The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-03
TRUE HOME LIFE.
The Sacredness of the Family Kingdom
Is in the Keeping of Parents.
From Minneapolis Times.l

From Minneapolis Timesl
home life possibly the views of those
who have only sentimental interest
in the subject may be important
John Howard Payne, who wrote
"Home, Sweet Home" never had an
abiding place, yet he struck the key
note of home love in song that will
last as long as home shall last.
In the same way ethe views of those
who lack home privileges may be
of some import to those who have such
advantages and who find them a bur-
den rather than source of great salts
faction. 1t would actually appear to
be fact that young men of today, and
young women, also, do not understand
the meaning of home and have some
sort of an idea that it is scheme to
restrict their liberty. Too late they
find that the glamour of the world has
deceived them and that they have de-
layed the formation of home habits
beyond the period when they can enjoy
the sweet consolation of a corner in
the world that can not be entered by
outside disturbing influences. The
greatest obstacle in the way of home
life is lack of appreciation of it's beau
ties. This lack of appreciation arises
largely from distorted vision which
enlarges the value of society and mini
mizeS the real interests of the home,
In families where the mother is de-
voted to society and the father to busi-
ness the children are largely left to
themselves and gravitate toward the
world inevitably. Children are insatia-
BILE in there mental appetite, and if
that activity is not fed at home they
will seek relief outside. The mother
who merely dresses her children does
nothing for them. The father who
merely kisses them goodbye as he hur-
ries to the office does worse than moth
ing for them. Parents who have not
learned to tire their children out every
day in good things need not be sur
prised if the young generation seeks
safety elsewhere than in the home
and on things that can not be COM
mended. With all of our civilization
and all Of our books the minds of chill
dren are yet very little comprehended.
Schools and colleges are constructed
on the theory that it is necessary not
to overburden young people. AS a
matter of fact, no such thing is possi-
BILE. If the college professor or the
teacher is careful to comprehend in
advance what he is teaching there is
little question but what his pupils will
keep up with him. They are more apt
to tire him out than he them. 1t is
not Wild staf<iaent to say that the
BOY or girl who IS herded in class of
thirty or forty persons suffers more
from mental ennui than from over
work. If the schools do not do enough
for the children to keep their mentality
engaged, what shall be said of the
home where the matter of instruction.
OF entertainment, is left in nine cases
out OF ten blank. In the solemn home
repression takes the place of interest
and breeds rebellion, where there should
be bred progress. In the flighty home
mere sham interest is evinced by the
parents, and in the most inscrutable
ways providence is expected to provide
for the children's mental and moral
development. If there is any foe to
home life it is tifsss4ct that there is no
home life. While the form of the
home is there, the substance is either
wanting or is thing of shreds and
patches. There is no intelligent plan.
There is no motive on the part of the
parents. There is no comprehension
OF their duties. Their attention to
their children does not extend beyond
their pleasure. So long as the children