The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-09-23
Our Homes.

Our MONIES are always more or less
the expression of ourselves. The rul-
ing spirit of the household infuses into
It's atmosphere her-or his-own in
dividuality. 1t may have been en-
tirely furnished and ranged by the
hands of the upholsterer, yet the
"tone" of the b )use is the tone of the
life within iC.
The adorning may be of the most ex-
pensive, the arrangement the most
perfect, still, if not vivified by the
bright and cheerful spirit of lovin.
human hearts, it is cold and dead. 1t
is angular to what an extent this in
visible spirit of the real lives of the
jewellers will permeate the entire air
of the house.
There are homes upon whose door
steps we linger, hesitating to enter,
because of the depression and chill we
shall inevitably receive; we go in with
soft, reluctant step; we speak with
bated breath; we sit upright and un-
comfortable on the costly chairs, and
gaze upon the beauties about us with
solid Indifference, for they seem life
less and unreal. We choose our words
carefully and cautiously, and seem to
lose, as we sit, our one little germ of
Joy, and find creeping in its place an
unknown feeling of dreariness, and
perhaps, bitterness. How we throw
back our shoulders, and inhale long
breaths of relief, as we emerge again
into the open air.
There are other homes to which we
always turn gladly, to which our
thoughts revert in joy and sorrow !;
they may be plain and unpretentious,
lacking everything but the necessities
of life, yet they are filled with beauty
because of the spirit which giveth life.
From the very threshold we are cog
infant of the delightful atmosphere"
welcoming, loving, purifying, strength
ening; we find the best part of our
natures ministered unto whenever we
enter their sacred precincts.
Such homes are made 10y those who,
while bearing their own burdens brave
ly, still have room and heart and love
for others; who, while living their
own lives, have warmth and tender
ness and sympathy for others whose
hands outstreaching, clasp ours with
comfort whose voices speak words
that cheer and strengthen; whose love,
being an emanation from the divine
love, and from it receiving constant
rel ewal, fails not; whose lives are so
pure and earnest and true, that they
radiate to all who come within their
influence.
We should make our homes as taste
full and beautiful as we are able, for
tastefulnes, and beauty have their
uses, and teach their lessons, as do also
harmony and order and neatness.
Yet we should learn to consider these
out the means toward an end-never
should they be permitted to become
the end itself. 1t should not be for
SOUlCA C0aU OuO lOLhC-ll1C Is tDC LII
cleus round which all life has its start
ling growth, nor that the influence of
the home is not for one generation
alone, but in succeeding generations
also is its influence felt.
Those VINO create homes in which
healthy, happy children shall grow
into pure snd true men and women,
need no higher crown, no greater
glory. Homes to which their inmates
resort to get their meals, their cloth
ing, and their lodgings are all too
common, and bear only the falntest
resemblance to what home should
be. 1t should be place to think on,
to love and long for; it should be a
haven of rest tn 1t has an unfailing
''well spring of pleasure"
Each member contributes his share
toward the making of home, but the
principal presiding spirit is the wife
and mother; she it is that is-or
should belts heart and life and
centre. She will interest herself in
those things that interest her husband,
so as to be his companion, one in
heart and life with him; she will
study, so as 70 be able to interest her
children in their studies she will
laugh with them, play with them,
sorrow with them, Joy with them,
being at once companion and leader,
friend and guide; whatever of pleasure
or pain, of sorrow or joy, comes to the
home group, each will be helped in
gladness and sustained in pain by the
knowledge that the mother knows
and, oh, blessed assurance that she
understands and cares, that there is no
thing that can go beyond her patience
and loveliness.
The mother can say the little word
that shall lead away from collision or
dispute; her loving discern ment and
wise tact shall gently turn the steps
away from the dangerous passes before
another has discovered their proxi-