“The printing press puts into the hands of parents a means of good which they may use to the greatest advantage in the culture of their home life and in the shaping of the lives of their household. But they must keep a most diligent watch over the pages that they introduce. They should know the character of every book and paper that comes within their doors, and should resolutely exclude everything that would defile. “Then, while they exclude everything…
“Few things are more important in a home than its conversation, and yet there are few things to which less thought is given. The power of communication, which lies in the tongue, is simply incalculable. It can impart knowledge; utter words that will shine like lamps in darkened hearts; speak kindly sentences that will comfort sorrow or cheer despondency, breathe out thoughts that will arouse and quicken heedless souls. “Nothing in the home-life needs to be more carefully watched and…
“How can she make sure that her influence over her husband will be for good, that he will be a better man, more successful in his career and more happy, because she is his wife? Not by any mere moral posturing so as to seem to have lofty purpose and wise thoughts of life; not by any weak resolving to help him and be an uplifting inspiration to him; not by perpetual preaching and lecturing on a husband’s duties and…
“If a wife has in her soul noble womanly qualities, if she has true thoughts of life, if she has purpose, strength of character and fidelity to principle, she will be to him an unfailing inspiration toward all that is noble and Christlike. The high conceptions of life in her mind will elevate his conceptions. His firm, strong purpose will put vigor and determination into every resolve and act of his. Her purity of soul will cleanse and refine his…
“The wife who would always hold in her husband’s heart the place she held on her wedding day will never cease striving to be lovely. She will be as careful of her words and actions and her whole bearing toward him as she was before marriage. She will cultivate in her own life whatever is beautiful, whatever is winning, whatever is graceful. “She will scrupulously avoid whatever is offensive or unwomanly. She will look well to her personal appearance; no…
“The good wife is a good housekeeper. The wife who would be happy, and make her home happy and permanently beautiful must work with her hands at the housewifely tasks which the days in turn bring to her. The foundation of wedded happiness is good housekeeping. In other words, good breakfasts, dinners and suppers, a well-kept house, order, system, promptness, punctuality, good cheer – far more than any young lovers – dream does happiness in married life depend upon such…