Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-02
Topic:
THE CONSIDERATION OF THE
HOME LIFE.
(Acts, l01-s, 1924. 444s.)
BY HARVEY S. IRWIN.

Fair 10 the sight by Israel's psalmist snns.
OF those whom God hath in one household
Joined.
In peace and unity and love combined;
Most fair. when all assemble. old and young,
Parents and children: those who serve among
These whom TINY serve; with social feelings
Each to the other and with Knees inclined
In pa'riarehal worship, heart and tongue
List TO the Sayior's words. where TWO or
Meet in my name. there in the midst am t.
Believe. and welcome 10 thy family
The gracious Guest: and by His blessing try,
How much domestic bliss and amity
Hang on domestic worship's hallowins tie.
The meaning of conservation of the
home life is involved in the obedience
to Paurs Injunction to "shew piety at
home
This does not mean ironclad rules Of
religious discipline requiring solemn
faced observance of set forms of morn
ing and evening worship in the home.
Such discipline has often caused in very
young hearts dislike for religion, and
in few cases has soWn the seeds OF
1nfidelity.
We can. however, have but little faith
abroad. but has no felt charm and
power at home. Happy home life is
possible only as Christ is present Be
cause we are at home more than any
for the expression Of religion. Home is
more common than temples Churches
are often far apart, amid vast popula-
tfons-but homes are everywhere A
few are members of a congregation
all are members of a household.
There are no earthly joys so sweet
as those of the home. The world has
its joys and pleasures, but in the home
is found the calmer and more tranquil
bliss that is true and enduring.
Housekeeping hearts are happfest-
The most charming thought we have
OF heaven is in the conception Of it as
home. We are not so much impressed
by the description of place "decked
with gold and precious stones and
pearls as we are with the thought in
Chrfst's words, I'm my Fathers house
are many mansions. ] 20 to prepare
place for you.
We understand the significance of
home, its sweetness and sacredness.
and so our highest ideal of felicity is
embodied in the thought of heaven as
home Imperfect as the best earthly
home is, il is our most expressive type
of heaven.
Home in one way or another is the
great object and ambition of life.
1T stands at the end of every days
labor and beckons us TO its bosom, and
life would be cheerless and meaning
less did we not discern across the
river that divides US from the life be-
yond glimpses of the pleasant man
sions prepared for u.s."
20 be happy at home is the ultimate
hope and desire of all our planning.
The externals OF the home do not
constitute its deepest meaning. The
house may be clean and yet not
caln.2 1t may be well furnished and
not orderly. The cleanliness that is
next to godliness is the cleanliness of
mind and heart. and the richest furni-
ture and adornment is in the display
OF peaceable and loving spirit.
Home Is not merely four square walls.
Though with pictures hung and giided;
Home is where affection calls.
FILLED with shrines the heart hath builded.
Home. Go watch the faithful dove,
Sailing meath the heaven above us;
Home IL where there is to love,
Home IL where there is to love us
The only truly consecrated home Is
where Christ IL an invited and welcome
guest. The thought Of the world is