Sanctity of the Family Circle. --There is a sacred circle around every family
which should be preserved. No other one has any right in that sacred circle. The
husband and wife should be all to each other. The wife should have no secrets to
keep from her husband and let others know, and the husband should have no
secrets to keep from his wife to relate to others. The heart of his wife should
be the grave for the faults of the husband, and the heart of the husband the
grave for his wife's faults. Never should either party indulge in a joke at the
expense of the other's feelings. Never should either the husband or wife in
sport or in any other manner complain of each other to others, for frequently
indulging in this foolish and what may seem perfectly harmless joking will end
in trial with each other and perhaps estrangement. I have been shown that there
should be a sacred shield around every family.
The home circle should be regarded as a sacred place, a symbol of heaven, a
mirror in which to reflect ourselves. Friends and acquaintances we may have, but
in the home life they are not to meddle. A strong sense of proprietorship should
be felt, giving a sense of ease, restfulness, trust.
Tongues, Ears, and Eyes to Be Sanctified. --Let those composing the family
circle pray that God will sanctify their tongues, their ears, their eyes, and
every member of their body. When brought into contact with evil, it is not
necessary to be overcome of evil. Christ has made it possible for the character to be fragrant with good. . . .
How many dishonour Christ and misrepresent His character in the home circle!
How many do not manifest patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and true love! Many
have their likes and dislikes and feel at liberty to manifest their own perverse
disposition rather than to reveal the will, the works, the character of Christ.
The life of Jesus is full of kindness and love. Are we growing into His divine
nature?
Unity, Love, and Peace. --Let fathers and mothers make a solemn promise to
God, whom they profess to love and obey, that by His grace they will not
disagree between themselves, but will in their own life and temper manifest the
spirit that they wish their children to cherish.
Parents should be careful not to allow the spirit of dissension to creep into
the home; for this is one of Satan's agents to make his impression on the
character. If parents will strive for unity in the home by inculcating the
principles that governed the life of Christ, dissension will be driven out, and
unity and love will abide there. Parents and children will partake of the gift
of the Holy Spirit.
Let the husband and wife remember that they have burdens enough to carry
without making their lives wretched by allowing differences to come in. Those
who give place to little differences invite Satan into their home. The children
catch the spirit of contention over mere trifles. Evil agencies do their part to
make parents and children disloyal to God.
Although trials may arise in the married life, the husband and the wife are
to keep their souls in the love of God. The father should look upon the mother of his children as one deserving
of all kindness, tenderness, and sympathy.
The Secret of Family Unity. --The cause of division and discord in families
and in the church is separation from Christ. To come near to Christ is to come
near to one another. The secret of true unity in the church and in the family is
not diplomacy, not management, not a superhuman effort to overcome
difficulties--though there will be much of this to do--but union with Christ.
Picture a large circle, from the edge of which are many lines all running to
the centre. The nearer these lines approach the centre, the nearer they are to
one another.
Thus it is in the Christian life. The closer we come to Christ, the nearer we
shall be to one another. God is glorified as His people unite in harmonious
action.
Let Each Help the Other. --The family firm is a sacred, social society, in
which each member is to act a part, each helping the other. The work of the
household is to move smoothly, like the different parts of well-regulated
machinery.
Every member of the family should realise that a responsibility rests upon
him individually to do his part in adding to the comfort, order, and regularity
of the family. One should not work against another. All should unitedly engage
in the good work of encouraging one another; they should exercise gentleness,
forbearance, and patience; speak in low, calm tones, shunning confusion; and
each doing his utmost to lighten the burdens of the mother. . . .
Each member of the family should understand just the part he is expected to
act in union with the others. All, from the child six years old and upward,
should understand that it is required of them to bear their share of life's
burdens.
A Fitting Resolve. --I must grow in grace at home and wherever I may be, in
order to give moral power to all my actions. At home I must guard my spirit, my
actions, my words. I must give time to personal culture, to training and
educating myself in right principles. I must be an example to others. I must
meditate upon the word of God night and day and bring it into my practical life.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, is the only sword which I can
safely use.