Sentimentalism
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respect, and run in the same channel of his own, and she yields her
individuality. Her identity is lost, submerged in that of her husband.
She is a mere machine for him to move and control, a creature of his
will and pleasure. He thinks for her, decides for her, and acts for her.
She dishonors God in this passive position. She has a responsibility
before God which it is her duty to preserve.
When the wife yields her body and mind to the control of her
husband, being passive to his will in all things, sacrificing her con-
science, her dignity, and even her identity, she loses the opportunity
of exerting that mighty influence for good which she should possess
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to elevate her husband. She could soften his stern nature, and her
sanctifying influence could be exerted in a manner to refine, purify,
and lead him to strive earnestly to govern his passions, and be more
spiritually minded, that they might be partakers together of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The power of influence can be great to lead the mind to high and noble
themes, above the low, sensual indulgences which the heart unrenewed
by grace naturally seeks. If the wife feels that she must, in order to
please her husband, come down to his standard, when animal passion
is the principal basis of his love, controlling his actions, she displeases
God; for she fails to exert a sanctifying influence upon her husband. If
she feels that she must submit to the animal passions of her husband
without a word of remonstrance, she does not understand her duty to
him, nor to her God. Sexual excess will effectually destroy a love for
devotional exercises, will take from the brain the substance needed to
nourish the system, and will most effectually exhaust the vitality. No
woman should aid her husband in this work of self-destruction. She
will not do it if she is enlightened, and truly loves her husband.
The more the animal passions are indulged and exercised, the
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stronger do they become, and the more violent will be their clamors
for indulgence. Let God-fearing men and women awake to their duty.
Many professing Christianity are suffering with paralysis of nerve
and brain because of their intemperance in this direction. Rottenness
is in the bones and marrow of many who are regarded as good men,
who pray and weep, and who stand in high places, but whose polluted
carcasses will never pass the portals of the heavenly city. Oh! that
I could make all understand their obligations to God to preserve the