Here we are in Genesis, Genesis chapter 2. If you've opened your Bibles there, we're going to be looking at verses 18 through 25 and we're looking at an introduction to Christian marriage. And so for us the way I usually do it is I give an introduction that touches on Scripture. I try to form a foundation and it takes a while to do that.  That's what I'll be doing here. I'm going to be laying foundation for you. It's going to take a while. I have to develop it and I'll hopefully you'll be able to follow with me as I go through it. Not because what I have to say is hard to understand. It's not. It's just that sometimes all the details I give can sometimes cause them to be a little bored and so I'm going to do my best to bore you today. A lot with the foundation. But then we move into practical application and what I intend to do in this particular study is to speak to you today about marriage in particular, give some basic things from verses 18 through 25 of Genesis chapter 2, and then move into various aspects of marriage. Through a series we'll look at the Christian wife, the Christian husband raising kids for Christ and possibly move into speaking about preventing divorce. And so that's what we're going to be looking at. And so we'll begin today in Genesis chapter 2. At verse 18 we'll read to verse 25 and then we'll get into our study. Genesis chapter 2 beginning at verse 18 reading to verse 25. And the Lord God said, it is not good that man should be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him. Out of the ground, the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and he slept. And he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, he made into a woman and he brought her to the man. And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman because she was taken out of man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. So we're beginning a series on marriage and the family. As we begin, I want to first recognize that there are widowed and divorced members present here today. We have a number of single parents who are here with us. And I don't want you to feel less in any way and I don't want to be insensitive to any of you. I pray that this series will in some way be a benefit to you. The simple fact is it's been a number of years since I've done a marriage series. Marriage as an institution throughout the world has been redefined. Many have rejected the once accepted concept of a traditional family. They consider such a concept to be outdated or unreasonable, even unworkable. At one time there was a definition of a traditional family that was accepted by the majority and the definition went something like this. A traditional family is defined as a man and a woman who were married to one another who often have children born to them. A traditional family consisted of a bread-winning father and a stay-at-home mother who would care for the home and the children that were born to her and her husband after marriage. But in our day this basic definition of marriage and family has changed. In today's culture the new definition of family does not require marriage. For many to be a family only requires people caring about one another and living together. To be a family doesn't require marriage, but exists because they say that they are one. Many people find it preferable to live together without ceremony or contract. This has been true also even within those who profess to be Christians. Without fully realizing it they are sinning against the Lord. Melachi chapter 2 verse 11 refers to marriage as God's holy institution. This reveals that marriage is God's idea and design and it is regarded as holy. In the Old Testament book of Melachi 2 verses 14 and 15, where Melachi speaks of marriage as a covenant, not simply a legal contract. It also gives us insight that God intended marriage to produce godly offspring. So faith in God and service to him was to be passed on throughout generations. As we will see the New Testament reveals marriage to be a picture of Jesus Christ and his church. And as such it's a spiritual union that is not to be regarded as anything but sacred. So living together and sexual activity outside of marriage in Scripture is not recognized as right, it's called fornication. If the person living with someone is still married to another person it's called adultery. And in Hebrews 13 verse 4 in the New Testament the writer says marriage is honorable among all and the bed undefiled but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Ephesians 5 verses 5 and 60 Apostle Paul said, For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person nor covetous man who is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  So adultery fornication is regarded as sin and it has punishment, it has severe repercussions. But today living together is very common. The Centers for Disease Control and National Center for Health Statistics reported in 1995 34 percent of unmarried women between 15 and 44 moved in with a man for the first time. In 2002 the percentage went up to 43 percent between 2006 and 2010 the percentage rose to 48 percent. That works out to one in four women living with a man by age 20. It also represents almost three in four by the age of 30. Nearly 75 percent of women ages 30 or younger said they've lived with a partner outside of marriage compared to 70 percent in 2002 and 62 percent in 1995. Someone says well of course they're living together they're going to get married eventually aren't they? Do these questions last? Do they lead to marriage? Well some say living together is like taking a test drive it should be done before you're committed. One study found that 40 percent of women living with a significant other for the first time between 2006 and 2010 transitioned to marriage within three years. Well 32 percent of those relationships remained the same and 27 percent were dissolved. As you might see for many marriage just doesn't seem to matter that much and so I want to begin a series on the subject of marriage from a Christian perspective. And so I'll begin by giving a simple definition of a Christian marriage. A Christian marriage is a total commitment of one man and one woman to the person of Jesus Christ and to one another. It is a commitment in which there is no holding back of anything. We know that marriage is regarded and recognized as a refining process that God uses to develop us into the person he wants us to become. In Proverbs 27 17 it says as iron sharpens iron so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. So God will use marriage to refine us and certainly he certainly does a good job of it through marriage I must say. Within the first nine chapters of Genesis there are three institutions that are basic to civilization that are established. The institutions are the church human government and marriage. And so today we're going to see that marriage is really the lynchpin for government and the church. In verse 18 notice how he begins here it says here the Lord God said it is not good that man should be alone. He went on to say I will make him a helper comparable to him. So first this verse reveals to us that it is God who created marriage. The Lord God said I will make him a helper. So that reveals that the man was created first that also gives to us the pattern of authority in the home. Secondly it reveals what God declares that Eve is. She's a helper who is comparable to him. The word comparable speaks of someone similar to him. It really literally speaks of her being his reflected image. She's his counterpart suitable in nature one like himself in shape and disposition. Eve was one in whom he saw his own image and saw his counterpart. She was his second self corresponding to his moral and intellectual nature. Then the third thing we see is the first thing that is ever called not good is that man should be alone. So that emphasizes his need for a companion. There were angels and there was a world of animal life but that wasn't enough for Adam. He needed someone like himself and without her he was truly alone. Now it's interesting if you note verses 16 and 17 you'll see that God has already spoken to Adam. He gave him commands. In verse 16 it says the Lord God commanded the man saying of every tree of the garden you may freely eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat for in that day in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die. So we see that there was already communication between God and man but man needs another human being to relate to to share with to have as an equal. He needed another human being to establish social relationships with. He needed to give love to someone like himself because without someone he was simply an individual. He needed someone to share feelings with to be part of his actual life. It says in Ecclesiastes 4 9 through 11 two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down his friend can help him up but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up. Also if two lie down together they will keep warm but how can one keep warm alone? So you need relationship you need companionship. God said it is not good that the man should be alone and so this gives us more insight. First in verse 18 we see that you can have a relationship with God and yet still need someone else. We're created for fellowship with God and with other people so marriage is intended to fulfill our need to love others and to be loved by someone else like ourselves. Secondly marriage is God's idea not man's invention. God said it's not good that man should be alone I will make him a helper. Marriage was not created by men to dominate and injure women. God intended marriage to bring joy and satisfaction to those who were married. In Proverbs 18 22 it says he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord and so it's intended to bring us joy. One man said I never knew what true joy was until I got married and then it was too late. Third, just seeing if you're listening. Third God brought Eve to Adam. Adam did not seek her out she was brought to him. God presented Eve to Adam and when God brought Eve to Adam that established the holiness and seriousness of marriage. Now that's something to talk about for just a moment. Let me share with you. I have seen and so have you some marriage ceremonies that had no sobriety or sacredness to them. I was looking at pictures of marriages on the net the other day and I saw a picture of the bride in the groom dressed like Shrek and Princess Fiona. Yeah, anyway. I saw a picture of a marriage that had taken place on a roller coaster. Another marriage pictures taken at a TJ Maxx. Yeah, there are drunk people getting married in Vegas by Elvis and some have had nonordained friends perform their ceremony but they never got a wedding license and there are pictures I've seen of a marriage taking place on a beach in bathing suits and a well-known former rock star many years ago and his wife got married both of them completely naked. I mean there's no sacredness in the marriage ceremony at all. You got to understand this. When it says that he brought her to the man God himself was accompanying the woman to present the bride and that gives me a sense of sobriety and seriousness of what is taking place here that God himself presented Eve to Adam if you're an unmarried individual keep that in mind when you're planning out your wedding ceremony and Eve was given to Adam as God's gift to Adam. Proverbs 1914 says houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers but a wise wife is from the Lord and then we see that God gave Adam a helper comparable to him. When it speaks of Eve being comparable it speaks of her being a match for him at his side making her fit for him corresponding to him. The woman was formed from him and was to be a perfect resemblance of the man possessing neither inferiority nor superiority but being in all things like and equal to himself it's been said Eve was not less nor better just different corresponding to his exact need. You see by design our mates are to fill in our gaps they literally really complete us and in marriage we learn from one another and accept one another as is and we actually learn to to to work well together. My wife has certain things in her personality that I lack in mind I have certain things about myself that she obviously lacks and so together we make a couple we become one and and I am made complete through her and she is made complete through me we need each other it's like we just fit together as pieces of a puzzle and so it's not easy it's very difficult because iron sharpens iron and and it's not always easy but but it's the working together it forms us into what we are and we see one another as being the one who God has brought to complete us. You see the rabbi is taught the wife is not a man's shadow so much as his other self she is she is his helper in a sense which no other creature on earth can be and so the scripture speaks concerning this it is not good that man should be alone I will make him a helper comparable to him verse 19 out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them and whatever Adam called each living creature that was its name so Adam gave names to all cattle to the birds of the air to every beast of the field but for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him so Adam was created first out of the earth later Eve was taken out of the man in 1 Corinthians 11 8 and 9 it says man is not from woman but woman from man nor was man created for the woman but woman for the man when you're looking your scriptures in Genesis chapter 1 verse 27 Genesis 1 27 informs us that God created man in his own image and when the scripture says he created that reveals that man was not evolved from something else man is brand new and he differed from other animal life not only in degree but in kind Adam was created in the image of God that refers to God's moral image not his physical image there are those who say well we're created in the physical image of God no we're not we're created in his moral image Colossians 3 verse 9 says the new man is renewed in knowledge according to the image of him who created him Ephesians 4 24 says we have been created according to God in true righteousness and holiness so that's not speaking of physical image it speaks of moral image knowledge righteousness and holiness are moral attributes you see Adam could not relate on a personal level with the animal life he needed another human being it's good to have a pet and pets are wonderful to have and for many they they bring great comfort and I'm beginning to see more and more of that as we're going as pets are becoming more and more part of people's lives and I see the value of that you know I think having a having a pet is a great thing I don't have any pets you know I have in the past but I saw them as like children you know I couldn't leave with you know wondering who's going to babysit the dog right so but there are others who don't mind hiring pets sitters and this and that for myself I see pets as being a great thing as long as it's not a cat you know they're good things but of course it's it's good to have a companion who's a human being somebody that you can have a relationship with and to visit with and all and and so Adam already had animal life about him but he didn't have one like himself the animals were created first and then Adam according to Genesis 1 24 and the survey of animals in Paris accentuated the fact that he was without a companion and so the Lord sees this and does something about it in verse 21 the Lord God caused the deep sleep to fall on Adam he slept he took one of his ribs closed up the flesh in its place then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man he made into a woman and he brought her to the man God caused him to sleep ensuring that he would not experience pain until he woke up and saw her and then the rest is pain to the rest of his life the ribs description says was made into a woman the word made means to build or fashion so she was fashioned she was built and then brought to Adam notice she was not taken from the dirt but from his side she was genetically perfectly harmonious to him she was taken from his side and does not govern him nor usurp authority over him nor is she his slave or simply a servant but it's his companion and is treated with kindness respect and love she was not made out of his head to surpass him nor from his feet to be trampled on but from his side to be equal to him near his heart to be dear to him it's a beautiful image where it says God put Adam into deep sleep now as difficult as this may be for some to hear that is the safest place for someone who's unmarried asleep to incessant and overwhelming desires for marriage it's important to note that God knew Adam's need before Adam realized that he even had it in Matthew chapter six verse eight Jesus said it like this he said your father knows what things you have need of before you ask so we have unmarried people here today this portion may not apply to you some are unmarried and have no desire to be married when my father went to heaven my mother never desired to remarry but there are others who have a strong desire for marriage so i'm going to give to you a little advice if i may i would encourage you not to rush into dating relationships or marriage because if you rush into something it may ultimately cost you you need to remember there are worse things than being alone and one of them is being unequally yoked if you are unmarried and desire marriage i encourage you to wait to wait for God's best for you because at this moment you're free to serve God without marital distractions marriage brings responsibilities and cares that that the unmarried don't have in 1st Corinthians 733 Paul said he who is married cares about the things of the world how he may please his wife in 1st Corinthians 735 Paul says being unmarried makes it possible to serve the Lord without he says distraction now single parents have an especially difficult time because loneliness is difficult rushing into a bad marriage makes it worse even if it is through e harmony if you're so if you're presently dating evaluate your present relationship and and be strong enough wise enough be mature enough to establish criteria for those whom you go out with it's not unspiritual to do that it's wise because you're counting the cost and so i want to take a moment to speak to those who are presently unmarried and i have a few questions for you to help you the the questions that i have are intended to to make you think about either your present relationship or a future one and so it's just a series of questions i've asked these questions in the past and and they seem to get a good response from those who are are single and all it can help parents who are raising children who are at the point or getting to the point of making serious decisions about lifelong marriages relationships and all so let me ask just a series of questions i begin by saying are you a christian and if you're a christian are they christians are you dating somebody right now who is not a believer because if you are if you're dating somebody who's not a believer that is called being unequally yoked together with an unbeliever but you say but wait a minute pastor here's the problem you've shared that with us that we're supposed to share our faith that that's all i'm doing i'm really a missionary in the dating field i'm missionary dating and all well the bottom line is is if i stand on the lip of this platform here it's easier for you to pull me down than for me to pull you up and in relationships when you are unequally yoked together with an unbeliever you will be pulled down and the question has to be asked why would you find that a good thing you see in second chrithian 6 verse 14 we're commanded do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness what communion has light with darkness the fact that a believer would be interested in an unbeliever shows more about the believer's faith in christ than it does the unbelief of the unbeliever what is it about that person that you like so much now if they are believers how would you describe their walks with the lord you see after marriage you may begin to grow in your faith and they may not want to right now you may be fine but you have to you have to see if you're progressing together in the things of the lord so is your faith and your walk with christ growing because of this relationship or is it actually slowly fading away we've had people who for example in our own fellowship have have met somebody while they're serving the lord they were even serving together but once they started dating they stopped serving and instead of going forward they began going backwards so in your relationship do you ever read the word do you ever fellowship do you pray together do you witness if your friends were asked about you do your friends consider you a christian couple or do they see you just as a couple of people who are just dating do you attend the same church are you willing to leave your church for them if they don't want to go to your church does that matter to you who is the spiritual leader if you can't make it to church do they go without you or do they just stay home because you didn't go they're not going to go you know in our fellowship we had guys who who become you know super christians when they're dating the girl and they win the girl over but in fact they're not really serving the lord they're not really walking with the lord not that deeply they come to church because you know there are girls here and maybe they can meet when and take her out and all in that and the girl's taking it you know seriously she's thinking that this guy really cares about her when in fact you know if she doesn't come to church neither does he if that happens in your life keep an eye on that because that's going to be the pattern if you get married are you physically pure in your relationship are they expecting to be sexually active are you living together I mentioned this a moment ago if you're living together that is called in scripture fornication but today we simply say we're engaged no you're engaged in sin but you're not engaged in the purest sense of the word you're not preparing for marriage you're acting as if you are that's called sin it's fornication how do your family and friends feel about your relationship do they ever make mention of it do they ever say something about the girl or the guy did they ever say anything like that to you I remember when when I I was even dating Marie who became my wife I she just came over after church with two of her roommates and and I still remember she came and my sat down with my mom in the in the kitchen they had a cup of coffee or something and we're visiting and and then when Marie and her two roommates left I still remember my mom looking at me and she said I like the little brown one I'll never forget that I like that little brown one my mom fell in love with Marie the day that she met her what do your family and friends feel about your relationship what do they say do you find yourself making excuses for them dear friends well you don't understand him you don't really get her you don't know do you make excuses for him do you make excuses to friends and even strangers sometimes he's not always like this she's not always doing those kinds of things do you make excuses for them regularly do you feel forced to stay with them because you've been with them for so long maybe you've committed yourself sexually to them and now you think that you have to stay with them do you think that they are the best you can get so you might as well live with it when you look at them are they overly dependent are they selfish are they jealous do they have a hot temper do they ever hit you do they do they look at your phone messages do they monitor your social media you know you walk out of the room and a moment later you come in and you see them on your phone to see who you've been messaging who you're talking to that's that's not a good thing that's a bad thing that's a jealousy that you don't want you see there's a difference between having a committed sense of relationship and a jealousy that is possessive in controlling you need to be aware of that you deserve your own private life especially if you're dating you deserve your own private friends that's something that should be part of who you are and if they're always trying to control who you hang around with and what you do and you even have to go so far as to ask them permission you know asking permission of a boyfriend or girlfriend do you mind if i if i go with my friends we're going to watch the game together well you don't want to be with me what's wrong with me i like the game what game are you going to watch no i don't like being with you you're a boston fan we have a boston hat right here i'm looking right at it's burning it's burning put that down put that down in jesus name you quench the spirit bro but are they jealous are they hot tempered are they controlling are they always getting into your social media do they tell you who to hang around with do they do you have to ask permission do you mind if i go do you mind if i this or that why would you do that you're dating that's not part of your relationship do they have um children from a previous relationship or marriage and can you love and accept those kids as if they're they're your own and here's another question that goes along with that you may be able to do that but will they let you will they allow you to love their children and to be apparent to them that's a very important thing in blended families will they allow that when you're with other people how do they treat other people how do they feel about your family what do they say to you about them the way they speak about your dad your mom and brother sister the way they speak about your family is giving you a clue as to how they're going to be when you're married whether they're going to want to ever go over whether they're going to want to go to thanksgiving or Easter or Christmas or celebrate birthdays or whatever you may have a family that's extended they may have a family that's very small their idea may be that they just want to have their own thing with you but you you're the kind of person who wants to bring all kinds of people in and i'm telling you that's going to cause nothing but problems if you don't work that out you need to be aware of those things because they don't really change how often do you see them and say you say you had a date and you're dropping them off and you're driving home and all of a sudden your your phone rings and it's them it has only been a minute you just pulled out you're just driving on street ring ring ring are you thinking of me i'm thinking of you do you miss me shut up shut up shut up when marina i dated i was teaching bible studies on monday night and i would ask her out for our dates on monday night i say would you like to go out and she'd say of course and i say naturally and then but i wouldn't talk to her again until the day whether it's a friday or a saturday that's the next time i talked to her i wasn't rushing home calling up hello are you sleepy well just put the phone next to your pillow and just fall asleep and i'll listen to you it soothes me no i didn't do that i had something it was called a life and it didn't are you doing domestic duties for them are you doing their wash and all of that making meals for them doing wash is a very personal thing you shouldn't be doing things like that but some girls end up doing the laundry for them you shouldn't be doing that are you doing that kind of thing for them are you acting as if you're a wife but you're not married be careful are they always borrowing money from you or your friends you know and and do they like nice things do they charge up their cards in order to buy them do you if you're a girl do you end up paying them maybe you do this today but do you end up paying for the dates saying to yourself well we're eventually going to get married and so you're paying for all the dates and i've said this every time but i think of it marie got mad at me for spending ten dollars on a date but that's all she had if she had more i just spent more what are the kinds of things that they do that irritate you have you noticed the guy to be something i i've said this again i say this every time i teach this but i used to do the premarital counseling and the guy would be in front of me and and the bride to be i i call her the bride to be and i would call him the victim and as he was there i would say to the victim i would say i would say what is it about her that irritates you anything at all oh no they never did they were just like dear in the headland then they look at her anything no okay nothing you know do you have anything that there's anything that she does about her anything maybe her laugh is kind of irritating i mean any anything no no she's fine she's good everything's good everything not a single thing no so i'd look at her and you is there anything this is true is there anything about him that needs to change she pulled out this notebook oh yeah he's going to stop this he's going to stop that he's going to do this he's going to start bathing i mean he's wash his feet i mean they're going to be things about him that change he's not going to clip his nails in the they always had a list the guys didn't so you have to be real you have to yes ask your ask yourself is this going to be okay because i'm telling you they don't change they don't change it just is part of who they are and unless you discuss these things and unless you see there are irritations at all i promise you they'll just they'll follow you right into your marriage so you need to be real you need to understand that do you really know them are they people you really really gotten to know are they quiet you know for me my family my on my father's side are they're they're all quiet my uncles were all very quiet and so if i was at a rosalis kind of thing a function with my uncles my dad had several several brothers and as little we'd go over the uncles would just kind of talk amongst themselves but it was always real quiet and so i got used to being around a lot of quiet men and so you know quiet's fine with me i don't have a problem now my wife marie can be she's really outgoing my wife me i'm really kind of like the opposite i'm real reserved and so we had to learn how to work together because my brother told me my brother said to me david listen if you're a jealous man don't date marie she has friends everywhere everywhere and i said no i'm good i'm good he said i'm telling you so i take marie to the movies and the movie's over and we're on one side of the theater and she stands up and she sees oh i know him she goes and rushes over there touches this guy in the shoulder and says hi how are you i'm in class with you at she was in college at that time i'm in class with you and he looks at her and i'm standing looking at him like no i didn't i'm just standing there like whatever and so i remembered my brother's words he said david if you're jealous don't go out with her because this girl has friends everywhere and that's true to this day my wife is just an amazingly friendly person true to this day we're on a flight home i've told you this before we're flying home from israel i'm seated at an aisle seat marie's in the center seat there's a woman seated next to marie on her left next to the window and marie turns to the woman she says to the woman she says to the woman something the woman speaks hebrew and doesn't speak english at all she says in broken english that she doesn't speak english she's jewish and i'm i'm looking out i still remember looking out at the aisle and i'm saying to myself oh how is she going to do this she's going to find a way she is going to find a way she is going to find a way now and she's going to be laughing with her and she will be crying i mean we're going to be flying for 16 hours she's going to find a way she don't want to talk to me because she knows i'm going to read to close my eyes and so what is she going to do you know what she true story what she does is she turns to the woman the woman speaks hebrew and marie's just staring at her and i'm thinking okay she'll find a way marie speaks spanish to her the woman was a spanish jew all the way home true story we get to the we get to the airport the woman's crying with marie kissing each other exchanging phone numbers she's kissing me and my kids you know me hi does that there hi how are you and i'm not a hebrew well i'm sorry so you have to be aware of those kinds of things you know and and that's just part of it you have to be aware of those kinds of things and just get get get used to it so are they what kind of personality you have to learn those things here's another one are they free to date are they able to date now if they're separated married and separated they're still married if you cannot marry them you shouldn't be dating them but there are believers today who say well they're separated keep this in mind they're still married you should not be dating someone who's married and if they're a believer also could it be that you may get in between them and a reconciliation with their present husband or wife and by you entering into that relationship you could actually prevent god from moving in the way he wants to because you want to have a relationship if they are not free to marry they are not free to date don't be dating separated people and then finally is this really god's best for you or are you just getting older and anxious listen wait wait and pray for the lord to bring into your life that right person again i always share this i'll share it again today i was teaching a bible study in ontario and i wanted a relationship but i was i was nervous that i would make a poor choice because i could be impetuous and perhaps just just get connected in a in a deep way with some of that i'm not supposed to be connected to i'd i had just broken up with a young woman she broke up with me i shouldn't say i broke her you broke up with me and uh i hate her to this day no i she broke up with me and and and all and so i thought you know what i just don't want to just be anxious about i just don't i've been too much for too long i just don't so i prayed a friend of mine had said out of this passage the lord god caused deep sleep to fall on adam he said i prayed that and i asked god to put me to sleep to my desires and so i did that i actually literally said father as you put adam to sleep to his desires and you brought eve to the man in jesus name i want to just serve you i will seek your kingdom first and your righteousness all these things will be added to me i know that if i delight myself in you you will give to me the desire of my heart and part of the desire of my heart is to be completed in marriage lord i would like to have a bride i i mean i don't hold back from the lord i told him my heart i would like to be married but lord i don't want to get in a relationship with the wrong person there's something worse than being alone and that's being with the wrong person in jesus name father helped me to sleep and so my brother got saved and i started driving from norwalk to the city of ontario and i started teaching just my brother so my my sister and i would drive and just my brother he began to invite friends from his work and then one day a young woman came walking in and her name was marie and as she walked in she looked at me i looked at her my brother said this is marie and i just nodded my head and said hi how are you it's just a small bible study maybe six people eight people the phone rings my brother says marie it's for you she goes into the other room it's only like 10 feet from me 15 feet from me and she's on the phone giggling and laughing sits down next to her girlfriend and and says to her friend jon she says uh oh i'm someone i could see her and they start giggling i don't know her from eve i have never met this girl but something inside me said i'm going to make her giggle about me someday i don't even know where that came from but i did i said i'm going to make her giggle about me someday and then after the study she comes she's a very friendly girl she comes walking up to me she was a college girl she comes up and she says hi what's your sign because she was into that horoscope that all the kids at that time were into a horoscope horoscope so she says what's your sign i said the fish and she says oh you're a Pisces and i said no i said the ichthus i said i'm a Christian i don't go for that garbage that was our first heart to heart i don't go for that garbage i said i followed jesus christ she goes oh so anyway we're driving home my sister and i and i turned to my sister madeline and i said i just met the girl i'm going to marry she was not a christian i didn't date her i didn't ask her out i just knew that i knew that i knew so i turned to my sister i said i just met the girl i'm going to marry i used to be a coach so i was coaching some kids they were 11 years old and i'm telling 11 year old hey i just met the girl i'm going to marry and they're going around that's great throw me the ball coach but i had to tell everybody my sister madeline led marie to faith in christ about three weeks later in the bible study or they had gotten together to go out together and about a month and a half later marie and i started dating and we've never been apart since so the lord brought the woman to me and so i've shared this story so many times my son joseph is talking to me one day and he says dad said you know that that prayer that you prayed about before your mom i said yeah he said dad he goes uh i mean i have a problem i said what may it be and he said well i prayed that he said because i want to make sure that i get the right girl in my life i said that's a wise thing to do wait on the lord he said well dad here's my problem i only prayed that about two three weeks ago and i met a girl he said and i'm feeling like i'm betraying jesus because i said to him put me to sleep and and now there's this girl that i'm really interested in dad and he said i started laughing i said son i've never finished the story i said i i prayed it in two weeks later i met your mom what do you think i went to a mountain eight granola for months so what am i going to do and suddenly she comes on a yak i said no you know it didn't happen like that i said i just i just said god put me to sleep i met your mama within two weeks he says oh great now he's married to her and they're gonna have their first baby in march they're gonna have a little girl named olivia erin and they've been married for like eight years and all but see the bottom line of that story is simply i see that the lord god caused a deep sleep to fall on adam he slept and the lord brought the woman i really believe i wanted to be and i still encourage that to others be asleep to your own desires and allow god to work in your life well what happens he's asleep notice adam in verse 23 adam said this is now bone of my bones flesh of my flesh she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man picture that he's asleep and he opens his eyes and there's eve when it says here by the way this is now this is now literally speaks of a tapping of the foot musically he actually when he sees her he sings he sings i mean it's amazing to me when you get the picture he's asleep then his eyes open and there's eve standing in front of him and what's the first thing he does finally because that's what it means this is now finally at last this is it and he's saying isn't that beautiful he's saying kind of a rap thing you know whatever anyway this is now bone of my bones flesh of my flesh she shall be called woman she was taken out of man what a beautiful thing for him to do he opened his eyes he saw her and he's saying that's what love actually can be you open your eyes and your heart sings that's how god intends it to be anything less than that i don't want i want to have that thing i have had it for many years now of waking up in the morning and seeing her and seeing her and you have a song in your heart because at last he brought her to me and when a man has that for his wife and the wife knows it the wife is fulfilled and she will love him more really than he could actually love her because the more he loves her the more she loves him it's not a 50 50 i'll give you 50 percent you give me no it's a hundred and 150 because the more i love my girl the more she loves me back which makes me love her more and that she loves me more and it's a good thing does that mean that we never argue no it doesn't mean that at all she's wrong sometimes it simply means that we've learned that we're better together than apart we're more with each other than when we're alone we have become one and that's god's intent therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother should cleave into his wife and the two shall become one flesh so the man is intended to leave and create a new family entity the man and his wife he leaves mama he leaves dad this is actually something that is brought in by moses obviously he's speaking about what takes place after that but a man leaves he cleaves they're united the cleaving speaks about like gluing two sheets of plywood together and it's cleaving pressed together becomes the one that's why opening it shatters the interior that's why divorce is so destructive because the two were intended to become one and so that's what moses is saying and then he goes on to say they were both naked the man and his wife they weren't ashamed shame entered into the world because of sin but it didn't exist before the fall and they were a perfect couple in the first and perfect marriage god intends marriage to complete us because without her i'm not complete with her i'm what god intended me to be and that's why it is wise and was wise for me and it would be wise for any single to seek the lord for the right person because divorce was never a part of marina my plan we've married one time for all time we're really both of us in it's about it but it's very true there's only one woman for me only one never be another there's only one man for her only one they'll never be another that's the way it is that's the way it is with us and i'm good with that i don't want anybody else because we're one that's marriage father we asked that you would work in us so that that would be true in our marriages and for those lord who are single i would pray lord that those who are unmarried would wait on the best that you would have for them lord i asked that in the meantime that as we're growing individually those who are single those unmarried i would ask that they might be cultivating their walk with you so that when the day comes when the person that you would have for them enters into their life they would be the best version of themselves that they could ever be lord that they might be improving in their walk so that they really would be a gift to the person that they unite in marriage with so i lift this up to you and i pray father through this series that you you will help us to be very practical about some very deep things and that lord in jesus name this family this church family these believers all of us would walk closer to you in the end and so even as our eyes are closed our heads are bowed there may be some right now in this room who need prayer you need to get right with the lord i'd like to pray for you and if you do need prayer and you need to be right with him right now would you raise your hand to let me pray for you right where you're at father you see these hands you know the reason why they're being raised in jesus name i asked that you would reach down and touch them and father i asked that you would just work in them in whatever way is necessary that you would have your way in them lord is our prayer washing cleanse fill with your presence if there are decisions they have to make concerning themselves or relationships and father you'll be the one who guides them and may they make the best decision possible be with them lord in every way have your way in them we give you blessings and praise for this lord and we thank you thank you lord you can put your hands down and jesus please keep working in us and i ask this in your name amen let's all stand that's your introduction we're going to pick up next week we're going to have a 10 week series on wives and we're going to skip the husbands actually we'll be looking at the role of the wife next week and then the following will be the role of the husband and then on and on so if you have friends that maybe will benefit from this particular series you might want to invite them because if there's anything that the church is struggling with right now it's their marriages the number one thing that we counsel here in church is marriage number one in raising kids and that's one of the reasons why i feel it's necessary and in our society the number one thing that's destroying our society people so often say oh it's bad government it's bad families it's bad families because the church is built on families jesus christ but the church is built with families government needs families so the number one thing that we really need to work with is our marriages because when you have strong marriages you can have a strong nation and a strong church and so we're going to spend time looking at marriage and if you have any friends who might need some instruction and encouragement please bring them


CHAPTER XI. John was nowhere to be found. The earl went himself in quest of him, but without success. As he returned from the terrace, chagrined and disappointed, he observed two persons cross the platform at some distance before him, and he could perceive by the dim moonlight which fell upon the spot that they were not of the castle. He called to them. No answer was returned, but at the sound of his voice they quickened their pace and almost instantly disappeared in the darkness of the ramparts. Surprised at this phenomenon, the earl followed with hasty steps and endeavored to pursue the way they had taken. He walked on silently, but there was no sound to direct his steps. When he came to the extremity of the rampart, which formed the north angle of the castle, he stopped to examine the spot and to listen if anything was stirring. No person was to be seen, and all was hushed. After he had stood some time surveying the rampart, he heard the low, restrained voice of a person unknown, but the distance prevented his distinguishing the subject of the conversation. The voice seemed to approach the place where he stood. He drew his sword and watched in silence their motions. They continued to advance, till suddenly stopping, they turned and took a long survey of the fabric. Their discourse was conducted in a low tone, but the earl could discover by the vehemence of their gesture and the caution of their steps that they were upon some design dangerous to the peace of the castle. Having finished their examination they turned again towards the place where the earl still remained. The shade of a high turret concealed him from their view, and they continued to approach till they arrived within a short space of him when they turned through a ruined archway of the castle, and were lost in the dark recesses of the pile. Astonished at what he had seen, Osbert hastened to the castle, wince he dispatched some of his people in search of the unknown fugitives. He accompanied some of his domestics to the spot where they had last disappeared. They entered the archway which led to a decayed part of the castle. They followed over broken pavement the remains of a passage which was closed by a low, obscure door almost concealed from sight by the thick ivy which overshadowed it. On opening this door they descended a flight of steps which led under the castle, so extremely narrow and broken as to make the descent both difficult and dangerous. The powerful damps of long pent up vapors extinguished their light, and the earl and his attendants were compelled to remain in utter darkness while one of them went round to the habitable part of the castle to reloom the lamp. While they awaited in silence the return of light a short breathing was distinctly heard at intervals near the place where they stood. The servants shook with fear, and the earl was not wholly unmoved. They remained entirely silent, listening its return when a sound of footsteps slowly stealing through the vault startled them. The earl demanded who passed. He was answered only by the deep echoes of his voice. They clashed their swords and had advanced when the steps hastily retired before them. The earl rushed forward pursuing the sound. Till overtaking the person who fled he seized him, a short scuffle ensued. The strength of Osbert was too powerful for his antagonist who was nearly overcome. When the point of a sword from an unknown hand pierced his side he relinquished his grasp and fell to the ground. His domestics, whom the activity of their master had outran, now came up. But the assassins, whoever they were, had accomplished their escape, for the sound of their steps was quickly lost in the distance of the vaults. They endeavored to raise the earl who lay speechless on the ground, but they knew not how to convey him from that place of horror, for they were yet in total darkness and unacquainted with the place. In this situation every moment of delay seemed an age. Some of them tried to find their way to the entrance, but their efforts were defeated by the darkness, and the ruinous situation of the place. The light at length appeared and discovered the earl insensible and weltering in his blood. He was conveyed into the castle, where the horror of the countess on seeing him born into the hall may be easily imagined. By the help of proper applications he was restored to life, his wound was examined and found to be dangerous. He was carried to bed in a state which gave very faint hopes of recovery. The astonishment of the countess on hearing the adventure was equaled only by her distress. All her conjectures concerning the designs and the identity of the assassin were vague and uncertain. She knew not on whom to fix the stigma, nor could discover any means by which to penetrate this mysterious affair. The people who had remained in the vaults to pursue the search now returned to Matilda. Every recess of the castle and every part of the ramparts had been explored, yet no one could be found, and the mystery of the proceeding was heightened by the manner in which the men had effected their escape. Mary watched over her brother in silent anguish, yet she strove to conceal her distress that she might encourage the countess to hope. The countess endeavored to resign herself to the event with a kind of desperate fortitude. There is a certain point of misery beyond which the mind becomes callous and acquires a sort of artificial calm. Excess of misery may be said to blast the vital powers of feeling, and by a natural consequence consumes its own principle. Thus it was with Matilda a long succession of trials had reduced her to a state of horrid tranquility, which followed the first shock of the present event. It was not so with Laura, young in misfortune and gay in hope, she saw happiness fade from her grasp, with a warmth of feeling untouched by the chill of disappointment. When the news of the Earl's situation reached her, she was overcome with affliction and pined in silent anguish. The count hastened to Osbert, but grief sat heavy at his heart, and he had no power to offer to others the comfort which he wanted himself. A fever which was the consequence of his wounds added to the danger of the Earl and to the despair of his family. During this period, Allen had not been seen at the castle, and his absence at this time raised in Mary a variety of distressing apprehensions. Osbert inquired for him and wished to see him. The servant who had been sent to his father's cottage brought word that it was some days since he had been there, and that nobody knew whether he was gone. The surprise was universal, but the effect it produced was various and opposite. A collection of strange and non-commitent circumstances now forced a suspicion on the mind of the Countess, which her heart and the remembrance of the former conduct of Allen at once condemned. She had heard of what passed between the Earl and him in the gallery. His immediate absence, the event which followed, and his subsequent flight formed a chain of evidence which compelled her with the utmost reluctance to believe him concerned in the affair which had once more involved her house in misery. Mary had too much confidence in her knowledge of his character to admit a suspicion of this nature. She rejected with instant disdain the idea of uniting Allen with dishonor, and that he should be guilty of an action so base as the present, soared beyond all the bounds of possibility. Yes, she felt a strange solicitude concerning him, and apprehension for his safety tormented her incessantly. The anguish in which he had quitted the apartment, her brother's injurious treatment, and his consequent absence, all conspired to make her fear that despair had driven him to commit some act of violence on himself. The Earl, in the delirium of the fever, raved continually of Laura and of Allen. They were the sole subjects of his ramblings, seizing one day the hand of Mary, who sat mournfully by his bedside, and looking for some time pensively in her face. "'Weep not, my Laura,' said he, "'malcum, nor all the powers on earth shall tear you from me. His walls, his guards, what are they? I'll rest you from his hold, or perish. I have a friend whose valor will do much for us. A friend, oh, name him not. These are strange times, beware of trusting. I could have given him my very life, but not, I will not name him.' Then starting to the other side of the bed, and looking earnestly towards the door, with an expression of sorrow not to be described.  Mary was so much shocked by this scene that she left the room and retired to her own apartment to indulge the agony of grief it occasioned. The situation of the Earl grew daily more alarming, and the fever, which had not yet reached its crisis, kept the hopes and fears of his family suspended. In one of his lucid intervals, addressing himself to the Countess in the most pathetic manner, he requested that as death might probably soon separate him forever from her he most loved. He might see Laura once again before he died. She came, and weeping over him a scene of anguish ensued, too poignant for description. He gave her his last vows. She took of him a last look, and with a breaking heart tearing herself away, was carried to Dunbane in a state of danger little inferior to his. The agitation he had suffered during this interview caused a return of frenzy more violent than any fit he had yet suffered. Exhausted by it, he at length sunk into asleep, which continued without interruption for near four and twenty hours. During this time his repose was quiet and profound, and afforded the Countess and Mary, who watched him alternately, the consolations of hope. When he awoke he was perfectly sensible, and in a very altered state from that he had been in a few hours before. The crisis of the disorder was now past, and from that time it rapidly declined till he was restored to perfect health. The joy of Laura, whose health gradually returned with returning peace, and that of his family, was such as the merits of the Earl deserved. This joy, however, suffered a short interruption from the Count of Saint Morin, who entered one morning the apartment of the Baroness with letters in his hand, came to acquaint her that he had just received news of the death of a distant relation, who had bequeathed him some estates of value to which it was necessary he should immediately lay claim, and that he was therefore obliged, however reluctantly, to set off for Switzerland without delay. Though the Baroness rejoiced with all his friends at his good fortune, she regretted with them the necessity of his abrupt departure. He took leave of them, and particularly of Mary, for whom his passion was still the same, with much emotion, it was some time ere the space he had left in their society was filled up, and ere they resumed their wanted cheerfulness. Preparations were now making for the approaching nuptials, and the day of their celebration was at length fixed. The ceremony was to be performed in a chapel belonging to the castle of Dunbane, by the chaplain of the Baroness. Mary only was to attend as bride-maid, and the Countess also, with the Baroness, was to be present. The absence of the Count was universally regretted, for from his hand the Earl was to have received his bride. The office was now to be supplied by a neighbouring lair, whom the family of the Baroness had long esteemed. At the earnest request of Laura, Mary consented to spend the night preceding the day of marriage at the castle of Dunbane. The day so long and so anxiously expected by the Earl at length arrived. The morning was extremely fine, and the joy which glowed in his heart seemed to give additional splendour to the scene around him. He set off, accompanied by the Countess, for the castle of Dunbane. He anticipated the joy with which he should soon retrace the way he then travelled, with Laura by his side, whom death alone could then separate from him. On their arrival they were received by the Baroness, who inquired for Mary, and the Countess and Osbert were thrown into the utmost consternation, when they learned that she had not been seen at the castle. The nuptials were again deferred. The castle was a scene of universal confusion. The Earl returned home instantly to dispatch his people in search of Mary. On inquiry he learned that the servants who had attended her had not been heard of since their departure with their lady. Still more alarmed by this intelligence he rode himself in pursuit, yet not knowing which course to take. Several days were employed in a fruitless search. No footstep of her flight could be traced. CHAPTER XII. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. CHAPTER XII. Mary in the meantime suffered all the terror which her situation could excite. On her way to Dunbane she had been overtaken by a party of armed men who seized her bridle, and after engaging her servants in a feigned resistance carried her off senseless. On recovering she found herself traveling through a forest whose glooms were deepened by the shades of night. The moon which was now up, glancing through the trees, served to show the dreary aspect of the place and the number of men who surrounded her, and she was seized with a terror that almost deprived her of reason. They traveled all night during which a profound silence was observed. At the dawn of day she found herself on the skirts of a heath to whose wide desolation her eye could discover no limits. Before they entered on the waist they halted at the entrance of a cave, formed in a rock which was overhung with pine and fir, where, spreading their breakfast on the grass, they offered refreshments to Mary whose mind was too much distracted to suffer her to partake of them. She implored them in the most moving accents to tell her from whom they came and whether they were carrying her. But they were insensible to her tears and her entreaties, and she was compelled to await in silent terror the extremity of her fate. They pursued their journey over the wilds and towards the close of day approached the ruins of an abbey whose broken arches and lonely towers arose in gloomy grandeur through the obscurity of evening. It stood the solitary inhabitant of the waist, a monument of mortality and of ancient superstition, and the frowning majesty of its aspect seemed to command silence and veneration. The chilly dews fell thick and Mary fatigued in body and harassed in mind lay almost expiring on her horse when they stopped under an arch of the ruin. She was not so ill as to be insensible to the objects around her, the awful solitude of the place, and the solemn aspect of the fabric whose effect was heightened by the falling glooms of evening chilled her heart with horror, and when they took her from the horse she shrieked in the agonies of a last despair. They bore her over loose stones to a part of the building which had been formerly the cloisters of the abbey, but which was now fallen to decay and overgrown with ivy. There was, however, at the extremity of these cloisters a nook which had withstood with hardier strength the ravages of time. The roof was here entire and the shattered staunchens of the casements still remained. Hither they carried Mary and laid her almost lifeless on the grassy pavement, while some of the ruffians hastened to light a fire of the heath and sticks they could pick up. They took out their provisions and placed themselves round the fire, where they had not long been seated when the sound of distant thunder foretold an approaching storm. A violent storm accompanied with peals which shook the pile came on. They were sheltered from the heaviness of the rain, but the long and vivid flashes of lightning which glanced through the casements alarmed them all. The shrieks of Mary were loud and continued, and the fears of the ruffians did not prevent their uttering dreadful implications at her distress. One of them, in the fury of his resentment, swore she should be gagged, and seizing her resistless hands to execute the purpose, her cries redoubled. The servants who had betrayed her were not yet so entirely lost to the feelings of humanity as to stand regardless of her present distress. Though they could not resist the temptations of a bribe, they were unwilling their lady should be loaded with unnecessary misery. They opposed the ruffians, a dispute ensued, and the violence of the contest arose so high that they determined to fight for the decision. Amid the peals of thunder, the oaths and execrations of the combatants added terror to the scene. The strength of the ruffians were superior to that of their opponents, and Mary, beholding victory, deciding against herself uttered a loud scream when the attention of the whole party was surprised by the sound of a footstep in the cloister. Immediately after a man rushed into the place and drawing his sword demanded the cause of the tumult. Mary, who lay almost expiring on the ground, now raised her eyes. But what were her sensations when she raised them to Alan, who now stood before her petrified with horror? Before he could fly to her assistance, the attacks of the ruffians obliged him to defend himself. He parried their blows for some time, but he must inevitably have yielded to the force of numbers, had not the trampling of feet which fast approached, called off for a moment their attention. In an instant the place was filled with men. The astonishment of Alan was, if possible, now increased, for the earl followed by a party, now entered. The earl, when he perceived Alan, stood at the entrance aghast. But resuming his firmness he bade him defend himself. The loud voice of Osbert recalled Mary, and observing their menacing attitudes she collected just strength sufficient to throw herself between them. Alan dropped his sword and raised her from the ground when the earl rudely pushed him away and snatched her to his heart. Hear me, Osbert, was all she could say. Declare who brought her hither, said the earl sternly to Alan. I know not, replied he. You must ask those men whom your people have secured. If my life is hateful to you, strike, and spare me the anguish of defending it against the brother of Mary. The earl hesitated in surprise, and the generosity of Alan called a blush into his face. He was going to have replied, but was interrupted by some of his men, who had been engaged in a sharp contest with the Ruffians, two of whom they had secured, and now brought to their lord. The rest were fled. In the person of one of them the earl discovered his own servant, who sinking in his presence with conscious guilt fell on his knees imploring mercy. Wretch, said the earl, seizing him, and holding his sword over his head, declare by whose authority you have acted and all you know of the affair. Remember, your life depends on the truth of your assertations. I'll tell the truth, my lord, replied the trembling wretch, and nothing else as I hope for mercy. About three weeks ago—no, it is not so much—about a fortnight ago, when I was sent on a message to the Lady Malcolm, the Count de Saint Moran's gentleman, the Count de Saint Moran re-echoed the whole company. But proceed, said Osbert. The Count de Saint Moran's gentleman called me into a private room, where he told me to wait for his master, who would soon be there. Be quick, said the earl. Proceed to facts. I will, my lord. The Count came and said to me, Robert, I have observed you, and I think you can be faithful. He said so, my lord. God forgive me. Well, well, proceed. Where was I? Oh, he said, I think you can be faithful. Good God, this is beyond endurance. You trifle, rascal with my patience to give your associates time for escape. Be brief, or you die. I will, my lord, as I hope for life. He took from his pocket a handful of gold, which he gave me. Can you be secret, Robert? Said he. Yes, my lord. Count. Said I. God forgive me. Then observe what I say to you. You often attend your young lady in her rides to Dunbayne. What, then, it was the Count de Saint Moran who commissioned you to undertake this scheme? Not me only, my lord. Answer my question. Was the Count the author of this plot? He was, my lord. And where is he? said Osbert in a stern voice. I know not as I am a living creature. He embarked, as you know, my lord, not far from the castle of Dunbayne, and we were traveling to a distant part of the coast to meet him when we were all to have set sail for Switzerland. You cannot be ignorant of the place of your destination, said the Earl, turning to the other prisoner. Where is your employer? That is not for me to tell, said he in a sullen tone. Reveal the truth, said the Earl, turning towards him the point of his sword. Or we will find a way to make you. The place where we were to meet the Count had no name. You know the way to it. I do. Then lead me thither. Never. Never. Your life shall answer the refusal, said Osbert, pointing the sword to his breast. Strike, said the Count, throwing off the cloak which had concealed him. Strike and rid me of a being which passion has made hateful to me. Strike and make the first moment of my entering this place a last of my guilt. A faint scream was uttered by Mary. The small remains of her strength forsook her and she sunk on the pavement. The Earl started a few steps back and stood suspended in wonder. The looks of the whole group defied description. Take a sword, said the Earl, recovering himself and defend your life. Never, my lord, never. Though I have been hurried by the force of passion to rob you of a sister, I will not aggravate my guilt by the murder of the brother. Your life has already been once endangered through my means, though not by my design. Heaven knows the anguish which that accident cost me. The impetuousity of passion impaled me onward with irresistible fury. It urged me to violate the sacred duties of gratitude, of friendship and of humanity. To live in shame and in the consciousness of guilt is a living death. With your sword, do justice to yourself and virtue and spare me the misery of long comparing what I am and what I was. Away, you trifle, said the Earl, defend yourself. The Count repeated his refusal. And you villain, said Osbert, turning to the man who had confessed the plot. You pretended ignorance of the presence of the Count. Your perfidy shall be rewarded. As I now plead for mercy, my lord, I knew not he was here. The fellow speaks truth, said the Count. He was ignorant of the place where he was to meet me. I was approaching this spot to discover myself to the dear object of my passion when your people surprised and took me. Mary confirmed the testimony of the Count by declaring that she had not till that moment seen him since she quit to the Castle of Dunbane. She pleaded for his life and also for the servants who had opposed the cruelty of their comrades. I am no assassin, said the Earl. Let the Count take a sword and fight me on equal terms. Shall virtue be reduced to an equality with vice, said the Count? No, my lord. Plunge your sword in my heart and expiate my guilt. The Earl still urged him to defense, and the Count still persisted in refusal. Touched by the recollection of past friendship, and grieved that a soul like the Count's should ever be under the dominion of vice, Osbert threw down his sword and overcome with a sort of tenderness. Go, my lord, your person is safe. And if it is necessary to your peace, stretching forth his hand, take my forgiveness. The Count overcome by his generosity and by a sense of his own unworthiness shrunk back. Forbear, my lord, to wound by your goodness. A mind already too sensible of its own debasement, nor excite by your generosity, a remorse too keen to be endured. Your reproaches I can bear. Your vengeance I solicit. But your kindness inflicts a torture too exquisite for my soul. Never, my lord, continued he, the big tear swelling in his eye. Never more shall your friendship be polluted by my unworthiness. Since you will not satisfy justice by taking my life, I go to lose it in the obscurity of distant regions. Yet ere I go, suffer me to make one last request to you, and to that dear lady whom I have thus injured, and on whom my eyes now gaze for the last time, suffer me to hope that you will blot from your memory the existence of Sant Moran. He concluded the sentence with a groan which vibrated upon the hearts of all present, and without waiting for a reply, hurried from the scene. The Earl had turned away his head in pity. And when he again looked round to reply, perceived that the Count was departed, he followed his steps through the cloister. He called, but he was gone. Alan had observed the Count with a mixture of pity and admiration. And he sighed for the weakness of human nature. How, said the Earl, returning eagerly to Alan, how can I recompense you for my injurious suspicions and my injurious treatment? How can you forgive? Or I forget my injustice. But the mystery of this affair and the doubtful appearance of circumstances must speak for me. Oh, let us talk no more of this, my lord, replied Alan with emotion. Let us only rejoice at the safety of our dear lady and offer her the comfort she is so much in want of. The fire was rekindled, and the Earl's servants laid before him some wine and other provisions. Mary, who had not tasted any food since she left the castle, now took some wine. It revived her and enabled her to take other nourishment. She inquired what happy circumstance had enabled the Earl to trace her out.  Chance directed me over these wilds, when I was driven by the storm to seek shelter among these ruins. The light and an uproar of voices drew me to the cloister, where, to my unutterable astonishment, I discovered you and Alan. Spare me the remembrance of what followed. Mary wished to inquire what brought Alan to the place, but delicacy kept her silent. Osbert, however, whose anxiety for his sister had hitherto allowed him to attend, only to her, now relieved her from the pain of lengthened suspense. By what strange accident was you brought hither, said he to Alan, and what motive has induced you so long to absent yourself from the castle? At the last question Alan blushed, and an involuntary sigh escaped him. Mary understood the blush and the sigh, and awaited his reply in trembling emotion. I fled, my lord, from your displeasure, and to tear myself from an object too dangerous. Alas, for my peace, I sought to wear away in absence a passion which must ever be hopeless, but which I now perceive is interwoven with my existence. But forgive, my lord, the intrusion of a subject which is painful to us all. With some money and a few provisions I left my father's cottage, and since that time have wandered over the country a forlorn and miserable being, passing my nights in the huts which chanced through in my way, and designing to travel onward and to enlist myself in the service of my country. Night overtook me on these wastes, and as I walked on, comfortless and bewildered. I was alarmed by distant cries of distress. I quickened my pace, but the sound which should have directed my steps was ceased, and chilling silence ensued. As I stood musing and uncertain which course to take, I observed a feeble light break through the gloom. I endeavored to follow its rays. It led me to these ruins, whose solemn appearance struck me with a momentary dread. A confused murmur of voices from within struck my ear. As I stood, hesitating whether to enter, I again heard those shrieks which had alarmed me. I followed the sound. It led me to the entrance of this cloister at the extremity of which I discovered a party of men engaged in fight. I drew my sword and rushed forward, and the sensations which I felt on perceiving the Lady Mary cannot be expressed.  Oh, that I could remove that obstacle which withholds you from your just reward. A responsive sigh stole from Alan, and he remained silent. Never was the struggle of opposing feelings more violent than that which now agitated the bosom of the Earl. The worth of Alan arose more conspicuously bright from every shade with which misfortune had veiled it. His noble and disinterested enthusiasm in the cause of justice had attached him to the Earl, and had engaged him in a course of enterprises and of dangers which it required valor to undertake, and skill and perseverance to perform, and which had produced services for which no adequate reward could be found. He had rescued the Earl from captivity and death, and had twice preserved Mary in dangers. All these circumstances arose in strong reflection to the mind of Osbert. But the darkness of prejudice and ancient pride opposed their influence and weakened their effect. The joy which Mary felt on seeing Alan in safety, and still worthy of the esteem she had ever bore him, was dashed by the bitterness of reflection, and reflection imparted a melancholy which added to the languor of illness. At the dawn of day they quitted the abbey and set forward on their return to the castle. The Earl insisted upon Alan's accompanying them. On the way the minds of the party were variously and silently engaged. The Earl ruminated on the conduct of Alan and the late scene. Mary dwelt chiefly on the virtues of her lover, and on the dangers she had escaped. And Alan mused on his defeated purposes and anticipated future trials. The Earl's thoughts, however, were not so wholly occupied as to prevent his questioning the servant who had been employed by the Count concerning the further particulars of his scheme. The words of the Count, importing that he had once already endangered his life, had not escaped the notice of the Earl, though they were uttered in a moment of too much distraction to suffer him to demand an explanation. He now inquired of the man concerning the mysterious scene of the vaults.  I, my Lord, had no concern in that affair, wicked as I am. I could not raise my hands against your life. But you know who did.  What then were their designs? And who were the people? That accident happened long before the Count ever spoke to me of his purpose. Indeed, my Lord, I had no hand in it, and heaven knows how I grieved for your lordship and, well, well, inform me who were the persons in the vaults and what were their design. I was told by a fellow servant, but he made me promise to be secret. But it is proper your lordship should know all, and I hope your lordship will forgive me for having listened to it. Robert, said he, as we were talking one day of what had happened, Robert, said he, there is more in this matter than you or anybody thinks. But it is not for me to tell all I know. With that I begged he would tell me what he knew. He still kept refusing. I promised him faithfully I would not tell. And so at last he told me, why there is my Lord Count there, he is in love with our young lady, and to be sure as sweet a lady she is, as ever eyes looked upon. But she don't like him. And so finding himself refused, he is determined to marry her at any rate, and means some night to get into the castle and carry her off. What then? Was it the Count who wounded me? Be quick in your relation. No, my lord, it was not the Count himself, but two of his people whom he had sent to examine the castle, and particularly the windows of my young lady's apartment from whence he designed to have carried her, when everything was ready for execution. Those men were let within the walls, through a way underground, which leads into the vaults, by my fellow servant. As I afterwards was told, and they escaped through the same way, their meeting with your lordship was accidental, and they fought only in self-defense, for they had no orders to attack anybody. And who is the villain that connived at this scheme? It was my fellow servant who fled with the Count's people, whom he himself let within the ramparts. Forgive me, my lord, but I did not dare tell. He threatened my life if I betrayed the secret. After a journey of fatigue and unpleasant reflections, they arrived on the second morning at the castle of Offlin. The Countess, during the absence of her son, had endured a state of dreadful suspense. The Baroness, in her friendship, had endeavored to soothe her distress by her constant presence. She was engaged in this amiable office, when the trampling of horses in the court reached the ears of Matilda. It is my son, said she, rising from her chair. It is my son. He brings me life or death. She said no more, but rushed into the hall, and in a moment after clasp, her almost expiring daughter to her bosom. The transport of the scene repelled utterance, sobs and tears were all that could be given. The general joy, however, was suddenly interrupted by the Baroness, who had followed Matilda into the hall, and who now fell senseless to the ground. Delight yielded to surprise and to the business of assisting the object of it. On recovering, the Baroness looked wildly round her. Was it a vision that I saw or a reality? The whole company moved their eyes round the hall, but could discover nothing extraordinary. It was himself, his very air, his features, that benign countenance which I have so often contemplated in imagination. Her eyes still seemed insert to some ideal object, and they began to doubt whether a sudden frenzy had not seized her brain. Ah, again, said she, and instantly relapsed. Their eyes were now turned towards the door on which she had gazed. It was Allen who entered, with water which he had brought for the Countess, and on whom the attention of all present was centered. He approached ignorant of what had happened, and his surprise was great when the Baroness, reviving, fixed her eyes mournfully upon him, and asked him to uncover his arm. It is, it is my Philip! said she, with strong emotion. I have indeed found my long lost child. That strawberry on his arm confirms the decision. Send for the man who calls himself your father, and for my servant Patrick. The sensations of the mother and the son may be more easily conceived than described. Those of Mary were little inferior to theirs, and the whole company awaited with trembling eagerness the arrival of the two persons whose testimony was to decide this interesting affair. They came. This young man you call your son, said the Baroness. I do, and please your ladyship. He replied with a degree of confusion which belied his words. When Patrick came, his instant surprise on seeing the old man declared the truth. Do you know this person? said the Baroness to Patrick. Yes, my lady, I know him too well. It was to him I gave your infant son. The old man started with surprise. Is that youth the son of your ladyship? Yes. Then God forgive me for having thus long detained him from you. But I was ignorant of his birth, and received him into my cottage as a foundling, suckered by Lord Malcolm's compassion. The whole company crowded round them. Alan fell at the feet of his mother, and bathed her hand with his tears. Gracious God, for what hast thou reserved me? He could say no more. The Baroness raised him, and again pressed him in transport to her heart. It was some time before either of them could speak. And all present were too much affected to interrupt the silence. At length the Baroness presented Lara to her brother.  Lara wept silently upon his neck the joy of her heart. The Earl was the first who recovered composure sufficient to congratulate Alan and embracing him. Oh, happy moment when I can indeed embrace you as my brother. The whole company now poured forth their joy and their congratulations. All but Mary, whose emotions almost overcame her, and were too powerful for utterance. The company now adjourned to the drawing room, and Mary withdrew to take that repose she so much required. She was sufficiently recovered in a few hours to join her friends in the banqueting room. After the transports of the scene were subsided, I have yet much to hope and much to fear, said Philip Malcolm, who was yet Alan in everything but in name. You madam addressing the Baroness, you will willingly become my advocate with her whom I have so long and so ardently loved. May I hope continued he taking tenderly the hand of Mary who stood trembling by that you have not been insensible to my long attachment, and that you will confirm the happiness which is now offered me. A smile of ineffable sweetness broke through the melancholy which had long plowed at her features, and which even the present discovery had not been able entirely to dissipate, and her eye gave the consent which her tongue refused to utter. The conversation for the remainder of the day was occupied by the subject of the discovery and with a recital of Mary's adventure. It was determined that on the morrow the marriage of the Earl should be concluded. On this happy discovery the Earl ordered the gates of the castle to be thrown open, mirth and festivity resounded through the walls, and the evening closed in universal rejoicings. On the following morning the chapel of the castle was decorated for the marriage of the Earl, who with Laura came attended by Philip, now Baron Malcolm, by Mary and the whole family. When they approached the altar, the Earl, addressing himself to his bride, now, my Laura, said he, we may celebrate those nuptials which have twice been so painfully interrupted, and which are to crown me with felicity. This day shall unite our families in a double marriage, and reward the worth of my friend. It is now seen that those virtues which stimulated him to prosecute for another the cause of justice, mysteriously urged him to the recovery of his rights. Virtue may for a time be pursued by misfortune, and justice be obscured by the transient triumphs of vice. But the power whose peculiar attributes they are clears away the clouds of error, and even in this world reveals his throne of justice. The Earl stepped forward, and joining the hands of Philip and Mary, surely said he, this is a moment of perfect happiness. I can now reward those virtues which I have ever loved, and those services to which every gift must be inadequate. But this I now bestow. End of Chapter 12 Recording by Lauren Randall End of the Castles of Othlin and Dunbane by Anne Radcliffe


The Natural Capital Project pioneers science, technology, and partnerships that enable nature and people to thrive. Centered at Stanford University, NACAP drives innovation across disciplines, engaging with experts across all the seven schools here and around the world. In our work, Natural Capital refers to Earth's lands, waters, and their biodiversity. Basically the machinery of nature that keeps this planet habitable and provides all the basic ingredients of human well-being, makes our lives possible and fulfilling. Most people focus on climate change, but climate change is only the tip of the iceberg. We're destroying the diversity of life on Earth. We're changing biogeochemical cycles. We're putting plastic into the oceans on and on and on. So the Natural Capital Project is really a unique organization of being able to bridge both the key thing here is science and practice. So if you just wanted to do things in terms of science, academia is well-placed to do that. If you just want to do things in terms of practice, there are many organizations like TNC and WWF that have on-the-ground actions and practitioners. But it's this bridging, being able to take the best science and then being able to take this out and communicate it to communities so that we get changes in actions so that ultimately we do things which are best for nature and people. The first question, Natural Capital Science, needs to address to inform leaders in driving open these new pathways for green inclusive growth. Is where to invest? How much and where should we protect? What elements of nature are crucial to bring into the future with us? And what elements really need restoration in order to bolster the suite of benefits that humanity relies on for health, for water security, for climate security, for food security, everything else? The second key question is, you know, what sorts of policy and finance mechanisms will incentivize that investment, enable investment in forest restoration or wetland restoration and protection, same on mangroves, coral reefs, in ocean systems? We all know that we've driven natural capital to an all-time low, just at a time when human numbers and our aspirations and impacts are at an all-time high. So it's clear we need to restore natural capital, it's clear we need to be really smart and efficient about it targeting investments in the people and places and in the types of new economic systems that will open this pathway for green and inclusive types of growth. So right now I think that the ways that governments and investors and businesses make decisions doesn't capture the connection between nature and people and that cap works makes what's previously been invisible to those decision makers in new ways. We're going to achieve the future that we're all hoping for, a world in which nature and people thrive, a world in which in an inclusive way we drive open green pathways of development. We absolutely need to know what the assets are, what the basic natural capital assets are that generate all of the well-being upon which we fundamentally depend.