Chapter 152—Premature Marriage
Boys and girls enter upon the marriage relation with unripe love,
immature judgment, without noble, elevated feelings, and take upon
themselves the marriage vows, wholly led by their boyish, girlish
passions....
The Danger of Early Attachments
Attachments formed in childhood have often resulted in very
wretched unions, or in disgraceful separations. Early connections,
if formed without the consent of parents, have seldom proved happy.
The young affections should be restrained until the period arrives when
sufficient age and experience will make it honorable and safe to un-
fetter them. Those who will not be restrained will be in danger of
dragging out an unhappy existence. A youth not out of his teens is
a poor judge of the fitness of a person as young as himself to be his
companion for life. After their judgment has become more matured,
they view themselves bound for life to each other, and perhaps not at
all calculated to make each other happy. Then, instead of making the
best of their lot, recriminations take place, the breach widens, until
there is settled indifference and neglect of each other. To them there is
nothing sacred in the word home. The very atmosphere is poisoned
by unloving words and bitter reproaches.—
A Solemn Appeal, 11,
12
(Edition: Signs Publishing Company Limited).
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