Order by R. F. Cottrell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 1, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 13.

Order.

By R. F. Cottrell

How BEAUTIFUL, how pleasant a thing is order! I do delight in it. I have heard that there is order in Heaven, and that is one reason why I want to go there.

How pleasant to see a family where order prevails. They rise in the morning, and each one, parents and children, knows what is to be done before the morning meal. Each goes about his alotted work without confusion, and when it is done, quietly seats himself to attend to the reading of the word of God, and prayer. The breakfast eaten, they go about the business of the day, some to this and some to that, till the time of doing the evening chores. Each having done his portion of these, as the twilight comes on, they are again quietly seated, ready, without any special effort, for evening worship. A song of praise is sung, thanksgiving and prayer are offered, each taking a part; and then about an hour is occupied in family reading, different members by turn reading, while the rest listen, having no work on hand that will

distract the attention of any. When this is finished, useful employments are taken up, hand labor or studies, till time for retiring for the night, the young children, if there are any, dropping away at an early hour.

This is no fancy sketch. Thank God that I have seen it nearly in perfection. Blessed are the eyes that witness it! It causes one to think of the future world as a most blessed home.—R. F. Cottrell.