Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-05
HOMES AND UNHAPPY
MARRIAGES REVIEWED
NATURAL OBLIGATIONS MUST
NOT BE SHlRKED
Want of Religion and Different Stand
ards of Righteousness Branded as
Chief Causes of Family
Quarrels

Dr. Charles Edward Locke at the
First Methodist Episcopal church last
evening, in answer to many questions
sent to him, discussed the subject,
How to make happy homes, and why
are many marriages unhappy. his
text was 2 Samuel . II: The LORD
blessed Obed-Edom and all his house,
hold" DR.. Locke said in part:
THE home is a Bible institution. In
pagan lands there are no homes. The
home is the palladium of the republic
Any hand lifted against the home is an
enemy of the flag and of nation S
liberties. Any evil which threatens
the home is a traitor to the country.
Here is a homely definition: "A house
is built of stones, of sills and posts and
piers, but a home is built of loving
deeds that stand a thousand years.
The little boy defined home as the
place a fellow likes to go to-.
1.-THE home of Obed-Edom was hap
DIV because the presence of God was
there God in the home makes peace
within and protects from evils with
out. Such house will be a home of
prayer, secret and family prayer The
Bible will be the cornerstone of such
a home. The little boy at family pray
ers thought his father read that chill
dren should be brought up in the fear
and ammunition of the Lord which is
very good. Prayer in a home will
right all wrongs, harmonic all dis
cords, and assuage all sorrows.
where God is there will be Guilt
waited contentment, unsel1shneSs, pa
thence, piety, forgiveness, frugal1ty,
peace. and all Christian graces; and
not iealousies, rivalries, chickering's and
extravagances.
''In such a home there will be the
Christian father serving as high
priest at his own sacred affairs. A
brilliant young man declared that he
should have drifted into infidelity If 1t
had not been for the consistent con-
duct of his father. That was an ar
gIIment which he could not refute.
'In that home there will be the
Christian wife and mother the divin-
est creatures on earth. Home will be
happy if the mother is cheerful.
trustful Christian. She made home
happy is the most beautiful epitaph
that was ever carved on a memorial
stone.
Much of the unhappiness occurs IN
married life today because children are
not desired or welcomed. AS rule a
husband is disappointed if he does not
become a father. The refusal of the
wife to accept the cares and honors
of motherhood is a tragical cause for
much marital unhappiness. There can
not be a happy home when husband
and wife are conscious of deliberately
defeating the intention of thei. Creator
in instituting the holy relationship OF
marriage. Such people cannot have
the approval of their God.
Children Heal QuarreIs
1.-THE presence of children in the
home will prevent and heal nearly all
estrangements. The happiest homes,
the most honored and successful men.
the most amiable and beautiful wom-
en-. and the most longlived people, are
those who are willing to assume all the
natural obligations and privileges
which follow the faithful fulfillment of
the VOWS taken at the sacred marriage
altar Children make the parents
beautiful and stalwart in their char
acters. They teach the parents les
sons of divinity-love, patience, fidel-
ity.
There is much unhappiness among
married people due to the different
standard of righteousness which are
accepted by many persons for men ana
women. There should be a white life
for the man and the woman before and
after marriage.
"A woman's character would be gone
forever if she were to pass some years
of her life in sowing wild oats. She
is sheltered from evil and excuses of
every sort; and, pure and beautiful as
a rose, is presented to her husband on
the wedding day. Exactly that stand
ard of purity should be required of
the young man. Great disappointment
and unhappiness, often sickness and
tragedy, follow, because the young
man brings a defled mind and body
to the nuptial altar.
"A young woman should refuse to
accept the proposals of young man
unless she knows that he offers her
character as spotless and honorable as
the character which he requires of
her.
There would be less unhappiness az
ter marriage if there were more frank
ness and clearer understandings before
marriage concerning the purposes of
the married relation.
"A bad man cannot make a good
husband. nor a bad woman good
wife. The qualities which make a man
a good man and a woman a good Wom-
an are necessary to make of man
a good husband and of woman
good wife"
.