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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 6.

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Our Homes

By LIDA MAY WESTBROOK

LIDA MAY · WESTBROOK
Poets have written about the home. They have led the mind to the quaint old country place surrounded by creeping vines and blossoming shrubs, and have gently unfolded to our view the sweet-faced mother and the kind-hearted father bent with age. Our great men of the world in their lectures have tenderly spoken of their boyhood days at home, of mother, whose never-ceasing care and love have kept them in the path of integrity. Authors of note have many times written that which has touched an answering chord in the hearts of their readers, and many have been made purer as the memories and teachings of home come back to their minds.
Just now, when Satan is holding out every inducement to our loved ones, we need pure, attractive, and pleasant homes. “More powerful than any other earthly influence upon human hearts and lives is that of a true home.” What is a true home? It is not a home where the father sits during the evening with a deep frown on his brow, and where, after reading the evening paper, he puts on his coat and hat and goes out to greet Mr. —— and others, and then, as he nears home, puts on his frown once more. Such a man can not be a true head of the household, for he can not become acquainted with his children, or win their love. Perhaps ere his return, mother has quietly put the children in their little beds, for “father is tired and out of sorts to-night.”
Neither can a home be a true home when the mother scolds and frets from morning until night; where she appears at meal-time with uncombed hair and soiled dress. Perhaps she has scolded until she is on the verge of tears. Her house is untidy; everything seems to have gone wrong all day. What excuse has this mother? — She is “so nervous.”
But the children have no encouragement in such a home. The little ones that God has given us to care for, the ones we are to give an account for in the great day of God — these are having their feet started in the pathway of ruin through the influence of such a home. God intends the home to be the dearest spot on earth; and each member of the household should do his part toward making it so.
The father, as the head of the household, should strive to make his home a place where cheerfulness, courtesy, and love abide. He should enter his home with smiles and pleasant words. He should establish the family altar, and all should gather for worship. He should take time to become acquainted with his children. Even if his business cares are very pressing, he can afford to spend some time with his family, and he will find that it is not time wasted. Human souls are at stake. How much more important one human soul is than all the business cares of life! In the morning before taking up the cares of the day let the father gather his family around him, and bowing before God, commit the loved ones to the care of the Father in heaven.
On the mother seems to rest the greatest care of the family. Each little trial is brought to her. A little hand or head must be kissed and cared for to cure the bump or ache. The duties of the household press upon her. Every little detail must come under mother’s notice. With patience she should care for her children. With a gentle, God-fearing spirit she should lead her loved ones to the side of Jesus. Her house should be kept clean and tidy, that it may be an attractive place for the husband and children. Solomon has spoken of the faithful wife: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”
A great responsibility rests upon parents. In their home life they are sowing seed which will bear fruit for Christ or Satan. As fathers and mothers let us draw near to the Saviour, that he may lead us in this great work of making our homes pure, elevating, love-inspiring, until we reach the blessed home of the faithful which is just ahead.
Elmira, N. Y.