Make Home Pleasant by J. C.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 9, 1864

Make Home Pleasant.

By J. C.

It is said that a small leak will sink a ship, and it is also said that a small error may lead to apostasy.

There is a very common besetment with more than one professor of religion. It is this: fretfulness and irritability at home. How many a professor is polite and affable in his business relations with his acquaintance, and is highly esteemed for probity and truth, who would scorn to speak a harsh word to a customer, or friend or neighbor, yet will return to his home, (the very place which should feel the best and kindest influence) in a fretful disconsolate mood, and even if he let no harsh word escape his lips, how little pains does he take to render those committed by providence to his care happy and free. Many a man, many a woman, otherwise exemplary, does thus render home a place of misery and sorrow.

Let no one think I am here hitting a tender point with feelings of rancor, or that I am throwing an arrow at any individual in particular. No, there are more than one or two or three at fault. Alas it is too common!

How seldom do we find among the world a truly happy family. Indeed it is considered by many, a thing impossible for true happiness to exist in any circle of friends or relatives. All that purports to be happiness they affirm to be pretence, and such is the unhappiness of families in general, that it is no wonder that men accustomed to such scenes as are witnessed in unhappy families, should almost doubt the reality of that genuine happiness which exists in those families where the social relations are understood and their laws obeyed.

The man who feels that he must have the best of feelings and emotions as he enters upon some post of responsibility, who feels that he must be prepared for his business, as he leaves his home, and seeks the prayers of all, we know will succeed. Why? Because that such an individual will be always on his guard, and anxious to fulfill his engagements.

But on the contrary how different the case with most, as they enter their homes: the restraint which the presence of others had laid upon them is thrown off: the dignity of office, the politeness of the accomplished salesman, the affability of the literary gentleman, is all laid aside, and little bickerings, cruel jests and innuendoes, or the harsh rough tone, or profane retort, make the inmates of many a home weary of life.

But is not home a place where one may be free to speak? May not one lay off the outside gloss of life, and act naturally? Must one always be tied down to rules?

I reply: This article is written for those who profess to make it their study and labor to bring nature up to rejoice in law, and not law to be leveled down to corrupt nature.

It is the nature of the ape to grin and trifle: it is the nature of the lion to roar and seek for prey; and if it is a man's or woman's nature to make home unhappy, if by an indulgence of a natural trait, a friend is wounded, either change that nature, or admit that such is the incurable nature of the besetment, that like the spots of the leopard it is unchangeable.

But what shall be done? I reply if you are a worldling and remain so, I have no advice to give: but if a Christian, if you aspire to immortality, make a strenuous persevering continued effort, to be as exemplary in your family, as you would be in the court of the czar of Russia.

Here let your virtues shine out in all their beauty. Get the love and esteem of your household. You can do it! Would you like to have the tears of affection shed upon your bier? Hearken; for love cannot be begotten in bitterness. J. C.