THERE is an old adage that marriages are made in heaven; but judging from the shameful number of divorce cases which disgrace our civil courts, they are not all made there; for heaven is the home of harmony, and homes that are unharmonious, are, from the very nature of things, disapproved by high Heaven.
That it was the original intention of our loving Father that true homes and congenial family relationship should exist, is too plainly proved from God's Book to be doubted for a moment. Indeed this Book tells us of a class which should arise, so obnoxious in its doctrine and pernicious in its teaching as to be especially designated as "forbidding to marry."
It is evident, then, that they who do this thing set themselves up as wiser and holier than the Almighty. Why?—Because marriage as an institution is Eden-born. I wonder if those who speak so lightly and so irreverently of this sacred state forget that the first marriage ceremony of which we have any record was performed by the Creator Himself, with the holy angels for witnesses, before the slimy trail of the serpent had as yet polluted the fair bowers of Eden. I wonder if they who speak lightly of this God-given and God-blessed institution remember that it was at a marriage feast that the Mighty Nazarene performed His first miracle; thus setting upon the pure lips of sacred love the divine seal of right.
"But," you say, "we know of no one who lightly regards this institution save a few fanatics or atheists or Spiritualists."
But I have known those who were most loyal upholders of the law of God and of the Sabbath,—yes, please don't interrupt me,—those who willingly sacrificed and gave of their means to enlighten their fellow men regarding the claims of God's Sabbath,—I have heard such speak slightly and lightly, yes, more, disapprovingly, of that sacred institution which might be termed more than akin to the Sabbath (inasmuch as it is virtually its twin sister) and as tho they actually doubted the wisdom of the Almighty in giving it to man.
"Well," says one upon whose back the coat sets quite snugly, "I have seen so much evil result from ill-timed and ill-mated marriages, that really I have been glad that my daughter was wise enough to remain single, and that my son had sense enough not to entangle himself in any such manner."
My friend, do you realize that the expression of such sentiments as these is a virtual acknowledgment of your own unhappiness and your own folly? Worse than this; it is a placing of your own weak judgment above the wisdom of the Almighty.
"But," you insist, "was not marrying and giving in marriage one of the sins for which God punished the old world?"
But what about "eating and drinking"? and shall we then refuse to eat and drink? I think there is no immediate danger of our misapplying and misinterpreting the words of inspiration in this respect. Why, then, do we stumble over the other words of the same text?
But what shall we do? Shall we encourage our young sons and our beautiful daughters to rush hastily and thoughtlessly into early and ill-assorted marriage? Shall we teach our daughters that a speedy marriage to a rich husband is the one great aim and object of life, the one great goal to which they must attain? Or that our sons, almost before they have reached their majority, must make haste to lead to the altar the first immature or irresponsible girls for whom they may have entertained a passing fancy?—No, no; a thousand times, no. One of the great causes of so many ill-assorted marriages and consequent divorces is the unreasoning haste and thoughtlessness with which this most solemn and important contract is entered into and sealed.
What, then, is the real meaning and object of true marriage as regarded by the divine Author?—Is it not for the establishment of such homes of refinement and love as shall be a reflection in miniature of that Eden home which He has gone to prepare for us—homes in which songs of praise daily ascend to heaven, and in which Jesus Christ is the One above all others, "Chiefest among ten thousand," and the One "altogether lovely?" places where the children shall grow up as "corner-stones polished after the similitude of a palace"?
What are the three foundations, then, upon which a happy and Heaven-blessed marriage must be built?
Hark! methinks I hear the question caught up and repeated by the multitude of pleasure-loving young men and women who, in their wild rush after folly, forget that they have souls to save; and the answer is echoed by the mad throng of pleasure-seekers, whose only thought or care is for the present: "What are the foundations of happy marriage?"
Like the roar of a thousand cataracts, I hear the answer: "Money, passion, convenience!" but this answer is only inspired by him "who first broke peace in heaven," and, like him, it smells of the pit of corruption and darkness.
Let me give the answer of the Christian: The three foundations of true marriage are these, and without them there can be no real happiness: tender forbearance, Christ-like unselfishness, and mutual love.