HUSBAND & WIFE: CONDITIONS OF MARRIED HAPPINESS

 

 

So, we move ahead.

 Sound sense,then, is the indispensable quality which a young lady should require in the man who is to be her life-long companion.We place this first in the category,because even the highest moral rectitude and brilliant mental gifts,without the balancing power and prudential guidance of sound sense,will not secure her against the shipwreck of domestic happiness.Few sensitive people can watch,without disgust and loss of love,daily exhibitions of brainless,ludicrous,and stupid conduct on the part of those whom they sworn to 'to love,honour and obey'.

Ruskin in  "Sesame & Lilies" averred, " Each sex has what the other has not;each completes the other,and is completed by the other;they are in nothing alike,and the happiness and perfection of both depends on each asking and receiving from the other what the other only can give".

No view of marriage is satisfactory that does not  regard it as a tender and respectful friendship, "embellished," as a brilliant Frenchman adds," by an incomparable mutual possession".The only lady whom many a man habitually treat uncivilly,is his own wife;and the only gentleman for whom many a lady will take no pains to be pleasant and attractive,is her own husband !

Want of unity of aim is another profile source of domestic failure.This has many sides and enters into economics,child training,the cultivation of good neighbourly relationships,the maintenance of a satisfactory footing with the relatives of both sides of the house,the relativity of work to relaxation,the quality and allotment of joint pleasures,and the formation of new friendships.Pitfalls in abundance attend every one of these illustrations the want of oneness in aim.

"Any real and permanent union of human beings must rest on a sufficient harmony between them in respect to the three portions of our spiritual nature-feeling,intelligence ,and what is properly called character;and this harmony should be more complete in proportion as the union is to be intimate and profound".Profession of the same religious faith becomes,therefore,an important item in family concord.

To wrap up, my friends, in a nutshell all that has been said so far: The secret of domestic happiness lies in the exercise of mutual forbearance,gentleness and courteous demeanour,the desire to please  and be pleased,the willingness to express pleasure when felt,the opportune demonstration of affection,and the determination to be one in aim and action in all that pertains to a common and co-operative life."Union is strength" is an old adage;but in married life it is more,it is peace and comfort !

(WISHING YOU ALL ALL A HAPPY MARRIED LIFE)