ner, you may do as much harm
as good. You must also carefully watch your opportunity; for what
would be favorably received at one time and under certain
circumstances, might under other circumstances give offence and
altogether fail of the good effect intended and hoped for. You do not
know how powerful you may be for good to your husband. There is much
truth in the saying, "A man is what a woman makes him."

Previous to your marriage it will be expedient for you not to give
your lover that full and unlimited confidence which it will be your
duty--and your inclination, too--to give him when he becomes your
husband. I refer chiefly to family and other private matters, not to
anything he ought to know to enable him to judge of your character and
position. Many unhappy marriages have been brought about through the
young woman letting it be known that she has "great expectations." A
worthless fellow may, in consequence, have succeeded in winning her
hand.

There is another point to which I must just allude before concluding
this address. It is doubtless the order of Providence for marriage to
take place, when possible, on our arriving at years of maturity. But I
would guard you against the evil results of _too early_ marriage,
before either body or mind is perfectly matured. We scarcely need
consult either medical or moral science to satisfy ourselves on this
by no means trifling point. We may find in society too many sad
instances of such immature and indiscreet unions. The minds of young
persons should be expanded by a certain amount of experience in the
world before entering upon engagements involving so many momentous
duties.

In your daily walks abroad, if you examine the countenances of those
you meet, you will doubtless be led to conclude that there is a great
deal of disease and misery in the world; but judging from my own
observation, I think you will find that the greater number of persons
exhibit signs of health and happiness. Much of the disease, and misery
with which the world is afflicted is the direct result of the
misconduct of the individuals themselves; but no little of it is
attributable to their parents, who have neglected or violated God's
laws of health, their misconduct thus affecting their descendants to
the "third and fourth generation." I cannot, therefore, too much
impress upon you the importance of your honestly trying to find out
any bad habits to which you are inclined, with a view to getti