Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

acts and encouraging words will repay the effort tenfold. The husband shouldremember that much of the burden of training his children rests upon the mother,that she has much to do with molding their minds. This should call into exercise histenderest feelings, and with care should he lighten her burdens. He should encourageher to lean upon his large affections, and direct her mind to heaven, where there isstrength and peace, and a final rest for the weary. He should not come to his homewith a clouded brow, but should with his presence bring sunlight into the family, andshould encourage his wife to look up and believe in God. Unitedly they can claim thepromises of God and bring His rich blessing into the family. Unkindness, complaining,and anger shut Jesus from the dwelling. I saw that angels of God will flee from a housewhere there are unpleasant words, fretfulness, and strife.I have also been shown that there is often a great failure on the part of the wife. Shedoes not put forth strong efforts to control her own spirit and make home happy. Thereis often fretfulness and unnecessary complaining on her part. The husband comes homefrom his labor weary and perplexed, and meets a clouded brow instead of cheerful,encouraging words. He is but human, and his affections become weaned from hiswife, he loses the love of his home, his pathway is darkened, and his courage destroyed.He yields his self-respect and 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 coursewhich the wife may pursue to lessen his influence and lead him to come down fromthat dignified, responsible position is displeasing to God. It is the duty of the wife toyield her wishes and will to her husband. Both should be yielding, but the word ofGod gives preference to the judgment of the husband. And it will not detract from thedignity of the wife to yield to him whom she has chosen to be her counselor, adviser,and307