The Newtown bee., 1903-09-04
SOCIAL TOPICS, NO. "a.
IMPRU DENT ALLIANCEs.-BY O. O.
WRIGHT.

Under the most favorable circum-
stances, and with the most fortunate
combinations of character and attain
ments, marriage will afford ample Op-
pOrtunity for the exercise of the high
est virtues both active and passive. 1t
is folly therefore not to take into seri-
GUS account all the great, permanent
elements Of our common human life,
social, educational, moral and religious.
How can two walk together through
all the experiences of this present
world except as they shall agree SUBJ
stantially as to the essential things
which must in the nature of the case
mutually concern them both?
A happy, prosperous marriage de-
mandS not only harmony Of interests
in general, but mutual participation
in all the important sources of enjoy
ment which make life attractive, pro-
gressive, and worth living. There
will come to each in the course of time
enough of self-denial, suffering and
sorrow without invoking perplexity,
confusion, or calamity to start with.
The possibilities of disappointment
when families, friends and society at
large approve the union, .and the bless
ing of the church rests upon the happy
pair. But, to be "obliged to marry"
or to run away, to wed in spite of the
opposition OF relatives and friends, to
ignore public opinion, and defy the
considerations Of law and of religion
look before you leap, young friends,
and consider the consequenceS,-lest
you enter upon lifelong tragedy.
1t is always imprudent to follow
passion which is not approved by our
own best judgment and conscience.
fIl,, of ic ho
ton, in all the relations of life. To
marry one you cannot respect is fool
ish, if not sinful. Under the illusion
of love the sentiments carry all before
them. Symmetry Of form, grace Of
motion, a pretty face, or a sweet voice
makes the lover willing captive.
When the illusion passes or is brought
to the test of fact, judgment and moral
inspection the subject assumes a diff
ferent aspect. Ones love, like every
thing else, should be consistent with
his religion, or there will be strife in
the camp.
1t is imprudent to marry or get en-
tangled in love affairs before you know
yourselves and what you mean to do
and to be. Strike your level first and
most" says DIR Holmes, in the second
chapter of "Elsie Venner," twas one
of those miserable matrimonial mis-
alliances when young fellow who
does not know himself as yet, filings
his MAGNIFICENT future into the checked
apron-lap Of some fresh-faced, half
bred country girl, no more fit to be
mated with him to go in double har-
ness than her fathers horse to go in
double harness with Flora Temple.
To think of the eagles wings clipped
so that he shall never lift himself over
the farm-yard fence!" II would not
have man marry above his level, so
as to become the appendage of pow
erful family connections; but l would
not have him marry until be knew his
level that is, again, looking at the
matter from a purely worldly point Of
view, and not taking the sentiments
at ali into consideration. But remem-
Der, that a young man, using large
endowments wisely and fortunately,
may put himself on level with the
highest in the land in ten brilliant
years Of spirited, unflagging labor"
And in this connection he refers to ex-
| ampleS "where poor young fellows
who could just keep themselves afoat
have hung matrimonial milestone
round their necks, taking it for life
preserver." And what is true Of the
lldJ OC dAOO uC VI UA1C "Ouldu.
Robert Louis Stevenson, in "Vir-
ginibus Puerisque," a little book "For
Young Men and Maidens," deals with
this topic in a striking manner. '1n
all that concerns eating and drinking,
company, climate, and ways Of life, "
| he says community Of taste is to be
sought for. In matters of art
and intellect, believe it is of no con-
sequence. y n Now this is where
there should be community between
man and wife. They should be agreed
on their catch-word in ''factS of re-
ligion," or ''facts of science" or "soci-
ETY., my DEAR" for without such an
agreement all intercourse is a painful
strain upon the mind. "About as
much religion as my William likes, u
in short, that is what is necessary to
make happy couple of any William
and his spouse. For there are differ
ences which no habit nor affection can
reconcile, and the Bohemian must not
intermarry with the Pharlsee.
The best of men and the best of women
may sometimes live together all their
lives, and for want of some consent on
fundamental questions, hold each
other lost spirits to the end"
| Edward Hine, in the Liverpool Mer'
curry, asserts that the worst case OF
smallpox can be cured in three days
by the use of cream of tartar-an ounce