The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser

From the Gazette of the United States.

The Lay Preacher.

"Marry thy daughter, and so shalt thou have performed a weighty matter; but marry her to a man of understanding."

The perusal of what are denominated the Apocryphal Books, is a source whence may be derived much rich instruction and pleasing entertainment. The sententious apothegms of the Book of Ecclesiasticus will be read with delight and utility by those who seek for correct ideas upon life and manners. In this book is found the text which forms our present theme of discourse, and the importance of the precept it contains will warrant a deviation from the Canonical Books.

To parents our discourse is addressed, upon an interesting point. Ye, who have been conversant with the pulsations of the parental heart, well know, that the formation of the matrimonial union by your children, is indeed a weighty matter. Ye know, that it is incumbent upon the parent to be ever vigilant, lest the happiness of his child be forever blighted. Ye know with what jealousy parental advice and interference, upon this subject, are ever regarded. Ye also well know, that, in the "hey-day of the blood," reason is rarely consulted as a guide, that passion is the chief impulse of the soul, and that the considerations which should be most impressive, are reserved for a late repentance. Ye know, that this connexion may give your children happiness and honour, or may doom them to misery and degradation.

Knowing these things, ye will readily assent to my doctrine, that this is "a weighty matter."

Thus it must be viewed by the considerate and observing, though it be quite otherwise regarded by the beardless youth, who is impelled by a blind infatuation to enter the back door of the Temple of Hymen, and the romantic miss who ventures upon a trip to Gretna Green for happiness.

The Apocryphal writer directs- "Marry thy daughter, and so shalt thou have performed a weighty matter; but marry her to a man of understanding."

Is it supposable that he, who "takes thought" for the happiness of his daughter, would marry her to any, save a man of understanding? Yes; there are those, and "they are many," who regard not the worthlessness of the statue, if covered by a splendid gilding; and who are satisfied with a sumptuous exterior, though unaccompanied by substantial worth. There are those who, from birth and fortune, claim pre-eminence, with whom understanding is nought, and to whom the productions of genius are as "pearls cast before Swine." There are those, who know neither how to discriminate, nor how to value, the "man of understanding." There are those, among the high ones of the earth, who would sooner marry a daughter to the frothy coxcomb, who is a standing specimen of the fripperies which degrade, and the vices which disgrace our species, than to the man who possesses talents to enlarge the boundaries of science, or energy to save a falling state. There are those, who would court an alliance with the "popinjay," who shines with lustre in the graces of the drawing-room and the gallantries of the dance; but would spurn, with bitter scorn, from such a connexion, the man who has no wealth but genius, and no pride but that which flows from conscious virtue. This is a canker of the mind, which will not be cured by moral admonition, and nought but experience will teach such parents the true distinction between the "man of understanding" and the "golden fool."

I must here remark, and I will do it with honest frankness, that the fair themselves afford too sparing a countenance to the man of understanding. The unpolished deportment, which is almost inseparable from those habits of seclusion which lead to greatness, is a hardy obstacle to female favour. The simpering beau, who is confessedly the most contemptible being in God's creation, will be found a favourite in the splendid circles of gaiety and fashion: whilst the portion of the modest "man of understanding" is the contumely of the proud, and the chilling scorn of fancied greatness. But, let it be remarked, that, though the "man of understanding" do not "caper nimbly to the pleasing of a lute," though he have no eye to see the polished teeth, the painted cheeks, and pencilled brows of beauty; though he have no tongue, that can mechanically run the round of falsehood: nature has placed him on an eminence, which peers high o'er the pampered sons of wealth and grandeur.

If opulence could secure from misery, or noble blood produce unalloyed bliss, the precept in the text should stand, "marry thy daughter to the wealthy, or the great." But, he who wisely directs his view solely to the happiness of his child, will seek, "as for hid treasure," for a "man of understanding." When thou hast allied thy daughter to such an one, thou hast, indeed, "performed a weighty matter." Experience will demonstrate thy wisdom. If opulence be his, he knows how to use the boon of Providence. If the storms of adversity assail him, there will remain to him a possession, which is nature's richest gift. But the parent, who seeks for an alliance with wealth or grandeur, without regard to understanding and integrity, is stupidly mean, and ignominiously sordid. It may be said in a single word, that, for the gratification of the meanest of all pride, such an one sells his own blood to a "legal prostitution."

I conclude by enforcing the precept in my text; -"Marry thy daughter, so shalt thou have performed a weighty matter."

But be not seduced to marry her to a "man void of understanding," even though "the dishes of luxury cover his table, the voice of harmony lull him in his bowers, he breathe the fragrance of the groves of Java, and sleep on the down of the cygnets of the Ganges."

The Lay Preacher of Pennsylvania.