The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-04
Rev. J. A. Long Speaks On
Secrets Of Happy Married
ao' Life Sunday Evening !
VINE. STREET CHURCH is
FILLED BY AUDIENCE
Advice, Suggestion and Ad-
monition Found In Dis
course By Minister

Giving a sermon addressed to new.
lyweds, for more than 600 OF whom he
has served as the clergyman speaking
the words of the marriage ceremony.
the Rev. J. A. Long on Sunday even.
ing addressed large congregation a.
the Vine street Church of Christ. The
church auditorium was filled early and
the audience overflowed almost filling
the Sunday school room also.
Invitations to attend this service
had been sent out by the Rev. Mr..
Long to all the married couples whom
he had served in the course of his nine
years pastOrate in Mt Vernon. At
his invitation before he began the dc.
livery Of the sermon, at least one
third of those present stood up to in
dicate they had been married by Mr..
Long. The major portion Of those wed.
ded by the minister reside in Mt. Ver-
non or Knox county Others are found
in adjoining counties and. in fewer
numbers, in moro distant parts of the
state. His matriculates into the ma.
trimonial class are to be found In
states as far distant as Texas and II.
liOnis in the west, and New Jersey In
the east. They include every class
and profession, merchants, lawyers.
ministers, teachers, clerks and work
ers Of epery kind and description. He
has had the distinction of marrying
three and possibly four members of
one family, while the two-in-a-family
class is fairly large.
The minister prefaced his discourse
by declaration this was to him pc.
culiarly happy occasion. Before the
opening Of the service he had had the
pleasure of greeting and conversing
with a large number of those for
whom he had performed the marriage
ceremony. He also said 1t is his wish
and desire that II 1t may happen there
be any married by him who have not
received the special invitation to at.
tend the service they indicate the
omission to him, and card will be
sent. atI
In the development of his theme in
discussing the sermon subject, "The
Secrets of Happy Married Life"
friendship was held to be O basic ele-
ment. This includes, he held, honesty
of purpose. There should be mutual.
ity of purpose, a common ground or
interest. Industry also is another es-
|sential laid down. No self-respectmg
man or woman wishes to be idle. Ev-
cry honest man wants an honest job
and wishes to be industrious.
Marriage was held to be natural
normal and emnently desirable. 10
be successful and happy 1t must be
based upon three precepts; Keep well
be kind, practice economy. In the
discussion OF these several points the
minister gave the result and sum Of
his observation of the result OF the
practice or tho neglect of them.
Children In the home were held tr
be necessary to supplement- married
happiness and contentment. 1t was
earnestly advised the. dance be ecu!
cut" Anything that tends to break
down tho home should be avoided
Anything that will cause the matri
monial boat to rock should be put
away.
Contrary to his usual custom, the
minister did not announce his sermon
text until after he had concluded hi.
discourse. 1t was found In !. Corinth
ians 7;3. Let the husband render I'm
to the wife her due; and likewise alst
the wife unto the husband"
The music for the evening servic,
had been selected with thought t
it's relation to the sermon theme. Sew
eral numbers were given by the male
quartet of tho choir. A wedding
march. played as tho congregation lef
the CHURCH, was fitting conclusion t.
an unusual sermon and service.
1