American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-06-05
Gbe faru T. C5arNtn,
HJME.


From lhe Christian Instructor
Homes, as they arc called, are of Il
all kinds. Some are poor, bsrc, nm I
of necessity, Of which |
we have nothing to say, only to pity
those whO are compelled to occupy
them. 1t may not be their fault,
and with such things as they have,
God would teach them to be con eut.
Others are rude and uninviting,
through neglect and thIiltlesSreSs,
or because of .debauCh and parsi.
mOny, in which case there is guilt on
the part of those who use them.
An ugly, unadorned home, with its
chaos of disorder and furniture of
dirt and cObwebS, is a standing VIC
gation Of the letter and split of the
Word Of God.
Our dwelling-places are only .
homcs, in proper sense, when they .
are filed with whatever of comforts ]
we can bring into them, and when |
they arr made to minister, by all in +.
tluenccs, to the wants of our higher /
natNres They are little worlds of
orr own, where we rule and enjoy,
Anrestraned and untrammelcd BY
lawful interference from abroad.
Oar vines and figtrecs growing
around and over us, we sit in their
shadows with none to modest or
make ~ afraid; and there have
every leaf, every cldsping tcndril,
every growing and ripening berry
of fruit assisting in culture of our
intelects and sonls. A hOme that
tea shes us nothing by which we are
made letter is not I0mc-it is
only place. Tie old words "pere
5rindri dOmi" express u condition
of physical residence and spiritual
exile that mus! always be fraught
with acute misery.
There are many reasons why the
home of citizens are not iull of com
fort. In some places there is a want
of taste, which precludes the posi-
bility Of their taking an interest in
any object iasi,le from its grossest
uses. They see no beauty in Orna-
mentatiOn, nor culture in order aud
heatness, An old, dilapilated house,
with distorted gables and shattered
pancs, is good enough for them, only
provided they can manage by it to
keep out of the rain and cold. They
will live as long if there be no flowers
in the garden, no trees in the yard,
no paint on the doors. and shutters,
as if all was dainty with neatness
Women live, more unnaturally, too,
In the same style Of neglect and do
LII
flowers for the garden walk, for nc
vine to embower the door, or hang
its tassels at the window, for nc
elegance or prUpriety in kitchen
drawing-rOOm, parlOr, or any place
The house that has slOvenly mat
for master, and a slatternly woman
for mistress, has curse hanging
over it which viii make it sch0o
uf Eftlgariiy aud debasement. No
only will its gates fall down and it
viOlets die, but it's moral defense
will rot away, and its fragrant viz
tues perish in decay. In other case
homes are not comfortable becauS
of the parsimony of those who pos
sess THEM.
They live to make money. Thei
bones are their Offices, where the
transact business for gain. Thei
sheep cattle, horses and swine mus
I've comfortably hcused; but as fo
themselves and children, they ca
live in anything. The horse wi
take less corn and hay when stale
jMa warm stable but they can &C
along with the Tudest abodes an
nsaile-Shft accommodations. /
Nothing do they Indicate that the
have souls to culture, minds to I,
tuc, affections to sweeteD, aud Il
image OF God To- bring to view an
hfighten up by tue bOuntii'ul NEAR
lie has placed ut their disposal. !
che Cumberland valley of Pennsy
vania it used to be said the barr
were invariably better than IL
honses, and that hence Tue aristocri
= ~ of the neishb0rhood was anon
rlie horses and cattle. The CRITICS.
was too severe, yet contained son
truth. To get good barn was, wit
81 certain class of fIruIers, the mai
ambition. By this their thrift ives d
trTmincd. This gave them agricu
'"i" SN"hahhS gAhCfCsiS ~ lIt uOu
with its convenience and comfort
was regarded as Il sign of elfrmiEat
AMI P4eHigatc luxury.
Vow it ought to be the effort
mon AMI women to provide tor thoi
selves, when they have means, SUI
dwelling places as will help cultu
them and their children, and exc
good influence on the taste, ma
nrrs, and morals Of the DeighbC
hood. God has made home a sacr,
place. lie has erected affairs in
where the occupants are to wOrshi
aud where He Will come and acce
iheir sacrifice. He has invested
Will The rarest felicitics, aud max
4 more or less typical of the place
everlasting rest. Upon the hOI
~. the saint descends His holiC
henedictions, and around it sta
the angels Of His providence wi
tlIeir, loads Of benefits.
Garden Work for juno.
GEO w cTI.r