This is the third installment in a series of sermons on marriage called “The Wedding Ring.” The series was written by T. DeWitt Talmage and was originally published by The Christian Herald in 1896. Some of the references are antiquated but the principles contained are timeless and invaluable. To start at the beginning of the series, click here.
 
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We are continuing with the first sermon which is actually directed toward men and is called, “The Choice of a Wife.” It contains important nuggets about what makes a good wife. Prayerfully consider his points asking for God’s refinement in areas you need help with. I know that is hard – believe me I know. I cling to my sin for dear life at times. But the freedom and rich marriage that are the fruit of refinement is priceless.
MARRIAGE NOT FOR ALL
That marriage is the destination of the human race is a mistake that I want to correct before I go further. There are multitudes who never will marry, and still greater multitudes who are not fit to marry. In Great Britain to-day there are nine hundred and forty-eight thousand more women than men, and that, I understand, is about the ratio in America. By mathematical and inexorable law, you see, millions of women will never marry. The supply for matrimony is greater than the demand, the first lesson of which is that every woman ought to prepare to take care of herself if need be. Then there are thousands of men who have no right to marry, because they have become so corrupt of character that their offer of marriage is an insult to any good woman. Society will have to be toned up and corrected on this subject, so that it shall realize that if a woman who has sacrificed her honor is unfitted for marriage, so is any man who has ever sacrificed his purity. What right have you, O masculine beast! Whose life has been loose, to take under your care the spotlessness of a virgin reared in the sanctity of a respectable home? Will a buzzard dare to court a dove?
There are two main points to today’s message. 1. Marriage is not for everyone. I would add to that don’t marry for the sake of marrying. 2. In light of this, women should be prepared to take care of themselves. I found this point really interesting considering this was written over a hundred years ago. Often we think of “the good old days” meaning that women did not work outside the home. This passage sheds some light on that misnomer.
