An Ideal and a Contrast by Mrs. M. E. Steward

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 7, 1914

An Ideal and a Contrast

By Mrs. M. E. Steward

MRS. M. E. STEWARD

Love is the most beautiful thing in the world. Love is of God, for "God is love." Conjugal love is a most delicate, sensitive plant.

A few words to a faithful, happy wife: You have planted a hedge about the heart of your husband by seeking to preserve the confidence and delicate tenderness of your courtship, by unobtrusive kindness, and by a consistent life. You have guarded this hedge with jealous care by learning his wishes and needs, and supplying them as far as it has been in your power. You have never found fault with him, neither have you corrected his statements before others; and he does not fear a public arraignment, which, sooner than anything else, would dry up the very fountains of the heart.

You have often bowed in prayer together, which has cemented your hearts in holy sympathies, sweeter than any earthly ties. You know you have your husband's entire affections. The respect you have shown your husband has had a reflex influence on your children, and for their deference and cheerful, ready obedience the father has given the mother credit, and it has still more increased his confidence and regard for her, while it has encouraged him to be all that a good, faithful husband and father can ever be.

"O, there's beauty all around When there's love at home!"

Doubtless such homes will not be rare in the remnant church. They have their place in the fulfillment of the prediction found in "Christ's Object Lessons," page 415: "It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. . . . Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of his glory, the light of his goodness, mercy, and truth. . . . The last message to be given the world, is a revelation of his character of love." God manifests himself to the world through his children. They will be filled with his love. How is it now?

A Contrast

Another wife is not happy; she is conscious that her husband is slipping away from her. The darkness of night is even on her heart and home. Can she do nothing to win him back? It is certainly worth the trial.

In the first place, she would do well to try to ascertain whether she herself is in any way responsible for his alienation. Has she been companionable and always cheerful in his presence? It is said that a man is never pleased to see his wife downcast; he takes it as a personal reproach. Has she been in any way disagreeable? Let her see that she is always neatly and attractively attired. She need not study the latest styles, for what sensible man is willing that his wife should expose herself in the senseless, ungraceful, wicked costumes of fashionable women?

Her children and her home should be scrupulously clean and orderly and pleasant. There should be sunshine in the home, and cheerful pictures on the walls.

The neglected wife should not fawn on her husband, nor make a great show of love; it might not be agreeable to him. But knowing his preferences and wishes, she may quietly anticipate them with pleasant surprises. Such delicateness would no doubt appeal to his better judgment, and perhaps touch his heart.

She should never let the husband know she has lost confidence in him, nor accuse him of indifference to her. On the contrary, let her ignore every slight, though it may cut her to the quick.

If she possesses gentle dignity, refinement, and patience, her children will manifest the same; and if her husband is not too far gone, she will no doubt in time reclaim him. Hers will, at least, be the satisfaction of having good children.

Christian men and women should feel in these days that it is of the utmost importance to watch well their sympathies, and check their very first wayward wanderings. Satan, we may be sure, is laying snares of which no one has ever dreamed.

Sanitarium, Cal.