young man can enjoy the society of ladies
without being a "flirt." He can escort ladies to parties, public places of
interest, social gatherings, etc., without showing special devotion to any
one special young lady. When he finds the choice of his heart, then he will
be justified to manifest it, and publicly proclaim it by paying her the
compliment, exclusive attention. To keep a lady's company six months is a
public announcement of an engagement.

* * * * *

{192}

A Word to Maidens.

1. NO YOUNG LADY who is not willing to assume the responsibility of a true
wife, and be crowned with the sacred diadem of motherhood, should ever
think of getting married. We have too many young ladies to-day who despise
maternity, who openly vow that they will never be burdened with children,
and yet enter matrimony at the first opportunity. What is the result? Let
echo answer, What? Unless a young lady believes that motherhood is noble,
is honorable, is divine, and she is willing to carry out that sacred
function of her nature, she had a thousand times better refuse every
proposal, and enter some honorable occupation and wisely die an old maid by
choice.

2. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOUNG LADY, never enter into the physical relations
of marriage with a man until you have conversed with him freely and fully
on these relations. Learn distinctly his views and feelings and
expectations in regard to that purest and most ennobling of all the
functions of your nature, and the most sacred of all intimacies of conjugal
love. Your self-respect, your beauty, your glory, your heaven, as a wife,
will be more directly involved in his feelings and views and practices, in
regard to that relation, than in all other things. As you would not become
a weak, miserable, imbecile, unlovable and degraded wife and mother, in the
very prime of your life, come to a perfect understanding with your chosen
one, ere you commit your person to his keeping in the sacred intimacies of
home. Beware of that man who, under pretence of delicacy, modesty, and
propriety, shuns conversation with you on this relation, and on the
hallowed function of maternity.

3. TALK WITH YOUR INTENDED frankly and openly. Remember, concealment and
mystery in him, towards you, on all other subjects pertaining to conjugal
union might be overlooked, but if he conceals his views here, rest assured
it bodes no good to your purity and happiness as a wife and mother.