The Influence of the Home
By Anna L. Colcord
THE family is the first institution God made in this world. It antedates even the Sabbath. It is therefore of primary importance. The influence which the family exerts in the world is greater than many realize. It is the foundation of society, the church, and the nation. If the families are right, society will be right, the church will be right, and the nation will be right. The laws of nations themselves are but the reflex of the training of nurseries. The condition of the church is largely determined by the home training of the children. Society is governed according to the individual training of our sons and daughters. “Men are only boys grown tall,
Hearts don’t change much after all.”
Therefore one of the most practical ways to work for society, the church, and the nation, is to work for the family. Many who are preaching the message for this time seem to overlook the fact that this message is to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,” — terms which indicate the family relationship. To give little or no attention to the family, the home, and home influences, therefore, is to overlook important relationships, and to neglect an essential part of our work. In view of the far-reaching influence of the home, it is not strange that the enemy is doing his utmost to ruin homes and break family ties. This is one of his most effectual means of bringing the world to a state of lawlessness and confusion. As the work of the gospel is to counterwork the work of Satan, it will seek to unite and strengthen family ties, and make the home what God designed it should be.