therefore, it is commendable. We could multiply reasons and illustrations, did we conceive it to be necessary but it is useless to go further. For those who would not be convinced after what has been said, that early marriage is profitable, and of indescribable benefit both to individuals, and the community, would not be satisfied, if a large volume of facts were presented them. If in my illustration of this subject, I have awakened feelings of regret in the breast of the unmarried, that they have remained single so long, they have only to change their situation as soon as possible and may the Lord guide them in the choice of a suitable companion, and bless them with years of domestic peace and happiness. - LECTURE III. Reciprocal Duties of Husband and Wife. as Let every one of you in particular so love his wife, even himself: and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Eph. 5: 33. In this lecture, I shall set forth my views, without fear, or favor and in all my remarks, I shall aim at an exhibition of the plain unvarnished truth. Let no truth which may be presented, be discarded, because it sets too closely upon the mind, or because it applies to an individual case. Let every one hear for himself, and not for his neighbor. In discourses of this character, the line must be drawn strait, however crooked may be our course of conduct; but the strait line does not make the timber - any more deformed it only points out those parts which need improving. It is precisely so in a plain, and pointed, practical discourse it sets before the minds of those who hear, many of the improprieties of conduct, of which they may be guilty, in the clear light of day; and presents them a mirror, in which they can see, both the correct and the incorrect course. I now address myself, to those who sustain the relation of husband and wife; - and they who remain single, but are candidates for the bonds of hymen, may derive some advantage from what we shall offer. But, whether this lecture will be interesting to others, the sequel will prove. Let those who have entered upon the duties and relations of the married life, duly consider, that they cannot break their present relation, at any moment they please. They are bound for life. The tie which unites their destinies for life, cannot be severed for a trifling cause. They must be happy or miserable and which shall be their lot, is for them to say. Seeing it is so, it becomes them to pause, and inquire, what course of conduct they must pursue, that 'gentle hymen's silken chains, may not prove a plague of iron." And they should rightly define, how they may render each other the most happy. I am aware, that some sagacious benefactors of our race, falsely so called, have advocated the opinion, that the parties should not be bound by law, any longer than they please. This might answer in a few individual cases, where virtue and love, dwell in the breasts of each, as native plants; but it would be an unsafe doctrine for general practice. For, some there are, who, being destitute of virtuous principles, would care for nothing but the gratification of their beastly propensities. These are bound only by the laws of the land—and to give them liberty to desert the confiding female, whenever they choose, would be to grant them the privilege of sporting with female affection, whenever their baseness should dictate. This would bear hard upon the female portion of community, whose confiding hearts, would render them an easy prey, to the snares and artifices of those who lie in wait to deceive. Thanks be to Heaven, the virtue and good sense of a majority of the community, will not suffer such sentiments to prevail. No; the doctrine of the scriptures is preferred that the husband and wife are both bound by the law, as long as life continues. But enough here. It may be well to notice the relation the parties sustain to each other. And here, we will be guided solely by the scriptures. I must, however, give place to the following comments of Matthew Henry, upon that part of the sacred history, which mentions the formation of Eve, from a rib, which was taken out of Adam. He says: Adam was first formed, then Eve, and she was made of the man; and for the man; all of which is urged as reasons for the humility, modesty, silence, and submissiveness of the sex in general, and particularly the subjection and reverence which wives owe their husbands. Yet, man being made last of the creation, as the best and most excellent of all, Eve's being made after Adam, and out of him, puts an honor upon the sex, as the glory of the man. If man is the head, she is the crown; a crown to her husband, the crown of the visible creation. The man was dust refined, but the woman was dust, double refined, one remove further from the earth. Woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to top him; nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him; under his arm to be protected; and near his heart, to be beloved. It is correctly stated, in the preceding extract, that man is the head of the woman, and that the woman is the crown of the man. This is supported by scripture. The husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church. He is lord of the domestic group. But his wife is neither the foot, nor the head, nor the servant but a companion, a help-meet Our context is proof of this; but, as we quoted it entire in the first lecture, we will not repeat it here. a crown. As the head and lord, the husband must provide, love, cherish, and protect. As an help-meet, and companion, the wife must exercise care, prudence and sympathy; and crown all his righteous endeavors, with approbation and cheerfulness. When sorrow overtakes him, she must extend sympathy and in the hour of trouble, pour the oil of joy into |