14
The Adventist Home
make no change in word or deportment, in dress or surroundings, are
living to themselves, not to Christ. They have not been created anew
in Christ Jesus, unto purification and holiness....
While we are to guard against needless adornment and display,
we are in no case to be careless and indifferent in regard to outward
appearance. All about our persons and our homes is to be neat and
attractive. The youth are to be taught the importance of presenting an
appearance above criticism, an appearance that honors God and the
truth
A neglect of cleanliness will induce disease. Sickness does not
come without a cause. Violent epidemics of fevers have occurred in
villages and cities that were considered perfectly healthful, and these
have resulted in death or broken constitutions. In many instances
the premises of the very ones who fell victims to these epidemics
contained the agents of destruction which sent forth deadly poison into
the atmosphere, to be inhaled by the family and the neighborhood. It
is astonishing to witness the prevailing ignorance relative to the effects
which slackness and recklessness produce upon health
Order Necessary for a Happy Home—God is displeased with
disorder, slackness, and a lack of thoroughness in anyone. These
[23]
deficiencies are serious evils, and tend to wean the affections of the
husband from the wife when the husband loves order, well-disciplined
children, and a well-regulated house. A wife and mother cannot make
home agreeable and happy unless she possesses a love for order, pre-
serves her dignity, and has good government; therefore all who fail
on these points should begin at once to educate themselves in this
direction, and cultivate the very things wherein is their greatest lack
Vigilance and Diligence to Be Blended—When we give our-
selves unreservedly to the Lord, the simple, commonplace duties of
home life will be seen in their true importance, and we shall perform
them in accordance with the will of God. We are to be vigilant, watch-
ing for the coming of the Son of man; and we must also be diligent;
working as well as waiting is required; there must be a union of the two.
This will balance the Christian character, making it well developed,
symmetrical. We should not feel that we are to neglect everything else,
4
The Review and Herald, June 10, 1902
.
5
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 105, 106
.
6
Testimonies For The Church 2:298, 299
.