CLEANLINESS AND TIME FOR STUDY.
By Mrs. H. W. Pierce
While reading the article “No Time,” which was printed some time ago in the Review, my heart responded: It is truth. There is danger that I for one shall become so “absorbed in the active duties of life that prayer and the study of God’s word and the Testimonies of his Spirit” shall be neglected. Many, without doubt, have become “so accustomed to work, work, from morning till night, digging out some corner, scrubbing, cleaning, and polishing,” that they do not know where to stop; and it is not an easy matter to cease this daily routine. But, praise the Lord, there is a remedy. Dear sisters, shall we not search for it and apply it? We may not cease to scrub and clean; for the same God who so many times directed his people to wash their clothes is our God to-day, and loves cleanliness and order as well as in ancient times; and he will bless and strengthen those who are physically weak, to perform much of the washing and cleaning necessary in every home. I am sure many will testify to this. If, then, the scrubbing and cleaning must go on, what is the remedy, or how shall we obtain time for study? I think it is largely found in seeking God first before we are so weary that we can not. Everything we do should be done “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” But is it not a common mistake in the family circle to fail to divide the work? Never should it rest on the wife and mother alone. To share it will prove a blessing to the boys and girls, and, if necessary, to the husband and father, especially if he is engaged in sedentary employment. Spurgeon’s “three d’s”—dirt, debt, and the devil—are enemies that must be fought till this mortal life is ended. But God giveth the victory. Praise his blessed name. Let the love of neatness and order be cherished in our home by all the family, so shall the angel whom God has commissioned to watch over us smell a sweet savor when he comes to join the morning or evening worship. Should we not prepare for the presence of angels in our homes as truly as if we could discern them with our natural eyes? Let us try to be as neat in our personal appearance and in our household arrangements each day as if we were looking for some distinguished friend to dine with us. Through weakness we shall often fall short of the mark, yet we must aim at nothing less than perfection in all our work. Much difficulty arises from the liability to confound necessary cleanliness with the false pride of the world, which would place the standard of good housekeeping beyond the reach of many, and so would rob us of all the time and strength we should devote to the study of heavenly things. In the vain attempt to keep our houses like “other folks,” who, it may be, are dwellers here, instead of strangers and pilgrims, our hearts may become overcharged with the cares of this life. But we should not permit this; for the dear Saviour has called us to follow him in self-denial, and to go about doing good. If indeed “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us,” we shall be taught of the Lord to study the precious truths of the last message, and also how to devote time and strength to the household, that in it all things may be done “decently and in order.” God has committed to Christian women a great work, both in their own homes and in branching out to wider bounds. And for both fields he will qualify us by his word and the unction of his Spirit if we set God before us, as first, last, and best in everything.