3.  DIVORCES.—­There is not a divorce on our court records that is not the result of some fundamental error in courtship.  The purity or the power of love may be corrupted the same as any other faculty, and when a man makes up his mind to marry and shuts his eyes and grabs in the dark for a companion, he dishonors the woman he captures and commits a crime against God and society.  In this enlightened age there should be comparatively few mistakes made in the selection of a suitable partner.  Sufficient time should be taken to study each other’s character and disposition.  Association will soon reveal adaptability.

4.  FALSE LOVE.—­Many a poor, blind and infatuated novice thinks he is desperately in love, when there is not the least genuine affection in his nature.  It is all a momentary passion a sort of puppy love; his vows and pledges are soon violated, and in wedlock he will become indifferent and cold to his wife and children, and he will go through life without ambition, encouragement or success.  He will be a failure.  True love speaks for itself, and the casual observer can read its proclamations.  True love does not speak in a whisper, it always makes itself heard.  The follies of flirting develops into many unhappy marriages, and blight many a life.  Man happily married has superior advantages both social and financially.

5.  FLIRTING JUST FOR FUN.—­Who is the flirt, what is his reputation, motive, or character?  Every young man and woman must have a reputation; if it is not good it is bad, there is no middle ground.  Young people who are running in the streets after dark, boisterous and noisy in their conversation, gossiping and giggling, flirting with first one and then another, will soon settle their matrimonial prospects among good society.  Modesty is a priceless jewel.  No sensible young man with a future will marry a flirt.

6.  THE ARCH-DECEIVER.—­They who win the affection simply for their own amusement are committing a great sin for which there is no adequate punishment.  How can you shipwreck the innocent life of that confiding maiden, how can you forget her happy looks as she drank in your expressions of love, how can you forget her melting eyes and glowing cheeks, her tender tone reciprocating your pretended love?  Remember that God is infinitely just, and “the soul that sinneth shall surely die.”  You may dash into business, seek pleasure in the club room, and visit gambling hells, but “Thou art the man” will ever stare you in the face.  Her pale, sad cheeks, her hollow eyes will never cease to haunt you.  Men should promote happiness, and not cause misery.  Let the savage Indians torture captives to death by the slow flaming fagot, but let civilized man respect the tenderness and love of confiding women.  Torturing the opposite sex is double-distilled barbarity.  Young men agonizing young ladies, is the cold-blooded cruelty of devils, not men.

7.  THE RULE TO FOLLOW.—­Do not continually pay your attentions to the same lady if you have no desire to win her affections.  Occasionally escorting her to church, concert, picnic, party, etc., is perfectly proper; but to give her your special attention, and extend invitations to her for all places of amusements where you care to attend, is an implied promise that you prefer her company above all others, and she has a right to believe that your attentions are serious.