Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-06-15
Home

Homes, as they are called, are of all
kinds. Some are poor, bare, uncomfortable
of necessity, of which we have nothing to
i 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 content. Others
are rude and uninviting, through neglect
and thriftlessness, or because of debauch
and parsimony, 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 violation of the letter and
spirit of the word Of God.
| Our dwelling places are only homes, in
la proper sense, when they are filled with
whatever of comforts we can bring into
them, and when they are made to minis
ter by all their influences, to the wants of
our higher natures They are little worlds
of our own, where we rule and enjoy, un-
restrained and untrammeled by lawful in
reference from abroad. Our vines and
fig trees growing around and over us, we
sit in their shadows with none to modest or
make us afraid and there have every leaf,
every clasping tendril every growing and
lripening berry OF fruit assisting III the Gull
ture of our intellects and souls. 4 home
that teaches us nothing by winch we are
made better Is not a hOme-It Is only a
place. The old words ''peregriarj dOnlT
express d condition OF physical residence
and spiritual exile that must always be
fraught with acute misery.
There are many reasons why the home
Of citizens are not more full Of comfort In
some places there is a want OF taste, which
precludes the possibility OF their taking al
interest in any object aside from its gross
est uses. They see no beauty in ornamen
tatiOn, nor culture in order and neatness
An old, dilapidated house, with dist rteC
gables and shattered panes, is good enough
tor 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 flow
ers In the garden, no trees In the yard, nC
paint on the doors and shutters, as if al
was dainty with neatness. Women live
more naturally too, in the same style OF
neglect and domestic debauch. They car,
for no flowers for the garden walk, Tor nC
vine to embOwer the door, or hang its tas
sells at the window, Tor no elegance or pro
priety in kitchen, drawing room, parlor, o
= any place The house that has a sIoven,
man for a master, and slatternly woman
for mistress, has a curse hanging over /
: and debasement. Not only will its gate
; fall down and its yiolets die but its mora
detenses will rot away and its fragrant viz
tues perish in decay. In other Cases home
! are not comfortable because OF the parsi
mony OF those who possess them.
They live to make money. Their home
=, are their offices, where they transact bust
, ness Tor gain. Their sheep, cattle, horses
la1 4
[ bus as for them and their children, the
: can live in anything. The horse viii TAX
less corn and hay when stalled in warn
n stable their swine will weigh more heayi
:: ly in the market if protected from tn
II storms; but they can get along with TIA
II rudest abodes and make shift accomm0da
tions. In nothing do they indicate tina
n they have souls TO culture, minds to rennC
/ affections to sweeten, and an image OF Go
@ to bring to view and brighten up by tn
\ bountitul means he has placed at their dis
g posal In the Cumberland \ alley Of Penn
@ sylvania it used to be said the barns wer
@ invariably better than the houses. and tia
: hence the aristOcracy Of the neighbOrhoo
was among the horses and cattle The cri;
k iclsm was too severe, vet contained som
II truth. To get Il good barn was with a cen
y BY this their thrift was determined. Thi
d gave them agricultural standing; wherea
= a fine house, with its convencies and com
forts, was regarded as a sign of efieminac
and profigate luxury.
Now it ought to be the effort Of men an
. women to provide themselves, when the
y have means, such dwelling places as wi
II help culture them and their children, an
v, exert a good influence on the taste, mar
q ners and morals Of the neighborhood. Go
Is mas made home sacred place. He III
Il erected affairs i'll it where the occupan
/ are to worship, and where he will come
Z accept their sacrifice. He has invested
a with the rarest felicities, and makes itmol
|. or less typical of the place of eyeriaatiI
II II rest. Upon the home Of the saint descenC
l his hottest benedictions, and around
le stand the angels OF his providence wit
their loads of benefits Christian Lasiru
~ tar.