Sentimentalism
55
them in their uselessness, in their peevishness, in their fault-finding, in
their passionate fits of weeping, while imagining their case so pitiful?
Their irritable, peevish disposition is indeed weaning the affections of
their husbands from them, and driving them to seek for sympathy, and
peace, and comfort, elsewhere than at home. A poisonous atmosphere
is in their dwelling. And home is anything but a place of rest, or peace
and happiness to them. The husband is subject to Satan’s temptation,
and his affections are placed on forbidden objects, and he is lured on
to crime, and finally lost.
Great is the work and mission of women especially of those who
are wives and mothers. They can be a blessing to all around them.
They can have a powerful influence for good. Woman may have a
transforming influence if she will only consent to yield her way and
her will to God, and let him control her mind, affections, and being.
She can have an influence which will tend to refine and elevate those
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with whom she associates. But she is generally unconscious of the
power she possesses. She exerts an unconscious influence. It seems
to work out naturally from a sanctified life, a renewed heart. It is the
fruit that grows naturally upon the good tree of divine planting. Self is
forgotten and immerged in the life of Christ. To be rich in good works
comes as naturally as her breath. She lives to do others good, and yet
is ready to say, I am an unprofitable servant.
God has assigned woman her mission, and if she, in her humble
way, to the best of her ability, makes a heaven of her home, faithfully
and lovingly performing her home-duties to her husband and children,
continually seeking to let a holy light shine from her useful, pure, and
virtuous life, to brighten all around her, she is doing the work left her
of the Master, and will hear from his divine lips, “Well done, good and
faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” These women
who are doing what their hands find to do with ready willingness, and
with cheerfulness of spirit, aiding their husbands to bear their burdens,
and training their children for God, are missionaries in the highest
sense. They are engaged in an important branch of the great work to
be done on earth to prepare mortals for a higher life. They will receive
their reward. Children are to be trained for Heaven, and fitted to shine
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in the courts of the Lord’s kingdom. When parents, especially mothers,
have a true sense of the responsible work God has left for them to do,
they will not be so much engaged in the business which concerns their