tribute so indispensably due to _merit_, that they must be paid by
_inclination_--and they naturally lead to the performance of the last,
which will not only be easy, but a pleasing task, since nothing can ever
be enjoined by such a person that is in itself improper, and a few
things will, that can, with any reason, be disagreeable to you.

"The being united to a man of irreligious principles, makes it
impossible to discharge a great part of the proper duty of a wife. To
name but one instance, obedience will be rendered impracticable, by
frequent injunctions inconsistent with, and contrary to, the higher
obligations of morality. This is not a supposition, but is a certainty
founded upon facts, which I have too often seen and can attest. Where
this happens, the reasons for non-compliance ought to be offered in a
plain, strong, good natured manner. There is at least the chance of
success from being heard. But should those reasons be rejected, or the
hearing them refused, and silence on the subject enjoined, which is most
probable, few people caring to hear what they know to be right, when
they are determined not to be convinced by it--obey the injunction, and
urge not the argument farther. Keep, however, steady to your principles,
and suffer neither persuasion nor threats to prevail on you to act
contrary to them. All commands repugnant to the laws of christianity,
it is your indispensable duty to disobey. All requests that are
inconsistent with prudence, or incompatible with the rank and character
which you ought to maintain in life, it is your interest to refuse. A
compliance with the former would be criminal, a consent to the latter
highly indiscreet; and it might thereby subject you to general censure.
For a man, capable of requiring, from his wife, what he knows to be in
itself wrong, is equally capable of throwing the whole blame of such
misconduct on her, and of afterwards upbraiding her for a behavior, to
which he will, upon the same principle, disown that he has been
accessary. Many similar instances have come within the compass of my own
observation. In things of less material nature, that are neither
criminal in themselves, nor pernicious in their consequences, always
acquiesce, if insisted on, however disagreeable they may be to your own
temper and inclination. Such a compliance will evidently prove that your
refusal, in the other cases, proceeds not from a spirit of
contradiction, but merely from a just rega