Article #71 - Home Influence

In these modern times of this progressive age, when we are content only with greatest ef-

forts, when we claim the lightnings to to our bidding, and claim Earth, air, and water as our servants, when he only is ranked the hero who stands amid scenes in which the boldest have fallen before him, and he alone is the philanthropist who owns the broad earth as his country and

all mankind his brethren. We are too apt to overlook the simple duties of our every day life, to[o] apt to forget while aiding in the great moral movements of the day that the root of that corrupt tree whose extended branches cast shadows dark and deep over our otherwise glorious land, lies in our perverted social relations. Ask the inebriate why he sought the intoxicating cup? why he launched his barque upon that stream, swollen by the tears of sorrowstricken mothers and their orphan babes; and with few exceptions he will tell you it was to lose in its temporary oblivion the trials, cares and annoyances of domestic life. deep and well meaning is the sympathy so

generally felt for her who finds, when it is too late that he who seemed so noble and generous as the lover, whose sunlight was her smile and whose fondest solicitude was aroused by her tears; when she finds the sparkle of the wine cup more potent than her smile and that her tears fall unavailingly as the pale no[r]thern sunbeam upon the glacier, far be it from me to blame

woman needlessly – but who will say that a heavy responsibility does not rest upon that wife. Man may meet with wrong and injustice in his intercourse with those around him which fall heavily upon his heart, he may find his efforts for the benefit of his kind met with chilling

indifference or bitter scorn, but if he can turn to scenes of domestic harmony and quiet household pleasures, think you that his spirits light would not grow more pure and holy and his heart be strengthened for higher thoughts and nobler deeds. I have sometimes thought that sisters too

little understand the extent of their influence. I have observed that young men form their estimate of female character, much as it is presented to them in that of their sisters, if one half the time and attention which is expended in dressing to please, and efforts to entertain the visitor, were used to contribute to the happiness & entertainment of those who daily encircle your home, how much less of an inclination would there be in brothers to seek, in scenes perhaps of dissipation and immorality that social companionship which they have failed of finding in the home circle. Show me the man who stands firmly for the right, whose voice is ever heard pleading for justice

and humanity, whose heart is keenly alive to the cry of despised poverty, and upon whose ear the syren [sic] song of the tempter falls unheeded, and I will show you one who has gone forth

into the world with the kindly influences of a happy home about his heart.