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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
unbelievers. Let not your name and profession as an Adventist, decoy
your brethren who wish to consecrate their means to God. But go out
into the world, and let that class invest their means who care not for
the advancement of the cause of God.
I was shown the necessity of opening the doors of our houses and
hearts to the Lord. When we begin to work in earnest for ourselves,
and for our families, then we shall have help from God. I was shown
that merely observing the Sabbath and praying morning and evening
are not positive evidences that we are Christians. These outward forms
may all be strictly observed, and yet true godliness be lacking.
Titus
2:14
: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works.” All who profess to be Christ’s followers should have command
of their own spirit, and not speak fretfully or impatiently. The husband
and father should check that impatient word he is about to utter. He
should study the effect of his words, lest they leave sadness and a
blight.
I was shown that infirmities and disease especially affect females.
The happiness of the family depends much upon the wife and mother.
If she is nervous and weak, and is suffered to be overtaxed with labor,
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the mind is depressed, for it sympathizes with the weariness of the
body; and then she too often meets with cold reserve from the husband.
If every thing does not move off just as pleasantly as he could wish,
he blames the wife and mother. He does not always seem to know
how to sympathize with her, and is almost wholly unacquainted with
her cares and burdens. He realizes not that he is aiding the great
enemy in his work of tearing down. He should by faith in God lift
up a standard against Satan, but he seems blinded to his own interest
and hers. He treats her with indifference. He knows not what he
is doing. He is working directly against his own happiness, and is
destroying the happiness of his family. The wife becomes desponding,
discouraged; hope and cheerfulness are gone. She goes her daily
rounds mechanically, because she sees her work must be done. Her
lack of cheerfulness and courage is felt through the family circle.
There are many miserable families like this all through the ranks of
Sabbath-keepers. And angels bear the shameful tidings to Heaven,
and the recording angel makes a record of it all. The husband should
manifest great interest in his family. Especially should he be very