The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-01-19

l
SO absurd In hiring your husband for
our minister
aYou did not hire mey"' interrupted
Mrs. Newton, with calm dignity. "Bear
that in mind, if you please"
"Thank you for the remark, Mrs. New
ton," said /, coming almost involuntarily
to her aid, at threw food Of light
upon the whole subject. True as Gospel
We did not hire you, and have no claim
upon single hour of your time. All
that the church of st. Charity has a right
to ask of you is, that you do your duty
as wife and mother"
Mrs. Newton turned to me with a
grateful look, and grasping my hand said:
"Thank youw in return.
A little while she paused; but no one
spoke. In the deep silence, think some
wholesome convictions of truth were find
ing their way even into the mind of Miss
Lane, who, somehow, reminded me Of a
wilted leaf, or piece of stiffiy starched
muslin suddenly drenched with water.
"My husbands duties are Clear" very
evenly spoke Mrs. Newton-very kindly,
yet very firmly and very lucidly. my
husbands duties are clear. He has come
TO you as spiritual guide and instructor.
His Office is to point to Heaven and lead
the way. 1t is high and holy Office. l
honor him in it, and sustain him to the
best of my ability. My duties are also
clear. / am simply wife and mother;
and God being my helper, l will faithful
ly discharge a wife and mothers sacred
obligations. AT present those duties take
up all my time, and conscience will not
permit me TO neglect real duties for the
performance of imaginary ones. In do
ing such duties | best serve the Church.
This is my religion and have learned it
from the Bible"
She paused for few moments. No
one replying to her remarks, she went on
1t has been alleged that | am not pi-
Gus enough for the people here. Perhaps
not. But of one thing you may be as
sured: am no hypocrite. shall never
put on pious exterior to hide the want
Of charity in my heart. AS am you
will always see me-"
Mrs. Newton paused again; but as
none of her visitors showed any inclina-
ton to speak she continued:
"My religion is somewhat peculiar, l
believe. ] do not keep it as snowy
Sunday suit, but wear il every day. My
essential worship consists in a daily dis
charge of my duty as wife and mother;
my formal worship, in the pious prostra-
ton of my body before my heavenly
Father at set times, either in my closet
or in the public assembly. The Sabbath,
to me, is the golden clasp that binds to-
eethcr the circle Of weekly duties. 1t is
blessing aud consolation just in the
degree that the worship of my six days
has been essential worship"
"And are we to expect nothing of our
minister's wifei" said Miss Lane, in a
very subdued voice9" She was evidently
conscious of having made great mistake
in her estimate of Mrs. Newton's charac-
ter.
Nothing moro than her duty as wo-
man. If she have qualities that will give
her leading social influence, and have
time to spare from her home duties, which
are always first-she ought to let these
qualities become active for good. But no
more can, with justice be required of her
than any other woman in the congrega-
ton. Your contract for service is with
her husband, and not with her; and you
have no more just claim upon her time,
nor right To control her freedom than you
have over the wife Of your lawyer, doc
tor or schoolmaster. 1t is this mistaken
idea of people in regard to their minis
ter's wives that is producing so much
trouble in societies, and making wretched |
the lives of hundreds of poor women who
hardly dare say that their souls are their
own. 1t is not enough that tho minis
ter's wife is expected to keep her house
and clothe her children upon the lowest
range Of income, that will not allow her
competent help, but she must spend half
of her time in gossiping around among
the idle or well TODD ladies of the con-
gregation-take part in their sewing cir
cles, and attend all their various meetings
for good or doubtful purposes. Now all
this is wrong; and il you are not satisfied
with my husband, because will not Inn
itate so bad an example, you must give
him notice accordingly; or, if you think
my services as absolutely essential to the
prosperity of the church, just state the
amount of salary you can afford TO give,
and il, for the sum, can procure per
son in every way competent as myself to