Chapter III - Marriage
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Chastity is the cement of civilization and progress.
Chastity is the cement of civilization and progress.
Without it there is no stability in society, and without it
one cannot attain the Science of Life.
Mental elements
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Union of the masculine and feminine qualities consti-
Union of the masculine and feminine qualities consti-
tutes completeness. The masculine mind reaches a
higher tone through certain elements of the
feminine, while the feminine mind gains cour-
age and strength through masculine qualities. These
different elements conjoin naturally with each other, and
their true harmony is in spiritual oneness. Both sexes
should be loving, pure, tender, and strong. The attrac-
tion between native qualities will be perpetual only as it
is pure and true, bringing sweet seasons of renewal like
the returning spring.
Affection's demands
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Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the
Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the
demands of the affections, and should never weigh
against the better claims of intellect, good-
ness, and virtue. Happiness is spiritual,
born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore
it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to
share it.
Help and discipline
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Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even
Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even
though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, en-
larging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry
blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affec-
tion, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance
of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to
God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases
to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for
heaven.
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Marriage is unblest or blest, according to the disap-
Marriage is unblest or blest, according to the disap-
pointments it involves or the hopes it fulfils. To happify
58:1
existence by constant intercourse with those adapted to
existence by constant intercourse with those adapted to
elevate it, should be the motive of society. Unity of
spirit gives new pinions to joy, or else joy's drooping
wings trail in dust.
Chord and discord
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Ill-arranged notes produce discord. Tones of the
Ill-arranged notes produce discord. Tones of the
human mind may be different, but they should be con-
cordant in order to blend properly. Unselfish
ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, –
these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute in-
dividually and collectively true happiness, strength, and
permanence.
Mutual freedom
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There is moral freedom in Soul. Never contract the
There is moral freedom in Soul. Never contract the
horizon of a worthy outlook by the selfish exaction of
all another's time and thoughts. With ad-
ditional joys, benevolence should grow more
diffusive. The narrowness and jealousy, which would
confine a wife or a husband forever within four walls, will
not promote the sweet interchange of confidence and love;
but on the other hand, a wandering desire for incessant
amusement outside the home circle is a poor augury for
the happiness of wedlock. Home is the dearest spot on
earth, and it should be the centre, though not the bound-
ary, of the affections.
A useful suggestion
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Said the peasant bride to her lover: "Two eat no more
Said the peasant bride to her lover: "Two eat no more
together than they eat separately." This is a hint that
a wife ought not to court vulgar extravagance
or stupid ease, because another supplies her
wants. Wealth may obviate the necessity for toil or the
chance for ill-nature in the marriage relation, but noth-
ing can abolish the cares of marriage.
Differing duties
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"She that is married careth . . . how she may please
"She that is married careth . . . how she may please
her husband," says the Bible; and this is the pleasantest