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The Need of Homes

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 4, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 27.

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The Need of Homes

By Mrs. N. H. Richmond

MRS. N. H. RICHMOND
At the present time, when sin and lawlessness of every kind are having their way, and when we see some one's girls and boys going down to the very depths of sin on every side, what are we as Christians to do? That the evil will not be stopped is very evident, for evil men and seducers are to wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Tim. 3:13) till the end comes.
We see on every hand girls—somebody's splendid girls—entering the whirlpool of sin, and being dragged to the very bottom of the pit, then in their despair crying out, “Too late, too late!” All too often some mother comes to me, her heart filled with sorrow and despair, saying, “What can I do for my girl? She is a good girl, but she is in trouble, and where can I take her so that when she gets over this, she will not be likely to do the same thing again?”
O, the bitter tears that are shed, and the aching hearts there are all around us! Jesus said he came to bind up the broken-hearted and break the bands of wickedness and let the oppressed go free.
I often wonder, as I listen to the tales of woe and see the bitter tears flow, how Jesus must feel when he sees so few who are willing to engage in a work for girls. There should be Homes for girls everywhere all over the world, where they can go when they have taken the first step downward, where they can receive a training, and be taught the fundamental principles of right-doing, and how to work. It is surprising how few girls who have good mothers are taught by those mothers how to work. Work was given as a blessing to man, and if girls were taught how to do housework of all kinds, instead of sitting around doing nothing, what a blessing it would be to both mother and daughters! And many times it would keep the girls from going wrong!
Homes of this kind on a small scale are needed in many places, with a school, where those who have charge of the Homes and the girls are one family, with a real home life, where the family altar is erected, and all take a part in singing praises to God,—where love for souls rules the Home. A farm of a few acres is needed, with some kinds of industries, so that in a short time the girls will learn how to do many things, and will be self-supporting. Such Homes, not institutions, would be the means of saving many, yes, hundreds of girls from going to the very depths of sin. The family plan is God's plan, and coming in close touch with people is the best way to reach the heart. “Give me thine heart,” says the Lord.
There is a great work to be done. Who will take part in it and help with both heart and means to establish such places, not only for girls, but for boys also? As I see the scores and hundreds of boys going down, how my heart cries out, and I long to see God's people aroused to this work. It is part of the gospel message for this time, and must be done. May God impress it on the hearts of the Christian people everywhere.
Christ's words were, “The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom before you.” Take heed to thyself lest at any time thine own heart be not right. May you who read this realize that your girl, your boy, is no more safe than some one's else boy and girl; for Satan has come down with great wrath, knowing his time is short. Rev. 12:12.
Hinsdale, Ill.