SUBMISSION by M. | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 26, 1860

SUBMISSION.

By M.

"Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." Eph. v, 22-24.

The wife should be subject unto her husband (her head) as the church is subject unto Christ. Christ has given rules to govern the church; but if the husband has no rules to govern his family, if he does not take his place as head, in what sense can the wife submit to him? She may be obliged to submit to family confusion; but what is the wife's duty in the neglect of family regulation by her husband? Can she take his place and fill her own? or is it her duty to submit to family disorder in obedience to the apostle's injunction, "Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands?"

Christ has left precept and example to teach and guide the church; but if the husband does not observe and obey those pertaining to the family relation, how can the wife "submit" unto him "as unto the Lord?" It is true she may submit to the want of these very necessary qualifications of her head; but can she submit to him as the church to Christ?

Christ has left many comforting words and promises for the church in times of deep trial and affliction, having a tender regard and care for the church; but if the husband has no tender watch-care for his wife, no word of encouragement in times of trial and doubt, she cannot reverence her head. She may submit to neglect, or even harsh reproof, but she cannot love, respect and reverence her husband as her head.

Certainly it seems to be necessary that the husband first obey the instruction of the apostle to love and cherish as his own body, his wife, to lead and guide her as Christ the church. Then the wife should cheerfully submit to him in everything. This all good wives will do. She will reverence her head as the church does Christ. Then, and not until then, are the husband and wife qualified to act in unison in training their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

A family that is regulated by the wholesome restraint of the united heads is indeed a most pleasing and beautiful sight. It is truly a little heaven below.

"Each in his proper station moves, Each fulfills his part with love."

It may be said, You "must do it by love." But what is love? Is it to allow the innocent creatures intrusted to our care to rush into temptation when a little restraint on our part at the right time would place them in the path of obedience and happiness, where God's Spirit can touch their tender hearts. Who has pure love for his children? Has he who permits them (because it is grievous for the present to correct them) to grow up unsubdued, with petted wills, restless and unhappy? Does not he who applies the rod of restraint (because it afterward yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness), and brings his children into subjection to rule and regulation, does he not rather show pure love for those intrusted to his care?

God is love; and he has just laws requiring strict obedience. Love does not obliterate his law; if it does, it would have ceased at the cross; for where was greater love ever manifested? Christ by his death and sufferings established his Father's law.

May the Lord save us from acting in families as if there was no law, while we profess to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It is by these perfect rules that love is preserved and strengthened; without them hate and every evil work would be the consequence.

O, the responsibilities of heads of families who have children to be saved or lost. If none but those children can be saved whom the parents bear to the throne of grace in the arms of faith, what a fearful responsibility rests upon the parents that they do their duty in first properly restraining them, and then exercising faith for them. May the Lord help us to have faith for our families. M.