The Privileges of the Minister's Wife

A young man had recently been ordained to the gospel ministry, and was leaving home to do pioneer work in a mission field. Feeling the need of counsel, he asked the president of the General Conference just what he would be expected to do, and was told: "You must be an all-round matt." I believe this answer may well apply to the minister's wife—she must be an all-round woman.

We think of a woman first as a home maker. For many years we have had hanging on the wall in our home a beautiful motto—

Home Blessings

If the husband, a minister, wishes to invite a friend to his home, even without notice, as he may often find it a privilege to do, he should not be em­barrassed by the probability that the house will be in disorder, and the wife and children untidy. "Order is heav­en's first law."

It is perhaps too often found neces­sary for the management of the home and the training of the children to be­come largely the duties of the wife. This is no small responsibility, and she can do this work successfully only when she has the constant help of the divine Teacher. Who shall say that her work is not important? She is training her children, with diligence and prayer, that they, in turn, may help to carry the gospel message.

The true wife of a minister enters into all his work, not to manage it, but to be his helper; to encourage him, to pray for him, to uphold his hands. Many delicate situations arise in which she may be of inestimable help. She with him, or by herself, may visit the interested ones. The sick, the needy, the discouraged, and those who mourn will all be cheered and encouraged by her kind and friendly ministration.

My mind goes to the wife of one of our pioneers. She was nearly always with him, taking an earnest part in all his interests. On one occasion a prom­inent leader in the work wrote to the husband, "Your wife should always ac­company you; for the value of your labors is fully doubled by her pres­ence." From the very beginning of their married life she was earnest and self-sacrificing---a true missionary. I quote a little incident written of her, giving a glimpse of her character and of their private home life:

"One day her husband was writing a difficult article. For hours he had worked with no interruption, for his study hours were carefully guarded by his companion. The dinner hour came. The wife looked into his study two or three times, but still her husband was bending over his task. So dinner was served to the other members of the family, and a portion placed in the oven for her husband when he might be ready. At three o'clock he stood up, and with real satisfaction said, 'That big job is finished at last; now, wife, what about dinner?' I have saved your dinner for you, dear; it is warm and ready."Ah, that is a good wife, a good wife,' said the husband."

"Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he prais­eth her." It is not the spectacular things that count for eternity, but the quiet, kindly deeds of everyday life.

"A good wife is man's best compan­ion in prosperity, and his only friend in adversity; the most careful pre­server of his health, and the kindest attendant on his sickness; a faithful adviser in distress, a comforter in af­fliction, and a discreet manager of all his domestic affairs."

Perhaps the wife is not one gifted to do public work, and the world sees little of her, but her children and her husband and her friends feel her in­fluence. Some are blessed with five talents, some have two, and some have only one; but if we have been faithful, using to His glory whatever talents He may have given us, the Lord will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Washington, D. C.