EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE
LAST spring I sent in a subscription for the Life Boat for a prisoner. Soon afterward he wrote me a long letter, and said it was the first he had heard from the outside world for two years, and seemed much pleased with the paper. He sent me the names of four men to whom to send papers, and I received a letter from one of them. They seem to think that, of course, I will write to them once a month, and beg me to do so more frequently. I try to help every one I can, for I feel that time is short, and we should do everything we possibly can to save souls. Even if these men are to be lost, why not make their few remaining moments as happy as possible? I never was so blessed in any other work as I have been in this work. I signed the cards that Sister Henry sent out, and have presented them to four others. They have not yet been signed and returned, but I am keeping the persons supplied with reading-matter, and they are under conviction, but they have not strength to leave friends and do what they know to be right. But we have the promise of the Holy Spirit to bless our work. I am of good courage. The way grows brighter and the work lighter, and prejudice melts away like dew before the noonday sun; this is the work of the Holy Spirit. One for whom I am praying has been sick for several weeks. I have visited her often, and she is much interested in our publications, and I believe she will accept the whole truth. I improve every opportunity to advance God’s cause and help suffering humanity. God has opened the way for me to do a great deal of work, and I am happy to know that I have the prayers of all our sisters who love the work, and the co-operation of angels; and I am determined to push on to victory. I have five children, the oldest only seven, so you will understand how little time I get for anything except home duties, as I do all the work myself for a family of eight. My husband is very kind, and works hard to provide for his family, but seems careless and unconcerned about our eternal welfare, and I do need his help and sympathy so much in training our little ones in the right way. Sometimes it seems as if they must die now while they are innocent and unaccountable if they are saved. But I have given them to God, and I feel willing to do or bear almost anything to save my husband and children. Now please tell me if you think it would be right for me to go to church against my husband’s wishes. He is very considerate about asking any work of me on the Sabbath, and has several times gone with me to hear our ministers when they have visited our place, but does not wish me to go without him. He is usually working on the Sabbath, and it would be almost impossible for me to take all the children and go without him. I would like your advice about this, and also about sending our children to the public school. We can not afford to hire a private teacher, and my husband says they must go to school. You certainly could not expect to receive a great measure of the blessing of God if you went even to the house of prayer against a kind and true husband’s wishes. Your first duty is to your home always, to keep its atmosphere peaceful and happy. I can appreciate your longing for Christian fellowship; but remember that the Lord understands all about your situation, and that His blessing is not confined to the church company. You would surely enjoy a richer measure of His presence in a little Sabbath service in your home with your little children than by bringing about the confusion and unpleasantness that your going would occasion. Show your husband that you respect his wishes as far as you can without the violation of principle, and constantly pray and trust in the Lord to touch his heart, and lead him to join with you in Christian fellowship, so that you may together walk harmoniously in the way that will end in eternal life. The brethren and sisters in the church will surely know that you are with them in spirit if not in person, and will especially remember you in prayer. In regard to sending your children to the public school, I think you will have to do, in this matter also, not as you may wish to do, but the best you can under the circumstances. It seems to me that your children are too young to be sent away to school. The Spirit of Prophecy says that the mother herself should be the teacher until the child is ten years of age. But I see you have your hands more than full of work; and as your husband does not see the importance of a Christian education, probably the best thing you can do for the present is to let them go to the public school. Correct home influences have much to do in fortifying the mind of the child against evil; therefore keep your children’s confidence, teach them right principles from the word of God; and then, having done all you can, commit them to the care of Him who said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me.” I am glad to get your letter, and hope to hear from you again, with full name and address, so I can reply more personally.