Sunlight in the Family.
By Irena G. Camp
WHAT husband or wife, father or mother, does not wish to bring sunshine into their family instead of a cloud of darkness? And how guilty must that father be in the sight of heaven, who, after having been absent for days, and perhaps weeks, enters his dwelling and beholds the wife of his youth, perhaps feeble and even worn with the cares of the family, without a smile or even one consoling look or word. How must the heart of that wife and mother sink within her, as she beholds the companion of her youth, him whom she had chosen to be her counselor, adviser, and protector, enter his dwelling with a clouded brow! How, think you, could she live if she could not turn her mind to the promises contained in God's holy word. Think you that she is not glad that it is written that "Thy Maker is thine husband?" He is the widow's God and judge. And who, I ask, is a widow indeed, and desolate, more than she who is forsaken and frowned upon by the husband of her youth? Did I say Christian father? No, I would not apply the name to such a character. He may profess religion, but the Christian husband and father's heart is filled with that love which is the fulfilling of God's holy law, which will lead him to love and cherish the wife of his youth, and help to lighten her burdens and to take hold in earnest to train the dear children for God and heaven, and have their united cries take the kingdom of heaven by violence, as it were; while all their words and acts correspond with their profession, and lead their children heavenward. Such a husband and father would bring sunshine into the family, and honor our holy religion. Is it possible that the foregoing remarks will apply to any wife and mother? Oh, I fain would hope that every wife and mother would do all on her part to bring sunshine and the salvation of God into their families. God grant that it may thus be.