support a family? Can I discharge the duties of a household? Where
there is ignorance of household duties, indolence, the want of any visible
means of supporting a family, no trade, no education, no energy, and no
prospects, there is no reason to think there can be a proper marriage.
Thus, then, mutual love, adaptation of character, of means, of
circumstances, of position, and of age, should be considered, in the
formation of a marriage alliance.

But the standard of judgment to which the scriptures especially direct our
attention is, that of religions equality, or spiritual adaptation. "Be not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers." The positive command here is,
that Christians should marry only in the Lord. Here is a test in the
selection of a companion for life, from which neither parents nor children
should ever depart. It evidently forbids a matrimonial union with those who
have no sympathy with religion. We should make more account of religious
equality than of equality of rank and wealth. Is not true piety of more
importance than education, affluence or social distinction? When husband
and wife are unequally yoked together in soul and grace, their home must
suffer spiritually as well as temporally. The performance of religious
duties and the enjoyment of religious privileges, will be impossible. The
unbeliever will discourage, oppose, and often ridicule, the pious efforts
of the believer. Partiality will be produced, and godliness will decline;
for, says Peter, unless we dwell as heirs together of the grace of life,
our prayers will be hindered. The pious one cannot rule in such a home.
Thus divided and striving with each other, their house must fall. Where one
draws heavenward and the other hellward, opposite attractions will be
presented, and the believer will find constant obstructions to growth in
grace, to the discharge of parental duty, and to the cultivation of
Christian graces in the heart. How can the unbeliever return, like David,
to bless his household? How can he bring up his children in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord? Can he be the head of a Christian home? And, tell
me, does the true Christian desire any other than a Christian home? "How
can two walk together, except they be agreed?" And are you, then, in your
marriage, agreed to walk with the unbeliever in the broad road of sin and
death? You are not, if you are a true Christian!

We see, therefore, the importance of a rigid adherence t