Counsels on Certain Marriage Situations
313
unite in marriage. You should have repelled the thought at its first
suggestion.—
Letter 14, 1895
.
Case Not Bettered by Leaving Present Wife
[
Counsel given in response to the endeavor of a father to break up a
long-standing marriage of his son to his second wife because many
years before he had, without Bible grounds, divorced his first wife to
make legally possible the second marriage.—Compilers
.]
I have just read your letter concerning M. I regard the matter in the
same light that you do, and think it a cruel, wicked thing that the father
of M should take the course that he is taking.... I would say that his
[M’s] case cannot be improved by leaving the present wife. It would
not better the case to go to the other woman in the question.
I consider the case of the father one that is singular, and his record
is one that he will not be pleased to meet in the day of God. He needs
to repent, before God, of his spirit and his works. The best thing for
him to do is to cease to stir up strife Let the father and brother make
diligent work for themselves. They both need the converting power
of God. May the Lord help these poor souls to remove spot and stain
from their own characters, and repent of their wrongs, and leave M
with the Lord.
[342]
I am so sorry for the man; for his course is in such a shape that
it will not answer to be meddled with, for there are difficulties upon
difficulties. I would say that the Lord understands the situation, and if
M will seek Him with all his heart, He will be found of him. If he will
do his best, God will pardon and receive him.
Oh, how precious it is to know that we have One who does know
and understand, and will help the ones who are most helpless. But the
rebuke of God is upon the father and the brother who would drive to
destruction and perdition one who stands in the sight of God under no
worse condemnation than themselves; and yet they will so use their
gifts of speech as to dishearten, discourage, and drive M to despair.
M may hope in God and do the best he can to serve God in all
humility of mind, casting his helpless soul upon the great Sin Bearer.
I have not written a word to either father or son. I would gladly do
something to help poor M to make things right, but this cannot be