Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-01-07
THE HOME CIRCLE.
New Year Ref1eetions---All the Mem
bers of the Family should ssDweu
Together In Unity,
From "Good Housekeeping. :"


From "Good Housekeeping"
The higher life of the household has
no more salient point or saving ele-
ment liz the makeup of its everyday
life than the simple feature which finds
representation in the words of Holy
Writ: Behold how good and how
pleasant thing it is for brethren to
dwell together IN unity" By means
OF the change of slngle word in the
quoted verse, that of household" in
the place of brethren" we have an
expression of greater moment to fam
lily life than the commands of Kings
and Princes, than the proclamations
of Presidents and Governors, Or the
behests of the most renowned leaders
of nations Or influential nember of
worldly communities, large Or small,
wherever found
s Dwelling together in unity" is the
sum and substance of earthly peace
and human happiness, when had in
connection with the all-Important fea-
ture of domestic life. Food may be
abundant and well served; there may
be good cooking; cleanliness may
y
may be downy ans inviting; the table
be elegantly and extensively spread
and the service excellent; the library
richly appointed and well filled; the
furniture comfortable. or tasteful de-
sign and pattern and well arranged;
the drapery heavy and hung in grace
full folds; acquaintance pleasant,
friends plentiful and agreeable, but
what avaijsth all these if the house
hold may not dwell together in unity
in harmony of plan and purpose,
with thoughtful consideration for each
others wants; of shortcomings to
pass by unnoticed; careful of speech
and action, respectful of rights and
privileges, tender in thought and af-
fectionate in expression, not only
when everything passes smoothly, but
when vexations, crosses and trials
come to the surface, as they must and
will in the daily round of duty of
household life2
~ tOpia," says some one, after lis
tening to all this detail of expectation
and Interrogation. Not at all. Or
rather it is an Utopia that may be
found IN any and every. household,
where each inmate sincerely and carr
estly desires and solemnly decides to
dwell together IN unity. 1t is both
wide of the mark and idle to say that
worldly weakness and the imperfec,
tons of humanity will pot admit of
any such perfection In domestic life,
as we are making out on the printed
pages before US. We know that truth,
and that not only possibility bat GER
tainty of accomplishment lies in the
direction here indicated, and In main
tenance Of our position, we rest not
on theory or speculation, but speak Of
that which we know. Let as illus
trate from life.
We have IN mind at this writing, a
home made up of young and old of
both sexes, saints and sinners de-
vout ores, and those not given to de-
votional doings; busy and bustling
bodies; some worldlyminded ones,
and wicked enough for all practical
purposes. And here let us digress
long enough to recognize the fact that
families in general are made up of
similar material, the only difference
between one and another being such
as locality or circumstances naturally
produce.
The household of which we ', rite is
not limited one, but comprises eight
souls and compasses in its complete
catalogue the sacret trinity of men,
women and children. In detail, then,
in this family circle of eight persons,
there are two mothers in-law-those
terrible beings, according to the news
paper funny men of the period-one
| father-in law, three mothers, two
fathers, two grandmothers, one grand
father, three daughters, two sons and
three generations, covering ages from
3 years to so and over. And these all
dwell together IN unity. Some doubt
ing Thomas, upon reading this, may
possibly, quite probably, indeed, rise
IN his place and say smart thing or
two about the lack of spirit and tenn
per, grit, if you will, to be found
among the members of such house
hold. Bat we can put him down in
trice, by the simple announcement
truthfully made, that some of these
pardon the expression, but it fits the
case better than any other-are
sprinkler than DlazeS, and yet they
dwell together in unity.
Do you ask, patient reader, for the
formula, mixture or recipe by means
of which this desired end is wrought
outi Well, here it is. One part and
large one of well grounded family
affection, well assimilated with more
or less thoughtful consideration and s.
large supply of welI-sifted charity,
enough to cover from sight the petty
foibles and little weaknesses of hui
mainly. This preparation, when ia
kea after being we'll shaken together,
in a spirit of determination that what
ever may come, no strifes or dissen-
sions, no jealousies or chickering's shall
cross the threshold inwardly, will keep
the atmosphere of the household so
peaceful and pure that they who abide
there may dwell together in unity.
One Of the most potent ingredients
of the mixture ia the case of which we
write is the one that holds in daily
keeping and conduct the ''olive
branches round about the table" of the
household Welcome messengers of