Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-19
miscellaneous.


Our BONES are always more OF less the
expression of ourselves. The ruling spirit
of tie household infnses into its atmos-
phete her-er his-own individuality. 1t
NAV have been entirely furnished and ar
ranged BY the hands Of the upholsterer.
vet the ..tOne'' of the house is the tone of
the lie within it.
The adjoining may be Of the most ex-
pensive, the arrangement the most perfect.
still, If not vivifed by the bright and
cheerful spirit of loving human hearts. il
10 cold and deal. 1t is . n ,ular to what an
extent this invisible spirit Of the real lives
of the jewellers will permeate the entire
air Of the house.
There are homes upon whose doOrsteps
we linger, hesitating to enter. because Of
the depression and chill we shall inevita-
bly, receive we 60 in with soft, reluctant
step; we speak with bated breath we I
upright and uncomfortable on the costly
chairs, and gaze upon the beauties about
us with stolid Indifference. for they seem
lifeless 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, bitter
ness. How we throw back our shoulders
6Du lODS vi Iciiti dS VIC
emerge again into the open air!
There are other homes to which we al
ways turn gladly, to which our thoughts
revert in joy and in sorrow: they may be
plain and unpretentious. lacking every
thing but the necessities Of life. vet they
are filled with beauty because of the spirit
which giveth life From the very thresh-
old we are cognizant of the delightful
atmosphere" welcoming. loving. puri-
flying, strengthening we find the best part
OF our natures ministered unto whenever
we enter their sacred precincts.
Such homes are made by those who,
while bearing their own burdens bravely,
still have room and heart and love for
others; who. while living their own lives.
have warmth and tenderness and sympa-
thy for others; whose hands, out-reaching,
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
renewal, fails not; whose lives are so
pure and earnest and true that they radi-
ate to all who come within their influence.
We should make our homes as tasteful
and beautiful as we are able. for tasteful
ness and beauty have their uses and teach
order and neatness. Yet we should learn
TO consider these but the means toward
an erd-rever should they be permitted
to become the end itself II should not
be forgotten that the home-life is the
nucleus round which all life has its start
ing growth, nor that the influence of the
home is not for one generation alone. but
in succeeding generations also is its in
fuence felt.
Those who create homes in which
healthy, happy children shall grow into
pure and true men and women need no
higher crown, no greater glory. Homes
to which their inmates resort to get their
meals, their clothing and their lodgings
are all too common. and bear only the
faintest resemblance to what a home
should be. Ii should be place to think
on, to love and TO long for; it should be a
haven of rest that has an unfailing well
spring of pleasure"
Each member contributes his share to-
ward the making of home. but the princi- |
pal presiding spirit is the wife and mother
she II is that is-or sht uld belts heart
and life and center. 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 to be able to interest her children in
their studies; she will laugh with them.
play with them. JOY with them. sorrow
with them. being Mt 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.
n hlaacal that ck. xI.r, d.
and cares. that there is no thing that can
go beyond her patience and lovingness.
The moth can say the little word that
shall lead away from collision or dispute
her loving discernment and wise tact shall
gently turn The steps away from the dan
gerous passes before another has dscov-
cred their proximity. Her loving fore
thought plans pleasures. duties. amuse-
ment and delights; mngles pastime and
instruction, encouragement and warning.
To form home that shall thus border
on the perfection of home-living. requires
thought, study, tact, culture-every good
thing that can be found and brought to
bear upon it, and. above all, over all.
through all, more than all, love-pure.
unselfish. devoted love 1t is not a little
thing to create home, and the results
are incalculable. 1t requires thought.
study. self-devotion. time-a lifetime.
Yet in what way could life be spent
more satisfactorily. more usefully. more
nobly? When the homes are reorganized
society will be reconstructed; when the
fountains are cleared and purified the rills
and rivers running therefrom throughout
the world will be purified. The surest
way to remedy the evils in the world is to
elevate the home life. thought and home
teaching-to begin at the root of all soci
ETY. and all government.-CottageH Hearth.
Our GRANDMOTHER