dominance of each, of what contexture their life shall be. In the future years to which they look forward, disappointments will come, cares will invade, wrong may be done, false accusation must be met. But if in this strife their hearts should separate; if these inevitable events should, by souring the temper of the one, alienate from him the love of her, whose lot it is "patient to bear with wrong," the silken tie then is broken which binds them together; or if more serious faults deprive either of the esteem of the other, the foundation on which confidence rests is destroyed. greatly is the aid of steady and unswerving virtue called for, that the mind, feeling strong in the sense of its own honesty, may be firm and unweakened amidst the storms of life.

Oh!

Then are the sweet and holy influences of religion called for, to soften the temper and the manners; to give a hope so bright that it can cheer the soul through all the darkness of life, and a bond of union so endearing, that the hearts so bound cannot easily be separated. It also inculcates that habit of benevolence which leads two persons to yield up their mutual desires, to forego their natural selfishness, and seek the happiness of each other, which calls into action all the kinder feelings, and gives them an habitual mildness of deportment. Thus is it that religion cheers, refines, and elevates society, giving meaning to all the courtesies of life, making them the ways in which a benevolent temper delights to show itself, and thus insures their performance It gives also an habitual serenity to the mind, which pours oil on the waves of life. Those who are under its influence will not lie, like others, exposed to the mercy of each casual occurrence; they will not so often offend each other by asperity, or harshness of manners. Religion will give them the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which takes off the edge of unkindness by bearing patiently its reproach, and trying, by every gentle method, to alter its nature.

This

spirit is indeed of "great price," in all the daily duties of life. There are many things trifling in their origin, but important in their consequences. Many of the simple observances of life are of this nature. It is the temper of mind they call out in us, the manner in which they are performed, that is important. And if in other cases even anger may be turned away by a soft answer, can the disposition of mind that inclines us to be kind, gentle, and forgiving, be of no consequence, where two persons of perhaps opposite characters and dispositions are united for life? Oh! they will have great need of the kindness that excuses slight mutual blemishes, and the charity that forgives them; and of firm principle, which, discarding petty feelings of self-love, will resolve such trifles shall never affect the reality of their union. These are the dispositions that strew the path of life with flowers.

And what, we would ask, is the consequence of the opposite deportment produced by the want of principle? If those who are united in this compact are decidedly immoral, it is readily perceived that the idea of union with such vanishes into thin air. Ere any two hearts can become blended together, they must be disinterested; but it is religion that subdues selfishness, and produces benevolence of feeling. And to make any union permanent, there must be mutual forbearance towards each other; but this cannot be found where the mild precepts of the gospel are profaned. There can be no friendship among the wicked. Their vices exercise themselves upon each other, and the pen fails to portray the wretchedness this produces. Or let us sup. pose that the persons of whom we speak are not decidedly immoral, but act from the impulse of feeling, and without settled principles; the colours may not be so dark, but the picture will still be shaded. When the glow of youth and the novelty of life passes off, the mutual failings of each will be perceptible, and the jarring particles in the disposition

of each will be brought into contact. They will want the charity that would excuse trifling faults in each other, and the virtuous principles that would teach them to correct such in themselves. The most petty occasions will often produce discord, and the veriest trifles serve to divide their hearts. It is indeed impossible for this union to continue firmly established, without the cementing aid of virtue and religion. This is finely illustrated in Paradise Lost. Milton paints our first parents as perfectly united and happy, ere sin had made its appearance in the garden of God. Nothing then arose to divide their hearts or prevent their loving each other with a perfect love; but after the foot of the destroyer had been there; after the fearful intrusions of sin, the scene is changed. Then do their hearts separate; then does the first occasion of discord arise. Adam chides Eve, and for a brief space do they find mutual cause for reproach, and for unhappiness. This speaks the language of exquisite truth. To render the union real, it is necessary that both of the parties who enter into it, should be under the dominion of firm and elevated principle. Between such it will be both perfect and permanent. There is nothing to divide them. Their sentiments and interests are the same; they confide securely in each other, because they know that their confidence is not misplaced; their intercourse is unrestrained, for no doubts arise to mar its for it is established on a

openness; their affection is firm, right foundation. In every point of view have they the advantage over those who are destitute of such principles, and trust only to the uncertain endurance of ill-placed affection. Their hearts are in harmony, and if any causes of doubt or division rise between them, such doubts are like the light clouds that rise in a summer sky, and pass away so swiftly that the genial brightness remains unmarred.

In truth, it is evident that in a union which God has established, the conduct to insure happiness is to look up to

Him for his blessing, and to be guided by his laws. Yes! when the vow has been taken, and the hand has been pledged, should the heart ascend to God, and pray that the light of his countenance may be shed upon their path. And whenever this necessity is forgotten, whenever religion has left the heart, and virtue taken its departure from the temple of domestic bliss, we may anticipate its downfall-we may write upon it, "the glory has departed." Alas! that this should so often be the case; that the peace of the domestic circle should be so often banished by the entrance of vice; that the heart which fondly clung to the husband of her youth should be so often wrung by the conviction that his love had passed away "like the morning cloud and the early dew," and know that the place she once held in his affection was now occupied by unhallowed desires or debasing sins!

This is ever the cause of division and unhappiness. It was sin which brought misery into the world-it is sin which perpetuates its existence. To illustrate these remarks, let

us think of the amount of misery which has been produced by this cause in domestic life. Or, if the view, by being general, loses its distinctness, let us think of but one vice, that in its onward course has often swept away the peace of this union, made barren the places that were once fertile, and sad the hearts that were once gladsome. Let us think of the misery this one vice of intemperance has produced, and then imagine religion and virtue to come again to those who have bowed to the dominion of this sin, and accompany them to their homes: what blessings would return with them! How would the desolate place be glad for them, and the wilderness rejoice and blossom as the rose! How would the flame of happiness burn bright on the domestic altar, and the rich incense of grateful hearts go up to God! Those who had been separated would be again united, and the return of virtue is ever the return of happiness. It is only when those who are united in this compact can sympathize

with each other, and place confidence in each other, that they can be happy. Life spreads before them; they are destined to experience together its joys and its sorrows; they must be under the guidance of firm principles, and then they will not be separated; these will teach them to be moderate amidst those joys, and submissive and resigned in the days of adversity. Such a union must be productive of happiness; the existence of each will be cheered by kindness and soothed by sympathy; the courtesies of life will not be neglected, but,

"All the gentler morals, such as play

Through life's more cultured walks, and charm the way,"

will enliven the scene, and make their existence pleasant. Their hearts will be united in the education of their children; their end will be the same; they wish to train them up for usefulness in this world, and happiness in the next. With such views they will aid and encourage each other in this great work. How much unhappiness is produced by division of sentiment on this subject. How often has the tear dimmed the mother's eye as she looked on the circle who had gathered around her, to lisp with holy look their evening prayer at the close of day, and there reflected, how soon they would imbibe lessons of infidelity from him who ought most sedulously to guard them from its influence, and how soon the contagion of bad example in their father would blight the fair virtues of her sons.

Different indeed is their lot, who, united in the bonds of affection, are riveted still more closely by those of principle. They are not divided in sentiment; they are improved and benefited by each other's example; they feel grateful that their days of happiness have been so many, and look forward with high and confident expectation to another and brighter state of existence, trusting to meet again beyond the grave.

Oh! infinitely great is the happiness produced