The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-12-20
MARRIAGE AND C0URTSHIP WAS
SUBJECT
OF Sermon BY DIR. Swift Sunday
Night-(iave Advice to Young
Men and Women Advised
Them to Marry Young.

Sunday evening, DR.. w. II. Swift
took for his subject "Courtship and |.
Marriage" or Getting Ready for
Home Making" He took his text
from Genesis 1920. 1t was as fol-
lows: And Jacob served seven
years for Rachael; and they seemed
unto him but few days, for the
love he had to her"
DR.. Swift gave some good advice
to young men and women, who are
about to enter into the married state
which we think should be published
in part.
He said that the gallantry, the
devotion and the unchanging love
Jacob bore for Rachael redeemed
very much in his life that we cannot
approve. The honesty and intensity
of Jacobs affection was declared not
alone by the proposal of a seven
years term OF servitude-a long
period OF waiting-but also by the
spirit in which he served his future
bride. Many as the days were that
intervened before he obtained pos
session OF her, they were rendered
happy by the sweet society of
Racheal and they seemed unto him
but few days for the love he had
for her.
He said that there is a great deal
of fool advice given young people in
our day. He cited an incident where
the past week, the advice of a veal
thy New York lady, a suffragette, of
course, given to working girls. She
advised them not to marry till 25
years OF age, then keep on working
in the shops, hiring servant to do
| the housework. There are
so many influences at work to un-
| dermine and destroy the home al
| together, instead Of reigning as
| queen in your own home, loving
and training the souls for useful
ness here and hereafter, you are ask
ed to abdicate the throne, take the
crown of motherhood from your
| heads, close the door of your hearts
to your children and live a life in
which the blessing of God can never
rest.
Marriage should not be entered
upon hastily or thoughlessly. For
much is at stake-a home is to be
made or marred, and if unhappily
mated disaster is sure to follow.
| God designed that Jacob and
| Rachael should first come to know
each other through the period of
wooing, a courtship-the period of
preparation for the making OF a
home-an experience, as sacred, al
most, as marriage itself.
There are many Things a young
man should know about the habits,
the disposition, the heart and life
of a young woman before entering
into a life relationship with her. He
should see her Unexpectedly in her
own home, when she has not on her
company manners or dress. Is she
always neat? Is she a house-keeper?
home-maker? Can she make
good, sweet bread? Is she an un-
selfish daughter, sharing the moth
er, as the years come and go and as
the burdens grow heavy? Is she
a loving sister, seeking the welfare
Of brothers and sisters? Or does
she always want the best for her
self? Does she live for pleasure
= and will she have it at any cost? l!
= she extravagant and careless witt
money? Is she a helper or a bur
den? Will she gladly share the lift
burden, do her part in getting, anC
paying for and keeping a home? i
she a Christian, and does the Churcl
of that Christ, who brought woman
that large liberty she enjoys today
make its appeal to her so success
= fully that it claims a part of her low
' ing service? These are a few of tn,
= questions DR.. Swift asks the youni
D.. man to find out about his life part
t ner before proposing marriage. Tn
loving, thoughtful, helpful, unset
fish daughter, he says, will make
loving, thoughtful, helpful and un
e selfish wife for the man who de
serves her.
4 The man on his part must mattel
I her love with love her unselfish
C ness with unselfshness and trea
j her with chivalric devotion.
On the other hand he asks tn
young lady to determine what hal
! its he has formed. He advises he
n not to marry a rogue to reform o
save him but to marry one who's
e manhood is universally recognized
Q a manly man who is a gentleman, a.
: ways, in her presence even whe
alone with her. Is he a happy-gC
lucky fellow? Does he live beyon
/ his means? Is he extravagant
4 Does he touch the wine cup till res
II son is dethroned? Does he prefe
II the club to your charms? Is he Sc
fish, looking for a wife who shall b
a servant, and not a companion
Say no, a thousand times no, rathe
2 than bind yourself to a brute, or a
7, apology OF a man. Toll hard If yo
a must, but be your own mistre!
d rather than the slave of any man.
p. 1t is we'll to marry young, If tn
" home has been provided. Not
e large, well-furnished home, but
r small one large enough for tw
d Money paid for rent ought to
n paid on a home of your own.
In speaking of the happiness
ID the married state he said that If IL
IN courtship has been sacred, the ma
~ ried life can never be unhappy.
N Counting, in the true sense of Il
word, the man seeking, If not ser
ing, like Jacob, seven years, for Il
object of his affection. Then he w
s, stick to her and she to him throul
k life. There were some old fashion
&c. that have not been improved upo