Home Environments by Mrs. Minnie L. Morrison

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1909

Home Environments

By Mrs. Minnie L. Morrison

MRS. MINNIE L. MORRISON

The first eight or ten years of a child's life are spent mostly with its mother, and these are the years when it is most easily impressed. If, as in most families, the entire household cares devolve upon the mother, she can early teach the little one to help. This it is usually happy to do, and by and by when she really needs help, the child will know how to render it. In this way the mother is its constant companion, and is continually teaching by precept and example, “here a little and there a little,” just when the child is in a receptive mood, for there is not much use in trying to instil into a child that in which it is not interested. Therefore one important point is to arouse an interest in that which it ought to know.

But mothers should never forget that example is far more powerful than precept. For instance: if you tell a child that it is not good for it to eat between meals, and in a few days it sees you eating an apple or nibbling at something, which, think you, it will be most likely to follow—what you said or what you did?

It is not the things we intentionally plan for the purpose of producing a certain effect upon our children that have been most powerful in influencing them, but what we said and did when we were “off our guard,” or, in other words, what we really are, is woven into their lives and characters far more than what we study to teach them. Therefore, dear parents, we must ourselves be in the truest sense of the word what we desire our children to become; for every word and act of ours leaves an impression. If we want them to be true, we must ourselves be true.

No mother should allow herself to be so overworked that she becomes nervous and irritable. She owes it to her child and to her family to be always bright and cheerful, and this is impossible when every nerve cries out in pain or weariness. There is no end to a mother's duties, but she can not do everything; so if some things must be crowded out, better let it be some of the tucks and ruffles, the pies and cakes; better have fewer dresses and less fancy work than to neglect the inward adorning of yourself and your little ones. Children's lives should be filled brimful of happiness. Cares and sorrows will come all too soon for the most of them, but the sweet memory of a happy childhood will make them stronger to bear them.

The twilight hour should especially belong to the little ones. If possible, let the father have a good romp with them. Hold them in your arms and rock them; sing to them; tell them sweet stories, and pray with them; and if anything has happened through the day to cause tears, be sure they are wiped away before the little bodies are tucked away for the night. Whatever, dear father and mother, you may have to leave undone, do not fail to “put the children to bed with a kiss and a smile,” for “sweet childhood will linger at best but a little while.” The sweet spirit of a godly home will leave an imprint so softening and subduing in its power that after-years can never efface it. The memories of loving-kindness, tender words of sympathy, and unselfish and thoughtful deeds, will live on in the hearts of those who were blessed by them, and become a blessing in other homes.

A refined spirit puts refinement into the home, though it be only one plain room without an ornament or a luxury. A coarse nature makes the home coarse though it be a palace filled with all the elegance that wealth can buy. No home life can ever be better than the life of those who make it. It is nothing more nor less than the spirit of the parents like an atmosphere filling all the house.

And next in importance to the home spirit, is the house itself, with all that pertains to it, both inside and out. It need not be elegantly furnished, but it should be neat and orderly, having a restful and inviting appearance.

Children are fond of pictures, and if

the pictures be pure and good, they may have a wonderful influence in refining their lives. Prints and engravings can be purchased at small cost, and most people can afford a few of natural scenery and of flowers that will beautify and be inspiring.

There should be books in the home, but they should be selected with the greatest care. No child should be allowed to experiment in literature. The mother should understand the nature of every book that is read by her children. It would be well if she could always read with them. Reading aloud evenings by turns in a family is an excellent habit; for in this way all are interested in the same subject, and what has been read can be discussed at the dinner table to good advantage.

There should also be music in the home, sweet, soul-inspiring music, in which the whole family may join. What pleasure can be purer and more enjoyable! If possible, different members of the family should learn to play, some on one instrument, some on another, and let all join in singing.

Also let the children have different innocent games, and let the parents never get too old to occasionally play with them. God made childhood to be joyous, full of life and laughter, bright and sunny, and it is a crime to try to make children grave and stately.

No father can afford to let his children grow up without weaving himself into the happy memories of their youth. And he can best do this by being a boy with them, and by taking a real interest in all that interests them.

Happy indeed is the father who has so retained the confidence of his children that they will come to him for counsel in the most important affairs of their lives. But in order to do this, he must keep in sympathetic touch with them all the way along.

The companions of your children must not be ignored; for they will have companions, and while it is all right that they should, like the books which they read they should not be left to choose them unaided; for none of their environments plays a more important part than the companions with whom they associate while young.

Children should not be left to play by themselves, but a wise mother will suggest interesting games which they can play in her presence, while she is engaged in some light work about the room.

No doubt many parents look back in sorrow upon their failures, and wish that they might live their lives over again, and that their children, who are now gone from the paternal roof, might be back once more, as they were years ago.

To such let me say, Do not be discouraged; that door is still open, and God's ear is not deaf to your faintest cry, neither is his arm shortened that it can not save. Plead with him earnestly, confessing your mistakes, and he will give you the desire of your heart; for he has promised, “I will save your children.”

College View, Neb.