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

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you were not happy. Your wife has been<br />

disappointed, and you have been disappointed.<br />

Your wife expected to find in you a person of more<br />

noble, refined organization. She has been very<br />

unhappy. She has a large amount of pride. Her<br />

family connections upon her mo<strong>the</strong>r's side are<br />

naturally conscientious, yet proud and aristocratic.<br />

She partakes largely of <strong>the</strong>se traits of character.<br />

She is not demonstrative. It is not natural <strong>for</strong> her to<br />

make advances and manifest affection. She looks<br />

upon <strong>the</strong> manifestation of affection between<br />

husband and wife as weak and childish. She has<br />

felt that if she encouraged affection, it would not<br />

be answered by fine, elevated love, but by <strong>the</strong><br />

lower order of passions; that <strong>the</strong>se would be<br />

streng<strong>the</strong>ned, but not pure, deep, holy love.<br />

Your wife should make strong ef<strong>for</strong>ts to come<br />

out of her retired, dignified reserve, and cultivate<br />

simplicity in all her actions. And when <strong>the</strong> higher<br />

order of faculties is aroused in you, and<br />

streng<strong>the</strong>ned by exercise, you will better<br />

understand <strong>the</strong> wants of women; you will<br />

understand that <strong>the</strong> soul craves love of a higher,<br />

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