a home. "A
certain number of animal lives that are of prescribed ages, that eat
and drink together, by no means makes a family. Almost as well might
we say that it is the bricks of a house that make a home. There may be
a home in the forest or in the wilderness, and there may be a family
with all its blessings, though half its members be in other lands or in
another world. It is the gentle memories, the mutual thought, the
desire to bless, the sympathies that meet when duties are apart, the
fervor of the parents' prayers, the persuasion of filial love, the
sister's pride and the brother's benediction, that constitute the true
elements of domestic life and sanctify the dwelling." [1] These
beautiful words are true. It is love that makes home. The dweller, in
a distant land sends again and again his thoughts across the sea, and
reverts with fond affection to the place of his birth. It may be a
humble cottage, but to him it is ever dear because of the love which
dwelt there and united those who dwelt there by ties that distance
cannot sever. Even the prodigal in the matchless parable of our Lord,
herding with the swine and eating of their husks, was led to a higher
and a better life by the remembrance of his father's house. A home
without love is no home, any more than a body without a soul is a man.
It is only a corpse.

3. _Consideration_ for those with whom we live in the family is the
chief form which affection takes. Each member has to remember, not his
own comfort and wants, but the comfort and wants of those with whom he
dwells. His welfare as an individual he must subordinate to the
welfare of the household. There are various forms which want of
consideration takes, and all of them are detestable. (_a_) Tyranny,
where the strong member of a family insists on the service of those
weaker than himself. (_b_) Greed, where one demands a larger share of
comfort, food, or attention than that which falls to the others. (_c_)
Indolence, where one refuses to take his proper part in the maintenance
of the family, spending his wages, perhaps, on his own pleasures, and
yet expecting to be provided for by the labor of the rest. (_d_)
Discourtesy, where, by his language and manners, he makes the others
unhappy, and, perhaps, by his outbursts of temper fills the whole house
with sadness. (_e_) Obstinacy, which will have its own way, whether
the way be good or not. All these forms of selfishness are violations