The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-08-25
Home and
Happiness
A Happy Home is the Nearest An
proach to Heaven in this
Vale Of Tears.


don't care to enter upon a dis.
cussion of the merits of that sub.
ject. | only say that if women
from the highest to the lowest
were systematically educated tc
WELD the great power they possess
a power which can be made to
move the secret springs of business
and success, they would then have
little reason to complain Of the
want of influence. II they were
trained so as to enter actively and
energetically into home and do
nestle affairs, that none could
deem it q pursuit unworthy of
them, they would then find ample
scope for daily faculties. 1 would
not have domestic economy and
home duties Wanted or made the
constant theme Of conversation or
gossip" They are the private
employments of a woman. Those
who talk most of their duties are
generally those who perform them
the most imperfectly.
When we think of happiness we
usually think of home. It seems
to me that a happy home is the
nearest approach to Heaven that
we are likely to find here on this
earth. Where happiness and love
are there is heaven. The most
beautiful mansions in the world.
magnified in proportion, with fur
nishings hey opd the ordinary pow
er of description, are not happy
homes unless the inmates are filled
with the spirit of loving and Civ
ing. 1t seems to me and actual
ly believe that the palaces of the
wealthy are not always happy
homes. l believe the greatest
number of happy homes will be
found among the middle and low
Or classes of people. In such
homes the members are more unit
I'd. They are interested in one
another and in home life. Thew
earn the lesson of appreciation, to
show their love in words and deeds
and by SO doing they find real hap
oiness in a home.
This is certainly a large and
beautiful world. In spite of what
,rumblers may say, there are hun
ireds, yes thousands ofpeopIe " no
would find it mnch happier one
t they studied more what they
ought to do, or INDUCED their fan
lies less. Every human being ex-
,rcises some influence in the char
lcters, happiness and destinies of
'thers, and is accountable for op-
oortunities wasted and blessings
neglected OF transformed. This
8 especially true Of women. Every
sensible woman is, or may be, a
blessing to many; if not by great
leeds or achievements the world |
.alls heroic, nevertheless by al
nipple, quiet, forward performance
# the duties which lie before her
md are therefore given her to do.
When a man returns home from |
lis days labor, he is. perhaps,
ired and disappointed from the
lays business. He naturally does
lot care to be annoyed by the de-
ais of domestic affairs. He has
had his worries during
he day, and with that pride, or
eserve, or want of confidence
which is peculiar in most men, he
perhaps keeps them to himself.
This example should be followed
n all cases, where advice or as
istance is not necessary. Some
pleasant, cheerful theme should be
hosen or some amusement be Sc
ected which would render the
'vening and leisure hours those of
elaxation and enjoyment and tend
O give charm to home which
10 other place can possess. Men
re free to 60 and come at will.
They have sosmnch liberty of &C.
ion and SO many outdoor resources