Chapter 153—Marriages, Wise and Unwise
Immature marriages are productive of a vast amount of the evils
that exist today. Neither physical health nor mental vigor is promoted
by a marriage that is entered on too early in life. Upon this subject
altogether too little reason is exercised. Many youth act from impulse.
This step, which affects them seriously for good or ill, to be a lifelong
blessing or curse, is too often taken hastily, under the impulse of senti-
ment. Many will not listen to reason or instruction from a Christian
point of view....
The world is full of misery and sin today in consequence of ill-
assorted marriages. In many cases it takes only a few months for
husband and wife to realize that their dispositions can never blend;
and the result is that discord prevails in the home where only the love
and harmony of heaven should exist.
By contention over trivial matters, a bitter spirit is cultivated. Open
disagreements and bickering bring inexpressible misery into the home,
and drive asunder those who should be united in the bonds of love.
Thus thousands have sacrificed themselves, soul and body, by unwise
marriages, and have gone down in the path of perdition.
Unequally Yoked
It is a dangerous thing to form a worldly alliance. Satan well knows
that the hour which witnesses the marriages of many young men and
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women closes the history of their religious experience and usefulness.
For a time they may make an effort to live a Christian life, but all their
strivings are made against a steady influence in the opposite direction.
Once they felt it a privilege to speak of their joy and hope; but soon
they become unwilling to make this a subject of conversation, knowing
that the one with whom they have linked their destiny takes no interest
in these things. Thus Satan insidiously weaves about them a web of
skepticism, and faith in the precious truth dies out of the heart.
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