Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-10-22

and remains so near the CEN
5er of our lives that we do not know |
where to draw the line In fact, we
do it because it has been ap-
pointed to be so close to the Creator, |
even His ally-its roots finding their |
nutriment in the mysteries of His de-
signs. In it we are formed and point
ed in this or that direction. 1t is true
that we are frequently helped outside
of our homes, but in them we are
shaped accordingto the purpose of our
parents. The very help we receive
from our surroundings is governed by
the spirit of our homes. To divorce
oorselves from their influences is
hardly possible. 1t cings to US despite
of the effort of every wind. 1t is in
dr blcod and man no more than the
leopard can rub out his spots. This
is so true that our homes are easily
the most sacred of all earthly institu-
tions, and they are of necessity to be
our fortresses, a very present help
throughout the four seasons of our
r--"r Thew are Incompatible, and
their power is so great that no one
=. ne able TO measure it. They
are the allies of Heaven for every
good work.
This is so really the truth that we
are awed as we try to face it. We
might think differently, but, in the
main, if not wholly, our homes can
efeat all efforts for better conditions
which are put forth in the world.
They are so much the sources of our
lives that this is terribly true. If they
are against reforms, reformers are
practically helpless If they are not
for refinement and culture, our pro-
cesses of culture and refinement are
so handicapped that they border on
Icing for naught. If they have not
taste for usefulness and grandeur
of character, our labors are almost in
vain. If they are devoid of that de-
sire that makes for goodness and
spirituality, the strivings of our
churches are well-nigh fruitless. We
may be taught by the best teachers
but if our homes are contrary to their
wishes, their seed drops into the midst
of thorns. We may be led by public
principle for which we search. Is
as wealthy as Croesus and be ex-
ceedingly detrimental to the welfare
of our fellows Wealth in the hands Of
officers who are absolutely sincere
mt # our homes are holding back
the tolls of our public officers fall in
to stony ground. We may have tht
4 Gospel preached to us by the bes
preachers that ever walked in thu
paths of uprightness and devotion
but if our homes are cold and care
less their preachments fall by tn,
wayside where the birds of the ali
1evour them. Our homes are so nea
the bottom of our beings that, in
deed. without them very little can b.
accomplished, if anything at all. T.
all intents and purposes they are tn
rulers of the world. This is so slgni
ficant that it becomes terribly true.
We are now justified in asking wha
ought to be the ruling principle o
, the home that has a mind to max
the crooked road straight and tn
rough places smooth? This is no
, asking too much because if our home
are what we think they are-the rul
; ing factors of our civilization-thei
; Importance justifies the inquiry. w
ought to know what it is since w
} know that they have so much to d
r with our well-being. Then, is it edu
| cation? Hardly. We have seen tina
: education without the encouragement
of the home is not successful. Thi
makes education by-product of tn
principles for which we search. ]
:. it wealth? Not at all. We can b
as wealthy as Croesus and hands G
the selfish is dreadful weapon. Thi
is surely contrary to the nature c
that which we want to find. Is
strength, as strength is shown
militarism? Not in any wise Mil
tarism cures nothing, and wheneve
it is put in force, it gives the worl
heritage of hate Militarism is
thing to be decried on all hands.
: is a destroyer rather than builde
There is no healing in the wings {
militarism, and for this reason "
cannot accept it as the basal idea {
our development. Our civilization
S 4 failure if militarism is its found;
e ton. The question is still unanswe
ed, but we have an answer for it, ar
! -ha one that has been more helpf1
e and productive than all other thing
) 'ombined We will pnt it in the for
y of little history. This will aid l
= to remember it.
A certain man gave to the wor
If three sons, and when they believ,
a nat Cney were prepared to take {
l. responsibility they married each
II wife. In the course of twenty-fi,
H. years their families were pretty W.
h grown, and two of the brothers hs
e come very rich in material thing
e Indeed, so rich had they become tn
g they were wont to look down upt
m their brother, who had been throug
J. out all these years as faithful to
zeal as they had been TO theirs.
ID This, however, they could not sc
j. The glamor of their gold had MARI
t. their vision to a very great eXtei
Fine discernment they had not, al
20 this was proven in more than O
,e way. The finer aspects of their cha
20 acters had been neglected so much
n their unreasonable devotion to MAI
r mon that they had no taste for an
rs thing else.
But there dawned a day upon the
when they began to feel that the
brother had been exceedingly succes
7 full along one line-he had fami
r. that was a credit to the whole CO
IN nection and the community at lars
He had taken time to establish
j. children in the right paths, and al
to instill into thNc minds when tn
w were placid the ideals which are prs
d. tically out of the reach of the we
and tear of circumstances. This
lis so true that his family was looked L
on as finished product of meekne
sincerity and industry. So, one d
ne his brother came to him and said:
wv "Joe, we have come here at Il
on time because we desire to know
vo secret of your success with your cf
ng dren. Will you please tell us? Y
I'm have proven your skill and judgmC
nd in your line even more so than
n have in ours. With sorrow we c.
fess that, unless all signs are delus
we have failed along the line in VIII
90 you have been a master. We heli'
lat that wn have tried tn do the hest