Chapter XXXI: Part XVI: The Home

The Marriage At Cana. "Home is the grandest of all
institutions."—_Spurgeon._ See page 711.

The Marriage Institution

Isaac And Rebekah. "Marriage is honorable in all." Heb. 13:4.

1. After creating man, what did God say?

“And the Lord God said, _It is not good that the man should be alone_.” Gen. 2:18.

2. What, therefore, did God say He would make?

“I will make him _an help_ meet for him.” Same verse.

NOTE.—Not a _helpmeet_ nor a _helpmate_, but—two words—a help
_meet_ for him; that is, _fit_ or _suitable_ for him. The word
_meet_ in the original means a front, a part opposite, a
counterpart, or mate. Man’s companion, or help, was to correspond
to him. Each was to be suited to the other’s needs.

3. Could such a help be found among the creatures which God had already made?

“And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; _but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him_.” Verse 20.

4. What, therefore, did God do?

“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, _made he a woman, and brought her unto the man_.” Verses 21, 22.

NOTE.—How beautiful, in its fulness of meaning, is this simple but
suggestive story, at which skeptics sneer. God did not make man
after the order of the lower animals, but “in His own image.”
Neither did He choose man’s companion, or “help,” from some other
order of beings, but made her from man—of the same substance. And
He took this substance, not from man’s _feet_, that he might have
an excuse to degrade, enslave, or trample upon her; nor from man’s
_head_, that woman might assume authority over man; but from man’s
_side_, from over his _heart_, the _seat of affections_, that
woman might stand at his side as _man’s equal_, and, _side by side
with him_, together, under God, work out the purpose and destiny
of the race,—man, the strong, the noble, the dignified; woman, the
weaker, the sympathetic, the loving. How much more exalted and
inspiring is this view than the theory that man developed from the
lower order of animals.

5. What did Adam say as he received his wife from God?

“And Adam said, _This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh_: she shall be called _Woman_, because she was taken out of _Man_.” Verse 23.

6. What great truth was then stated?

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and _they shall be one flesh_.” Verse 24.

7. In what words does Christ recognize marriage as of God?

“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. _What therefore God hath joined together_, let not man put asunder.” Matt. 19:6.

NOTE.—Thus was the marriage institution ordained of God in Eden,
before man sinned. Like the Sabbath, it has come down to us with
the Edenic dews of divine blessing still upon it. It was ordained
not only for the purpose of peopling the earth and perpetuating
the race, but to promote social order and human happiness; to
prevent irregular affection; and, through well-regulated families,
to transmit truth, purity, and holiness from age to age. Around it
cluster all the purest and truest joys of home and the race. When
the divine origin of marriage is recognized, and the divine
principles controlling it are obeyed, marriage is indeed a
blessing; but when these are disregarded, untold evils are sure to
follow. That which, rightly used, is of greatest blessing, when
abused becomes the greatest curse.

8. By what commands has God guarded the marriage relation?

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.” Ex. 20:14, 17.

9. What New Testament injunction is given respecting marriage?

“_Let marriage be had in honor among all_, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Heb. 13:4, R. V.

NOTE.—By many, marriage is lightly regarded—is often made even a
subject of jest. Its divine origin, its great object, and its
possibilities and influences for good or evil are little thought
of, and hence it is often entered into with little idea of its
responsibilities or its sacred obligations. The marriage
relationship is frequently used in the Scriptures as a symbol of
the relationship existing between God and His people. See Rom.
7:1-4; 2 Cor. 11:2; Hosea 2:19, 20; Rev. 19:7.

10. After the fall, what sort of marriages were introduced by men, which were productive of great evil?

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that _the sons of God saw the daughters of men_ that they were fair; _and they took them wives of all which they chose_.” Gen. 6:1, 2.

NOTE.—Not only was there plurality of wives, which in itself is an
evil, but the “sons of God,” descending from Seth, married the
“daughters of men,” the descendants from the idolatrous line of
Cain, and thus corrupted the seed, or church, of God itself. All
the barriers against evil thus being broken down, the whole race
was soon corrupted, violence filled the earth, and the flood
followed.

11. What restriction did God make respecting marriages in Israel?

“Let them marry to whom they think best; _only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry_.” Num. 36:6.

12. What prohibition did God give His chosen people against intermarrying with the heathen nations about them, and why?

“_Neither shalt thou make marriages with them_; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. _For they will turn away thy son from following Me, that they may serve other gods_: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” Deut. 7:3, 4.

NOTE.—Intermarriage with the ungodly was the mistake made by the
professed people of God before the flood, and God did not wish
Israel to repeat that folly.

13. What instruction is given in the New Testament regarding marriage with unbelievers?

“_Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers_: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.” 2 Cor. 6:14-16.

NOTE.—This instruction forbids all compromising partnerships.
Marriage of believers with unbelievers has ever been a snare by
which Satan has captured many earnest souls who thought they could
win the unbelieving, but in most cases have themselves drifted
away from the moorings of faith into doubt, backsliding, and loss
of religion. It was one of Israel’s constant dangers, against
which God warned them repeatedly. “Give not your daughters unto
their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek
their peace [by such compromise] or their wealth forever.” Ezra
9:12. See also Ex. 34:14-16; Judges 14:1-3; Ezra 9 and 10; and
Neh. 13:23-27. Even Solomon fell before the influence of heathen
wives. Concerning him the inspired Word has left this melancholy
record: “His wives turned away his heart after other gods.” 1
Kings 11:4. No Christian can marry an unbeliever without running
serious risk, and placing himself upon the enemy’s ground. The
Scriptures do not advocate separation after the union has been
formed (see 1 Cor. 7:2-16), but good sense should teach us that
faith can best be maintained, and domestic happiness best insured,
where both husband and wife are believers, and of the same faith.
Both ministers and parents, therefore, should warn the young
against all improper marriages.

14. What instruction did Abraham give his servant Eliezer when sending him to select a wife for his son Isaac?

“Thou shalt take a wife for my son _of my kindred, and of my father’s house_.” Gen. 24:40.

NOTE.—This passage indicates that in early Bible times parents
generally had more to do in the selection of life companions for
their children than they commonly have now. Young people who are
wise will seek the advice and counsel of their parents, and above
all, will seek to know the will of God, before entering upon this
important relationship, with its grave responsibilities and its
momentous consequences.

15. For how long does marriage bind the contracting parties?

“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband _so long as he liveth_.” Rom. 7:2. See 1 Cor. 7:39.

16. What only does Christ recognize as proper ground for dissolving the marriage relationship?

“Whosoever shall put away his wife, _except it be for fornication_, and shall marry another, committeth adultery.” Matt. 19:9.

NOTE.—Civil laws recognize other reasons as justifiable causes for
separation, such as extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness, or
other like gross offenses; but only one offense, according to
Christ, warrants the complete annulment of the marriage tie.

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There is a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told,
When two that are linked in one heavenly tie,
With heart never changing and brow never cold,
Love on through all ills, and love on till they die.
MOORE.

A Happy Home, And How To Make It

The Home Circle. "Happy the home when God is there, And love fills every
breast."

1. Where and by whom were the foundations of home laid?

“And _the Lord God_ planted a garden eastward _in Eden_; and _there_ He put the man whom He had formed.” Gen. 2:8.

2. In making this home, what besides man was needed?

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him _an help meet_ [one _adapted_, or _suitable_] _for him_.” Verse 18.

3. After creating Adam and Eve, what did God say to them?

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, _Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth_.” Gen. 1:28.

4. To what are the wife and children of the man who fears the Lord likened?

“Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be _as a fruitful vine_ by the sides of thine house: thy children _like olive-plants_ round about thy table.” Ps. 128:2, 3.

5. What are children declared to be?

“Lo, children are _an heritage of the Lord_.” Ps. 127:3. “Children’s children are _the crown of old men_; and the glory of children are their fathers.” Prov. 17:6.

6. How should the wife relate herself to her husband?

“Wives, _submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord_. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church.” Eph. 5:22, 23.

7. And how should husbands regard their wives?

“Husbands, _love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church_, and gave Himself for it.... So ought men to _love their wives as their own bodies_. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.... Let every one of you in particular _so love his wife even as himself_; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Verses 25-33.

8. Against what are husbands cautioned?

“Husbands, love your wives, and _be not bitter against them_.” Col. 3:19.

9. Why should wives be in subjection to their husbands?

“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; _that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation_ [_manner of life_] _of the wives_.” 1 Peter 3:1.

10. Why should husbands be considerate of their wives?

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; _that your prayers be not hindered_.” Verse 7.

11. Why should children obey their parents?

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: _for this is right_.” Eph. 6:1.

12. How should parents bring up their children?

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but _bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord_.” Verse 4.

13. Why should fathers not provoke their children to anger?

“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, _lest they be discouraged_.” Col. 3:21.

14. By what means may the mother bind the hearts of the loved ones at home together?

“She openeth her mouth with _wisdom_; and in her tongue is _the law of kindness_.” Prov. 31:26.

NOTE.—“We want to get into the hearts of our children if we hold
them, and help them, and bless them, and take them to heaven with
us.”—_Frances Murphy._

15. How will such a mother be regarded?

“Her children arise up, and _call her blessed_; her husband also, and _he praiseth her_.” Verse 28.

NOTE.—“Show me a loving husband, a worthy wife, and good children,
and no pair of horses that ever flew along the road could take me
in a year where I could see a more pleasing sight. Home is the
grandest of all institutions.”—_Spurgeon._

16. How faithfully should parents teach the precepts and commandments of God to their children?

“And thou shalt _teach them diligently_ unto thy children, and shalt talk of them _when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up_.” Deut. 6:7.

NOTES.—“The home should be made a school of instruction, rather
than a place of monotonous drudgery. The evenings should be
cherished as precious seasons, to be devoted to the instruction of
the children in the way of righteousness. But how many children
are sadly neglected! They are not educated in the home, that they
may comprehend the truth of God, and are not trained to love
justice and to do judgment. They should be patiently instructed,
that they may understand the laws that govern them, and that they
may know the springs of their actions. They are to be brought into
harmony with the laws of heaven, to cherish the truth as it is in
Jesus. In this way they may be fitted to join the society of the
angels, and to stand in the presence of the adorable
Redeemer.”—_Sabbath School Worker, August, 1896._

“A church within a church, a republic within a republic, a world
within a world, is spelled by four letters—home! If things go
right there, they go right everywhere; if things go wrong there,
they go wrong everywhere. The door-sill of the dwelling-house is
the foundation of church and state.... In other words, domestic
life overarches and undergirds all other life.... First, last, and
all the time, have Christ in your home.”—_Talmage._

17. What is the great secret of a happy home?

“Better is a dinner of herbs where _love_ is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” Prov. 15:17.

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Happy the home when God is there,
And love fills every breast;
When one their wish, and one their prayer,
And one their heavenly rest.

Happy the home where Jesus’ name
Is sweet to every ear;
Where children early lisp His fame,
And parents hold Him dear.

Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise is wont to rise;
Where parents love the Sacred Word,
And live but for the skies.

Religion In The Home

Worship In A Cavalier’s Home. "First, last, and all the time, have Christ
in your home."—_Talmage._

1. How well acquainted is God with each individual’s life?

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising. Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.” Ps. 139:2-4.

2. What is the beginning of wisdom?

“_The fear of the Lord_ is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” Ps. 111:10.

3. Upon whom is God’s fury to be poured?

“Pour out Thy fury upon _the heathen that know Thee not, and upon the families that call not on Thy name_.” Jer. 10:25.

4. How are parents instructed to bring up their children?

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but _bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord_.” Eph. 6:4.

NOTE.—“Religion is love, and a religious home is one in which love
reigns. There must be love in action, love that flows out in all
the home intercourse, showing itself in a thousand little
expressions of thoughtfulness, kindness, unselfishness, and gentle
courtesy.”—_“__Week-Day Religion__”_ by J. R. Miller, D. D., page
83.

5. How faithfully should parents teach their children the Word of God?

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and _thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children_, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deut. 6:6, 7.

6. What is the value of proper early instruction?

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and _when he is old, he will not depart from it_.” Prov. 22:6.

NOTE.—No man ever said that he began the service of God too young.
No parent ever regretted bringing up his children to love, fear,
honor, and obey God.

7. How early were the Scriptures taught to Timothy?

“And that _from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures_, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

NOTE.—Timothy’s father was a Greek, and his mother a Jewess. From
a child he had been taught the Scriptures. The faith of his mother
and of his grandmother in the Word of God had early been implanted
in him through their faithful instruction. 2 Tim. 1:5. The piety
which he saw in his home life had a molding influence upon his own
life. This, with his knowledge of the Scriptures, qualified him to
bear responsibilities and to render faithful service later in the
cause of Christ. His home instructors had cooperated with God in
preparing him for a life of usefulness. Thus it should be in every
home.

8. Why did God confide in Abraham, and commit sacred trusts to him?

“For I know him, _that he will command his children and his household after him_, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Gen. 18:19.

9. Wherever Abraham went, what was his practise?

“And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.” Gen. 12:8. See also Gen. 13:4; 21:33.

NOTE.—“The manner in which the family worship is conducted is very
important. It should be made so pleasant as to be looked forward
to with gladness even by the youngest children. Too often it is
made tedious, monotonous, or burdensome.... To make it dull and
irksome is treason to true religion.... A few minutes given every
day to preparation for family worship will serve to make it, as it
should be, the most pleasant and attractive incident of the
day.”—_“__Week-Day Religion,__”_ by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages
81-83.

10. What instruction suggests the giving of thanks for daily food?

“_In everything give thanks_: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thess. 5:18.

NOTE.—As a rule, children will reflect the life and principles
manifested in their parents. The reason why so many children are
irreverent, irreligious, and disobedient today is because their
parents are so. Like parent like child. If parents would see a
different state of things, they must themselves reform. They must
bring God into their homes, and make His Word their counselor and
guide. They must teach their children the fear of God, and that
His Word is the voice of God addressed to them, and that it is to
be implicitly obeyed. “In too many households prayer is
neglected.... If ever there was a time when every house should be
a house of prayer, it is now. Fathers and mothers should often
lift up their hearts to God in humble supplication for themselves
and their children. Let the father, as priest of the household,
lay upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while
the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. In such a
household Jesus will love to tarry.”—_“__Christian Education,__”_
page 221.

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Are all the children in? The night is falling,
And storm-clouds gather in the threatening west;
The lowing cattle seek a friendly shelter;
The bird hies to her nest;
The thunder crashes; wilder grows the tempest,
And darkness settles o’er the fearful din;
Come, shut the door, and gather round the hearthstone:
Are all the children in?

Are all the children in? The night is falling,
When gilded sin doth walk about the streets.
O, “at the last it biteth like a serpent”!
Poisoned are stolen sweets.
O mothers, guard the feet of inexperience,
Too prone to wander in the paths of sin!
O, shut the door of love against temptation!
Are all the children in?

Are all the children in? The night is falling,
The night of death is hastening on apace;
The Lord is calling, “Enter thou thy chamber,
And tarry there a space.”
And when He comes, the King in all His glory,
Who died the shameful death our hearts to win,
O, may the gates of heaven shut about us,
With all the children in!
ELIZABETH ROSSER.

Honor Due To Parents

Washington And His Mother. "Honor thy father and thy mother." Ex. 20:12.

1. By what is every child known?

“Even a child is known _by his doings_, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Prov. 20:11.

2. What is the duty of every child?

“My son, _hear the instruction of thy father_, and _forsake not the law of thy mother_.” Prov. 1:8.

3. What does the fifth commandment require of children?

“_Honor thy father and thy mother_: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Ex. 20:12.

NOTE.—While this precept refers directly to our earthly parents,
it also includes God, our Father in heaven; for in honoring them
we honor Him. To the child too young to know God, the earthly
parent takes the place of God. Learning to honor, respect, and
obey his earthly parents is the child’s first and most important
lesson in learning to honor, respect, and obey God, his Heavenly
Parent. Benjamin Franklin well said: “Let a child’s first lesson
be obedience, and the second may be what thou wilt.”

4. For how long a time should one honor his parents?

“Harken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother _when she is old_.” Prov. 23:22.

NOTE.—As long as parents live, they should be honored and
respected by their children. The duty enjoined in the fifth
commandment does not cease at maturity, nor when the child leaves
the parental roof.

Jesus With The Doctors In The Temple. "And He went down with them [His
parents], and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them." Luke 2:51.

5. What is the character of a child who will not listen to his father’s instruction?

“A _fool_ despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.” Prov. 15:5.

6. What course on the part of children is well-pleasing to the Lord?

“Children, _obey your parents in all things_: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.” Col. 3:20.

7. In what spirit should children obey their parents?

“Children, obey your parents _in the Lord_: for this is right.” Eph. 6:1.

8. What is one way in which a child may dishonor his parents?

“He that is _a companion of riotous men_ shameth his father.” Prov. 28:7.

9. What is said of one who robs his father or his mother?

“Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; _the same is the companion of a destroyer_.” Verse 24.

10. How did Jesus honor His parents?

“He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and _was subject unto them_.” Luke 2:51.

11. How did the Jewish leaders in the days of Christ, for the sake of gain, make void the fifth commandment?

“But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, _It is a gift_, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Matt. 15:5, 6.

NOTE.—The word translated _gift_ in this text means a thing
dedicated to God, and therefore not to be used for any other
purpose. In this way the Jewish teachers, by their traditional
law, taught children that by saying that their property was thus
dedicated to the temple or to religious purposes, they were free
from the obligation to honor and support their parents, thus
making void one of the commandments of God. This Christ condemned.

12. In what other way do some dishonor their father and mother?

“There is a generation that _curseth their father_, and _doth not bless their mother_.” Prov. 30:11.

13. What will be the fate of the one who curseth his father or his mother?

“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, _his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness_.” “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, _the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it_.” Prov. 20:20; 30:17.

14. What will be the reward of those who honor their parents?

“Honor thy father and thy mother: _that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee_.” Ex. 20:12.

NOTE.—The fulness of this promise will be realized in the life to
come, when the earth, restored to its Edenic beauty, will become
the eternal home of all those who have truly honored their parents
and kept all God’s commandments.

15. What comment has the apostle Paul made upon this commandment?

“Honor thy father and mother; _which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth_.” Eph. 6:2, 3.

16. In what age of the world is disobedience to parents to be especially manifest?

“This know also, that _in the last days_ perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, _disobedient to parents_, unthankful, unholy.” 2 Tim. 3:1, 2.

NOTE.—Disobedience to parents is a marked characteristic of the
present generation. Never before was it so common or so
wide-spread. The root of the evil, however, lies not so much in
the children as in the parents. Many of the latter are disobedient
to God, their Father in heaven, and so have failed to bring up
their children in the fear of God and in the ways of
righteousness. Bible instruction, lessons of faith, and prayer
must not be neglected in the home if we would see obedient,
God-fearing children growing up in the world.

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Be kind to thy father, for when thou wert young,
Who loved thee so fondly as he?
He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,
And joined in thy innocent glee.

Be kind to thy mother, for lo! on her brow
May traces of sorrow be seen;
O well may’st thou cherish and comfort her now,
For loving and kind hath she been.

Child Training

His First Teacher. "Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord." Eph. 6:4.

1. How should parents train their children?

“Train up a child _in the way he should go_: and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but _bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord_.” Eph. 6:4.

2. How diligently should parents teach children God’s Word?

“These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and _thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children_.” “Ye shall teach them your children, _speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down, and when thou risest up_.” Deut. 6:6, 7. 11:19.

3. What high ideal should be placed before the young?

“Let no man despise thy youth; but _be thou an example of the believers_, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Tim. 4:12.

4. What duty does God require of children?

“Honor thy father and thy mother.” Ex. 20:12.

5. What is to be one of the prominent sins of the last days?

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, _disobedient to parents_, unthankful, unholy.” 2 Tim. 3:2.

6. Why did God reprove Eli?

“In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; _because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not_.” 1 Sam. 3:12, 13.

7. How should the youth be taught to regard the aged?

“Thou shalt _rise up before the hoary head_, and _honor the face of the old man_, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.” Lev. 19:32.

8. What are some good fruits of proper child training?

“Correct thy son, and _he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul_.” Prov. 29:17.

9. What will result if correction is withheld?

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but _a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame_.” Verse 15. See Prov. 22:15.

10. Is there danger of delaying correction too long?

“_Chasten thy son while there is hope_, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” Prov. 19:18. See Prov. 23:13, 14.

11. Does proper correction evidence a want of parental love?

“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but _he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes_.” Prov. 13:24.

NOTE.—One Christian mother writes thus concerning the importance
of child training: “Children who are allowed to come up to manhood
or womanhood with the will undisciplined and the passions
uncontrolled, will generally in after-life pursue a course which
God condemns. The neglect of parents to properly discipline their
children has been a fruitful source of evil in many families. The
youth have not been restrained as they should have been. Parents
have neglected to follow the directions of the Word of God in this
matter, and the children have taken the reins of government into
their own hands. The consequence has been that they have generally
succeeded in ruling their parents, instead of being under their
authority. False ideas and a foolish, misdirected affection have
nurtured traits which have made the children unlovely and unhappy,
have embittered the lives of the parents, and have extended their
baleful influence from generation to generation. Any child that is
permitted to have his own way will dishonor God and bring his
father and mother to shame.”

12. Whom does the Lord chasten?

“For whom the Lord _loveth_ He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” Heb. 12:6.

NOTE.—From this we may learn that all child training should be
done in love, and that proper child training is an evidence of
true love.

13. Against what evil should fathers guard?

“Fathers, _provoke not your children to anger_, lest they be discouraged.” Col. 3:21.

NOTE.—Correction should never be given in anger, for anger in the
parent stirs up anger in the child. It is well to pray with a
child before correcting him, and frequently mild but faithful
instruction, admonition, and prayer are all the training
necessary,—are, in fact, the best training that can be given. But
in any case of perverseness, stubbornness, or wilful disobedience,
the correction, whatever it may be, should be persisted in until
the child yields submissively to the will and wishes of the
parent. It is best, generally, that correction should be done in
private, as this tends to preserve the self-respect of the child,
a very important element in character building. No correction nor
training should be violent or abusive, or given for the purpose of
breaking the will of the child, but rather to direct the will,
bring it into proper subjection, and the child to a realizing
sense of what is right and duty.

14. How are the present effects and future results of chastisement contrasted?

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but _grievous_: nevertheless afterward _it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness_ unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb. 12:11.

15. What question must every unfaithful parent meet?

“Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?” Jer. 13:20.

NOTE.—Happy will those parents be who can say, “Behold, here am I
and the children Thou gavest me.” See Isa. 8:18.

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The oldest university was not on India’s strand,
Nor in the valley of the Nile, nor on Arabia’s sand;
From time’s beginning it has taught and still it teaches free
Its learning mild to every child—the school of Mother’s Knee.

The oldest school to teach the law, and teach it deeply, too,
Dividing what should not be done from what each one should do,
Was not in Rome nor Ispahan nor by the Euxine Sea;
But it held its sway ere history’s day—the school of Mother’s
Knee.

The oldest seminary, where theology was taught,
Where love to God, and reverent prayer, and the Eternal Ought
Were deep impressed on youthful hearts in pure sincerity,
Came to the earth with Abel’s birth—the school of Mother’s Knee.

The oldest, and the newest, too, it still maintains its place,
And from its classes, ever full, it graduates the race.
Without its teaching, where would all the best of living be?
’Twas planned by heaven this earth to leaven—the school of
Mother’s Knee.

Christ And His Mother. "Blessed art thou among women." Luke 1:28, 42.

The Mother

Manoah’s Sacrifice. "How shall we order the child, and how shall we do
unto him?" Judges 13:12.

1. WHY did Adam call his wife’s name Eve?

“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve: _because she was the mother of all living_.” Gen. 3:20.

NOTE.—It is said that the three sweetest words in any language are
mother, home, and heaven.

2. What did God say to Abraham concerning his wife, Sarah?

“And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and _she shall be a mother of nations_; kings of people shall be of her.” Gen. 17:16.

3. What commandment guards the honor of the mother?

“Honor thy father and thy _mother_.” Ex. 20:12.

4. How early did Hannah dedicate her son Samuel to God?

“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed ... give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life.” 1 Sam. 1:11.

5. To whom did God commit the care and early training of His only begotten Son?

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with _Mary His mother_, and fell down, and worshiped Him.” Matt. 2:11.

6. Under the influence of her tender care and faithful instruction, what is said of the child life of Jesus?

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him.... And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:40-52.

NOTES.—“The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the
world.”

“A mother is a mother still,
The holiest thing on earth.”

A Christian mother, above all others, can deeply implant and
faithfully cherish the seeds of truth in the young and tender
heart. More even than the father, the mother molds the life,
character, and destiny of man. Every stage and phase of life is
touched and influenced by her. Infancy, childhood, youth, manhood,
and old age alike center in her. She is both the morning and the
evening star of life,—the angel spirit of the home.

7. What tender, filial regard did Christ manifest for His mother in the hour of His death?

“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved [John], He saith unto His mother, _Woman, behold thy son!_ Then saith He to the disciple, _Behold thy mother!_ And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” John 19:26, 27.

8. How early did Timothy know the Scriptures?

“And that _from a child_ thou hast known the Holy Scriptures.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

9. What is said of his mother and his grandmother?

“When I call to remembrance _the unfeigned faith_ that is in thee, _which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice_.” 2 Tim. 1:5.

NOTE.—No position in life is superior to that of the mother, no
influence more potent for good or evil. “All that I am or hope to
be, I owe to my mother,” said Abraham Lincoln. “All that I have
ever accomplished in life, I owe to my mother,” declared D. L.
Moody. “A kiss from my mother,” said Benjamin West, “made me a
painter.” “My mother was the making of me,” declares the noted
inventor, Thomas A. Edison. And Andrew Carnegie, the millionaire,
who gave his mother his earnings when a boy, adds, “I am deeply
touched by the remembrance of one to whom I owe everything that a
wise mother ever gave to a son who adored her.” It has been truly
said that the home is the primeval school, the best, the most
hallowed, and the most potential of all academies, and that the
mother is the first, the most influential, and therefore the most
important of all teachers. See poem on page 721.

Teaching The Children

The Child Timothy. "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." 2 Tim. 3:15.

1. What should be the prayer of every parent?

“O my Lord, ... teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.” Judges 13:8.

NOTE.—This is a part of the prayer of Manoah, the father of
Samson.

2. How should our children be taught?

“All thy children shall be _taught of the Lord_; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isa. 54:13.

3. What will happen if a child is not properly instructed?

“A child left to himself _bringeth his mother to shame_.” Prov. 29:15.

4. How did Solomon’s parents regard him as a child?

“I was my father’s _son, tender and only beloved_ in the sight of my mother.” Prov. 4:3.

5. What does Solomon say his father did for him as a child?

“He _taught me also_, and said unto me, _Let thine heart retain my words; keep my commandments, and live_.” Prov. 4:4.

6. From what time does David say he himself was taught?

“O God, Thou hast taught me _from my youth_.” Ps. 71:17.

7. How should all Christian parents bring up their children?

“Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up _in the nurture and admonition of the Lord_.” Eph. 6:4.

8. How was Moses taught during the days of his early childhood?

_By faith_, under the instruction of a devoted mother. See Heb. 11:23; Ex. 2:1-10.

NOTE.—The hiding of Moses was at the time when Pharaoh, king of
Egypt, had issued a decree that every Hebrew male child should be
killed as soon as he was born, to prevent too rapid an increase of
the Hebrews. The second chapter of Exodus tells the story of the
finding of Moses by the king’s daughter, and his being brought up
by his own mother employed as a nurse. She was a woman of faith,
and her teaching of Moses was such that after he had been at the
Egyptian court till he “was come to years,” he chose to suffer
affliction with God’s people rather than to enjoy the honor of
succeeding to the throne of Egypt as the adopted heir. He became
the leader of God’s people when they escaped from the Egyptian
bondage, and after he died, he was raised to life and taken to
heaven. See Heb. 11:24-26; Jude 9; Matt. 17:1-3.

9. How was Joseph regarded by his father?

“Israel _loved Joseph_ more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age.” Gen. 37:3.

NOTE.—The wonderful record of Joseph’s life, found in Genesis
37-50, shows that he lived intimately with his father till he was
seventeen years of age. He must have been carefully taught of God
also, for in all his marvelous experience as slave, prisoner, and
premier of Egypt, he remained true to his heavenly Father, not a
single sin being recorded of him to the day of his death.

10. How was Esther brought up?

“He [Mordecai the Jew] brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, ... when her father and mother were dead.” Esther 2:7.

NOTE.—Mordecai was a man who feared and served God, as is shown by
his wise and courageous counsel to Esther, and by his own
Christian conduct when the lives of both were at stake in their
efforts to save the people of God from destruction while in
captivity in Medo-Persia. He undoubtedly taught Esther from
childhood to fear and serve God. Otherwise she would not have met
the crisis with such fearless courage and such confidence in God.

11. After she became queen of Persia, how did Esther show her integrity to God?

By risking her life to save her own people. “Then Esther bade them [the messengers] return Mordecai this answer: Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15, 16.

12. How early does Paul say Timothy was instructed?

“_From a child_ thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

13. How earnestly should parents teach their children the things of God?

“Thou shalt teach them _diligently_ unto thy children.” “Ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them _when thou sittest in thine house_, and _when thou walkest by the way_, _when thou liest down_, and _when thou risest up_.” Deut. 6:7; 11:19.

14. What reward in this life is promised the faithful mother?

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Prov. 31:28.

15. What beautiful picture of home life is drawn by the psalmist for the father who fears the Lord?

“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the side of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.” Ps. 128:3, 4.

16. What motive will inspire all true parents to faithfulness in teaching their children?

“That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” Ps. 144:12.

NOTE.—We often hear the saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle
rules the world.” This is not out of keeping with the saying of
the wise man, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when
he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6. No father or
mother knows the future of the little child prattling about the
home circle. But God knows, as He did in the cases of Moses and
Esther and Timothy. Whether it is His purpose for some of our
children to rule the world, as did Joseph and Daniel virtually, as
prime ministers; or for some of them to “stand before kings,” as
did Moses and Esther and Daniel; or for some of them to serve and
suffer for the name of Christ, as did Peter and John and Paul, it
is our sacred privilege to teach the children faithfully and
diligently during their tender years.

Christ Blessing Little Children. "Suffer little children, and forbid them
not, to come unto Me." Matt. 19:14.

Promises For The Children

Eli And Samuel. "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14.

1. What is said of the fifth commandment?

“Honor thy father and mother; which is _the first commandment with promise_.” Eph. 6:2.

2. What is promised those who honor their father and their mother?

“Honor thy father and thy mother: _that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee_.” Ex. 20:12.

3. What does God desire to teach the children?

“Come, ye children, harken unto Me: _I will teach you the fear of the Lord_.” Ps. 34:11.

4. What is the fear of the Lord declared to be?

“The fear of the Lord is _the beginning of wisdom_: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” Ps. 111:10.

5. What is said of the poor but wise child?

“_Better_ is a poor and a wise child _than an old and foolish king_, who will no more be admonished.” Eccl. 4:13.

6. How did Christ show His tender regard for children?

“_Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me_: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14.

7. How did He show that He loved them?

“And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:16.

8. With what promise do the Old Testament Scriptures close?

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and _he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers_, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4:5, 6.

NOTE.—From this we learn that while disobedience to parents and
the breaking up of home ties will characterize the last days (2
Tim. 3:1-3; Matt. 24:37-39; Gen. 6:1, 2), God’s message for the
last days will strengthen the cords of love and affection, and
bind the hearts of parents and children together.

9. What peaceful, happy conditions will prevail in the next world as compared with those of this life?

“They shall not labor in vain, _nor bring forth for trouble_; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and _their offspring with them_.” “_The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den._ They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 65:23; 11:8, 9.

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A pair of very chubby legs
Incased in scarlet hose,
A pair of little stubby boots
With rather doubtful toes,
A little kilt, a little coat,
Cut as a mother can—
And, lo! before us strides in state
The future’s “coming man.”

Ah! blessings on those little hands,
Whose work is yet undone,
And blessings on those little feet,
Whose race is yet unrun.
And blessings on the little brain,
That has not learned to plan.
Whatever the future holds in store,
God bless the “coming man.”

Evils Of City Life

The Burning Of Sodom. "And Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain." Gen.
13:12.

1. When Abraham told Lot to choose that part of the country which he preferred, what choice did Lot make?

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord.... _Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan._” Gen. 13:10, 11.

2. Where did Lot dwell?

“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and _Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom_.” Verse 12.

3. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?

“But the men of Sodom were _wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly_.” Verse 13.

4. What further description is given of this city?

“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, _pride_, _fulness of bread_, and _abundance of idleness_ was in her and in her daughters, _neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy_. And they were _haughty_, and _committed abomination_ before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Eze. 16:49, 50. See Gen. 19:1-9.

5. How did their conduct affect Lot?

“And delivered just Lot, _vexed with the filthy conversation of __ the wicked_: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, _vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds_).” 2 Peter 2:7, 8.

6. Before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, whom did the Lord send to deliver Lot and his family?

“And there came _two angels_ to Sodom at even.... And the men [angels] said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.” Gen. 19:1-13.

7. What did Lot do, and how were his efforts rewarded?

“And Lot went out, and _spake unto his sons-in-law_, which married his daughters, and said, _Up, get you out of this place_; for the Lord will destroy this city. _But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law._” Verse 14.

8. What did the angels say to Lot the next morning?

“_Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here_; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.... _Escape for thy life; look not behind thee_, neither stay thou in all the plain; _escape to the mountain_, lest thou be consumed.” Verses 15-17.

9. What then took place?

“_Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire_ from the Lord out of heaven; and He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.” Verses 24, 25.

10. Because she disregarded the instruction given by the angels, what became of Lot’s wife?

“But his wife looked back from behind him, and _she became a pillar of salt_.” Verse 26.

NOTE.—As a result of choosing a city life, Lot lost nearly all his
family.

11. Foretelling the condition of the world previous to His second advent, to what did Christ liken it?

“Likewise also _as it was in the days of Lot_; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. _Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed._” Luke 17:28-30.

NOTE.—The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and
Gomorrah—centers and sink-holes of vice, pride, violence,
confusion, and crime. The cities of the United States, while
containing only about one half the population of the country,
furnish ninety-seven per cent of the crime. Out of 268 boys in the
Kansas State Reform School a few years ago, all but three came
from cities. In New York City a murder is committed every
thirty-six hours. The numerous holidays, the whirl of excitement,
pleasure, and sports, theatergoing, horse-racing, gambling, liquor
drinking, and reveling in the cities, attract thousands from the
sober duties of life, and stimulate every evil passion to
activity. What a poor place, therefore, are the cities of today in
which to rear a family! Too many, like Lot, have pitched their
tent toward Sodom.

12. Of what is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a type?

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, _making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly_.” 2 Peter 2:6.

NOTE.—The destruction of such cities as Sodom and Gomorrah,
Babylon and Jerusalem, is set forth as a type of the destruction
awaiting the world. Says one writer: “The time is near when the
large cities will be visited by the judgments of God. In a little
while these cities will be terribly shaken. No matter how large or
strong their buildings, no matter how many safeguards against fire
may have been provided, let God touch these buildings and in a few
minutes or in a few hours they will be in ruins. The ungodly
cities of our world are to be swept away by the besom of
destruction. In the calamities that are now befalling immense
buildings and large portions of the cities, God is showing us what
will come upon the whole earth.” The destruction of the great
cities now almost wholly given up to sinful pleasure, pride,
mammon-worship, and idolatry, is impending. It is time, therefore,
that those who are really in earnest concerning their children’s
salvation begin to think about leaving these cities.

13. What is to take place under the seventh plague?

“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; ... and there was _a great earthquake_, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.... _And the cities of the nations fell._” Rev. 16:17-19.

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How prone are professors to rest on their lees,
To study their pleasure, their profit and ease!
Though God says: “Arise, and escape for thy life,
And look not behind thee; remember Lot’s wife.”

Awake from thy slumbers, the warning believe;
’Tis Jesus that calls you, the message receive;
While dangers are pending, escape for thy life!
And look not behind thee; remember Lot’s wife.

The ways of religion true pleasure afford,
No pleasures can equal the joys of the Lord;
Forsake then the world, and escape for thy life,
And look not behind thee; remember Lot’s wife.

Purity

The Pharisees Accusing The Woman. "He that is without sin among you, let
him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7.

1. What did Christ say of the pure in heart?

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8.

2. What did He declare to be a violation of the seventh commandment?

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That _whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart_.” Verses 27, 28.

3. What exhortations did the apostle Paul give Timothy?

“Flee also youthful lusts.” 2 Tim. 2:22. “Keep thyself pure.” 1 Tim. 5:22.

4. To whom are all things pure?

“_Unto the pure all things are pure_: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Titus 1:15.

5. When tempted to sin, what noble example did Joseph set?

“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Gen. 39:9.

6. Against what are the people of God warned?

“But _fornication_, and _all uncleanness_, or covetousness, _let it not be once named among you_, as becometh saints; _neither filthiness_, nor _foolish talking_, nor _jesting_, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Eph. 5:3, 4.

7. What are mentioned as works of the flesh?

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: _Adultery_, _fornication_, _uncleanness_, _lasciviousness_.” Gal. 5:19.

8. What is said of those who do such things?

“They which do such things _shall not inherit the kingdom of God_.” Verse 21.

9. Against keeping company with whom are we warned?

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be _a fornicator_.” 1 Cor. 5:11.

10. Why are evil associations to be avoided?

“Be not deceived: _evil communications corrupt good manners_.” 1 Cor. 15:33.

11. What inexorable law is laid down in the Scriptures?

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for _whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap_. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6:7, 8.

“Keep virtue’s simple path before your eyes,
Nor think from evil good can ever rise.”—_Thomson._

12. Instead of sanctioning evil, what should we do?

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather _reprove them_. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” Eph. 5:11, 12.

13. How should we guard our conversation?

“_Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth_, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Eph. 4:29.

14. What scripture shows that social impurity was one of the chief sins which brought on the deluge?

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and _they took them wives of all which they chose_.... And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that _every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually_.... And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.... The earth also was _corrupt_ before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Gen. 6:1-11.

15. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?

“But the men of Sodom were _wicked and sinners_ before the Lord exceedingly.” Gen. 13:13. “And they were _haughty_, and _committed abomination_ before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Eze. 16:50. See also verse 49.

NOTE.—Gen. 19:1-9 and 2 Peter 2:6-8 show that they were
exceedingly corrupt in morals.

16. What did Christ say would be the condition of the world at His second advent?

“_As it was in the days of Noe_, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.... Likewise also _as it was in the days of Lot_; ... even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:26-30.

17. What does the Lord call upon the wicked man to do?

“Let the wicked _forsake his way_, and the unrighteous man his _thoughts_: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55:7.

18. What are the proper things to engage one’s mind?

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are _true_, whatsoever things are _honest_, whatsoever things are _just_, whatsoever 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_.” Phil. 4:8.

NOTE.—The greatest foes to social purity are immoral associates,
impure literature, improper dress, idleness, intemperance, and
theater-going, including questionable picture shows, all of which
are confined almost exclusively to city life. For this reason
parents should look well to their children’s home life; their
companions; the books, papers, and magazines they read; how their
time is occupied; what they eat, drink, and wear; where they spend
their nights; and the character of their amusements. “Pride,
fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness” were contributing
causes to the gross immorality of Sodom, and its consequent
downfall. Eze. 16:49, 50.