, 1877-07-06
Home Makers.

to possess it are generally wise enough 10
prlze 1t; while those who have it not
make it the nucleus of many an air castle
and the chief figure in many a future
prospect. 1t is, however, far easier to
enjoy, or to hope for this inestimable
blessing, than to secure the various ele-
ments that must combine in order tn
form it.
1t is prevalent idea that woman. and
she alone, must always be the home max
er. This is her business, it is affirmed
while that of a man necessarily lies out.
side. 1t is his part to provide the means
of support; hers to supply a well-ordered
gladsome, refreshing, peaceful home.
There is much truth in this view, but.
like many other truths, it has been run
into the ground from the failure to per-
ceive the other side. A home, like a Der
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 aud
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
kline, fails to do his part, the woman will
be Overburdened, 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 all the abilities and
painstaking of both in their respective
spheres, to maintain this external do
mestic 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
BILE. Not the house, however richly fur
nished and judiciOusly arranged; not all
the labor and 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,
firmness to endure, in a word, all the
qualities that go to make up character.
If these be absent SO is happiness, how
ever congenial and satisfactory may be
the external home.
Just here 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 and re-
freshment. He feels that his labors
abroad should be recompensed by COM
fort, ease, and freedom from care at
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
be is. The truth is, that home happiness
is not harvest for which cne 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-
hard and wrsfa hnAk a..
the external home, they must equally
unite to fill it with the living presence Of
unselfsh 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 a multitude of ways,
which will open rapidly 10 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
dren to their homes and make them cen
ters of happiness far more than can ever
be the case when they are merely recip-
tents. 1t is the good we do much more
than that which is done for Us that pro-
notes our highest enjoyment; and each
member of a household who would taste
the keenest delights of a happy home
must constitute himself or herself, in the
best sense, q "home maker."-PubEfe
LedOer,