they had but little power to adorn their houses. But
in some of those homes there reigned such beauty of spirit, such
contentment with the condition in life, such kindliness and sympathy,
such cheerfulness and patience, that it was a joy to cross the threshold
and commune with the members of the plain and unambitious families. The
memories of those visits are among the most delightful of my pastoral
experience.

Suppose, then, your new home is plain and homely. Remember, that marble
walls, and broad and polished halls, and masterpieces in painting on the
walls, and a daily fare of luxuries, and table service of silver and
gold, and a retinue of liveried servants do not constitute a home.
Though the new home consist of only a few rooms, if mutual love and
admiration reign within the narrow walls, no historical palace can be
half so beautiful or attractive.

"Home's not merely four square walls,
Though hung with pictures nicely gilded;
Home is where affection calls,
Filled with shrines the heart hath builded.

.....

"Home's not merely roof and room;
Home needs something to endear it;
Home is where the heart can bloom,
Where there's some kind heart to cheer it."

But for a home to be truly beautiful there must needs be, always, one
guest--the Saviour. There were many magnificent buildings in Jerusalem
when He walked its streets and performed his miraculous works of
healing. But in all the land, and in all the ages, there was never one
more charming than that little home in Bethany, where Lazarus and his
sisters Mary and Martha constituted the household. And why was that the
perfect home? Because our Lord was always the welcome Guest.

THE HOME ALTAR.

Every thing depends on the way you begin your new life in your own new
home. The household altar is a supreme necessity. No hesitation or
timidity should be allowed to prevent family worship. If both of you are
members of the Church, the holding of a brief family worship need not be
a serious trial. The difficulty will be when only one is a Christian,
and still greater will it be if neither is a Christian. What is to be
done under such circumstances? Must the having family worship be
postponed until the religious life be commenced? That is uncertain, and
it may be years before a household altar is established. The only safe
way is to begin at once by holding a short service. Simple it may be. It
was the daily cus