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

confidence of your wife. You are lacking in
courteousness and in constant, kindly regard for
her. You sometimes manifest love, but it is a
selfish love. It is not principle with you, reaching
down deep and underlying all your actions. It is not
an unselfish love, which prompts a continual
forethought for her and a care to have her in your
society, showing her that you prefer her company
above all others. You have sought for your own
amusement, leaving her at home lonely and often
sad. You pursued this course before moving to this
place and have continued to do so since in a less
degree for want of opportunity or excuse.
Your wife would scorn to let you know that she
marked the deficiencies in you. She has a fear of
you. Had you possessed genuine love, which such
a nature as hers requires, you would have found an
answering chord in her heart. You are too cold and
stiff. You have at times manifested affection, but it
has not awakened love in return because you have
not been courteous and attentive, and manifested a
kind regard for your wife by consulting her
happiness. You have too many times felt at liberty
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