TO GUARD AGAINST DIVORCE.
Be a Christian, and marry a Christian. Never both be angry at once. Never taunt with a past mistake. “I forgot” is never an acceptable excuse. A good wife is the greatest earthly blessing. If you must criticise, let it be done lovingly. They who marry for physical characteristics or external considerations, will fail of happiness. Never make a remark at the expense of the other. Never talk at each other, either alone or in company. Give your warmest sympathies for each other’s trials. If one is angry, let the other part the lips only for a kiss. Neglect the whole world beside rather than each other. Never speak loud to each other unless the house is on fire. Let each strive to yield oftenest to the wishes of the other. Always leave home with loving words, for they may be the last. Marry into different blood temperament from your own. Never deceive, for the heart once misled can never trust wholly again. It is the mother who molds the character and fixes the destiny of the child. Never find fault unless it is perfectly certain a fault has been committed. Do not herald the sacrifices you make to each other’s tastes, habits, or preferences. Let all your mutual accommodations be spontaneous, whole-souled, and free as air. The very felicity is in the mutual cultivation of usefulness. Consult each other in all that comes within the experience, observation, or sphere of the other. A hesitating or grum yielding to the wishes of the other always grates upon a loving heart. Never reflect on a past action which was done with a good motive, and with the best judgment at the time. The beautiful in heart is a million times of more avail as securing domestic happiness than the beautiful in person.—Selected.