3581 — What Shall She Do?
By Editor
A woman is divorced from her first husband because of cruelty. By him she had children. Later she marries a second husband who has children, and four more are born to her after the second union. The second husband is a tobacco fiend, cruel, sneering, of passionate temper and disposition. As she looks upon it now, she feels that she made a mistake when she married him, that she went contrary to Scripture in separating from her former husband. Would it be her duty to leave him, or shall she stay with him, bringing her children up under adverse influences and a wrong example? C. A. These are questions which lie outside of the design of the "Question Corner." They are questions of conscience which each one must decide for himself. If the writer of these answers knew the parties, understood so far as man can what was involved, he might be able better to answer such questions; but the persons involved are utterly unknown to him. He can only raise certain other questions, entreat this woman to seek God and seek Him earnestly to know His will, and knowing His will act accordingly. First of all, she is separated from her first husband by civil law. She could not go back to him again. Secondly, she is united with her present husband by civil law. If she should leave him, she is still married to him, and he is the father of most of her children. If she should leave him, what would she do, and where would she go? Would she not by that very act place herself upon the devil's ground, and would he not seek to lead her astray over the same course that she followed first? Then there is the salvation of her children. It is possible — for it has been done again and again before — that children have been brought to Christ and have remained earnest Christians, notwithstanding all the opposition of a father. The mother has taken such a wise and loving course that all the sympathies lay with her, and whatever the father could do, it has not affected them, otherwise than to bring them nearer to their mother and the Lord. On general principles we would say, Let this sister abide as she is, being a faithful wife and mother in all things, and letting His grace conquer. Pray that God may change the heart of her husband. There is great power to touch hearts, in Christian patience and fortitude; and tho this life may not see its fruits, the life to come will. Above all things else, let her live for her children.