MARRIAGE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 31, 1877

The following sensible remarks from Mr. Moody, which we clip from the Golden Censer, will be read with interest:—

“The first miracle our Saviour did, was performed at a wedding. The first thing that will take place in the next dispensation will be the marriage of the Lamb. I want to say a few words about matrimony. The moment that I mention that subject there is a general titter. People talk about death as the most solemn thing in life. I believe that the most solemn step that any man ever took was matrimony. There are a number of hells on earth to-day because people have not been led together by God; because their marriage was not made in heaven, and God never intended them to live together. They are living miserable, wretched lives in consequence.”

“I don’t know any subject we ought to pray more over; and it is farthest from our prayers. We pray for everything else, but we do not pray for a blessing on our marriage. Look at the misery, look at the wretchedness to-day on account of it. I want to say right here, and I don’t want to give any uncertain sound, may God have mercy on those men who are putting away their wives for nothing. There is a God of equity sitting in the heavens, who will judge them by and by. Don’t let those men think they are going to escape judgment. This thing of divorce is alarming, and yet by many it is considered a trifle.”

“Men get married to-day and divorced to-morrow. ‘What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.’ The idea that a man should, without provocation, put away his wife is terrible, and yet it is being done. I think there is a blight in many a home to-day on this account. And let me say another thing—that I believe in Paul’s declaration, that no converted person should marry an unconverted person. What right has a man to give himself away to a godless, Christless woman; or what right has a religious woman to ally herself for life with an irreligious man?”

“When you speak to people about this, they laugh at you and say it is none of your business—that the church has nothing to do with it. But the church has to do with it. There is just as imperative a law in regard to it as the commandment, ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ Look at the misery which comes of such alliances. If you are going to marry, my friends, be sure you have Christ and his disciples there. Do not do anything you cannot ask the Lord to bless you in. We as parents ought to be very careful in whose society our children go. We ought to pray very much when they select a companion for life that God may help them, and that the match may be made pleasant and profitable.”