The wedding ring, given and received, is the token or pledge of faithfulness. The man in giving the ring binds himself by all that is holy and sacred to be a true husband to the woman to whom he gives it, until death shall separate them. The woman who receives the ring in the like manner binds herself to be a true and faithful wife to the man from whom she accepts it. The ring is to both of them the seal of the holy covenant. Every woman who wears a wedding ring is by this token set apart from all other women. Every time she sees the golden circlet upon her hand, if she is a true woman, she will remember the holy covenant into which she has entered.
There is danger that too often the sacredness of marriage is not understood by those who enter it. The words of the ceremony declare that marriage is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Not all who take upon themselves the solemn vows do it in this serious way. Too many marry without one sober thought about what they are doing. Two young persons meet, are attracted the one to the other, go together a longer or shorter times, “fall in love,” become engaged. Then in a little while they are united in marriage. They have never thought the matter through seriously. They have not asked whether they are suited to each other or not. They have gone blindly into marriage. Is it any wonder that ofttimes such marriages are sad failures?
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