MINISTERS’ WIVES HELPING THEM.
THEY need their help. I do not mean those ministers who feel that they are strong, and are a host in themselves. I mean those who are humble and feel their dependence, and who need the assistance which those that stand in a near relation to them can give. One whom I knew, prayed for her husband. She died, but it came out after her death, that sometimes when she stayed away from meeting, she would visit her place of secret prayer, and pray for the success of her husband. If that minister was a good man, it seems he might have preached to profit, God and his wife helping. Another, whenever he preached and his wife was present, had her as the most attentive listener. She kept her eyes on him, and appeared to have an interest in the truths he presented, and to have all her sympathies engaged for him. That minister is dead, but she must feel a satisfaction that she gave her influence in favor of his great work. Another minister would sometimes feel that he had a hard, dark, and unprofitable time in preaching. But when retiring in dejection of spirit, his wife would give him good cheer, telling him she did not see but he had freedom;—that it was the truth he had presented, and God could bless it to the good of the people. Another minister had a wife who very kindly would tell him of his faults. If he spoke too long or too loud she told him how he could improve in those respects. Or if he said in public some vain or witty things that caused the people to laugh, she told him there was a better way. His eccentricities were much improved, if not removed, by her good advice. Ministers’ wives;—what a position they occupy! Like angels “that excel in strength,” they can help very much those God has placed in the van of holy war. Help, O help; and God will help them and you, the church and the world.