Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/176

168 say in this chapter, and endeavor to comprehend it fully.

The law just stated—that the end for which a thing is done qualifies the act—is one that applies with particular force to marriage. Marriage is a divine institution, ordained for the highest purposes; and a marriage contract between two persons is the most important and solemn act of their whole lives; for it not only effects a change in things outward, but also in things appertaining to the spirit, for it brings into a relationship the most intimate possible two minds, that, if they do not harmonize, must act upon and react against each other with a disturbing force that necessarily precludes the soul’s true development and perfection. Now, unless the end for which a marriage contract is formed be a right end, the marriage cannot be a happy one; and just in the degree that the end has been selfish, and has regarded things external, as wealth, connections, beauty, or other mere personal attractions, so far will unhappiness be the result.

To make this plainly apparent, let us suppose that a young lady is attracted by the brilliant talents of the man who addresses her, and that he is more attracted by her beauty of person, or the wealth she inherits, than by her virtues. Now, both of these reasons for loving (we should