mingle
in company whose influence is the most detrimental to the interests of pure
and undefiled religion? Can they reflect upon their daughters for forming
improper attachments and alliances? Can they wonder if their sons become
desperadoes, and ridicule the religion of their parents? No! They permitted
them to dally with the fangs of a viper which found a ready admittance into
their parlor; and upon them, therefore, will rest the responsibility,--yea,
the deep and eternal curse! Woe unto thee, thou unfaithful parent; the
voice of thy children's blood shall send up from the hallowed ground of
home, one loud and penetrating cry to God for vengeance; and thou shalt be
"beaten with many stripes." It will not only cry out against you, but cling
to you!

Guard your parlor, therefore, from the corrupting influence of all immoral
associations. Be not carried away by the pomp and glare of refined and
decorated wickedness. Let not the ornaments and magnificence of mere
outward life divert your attention from those hidden principles which
prompt to action. In the choice of companions for your children in the
parlor, look to the ornaments of the heart rather than to those of the
body. Be not allured by the parade of circumstance and position in life: Be
not carried away by that which may intoxicate for a moment, and then leave
the heart in more wretchedness than before. Ever remember that the future
condition of your children, their domestic character and happiness, will
depend upon the kind of company you admit in your parlor. This leads us to
the consideration of the part Christian parents should take in the marriage
of their children. This we shall investigate in our next chapter under the
head of "Match-making."

CHAPTER XXIII.

MATCH-MAKING.

SECTION I.

THE RELATION OF PARENTS TO THE MARRIAGE CHOICE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

"Youth longeth for a kindred spirit, and yet yearneth for a
heart that can commune with his own;
Take heed that what charmeth thee is real, nor springeth of
thine own imagination;
And suffer not trifles to win thy love; for a wife is thine unto
death!"

One of the most affecting scenes of home-life is that of the bridal hour!
Though in one sense it is a scene of joy and festivity; yet in another, it
is one of deep sadness. When all is adorned with flowers and smiles, and
the parlor becomes the theater of conviviality and parade, even then hearts
are oppressed with s