Choosing of a Husband or Wife
153
There is much of this low sentimentalism mingled with the reli-
gious experience of the young in this age of the world. My sister, God
requires you to be transformed. Elevate your affections, I implore
you. Devote your mental and physical powers to the service of your
Redeemer, who has bought you. Sanctify your thoughts and feelings
that all your works may be wrought in God.
Satan’s angels are keeping watch with those who devote a large
share of the night to courting. Could they have their eyes opened, they
would see an angel making a record of their words and acts. The laws
of health and modesty are violated. It would be more appropriate to
let some of the hours of courtship before marriage run through the
married life. But as a general thing, marriage ends all the devotion
manifested during the days of courtship.
Satan knows just what elements he has to deal with, and he displays
his infernal wisdom in various devices to entrap souls to their ruin.
He watches every step that is taken, and makes many suggestions,
and often these suggestions are followed rather than the counsel of
God’s word. This finely woven, dangerous net is skillfully prepared
to entangle the young and unwary. It may often be disguised under a
covering of light; but those who become its victims pierce themselves
through with many sorrows. As the result, we see wrecks of humanity
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everywhere.
Improper Conduct
To trifle with hearts is a crime of no small magnitude in the sight
of a holy God. And yet some will show preference for young ladies
and call out their affections, and then go their way and forget all about
the words they have spoken and their effect. A new face attracts them,
and they repeat the same words, devote to another the same attentions.
This disposition will reveal itself in the married life. The marriage
relation does not always make the fickle mind firm, the wavering
steadfast and true to principle. They tire of constancy, and unholy
thoughts will manifest themselves in unholy actions. How essential it
is, then, that the youth so gird up the loins of their mind and guard their
conduct that Satan cannot beguile them from the path of uprightness.
A young man who enjoys the society and wins the friendship of a
young lady unbeknown to her parents does not act a noble Christian