Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

word of God is plain upon the point; the Christian should not connect with
them.
Those who enter the marriage relation while unconverted should not
after conversion leave their unbelieving companions. Whatever their
religious character may be, they must remain faithful, kind, and true toward
them; yet they should acknowledge the claims of God above any earthly
relationship, serving him with fidelity, even though inconvenience, trials,
and persecutions may arise for the sake of Christ and the truth. This
persevering fidelity to truth and duty may be a sanctifying influence upon the
unbelieving companion. But marriages formed understandingly with
unbelievers are forbidden by the word of God. The suit may be urged by the
unbeliever, and inclination may plead that it be accepted; and inclination
frequently triumphs; but Satan has the victory; temptation has not been
resisted, and in nine cases out of ten both parties are lost to Christ.
There is a willing blindness in regard to the result of human action, the
consequence of which reaches far into the future of man's existence. A life of
bitterness and woe is before those who venture to disregard God's
commands; but they pass heedlessly on, rashly taking solemn vows upon
them, the believer binding up his life interest with an unbeliever. Domestic
life and domestic relation are to be shared by those two, one professedly
obeying God, and the other living in disregard of his requirements. How can
two walk together, except they be agreed? If a woman respects not the claims
of God, pays no heed to the bonds which bind her to religion, how can she be
expected to be faithful to the law which binds her to her husband?
Young men and women sometimes manifest great independence upon
the subject of marriage, as though the Lord had nothing to do with them, or
they with the Lord, in that matter. They seem to think that it is purely a
matter of their own, which neither God nor their parents should in any wise
control, that the bestowal of their affections is a matter in which self alone
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