The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-08-17
Homes.

Homes, as they are called, are of all
kinds. Some are poor, bare and uneom-
Portable of necessity, of which we have
nothing to say, only to pity those who
are compelled to occupy them. Others
are rude and uninviting, through neg
lect and thriftlessness, or because of in.
temperance and parsimony.
Our dwelling places are only homes,
In a proper sense, when they are filled
with whatever of comforts we can bring
into them,. and when they are made to
minister, by all their influences, to the
wants of our higher natures. They are
little worlds of our own, where we rule
and enjoy, unrestrained and untram-
meled by lawful interference from
abroad. Our vines and fig trees grow.
ing around and over us, we sit in their
shadows, with none to modest OF make
US afraid; and there have every leaf,
every clasping tendril, every growing
and ripening berry of fruit assisting in
the culture of our intellects and souls.
A home that teaches us nothing by which
we are made better, is not al home is
only aplace. The old words, .spereqri,s
art donai, y express condition of phvsi
calresidence and spiritual exile that must
always be fraught with acute misery.
There are many reasons why the homes
OF citizens are not full of comfort. In
some places there issa want of taste.
which precludes the possibility of their
taking an interest in any object aside
from its grossest uses. They see no
beauty in ornamentation. nor culture In /
order and neatness. An old, dilapidated 4
house, with distorted gableswand shat
tered panes,, is good enough for them,
only provided they can manage it to keep
out the rain and cold They will live
as long if there is no flowers in the gar
den, no trees lin ythesyard, no paint on
doors and shutters, as if all was dainty
with neatness.
: They live to make money. Their homes |
are their offices, where they transact BUSH
ness for gain, Their sheep, cattle, horses
and swine must be comfortably housed;
but as for them and their children, they |
can live in anything. In nothing do they |
indicate that they have souls to culture,
minds to refine, affections to sweeten and |
an ifnage of God to bring to view. and
brighten up by the bountiful means He |
has placed at their disposal. II
In the Cumberland Valley, of Pennsvl- /
vania, itused to be said the barns were
invariably better than the houses. and
that hence the aristocracy of the neigh
borhood was among the horses and cat
Tie. The criticism was too severe, vet it
contained some truth. To get a good
barn was, with certain class OF the
farmers. the. main ambition. By this
their thrift was determined. This gave
them agricultural standing; whereas, a
1ne house, with its convenience and
comforts, was regarded as sign of
efteminacy and profigate luxury.
Now it ought to be the effort of men
and women to provide for themselves.
when they have means, such dwelling
places as will help culture them and their
children, and exert a good influence ON
5he taste, manners, and morals of the
1eighborhood. God has made home a
sacred place. He has erected affairs in
t, where the occupants are to worship.
md where He will come and accept
heir sacrifice. He has invested it with
he rarest felicities, and made it more or
ess typical of the place of everlasting
est Upon the home of the saint de-
sends His hottest benedictions, and
around it stand the angels of His proyi-
fence with their loads of benefits.
Christian Instructor.