A Message to Wives by Martha E. Warner

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Feb 3, 1916

A Message to Wives

By Martha E. Warner

MARTHA E. WARNER

YEARS ago, there lived in a Western State a mother in Israel. To her one day came a woman in trouble. Here is her story:—

“A few years ago a Bible worker came to my home. I enjoyed her visits, took notes on her studies, and soon became so familiar with them that I could give readings to others. Then I began to long to work for the Lord. I had a good home, a kind husband (though he was not in the truth), and three children. But I fretted because my husband would not attend church with me, or consent to family prayers, say grace at the table, etc. I brooded over these things until my imagination created a dark cloud around me. My desire to do something for the Master was so great and, that I sought and found a position where I could take a course of institutional training, and work for the board of myself and children.”

“Secretly I made my plans to leave, and one day took the children and came here. I have been here over a year now. The children are separated from me, and I cannot earn enough to pay our expenses. I am tired, tired. What shall I do?” Here her voice broke, and the tears came.

Soon she heard the quiet voice of the older woman saying: “And to work for your Saviour you ran away from home, left your husband to shift for himself, or find some one to take your place, and gave the training of your children to others. My dear, you will never receive the approval of the Master until you try to rebuild the home you have so blindly broken up. Write to your husband, asking God to guide your pen, and confess that you failed in your duty. Then pray. When the answer to the letter comes, do as God leads you.”

Two weeks later the woman called to say that her husband had written asking her to return at once. As she said good-by, her last words were: “Tell other mothers my experience, that they may be saved from a similar mistake. My first mistake was in marrying an unbeliever, but oh, I made a greater one in not being satisfied to live the truth before my husband, and to train my children for the Master. It is so plain now. The duty of a wife and mother is in the home, and it is her privilege to make that home a little heaven.”

Today God is calling upon us as never before to take an active part in proclaiming this gospel message, but not all are to have a place in the heat of the battle. Our homes must not be neglected. “God has assigned woman her mission; and if she in her humble way, to the best of her ability, makes a heaven of her home, faithfully and lovingly performing her duties to her husband and children, continually seeking to let a holy light shine from her useful, pure, and virtuous life to brighten all around her, she is doing the work left her by the Master, and will hear from his lips the words, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’”