Remarriage in Old Age
89
prayers and tears I have missed so much, so very much. No one can
understand this as myself. But my work has to be done. No human
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power should give the least supposition that I would be influenced in
the work God has given me to do in bearing my testimony to those for
whom He has given me reproof or encouragement.
I have been alone in this matter, severely alone, with all the dif-
ficulties and all the trials connected with the work. God alone could
help me. The last work that is to be done by me in this world will soon
be finished. I must express myself plainly, in a manner, if possible, not
to be misunderstood.—
Manuscript 227, 1902
.
When Ages Widely Differ
Another cause of the deficiency of the present generation in physi-
cal strength and moral worth, is, men and women uniting in marriage
whose ages widely differ. It is frequently the case that old men choose
to marry young wives. By thus doing, the life of the husband has
often been prolonged, while the wife has had to feel the want of that
vitality which she has imparted to her aged husband. It has not been
the duty of any woman to sacrifice life and health, even if she did love
one so much older than herself, and felt willing on her part to make
such a sacrifice. She should have restrained her affections. She had
considerations higher than her own interest to consult. She should
consider, if children be born to them, what would be their condition?
It is still worse for young men to marry women considerably older
than themselves. The offspring of such unions in many cases, where
ages widely differ, have not well-balanced minds. They have been
deficient also in physical strength. In such families have frequently
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been manifested varied, peculiar, and often painful, traits of character.
They often die prematurely, and those who reach maturity, in many
cases, are deficient in physical and mental strength, and moral worth.
The father is seldom prepared, with his failing faculties, to properly
bring up his young family.—
Selected Messages 2:423, 424
.
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