Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

294 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[307][308]will prove more effective than the most healing medicines. These willbring courage to the heart of the desponding and discouraged, andthe happiness and sunshine brought into the family by kind acts andencouraging words will repay the effort tenfold. The husband shouldremember that much of the burden of training his children rests uponthe mother, that she has much to do with molding their minds. Thisshould call into exercise his tenderest feelings, and with care shouldhe lighten her burdens. He should encourage her to lean upon his largeaffections, and direct her mind to heaven, where there is strength andpeace, and a final rest for the weary. He should not come to his homewith a clouded brow, but should with his presence bring sunlight intothe family, and should encourage his wife to look up and believe inGod. Unitedly they can claim the promises of God and bring His richblessing into the family. Unkindness, complaining, and anger shutJesus from the dwelling. I saw that angels of God will flee from ahouse where there are unpleasant words, fretfulness, and strife.I have also been shown that there is often a great failure on thepart of the wife. She does not put forth strong efforts to control herown spirit and make home happy. There is often fretfulness andunnecessary complaining on her part. The husband comes home fromhis labor weary and perplexed, and meets a clouded brow instead ofcheerful, encouraging words. He is but human, and his affectionsbecome weaned from his wife, he loses the love of his home, hispathway is darkened, and his courage destroyed. He yields his selfrespectand that dignity which God requires him to maintain. Thehusband is the head of the family, as Christ is the head of the church;and any course which the wife may pursue to lessen his influence andlead him to come down from that dignified, responsible position isdispleasing to God. It is the duty of the wife to yield her wishes andwill to her husband. Both should be yielding, but the word of Godgives preference to the judgment of the husband. And it will not detractfrom the dignity of the wife to yield to him whom she has chosen tobe her counselor, adviser, and protector. The husband should maintainhis position in his family with all meekness, yet with decision. Somehave asked the question, Must I be on my guard and feel a restraintupon me continually? I have been shown that we have a great workbefore us to search our own hearts, and watch ourselves with jealouscare. We should learn wherein we fail, and then guard ourselves upon