little teaching and discipline have been used to harmonize these
differences. An harmonious home is truly begun in the parental
homes of the husband and wife. Two persons may be perfectly
suited to one another, and yet they may be selfish in wanting their
own way. As one grows up, if he is allowed to have his own way
regardless of the rights and privileges of others, he becomes a
selfish person, and his parents are to blame. A selfish person in the
home plans for his own comfort, decides and acts as he wishes, and
seeks to satisfy his own desires. He does not take into consideration
the plans, wishes, and desires of other members of the family. It is
understood that his authority is supreme. Not one member of the
family dreams of expressing dissent to his dominion. A so-called
peace of this sort is not uncommon among families. This supreme
authority may be vested in husband, or wife, or in one or all of the
children. A forced peace of this kind is worse than rebellion and is
as bad as open war. How can any persons be so presumptuous as to
think that any person, or a number of persons, exist solely for his
comfort and advantage! Let two such selfish persons get together,
a permanent riot is assured. Unselfishness in the home means
thoughtfulness, discipline, self-control. Each child is taught the
rights and privileges of others as well as his own. When two
unselfish persons join their lives there begins a holy and beautiful
rivalry in seeking the rights and privileges of one another. The very
atmosphere of such a home is deference, respect, and love. As the
stranger, the neighbor, the friend, comes and goes, he catches the
spirit of it and carries it with him into his own and other homes.
Children born into such a home early imbibe its spirit, and, O, the
inspiration one receives from going into that family circle! No
home-life can be an inspiration and a blessing where selfishness is
allowed to reign. Nor can it be useful and happy.