Labor Among the Churches
99
Sister V, who brought up these things, should have urged against
herself more weighty reasons why she should not have become a mem-
ber of the church. Was she without sin? Were all her ways perfect
before God? Was she perfect in patience, self-denial, gentleness, for-
bearance, and calmness of temper? If she were without the weaknesses
of common women, then she could cast the first stone. Those sisters
who were left out of the church were worthy of a place in it; they
were beloved of God. But they were dealt with unwisely, without
sufficient cause. There were others whose cases were handled with
no more heavenly wisdom and without even sound judgment. Brother
S’s judgment and power of discrimination have been perverted for
very many years through the influence of his wife, who has been a
most effective medium of Satan. If he had possessed the genuine
quality of independence he would have had proper self-respect and
with becoming dignity would have built up his own house. When he
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has started upon a course designed to command respect in his family
he has generally carried the matter too far and has been severe and has
talked harshly and overbearingly. Becoming conscious of this after a
time, he would then go to the opposite extreme and come down from
his independence.
In this state of mind he would receive reports from his wife, give
up his judgment, and be easily deceived by her intrigues. She would
sometimes feign to be a great sufferer and would relate what privations
she had endured and what neglect from her brethren, in the absence
of her husband. Her prevarications and cunning artifices to abuse the
mind of her husband have been great. Brother S has not fully received
the light which the Lord has given him in times past in regard to his
wife or he would not have been deceived by her as he has been. He has
been brought into bondage many times by her spirit because his own
heart and life have not been fully consecrated to God. His feelings
kindled against his brethren, and he oppressed them. Self has not
been crucified. He should seek earnestly to bring all his thoughts and
feelings into subjection to the obedience of Christ. Faith and self-
denial would have been Brother S’s strong helpers. If he had girded on
the whole armor of God and chosen no other defense than that which
the Spirit of God and the power of truth gives him, he would have been
strong in the strength of God.