Missionaries in the Home
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things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things.”
The apostle’s exhortation should be explicitly followed. There
is often a great temptation to talk of things which do not profit the
speaker or the hearer, but which bring evil and barrenness to both.
Our probationary time is too brief to be spent in dwelling upon the
shortcomings of others. We have a work before us which requires the
closest diligence and the strictest watchfulness, united with unceasing
prayer, or we shall be unable to overcome the defects in our characters
and to copy the divine Pattern. We should all study to imitate the life
of Christ. Then we shall have a sanctifying influence upon those with
whom we associate. It is a wonderful thing to be a Christian, truly
Christlike, peaceable, pure, and undefiled. Dear sister, God must be
with us in all our efforts, or they will avail nothing. Our good works
will end in self-righteousness.
In your own family there is much to correct. You have failed to
give your children the attention and encouragement they need. You
have not bound them to your heart by the tenderest cords of love. Your
business is a great tax upon your time and energies, and causes you
to neglect home duties. Yet you have become so accustomed to this
burden that it would seem a great sacrifice to lay it down; still, if
you could do this, it would be for your spiritual interest and for the
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happiness and morals of your children. It would be well for you to lay
by your perplexing cares and find a retreat in the country, where there
is not so strong an influence to corrupt the morals of the young.
True, you would not be entirely free from annoyances and per-
plexing cares in the country; but you would there avoid many evils,
and close the door against a flood of temptations which threaten to
overpower the minds of your children. They need employment and
variety. The sameness of their home makes them uneasy and restless,
and they have fallen into the habit of mingling with the vicious lads of
the town, thus obtaining a street education.
You have devoted so much time to missionary work which has
no connection with our faith, and been so pressed with cares and
responsibilities, that you have not kept pace with the work of God for
this time, and have had little leisure to make the narrow precincts of
home attractive to your children. You have not studied their needs,