EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE
Ever since my conversion I have worked for the Lord in whatever way I could do any good. I try to do anything that is needed where people are sick or overworked. I scrub, wash, bake bread, sew, distribute reading-matter, and try to get subscriptions for our papers. I canvass some for our books. I encourage the people to go to church and camp-meeting; and read to the children who come to visit my little ones. There was no Sabbath-school here until I started one, and now we have two Sabbath-schools and one church, for which I praise the Lord. A short time ago I used to be always complaining of my lot; and when my husband would reprove me, and, as an example, would hold up others who were cheerful and happy, I would retort that they had things to make them happy, and that if I had the same comforts and conveniences they had, I should be different, and if they were in my place, they would be no better natured than I was. But I thank God that since I have yielded myself fully to Him, He has made these trials a means of discipline and blessing, and I am happy and cheerful, and know I am overcoming my impatience. I am indeed glad that we can take the little cares and vexations to God. There is nothing much more disheartening to a man than to have the one whom he has chosen to preside in his home discontented with the provision he makes for her, comparing her own lot with that of other women who seem to be more abundantly blessed. Do the very best you can with what is given you. The smallest amount will go a long way with the blessing of the Lord. It is within the power of a woman to bring comfort to her family with the most meager and ordinary supplies. The draping and touching of womanly art works wonders in tent or cottage; and when, above all, there is the merry face and cheerful countenance, a loving appreciation of any little thing that the husband and children do, a denial of self for the benefit of all, and an inspiration toward more prosperous circumstances, home will be more delightful to husband and children than any other place on earth — a quiet and happy retreat to which they will love to return from their day’s work, the memory of which will never be effaced, though future years may bring wealth and social position. “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Above all, my sister, keep sweet. Nothing fills one with a gloom and dissatisfaction that lead to recklessness so quickly as the atmosphere of a home over which a cross, long-faced woman presides. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones;” and “a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.” Be content with such things as you have, for He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”