Wherefore come out from among them, and
be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters."
The primitive Christians developed this law in their families. They forbade
marriage with Jews, Pagans, Mohammedans, and ungodly persons. With them,
piety was the first desideratum in marriage. The sense of the Christian
church has ever been against religious inequality in marriage. It has
always been felt to be detrimental to personal piety and to the general
interests of Christianity. It limits and neutralizes the influence of the
church, brings overwhelming temptations to lukewarmness in family religion,
and is, in a word, in almost every instance, the fruitful cause of
spiritual declension wherever it is practiced.
Let me, then, exhort you to marry only in the Lord. Such an union will be
blessed. Daughter of Zion! marry such a man as will, like David, return to
bless his household. Son of the Christian home! marry no woman who has not
in her heart the casket of piety. Make this your standard; and your home
shall be a happy, as well as a holy home, and
"In the blissful vision, each shall share
As much of glory as his soul can bear!"
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE CHILDREN'S PATRIMONY.
"Give me enough, saith wisdom; for he feareth to ask for more;
And that by the sweat of my brow, addeth stout-hearted independence;
Give me enough, and not less; for want is leagued with the tempter;
Poverty shall make a man desperate, and hurry him ruthless into crime;
Give me enough, and not more, saving for the children of distress;
Wealth oftentimes killeth, where want but hindereth the budding.
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