April 26

April 26 – AM          Page 568, Spiritual Experience, Appendix II

“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”
—HERBERT SPENCER

April 26 – PM          Page 115-116, To Wives, Chapter 8

The same principle applies in dealing with the children.  Unless they actually need protection from their father, it is best not to take sides in any argument he has with them while drinking.  Use your energies to promote a better understanding all around.  Then that terrible tension which grips the home of every problem drinker will be lessened.
Frequently, you have felt obliged to tell your husband’s employer and his friends that he was sick, when as a matter of fact he was tight.  Avoid answering these inquiries as much as you can.  Whenever possible, let your husband explain.  Your desire to protect him should not cause you to lie to people when they have a right to know where he is and what he is doing.  Discuss this with him when he is sober and in good spirits.  Ask him what you should do if he places you in such a position again.  But be careful not to be resentful about the last time he did so.
There is another paralyzing fear.  You may be afraid your husband will lose his position; you are thinking of the disgrace and hard times which will befall you and the children.  This experience may come to you.  Or you may already have had it several times.  Should it happen again, regard it in a different light.  Maybe it will prove a blessing!  It may convince your husband he wants to stop drinking forever.  And now you know that he can stop if he will!  Time after time, this apparent calamity has been a boon to us, for it opened up a path which led to the discovery of God.