Rules For Married Happiness

I got my hands on another great read "They Said It" by William and Catherine Booth, founders of this great Salvation Army.  It is an easy read because there are so many chunks of wisdom in it in a variety of areas.  Many of their love letters are in print.  I admire the deep love and committment they shared.  The speech that William gave at Catherine's funeral in October 1890 is over the top, cry out loud.  She was so loved by him and she brought him honor and so much more.  What strikes me the most though is the full surrender that they continually made to God, despite the many challenges and obstacles they faced.  Catherine especially, who had the very unique calling of Williams beloved, mother to many children, and minister to the masses.  Below just a nugget of her practical wisdom:

                                                       

Rules for Married Happiness

"There were also certain rules which I formulated for my married life before I was married or even engaged.  I have carried them out ever since my wedding day, and the experience of all these years has abundantly demonstrated their value.

The first was, never have any secrets from my husband in anything that affected our mutual relationship or interests of the family.  The confidence of others in spiritual matters I did not consider as coming under this category, but as being the secrets of others, and therefore not my property.

The second rule was, never to have two purses,  thus avoiding even the temptation of having any secrets of a domestic character.

My third principle was that, in matters where there was any difference of opinion, I would show my husband my views and the reasons on which they were based, and try to convice in favour of my way of looking at the subject.  This generally resulted either in his being converted to my views or in my being converted to his, either result securing unity of thought and action.

My fourth rule was, in cases of difference of opinion, never to argue in the presence of the children.  I thought it better even to submit at the time to what I might consider to be a mistaken judgment, than to have a controversy before them.  But of course when such occasions arose I took the first opportunity for arguing the matter out.  My subsequent experience has abundantly proved to me the wisdom of this course."

-Catherine Booth during the early 1880's