Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1888 — Wise Words to Bride and Bridegroom. [ARTICLE]

Wise Words to Bride and Bridegroom.

Work together, plan together, select and furnish the bouse or rooms together. Be one in all home arrangements. The less talk of “mine and thine” the better. We are satisfied that “my rights” should be erased from the. dictionary which governs husband and wife, and “our rights” substituted. But, notwithstanding short engagements and early marriage certainly appear to be the most certain road to abiding happiness, there are some cases which necessitate a long engagement. But it is full of dangers and uncertainty. Yet, if each continue faithful, and swerve not from their plighted vows until the circumstances which compelled delay have passed or been overcome, then a long engagement almost invariably ends in a very happy marriage. A love that has not been shaken by long delay, usually involving long absences, is not built on sand, but on a rock, over which floods may sweep and the wind threaten in vain. If young people are trained to look upon an engagement as a solemn contract as binding in God’s sight as marriage, there would be very little danger. If in early youth, before education is completed, and some profession or employment is secured, two meet and are drawn together, becoming devotedly attached, then the engagement, even if of necessity it must be long, is the wisest course. Any sacrifice is better than to relinquish the first love. We firmly believe in first love, given when the heart is young and tender, unstained by too close contact with the world and its bewitching, beguiling attractions. Such love, honestly given and as truljr returned, is next to a mother’s love—the safeguard of young men and maidens. This once secured, the world may spread out all her devices ever so skillfully and she will not ireak the bond. So, because the first young love is so sweet, so strong, and, when faithfully nurtured, so enduring, we say “let it not go,” even if it can be held only by a long engagement.— Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher.