Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-11-07
(Commupicated.)
is MARRIAGE a FAILURE {?

In the CITIZEN Of last week beau
tiful lines were written by Judge
Edwin Broun on the subiect-"Is
Marriage a Failure?" Every word
written | fully endorse; and now in
an humble style will express my
opinion on the same subject.
After thirty-four years of married
experience | can truthfully affirm
that marriage is not failure; nor
can it ever be, as it is a Divine law
from God. When marriage proves a
failure it is made so by men aud wo-
men not holding sacred their mar
riage vows, which, alas is too often
the case.
Men and women were made by
God as imperfect beings, but when
marriages are for no other motive
but true love from pure heart how
easily for Us to throw mantle of
charity over each others faults !
teaching us, as it does, the law of
bearing and forbeariue; hence the
old adage, 'slove hides q multitude
of faults"
God, in His great wisdom, created
man first, stronger being; after.
wards He created woman, weaker, as
helpmate. Then it seems TO me to
be wonan's duty (aud it ought to be
a pleasant one if she be a true wo-
man) after marriage to make home
happy and bright for her husband,
who, it may be, has the cares and re-
sponsibilities of business life to en-
counter. On his daily return he
should find a home made sacred by
the smiles and greetings of true
wife.
1t is so often said that the major
ity of ladies rule their husbands.
Well, let that be admitted; yet to do
that is the easiest task u woman ever
had to perform if she will just 90
about it cautiously and in the proper
spirit. Where is the mat, regardless
of will and temperament, who will
not yield to the sweet entreaties of a
true, loving, considerate, Christian
wife?
One of the great troubles existing
in this age is the often thoughtless.
ness of young ladies, after marriage
desiring more of the extravagancies
of living, such as fine houses, furni-
ture, dress, etc, than great many
men can bestow in the beginning Of
life. This often creates discomfort,
blighted homes, unhappy hearts, love
grown cold: resulting in the miser-
able diyorce-only few years back
almost unknown in our Southland,
but now so prevalent. How seldom
does divorce bring happiness, but
often, so often, leaves hear Is torn
and lacerated so that even time can
never heal.
1t has fallen to my lot to be help
mate to country physician, one OF
the hardest and most unappreciated
vocations that man ever had to fill;
| sometimes think / had rather be q
"nigger's bob-tail 'possum dog''0, and
it is my aim to make for him sa,
cred shrine where can be found true
and filial greetings of love-lit and
cheerful home, which is so sorely
needed in the life of country ply.
sician when going the rounds of his
varied duties.
| After marriage if We will but dc
our duty to each other as wife and
husband as the years roll by and our
golden locks are silvered by the fin.
ger of Time our hearts will be closer
knit together by even stronger ties ol
love than when young, ties that can.
not be broken by time-only death
can sunder, but eternity will reunit,
in the Heavenly home, "where oul
souls will bloom in eternal day, ani
through Thine infinite mercy enjoy
rest together made perfect in oul
home above, eternal in Heaven"
MRS. DR. III. w. HARDING.
Wicomico Church, Va.