daughters what sort of conjugal alliances they shall form! And what a terrible mistake do the parties themselves commit, who, when about to enter into this relation, make mere external and worldly considerations rather than the deep and enduring wants of the soul, the basis of their choice!
Clearly, then, do marriages here on earth, be they fortunate or unfortunate, prove that the soul is deeply involved in this relation;—that it has a want herein which nothing else but union with some kindred soul can fully satisfy. And because it is a soul's want, it must endure so long as the soul endures; and in heaven, therefore, it cannot fail of its full gratification.
Observe, further, the spiritual uses of marriage on earth, in the connate character and obvious mental needs of the two sexes. Man is preeminently a form of the intellect, and in mind as well as body, is comparatively coarse, harsh, severe and angular. Alone, or disjoined from woman, he its like faith separate from charity, or truth apart from good, which Swedenborg says is represented in the spiritual world as something strong, powerful, hard and irresistible, at the sight of which good spirits are terrified. He, therefore, needs the softening, refining, mellowing influence of woman's gentler heart, precisely as truth or faith needs the softening and sweetening influence of charity. And woman being preeminently a form of affection, is comparatively weak, tender and delicate in mind as well as in body. Alone, or apart from man, she is like charity separate from faith, or like love without wisdom. She, therefore, needs the strengthening, supporting, guiding influence of man's
