INTRODUCTION. GOD, in his infinite wisdom and goodness, ordained the marriage relation, and has set the solitary in families. We need not inquire concerning the reason for this order; God did it, and therefore it must be right. There are social elements in our nature which fit us for this relationship, and for which there is no substitute. God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone." We cannot imagine what the condition of human society would be if this order had not been established. There is no other organization upon the earth that has as much to do with the peace, order, comfort, and elevation of mankind as that of the family relation; hence, the importance of having everything in harmony with the divine arrangement. We may not know how mind touches mind, thought touches thought, and affection touches affection, but we know it is so. The family, under conditions such as God can approve, is the one only place on earth where confidence reigns supreme, and where hearts are sure of each other. The world forces us to wear a "mask of guarded and suspicious coldness in self-defense"; but in the family at home this mask is thrown off; and we pour out the unreserved communication of full and confiding hearts, without fear of suspicion or a breach of trust. Marriage is honorable, ordained of God in paradise, and honored by Christ with his presence; and is made an emblem of the conjugal union of Christ and the church. Especially is this state honorable and delightful when all the duties inhering in this relationship are faithfully and lovingly observed. It is also intended to be an emblem of heaven. Paul speaks of the saints in light as a family, "The whole family in heaven and earth." In all properly regulated families there is, and of necessity must be, a feeling of mutual dependence. The husband is indebted to the wife, the wife to the husband, the parents to the children, the children to the parents, and the children to each other. No one should feel independent of the other, but each should seek to promote the happiness and comfort of the other. When these |