Security in the Home
127
be your profession, you are breaking God’s commandments.—
The
Review and Herald, March 29, 1892
.
Friends Not to Meddle in Homelife (counsel to a young man)—
The home circle should be regarded as a sacred place, a symbol of
heaven, a mirror in which to reflect ourselves. Friends and acquain-
tances we may have, but in the homelife they are not to meddle. A
strong sense of proprietorship should be felt, giving a sense of ease,
restfulness, trust.
But your association with other women and girls has been a source
of temptation to them, leading them to take liberties and overstep
the restraint which the marriage relation imposes on every man and
woman. You have not perceived it, but your love of amusement and
the spirit you have encouraged has not impressed others with the
sacredness of the marriage relation.
Practical homelife is the great test of character. By his tender
thoughtfulness in the home, by the exercise of patience, kindness, and
love, a man determines his character.—
Letter 17, 1895
Wives Pine for Words of Love—Many women pine for words of
love and kindness and the common attentions and courtesies due them
from their husbands who have selected them as their life companions.
How much trouble and what a tide of woe and unhappiness would be
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saved if men, and women also, would continue to cultivate the regard,
attention, and kind words of appreciation and little courtesies of life
which kept love alive and which they felt were necessary in gaining
the companions of their choice.
If the husband and wife would only continue to cultivate these
attentions which nourish love, they would be happy in each other’s
society and would have a sanctifying influence upon their families.
They would have in themselves a little world of happiness and would
not desire to go outside this world for new attractions and new objects
of love. Many a wife has sickened and died prematurely for the want
of encouraging words of sympathy and love manifested in kindly
attentions and in words.—
Letter 27, 1872
.
Husband Can Shut the Door Against Disease—The husband
should manifest great interest in his family. Especially should he be
very tender of the feelings of a feeble wife. He can shut the door
against much disease. Kind, cheerful, and encouraging words will
prove more effective than the most healing medicines. These will