Chapter 107—To Establish the Home
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is
established.
Proverbs 24:3
.
He who gave Eve to Adam as a helpmeet performed His first miracle
at a marriage festival.... Thus He sanctioned marriage, recognizing it as
an institution that He Himself had established. He ordained that men and
women should be united in holy wedlock, to rear families whose members,
crowned with honor, should be recognized as members of the family above.
Like every other one of God’s good gifts ..., marriage has been perverted
by sin; but it is the purpose of the gospel to restore its purity and beauty....
The grace of Christ, and this alone, can make this institution what God
designed it should be—an agent for the blessing and uplifting of humanity.
And thus the families of earth, in their unity and peace and love, may
represent the family of heaven. The condition of society presents a sad
comment upon Heaven’s ideal of this sacred relation. Yet even for those
who have found bitterness and disappointment where they had hoped for
companionship and joy, the gospel of Christ offers a solace. The patience
and gentleness which His Spirit can impart, will sweeten the bitter lot. The
heart in which Christ dwells will be so filled, so satisfied, with His love that it
will not be consumed with longing to attract sympathy and attention to itself.
And through the surrender of the soul to God, His wisdom can accomplish
what human wisdom fails to do. Through the revelation of His grace, hearts
that were once indifferent or estranged may be united....
Men and women can reach God’s ideal for them if they will take Christ
as their helper. What human wisdom cannot do, His grace will accomplish
for those who give themselves to Him in loving trust. His providence can
unite hearts in bonds that are of heavenly origin. Love will not be a mere
exchange of soft and flattering words. The loom of heaven weaves with warp
and woof finer, yet more firm, than can be woven by the looms of earth. The
result is not a tissue fabric, but a texture that will bear wear and test and trial.
Heart will be bound to heart in the golden bonds of a love that is enduring.
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