Chapter 35—Sharing the Burdens
Father’s Duty Cannot Be Transferred—The father’s duty to his
children cannot be transferred to the mother. If she performs her own
duty, she has burden enough to bear. Only by working in unison can
the father and mother accomplish the work which God has committed
to their hands
The father should not excuse himself from his part in the work of
educating his children for life and immortality. He must share in the
responsibility. There is obligation for both father and mother. There
must be love and respect manifested by the parents for one another, if
they would see these qualities developed in their children
The father should encourage and sustain the mother in her work of
care by his cheerful looks and kind words
Try to help your wife in the conflict before her. Be careful of your
words, cultivate refinement of manners, courtesy, gentleness, and you
will be rewarded for so doing
Tender Ministration Will Lighten the Mother’s Load—
Whatever may be his calling and its perplexities, let the father take
into his home the same smiling countenance and pleasant tones with
which he has all day greeted visitors and strangers. Let the wife feel
that she can lean upon the large affections of her husband—that his
arms will strengthen and uphold her through all her toils and cares,
that his influence will sustain hers—and her burden will lose half its
weight. Are the children not his as well as hers
[217]
The wife may gather to herself burdens which she may suppose
to be of greater importance than to help her husband in bearing his
portion of responsibility; and the same is true of the husband. Tender
ministrations are of value. There is a tendency for the husband to
1
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 69
.
2
The Signs of the Times, July 22, 1889
.
3
The Signs of the Times, September 13, 1877
.
4
Testimonies For The Church 2, 84
.
5
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 70
.
160