The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-16
RELIGION AND HOUSEKEEPING.
REV. DIR. L. c. yAss' SERMON on THE
MODEL HOUSEWIFE.

The Family of Lazarus on Bethany
Furnishes the Theme-Martha Was
n Careful HOusekeeper, but She
Lacked the One Thing NeedfuI.
The Duties of HOusekeePers From
Christian standpOint-A Picture
of a Model Home.
Dr. L. c. Vass Of the First Presbyterian
church preached an interesting sermon
last night to housekeepers. He based his
discourse on the fourth verse Of the tenth
chapter Of Luke: Martha, Martha, thou
art careful and troubled about many
things; but one thing is needful."
DIT. Vass began his sermon by a descrip-
ton Of Jesus character and of his kind.
social nature. He told how Jesus often
stayed with the family Of Lazarus in
Bethany, and Of what a quiet. pleasant
lily, he said, was evidently of some wealth
and one held in high esteem by the com
munlty for when in affection at the death
or Lazarus many kind friends hooked 10
see them.
Martha was at the head Of the house
hold. II is thought by many that she was
a widow. Both she and her sister Mary
loved Jesus and were true servants OF
the living God; so there is no contrast
here between a wording and Christ
ian. The contrast is between two cody
oped unequaliy.
DR.. Vass narrated the circumstances at
tending the visit Of Jesus when he ad
ministered the gentle rebuke to Martha.
Martha. Martha, thou art troubled about
many things, but one thing is needfuL"
The preacher discoursed Interestingly on
the duties of housekeepers, and the COM
forts OF a well kept home and said that
10 be called a model housewife is a name
Of honor; one to be coveted and proudly
worn. He told Of the dangers of undue
absorption in mere carnai things, and
said that Martha was too careful about
the details of housekeeping and was not
troubled enough about the one thing need
ful. Absorption in household cares and
duties often cause neglect of needed religi-
Gus work, neglect Of church. neglect of so
clal functions and even neglect of prayer
and the Bible thus stunting the life of
me soul by giving up to lower passions
OF appetite love of display, fancied de-
mands of station in society and becoming
a slave to a Goddess fashion.
Another danger, DIT. Nass said, is a
NE ne OF worry S1ry Just take the photo
face, perplexed look, quick gestures of
Impotence and sharp complaints to
Mary for not lending her assistance in
the household duties. Then see the divine
face of our Savior as he administered
the rebuke, and said, Mary hath chosen
He spoke Of the duties of housekeep-
ers in their capacity of child trainers.
The street, he said, is not the proper
place for child to grow up. II should
be raised under the gentle Influence of
a Christian mothers love. He deplored
the lack Of literary culture among
the housekeepers of the present day
While some housekeepers are highly
cultured. the majority never get any fur
Their than to glance at a newspaper or
read a trashy novel Martha, he said,
was really pious woman, but she was
too sedulous, too much absorbed in the
trivial matters of life and was neglecting
the "one thing needful." With the true
housekeeper, there must be no idleness,
no neglect OF active duties on plea of
religious conservation. Christ went about
his fathers work and Mary was doubtless
alive to her daily labors, but when Jesus
was there many things had to be subor-
dinated to the grand opportunity of learn
ing Of him.
DR.. Vass closed his interesting address
with a beautiful picture of a model home
and a true housewife.