The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-08-27
TWO IN ONE OR TWO IN TWO

Many, many years ago God
said something about matrimony
that has remained true to the
present day. Speaking Of the I'm
ity that should exist between
husband and wife, He declared
that they should "be two in one
fesh.'' In other words, the un-
ity resulting from marriage should
eliminate so far as possible all
differences in their lives. Becem-
ing one, they would be two hearts
and souls beating as one. Thus
did God decree, and thus was it
ever, except when the malice of
man interviewed and spoiled the
divine plan.
The wonderful modern world
has sought to upset and to dis
card the standards of the ages.
Beginning with the Creator Him
self, whose very existence it de-
MES, this wise world set about TIC
tear down all the guide-posts
whereby mankind has been led
along the road to true happiness.
Turning then to man himself, the
world in it's munificence. has bid
den him seek strange pastures,
forbidden orchards, and to safe
himself with the desires of his de-
PRAYED heart. The symbol of
marriage, naturally, was bound to
suffer from the vandals, and suf-
fer it did.
With one hand raised in hypo-
critical horror at polygamy, the
wise world has extended the 9th
er and invited men and women to
desecrate the holy sacrament of
matrimony. You are as good as
the beasts Of the field, reasons
the world; then why not mate up
with any one who pleases your
fancy, even as the lords Of the
barnyard and the pasture. Such
is the worlds morality, God save
the mark.
Some Catholics are Mortified at
this state Of affairs. They shun
such reprobates. At the same
time they like to give their own
Interpretation to the two-in-one
passage Of scripture, and they
make it two-in-two; that is, they
are willing to be united secundum
quid, as philosophers say, which
means that they make distinc-
ton in the kind Of unity. This
distinction appears in the relig-
ious element. In the domestic
sense they cherish the value Of un-
ity: in the spiritual, however, they
fear not to inject dual form, and
they take unto themselves mate
Of another or of no religion at all.
Now, this other partner may be
possessed Of all the most delec-
table qualities. He or she may be
an ideal lover and become a most
devoted husband or wife. But
they are two in two, for they can
not look at life or life's sacred
duties and obligations in precise
ly the same light. The non-Cath-
Ollie may go the full limit Of gen.
tie acquiescence and kind-hearted
forbearance. In their heart Of
hearts, however, these two come
to know, to realize, that an
immense chasm separates them.
Neither children nor riches nor
earthly happiness can bridge that
gulf. The older they become the
nearer they approach the day of
final departure when each must
travel his or her own way in the
land whence there is no return
ing. And they had sworn eternal.
yes, eternal love. Fifty or seventy
years is not much Of an eternity.
And the children? Well. the
poor creatures must, to say the
least, lead battling life, not
knowing which parent to believe
Or which one to follow in the wav
Of the spirit. Is it any wonder
that so many children of mixed
marriags end by abandoning all
religion?
A man who is worth anything
will promise eternal love and f.
deity to his fiancee. Better take
a pencil and paper and begin to
figure out just how long eternity
is. Why not select one who can
make good' on the eternity
promise?