The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-16
HOME INFLUENCES.

To the Editor: Homes and churches
are the most sacred places on earth.
Homes ought always TO be preparatory
schools for churches husband and
wife who love each other may make
their home a sweet and pleasant place !;
center of attraction; a place of purity
and love. But with all this happiness
there comes great responsibility. If
children compose a part OF the family
then parents are responsible for their
teaching and tanning. Infants know
nothing. They have TO learn all they
know. Parents are their natural. God
given, most important teachers Young
children are receptive and confiding:
they readily receive and believe what
parents teach These early teachings
are the most permanent and influential OF
any they receive. If home teachings
lave been wrong il will be hard to OBJ
literate them, ara get the child into
T ght ways; if they have been right. the
child starts right and il will be diff
cult to lead him astray. Nothing so en-
lists and draws out our affection as lit
tie children, and their right training
brings our greatest responsibility.
Now let us look at some results OF
home influence. If fathers pay no at
tention to religion; if they give them
selves wholly to things that are worldly.
sensual; if they drink. swear. gamble,
lie, cheat, their sons will be almost sure
10 follow some, il not all of their evil
practices, and will be led astray If
mothers are worldly minded if they give
themselves TO fashion, TO display and
society, If they advocate and patronize
wine supperS, progressive euchre balls.
theatres, then daughters VIII almost in
yariably follow their example, and will
BIZ useless in their homes and communi-
ties; unfit fer wives. unfit for heaven.
But an opposite influence can and
ought TO be exerted If parents are
kind, mild, loving, consistent, Christ
like in their lives, if they avoid and OPP
pose all that Is evil, and approve and do
what is pure and good, then their chill
Gren will take knowledge OF them, that
they have been with Jesus" and viii
want to experience the blessedness of
their communion with Christ.
If parents in the home circle talk of
the joys of Gods salvation, of their
love for their brethren, their church. their
pas ter, Their children will respect all
these. ard be interested in them. II
home induence is right. children, as a
rule, will not do wrong at church. They
will not stay out of doors after services
be GIN they will not go out during SER
vices or misbehave in Gods house. If
home influence is what II ought TO be,
children, as . rule will, in early life,
become Christians, and will make the
best and most useful Christian workers.
How poWerful-how controlling is home
influence. | WAS taught in childhood TO
be honest. l have never knowingly
wrongGd any one cut of cent. / was
Taught 20 lie truthful / have never con-
sciously uttered a mitchievous falSebood.
| was taught 10 behave at church. /
never mstehaved at Gods house. / was
taught 10 hate whiskey. l have never
tasted drop, not even as medicine.
vas taught | ought to loXe and serve
Jesus. trust l learned to do both in
early life.
If home influence was right, as a rule.
boys. would not go to grog shops, or
girls TO ball rooms, Recently l heard
fether say: Home training has been
such in my family that you will never
hear Of girl of mine being on ball
room floor.
J, A. STRAnLEY. l
oxford. n. c., Feb. 6.