, heavy burdens. strugg
can for the daily bread are all about. and ,
is love transforms athe poor surroundin
an and transfigures the rude walls w
the frescoes such as no artist hand c
but paint I say, God bless the Isaac and
ter. beccas of the world, who are standi
'ow SIDE by side, no matter how life goes "
'ws arc true to each other, brave for es
tify others sake, and finding in eachN otl
me. day by day, more real strength, m,