DOMESTIC HAPPINESS. 293 
of the wife was also an hereditary title of rank or 
honour, in which case it is retained. 
No change in their customs or usages has taken 
place, in connexion with the introduction of the 
religion of the Bible, more extensive or beneficial 
in its influence on every class in society, than the 
institution of Christian marriage. Instances of 
unfaithfulness are not indeed unknown, but, con¬ 
sidering their former habits of life, the partial 
influence of regard to character, and the slight 
inconvenience in reference to the means of sup¬ 
port, by which they would probably be followed, 
they have but seldom occurred. The solemn and 
indissoluble obligations of the marriage vow are 
recognised by all who profess to be Christians; 
and the domestic, social, and elevated happiness 
it has imparted, is readily acknowledged. It has 
entirely altered the tone of feelings, and imparted 
new principles of conduct in regard to the conjugal 
relation. 
Originating from the institution of marriage, 
and nurtured by its influence, domestic happiness, 
though formerly unknown even in name, is now 
sedulously cultivated, and spreads around their 
abodes of order and comfort its choicest blessings. 
The husband and the wife, instead of promiscu¬ 
ously mingling with the multitude, or dwelling in 
the houses of their chiefs, live together in the neat 
little cottages reared by their own industry, and 
find satisfaction and comfort in each other’s society. 
Every household virtue adorns their families; the 
children grow up the objects of their mutual affec¬ 
tion, and call into exercise new solicitudes and 
unwonted emotions of delight. Often they appear 
sitting together reading the scriptures, walking in 
company to the house of God, or surrounding, not 
