ecessity of
accommodation and adaptation. Too early and too much criticism spoils
many a home. "One silent, both happy," is an old motto well worth
observing. But often a single appreciative word will brighten the whole
sky. One of Franklin's plain phrases has its wise lesson: "As we must
account for every idle word, so we must for every idle silence."
Frederika Bremer says: "Marriage has a morrow, and again a morrow." You
will need to bear with each other, and to so act, each to the other,
that every day may be made beautiful and happy, and the whole future one
of mutual and respectful forbearance.

"Foolish to think," says Dr. A. P. Peabody, "that the whole mutual life
can flow on like the early stream, without a ripple or eddy. Home is a
school, a discipline whereby husband and wife are to grow unto each
other, getting rid of their angularities, harmonizing their peculiar
characteristics, and more and more becoming one in thought, sympathy,
and life. The true blessedness of wedded souls is not insured by a
simple exchange of plighted faith. It comes through and after many a
self-denial, many a crucifixion of the will, many a scourging of the
resentment, anger, pride, vanity, and passions of the heart. It is true
here, as in other relations, that 'he who saveth his life shall lose it,
and he that loseth his life shall save it.'"

Do not forget, then, that the life at home has its severe tests. If it
is not an expected thing, it will be the unexpected which will try your
nature and make your burden heavy. You should remember, if there is
fault, that it is not all on one side. The unkind word may come to the
lips, but it should never be spoken.

"Words are mighty, words are living;
Serpents with their venomous stings,
Or bright angels, crowding round us,
With heaven's light upon their wings:
Every word has its own spirit,
True or false, that never dies;
Every word man's lips have uttered
Echoes in God's skies."

The graces of patience, sublime calmness, golden silence, should be
cultivated with delightful zeal. You may each have had your way, but now
the way of another must be respected. Besides, it may be a much better
and safer way than yours. John Angell James says: "Where both have
infirmities, and they are so constantly together, innumerable occasions
will be furnished, if we are eager, or even willing, to avail ourselves
of the opportunities for those contentions whic