OUR HOMES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 131, 4 June 1900, Page 2

OUR HOMES.

"His own home."—John xix. 27

From the above text Rev. \v. Pay recently spoke as follows:—

I wish to speak to-night on our homes in the light of the principles of Christ. The importance of the subject appears when we remember that as the home is, so is the nation. The people in any community who are most honourable, heroic, and helpful have been nurtured in the best homes. Long as a man lives, the influence of his early home lives in him. The home stamp remains. The home spirit is part o-t the man's spirit always. If we are to have the.right sort of men and women we must see to it that our homes are of the right sort. Our homes are the citadels of our beat fortunes. If any nation is to be strong-, noble, enduring, its home must produce these great results,

The Christian home is the peculiar, the magnificent creation of Jesua Christ, How has He created it?

1. Christ reverenced childhood and taught His disciples to do the same. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a satire on our boasted civilisation. It was* said some time ago in the leading article of a London newspaper that the 19tb century had discovered childhood; by which the writer meant that we are only just beginning to recognise the worth of childhood—only just beginningl to prize it sufficiently to take due care of it. But the truth is, Christ discovered childhood, and we are rediscovering Him. Christ was once a child, and He has' thrown a halo of glory round the head ef every little child. Before we can have a Christian home we must look .with. Christ's eyes upon our children, remembering His estimate of them—"Of such is the kingdom of God."

2. Christ cUgniflecl womanhood and motherhood, and taught His disciples to do the same. One of the best-kno^n facts of history is that Christ has restored woman to her true place. The ancient idea of woman is well expressed in the Hindoo saying: "Woman is that afterthought of God sent to bring hope to man." But Jesus has exploded that idea. Wherever His spirit penetrates there woman is honoured, as man's equal companion, friend find helper; and man's attitude towards her ia not that of th« master towards hia drudge, but rather that indicated by St. Paul when he says; "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved t-Jia Church, and gave Himself for it.'' Dr. Westeott has we)} sajd; "As the home is, so Is the nation; as the woman is, so is the home; home is woman's kingdom." If our homes are to be homes indeed, then we must honour woman as Christ honoured her

3. Christ hag exalted Fatherhood. "JjotcJl, teach us tp pray," said the disciples. "When ye pray," said the I^ord, "say 'Our Father.'" what an exaltation of Fatherhood that wne. Prom that time fatherhood took on a higher meaning; became invested with ganctity; or, rather, the true g-lory of the name "Father" shone forth. Then, my brothers, think of it! You stand as God's representatives to your children; you bear His very panic—the name dearest to Jesus Christ. OocJ is Father, and you are fathers. Your children will take their idea of God aa Father from what they see in you. How glorious, yet how solemn is the name you bear! And to you, sons and daughters, this thought ought to appeal. Think of Jt- Your father? bear God's name. How sacred, therefore, is the relation between you and them. How you ought to reverence and honour them.

Childhood, motherhood, father— these three make a home, and Christ has raised the world's thought of all three, and when we practically view all three from the standpoint of Christ; then our homes will be Christian, then, and not till then,