119

HOME BLESSINGS.

Since man, for his disobedience of divine mandate, was forced into the necessity of earning a living by the sweat of his brow, a Home has been his ambition. It is a relief from labor, and brings around him a congenial companionship, the smiles and prattle of children, and the comforts which are the rewards of his industry. Here dwell the influences which form his habits and mould his character for good or evil. Considered merely as a human habitation to protect from the weather, as was the design in the earliest ages of the world, home loses its charm. It can never be too humble to produce the blessings which should there ever be found. Some men are so humane in their natures as not to disturb the disused nest of a bird, or allow it to be disturbed, because it was once the home of a mother bird which they had watched swell its throat in gladness in the sunlight which rested upon its sacred twigs. The associations of home never fail to follow men, however widely they may stray from its shelter and its blessings. Especially must this be the case with those who, for religious zeal or love of travel and adventure, roam in foreign lands among strange peoples and serious dangers. They make the greatest sacrifice, except life itself, to resign the prop that supported their tender years, and which first awakened the gratitude to heaven for home's protection and pleasures. Amid the

trials and cares and anxieties of such as are exiled from home and native land, the recollection of the incidents that there occurred forces tears into the eyes that, long unused to weeping, would not be filled for other cause. Home presupposes a father's and a mother's love, and without it how unhappy must the children be whose hearts have found none of the sweet flowers and gloried memories that cluster about the hearthstone of an affectionate family. Within the sacred portals of home the young mind, grasping for knowledge, receives the first forces that put in motion the mental machinery, and there in later life are developed the wisdom and experience of age, which ripen judgment. Unless, therefore, the home training of children be of daily concern and practice by the parents, they must grow up unfitted to discharge the duties that will devolve upon them when they must enter the great world alone to secure homes for themselves. Many responsibilities, cares, and trials are resting upon the fathers and mothers of today. More so than ever, because there are more dangers in sight to the home blessings they should confer upon their children. These children will be the fathers and mothers of the next generation, and upon them must depend the destiny of this grand Republic. The blessings of home should brighten every hour, but they cannot bring the influences with which they should be tinged, as with gold of the sun upon darkening clouds, if love and duty be not hourly employed in securing them. No opportunity should be lost that can add to the true blessings of home, as upon them rests the fate of the nation for good or evil. It is not alone that home must supply good precept and example, but it must also put them in practice. Home has few blessings if its inmates are not agreed upon the true

sources from which they may be procured. How sublime is the motive that brings into the home circle a smiling face and cheerful conversation! Like a bright day after stormy weather is the face of the wise man, who, although he has spent a day of business trouble, can bring home a face in which none of his cares appear. Great sacrifices must sometimes be made to render the home happy. Never should a sour temper be there permitted to show itself; for, of all places, home should be freed from the fires of anger and the words that stir up strife and quicken hasty judgment: Home blessings are too holy to be thus invaded by human weaknesses.

122

HEALTH IN LABOR.

The health that waits upon labor is among its best results, as it must continue to be among its greatest blessings. More particularly is health to be derived from out-door employment, as life on the farm and an active participation in its many and varied labors. Physical exercise is essential to health, under any and all circumstances, whether it be in the nature of labor or recreation. It must be borne in mind, however, that in labor are to be found the surest correctives of many abuses of health, as bringing into play influences of the more satisfactory sort upon the mind as considered in contrast to idleness. Idleness is the parent of many vices, some one says; and it is true. The freedom from the annoying reflections that one is making no use of physical or mental abilities to procure protection from want and suffering, sweetens labor and gives it a value which all true men must appreciate and carefully consider. How often have the wearied journalist and accountant, tired out in body and mind at the desk of unremitting application, found, in the life and labor of the farm and shop, relief and a return to the blessings of health. There are other occupations and employments just as necessary, but many of them are pursued under considerations not

leading to, but rather away from, health. Any one, however, may take from business enough time for rest and healthful exercise. It is in purifying and driving away from man the tendencies to evil that, in idleness, prey too continually and strongly upon him, and which he cannot long successfully resist, that labor possesses its greatest benefit. The atmosphere of diligent labor usefully directed is always of a healthy nature. Into it cannot enter the many foes that assail the idle, who have not the shield of protection that labor gives to all who enter its hallowed gateway. Labor dignifies and ennobles when in moderation; it permits the enjoyment of comforts and luxuries, and gives to home its sacred charm; it dashes away the bitter cup of poverty, and gives instead the nourishing and acceptable food of contentment; it dispels dread conceits of coming evil, and dries the tears of the afflicted. Labor is man's heavenborn heritage in exchange for the curse of disobedience; and yet men are ungrateful, and disposed to quarrel with their truest friends. What truer and better friend can any one possess than useful labor, the key that unlocks the casket of wisdom and exposes to our startled gaze the treasures that lie within? For every honest and determined end of labor there is sure reward. "There is no reward without toil" is a proverb as old as history, and as true today as when it first found lodgment in the minds and hearts of men. The faithful servant of labor hears in every blow he strikes the sure sound of the power committed to him, and which will bring him the fine gold of merited approval.

The health in labor, considered in all of the relations attaching to it, further brings a comfort and satisfaction which cannot be too highly estimated. The surest rem