The Missionary Wife

The work of the missionary is a labor of loving service for others.

By Mrs. John Oss

I. Sharing in Service 

The work of the missionary is a labor of  loving service for others. And as the mis­sionary's wife leaves relatives, friends, and homeland to work with her companion in a foreign land, she should ever realize that she is to be a sharer with her husband in all the burdens that become their common lot.

When God created Adam in His own image, and placed him in the beautiful garden home, He said: "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him." Gen. 2:18. It was the purpose of the all-wise Creator that the wife should help her companion meet the varied problems that con­front him in his work, and be truly a sharer in his work, his joys, and his sorrows.

The missionary's life is one filled with un­avoidable problems, and the way in which these are faced and solved spells success or failure. But while missionary problems are many and varied, nevertheless what a wonderful privilege it is to be colaborers with God in uplifting the fallen and preaching the gospel to those who know it not!

The missionary wife should always maintain a buoyant attitude toward her own work, and that of her husband. This buoyant spirit will help her to rise above the many trifling things that cause some to lose their vision, and so to become irritable and discouraged.

As one leaves home, and travels long dis­tances by land or sea, and is ofttimes thrown into strange and uninviting situations, with the difficulty of mastering a difficult language be­fore efficient work can be done, faith and cour­age are needed. A buoyant attitude will do much to lighten your own and your husband's labors, and will commend you to the natives among whom it is your privilege to labor. The missionary wife must find her contentment and joy in her work, no matter how trying and perplexing it may be. The word of God should be her daily counselor and guide. When tempted by discouragement, she should say, as was foretold regarding the work of the Saviour, "I will not fail nor be discouraged." A buoyant attitude comes to a person as the result of com­plete trust in God and His assurance that "all things work together for good . . . to those who are the called according to His purpose."

The missionary wife should ever strive to keep burning brightly that flame of divine en­thusiasm that came into her heart when her decision was first made to give her life in service for those in distant places. Never for a moment should she permit this vision to be dimmed by influences in the home, in the church, or in friendly social contacts with others. Much prayer and study of the word of God will cause one to know the ways of God, and will be a constant inspiration to live a life of service for others.

"A responsibility rests upon the minister's wife which she should not and cannot lightly throw off. God will require the talent lent her, with usury. She should work earnestly, faithfully, and unitedly with her husband to save souls. She should never urge her wishes and desires, or express a lack of interest in her husband's labor, or dwell upon homesickness, or discon­tented feelings. All these natural feelings must be overcome. She should have a purpose in life which should be unfalteringly carried out. What if this conflicts with the feelings and pleasures and natural tastes! These should be cheerfully and readily sacrificed, in order to do good and save souls."—"Gospel Workers," p. 202.

Her daily prayer May well, be:

"Lord, help me live from day to day,

In such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray,

My prayer shall be for—others.

"Help me in all the work I do 

To ever be sincere and true,

And know that all I'd do for you,

Must needs be done for—others.

"Let self be crucified and slain,

And buried deep ; and all in vain

May efforts be to rise again;

Unless to live for—others.

"And when my work on earth is done,

And my new work in heav'n 's begun,

May I forget the crown I've won,

While thinking still of—others."

The Spirit of prophecy outlines the work of women in the following statements:

"He [God] calls for persevering women, who will take their minds from self and their per­sonal convenience, and will center them on Christ, speaking words of truth, praying with the persons to whom they can obtain access, laboring for the conversion of souls."—"Testi­monies." Vol. VI, p. 118.

"Women may take their places in the work at this crisis, and the Lord will work through them. If they are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Spirit of God, they will have just the self-possession required for this time. The Saviour will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance, and this will give them a power which will exceed that of men. They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is needed."—Id., pp. 117, 118.

As the missionary wife goes forward with her work, buoyantly laboring, trusting God for all things, and forgetting self in service for others, her ministry will be fruitful and last­ing; and the joy that "passeth all understand­ing" will be hers in Christ Jesus.

Shanghai, China.


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By Mrs. John Oss

October 1935

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