The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-06-28
Home Makers.

ana tnOSe rev not TO DE cnvleu, VINO are
insensible to the delights Of happy
home. Those who are fortunate enough
to possess it are generally wise enough to
prize it; while those who have it not
make it the nucleus of many an air CASTLE
and the chief figure in many future
prospect. 1t is, however, far easier to
enjoy, or to hope for this inestimable
blessing, than to secure the various ele-
meDts that must combine in order to
form it.
1t is prevalent idea that woman, and
she alone, must always be the home MAX
err. This is her business, it is affirmed,
while that of man necessarily lies out
side. 1t is his part to provide the means
of support; hers to supply awell-ordered,
gladstone, refreshing, peaceful home.
There is much truth in this view, but,
like many other truths, it has been run
ceive the other side. A home, like per-
son, has dual existence; it has an outer
and an inner life; it is formed by the
circumstances that surround it, and the
characters that dwell within it. There
is the house with its appurtenances, its
Opulence or poverty, its comforts or in
conveniences, its loaded table or frugal
board, its neatness and thrift or disorder
and waste. This is the outer life of the
home. To this both man and woman
equally contribute. The division of la
Dor, as usually maintained, is, upon the
whole, equitable. His lies outside the
home, hers within; but both are equally
important, equally remunerative in the
true sense of the word. Neither his earn
ings nor her care would alone make and
keep the home, even in its outer life,
while united they supply all its needs.
Any Sinking on either side is fatal. If
the man, through self-indulgence of any
kind, fails to do his part, the woman will
be overburdencd, and the family COM
forts curtailed or destroyed. If, on the
other hand, she, through love of pleasure
or lack of discretion. neglect the wise or
dering of her househ Id, or slide into
fashionable extravagances, the result will
be equally disastrous. Whatever be the
resources, or the style of living they
adopt, it requires al the abilities aud
painstaking of both in their respective
spheres, to maintain this external do
nestle life, with prudence, comfort, and
consistency.
1t is, however, to this inner life Of the
home that we must look for its purest
and most permanent happiness; and here,
also, do We find man and woman to be
equally necessary and equally response
bic. Not the house, however richly fur
nished and judiciously arranged; not all
the labor aud thought of the man in earn
ing and TIE woman in managing, how
ever praiseworthy each may be, can alone
secure happy home. They are, indeed,
Indispensable, but not sufficient. Not
only must hand and brain construct the
home, but heart must inspire it. There
must be love, patience, self sacrifice, sym
pathy, contentment, courage to bear,
tirmness to endure, in word, all the
qualities that 60 to make up character.
If these be absent so is happiness, how
ever cOngenial and satisfactory may be
the external home.
Just here a fatal mistake is frequently
made. The busy man, wesried with toll,
and harassed, perhaps, by the events of
the day, comes home to find rest AID re-
freshmcnt. He feels that his labors
abroad should be recOmpensed by com
fort, ease, and freedom from care Mt
home. This is, perhaps, natural; but he
forgets that the wife and mother, if ear
nest and conscientious, has had her trials
and labors also, and is probably in need
of rest and sympathy quite as much as
he is. The truth is, that home happiness
is not harvest for which enc part Of the
household is to labor, that another part
may enjoy. Each one must plant the
seed, and water the ground, and destroy
the weeds, and then each one will par
take of the bOunteOus crop. As the hus-
band and wife both contribute to form
the external home, they must equally
unite to fill it with the living presence Of
unselfish affection and thoughtful kind
ness. If either fail In this, if one be al
ways striving to make the home, and the
other only to enjoy it, disappointment is
inevitable.
The children, too, should be encour-
aged and trained from their earliest years,
to contribute their share towards the
home. Every boy and girl can add to
the family JOY in q multitude Of ways,
which will open rapidly TO view when
they are sought. The little kindnesses to
one another, the willing Difference to pa
rental wishes, the plans laid for cheerful
winter evenings, pleasant surprises, and
gleeful reunions, small gifts Of handi-
work TO grace the familiar rooms, with
hundreds Of other natural outpourings of
affection and gratitude, will bind chill
drcn to their homes and make them cen
tels of happiness far more than can ever