Relationships in the Pastoral Family
89
most wronged. She should never have been treated as you have treated
her. You pursued such a course toward your little ones that your
wife could not but be estranged from you. Her heart was wounded,
bruised, and she was almost distracted by your overbearing, masterly
government in discipline of your children.—
Testimonies on Sexual
Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 213
.
Children
The first duty of ministers is to their children—The minister’s
duties lie around him, nigh and afar off; but his first duty is to his
children. He should not become so engrossed with his outside duties
as to neglect the instruction which his children need. He may look
upon his home duties as of lesser importance; but in reality they lie at
the very foundation of the well-being of individuals and of society. To
a large degree the happiness of men and women and the success of the
church depend upon home influence. Eternal interests are involved in
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the proper discharge of the every-day duties of life. The world is not
so much in need of great minds, as of good men, who are a blessing in
their homes.—
Gospel Workers, 204
.
No matter how great your ability, you are not best serving God
while neglecting your own children—Those who realize their defi-
ciency in a matter which concerns the happiness and usefulness of
future generations, should make the subject of family government their
most diligent study. As an objection to this, many point to the children
of ministers, teachers, and other men of high repute for learning and
piety, and urge that if these men, with their superior advantages, fail
in family government, those who are less favorably situated need not
hope to succeed. The question to be settled is, Have these men given
to their children that which is their right—a good example, faithful
instruction, and proper restraint? It is by a neglect of these essentials
that such parents give to society children who are unbalanced in mind,
impatient of restraint, and ignorant of the duties of practical life. In this
they are doing the world an injury which outweighs all the good that
their labors accomplish. Those children transmit their own perversity
of character as an inheritance to their offspring, and at the same time
their evil example and influence corrupt society and make havoc in the
church. We cannot think that any man, however great his ability and