When
you court, make a business of it and study your interest the same as you
would study any other business proposition.

3. DIVORCES.--There is not a divorce on our court records that is not the
result of some fundamental error in courtship. The purity or the power of
love may be corrupted the same as any other faculty, and when a man makes
up his mind to marry and shuts his eyes and grabs in the dark for a
companion, he dishonors the woman he captures and commits a crime against
God and society. In this enlightened age there should be comparatively few
mistakes made in the selection of a suitable partner. Sufficient time
should be taken to study each other's character and disposition.
Association will soon reveal adaptability.

4. FALSE LOVE.--Many a poor, blind and infatuated novice thinks he is
desperately in love, when there is not the least genuine affection in his
nature. It is all a momentary {166} passion, a sort of puppy love; his vows
and pledges are soon violated, and in wedlock he will become indifferent
and cold to his wife and children, and he will go through life without
ambition, encouragement or success. He will be a failure. True love speaks
for itself, and the casual observer can read its proclamations. True love
does not speak in a whisper. It always makes itself heard. The follies of
flirting develop into many unhappy marriages, and blight many a life. A man
happily married has superior advantages both socially and financially.

5. FLIRTING JUST FOR FUN.--Who is the flirt, what is his reputation,
motive, or character? Every young man and woman must have a reputation; if
it is not good it is bad, there is no middle ground. Young people who are
running in the streets after dark, boisterous and noisy in their
conversation, gossiping and giggling, flirting with first one and then
another, will soon settle their matrimonial prospects among good society.
Modesty is a priceless jewel. No sensible young man with a future will
marry a flirt.

6. THE ARCH-DECEIVER.--They who win the affection simply for their own
amusement are committing a great sin for which there is no adequate
punishment. How can you shipwreck the innocent life of that confiding
maiden, how can you forget her happy looks as she drank in your expressions
of love, how can you forget her melting eyes and glowing cheeks, her tender
tone reciprocating your pretended love? Remember that God is infinitely
just, and "the soul that sinneth sh