p. 5 | Mixed Marriages by G. B. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1915

Mixed Marriages

By G. B. T.

THE Bible abounds in warnings against mixed marriages.

“Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.” Deut. 7:3.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” 2 Cor. 6:14, 15.

“The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 7:39.

Culture and refinement are of value, but to choose as a companion for life one who is steeped in the idolatries and sins which curse the earth, is a most grievous mistake.

Rev. F. B. Meyer, after many years as a minister, and having had plenty of opportunity to observe the influence of mixed marriages, says:—

We need not be surprised at these strong and repeated prohibitions. A mixed marriage is a prolific source of misery. In the course of a considerable pastoral experience, I have never known one to result in perfect happiness. Believers

in such unions, do not level their unbelieving partners up to Christ, but are themselves dragged down to infinite misery and self-reproach. “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.” Neh. 13:26.

How can there be sympathy in the deepest matters? Each feels that there is one subject on which they are not agreed; and this is a fatal barrier to perfect union. The ungodly partner despises the Christian for marrying in the teeth of principle. The Christian is disappointed because the apparent influence gained before marriage is dissipated soon after the knot is irrevocably tied. Well might Rebekah be weary of her life through those daughters of Heth.

Many a Christian girl has married an unbeliever, in the hope of saving him, and has bitterly rued her choice: she has seen her influence wane; and has learned, though too late, that the Holy Spirit will not cooperate with our efforts if they are based on distinct disobedience to one of the clearest commands of the Bible.

The above applies with special emphasis to those who believe this message and observe the Lord's Sabbath. God has ordained marriage, but let those contemplating taking upon themselves its vows, pray much.

They need the divine guidance of the Lord, lest they take a step that they will learn was a fatal and irretrievable blunder, and in their religious work find that they are weighed down by a millstone around the neck, and that their progress toward the celestial city is greatly impeded. G. B. T.