That Spare Bed by Edith E. Bruce

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1905

That Spare Bed

By Edith E. Bruce

EDITH E. BRUCE

I BELIEVE that if there is any one thing more than another that is heartily appreciated by those of our laborers who are constantly called away from their own home and fireside, it is a good, comfortable place to sleep after a hard day of mental and physical labor.

We sometimes conceive the idea that it is a very easy thing for our ministers, canvassers, and other laborers to travel from place to place, laboring in the cause, and some even imagine they are receiving a rich remuneration for their services, but this, my friend, is a mistaken idea. Just stop and think what it would mean to us to be away from home and those we hold most dear, week after week, sleeping and eating wherever we chance to be. This, I am sure, they do most cheerfully, but not without a sacrifice.

I believe, if we should stop to take these facts into consideration, we should be more careful in providing for those who come to us a good, comfortable place in which to sleep. Can you imagine anything more uncomfortable than to get into a cold, damp bed with scant clothing in a cold room? The bed has been made up for days, possibly for weeks and months, and the room closed to fresh air and sunlight. Such conditions have caused many a serious illness, and even death.

In view of these facts, we would like to offer a few suggestions. First of all, keep the room clean, and free from dust. No matter how plain and simple the furnishings, they may be kept clean. Air the room every day, and then leave the curtains up, and let the sunshine in. If there is no means of warming the room, leave the door open leading into the other rooms a part of the day.

And then that bed. I know of but one thing more repulsive than to get into a cold, damp, musty-smelling bed on a cold winter night, and that is to get into a soiled bed in the hot summer where there are bugs. This is very plain language, but it is something that one is often obliged to meet in traveling from place to place. Such a condition should never exist among our people. Bedding is very cheap. Soap and water are cheap, and there is no excuse for offering any one a soiled bed.

Then we would emphasize—have the bed clean. The top sheet should be long enough to turn well down over the covers, and thus protect them from getting soiled. Another very good way of protecting the comfortables and quilts is to have a strip of cloth about one-half yard wide tucked on either side of the top covers. This can be removed from time to time, and laundered, and thus the covers may be kept clean and fresh.

Be sure that there is enough clothing on the bed, and that it is well aired before putting it on. It is an easy matter to throw off a cover, but it is very disagreeable, to say the least, to be chilly all night for want of sufficient covers. Besides having plenty of covers, the bed should be warmed by means of hot water bags if you have them, if not, place two hot bricks wrapped with cloth (not a soiled towel or old apron, but some clean old cloth) in the bed in the early evening; and when the occupant is ready to retire, he will find a nice warm bed. Such little attentions will be gratefully appreciated by our workers, and they are truly missionary work. A pitcher of drinking water and a glass should be provided at night, and warm and cold water in the morning, with plenty of clean towels. And thus our workers will be made to feel more at home, their burdens lightened, and the cause we love will be better promoted.