p. 311 | IS IT SO IN YOUR HOME? by E. K. Slade

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 15, 1900

IS IT SO IN YOUR HOME?

By E. K. Slade

E. K. SLADE.

(Wacousta, Mich.)

Every home should be a happy, peaceful place, and there is nothing that will contribute more to make it so than proper management.

A short time ago I spent a few days with a family in one of our small churches, where I was much impressed with the order and harmony and happiness that existed.

There were twelve in the family, and, consequently, there was a large amount of work for some one to do. The family consisted of the father, mother, their seven children, the grandfather and grandmother, and a Christian teacher employed for this one family only.

All the children attend school in a building suitably fitted for it.

Each morning the large farm bell rings at a stated time for rising. A little later the bell is rung, which calls the family together for morning worship. All are present during prayer, after which the mother and the three youngest children quietly finish getting the breakfast on the table, while the remainder of the family enter into a study of the truth for about fifteen minutes. At the tap of a small bell all the family, cheerfully, and with perfect order, gather around a bountifully spread table. This regularity seems to be perfectly natural, with no stiffness about it. The same order and regularity characterized the work in all the house during the day. Everything in the house and about the place gives evidence of neatness and thoroughness.

The mother was heard to say to some of the children, as a gentle reminder, “Well, what do you do about this time?” but no scolding, loud commanding, nor harsh words were to be heard from either parents or children.

Each one had his work, a time in which to do it, and everything had its place, so that no time was lost in hunting for misplaced articles. By this management parents, as well as children, find time each day for recreation, rest, and study, as well as to do some missionary work. The mother found time, when I was there, to drive some distance to visit an invalid, besides attending all the meetings that were being held at the time. She gives instrumental music lessons to her daughters, who have regular time for practice; and at stated hours she goes to the schoolroom, where she gives vocal lessons to the school,—all her own children.

In this family the laws of health are strictly observed by all. The smallest children are in bed, each day all through the year, before seven o’clock, and are up with the rest of the family in the morning. They have never been sick.

I do not need to tell you that this is a happy, Christian family, and that father and mother and home afford greater attractions to the grown-up boys and girls than any outside influence.

Much of the desirableness of this home is brought about by order and system, which are laws of heaven; harmony and health and happiness will contribute much to the heavenliness of any home.