The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-22
A HAPPY MARRIAGE.

(By Rev. Jesse II. Jones. Scientific Lecturer
Who can describe In words that heavenly
time of young love. when the deepest alfeo-
tons of life burst forth into their perfumod
poisoning and life is in it's srrugtlne?
Why is it that this JOY is so transient and
so apt to fade and darken like hues OF the
sunset? Why do there come to some the
bitter frosts that cut love down or the subtle
poisons that destroy it. while others enjoy it
until death.
These are serious and not merely senti-
mental questions.
separate individual is but half n life
and happiness depends upon Hnding the other
half who is the most perfectly suited in
mind and temperament.
There is perhaps for every person one per.
feet mate. though it may be seldom that
such marriages occur. Practically speaking
we can only hope to get as near perfection
as possible
One secret of happy marriage is to re-
tain as far as NAV be the spirit and rela-
tons of courtship. Marriage should never
be considered the gateway to license aud
selfshness.
In every true marriage there should be an
element Of devoutness. Nowhere is lippancy
more out of place than at the marriage altar
We would have fewer divorces because less
need OF them. if every marriage were re-
garded as a peculiarly serious and solemn
undertaking.
l was once at a country wedding which
illustrates what | mean. The young couple
were plain. modest folk from tho farm. and
appeared to be deeply impressed as the cere-
mony proceeded. When the minister reached
the words Let us pray they both turned
around with a quick motion and threw them
selves upon their knees, bowling their heads
upon the sofa and so remained TO the end
Of the prayer.
1t was the first case in which l ever knew
any one to kneel during the wedding PRAYER
except in formal way. and there was such
intense earnestness and devotion in their
manner that every one present was pro-
foundly moved. 1t was very evident that they
dedicated themselves TO one another with
their whole hearts.
To tho children born Of love. in wedlock
that is kept holy in fact as well as name.
we must look for the elevation of the race
But the chief secret OF a happy marriage
is the following rule Put the woman at the
head Of tho family instead Of the man, II
there is to be any ruling it is better to have
the woman enthroned than he man. More
authority will make the woman stronger and
moro service will make the maa gentler, No
man can ever know ths full sweetness of
love who insists upon being the lord and
master OF the household.
The English common law says: THE man
and the woman are one. and that one is the
man" This unjust ana absurd sentence has
been tho means vi making our homes little
empires instead Of little republics
protest against any sort OF imperialism
In the home. The highest marriage Is that
which develops the liberty and selfhood OF
the woman as well as tbs man.
Women should DO the owners OF them
selves as well after marriage as before. All
the immortality Of the world centeFs around
the submlssiyeness and practical slavery OF
woman.
Every woman should cultivate the sense Of
self-ownership, for unless love rs free and
pure IL is not love IL is mere selfish anna
tiyeness and nothing more.
The great need of our homes is not so
much for better mothers as for better ia
theirs. The man for whom the world waits
Is he who Will ascend into the heights OF
his manhood aud live there who will be
stronE enough TO climb tho heights OF I'M
selfish love. II is he who shall love as a
maiden loveth," and by the culture OF. his
brain and heart attain to complete self mas
terry. In such a man the passions will not
be extinguished. but controlled. and his bet
ter self will be the supreme court OF his
NATURE from which there can be no appeal