Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-11-30
GUARD THE HOME CIRCLE.
By Rev. DR.. David G. Wylie


And Esau hated Jacob because of the
blessing wherewith his father blessed
him, etc, etc-Genesis q !41-45.
The family is the oldest institution
in the world and existed before either
the church or the state. 1t is founded
in nature and Is divine institution.
Within the family circle the noblest
virtues are cultivated-helpfulness,
patience, forgiveness, gentleness, SYM
pathy, brotherly love, the fear of God,
true religion; indeed, all that Chris
tianity implies.
A true family is a paradise, an Eden,
heaven ON earth. 1t Is the problem
for married men and women to solve
that their homes may be to them like
heaven. We ought to watch night and
day to keep Satan out of the household
for If ever he gets his head in he will
never be content until his whole body
IS IN.
AS there Is no more charming picture
than a true home, so there Is no sad
der and darker picture than the broken
family circle. We have such home in
the text and no real excuse existed
for it. Jacob was farmer, a cattle
man, herdsman, a rancher. He was
man Of character and had faith enough
to leave his home when he heard the
voice Of God. He was a man Of great
prosperity and possessed focks OF
sheep, cattle, goats and camels.
Yet these did not contribute to hi
happiness and peace Of mind. There
was discord and so broken family
circle. The brothers were jealous O.
one another and the father and mother
were distracted.
The same was true of the family
Saul. He was called from the farm
to the throne and had fine chance,
but missed it. His spirit became dark
He grew jealous and threw javelin at
the head Of his son-in-law. All this
was unkingly and the family circle
was broken.
One Of the things that breaks the
family circle is jealousy. 1t was jeal-
ousy, largely, that broke the family
circle Of Jacob. Parents should watch
for the developing characteristics and
study the temperaments Of their chill
dren in order to allay jealousy.
Injustice Is another cause. Parents
are often unwise in the treatment of
their children. Men who pride them
selves on being just to their neighbors
ought to be just also to their children,
for if they deal unjustly with their
own family they may look to see the
family circle broken.
Still another cause Is favoritism,
either on the part of the father or t.
mother. Often there is too much made
Of one child at the expense Of another.
Favoritism has broken up many a fine
family, for the last thing in the world
love can stand is to be slighted.
Divorce Is one of the great sins of
our times, and the cause Of many
broken family circles. We need a
league Of all good people for the pro,
lection Of the family. Parents should
be impartial and strictly just in their
dealings with children. God expects
this, and unless parents are just they
must look to see the family circle
broken up.
Much should be made Of the home
There should be proper amusements
for the children an abundance Of good
papers, books and magazines, and
friends welcomed to the home circle
Home life should be made pleasant
cheerful and bright. When this Is done
there will be little danger Of broken
family circles. In the home religion
should be put into practice and family
life hallowed by prayer. The word OF
God should be honored, and the name
Of Jesus Christ exalted. When chill
dren are taught to love and honor Goo
they will be quite sure to love ant
honor their parents and the family
circle will remain unbroken.
May the great God help us all tc
keep our homes sweet and pure ant
finally gather us into the greater fam
lily circle in the Fathers house above
AL ADAMS AS AN EXAMPLE.
By Rev. A. Arnold Ross