Marriage
163
that Christ honored by His presence, it is right that His followers
should attend. After attending this feast, Christ attended many others,
sanctifying them by His presence and instruction. There is no reason
why we should make great parade or display, even if the parties were
perfectly suited to each other.
It has always seemed so very inappropriate to me to see the mar-
riage ordinance associated with hilarity and glee and a pretense of
something. No. It is an ordinance ordained of God, to be looked upon
[126]
with the greatest solemnity. As the family relation is formed here
below, it is to give a demonstration of what they shall be, the family in
heaven above. The glory of God is ever to be made first
Counsel to Newlyweds
My Dear Brother and Sister,
You have united in a life long covenant. Your education in married
life has begun. The first year of married life is a year of experience,
a year in which husband and wife learn each other’s different traits
of character, as a child learns lessons in school. In this, the first year
of your married life, let there be no chapters that will mar your future
happiness.
To gain a proper understanding of the marriage relation is the work
of a lifetime. Those who marry enter a school from which they are
never in this life to be graduated. My brother, your wife’s time and
strength and happiness are now bound up with yours. Your influence
over her may be a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. Be
very careful not to spoil her life.
My sister, you are now to learn your first practical lessons in regard
to the responsibilities of married life. Be sure to learn these lessons
faithfully day by day. Do not give way to discontent or moodiness.
Do not long for a life of ease and inactivity. Guard constantly against
giving way to selfishness.
In your life union your affections are to be tributary to each other’s
happiness. Each is to minister to the happiness of the other. This is
the will of God concerning you. But while you are to blend as one,
neither of you is to lose his or her individuality in the other. God is
the owner of your individuality. Of Him you are to ask: What is right?
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The Adventist Home, 99-101