The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-05-10

Nv itlsillbl 10 the HuGtH Ill any
way different from yours. or THAI Of other
Ladies' in the congregations, said Mrs. FL
more with Il decision of tone that showed
her to be in earnest
But you forget, madam, that you are the
minister's wife
Not for moment. | am the minister
wife, but not the minister. He is the ser
want OF the congregation, but am not.
glanced toward my friend and saw that
/ she looked bcwildcred and at fault. think
: some new ideas Were coming into her mind
! "'rhen, if | understood you," said she,
you are not interested in the spiritual wei
fare of Your husbands congregation
Ion the contrary replied Mrs. Gilmore,
II feel deeply interested And also feel
interested i'll the welfare of other congrega-
tons. But am only wife and a mother,
and my chief duties are at home. If time
permitting, | can help in any good work
outside of my home, will put my hand to
1t chrerfully. But home obligations are first
with ms" tits my husbands duty to minis
ter in spiritual things, not mine He ell
gagged 10 preach for you, to administer the
ordinances of the church, and to do faith
fully all things required by his office So
far rs know he gives satisfaction
con, dear yes, indeed, he gives satisfac-
ton, was the reply to this. Nobody has
word to say against him.
y smile of genuine pleasure lighted up the
face of Mrs Elmore. She sat very still for
a moment, and then, with the manner of
one who had drawn back her thoughts from
something agreeable, she said:
1t is very pleasant for me to hear such
testimony in regard to my husband No
one knows we'll as | do how deeply his
heart is in his work.
"And if you woult. only hold up his
hands, suggested my friend.
Help him to preach, do you mean: >"
son, no, no. no. was calculated. 81
don't mean that, Of course TIL" warm
blood mounted to the very forehead of my
lady monitor.
Mrs. E!more smiled briefly, and as the
light faded from her countenance, said in
her grave, impressive way:
g | trust we are beginning to understand
each other But l think word OF two
more is required to make my position clear.
In arranging for my husbands service
10 stipulation was made in regard to mine
If the congregation expected services from
me- the fact should have been stated. Then
| would have communicated my views in
the case, and informed the congregation that
| had neither time nor taste for public tlu- |
ties.
/" If this had been unsatisfactory, the pro-
position to my husband could have been
withdrawn. As it is, | stand unpledged |
behond any lady in the parish, and what is
more, shall remain unpledged. | claim no
privileges, no rights, no superiority. | am
only Il woman, Il wife, and Il mother-your
sister and your equal-and us such ask |
your sympathy, your kindness. and your
fellowship. If there are Ladies' in the con-
gregation who have the time, the inclina- |
ton, and the ability TO engage in the more
public uses to be found in all religious socie-
ties. let them, by all means, take the precc-
dence. They will have their reward in Just |
tn" degree that they act from purified Chris
tlStil llltilNtS. ~ lol NY Cultl uutleS,
rs | have said before, lie at home, and, God |
being my helper will faithfully do them"
Right, Mrs. Elmore right said |, speak
ing for the first time, but with Il warmth |
that showed my earnestncss. "You have |
stated the case exactly. When we engaged |
your Husbands services nothing was stipu- |
lated, as You have said, in regard to yours, |
and now see that no more can be Justly |
required of you than of any other lady in |
the congregation. l give you my hand as
an equal and 4 sister and thank You for |
having put my mind right on a subject that |
has always been little confused
''She knows how to take her own part
said my companion as we walked away |
from the house of our minister Her man.
ner was little crest fallen.
''She has right and common sense on her |
side | answered, ''and if we had Il few
more such minister's wives in our congrega-
tionS, they would teach the people some les
sons, needtul tn learned"
! was very favorably impressed with Mrs.
Gilmore on the occasion of this visit, and |
shall call ON her again right early.
To think how much hard talk and I'M
charitable judgment there has been in re-
gard to her, and all because As Il woman of |
good sense and clear perceptions she under
stood her duty in her own way, and as she
understood it, performed it to the letter. ! |
shall take good care to let her view of the
case be known. She will raise at once in
the estimation of all whose good opinions
are worth having.
We are now done with complaints about |
Our minister's wife, | trust. She has detin-
ed her position so clearly that none but the
most stupid or set-willcd can fail to see |
where she stands