EMPLOYMENT OF HOLY WOMEN IN BIBLE TIMES.
By Mrs. S. N. Haskell
ACTIVITY is a divine principle. Activity is life. Indolence is death. This principle is stamped everywhere upon the face of nature. The stagnant water becomes corrupt, while the running stream, even though the receptacle of filth, by its activity purifies itself. The plant that ceases to grow soon begins to decay. By these inexorable laws in nature, God designs to impress upon the human heart the fact that the only hope of salvation is in a life of activity. When Adam and Eve were placed in their Eden home, they were to dress and to keep the garden. Gen. 2 : 15. “Holy angels often visited the garden, and gave instruction to Adam and Eve concerning their employment, and also taught them concerning the rebellion and fall of Satan. The angels warned them of Satan, “and . . . enjoined upon them to closely follow the directions God had given them, for in perfect obedience only were they safe.” — “Early Writings,” Spiritual Gifts, page 19. Here is the perfect model, which can be followed out in every home. While your children are in their innocency, give them employment; and as they work, warn them of the snares of the enemy, and teach them obedience to God’s requirements. Women, as well as men, had employment. The model woman looked well to the ways of her household,—in short, was a good housekeeper. Prov. 31 : 15, 27. A woman is expected to earn something by her own labor, even if her husband is a man of true worth. Verses 23, 24. Women should have ability to transact business. Verse 16. Dorcas was full of good works, and alms-deeds,—she was a good Christian-help worker. Acts 9 : 36. Some of the Hebrew women were God-fearing nurses. Ex. 1 : 17. God rewarded these nurses by making houses for them. Verses 20, 21. Gen. 24 : 59; 35 : 8 (margin) contain the biography of a faithful nurse. The fact that the place of her death was ever after called the “oak of weeping” showed that the thirty-five years of unselfish labor was appreciated by those to whom she ministered. Rebecca regarded it light work to draw water for the camels. 24 : 20. Lydia was a merchant, selling the highest class of goods. Acts 16 : 14. When Paul went to Philippi, he found women there who loved to pray. Acts 16 : 13. Eleven years afterward these women had developed into good Bible workers. In a recent Testimony, when speaking of some Bible workers who were successful in winning souls, the statement is made: “We have faithful women workers, like those who labored with the apostle in the gospel.” Earnest, praying women are the material from which successful Bible workers are made, now as well as in the days of Paul. Phil. 4 : 3. Both men and women who fear God should profess honest trades, that they may be fruitful in good works. Titus 3 : 14, margin. When the reign of sin and death is forever at an end, then the work of mankind will be according to God’s original design, and they shall long enjoy the work of their hands. Isa. 65 : 21, 22.