d seek, if possible, to follow
his counsels. "A child," says Paley, "who respects his parent's judgment,
and is, as he ought to be, tender of their happiness, owes, at least, so
much deference to their will, as to try fairly and faithfully, in one case,
whether time and absence will not cool an affection which they disapprove.
After a sincere but ineffectual endeavor by the child, to accommodate his
inclination to his parent's pleasure, he ought not to suffer in his
parent's affections, or in his fortunes. The parent, when he has
reasonable proof of this, should acquiesce; at all events, the child is
then at liberty to provide, for his own happiness."

SECTION II.

FALSE TESTS IN THE SELECTION OF A COMPANION FOR LIFE.

Before we advert to some of those biblical principles upon which parents
and children should proceed in the marriage choice, we shall take a
negative view of the subject, and mention some of those false principles
and considerations which have in the present day gained a fearful
ascendancy over the better judgment of many professed Christians.

In the matter of marriage, too many are influenced by the pomp and parade
of the mere outward. The glitter of gold, the smile of beauty, and the
array of titled distinction and circumstance, act like a charm upon the
feelings and sentiments of many well-meaning parents and children. But it
is not all gold that glitters. We must not think that those are happy in
their marriage union, because they are obsequious in their attentions to
each other, and live together in splendor, overloaded with fashionable
congratulations. We cannot determine the character of a marriage from its
pomp and pageantry. We rather determine the many unhappy matches from the
false principles upon which the parties acted in making choice of each
other. What are some of these? We answer--

1. The manner of paying addresses involves a false principle of procedure.
These are either too long or too short, and paid in an improper spirit and
manner. There are too much flirtation and romance connected with them. The
religious element is not taken up and considered. They do not involve the
true idea of preparation, but have an air of mere sentimentalism about
them. The object in view is not fully seen. The most reprehensible motives
and the most shocking thoughtlessness pervade them throughout. These
addresses carry with them an air of trifling, a want of seriousness and
frankness, which betra