Marriage, Home, Family
171
becomes deeper and stronger, your love for each other will be purified
and strengthened.
The spirit that Christ manifests toward us is the spirit that husband
and wife are to manifest toward each other. “As Christ also hath loved
us,” “walk in love.” “As the church is subject unto Christ, so let the
wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your
wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
Neither the husband nor the wife should attempt to exercise over
the other an arbitrary control. Do not try to compel each other to
yield to your wishes. You cannot do this and retain each other’s love.
Be kind, patient and forbearing, considerate and courteous. By the
grace of God you can succeed in making each other happy, as in
your marriage vow you promised to do.—
The Review and Herald,
December 10, 1908
. [
See Appendix E.
]
Take Care in Choosing a Life Companion
Unwise Marriage Can Ruin Usefulness—If those who are con-
templating marriage would not have miserable, unhappy reflections
after marriage, they must make it a subject of serious, earnest reflection
now. This step taken unwisely is one of the most effective means of
ruining the usefulness of young men and women. Life becomes a
burden, a curse. No one can so effectually ruin a woman’s happiness
and usefulness, and make life a heartsickening burden, as her own
husband; and no one can do one hundredth part as much to chill the
hopes and aspirations of a man, to paralyze his energies and ruin his
influence and prospects, as his own wife. It is from the marriage hour
[183]
that many men and women date their success or failure in this life, and
their hopes of the future life.—
The Review and Herald, February 2,
1886
.
Is He Worthy?—Before giving her hand in marriage, every
woman should inquire whether he with whom she is about to unite
her destiny is worthy. What has been his past record? Is his life pure?
Is the love which he expresses of a noble, elevated character, or is it
a mere emotional fondness? Has he the traits of character that will
make her happy? Can she find true peace and joy in his affection?
Will she be allowed to preserve her individuality, or must her judgment
and conscience be surrendered to the control of her husband? As a