STOVES | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 19, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 51.

STOVES.

THE stove is an invention and improvement of the last days. People of sixty years ago, when the fireplace was the only means of warming the house or cooking the food, would have smiled in incredulity had they been shown models of the many stoves, both useful and ornamental, that are to be found to-day in the homes in civilized lands. But the stove, like many other blessings, is often neglected and abused. Given half a chance, it adds more than half to the comfort and cheer of our homes. With a clean face and a bright fire in its heart, it seems to say to us as we come in from the cold, "Draw nigh to me, and I will make you warm and happy." But many times as I go from house to house I find the stove in such a condition that it is with a feeling of genuine disgust that I sit near it to warm myself. The hearth is covered with ashes, and the stove and pipe are as innocent of blacking as if none could be had at every grocery store for only five cents.

As a person is known by the company he keeps, so a stove is usually found in surroundings that correspond with its own un-Christlike looks; for even a stove may witness for Christ. The floor is unswept, the chairs loaded with rags or cast-off garments, the table is filled with dirty dishes and remnants of the last meal, while the mistress is in a soiled, tattered dress, her hair uncombed, and the children unwashed.

The wonder to me when I see such homes is not that so many men go to the saloon, but that so few go there, where all is bright and clean, and good cheer abounds. Many men build fine new houses with their hard earnings; but by her slovenly ways the wife soon makes the house anything but a home.

I often wonder how angels from the courts of glory can bear to tarry in such homes and watch over their inmates; but there they are day after day, taking note of every careless, slovenly act, every unkind word. All are noted down, and borne to the library above, to witness against us in the great reckoning day unless repented of and forsaken.

O my sisters, if any who read this see in it a picture of your own homes, how would you feel to have the president call at your house? Well, a greater than any earthly ruler is coming soon. He is even at the door, and will you be ready to say, "Lo, this is my God"? Every dirty, careless habit, whether of mind or body or in our houses, must be put away before He comes, or we shall not be ready to enter those mansions He has gone to prepare for us; for nothing that defiles shall ever enter there. Rev. 21:27