Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-07-21
For Parents.
From tho Christian Instructor.
HO NJ ES:


Homes, as they are called, are of all kinds.
Some are poor, bare, uncomfortable Of neces.
sity, of which we have nothing to say, only
to pity those who are compelled to occupy
them. II may not be their fault, and with
such things as they have, God would teach
them to be content. Others are rude and
uninvitng, through neglect and thriltlessness,
or because Of debauch and parsimohy, in
which case there is guilt on the part Of those
who use them. An ugly, unadorned home,
with its chaos Of disorder aud furniture of
dirt and cobwebs, is a standing violation Of
the letter and spirit of the word Of God.
Our dwelling places are only homes in
proper sense when they are filled with what
ever Of comforts we can bring into them, and
when they arc made to minister, by their in
fluences, to the wants Of our higher nature
They are little worlds of our own, where we
rule and enjoy unrestrained and untrammeled
by lawful interference from abroad Our
vines and 6g trees growing around and over
us, we sit in their shadows with none to mo-
lest or make us afraid and there have every
leaf. every claspiug tendril, every growing
and ripening berry Of fruit assisting in the
culture Of our intelects and souls A home
that teaches US nothing by which we are made
better, is not a home--it is only place. The
old words "peregri,iari aomi' express a con-
dition Of physical residence aud spiritual ex-
lie that must always be fraught with acute
misery
There are many reasons why the homes of
citizens are not more full Of comfort. In
some places there is a want Of taste, which
precludes the possibility of their taking an
interest in any object aside from its grossest
uses. They sec no beauty in ornamentation
nor culture in order and neatness. An old,
/ dilapidated house, with distorted gables and
shattered panes, is good enough for them, only
provided they can manage to keep out the
rain and cold. They will live as long if
there be no flowers 10 the garden, no trees in
the yard no paint on the doors and shutters,
as if all were dainty with neatness. Women
live, tho more unnaturally y, in thesame style Of
neglect and domestic debauch They are for
no flowers for the garden walk, for no vine to
cmbower the door or hang its tassels at the
window, for an elegance or propriety in
kitchen, drawing room, parlor, or any place.
The house that has sloyeny man for
master, and slatternly woman for mis-
tress, has a curse hanging over it which will
make it school Of yulgarity and debase-
ment. Not only will its gates fall down and
its violets die but its moral deiences rot away
and its fragrant virtues perish in decay In
other cases homes are not comfortable be-
cause Of the parsimony Of the possessors.
They live to make money. Their homes
are their Offices, where they transact business
for gain. Their sheep, cattle, horses, and
swine must be comfortably housed but as for
them and their children, they can live in any
thing The horse will take less corn aud hay
when stalled in a warm stable their swine
will weigh more heavily in the market if pro-
tected from the storms; but they can get
along with the rudest abodes and make-shift
accommodations. In nothing do they indicate
that they have souls TO culture, minds to re-
fine affections to sweeten, and an image OF
God to bring to view and brighten up by the
bountiful means he has placed at their dispo.
sal. In the Cumberland Valley Of Pennsy
vania, it used to be said, the barns were in
variably better than the houses and hence
the aristocracy Of the neighborhood wa
among the horses and cattle. The criticism
was too severe, yet contained some truth
III ~ ENA Eo,4 Dolh was WIN a NSiAdlh Niao
of farmers, the main ambition. BY this thei
thrift was determined. This gave them agri
cultural standing whereas, fine house, witt
its conveniences and comforts, was regarded
as sign of effeminacy and proAigate luxury
Now, it ought to be the effort Of men anC
women to provide themselves, when they hay'
means, such dwelling places as will help cul
ture them and their children, and exert goo,
influence on the taste, manners, and morals o
the neighborhood. God has made home
sacred place. He has erected atars in whicl
the occupants are to worship, and where h,
will come to accept their sacrifice He ha
invested it with the rarest facilities, and mad,
it more or less typical Of the place of ever
lasting rest. Upon the home Of the saint
decend his hoiest benedictions, and arounC
it stand the angels of his providence viii
their loads of benefits.