Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Minister’s Wife 421upon, but to labor with him. She should have a united interest withhim to do good. She should be willing to accompany her husband, ifhome cares do not hinder, and she should aid him in his efforts to savesouls. With meekness and humility, yet with a noble self-reliance, sheshould have a leading influence upon minds around her, and shouldact her part and bear her cross and burden in meeting, and around thefamily altar, and in conversation at the fireside. The people expectthis, and they have a right to expect it. If these expectations are notrealized, the husband’s influence is more than half destroyed. The wifeof a minister can do much if she will. If she possesses the spirit ofself-sacrifice and has a love for souls, she can with him do almost anequal amount of good.A sister laborer in the cause of truth can understand and reachsome cases, especially among the sisters, that the minister cannot. Aresponsibility rests upon the minister’s wife which she should not andcannot lightly throw off. God will require the talent lent her, with usury.She should work earnestly, faithfully, and unitedly with her husbandto save souls. She should never urge her wishes and desires, or expressa lack of interest in her husband’s labor, or dwell upon homesick,discontented feelings. All these natural feelings must be overcome.She should have a purpose in life which should be unfalteringly carriedout. What if this conflicts with the feelings, and pleasures, and naturaltastes? These should be cheerfully and readily sacrificed in order todo good and save souls.The wives of ministers should live devoted, prayerful lives. Butsome would enjoy a religion in which there are no crosses and whichcalls for no self-denial and exertion on their part. Instead of standingnobly for themselves, leaning upon God for strength and bearing theirindividual responsibility, they have much of the time been dependent [453]upon others, deriving their spiritual life from them. If they would onlylean confidingly, in childlike trust, upon God, and have their affectionscentered in Jesus, deriving their life from Christ, the living Vine, whatan amount of good they might do, what a help they might be to others,what a support to their husbands, and what a reward would be theirsin the end! “Well done, good and faithful servants,” would fall likesweetest music upon their ears. The words, “Enter thou into the joyof thy Lord,” would repay them a thousand times for all suffering andtrials endured to save precious souls.