he apostle to illustrate the blessed union of Christ and the church makes
use of the union of man and wife. "They two shall be one flesh." Eph.
5:31. "Man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his
wife." The union between husband and wife is stronger than between parent
and child. The all-wise God has a design in all his works. He reveals to
man in his Word his purpose in the union of man and wife. One object in
the marriage union, as we have before said, is to prevent promiscuous
sexual commerce. "Nevertheless to avoid fornication, let every man have
his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." 1 Cor. 7:2. The
union of man and woman is a holy and sacred institution, however the union
of Christ and the church is still a higher and more important work of God.
Therefore Paul advises all who can live a pure life in an unmarried state
they can be more useful to God, for he careth for the things that belong
to the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But he that is married careth for
the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

Another object in the divine mind for uniting male and female is for the
purpose of procreation. "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be
fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth." Gen. 1:28. Alas! how few
properly reverence and esteem the divine purpose. Marriages are too often
contracted for the comforts of a home, or for affluence, or for elevation
in society, or, worst of all, for the gratification of lustful desires. Of
such too many murderously resort to the devices of art to thwart the
designs of the Creator. Procreation was the highest purpose in the divine
mind for the union of man and wife. For this purpose he implanted in their
natures a sexual desire. They who avoid to act this part in life come
short of the purpose of their creation.

Divorce.

Because the contracting parties at the marriage shrine do not feel and
have not properly considered the obligations and responsibilities of a
married life, but enter in from selfish desires, then finding it attended
with cares and responsibilities they do not care to bear, they seek
opportunities for release. The legal union is often severed by the same
authority as was given. But as the civil power can not create two hearts
into one, nor make of twain "one flesh and bone," neither can such
authorities create two of what has been made one. The law of Heaven is,
What God hath join