“BE NOT FORGETFUL TO ENTERTAIN STRANGERS.”
By Mrs. B. J. Cady
MRS. B. J. CADY.
(Tahiti, Society Islands.) PETER admonishes us to “use hospitality one to another without grudging.” This does not require that we be either visiting or entertaining company all the time, but that when we are called upon to entertain, we should treat our visitor with kindness and generosity. It is true that there are persons who impose upon the hospitality of others, and yet do not think of exercising hospitality themselves. But, while some are of this kind, there are many worthy ones whose work calls them so far from home that they can not return for food and shelter, but must be dependent upon the generosity of others. You should never force a brother to go to a hotel or restaurant for food or lodging, if you are able to take him into your own home and care for him. You may fear that you can not properly entertain him, as your house is small and poorly furnished, and your bill of fare very plain. But almost any brother would prefer to lodge with you rather than at a hotel, provided your house is neat and tidy, and your food prepared in a palatable and cleanly manner. So never mind if your home is poor and your food simple; no matter how poor you are in this world's goods, you can have your home neat and inviting. If you do the best you can to make your visitor comfortable and at ease, and do it without grudging, I assure you that your efforts will be appreciated by any Christian. Your hospitality may not always be appreciated, but your duty is to be hospitable, no matter what others do. There are some who have large houses and every convenience, with many luxuries, and yet are loath to take in strangers and entertain them. Usually these are persons who have not known what it is to depend upon the hospitality of strangers. If such could only pass through some of the experiences of our workers who spend most of their time laboring away from home, and who often have to spend the night in the open air, they would then know better how to do unto others as they would have others do unto them. We all appreciate kindness and hospitality, and therefore we should endeavor to be kind and hospitable toward others. It is not necessary to tire yourself out preparing an elaborate bill of fare for your company. If your everyday diet is wholesome, and all that is required for your own family, then that ought to be good enough for your visitors. No matter how much you simplify your work, visitors necessarily bring added care and responsibility, so you need to save your strength as far as possible that you may be able to perform cheerfully and faithfully your necessary work. Why is it that the saying, “There is no place like home,” expresses the sentiment of so many hearts? Is it not because one is generally happier and more comfortable in his own home? There, he has things arranged to suit his pleasure and convenience. He has peculiarities of taste and habit, and in his own home he is free to please himself as far as he is able. True, there are some who seem to enjoy themselves better away from home, but that is because there is something wrong with them, or else with their home. So, if you wish your visitor to enjoy your hospitality, you should make him feel as much at home as possible. If you have a room that you can conveniently spare exclusively to him while he is with you, let him have it. He will greatly appreciate having a quiet place, where he can go to read and commune with God alone. Have the room neat and properly ventilated, and the bed clean and well aired. Be sure to provide sufficient covering for the bed, if you have it. Some persons feel the cold more than others, and to those with a weak constitution it is very injurious to have the body become chilled. I have known persons to suffer considerably with the cold, rather than ask for more bedclothes. Perhaps your visitor is in the habit of taking a sponge bath upon arising in the morning, and would be much pleased if you would furnish him with water in his room. And remember that he needs soap with which properly to clean his hands, and a towel to dry them with. It is not always good form to ask a visitor to wipe his face and hands on the family towel. In furnishing your guest with conveniences, just think of what you would like yourself, and try to provide him with those things. While visiting away from home, many often suffer from lack of sleep. Especially is this so with our laborers. They usually sleep at a different house almost every night, and are often kept awake, talking with their host, until a late hour. We should not suppose that because they are only preaching and visiting, they do not require much sleep. Their work is mental, and more taxing to the system than is physical labor, so they need more sleep in order to keep well and strong. Now, if you treat your visitor well, you must permit him to retire early, if he wishes to do so. Keeping him up till after midnight is a poor way of showing your appreciation of him. You will generally find that he is weary with travel and loss of sleep, and will be very thankful for an opportunity to get a full night's rest. Irregularity of meals is another inconvenience that many guests have to endure. At one place they may eat breakfast at nine o'clock, and then be called upon to eat dinner at eleven o'clock at the next house they visit. Their next meal may happen to be at eight o'clock in the evening. For the good of your own family, you should have your meals at regular hours, and they should be at least five hours apart. Six hours would be better than five. The stranger is expected to eat when the food is prepared, and to find no fault, no matter how inconvenient it may be for him. It is plainly the duty of every Christian to learn the laws of health, and put them into practice in the home. Then the food will be wholesome and palatable, and the meals regular. You will not tempt the appetite with unhealthful viands to weaken the stomach and becloud the mind. The home will be neat and orderly, and you may provide for the health and comfort of your family and guests, even if you are not able to provide them with luxuries.