n its first
bundle of love and devotedness--as long as his affections remain
reciprocated and uninterrupted--so long temptations cannot take effect. His
heart is callous to the charms of others, and the very idea of bestowing
his affections upon another is abhorrent. Much more so is animal
indulgence, which is morally impossible.

3. SECOND LOVE NOT CONSTANT.--But let this first love be broken off, and
the flood-gates of passion are raised. Temptations now flow in upon him. He
casts a lustful eye upon every passing female, and indulges unchaste
imaginations and feelings. Although his conscientiousness or intellect may
prevent actual indulgence, yet temptations now take effect, and render him
liable to err; whereas before they had no power to awaken improper thoughts
or feelings. Thus many young men find their ruin.

4. LEGAL MARRIAGE.--What would any woman give for merely a nominal or legal
husband, just to live with and provide for her, but who entertained not one
spark of love for her, or whose affections were bestowed upon another? How
absurd, how preposterous the doctrine that the obligations of marriage
derive their sacredness from legal enactments and injunctions! How it
literally profanes this holy of holies, and drags down this heaven-born
institution from its original, divine elevation, to the level of a merely
human device. Who will dare to advocate the human institution of marriage
without the warm heart of a devoted and loving companion!

5. LEGISLATION.--But no human legislation can so guard this institution but
that it may be broken in spirit, though, perhaps, acceded to in form; for,
it is the heart which this institution requires. There must be true and
devoted affection, or marriage is a farce and a failure.

6. THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY AND THE LAW GOVERNING MARRIAGE are for the
protection of the individual, yet a man and woman may be married by law and
yet unmarried in spirit. The law may tie together, and no marriage be
consummated. Marriage therefore is Divine, and "whom God hath joined
together let no man put asunder." A right marriage means a right state of
the heart. A careful study of this work will be a great help to both the
unmarried and the married.

7. DESERTION AND DIVORCE.--For a young man to court a young woman, and
excite her love till her affections are riveted, and then (from sinister
motives, such as, to marry one richer, or more handsome), to leave her, and
try {188} elsewhere, is t