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The Adventist Home
each other. But they should realize that a responsibility rests upon them
in the marriage relation farther than this. They should consider whether
their offspring will possess physical health and mental and moral
strength. But few have moved with high motives and with elevated
considerations which they could not lightly throw off—that society had
claims upon them, that the weight of their family’s influence would
tell in the upward or downward scale
The choice of a life companion should be such as best to secure
physical, mental, and spiritual well-being for parents and for their
children—such as will enable both parents and children to bless their
fellow men and to honor their Creator
Qualities to Be Sought in a Prospective Wife—Let a young man
seek one to stand by his side who is fitted to bear her share of life’s
burdens, one whose influence will ennoble and refine him, and who
[46]
will make him happy in her love.
“A prudent wife is from the Lord.” “The heart of her husband doth
safely trust in her.... She will do him good and not evil all the days of
her life.” “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is
the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call
her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her,” saying, “Many
daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” He who
gains such a wife “findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the
Lord.
Here are things which should be considered: Will the one you
marry bring happiness to your home? Is [she] an economist, or will
she, if married, not only use all her own earnings, but all of yours to
gratify a vanity, a love of appearance? Are her principles correct in this
direction? Has she anything now to depend upon? ... I know that to
the mind of a man infatuated with love and thoughts of marriage these
questions will be brushed away as though they were of no consequence.
But these things should be duly considered, for they have a bearing
upon your future life....
In your choice of a wife study her character. Will she be one who
will be patient and painstaking? Or will she cease to care for your
8
Messages to Young People, 461
.
9
The Ministry of Healing, 357, 358
.
10
Ibid., 359
.