adorn the mind as well as dress the body, if you wish to acquire, and then retain a respectable partner for life. For, "What's a lady? Is it something Made of hoops, and silks, and airs, Like the fancy mats or chairs ? Every feeling that is human? 'Tis not this to be a woman." Young women, scek to be genuine and not false. Be more concerned about what you put into your head than what you put on your head. By all means cultivate your mind. Every true woman is progressive, and never rests content with ignorance. To every young woman we say-Train yourself to some useful work if you wish to be happy and to make others happy. Remember it is wicked to waste time, and nothing gives such an impression of vanity and absolute silliness to any decent young man, as to hear a young woman say she is in the habit of having nothing to do. Let your pleasure come in as a recreation, and never as the main business of your life. Cultivate some useful knowledge, or seek to acquire the art of doing something which may be helpful to you in gaining a living. Do it quietly if you will-but do it. You can never tell what may arise, or when you may need it. Hence, do it, though you may think there may be no special reason why you should. Such a training will be of great service in many ways. VI. As to the time. Among other wise remarks in the marriage ceremony, it is said that "it is honourable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which it was ordained." Hence we infer that there is "a time to be married," and a time when it would be 46 exceedingly unwise to do so. The old negro was, therefore, not to be blamed for refusing to marry, when he said— Why, you see, sah, I got an old mudder, an' I hab to do for her, ye see, sah, an' if I don't buy her shoes an' stockings she wouldn't get none. Now ef I was to get married, I would hab to buy dem tings for my wife, an' dat would be takin' de shoes an' stockings right out of my old mudder's mouf." Age and circumstances ought to be considered. It is very unwise to get married without having provided for a home, and also for the claims of married life. It is equally unwise, where both these matters are provided for, to neglect the claims of your physical powers to which we have already referred. Delays are not always dangerous. Haste in such matters is sure to be attended with great risk. Remember it is "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death you do part." All this says, think well before you fix the day. It is, perhaps, a summer's night. The sun has gone to its rest, and the silvery moon is shedding its soft and mellow light between the trees. The very air is still, yet filled with fragrance. All around breathes an atmosphere. of peace. You feel that everything is in keeping with your spirit as you quietly stroll along the shady lane. What passed then should always lead you to look back and say— "I remember well, one summer's night, A clear, sof: silver moonlight, thou and I Looking abroad into the pure, pale heaven. Finally, when you have secured the consent of your intended wife to fix the day : INVITE JESUS CHRIST TO YOUr Wedding.-Wherever He is present the wedding is sure to have a blessing. By prayer and supplication, therefore, seek Him, and let nothing be done which will in any way hinder His presence. "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it," was the advice given at the marriage of Cana by His mother; and, depend upon it, the counsel holds good to this day. If you would have the richest blessing resting upon your union, let it be cemented by His presence, sanctified by His Spirit, and ordered by His wisdom. Then you may with confidence look for a feast of fat things in this world, and in the world to come joys unspeakable and full of glory. Do you now ask, "May I publish the banns and fix the wedding-day?" And does the maiden reply, "Yes?" Then heartily we say "Oh, take her! but be faithful still, And may the bridal vow Be sacred held in after years, And warmly breathed as now! That binds her youthful heart; "The paradise of childhood's hour, The treasured scenes of early youth "Her lot in life is fixed with thine, And well I know 'twill be her pride "Then take her, and may fleeting Time And may your days glide sweetly on HEN you uttered those thrilling words on your wedding-day, "WITH THIS RING I THEE WED," and "I TAKE THEE TO BE MY LAWFUL WEDDED WIFE," you at the same time virtually undertook to do all in your power to fulfil every obligation belonging to the married state. You not only did this, but you also promised to "love and cherish your wife until death you do part." Now there is a world of meaning in those two words "love" and "cherish." They certainly imply a great deal more than finding your wife a place to live in, or providing her with food and raiment. If, therefore, you are anxious, as no doubt you are, to secure to yourself the greatest amount of happiness belonging to the blessed. "estate of matrimony," then you must be willing to "sow the right seed," and to attend to all those conditions which are requisite to be observed by every husband who desires to SECURE A GOOD WIFE. To do this you must be prepared to aspire to be a MODEL HUSBAND. If you resolve to do this, you will, among other things— I.-Do all you can to deserve a good Wife. Yes! do not run away with the idea that because you have married, and given your wife the great honour of using your name, she is simply to be your willing slave. The honour you have received is equally valuable. Do not imagine that your duties have ceased when you have even provided the daily wants of your home. There are other and more important ones waiting to be discharged. No doubt you have said. very sincerely to her "I want (who does not want?) a wife, To solace all the woes of life, And all its joys to share. "Of temper sweet, of yielding will, Of firm yet placid mind, With all my faults to love me still But you must expect surely that you also will have to be prepared to make yourself worthy of all this attention. You are not the man to be so unreasonable as to expect this display of goodness to be all on one side-all the virtues to be manifested by your wife alone? There are some men, it is to be feared, who are unreasonable enough to expect to receive all, and to give but little or nothing in return. But |