Marriage

Marriage BY JOHN A. OLSEN

Matrimony should be considered holy and sacred, leading, as itdoes, to the climax of man's mission here on earth, and to a continuation of progress and eternal happiness in the hereafter. The main key to a happy family union is our Savior's injunc- tion, "Love one another." True love is neither superficial nor selfish. cheerfully adds to the happiness of others, and is ever It ready to join in the mutual efforts incumbent upon the dutiful husband and wife in laboring mentally and physically for the main- tenance of home and the caring for offspring, if any there be. Parenthood is indeed as noble a state as parental guardianship is a holy trust. Where love rules, service becomes a pleasure. The observant writer, Robt. L. Stevenson, says :"When we love we serve, and when we are loved by others, I would almost say we are indis- pensable." The love that serves is pure and undefiled, because "it seeketh not its own." Its highest aim and greatest pleasures are to minister unto others, to help where help is needed, and to labor wherever possible for the welfare and happiness of humanity. The possessor of such love is not only a ray of living light to his surroundings, but he is daily receiving his reward, through a clear conscience and an inner satisfaction resulting from all right- eous deeds. Truly, Solomon the wise was right in saying, "A contented mind is a continual feast." But, unfortunately, the love that serves is not always the foundation, or corner stone, of marriage. If, as is too frequently the case, the love that seeketh its ozvn is actuating either, or both, of the contracting 'parties, such love will most assuredly "wax cold," sooner or later. The causes of unhappy marriages — many of these resulting in desertion, separation or divorce — are too many to enumerate but ;

the following may be mentioned First of all, there is the well-known disregard for the sanctity — of married life the breaking of holy vows and the violation of sacred covenants entered into also, unchastity, elopements, secret ;

or clandestine marriages, idleness, dishonest speculations, cruelty and intemperance. Statisticians claim that intemperance alone is directly or indirectly responsible for nearly ninety per cent of all crimes committed in the world. And certain it is, that this same vice is largely responsible for most of the misery mismated couples

508 IMPROVEMENT ERA endure. Then again, there is being "unequally yoked," with ref- erence to religious inclinations, as well as differences of opinions politically, on the part of husband and wife also lack of education, ;

wealth or social standing, may likewise in a great measure affect the happiness of married couples. There are also marriages where one or both of the parties lack considerably in sound judgment, or even good common sense. Where such a condition exists, un- happiness must eventually result. It would seem that the points here referred to are worth careful consideration by all intending to marry, and who have moral courage enough to meet the responsibilities of wedlock. On the other hand, where prospective candidates for marriage seriously seek for the mind and will of the Lord in the matter, studiously consider the pros and cons, and then exercise at least ordinary judgment before taking a step of so far-reaching conse- quence, little or no fear need be entertained as to the probable out- come provided, of course, that after the marriage the husband and ;

wife endeavor to live in peace and harmony with each other, shun- ning even the very appearance of evil. In such a matrimonial union, where husband and wife, as far as they can, truly and in the spirit of love sympathize with each other, mutually sharing each other's responsibilities, joy abounds and happiness reigns supreme. A husband and wife, full of integrity, having thus made up their minds beforehand to "stay with the bargain" at all hazards through rain or shine, joy or sorrow, sickness or health, prosperity — or adversity, will faithfully continue to support each other- yea, even in the shadow of death, when even former friends might for- sake them. — Lo this is the work of pure love the love that seeketh "not !

its own" — the kind of which the poet says:

"It grows like the oak In the long, long years; It is nourished by thoughts, By songs and by tears. It flashesso swift In a moment's dart Its roots take hold In the depths of the heart." SALEM, UTAH