Counsels on Health - Ellen G. White

Self-denial is essential to genuine religion.
Those who have not learned to deny themselves are
destitute of vital, practical godliness. We cannot
expect anything else than that the claims of religion
will come in contact with the natural affections and
worldly interests. There is work for everyone in the
vineyard of the Lord.
Benevolence and Rectitude in Married Life
[Testimonies for the Church 2:380-383 (1868).]
Those professing to be Christians should not enter
the marriage relation until the matter has been
carefully and prayerfully considered from an
elevated standpoint, to see if God can be glorified
by the union. Then they should duly consider the
result of every privilege of the marriage relation,
and sanctified principle should be the basis of
every action. Before increasing their family, they
should take into consideration whether God would
be glorified or dishonored by their bringing
children into the world. They should seek to glorify
God by their union from the first, and during every
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