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Counsels for the Church
fretfulness; the rude, harsh manners must be softened by the grace of
Christ.
Prayer and Bible Study Necessary to Make the Right Decision
Instituted by God, marriage is a sacred ordinance and should never
be entered upon in a spirit of selfishness. Those who contemplate
this step should solemnly and prayerfully consider its importance and
seek divine counsel that they may know whether they are pursuing
a course in harmony with the will of God. The instruction given in
God’s word on this point should be carefully considered. Heaven
looks with pleasure upon a marriage formed with an earnest desire
to conform to the directions given in the Scripture. If there is any
subject that should be considered with calm reason and unimpassioned
judgment, it is the subject of marriage. If ever the Bible is needed as
a counselor, it is before taking a step that binds persons together for
life. But the prevailing sentiment is that in this matter the feelings are
to be the guide, and in too many cases lovesick sentimentalism takes
the helm and guides to certain ruin. It is here that the youth show less
intelligence than on any other subject; it is here that they refuse to be
reasoned with. The question of marriage seems to have a bewitching
power over them. They do not submit themselves to God. Their senses
are enchained, and they move forward in secretiveness, as if fearful
that their plans would be interfered with by someone.
Many are sailing in a dangerous harbor. They need a pilot; but they
scorn to accept the much-needed help, feeling that they are competent
to guide their own bark, and not realizing that it is about to strike
a hidden rock that may cause them to make shipwreck of faith and
happiness.... Unless they are diligent students of that Word [the Bible],
they will make grave mistakes which will mar their happiness and that
of others, both for the present and the future life.
If men and women are in the habit of praying twice a day before
they contemplate marriage, they should pray four times a day when
such a step is anticipated. Marriage is something that will influence
and affect your life, both in this world and in the world to come....
The majority of the marriages of our time and the way in which
they are conducted make them one of the signs of the last days. Men
and women are so persistent, so headstrong, that God is left out of the
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