thing short of the truly converted believing heart and
dedicated will.

*MARRIED LIFE AS IT SHOULD BE.

The Clergyman and his Wife are sacredly bound to live their united life
wholly for Christ. They are to help one another on in Him, to stimulate
one another in work for others in Him, to give each other always mutual
aid towards a constant growth in faith, hope, and love; towards an ever
better use of means, and time, and tongue, and everything. If their Lord
gives them children to train for Him, those children are to see their
parents so living, not only individually but together, as to glorify and
commend the Gospel _to them_, from the very first. And the wider family
of the parish, sure to be observant, is to see the same sight in
measure. Happy the married Pastor whose home and its life respond to
such a description. Alas for the man whose passion, blindness, hurry,
self-will, or whatever else it is, has betrayed him into a condition of
things which cannot be so described.

I may be writing for some readers to whom such a "take heed unto
thyself" may be in point even as they read. If so, let me seize the
occasion. With not a few very sorrowful illustrations in my mind I lay
all emphasis on this earnest word of affectionate warning. And let me
add to it another word, as in duty bound, and with the utmost solemnity,
knowing that the thing is vitally important. I appeal to you not lightly
to seek marriage, not lightly to make engagement, even where you have
good assurance that all would be spiritually well, if there is a real
probability of a married life _clogged with pecuniary perplexities_.

You observe that I do not speak absolutely on this point; I dare not. I
do not say, Do not do it; I say, Do not _lightly_ do it. Faith is one
thing; "light-heartedness" is another. And sometimes light-heartedness
means nothing better than a vague expectation that "something will turn
up." Perhaps what does turn up is a weary and distracting struggle with
debt, and a gradual habituation to a not very creditable life upon the
means of others, who very likely can spare only with difficulty what
comes at length to be taken without gratitude. I beseech my Brother to
"suffer the word of exhortation."

RISKS OF DEBT.

ii. I touch thus already on the second point about which I would fain
cry, Take heed unto thyself. That matter is _Money_. A few words here
will sufficiently convey my appeal, but those few must be pressing. I
app