p. 200 | A Happy Home

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 15, 1864

A Happy Home

A Happy Home.—What a sweet picture is that of a happy home and a fond domestic circle! Thousands of such may be found in this Christian land. The following will tell our young readers some of the principal things which make home happy:

First of all is piety. The love of God and constant endeavor to keep his commandments, a humble trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a good hope through his grace of a celestial home hereafter—these tend to smooth away all the troubles of life and to heighten all its enjoyments.

Next comes mutual affection. This helps to suppress every unkind word and action, and makes each member of the family anxious to regard the wishes and promote the happiness of every other. Love is better than sunshine in any dwelling, far better than costly furniture, or fine clothes, or plenty of money.

Thirdly, in every house where there are children, comes an obedient and respectful demeanor on the part of the children toward all who are older than themselves, and especially toward their parents. Such a demeanor leads children to be regarded as ornaments and comforts to society; otherwise they are likely to be considered plagues and nuisances.

Fourthly, a love of reading. How pleasant to fill up the leisure hours, and especially long winter evenings, with loud reading! Thus the whole family may share the pleasure of reviewing the history of other times, or join in a common excursion to other lands, and all are furnished with food for reflection and subjects for conversation.

All these sources of indoor enjoyment are almost equally within the reach of the rich and the poor, of families in the city or country. Let each one of our readers try to do what he can to make his own a happy home.—Sel.