p. 12 | A Christian Home by Edith Bartlett

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 7, 1904

A Christian Home

By Edith Bartlett

EDITH BARTLETT

In the great plan of salvation the place of the true home is of vast importance. Instituted in Eden by God himself, he designed that through it mankind should learn of the kingdom of heaven, and enjoy, even here, a foretaste of the love, joy, and peace of which that kingdom consists.

Jesus said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” When this great truth is realized, parents will see that their children are gifts from God, by which he seeks to link them to himself. The teachableness and simplicity, the love and absolute trust of childhood, are object-lessons, helping us to understand the true nature of faith, and what Jesus means when he says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

And the child, trained from infancy to see in father and mother its best friends, learning continually lessons of obedience and reverence, will not, when the claims of the great Father are presented, find it hard to respond.

God’s words, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him,” and, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you,” will not be empty sounds in the ears of one to whom father and mother have been truly pitiful and truly comforting.

The commandment, “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,” shows that God has placed mutual obligations upon parents and children—children honoring, and parents proving worthy of honor—that they may help each other to become partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

But the tie between Christ and his people is closer even than that of parent and child. “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

It is evident, then, that through the home where Christ reigns, is given a practical illustration of the outworking of God’s plans.

What a refuge in time of temptation! What a bulwark against sin! For the Christian home is the home where love reigns, and finds expression in words and acts of thoughtful kindness and gentle courtesy. “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”

Here are welcomed the downcast and afflicted, to whom are given help and cheer, that the call of Jesus, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” may reach their hearts. Says the Lord, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him: and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”

Can we wonder that against this mighty influence for good, Satan has directed his most determined efforts? So well has he succeeded in tearing down this great bulwark against evil, that among the deadly sins of the present day are disobedience to parents, and a sad lack of natural affection. 2 Tim. 3: 1-5.

But God’s kingdom will triumph, and already is going to the world that great message which he promised: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” And, amid the perils of the last days, his people triumphantly exclaim, “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion.”