The girl _fiancée_ and the wife are alike unequal to lover or husband in mere physical strength. That is natural, and therefore right. But in time of trouble many a man, ready to sink under the weight of it, has gained new strength and courage from her whom he has hitherto deemed the weaker vessel. Her words may have been few, but they have always been suggestive of hope and cheer, and said at the right moment. There has been no “I told you how it would be,” no allusion to mistakes made or the ignoring of advice which would have prevented them, but pity for him who is only too acutely conscious of all that has been wrong. Yet, when gloom and despair were about the man’s path and in his heart, both have fled before a wife’s devoted ministry and the light of love on her face. Perhaps she has told him that she knows their changed circumstances trouble him more on her account than on his own, but that, with him, she is strong to face them, and she proves it by patient endurance and by making the best of all things. He sees that she resolutely turns her face to the bright side—and I truly believe there always is a bright side—and thus she induces him to open his despairing eyes to the light, though as yet it may be only a distant glimmer hard to discern. A man with such a helper to cheer him on will be heartened to try again, though he had given up hope. Her courage will make him a coward in his own eyes, so he will raise his listless hands and shoulder his load anew for her dear sake. He has felt that it would be impossible for him to hold up his head again amongst his fellows, but with the knowledge that a good girl or woman loves and trusts him, despair is impossible. She believes that the one defeat has taught him to mistrust himself, and that he will seek strength from God to fight again and to conquer. Can you not, my dear girls, imagine a man ready to face, dare, or do anything in order to prove himself worthy of such whole-hearted affection and trust? I have been asked whether the early or later years of married life are the happier. I think, nay, I am sure the later ones ought to be, if the union was first founded on love, faith, and respect. All these feelings should grow stronger as time goes on, and, just like the fair flowers that need the gardener’s care to perfect them, they should be carefully cultivated. We show our love far more by the little things that go to make up the sum of happiness in everyday life, than by occasional great sacrifices. The engaged girl carefully notes the likings and dislikes of her intended husband. She ministers to the one and will not provoke a manifestation of the other. She watches for a chance of doing something for him and giving him pleasure. Does she ever leave him abruptly, or allow him to leave her without an affectionate farewell?