Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-12-16
,saz s,.t 9-.,..s s@ a@'. CONTAMINATED.
HONESTLY j. B. Johnson.

iaigsqz s,at 3-.lHs s1 42'@ CONTAMINATED. :
-" HONESTLY ]. B. Johnson.
- AS homes are made, so they appear; and,
to- she convenience Of classification, may be-
designated as sad, discordant, vicious or happy.
They become sad, ,discordant, vicious and happy
in ratio to the character of the cultivation to
which they a,e subjected; and spend their in
Huence upon the world, just as it Is sent, good
0. bad from their confines. An anil bic dis
position and christian intellect render them
earth's dearest places, but bad habits and evil
Jpropensities, make them more like lairs, than
hatilatiops for men. A sad home exerts an ener-
vating effect upon the mind, and inures it to a
degree of dependency that causes every action
to be attended with labor, and every effort to
be o0ershadowed with bitterness. 1t makes a
man taciturn and morose, ard unfts him Tor
those enterprises which require patienca and
fortitude for their accomplishment. 1t throws
the veil of an unhappy nature over all his
transactions, and coors, with its sombre hue,
all that he looks upon in his daily course; for
he shuns as much as possible, contact with the
activity of the world, and, becoming recuse,
spends his time frctting and writhing under
gloomy surrounding that conjures the imagina:
ton to gather vagaries OF a condition which
does not exist beyond the limits of his abode.
A dscordant home is where all the elements
of dissonance hold sway and perpetuate their
wrangles. Nothing concerning it, progresses
tavorably, and all its offices are performed IN
confusion and dissension. A spirit OF contra,
riety pervades. all its management, and nougtt
is accomplished relative to it, save through the
fercest contention. Bickering enters into the
decisions of its most trivial questions; and
morning, noon and night are made hideous by
the heated disputes that are occasioned by the
merest bubble of opinion. Angry words fol-
low each other in. quick retort in its most un-
important conversations, and repartee intro
duces elimination and recriminatioD. The
whole household becomes involved in incessant
turmoil; and instead Of peace and joy, discon-
tent and fury, are its constant practice. Such
a home places Its stamp upon the mlen OF the
individual, who is subject to it, and converts
him into the very opposite of an agree
able companion. d His temper is so much
spoiled, that he is lily adapted to the pleasan-
tries of life; and he presents such an unen-
viable disposition, that his society is both un-
profitable and repugnant.
He is kept in such a bad humor that he is
rarely seen without scowl, or heard to speak
without an imprecatioD. The sight of his
home is the signal for tumu]t of his passions !;
and he never crosses it's threshold without be-
ing irritated, or recrosses it without muttering
curses upon its roof, for his home is the bane Of
his lite, and his character grows to be mix
ture of the serious and the ridiculous, and dis
appointment, contention and unhappiness make
the travail Of his days. -. 49,. .E:a. .
A vicious home is the prolific source Of those
evil commands that render It's inmates vile and
Ind 1oH
from Its precincts, and naught but food for vice
is generated within it. It is the primary
school in which the characteristics of low breed
inp and immortality are imbibed. 1t marks its
influence upon its offspring in most ineradl-
cable manner; and develops habits which per-
wade whole generations, and live to move
them to the practice OF tho most brutal
passions of human nature t;tfor too frequently
the demeanor of it's children ;makelthe annals
of crime, and keep extant! those examples OF
deprayity that shock modesty, defy honor, and
disgrace humanity. Fraud, deception and dis
honesty, are the sum of its inculcatlons, and
its debasing power places man at the lowest
point OF moral or social worth. ALI its teachings
make nothing for. good, and its contaminating
impressions follow it's subject through life, and
fit him for the ready performance of any act
that is low or iuiquitious He is ever unrelia-
ble and cannot be trusted in any position
where truth and; honesty are requisite to the
conduct of duty. ii IL ,3& 2o,gsl .5
A happy home is the acme OF human COM
fort. 1t forms the sum total OF all that amell-
crates the vice, misery and wretchedness OF the
world It is the hearts second bosom and OF
all earth s places, is the most charming. How
ever unpretending in appearance, or modest IN
expenditures it is ever dear and fascinating
sl t. IL. o,,l inf rUh Iah n
reviews all that concerns him, and embodies the
epitome of his lite. 1t is to his manhood, what
the care of his mother was to his infancy. He
stands iu the benignant light of its genial rays
and contemplates its quiet in contrast with the
infuitude of yexations of time and change
without, and feels his soul glow with the bliss
Of its peace. From it, he expects nought but
good; and it's calm prestige is infused into all
that is around and about him. Its soft cadence
soothes the temper of his feelings, and invests
all that he beholds with nimbus OF cheerful.
ness 1t calms his care and ministers to his sor-
row; and in every extremity, throws its placid
ha'o around him to invite his pleasure, or to
dispel his pain. It appreciates his virtues, and
is ever ready to enyelop his faults with the
mantle Of charity; and when broken and bleed
ing in spirit, its fondness comes sweety to his
aid to bid him try again his conflict with a
harsh and thoughtless world. 1t has neither
envy, rancor, nor discord, and is the alemblc
that separates the hearts purest emotions
from the crudities which it acquires by contact
with the busy whirl Of the day. It forms the
safeguard 81 virtue, and directs the way to the
path of. the purest civilization. 1t creates the
centre of life,s .happiest attractions and ITS
exalted attributes lift the thoughts to WIN the
mercy of God and claim the smiles OF heaven.
lt',eachings are adapted to its generous end
aud its delectable character never changes, but
always remains fresh, bright and attractive
Its matured charms form the light Of its love