'Tis sweet to hear the watch-dog's honest bark,
Bay deep-mouthed welcome as we draw near home
'Tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark
Our coming, and look brighter when we come.
BYRON, DON JUAN
1. Marriage is the natural state of man and woman. Matrimony greatly
contributes to the wealth and health of man.
2. Circumstances may compel a man not to select a companion until late
in life. Many may have parents or relatives, dependent brothers and
sisters to care for, yet family ties are cultivated; notwithstanding
the home is without a wife.
3. In Christian countries the laws of marriage have greatly added to
the health of man. Marriage in barbarous countries, where little or no
marriage ceremonies are required, benefits man but little. There
can be no true domestic blessedness without loyalty and love for the
select and married companion. All the licentiousness and lust of a
libertine, whether civilized or uncivilized, bring him only unrest and
premature decay.
4. A man, however, may be married and not mated, and consequently reap
trouble and unhappiness. A young couple should first carefully
learn each other by making the courtship a matter of business, and
sufficiently long that the disposition and temper of each may be
thoroughly exposed and understood.
5. First see that there is love; secondly, that there is adaptation;
thirdly, see that there are no physical defects, and if these
conditions are properly considered, cupid will go with you.
6. The happiest place on all earth is home. A loving wife and lovely
children are jewels without price, as Payne says:
"'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam.
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."
7. Reciprocated love produces a general exhilaration of the system.
The elasticity of the muscles is increased, the circulation is
quickened, and every bodily function is stimulated to renewed activity
by a happy marriage.
8. The consummation desired by all who experience this affection, is
the union of souls in a true marriage. Whatever of beauty or
romance there may have been in the lover's dream, is enhanced and
spiritualized in the intimate communion of married life. The crown of
wifehood and maternity is purer, more divine than that of the maiden.
Passion is lost--emotions predominate.
9. TOO EARLY MARRIAGES.--Too early marriage is always bad for the
female. If a young girl marries, her system is weakened and a full
development of her body is prevented, and the dangers of confinement
are considerably increased.
10. Boys who marry young derive but little enjoyment from the
connubial state. They are liable to excesses and thereby lose much of
the vitality and power of strength and physical endurance.
11. LONG LIFE.--Statistics show that married men live longer than
bachelors. Child-bearing for women is conducive to longevity.
12. COMPLEXION.--Marriage purifies the complexion, removes blotches
from the skin, invigorates the body, fills up the tones of the voice,
gives elasticity and firmness to the step, and brings health and
contentment to old age.
13. TEMPTATIONS REMOVED.--Marriage sanctifies a home, while adultery
and libertinism produce unrest, distrust and misery. It must
be remembered that a married man can practice the most absolute
continence and enjoy a far better state of health than the licentious
man. The comforts of companionship develop purity and give rest to the
soul.
14. TOTAL ABSTENTION.--It is no doubt difficult for some men to fully
abstain from sexual intercourse and be entirely chaste in mind.
The great majority of men experience frequent strong sexual desire.
Abstention is very apt to produce in their minds voluptuous images and
untamable desires which require an iron will to banish or control. The
hermit in his seclusion, or the monk in his retreat, are often flushed
with these passions and trials. It is, however, natural; for remove
these passions and man would be no longer a man. It is evident that
the natural state of man is that of marriage; and he who avoids that
state is not in harmony with the laws of his being.
[Illustration: AN ALGERIAN BRIDE.]
15. PROSTITUTION.--Men who inherit strong passions easily argue
themselves into the belief either to practice masturbation or visit
places of prostitution, on the ground that their health demands it.
Though medical investigation has proven it repeatedly to be false, yet
many believe it. The consummation of marriage involves the mightiest
issues of life and is the most holy and sacred right recognized by
man, and it is the Balm of Gilead for many ills. Masturbation or
prostitution soon blight the brightest prospects a young man may have.
Manhood is morality and purity of purpose, not sensuality.
* * * * *