Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/198

of life by a father's curses; the idea is horrible, it is usurping the power of the Most High, to whom only curses belongeth; yet I have rarely observed through life, that an union, contracted contrary to a parent's approbation, has been fortunate or happy; to a mind of sensibility there must ever be a drawback from felicity, when conscious of giving pain, and disappointing the best hopes of those so nearly interested for our happiness, and who have a right to more than a negative obedience, if I may so express myself, when a marriage is contracted without consulting the parents; but when completed, contrary to their wishes and commands, few, I am convinced, are the instances of matrimonial happiness: But I see I oppress you, therefore, to drop that point, permit me to observe, you did wrong in not seeking opportunities to soften your father. Was your brother a warm advocate, think you? I fear not; much less can I believe that a good man could have left the world without being in charity with it, and revoking, as far as