Christian Moral Tales for Young Women of Marrying Age 1881

Wives and Their Husbands
Mrs. George Gladstone, Author
also known as Jemima Compton
London: Religious Tract Society, 1881
95 pages, 19 cm.

Blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

Christian moral tales directed toward young women engaged to be married or already married.  Five stories to direct young women toward living a Godly life, being a role model children to do the same, and the proper manner of conducting her household to please her husband. 

This copy was given as a prize gift for general progress by her teacher. >>>

The following are summaries of the stories found in Wives and Their Husbands.

Fine Feathers
Wanting beautiful clothes, Mary buys clothing for which she hasn't the money to pay and deceiving her husband Richard Sharp as to what she was doing. 

Hurt by the lie, Richard signs up for military service in India, leaving Mary and their baby starving and living under a bridge. After much prayer Mary is taken in by the woman who raised her, becomes a Christian and goes into household service. 

Illustrator Signature: R. & E. Taylor

In the meantime, while away from England Richard also accepts Jesus as his savior After 10 years he returns from India, battle-scarred and missing a leg. He finds Mary, they have a tearful reunion, and live happily ever after within their financial means.

A Good Manager

"Cut your coat according to your cloth, is a trite old proverb, but a useful one; in other words, it means, make whatever money you have sufficient." 

Mrs. Bracey, with her husband and 4 children, must live very frugally by stretching their meager income to its limit, always remembering to give a portion in offering to God, and leading Godly lives. In her later years Mrs. Bracey is reverenced and loved by all for living a Godly life.

John Parker's Birthday Present
Mr. and Mrs. John Parker are a Godly couple who honor the Lord by putting Him first in their lives and never forgetting to trust Him in all things.  As John's birthday nears she works day and night to give him a special gift. 

When their daughter Alice dies, John wonders if the gift will need to be sold to pay the doctor bills but Mrs. Parker encourages him to trust God to see them through. Soon after, Jane's sister dies and 4 of her 6 children come under the Parker's care but John is almost angry because he has no idea how they can financially support them. 

Through it all they remain faithful in faith. Another girl is born who they again name Alice but the first Alice is never forgotten.

The Little Teacher
Mrs. Jones had created a happy home for her family. She works hard while her husband is at work and never worries him when comes home. Though Mrs. Jones is always helpful when needed by her neighbors, she never gossips or spends time chatting with the ladies. 

Their daughter Nellie, was very sick and couldn't walk any longer. At Sunday School, Nellie heard a missionary speak. Taking his words to into her heart, she gave her life over to Jesus Christ. Soon after she introduces Jesus to her parents and they are saved. Mr. and Mrs. Jones agree that their home is now even happier and they can bear all things better through Christ who strengthens them.

The Happy Homestead
Mistress Page and her husband Farmer Page keep a neat and tidy home with everything in its place, though their clothing and belongings are threadbear and worn. Their two daughters, one an invalid who contributes to the family household by doing needlework while reclining on the couch and the other a teacher. 

When their old gray horse died, Mr. Page wonders what they would do. Mistress said she will pray, and she does.  She prays earnestly, believing God will provide, and He does. Their neighbors, hearing of their need for a horse with no money to pay for one, take up a collection and buy them a horse, presumably because the Pages are a kind and loving Christian family.