they go forth each alone, with the burden of blasted hopes, and leaving a desolated home as the tomb of their conjugal happiness.

But where are the children? Where the little ones, God-given, and at their hands to be required by Him at the last day?

A contest usually occurs for their possession; but their lot is sorrowful, however decided: for, in either case, henceforward they must become half orphaned or bear a dishonored name; their father, a man who has been false to his vow to "love, honor, and cherish;" their mother, a divorced woman!

Five divorces in a week! Two hundred and sixty in a year in one State of the Union! Is there no means by which this can be arrested? No plan, no suggestions, which may lead those solemnly bound together for life to overcome the antagonisms of their characters, and strive to assimilate, as far as may be, in taste and feeling? Different qualities, tempers, and fancies may be harmonized by the all-powerful influence of love; and if a little more latitude were mutually allowed to varying opinions, a little more of the respect and consideration which we accord to the views of strangers were as freely exercised in the sanctuary of home, would not dissensions be more apt to decrease, and differences be done away? Why is it that we are so ready to yield gracefully in an argument with a stranger, yet urge it to the point of a quarrel when carried on within the limits of home? Why insist there

upon a union of sentiments and opinions which we do not demand elsewhere?

The spirit of gentleness, of yielding, and of mutual forbearance; the recognition of each one's right to his or. her own tastes and opinions, — would go far to prevent the entering wedge of discord. This is of no slight importance; for we all know how trifles grow and increase, and what mighty results spring from almost imperceptible

causes.

In the daily intercourse of life, strive to find points of agreement; do not harp forever upon opposing interests. If you can alienate your friends or casual acquaintance, by dwelling forever upon the differences in your opinions and habits, how much sooner the daily companion of your life, with whom you are restrained by no conventionality, and towards whom, unfortunately, you do not consider yourself compelled always to exercise the Christian laws of forbearance and courtesy.

Try to overlook slight ebullitions of temper, called forth by the thousand petty irritations and vexations of daily life; these are magnified by notice or comment, or, worse, by heated or angry response. A smile, a playful word, or a jest, often turns the current of unpleasant thought, and restores a feeling of harmony and cheerful

ness.

We do not mean to assert that this sin is confined to our land. We find in a work by Charles Boner, "Saxons, Wallacks, Hungarians, Transylvanians," some start

ling facts with regard to the extent of divorce among the Saxon peasantry, all Protestants. It is allowed upon the most trifling grounds, such as "antipathy," "groundless complaining," or even far more frivolous pretences. In a town of four thousand inhabitants, one hundred and seventy-one divorce suits were pending. The population, in other respects, seems to be moral; but the results of this habit of sin are apparent in the decrease of numbers. According to Mr. Boner, this country stood at 302,204 in 1787; whilst in 1850 it was only 192,482.

It may seem unimportant, in comparison with our own vast country, to cite the habits of the Saxon peasantry in a small domain. But take the history of Ancient Rome. For the first five hundred years not an instance of divorce occurred. While the wife was honored, woman continued worthy of honor. Nor was it till the Roman men were banded together, and absent from their homes in their long wars, thus losing the softening, purifying influence of their mothers, wives, and daughters, that the frightful demoralization of the nation was reached. When men repudiated their wives, as Cicero did his, for no fault, but only to gratify his selfish propensities, and the multitude of divorces had created a virtual polygamy, in which the women participated, then the Roman Empire fell to rise

no more.

And just as certainly would this proud republic fall, from the like causes, in like manner, were it not for the one safeguard, the influence of Christianity, teaching, as it does, repentance and reformation.

What we need as a people is to recognize and obey the law of Christ in this matter, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery;" for it is worthy of note, that, from a record now before us, we find the laws of twenty-two States (all that the record contains) permit divorces upon entirely different grounds than those laid down in the Gospel. New York is, we believe, the only State where a full divorce is not granted upon any other grounds than the New-Testament law.

We cannot better sum up this whole subject, than in the words of an eminent moralist: "Christian faith and Christian holiness can alone completely and entirely bring forth the marriage-vow in its beauty, and enable the husband and wife to estimate the marriage-state as 'holy,' 'sanctified,' 'honorable in all.' Christianity alone says, 'Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it. This compares the marriage-union to that of Christ and the Church; instead of civil contract,' makes it a vow before God, of mutual love, honor, obedience, affection, reverence, in fact, love unselfish and unsensual."

6

THE

HE little community to which I gave laws, said the Vicar of Wakefield, "was regulated in the following manner: we all assembled early; and, after we had saluted each other with proper ceremony (for I always thought fit to keep up some mechanical forms of good breeding, without which, freedom often destroys friendship), we all knelt in gratitude to that Being who gave us another day. So also when we parted for the night."

Let me earnestly recommend that the precepts and example of the good old vicar should be followed and adopted by every newly-married couple.

With regard to the first, the courtesies of society should never be omitted, in even the most trivial matters; and, as respects the second, what blessing can be reasonably expected to descend upon a house wherein the voice of thanksgiving is never heard, nor yet protection sought by its acknowledged head?

On the wife, especially, devolves the privilege and pleasure of rendering home happy. We shall, therefore, first speak of such duties and observances as pertain to

her.

When a young wife first settles in her home, many excellent persons, with more zeal, it may be, than discretion, immediately propose that she should devote some