The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-04-16
OUR MINISTER'S WIFE.

And what is she more than the wife of
any other mani Hold gentle friend, and
let us talk about this matter. If one sit
uation more than another is franght with
great responsibilities, and so demands
great efforts, then the minister's wife does
not stand in the same position AS do other
wives. As God has chosen the pastor to
declare the unsearchable riches of Christ,
and TO go forll, bearing the precious seed,
holding him answerable for the glorious
trust, has she, who'is the partner Of his
bosom, no influence on tue manscr in
which he will discharge his trustl A
ministers wife may surely add much to
his usefulness, or be sad hindrancc in
his way. Hers is no common work. She
is Of necessity, from her very position as
the chosen companion of an accredited
ambassador from heavens court, burden.
ed with aweight Of responsibility that
would crush any one, bit for sustaining
grace.
know it is said that ministers are, Of
al! others, most unfortunate in the seclec
ton of wives--a charge not s9stainod by
facts Let any individual or class be
brought out in bold relief before the world;
let every action be scrutinized, every mo
tive Observation-Disclosures duties, literary
merit, and spiritual attainmcnts-al cried
in the crucible of public opinion, and who
could bidc the testa That they are often
sadly deficient, none will d,ny; but justice
demands that willie we look Mt their
faults, we forget not their many difficult.
ties and trials.
Selected, as they often are, fiom the
educated and intelligent portion of the
community, sometimes from the wealthy
and refined, unaccus,omed TO care or Ia
bort is no light task for them to meet
the scrutiny of 4 captious people, even to
their household management and private
affairs. They must dress well, or the rich
will not be satisfied plainly, or the poor
will think them proud. They must "look
diligently to the ways of their household" )"
or the people "really will not be able to
support too extravaganza family" From
no public duty can they shrink, for "what
can be expected Of others, if our ministers
wife does not take the leadf" They must
PoSSSSS viz sNiii W uldkc very llliltteU
means meet large demands, and utter no
complaint, or they will very promptly be
told that ..'those who preach self denial
to othets, should be willing to practice t
themselves"
Much is said in these days, and Justly,
too, Of a pastors duties, his many trials,
and need of praycrful aid and comfort
from the church bat who remembers the
anxious, toil.worn, overburdened wife the
ever faithful theme Of petty gossip; the
mark for scandal, whose every deviation
from the right, however slight, is heralded
to the world almost exultingly! Olive
who bear the name of Christ, take heed
to the command, Bear We one anothers
burdens" Forget not your paster and his
wife; cheer them b your presence at the
parsonage; show them you feel an interest
in their temporal comfort--that YOU bea,
them on your heart before the IIearcr Of
prayer; when assailed hy the fault finding,
defend them as you would your own Lon''
or: when they err, forgive and $50 fulfil
the law Of Christ."-Presbyterian.