#107 - A Submissive WIfe

A Submissive Wife

  A good woman's husband was spending an evening at a tavern. The conversation turned on their wives. The husband said his wife was excellent, only she was religious. "But," said he, "such is the command she has of her temper that were I to take you home at midnight and order her to get a supper, she would be all submission and cheerfulness." The company regarded this as a boast, and dared him to try it. The bargain was made.

  "Where is your mistress?" said the husband to the servant who sat up for him.

  "Gone to bed, sir."

  "Call her up. I have brought some friends home and desire supper." She came down and received the company, told them she had some chickens ready, and that supper should be got. It was served with much cheerfulness.

  One of them said to this lady: "Your civility fills us all with surprise. Our visit is in consequence of a wager, which we have lost. As you cannot approve our conduct, why so much kindness to us?"

  "Sir, when I married, my husband and myself were unconverted. It pleased God to call me out of that danger. My husband continues in it. Were he to die he must be miserable forever. I think it my duty to render his present existence as comfortable as possible."

  This affected the whole company, and left a deep impression on the husband's mind.

  "Do you, my dear," he said, "really think I will be eternally miserable? I thank you for the warning. By the grace of God I will change my conduct." He became a Christian and a good husband.

Illustrative Anecdotes for Preachers, Sunday School Teachers, and the Family Circle. Henry M. Tyndall. 1925. #107 (Page 49).