Christian Spouse’s Behavior
33
Counsel to a Mother—You have a great work, a sacred, holy
calling to exemplify the Christian graces as a faithful wife and mother;
to be lovable, patient, kind, yet firm, in your home life; to learn right
methods and acquire tact for the training of your own little ones, that
they may keep the way of the Lord. As a humble child of God, learn in
the school of Christ; seek constantly to improve your powers to do the
most perfect, thorough work at home, both by precept and example.
In this work you will have the help of the Lord; but if you ignore
your duty as a wife and mother, and hold out your hands for the Lord
to put another class of work in them, be sure that He will not contradict
Himself; He points you to the duty you have to do at home. If you have
the idea that some work greater and holier than this has been entrusted
to you, you are under a deception. In neglecting your husband and
children for what you suppose to be religious duties, either to attend
meetings or to work for others, to give Bible readings or to have
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messages for others, you are going directly contrary to the words of
inspiration in the instruction of Paul to Titus. The religion of Christ
never leads a wife and mother to do as you have done.
You may now cultivate the home-making qualities with good effect,
for your children are of the age when they most need a mother. The
restless spirit naturally inclines to mischief; the active mind, if left
unoccupied with better things, will give heed to that which Satan may
suggest. The children need the watchful eye of the mother. They need
to be instructed, to be guided in safe paths, to be kept from vice, to be
won by kindness, and be confirmed in well doing, by diligent training.
The Saviour discerns a value and dignity in every soul, because of
the image of God which it bears. He died that your children might have
the gift of eternal life. He looks upon them with divine compassion.
Their souls may be saved unto eternal life, and they are just as precious
as the souls of others. The Lord has not called you to neglect your
home and your husband and children. He never works in this way, and
He never will. You have before your own door a little plot of ground
to care for, and God will hold you responsible for this work which He
has left in your hands. Through earnest prayer and study, you may
become wise in your home, learning the different dispositions of your
children and carefully noting their behavior. You may have at home a
little school, of which you shall be the teacher. If you seek wisdom