Family Relations by Angelia J. Edmunds

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 21, 1873

Family Relations.

By Angelia J. Edmunds

It is not right for neighbors to quarrel and become so offended with each other that they cannot live in peace; but, when it comes right into the family, how much it must savor of the bottomless pit in the sight of Heaven. We need to watch ourselves on this point and pray much if we would be Christians and exercise due forbearance one toward the other in all the walks of life, lest the root of bitterness spring up in our hearts. If the “Upas” is flourishing in our hearts, let us commence to-day, and dig around it until every root is entirely eradicated; for, if we suffer it to remain, just so surely the atmosphere around us will be poisoned by our presence, and we know not how many may be brought down to death by our influence.

Jesus said that this state of things should exist in the family relation; but is it right for those who profess to be followers of that meek and lowly Jesus to live in this way? Truly, Satan as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour, and he will drag us down to perdition if we do not watch our hearts to see what manner of spirit we are of, and resist him, that he may flee from us.

How often a fault-finding and fretful spirit is manifested by us. The little child that is loved by Jesus is not dealt kindly and patiently with. It may do wrong, but it has not yet come to the years of our own responsibility. We have had many years allotted us in which we might have obtained grace to control our tempers. If, in the midst of impatience, we should suddenly be stricken down, when called to account would He say to us, “Well done”? I fear not. But his words would be, “Depart from me.” He would say, Suffer the little child to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.

When the fretful spirit is allowed, there are evil angels hovering around and we can almost feel the powers of darkness, while hatred, envy, and malice have a dwelling place in our hearts. If we do not agonize before God in secret and overcome this, we shall be lost at last.

We must have love, joy, and peace in our hearts continually if we would have the society of good angels here, and dwell with them hereafter forever in the presence of Jesus. ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

Bedford, Mich.