A model marriage

(Spurgeon, "The Saint One with His Savior" #961)

Sometimes we have seen a model marriage, founded
in pure love and cemented in mutual esteem. Therein
the husband acts as a tender head; and the wife, as a
true spouse, delights in her husband, in his person, his
character, his affection. To her he is not only the chief
and foremost of mankind, but in her eyes he is all in all,
her heart's love belongs to him and to him only. She
finds sweetest contentment and solace in his company,
his fellowship, his fondness. He is her little world, her
paradise, her choice treasure. To please him she would
gladly lay aside her own pleasure, to find it doubled in
gratifying him. She is glad to sink her individuality in his.
She seeks no name for herself; his honor is reflected
upon her, and she rejoices in it. She would defend his
name with her dying breath, safe enough is he where
she can speak for him.

The domestic circle is her kingdom. That she may there
create happiness and comfort is her lifework, and his
smiling gratitude is all the reward she seeks. Even in
her dress she thinks of him, without constraint she
consults his taste, and thinks nothing beautiful which
is obnoxious to his eye. A tear from his eye, because
of any unkindness on her part, would grievously torment
her. She asks not how her behavior may please a stranger,
or how another's judgment may be satisfied with her
behavior; let her beloved be content and she is glad.
He has many objects in life, some of which she does
not quite understand, but she believes in them all,
and anything that she can do to promote them she
delights to perform.

He lavishes love on her and she on him. Their object
in life is common. There are points where their
affections so intimately unite that none could tell
which is first and which is second. To see their
children growing up in health and strength, to see
them holding posts of usefulness and honor, is
their mutual concern; in this and other matters
they are fully one. Their wishes blend, their hearts
are indivisible. By degrees they come very much
to think the same thoughts. Intimate association
creates conformity; we have known this to become
so complete that at the same moment the same
utterance has leaped to both their lips.

At last the two are so welded, so engrafted on one
stem, that their old age presents a lovely attachment,
a common sympathy, by which its infirmities are greatly
alleviated, and its burdens are transformed into fresh
bonds of love. So happy a union of will, sentiment,
thought, and heart exists between them, that the
two streams of their life have washed away the
dividing bank, and run on as one broad current of
united existence, until their common joy falls into
the main ocean of felicity.

Happy woman and happy man!

If heaven be found on earth they have it!

Such a sight may not be commonly seen,
but it is inexpressibly beautiful.