THE HOME by Mary Wood-Allen

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 18, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 11.

THE HOME

By Mary Wood-Allen

BY MARY WOOD-ALLEN, M. D

Brothers and Sisters.

Who was that elegant young gentleman, Margaret?" asked a young girl of a friend who had just taken leave of a young man who lifted his hat in a most courteous manner.

"O, that is my brother."

"Your brother! why, he took off his hat to you!"

"Certainly, why not."

"But I never heard of such a thing as a brother showing such attention to a sister."

"I should think it very strange if either my brothers or my father did not pay such attention to me. They are all just as particular to tip their hats to mother or us girls as if we were strangers, and we are just as polite to them as if they were the brothers of some other girl. Indeed I feel more inclined to be polite to my own brothers than to strangers."

"Fred, who was that pretty girl that was entertaining you so charmingly at the concert last evening? I guess you've made a conquest, old fellow."

"O, that was my youngest sister, Dora. Isn't she pretty?"

"She certainly is, but I never before heard a fellow speak that way about his sister. I guess they nearly all feel as I do, that they'd rather be with any other girl than their own sister."

"Possibly you would, but I wouldn't. Of course I don't know your sister, but as you do, I'll have to accept your dictum that she is not agreeable or interesting."

"O, I don't mean that. Other fellows think she's nice, but it's rather poky to be devoted to one's sister, isn't it?"

"Not to mine. She is one of the most charming girls I know. We are great chums and have lots of fun together."

"The most fun I have with my sisters is to tease them. Whew! don't they get fiery tho when I play some practical joke on them!"

"Pardon me, but I should feel it very unmanly to tease a girl."

"O, I wouldn't tease any other girls, of course, but just my sisters, you know."

"Why should one not treat his sisters as politely as he treats other girls?"

"I don't know; but boys don't."

Unfortunately the statement of this young man is too true. Surely brothers and sisters, children of the same parents, growing up in the same house should be the best of friends, the most delightful comrades, and if they are not, something has been wrong in the home atmosphere. Ps. 133:1. If they have not learned as little children to be friends, when they arrive at years of discretion they should try to bring about the brotherly and sisterly affection. More especially should the older members of the family be kind to the younger.

I read yesterday an article by Rev. Edward Gallaudet in eulogy of his brother Thomas. When he was marching in cap and gown on the day of his graduation he saw his little brother watching him from the sidewalk, and holding out his hand said, "Come on, Eddie, and march with me." The little fellow in kilts, with a heart almost bursting with happiness, took the big brother's hand and marched with the seniors in cap and gown. It was an hour of ecstasy that was never forgotten, and who can measure the influence of that one small act of brotherly kindness?

The adolescent (boy or girl) is in great need of the sympathy of the older brothers and sisters. Too often he is snubbed, teased, or ignored, and his heart is sore and lonely. He may wander away into the paths of sin because he has missed the loving word from his own.

A young woman listened to a lecture in which the speaker alluded to the needs of the adolescent. This girl had a brother of fourteen whom she had thought a trial, but after the lecture she fell to thinking concerning her own lack of sympathy with him and determined to change.

She saw one evening that he was going out, but instead of sneering at him because he had taken unusual pains with his dress she said kindly, "Charlie, don't you want me to tie your cravat? I know a new way that is very fine."

"I shall never forget," she said afterwards, "the look Charlie gave me. So surprised, so incredulous, but seeing that I was in earnest he accepted my offer with thanks. The next day he seemed anxious to be kind to me, and I accepted his proffered favors with polite courtesy. In the evening I asked him to go out and make a call with me, and since then we have been the best of friends. He does not go out nights with the boys, for we have always some plan for the evenings, and father says he believes I have saved Charlie. I am glad of that, but it seems a shame that a girl had to learn from a stranger how to be good to her own brother."

Many a young man might find his mission in giving time and protecting care to the young sister who, in the ignorance of her life, is in danger of making serious blunders, but who would hear and heed his counsels because she feels sure of his sympathetic love. Christ is our elder brother, and the young girl in this impressionable period of her life may be led to take up the Christ-life because through her brother in the flesh she has learned of brotherly love.

What brothers and sisters may be to each other is illustrated in many lives. No one can read the pathetic story of Charles and Mary Lamb without realizing a brother's unselfish devotion; William and Caroline Herschel proved how a brother and sister may be united in the pursuit of science. The friendship of George Washington for his half brother Lawrence is a fine example of brotherly love, while the poets Phoebe and Alice Cary illustrate sisterly devotion.

The home can not be a unit unless all the members are working for the common weal. Selfishness can not rule if brotherly love is to continue. Sympathy of parents with children, of children with parents, and of children with each other is the essential of harmonious family life. This is the prophecy of Malachi which should find its fulfillment in every household (Mal. 4:6). "Let brotherly love continue."