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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
Angels Not Attracted to Discordant Home—Angels are not at-
tracted to the home where discord reigns supreme. Let fathers and
mothers cease all faultfinding and murmuring. Let them educate their
children to speak pleasant words, words that bring sunshine and joy.
Shall we not now enter the home-school as Christ’s students? Bring
practical godliness into the home. Then see if the words you speak do
not cause joy.
Parents, begin the work of grace in the church in your own home,
so conducting yourselves that your children will see that you are
cooperating with the heavenly angels. Be sure that you are converted
every day. Train yourselves and your children for life eternal in the
kingdom of God. Angels will be your strong helpers. Satan will tempt
you, but do not yield. Do not speak one word of which the enemy can
take an advantage.—
Manuscript 93, 1901.
A Plea for More Home Hospitality—Even among those who
profess to be Christians, true hospitality is little exercised. Among our
own people the opportunity of showing hospitality is not regarded as
it should be, as a privilege and blessing. There is altogether too little
sociability, too little of a disposition to make room for two or three
more at the family board without embarrassment or parade. Some
plead that “it is too much trouble.” It would not be if you would say,
“We have made no special preparation, but you are welcome to what
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we have.” By the unexpected guest a welcome is appreciated far more
than is the most elaborate preparation.—
Testimonies for the Church
6:343
(1900).
Things That Make a Happy Home—Pleasant voices, gentle
manners, and sincere affection that finds expression in all the ac-
tions, together with industry, neatness, and economy, make even a
hovel the happiest of homes. The Creator regards such a home with
approbation.—
The Signs of the Times, October 2, 1884
. (
The Adven-
tist Home, 422
.)
Cultivation of True Refinement—There is great need of the cul-
tivation of true refinement in the home. This is a powerful witness
in favor of the truth. In whomsoever they may appear, vulgarity of
language and of demeanor indicate a vitiated heart. Truth of heavenly
origin never degrades the receiver, never makes him coarse or rough.
Truth is softening and refining in its influence. When received into the
heart, it makes the youth respectful and polite. Christian politeness is