p. 9 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 9. (3/4/1903)

Earlier text: TWENTY CENTURIES IN FORTY MINUTES

WISDOM

There are two kinds of wisdom—the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17. This is the wisdom that is contemplated in the instruction, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.” Prov. 4:7. This is the wisdom that begets a knowledge of God, which knowledge is life eternal. John 17:3. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” James 3:13.

Now the contrast: “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Verses 14–16. Such is “the wisdom of this world,” which is “foolishness with God.” The man who seeks after the wisdom of this world deceives himself; so the Spirit gives us the admonition: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool [in the estimation of the world], that he may be wise [in God’s sight].” See 1 Cor. 3:18, 19.

By the wisdom of the world men never can know God, because the world deems the wisdom of God foolishness. Christ is the wisdom of God, yet He is “unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.” The Greeks here stand for unbelievers in general. But what they esteem “foolishness” is “wiser than men.” So God chooses the things which the world’s wise men despise, and with these instruments confounds the wise—those who deem themselves wise.

Paul gives us another strong contrast between the wisdom of men and the true wisdom. He says Christ sent him “to preach the Gospel; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us that are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ 1 Cor. 1:17–19.

How, then, are men to obtain the true wisdom? The answer is plain to all who believe the Scriptures of truth. The holy Scriptures “are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15. To this we have the admonition, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Col. 3:16.

Then all the wisdom that is of this world is valueless as a means of one’s own salvation or as a help in the salvation of others. “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds;” but this did not fit him for leading the Lord’s people out of Egypt. He had to learn the true wisdom by communion with God in the wilderness, as he followed the humble occupation of caring for ordinary sheep. Tho Paul had much learning in the world’s schools, he had to be personally instructed by the Lord as a preparation for preaching the Gospel.

Wisdom from on high is manifested in the true missionary. “He that winneth souls is wise.” Prov. 11:30. And the reward is glorious; for “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Dan. 12:3.

THE MILLSTONE OF THE MODERN CHURCH.

By Floyd L. Cornish

[Floyd L. Cornish in the Christian Work and Evangelist.]

The millstone about the neck of the church to-day is not atheism, but materialism—that spirit and motive which knows little distinction between God and mammon. The house of prayer is turned all too readily into a house of mimicry and merchandise. A short time since I passed a massive, historic church edifice. Upon its portal was displayed a great poster bearing this shameful and blasphemous legend:—

“A minstrel show in this house to-night. “Come-one, come all. Admission 25 cents.”

Has it come to this? My mind flies back to a scene in another historic temple. It is near the hours of worship. The multitude is gathering in the courts of the sanctuary. The money-changers jingle their coin, and the pious worshipers exchange their foreign money for Cæsar's currency to drop into the sacred treasury. The dove-sellers display their lovely birds to be bought for sacrifice in the temple. The bleating of lambs falls upon the ear with pitiful complaint. Suddenly a majestic Figure appears in the temple. Gathering up a scourge of small cords lying near, He charges upon the buyers and sellers with uplifted hand—the only time that that nail-pierced hand was ever raised against men. The Christ indignantly poured out the changers' money and overthrew their tables. And to them that sold doves He said: “Take these things hence; make not My Father's house a house of merchandise.” Then behold what happened. The temple was filled with the lame and the blind and little children singing hosannas.

What, think you, would the Christ do if He should enter one of our modern churches and behold their mimicries and their merchandise of things far less sacred than doves for sacrifice?

These stern realities are out of harmony with the accepted order of things, it is true; but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.”

The church can exchange her spiritual power for gold to adorn her temples and to beautify her altars, and to feed those who minister in them, but what will it profit the church if she gain the whole world and lose her Christ?

An Awful Plague.

An article in the California State Journal of Medicine presents some awful statements regarding diseases which come primarily from violation of sexual relations, but which would be unnameable here, did not the seriousness of the situation demand that false modesty should be set aside and the plain facts stated. The first of these diseases is syphilis, and the second is gonorrhea. It is said that one-eighth of all the patients in the New York hospitals suffer from these horrible diseases or their consequences; that from 60 to 80 per cent of the children born dead are due to the first; and that rickets are regarded as almost exclusively due to the same cause. Some authorities consider the second of these diseases as next to measles in its contagious characteristic. In some European cities three-fourths of the people are affected with the last named; and the greater number of cases of several diseases are due to these horrible maladies in the blood. Thirty thousand persons in Germany are sightless because of the last named. One-seventh of the population of Paris, one authority states, is afflicted with the first named, a plague said to be “twenty times more contagious than tuberculosis, and almost as severe in its ravages.” Over 53 per cent of the British army in India are afflicted with the latter, while 75 per cent of the first contingent of the soldiers leaving for the Philippines through San Francisco were suffering from these plagues. And the writer of the article, an eminent physician, well declares: “The above facts [of which we have not given all] prove the conditions to be truly appalling.” In their responsibility for the loss of life, these horrible diseases stand second to the great white plague, tuberculosis. These awful facts are, to a great extent, a measure of morality (or immorality) in men; but there are thousands of innocent wives and children, who, through contagion and inheritance, suffer because of the vices of others.

PROTESTANTS AND LENT.

By G.

We have one holy day set apart by special command of the Lord, namely, the seventh day of the week. This is God’s memorial of creation (Gen. 2:2, 3; Ex. 20:8–11); and of redemption (Deut. 5:15), and sign of sanctification. All other days and seasons now observed religiously were appointed by men, and are of merely human origin. The so-called “church calendar” is the product of the Roman Catholic Church, and until very recently was observed only by that church, together with the Episcopal, Lutheran, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Churches.

Within the past decade, however, the other professed Protestant churches have gradually fallen in with the Easter custom until it has become quite generally recognized among them. Persons who have noted the fulfilment of prophecy and the trend of the times have anticipated this movement, and have known that it would be only one step toward Rome, with the certainty that it would be followed by other more extended strides.

This expectation is being fulfilled, and the whole Lenten season is now being urged on the churches for observance. And the suggestion is being received with marked favor. It is championed by many prominent clergymen of the leading denominations in the United States, including the National Central Committee of the Twentieth Century Gospel Campaign. Inasmuch as the chairman of this committee is Dr. Francis E. Clark, president of the Christian Endeavor Society, the Lenten idea takes a strong hold of all the churches where the Christian Endeavor Society is well established. This great representative committee asked that Ash Wednesday, February 25, be set apart as “a day of humiliation and prayer;” then that the whole Lenten season be devoted to a general evangelistic effort.

Now an energetic effort to spread the Gospel for the period of forty days is of itself a good move, and would be commendable at any season. But to carry on such a work at such a season because it is such a season, savors of glorifying the time rather than the Gospel. In view of the trend of professed Protestantism in this and in other respects, observance of Lent looks more like a compromise with Rome, a white-washing of Roman institutions, than the furtherance of Gospel truth.

After adopting the Lenten season, the next move will inevitably be a further step in the same line. It is a time for earnest Protestants to look well to their steps. The enemy is striving hard to lure them out of the “old paths”—and is succeeding to an alarming extent.

FALSE FEARS CONCERNING TUBERCULOSIS.

F. M. Pottenger, Ph.M., M.D., who has had large experience in tuberculosis matters, in a long article on the subject in the California State Journal of Medicine, presents the following which will be of interest to our readers:—

After consultation with several members, the writer offered the following resolutions to the Los Angeles County Medical Society at its regular meeting on January 2, 1903, which were adopted without a dissenting vote:—

“WHEREAS, There is a growing tendency on the part of both private individuals and public officials to regard and classify tuberculosis as a highly contagious disease; and, whereas, such action has a tendency to cause tuberculosis to be associated with such diseases as smallpox, scarlet fever, and diphtheria, which are conveyed by simple contact with an infected individual; be it

“Resolved, That the Los Angeles County Medical Society deeply deplores such action, which is not based on scientific experiment or clinical experience, and believes it to be unwise and unscientific; and be it further

“Resolved, That, while the Los Angeles County Medical Society recognizes tuberculosis to be a communicable disease, and while it would urge every necessary precaution to be put forth to stay its progress, yet it is opposed to all unwise and unnecessary acts which have a tendency to create unnecessary fear on the part of the people and to work undue hardships upon the consumptive individual and his family.”

The ones who can do more to prevent the spread of tuberculosis than any others are the patient and those who care for him. Neatness and destruction of germs in the sputum, preferably by fire, fresh air, and plenty of sunshine are both preventive and curative.

Unequal Justice for Rich and Poor

By G.

“Equality before the law” used to be a question pertaining almost exclusively to the standing of the Negro race. White people were supposed to enjoy that privilege. But it is now a fact that a decided inequality exists even among the white race, and the difference is emphatically in favor of the rich. When a poor man is indicted by a grand jury for a penal offense, that is the end of his prerogative, excepting to have a fair trial by jury. He has to come into court and be tried without any dickering with the prosecution or the court. If he can give bonds for his appearance, he must do so; if not, he must go to prison to insure his presence when wanted—no matter how small the offense, or how circumscribed its influence.

But it is different with rich men, especially those having great corporate powers, and, therefore, political influence, behind them. The great coal operators, against whom indictments were recently found in Chicago, “have been unable to agree with the State’s attorney as to a statement of facts for presentation to the court.” So says a press despatch. How would that sound in case some poor man had committed a misdemeanor? His agreement or disagreement with the State’s attorney as to what should be charged against him in court would not be long considered. The despatch further states that “the operators will not be asked to give bonds, so that their cases may come up for trial by jury in the usual way. . . . It was expected that an agreement could be arrived at, and that the personal indictments would be dismissed. The State, it is said, desired the indicted coal men to admit violation of the Illinois statutes, and to rely for their defense upon the unconstitutionality of the laws.” But the indicted parties did not choose to do as the court expected, and until they are willing to agree with the State’s attorney, the case seems to be blocked. In other words, he seems to be unable to proceed without the consent of the criminals indicted by the grand jury. It appears that the coal barons are to choose under what law they are willing to be tried. It is not likely they will concede anything that will be very hard on them. But suppose they were poor men, without political influence! However, it is not only in Chicago where such conditions obtain. The great gulf between the rich and the poor is widening everywhere every day.

To the Point

The San Francisco Chronicle has for years sustained the labor unions by employing only union laborers. Therefore its remarks pertaining to the opposition of union men to a law making “threats of violence” unlawful are all the more forcible. Concerning a bill now before the legislature of California, that paper says:—

It is astonishing that union workmen, of whom nine-tenths are among the best of our citizens, should permit their so-called “leaders” to openly oppose in a legislative body a declaration in a law that “threats of violence” are unlawful when employed in the course of a labor dispute. We warn them that members of the legislature who oppose such a legal declaration are no friends of labor, but only men who are hunting labor votes by pretending to be such friends. That, however, we need hardly say. None know it better than the intelligent workingmen themselves, and none declare it more freely. The greatest foes of labor are among those who do not themselves work, but who make their living by “labor leadership.” . . . When labor unions take the position that “threats of violence” are legitimate methods of industrial warfare they will throw down a gauntlet which society will take up. Society will not permit mob rule, because mob rule speedily leads to the rule of the bayonet, and perhaps of cannon loaded with grapeshot. That has been history, and history repeats itself.

In the Philippines.—

The currency of the Philippines has never been satisfactory to the representatives of the American Government there, and the constantly decreasing value of the silver currency has made the conduct of business in the islands very precarious. Appeals have been made to the government at Washington for relief in this matter, and it is in answer to these appeals that a bill has been passed by both branches of Congress providing a currency for the islands. This bill has now gone to conference, and may be altered before its final passage; but as it stands now the “gold peso” is made the unit of value. This will be one-half the value of the American gold dollar. The Philippine Government will coin silver pesos to represent this gold peso, and these will be apparently the exact weight of the American silver dollar. By this arrangement the American dollar, tho of the same weight, will still be twice the value of the Philippine coin. This law goes into effect when the Philippine Government has coined 5,000,000 pesos. It also authorizes the Philippine Government to coin an additional 75,000,000 pesos, which shall be legal tender, except where provided by contract. The troublesome Moros of the Island of Mindanao have at last signed a treaty of peace, and the American flag is now flying over their stronghold, while the American officer in that vicinity has been made one of their “datos,” or priestly officers. The treaty was sworn to over a copy of the Koran. A band of rebels is again operating within a few miles of the city of Manila under the command of General San Miguel. They have captured a number of small bodies of native and American scouts, but most of these have been released. An effort is now being made to find and capture these ladrones.

Hurrying Their Preparations.

We see at the present time on all hands a feverish preparation for expected conflict, and a great part of the genius of the day is busy with the construction of the implements of war. Germany is seeking to enlarge her fleet as rapidly as possible, her ultimate design being to equal that of England. England is planning so to add to her fleet that Germany will not be able to do this. France and Italy go on industriously increasing their navies, and the eye of the United States is on them all, especially Germany. Those who are commissioned to look after the navy of the United States are planning that it shall not be left behind in the race. Each desires that its navy shall be either better or bigger than any other, and there is a feverish haste on the part of each to bring it into that condition. A London despatch states that “owing to the increase of Germany’s Baltic and North Sea naval power, the British Government has decided to largely strengthen the home fleet. Admiral Wilson will command the latter and Admiral Beresford the Channel Squadron. The House of Representatives at Washington has passed the naval bill, one provision of which gives the secretary of the navy authority to spend half a million dollars on submarine vessels; and in order that there may be no collusion in bidding and no delay in building, the bill directs that the warships planned may be constructed in the navy yards if there is reason to believe collusion exists. The threat of government construction serves also as a whip to hasten construction by the firms taking the contracts. The President has added his influence in the matter of quick construction by personal inquiries for the reasons of delay. He is said to be favoring a plan for the construction of four battle-ships each year until the fleet is brought to the standard of the other powers. He is displeased over the showing of the gunners in target practise, and orders have now gone out to the commanders of the different squadrons to take up systematic target practise and continue it for several months. A new type of submarine boat is now being given practical tests under the direction of government experts. This gives but a mere hint of the work now being done in the countries of the world for the immediate and constant increase of their navies. The same zeal is manifest in the preparations of the armies; and the indications now are that it will not be long before there is ample opportunity to put all these preparations to the test in actual conflict.

Afraid of the “Sick Man.”

Little Macedonia is rebelling against Turkey, and the other powers in Europe are afraid that Turkey will start a war that will involve them all. They do not want to do anything against Macedonia, and they do not want to offend the sultan. Russia and Austria wanted to make some kind of representation to him, but waited till they could secure the assent of the other European powers; and then they mildly asked for certain reforms in his European dependencies that had been formally promised several times before, but which he never intended to carry out, and which he was hardly expected to carry out. It is feared that the sultan, knowing that his European dominion is nearing the end, feels that he is better able to fight it out now than he will be in the future. He has a formidable army, and can make a hard fight for a short time, although he has no navy. The czar has cautioned the Russian newspapers to refrain from publishing articles hostile to Turkey in the Macedonian affair. Of course the czar has designs on Turkey, but he is not ready yet. He doesn’t want any trouble there that will involve trouble with the European powers. And the European powers do not want the sultan driven out till it can be done without detriment to their interests. Since 1840 the Turkish Government has been living on the sufferance of the European governments, which is based on their jealousy and fear of one another—or rather of a general war. The present situation is very precarious, especially as Macedonia is full of fight. The Bulgarian Government is with difficulty keeping down a sentiment of sympathy with Macedonia. Some of these sympathizing revolutionists have had a fight with a Turkish command, and ninety of the latter were killed. In some diplomatic circles it is thought that when the sultan concludes that his efforts to set the European powers at loggerheads are futile, he will precipitate the inevitable conflict.

Below the Gulf

Notwithstanding the signing of the protocols between Venezuela and the powers which have been coercing her, the powers still hold some of the vessels belonging to Venezuela which they had agreed to return. Venezuela is protesting against this action. It is claimed by Venezuela that this is aiding the revolution. Venezuela has no fleet with which to prevent the revolutionists securing arms and ammunition from abroad. It is also charged that the blockading powers have permitted filibusters to land cargoes of war munitions for the rebels. President Castro has declared an increase of thirty per cent in the customs duties. This is the exact proportion of the customs which he agreed to turn over to the powers for the payment of their claims. He hopes thus to make the powers pay their own claims through their respective subjects doing business there. The forces of the Venezuela Government report two recent victories over the insurgents. The revolution in Honduras is reported to be growing, and war seems imminent also in Guatemala, against which country three of the other Central American States are uniting.

Labor Troubles.

At South Bend, Ind., on the 22d of the ult., an attempt was made by a mob of 150 men to wreck the power-house of the Indiana Railway Company. There were seven men at the house when the attack was made, and one of them, a watchman, was thrown bodily through a window, and another was badly beaten. Much damage was done to the property. A detachment of police arrived in time to make several arrests, among whom were some ex-employees who had been on strike. The railroad employees of Holland have decided to cease work with the object of preventing the adoption of the proposed law prohibiting railroad strikes. A meeting of the leaders of workmen's unions having a membership of 90,000 has resolved to support the railroad men. All the leading cities are said to be affected seriously. About eight hundred miners of Nanaimo, B. C., are on strike against the Western Fuel Company, which recently bought the coal mines at that place. The strikers are asking for increased pay for working in the lower level, which runs under the sea. It is said that the striking machinists on the Union Pacific Railroad are losing ground. They refused to do repairing on locomotives, and declared that no new ones would be allowed to run on the road. They counted on a sympathetic strike by the trainmen, but they have kept at work. Now that new engines have been brought in without molestation, it is thought the strikers will not hold out much longer. The strike against the Mountain Copper Company, in Shasta County, Cal., is on again, and the mines and smelting plant are closed down. The union men claim that the company has discriminated against union labor in re-employing men since the last strike. There is promise of a long and bitter contest. It is only a few weeks since the business community was rejoicing over the settlement of the last strike.

Concerning Trusts.

The Senate Committee on Judiciary has completed consideration of the anti-trust bill, and will recommend its passage. The bill is aimed at those corporations which seek to monopolize trade, and purposes to punish such by denying them interstate traffic and imposing fines and imprisonment for violation of its provisions. The bill also imposes fine and imprisonment upon those who seek in any way to aid or abet such corporations in their unlawful work. In Chicago, on February 18, the so-called “beef-trust” case was disposed of by Judge Grosscup, by the granting of a temporary injunction against the trust. The packers are expected to take some action before March 4, otherwise the injunction will be made permanent. The judge decided that the acts performed by the firms constituting the beef trust were acts “in restraint of trade,” and thus in violation of the law. The firms concerned are some of the most wealthy meat packers in the country. The House Committee on Appropriations has recommended the passage of the general deficiency bill which carries a provision for the appointment of two assistant attorney-generals, whose immediate duty will be to assist Attorney-General Knox in the enforcement of the anti-trust law. It is reported that the president of the Standard Oil Company has now secured control of the great copper interests of the country, thus bringing under one management two of the greatest industries in the land. So trust helps trust to build up wealth-producing powers for the purpose of commanding finally all the wealth of the world. The recently-declared dividends of the Standard Oil Company and kindred corporations show the almost limitless powers of such concerns in the heaping together of treasure.

Severe Winter Storms Across the Country

During the past week the storm king has held a tight grip on all the country from the Rockies to the Atlantic Coast and Labrador. Trains have been snowed in in all sections, and the railroads have been unable to keep their tracks clear for regular traffic. Naturally the more northern roads have suffered most, but they have not been alone. The heavy storms have produced much suffering among live stock. Cattle and sheep are said to be slowly famishing, their weakened condition making it impossible for them to paw the snow from the grass on which they feed. The temperature has been unusually low even in the Southern States, and stock is suffering there as well. Floods have been threatening the Ohio valley, and some lives have been lost on land due to the heavy wind or to exhaustion and freezing. Severe gales have prevailed along the Atlantic Coast, doing some damage to shipping. On February 16 a tornado struck a passenger steamer plying between Virginia and North Carolina and sunk her, and eighteen of her passengers and crew went down with the vessel.

The Isle of Pines

The Isle of Pines is in a questionable position. It is claimed by the Cubans, but was not specifically given over by the United States when Cuban independence was conceded. It was understood that the island would be a subject of future adjustment. But it is an interesting little spot, containing 3,200 people, two-thirds of whom are white. According to Public Opinion, most of these people came from Spain by way of Cuba. At one time the island was known as the Isle of Pirates, because it was once the rendezvous of political offenders who were sent there for banishment, and for criminals in servitude. It is, however, no longer a piratical resort or penal colony, but is quite a comfortable home for those who have been born in it, and a delightful hospice for those who may be traveling that way. It is pointed out that one-third of the population of the Isle of Pines live in the village of Nueva Gerona. Another third live in the village of Santa Fe, twelve miles away. The remaining portion of the population are scattered through the habitable parts of the island which, without cienaga (swamp), have an area of but little less than that of Rhode Island. So, outside of the villages, there is an average of but one person to the square mile, or one family to every five square miles.

An Illustration

Now that there is combined effort on the part of brewers and other wholesale dealers in alcoholic beverages to have the army canteen reinstated, it is well to note the result of a parallel experiment. A press despatch of February 19 says: When the management of the Arbuckle Glucose Works, in Shadyside, N. J., established a bar in its factory a week ago, and gave its hundreds of employees to understand that they could have two glasses of beer for 5 cents, a glass of whisky for 7 and a hot sandwich for 3, but cautioned them that they must do all their drinking at the factory's stand, it was believed that much had been done toward establishing temperance among the employees. The idea was that the employees would not get drunk at the near-by saloons, but would always be on the premises ready for duty. One week later the bar was closed, owing to the enormous business done by the cut-rate saloon, and the consequent disability of many factory employees. There was a dearth of men in four departments. The foreman hurried to the barroom and corralled the men, some of whom were still fit to work. A conference of the managers of the establishment resulted in the closing of the barroom.

The Anti-Cigarette Chain-Letter Scheme

Worthy objects are often made the pretext for very questionable schemes. An instance in point is an alleged monster anti-cigarette movement in the interest of which a “chain-letter” was set in motion. A correspondent of the Union Signal inquired at the address in Philadelphia where all letters were to be sent, but could not find the parties. He inquired of the owner of the building, made inquiries at the post-office, and finally placed the matter in the hands of the postal inspector. That official now reports that such mail matter has been coming to the Philadelphia post-office for over a year, and has been unclaimed; hence it is sent to the dead letter office. The Signal says: “It may be well to state for the information of those who have not given the matter serious thought, that lists of the names and addresses of young people are often sought and paid for by selfishly-interested or unprincipled people. Trashy papers will then be sent to these addresses, filled with advertisements of objectionable schemes. They are deadly enemies of the home.”

Berlin Horse-Meat Banquet

A REMARKABLE banquet was given in Berlin January 8, at which 600 persons partook of horse soup, pickled horse tongue, filet of horse, and roast horse. It was given by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in order to demonstrate the value of horse meat, so to increase its sale and furnish a market for old horses that were well fed. Among the guests were prominent members of the Reichstag and city council. The society president, who is also a privy councilor, Von Seefeld, said that 30,000 were eaten in Berlin last year. We believe it is better than pork, but even then it is horrible.

Russian Military Order Stirs Finland

The czar of Russia recently ordered severe disciplinary measures to be taken against all Finlanders who failed to comply with their military obligations in 1902, and this action has caused a great deal of criticism and restlessness in Finland. Obstacles are raised on every hand against the enforcement of this order and much trouble ensues.

THE HOME.

By Mary Wood-Allen, M. D.

BY MARY WOOD-ALLEN, M. D.

Parents and Children.

The Trinity of father, mother, and child forms the most beautiful of all human relationships. Ideally it is a combination of protecting care, guiding love, and absolute faith. If it fails in any one of these respects it has not reached its God-appointed place. “He setteth the solitary in families,” so that they shall not be alone (solus); but, united in interests and in love, shall find in this union strength and happiness.

As students of God’s purpose in placing us in families we desire to see what is gained by this relation. Why should it not be as well for us to be free as individuals, and not bound so indissolubly to these few who form our family circle? Upon our understanding of this matter will depend our appreciation of family duties, our recognition of our own place in the family group, our valuation of the family. While the institution of the family is not merely to secure a desirable boarding-house for the man and a permanent situation for the woman, it certainly does accomplish these results, and too often in the realization of selfish comfort and protection the higher purpose of the family is forgotten.

The family should be a school for the teaching of all the virtues. Here man should learn that he is the “house-band,” holding all together by his protecting foresight; the wife that she is the “weaver,” uniting all by interlacing bands of loving helpfulness.

It is not so very difficult to see what is the duty and office of the parents in the home. To them is entrusted the guidance and education of their children. They are to teach the children the words of the Lord. Deut. 6:7; 32:46.

But it is more difficult to decide just the place and duty of the children in the home if we take more than a superficial view of the case. They are not placed in the home simply to be governed by arbitrary authority; but they must be taught to obey, because obedience is the duty of all individuals; obedience to right custom, to law, to parents, to God; because obedience is the only dignified thing. If we obey rightful authority. Isa. 1:19; 1 Peter 1:22.

Too often, when children reach the years where they begin to think that they are “grown up,” they feel a rebellion against the commands of parents. They think they are now old enough to decide their own conduct. As long as they remain in the home they should have so great a regard for the wishes of the parents that they would desire to do what would please them, not in the spirit of unreasoning submission, but in the spirit of loving reverence.

The girls and boys who imagine that self-assertiveness and disregard of the parents’ wishes confer a superiority on themselves are mistaken. There is always something peculiarly charming in a loving deference to father or mother. The whole world applauded when President Garfield kissed his aged mother at his inauguration and by so doing implied that he recognized his indebtedness to her for all the honors that had come to him.

A false pride sometimes makes a young person ashamed of the parents whose self-sacrifice, it may be, has procured for him the superior advantages which their lives have missed.

I knew of a young man whose mother took in washing in order to pay his way through college. He soon grew too proud to live in her humble home and took room and board among the more fortunate students. Sometimes he called upon his mother but usually after dark. One afternoon, however, he had called and as he left the house she accompanied him to the gate. A young lady whom he knew was passing and he bade his mother a rather curt good-by and bowing graciously to the young lady, asked permission to walk by her side. “Who was that old woman?” she asked with a rather supercilious air. “O, that was only my washerwoman,” he replied with the tone of one who did not want to be praised for a good deed, “I often go in to see the dear old soul, she appreciates it so much.”

“How very kind of you,” said the girl approvingly, for the young man who would openly acknowledge that he called on his washerwoman seemed quite a hero in her eyes. If she had known the truth, she would have had a very different opinion of the young man.

There is one thought that should ever be present to the minds of youth; your parents may be humble, even uncultivated and uncouth, but one thing is sure, you could never have existed but for them. If life is worth anything to you, if you are superior to them in ability, yet you are indebted to them for the life that gives you opportunity to use the ability—yes, perhaps for opportunity itself. To scorn them is to lower yourself; to honor them is to exalt yourself. Prov. 20:20; 23:22.

All deference, all loving service given to parents dignifies the giver; but to withhold from them due respect is in reality to lower one’s own station in life, and to bring upon himself the wrath of God. To talk to others of the short-comings of our parents is in reality to uncover our own defects. So if we had no higher motive than self-protection we should guard from the gaze of strangers the failings of the other members of the family, even as we guard our own.

Continue reading: THE STORY OF A LITTLE LIFE