The restoration and uplifting of humanity begins in the
home. The work of parents underlies every other. Society
is composed of families, and is what the heads of families
make it. Out of the heart are "the issues of life" (Proverbs
4:23); and the heart of the community, of the church, and of
the nation is the household. The well-being of society, the
success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend
upon home influences.
The importance and the opportunities of the home life are
illustrated in the life of Jesus. He who came from heaven to
be our example and teacher spent thirty years as a member
of the household at Nazareth. Concerning these years the
Bible record is very brief. No mighty miracles attracted the
attention of the multitude. No eager throngs followed His
steps or listened to His words. Yet during all these years He
was fulfilling His divine mission. He lived as one of us,
sharing the home life, submitting to its discipline, performing
its duties, bearing its burdens. In the sheltering care of a
humble home, participating in the experiences of our common
lot, He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with
God and man." Luke 2:52.
During all these secluded years His life flowed out in
currents of sympathy and helpfulness. His unselfishness and
patient endurance, His courage and faithfulness, His resistance
of temptation, His unfailing peace and quiet joyfulness,
were a constant inspiration. He brought a pure, sweet atmosphere
into the home, and His life was as leaven working
amidst the elements of society. None said that He had
wrought a miracle; yet virtue--the healing, life-giving power
of love--went out from Him to the tempted, the sick, and the
disheartened. In an unobtrusive way, from His very childhood,
He ministered to others, and because of this, when He
began His public ministry, many heard Him gladly.
The Saviour's early years are more than an example to the
youth. They are a lesson, and should be an encouragement,
to every parent. The circle of family and neighborhood duties
is the very first field of effort for those who would work for the
uplifting of their fellow men. There is no more important
field of effort than that committed to the founders and guardians
of the home. No work entrusted to human beings
involves greater or more far-reaching results than does the
work of fathers and mothers.
It is by the youth and children of today that the future of
society is to be determined, and what these youth and
children shall be depends upon the home. To the lack of right
home training may be traced the larger share of the disease
and misery and crime that curse humanity. If the home life
were pure and true, if the children who went forth from its
care were prepared to meet life's responsibilities and dangers,
what a change would be seen in the world!
Great efforts are put forth, time and money and labor
almost without limit are expended, in enterprises and
institutions for reforming the victims of evil habits. And even
these efforts are inadequate to meet the great necessity. Yet
how small is the result! How few are permanently reclaimed!
Multitudes long for a better life, but they lack courage and
resolution to break away from the power of habit. They
shrink from the effort and struggle and sacrifice demanded,
and their lives are wrecked and ruined. Thus even men of
the brightest minds, men of high aspirations and noble powers,
otherwise fitted by nature and education to fill positions of
trust and responsibility, are degraded and lost for this life and
for the life to come.
For those who do reform, how bitter the struggle to regain
their manhood! And all their life long, in a shattered
constitution, a wavering will, impaired intellect, and weakened soul
power, many reap the harvest of their evil sowing. How
much more might be accomplished if the evil were dealt
with at the beginning!
This work rests, in a great degree, with parents. In the
efforts put forth to stay the progress of intemperance and of
other evils that are eating like a cancer in the social body, if
more attention were given to teaching parents how to form
the habits and character of their children, a hundredfold
more good would result. Habit, which is so terrible a force
for evil, it is in their power to make a force for good. They
have to do with the stream at its source, and it rests with them
to direct it rightly.
Parents may lay for their children the foundation for a
healthy, happy life. They may send them forth from their
homes with moral stamina to resist temptation, and courage
and strength to wrestle successfully with life's problems. They
may inspire in them the purpose and develop the power to
make their lives an honor to God and a blessing to the world.
They may make straight paths for their feet, through
sunshine and shadow, to the glorious heights above.
The mission of the home extends beyond its own members.
The Christian home is to be an object lesson, illustrating
the excellence of the true principles of life. Such an illustration
will be a power for good in the world. Far more powerful
than any sermon that can be preached is the influence of a true
home upon human hearts and lives. As the youth go out
from such a home, the lessons they have learned are imparted.
Nobler principles of life are introduced into other households,
and an uplifting influence works in the community.
There are many others to whom we might make our homes
a blessing. Our social entertainments should not be governed
by the dictates of worldly custom, but by the Spirit of Christ
and the teaching of His word. The Israelites, in all their
festivities, included the poor, the stranger, and the Levite, who
was both the assistant of the priest in the sanctuary, and a
religious teacher and missionary. These were regarded as the
guests of the people, to share their hospitality on all occasions
of social and religious rejoicing, and to be tenderly cared for
in sickness or in need. It is such as these whom we should
make welcome to our homes. How much such a welcome
might do to cheer and encourage the missionary nurse or the
teacher, the care-burdened, hard-working mother, or the
feeble and aged, so often without a home, and struggling
with poverty and many discouragements.
"When thou makest a dinner or a supper," Christ says,
"call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen,
nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a
recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call
the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be
blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be
recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:12-14.
These are guests whom it will lay on you no great burden
to receive. You will not need to provide for them to elaborate
or expensive entertainment. You will need to make no effort
at display. The warmth of a genial welcome, a place at your
fireside, a seat at your home table, the privilege of sharing the
blessing of the hour prayer, would to many of these be like
a glimpse of heaven.
Our sympathies are to overflow the boundaries of self and
the enclosure of family walls. There are precious opportunities
for those who will make their homes a blessing to others.
Social influence is a wonderful power. We can use it if we
will as a means of helping those about us.
Our homes should be a place of refuge for the tempted
youth. Many there are who stand at the parting of the ways.
Every influence, every impression, is determining the choice
that shapes their destiny both here and hereafter. Evil invites
them. Its resorts are made bright and attractive. They have
a welcome for every comer. All about us are youth who have
no home, and many whose homes have no helpful, uplifting
power, and the youth drift into evil. They are going down
to ruin within the very shadow of our own doors.
These youth need a hand stretched out to them in
sympathy. Kind words simply spoken, little attentions simply
bestowed, will sweep away the clouds of temptation which
gather over the soul. The true expression of heaven-born
sympathy has power to open the door of hearts that need the
fragrance of Christlike words, and the simple, delicate touch
of the spirit of Christ's love. If we would show an interest in
the youth, invite them to our homes, and surround them with
cheering, helpful influences, there are many who would gladly
turn their steps into the upward path.