54
A Solemn Appeal
therefore that their fine organizations will never be fully appreciated;
and they act accordingly.
They view things altogether in a wrong light. They are unworthy
of their husbands. They are a constant tax upon their care and patience,
when, at the same time, they might be helps, lifting at the burdens of
life with their husbands, instead of dreaming over unreal life found in
novels and love romances. May the Lord pity the men who are bound
to such useless machines, fit only to be waited upon, to eat, dress, and
breathe.
These women who suppose they possess such sensitive, refined
organizations make very useless wives and mothers. It is frequently
the case that the affections are withdrawn from their husbands, who
are useful, practical men; and they show much attention to other men,
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and with their love-sick sentimentalism draw upon the sympathies
of others, tell them their trials, their troubles, their aspirations to do
some high and elevated work, and reveal the fact that their married
life is a disappointment, a hindrance to their doing the work they have
anticipated they might do.
Oh! what wretchedness exists in families that might be happy.
These women are a curse to themselves, and a curse to their husbands.
In supposing themselves to be angels, they make themselves fools,
and are nothing but heavy burdens. They leave right in their path, the
common duties of life, which the Lord has left for them to do, and are
restless and complaining, always looking for an easy, more exalted,
and more agreeable work to do. Supposing themselves to be angels,
they are found human after all. They are fretful, peevish, dissatisfied,
jealous of their husbands because the larger portion of their time is
not spent in waiting upon them. They complain of being neglected
when their husbands are doing the very work they ought to do. Satan
finds easy access to this class. They have no real love for any one
but themselves. Yet Satan tells them that if such an one were their
husband, they would be happy indeed. They are easy victims to the
device of Satan, easy to be led to dishonor their own husbands, and to
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transgress the law of God.
I would say to women of this description, You can make your own
happiness, or you can destroy it. You can make your position happy,
or unbearable. The course you pursue will create happiness or misery
for yourself. Have these never thought that their husbands must tire of