The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-02
THE "oBEDIENCEv OF A WIFE.
Minister'S Little Essay on Much
Discussed Topic.


Rev. E +. Hardy, in London Queen.
Much is said both wise and otherwise,
in reference TO the obedience winch q
wife vows to yield TO her huspano-
Brides boast that they have evaded the
word obey and substituted "go gay,
"say nay or some other similar sound
After her wedding lady OF TINS kihd
remarked to the Rev. F. ID. Maurice,
who had performed the ceremony, NOW,
Mr.. Maurice, I call you to witness tnat
1 entertain no intention OF obeyins-
Maurice answered with his sad, sweet
smile: .Ah, madam, you little know the
blessedness Of obedience.
What do those who are now so OPP
posed to wifely obedience say 10 the
following true incident? Sir Charles
and Lady Napier were riding one even
ing unattended, on the summit or a
range of hills in India. The sun had
just set, the pathway was narrow, Dor
dered on one side by jungle and on the
other by deep precipice. turning 10
his wife rather suddenly, but yet quiet
ly, Sir Charles desired her to ride on
at full speed to the nearest village, and
send some people back to the spot where
she had left him, and he. Furthermore
babe her not to ask him the reason why
he sent her. She obeyed in silence. Yet
it was no slight trial of her courage, as
well as of her obedience. for the way
was lonely and beset with many posi-
idly forward, and gained village a few
miles distant in safety. The party
whom she then dispatched and accom-
panied met Sir Charles, who then ex-
planned the reason Of his strange, per-
emptory command He had seen, as he
and his wife slowly walked their horses,
first pair Of fiery eyes CLEAN at them
from the jungle, and then the head of
large tiger. He was sure If they both
rode on that the terrible beast would
give chase, and he feared If Lady Ma
pier knew the dreadful peril at hand
that she might be so startled to be
unable TO make an effort to escape. This
was why he sent her on and remained
himself, though he had only a pair Of
pistols, confronting and controlling the
tiger with the steady, unflinching glance
of his eagle eye, until. after a short gaze
and a low grOwl, the beast turned back
into the jungle.
OF course. no one worthy of attention
believes that it is a wifes duty to obey
when her husband wishes her to act
contrary to the dictates of conscience.
AS little is she expected to conform to a
standard Of obedience and service such
as was laid down in conversation over
heard between two children who were
playing on the sands together. Small
boy to little girl: do you wish to be
my wife?" Little girl, with reflection:
Yes" Small boy: Then pull off my
boots.''
On great many points, however,
concerning the pecuniary other in
terests of the family the husband will
usually be the wiser, and may most
properly be treated as the senior partner
in the firm. A woman may like to have
her own way, but she has little respect
for the husband who gives it. to her in
everything. The ideal wife claims the
liberty of being herself and managing
her house, but she never refuses loyalty
to an affection which supports and pro-
tects her. Despotism and obedience are.
indeed, terms that have no meaning in
a matrimonial alliance of the right sort
The word 'obey'' had not as great
terror for our Queen when she was GO
ing to be married as it has for the new
woman. among her subjects. When ar
ranging about the service the Archbish-
op of Canterbury asked her Majesty
whether it would be desirable to omit
the word obey" and she answered, ST
wish to be married as a woman, not as
Queen" Some of her Majesty's SUBJ
jects are not as subject as she was in
this respect. They do desire to exercise
sovereignty over their husbands, and do
not prefer to reign through service. AT
negro wedding, when the clergyman
read the words, love, honor and obey"
the bridegroom interrupted him and
said: Read that again, sab! Read it
once mo-. SOS de lady kin katch de full
solemnity Of de meaning Use been
married befo'." Another man, who had
been married before three or four times
Qt does not matter which, except to
HIMSELF said: My. first wife cured me
of romance, my second taught me hu-
mility, and my third made me phi
losopher." None of these wives could
have caught the full solemnity of the
vows they took when they were being
married.
The vexed question Of conjugal ODE
dience was settled by Spurgeon in a
characteristic way. In an address at
the marriage of the daughter Of friend
he spoke thus to the bride about her fu-
ture lord: LET him be the head, and do
you be the neck. and turn him which
way you please"
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