HOME-KEEPING by O. M. Hayward, M. D.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 3, 1901

HOME-KEEPING

By O. M. Hayward, M. D.

O. M. HAYWARD, M. D.

There are many who have educated abilities, whose sole excuse for not doing aggressive work for God and the advancement of His truth is that they “have a home to keep.” Enslaved by “home duties” and “domestic cares,” they spend their precious energies without stint, not even allowing themselves a little quiet time to pray. Feverish and fretful, they struggle on, unsatisfied and unhappy because of a constant failure to reach their ideal; and as one that beats the air, they have frequently to acknowledge that it is all in vain.

They may take courage, and try again by introducing new regulations, or bringing some untried plan or system into the home life. This strengthens hope, and they feel better for a time; but their renewed energies are soon spent, and they are drinking again of the bitter cup of disappointment. The more completely these people become engrossed in their efforts at home-making, the greater investments they find to be necessary, of time and strength and money. To them home becomes the end and object of existence. Everything centers there. It is the hub of their world of activity. All else must bend to its advantage. Some one outside may be shelterless, may freeze or starve, and souls around may perish; but the sacred precincts of that home must not be entered, its rhythm disturbed, or its machinery interfered with.

In all the great, wide world there is nothing good, nothing worth while, nothing to be looked upon with favor, that cannot be bent to the advantage of the narrow sphere of such a home. Guests are not to be invited nor entertained according to their needs, but according to the supposed interests of the place. Can Christians be happy in this kind of home-making?—Not while the word of Christ in Luke 14: 26-33 stands as a part of the Holy Scriptures, or Matt. 10: 37, 38, sets forth the test of discipleship and the exalted plane of true Christian living.

To make home the chief aim of life is idolatry, and the struggling, disappointed home-maker may expect to perish with his idol when the earth melts with fervent heat, and the works that are therein are burned up.

The truly happy home is the mission home—the home that has a mission. This home exists for a purpose. It is a means rather than the end of life. It is a means of imparting light and life and joy, not to its inmates only, but to all who come within the range of its influence, and that will be many. Kept by faithful stewards of the grace and goodness and good things of God, this home will not be a cross and a burden to its keepers, but a delight, a rest, a factor of importance in Christian growth, and a means of dispensing Heaven’s blessings, which is union with Christ. See “Healthful Living,” par. 1154. These home-keepers will not be slaves to home cares, but as Christ’s free men and women, will be ever ready for whatever work the Master has for them to do. The whole secret is told in Luke 18: 29, 30. I wish you would turn and read it. Read it carefully, and understand its meaning; it is worth your while.

There are to be no selfish homes among those who are preparing for the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham, and who look “for a city which hath foundations,” in which Jesus is now preparing mansions for those who are faithful in the use of the homes He gives them here. As a lighthouse on a rocky, wave-lashed coast, as a beacon on shoals of sand, every Christian home is to be kept, not for personal pleasure or gratification of selfish wish, but to point a way of safety to passing mariners, in storm and in calm; and to offer shelter and refuge to those who are “ready to perish.” Christian homes are the lights along the shore of the dark, wild ocean of this sinful age.

Christians, “let the lower lights be burning” as long as “He gives to us the keeping of these lights along the shore.” “Whoso . . . seeth his brother have need,”—need of food, shelter, sympathy, home cheer, comfort, good books, prayers, education,—“and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” And because that love does not dwell in them, many of our dear Adventist home-keepers are withering and drying up, to be swept away as thrashing-floor chaff when the great Winnower garners His harvest. As lighthouse watchmen we are not only to keep the lights burning, but ever to scan the raging seas around, and whenever we see a soul in danger, or one cast upon our strip of coast, go out and bring him in.

To be happy home-keepers we must be generous home givers.