Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

notwithstanding the deep wrong you have done
her, if you will only press to the light and make
clean work of the past. You must have a thorough
conversion. Unless you do, all your past efforts to
obey the truth will not save you nor cover up your
past wrongs. Jesus requires of you a thorough
reformation; then He will help, and bless, and love
you, and blot out your sins with His own most
precious blood. You can redeem the past. You can
correct your ways and yet be an honor to the cause
of God. You can do good when you take hold of
the strength of God and in His name work—work
for your own salvation and for the good of others.
Yours can yet be a happy family. Your wife
needs your help. She is like a clinging vine; she
wants to lean upon your strength. You can help her
and lead her along. You should never censure her.
Never reprove her if her efforts are not what you
think they should be. Rather encourage her by
words of tenderness and love. You can help your
wife to preserve her dignity and self-respect. Never
praise the work or acts of others before her to make
her feel her deficiencies. You have been harsh and
543