A POOR woman at B., in Wiltshire, the wife of a day laborer, being called by the grace of God, her husband became a bitter persecutor; and because his wife would not relinquish the service of God, he frequently turned her out of doors in the night, and during the winter season. The wife, being a prudent woman, did not expose this cruelty to her neighbors, but, on the contrary, to avoid their observation, she went into the adjacent fields, and betook herself to prayer. Greatly distressed, but not in despair, her only encouragement was that with God all things are possible. She therefore resolved to set apart one hour every day to pray for the conversion of her persecuting husband. This she was enabled to do without missing one day for a whole year. Seeing no change in her husband, she formed a second resolution to persevere for six months longer, which she did up to the last day, when she retired at about twelve o’clock as usual, and as she thought for the last time. Fearing that her wishes in this instance might be contrary to the will of God, she resolved to call no more on Him; her desire not being granted, her expectation appeared to be cut off. That same day her husband returned from his labor in a state of deep dejection; and instead of sitting down as usual to his dinner, he proceeded directly to his chamber. His wife followed, and heard, to her grateful astonishment, that he who used to mock had returned to pray.
He came down stairs, but refused to eat, and returned again to his labor till the evening. When he came home his wife affectionately asked him, “What is the matter?” “Matter enough,” said he; “I am a lost sinner. About twelve o’clock this morning,” continued he, “I was at my work, and a passage of Scripture was deeply impressed on my mind, which I cannot get rid of, and I am sure I am lost.” His wife encouraged him to call upon the Lord, but he replied, “Oh, wife, it is of no use; there is no forgiveness for me.” Smitten with remorse at the recollection of his former conduct, he said to her, “Will you forgive me?” She replied, “Oh! yes.” “Will you pray for me?” “Oh! yes, that I will.” “Will you pray for me now?” “That I will with all my heart.” They instantly fell on their knees, and wept and made supplication. His tears of penitence mingled with her tears of gratitude and joy. He became very decidedly pious, and afterward greatly exerted himself to make his neighbors acquainted with the way of salvation by Christ Jesus.
How many Christian wives who read these pages will be ready to exclaim, “I also have an unsaved husband!” While enjoying peace with God in their own souls, how bitterly they feel the sorrow of having husbands who, if not persecutors, yet know not the Lord Jesus. Some of them may be both moral and kind; as they say, “not interfering with their wives in religious matters;” still the thought of being linked with one whose whole heart and moral being is without Christ, and that unless born again must be shut out from the presence of God and the Lamb forever, and shut into everlasting darkness, is such a burden and sorrow that the loving heart cannot but most keenly feel. To say nothing of the present distress of being linked with one in the closest natural ties, to whom the heart cannot unburden itself in matters of deepest interest; yet painful as this is, it sinks into comparative nothingness when compared with the vital and eternal view of the matter. How many wives feel this! And where can the heart of the loving, praying wife find repose but in pouring out its deep yearning into the listening ear of her prayer-answering God and Father? “Long have I done this,” says one dear wife, “but the answer has not yet come.” Well, dear soul, pray on; “continue in prayer;” and see to it that there is no idol carried in your bosom, no sin excused, no evil tolerated by you. If you knew the Lord before your marriage, own the deep sin of being unequally yoked; make solemn confession to God; judge yourself about it in His presence; for “If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:3131For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:31)); and again, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” (1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).) With self-judgment, self-abasement, and deeply-felt weakness, plead with God your Father in the name of His beloved Son, and He will assuredly answer you. Doubt not; for Jesus said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be gloried in the Son.” (John 14:1313And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13).) Rely on the all-prevailing plea of the name of God’s only-begotten Son.
We have long said, from what we have seen of the work of the Lord, that He seems to delight to answer the prayers of wives for their unconverted husbands. We have known many of such marvelous acting’s of divine grace; and does not Scripture encourage us to hope that it would be so? “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.” (1 Peter 3:1,21Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. (1 Peter 3:1‑2).) Do you think that God would thus speak of the believing wife winning the unbelieving husband unless it were His own purpose to bless? Believing wives, then, do count upon God! Do not reckon upon stratagem! Do not for a moment adopt crooked ways! Be upright before God! Be faithful, chaste, and godly in your conduct! Set your heart on God, that by His grace your husband may be won for Christ. Remember that “he that winneth souls is wise.” Above all, reckon only upon God for blessing. Encourage your heart in Him. Your path is very difficult and trying. He knows it, and He can and will give you grace to go through it. Look up and expect blessing from God, counting only on the almightiness of His arm, and the omnipotence of divine grace. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).)