THE FAMILY HARMONY IN THE HOME Edited by MYRTLE FILLMORE WHEN WE THINK BESSIE EVANS PETTINGER “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Ignorance is the root of all trouble, and ignorance s not so much a matter of education, as of carelessless and thoughtlessness. If by thinking we can essen our woes, let us, then, by all means, think. How many people who are trying to live accordng to New Thought principles forget that these principles are based upon good, sound, common, or ather, uncommon sense; that a good working brain s needed in conjunction with the subconscious forces, ɔefore we are ready to "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God," instead of the poor, weak, one-sided creatures some of us are? How many of us continue the breaking of nature's laws and wonder why our silent treatments are of so little force in removing our aches and pains? We suffer in profound piety, feeling that God is certainly pleased with us for enduring the misery with which he inflicted us. A little thinking would show that all parts of our being must work together, if good would come to us; and that an ache or a pain is but a warning that some law, or laws are being broken, and not a punishment to appease the wrath of God. A worn-out mother closes her eyes, and during the silent moment her headache leaves her; but when a half hour later it returns with renewed torture, she loses faith in the treatment, because she fails to remember that no permanent cure can be effected without removing the cause of the pain; she has forgotten that the pies, cakes and puddings, the over-laden dinner table, and the frills and ruffles of the children's clothes are all quite unnecessary. She knows, if she would think about it, that these unnecessary duties are over-taxing her physical strength, and wearing upon the nerves of herself and her family. She knows what a saving of money, time and vitality there would be if a simple, plain diet was provided; she knows that such a diet would establish for her family quieter nerves, which in turn would react upon her own; that her squandered energy should be devoted to the care and companionship of her children and husband who look to her for their inspiration and comfort. Yes, she knows all this, if she would only stop to think about it, but she won't; she would rather doubt the silent treatment and keep her headache; she would rather box Jimmie's ears, a sure sign of over-strained nerves, than think out the cause of her troubles. “I've tried thought treatment on my feet, but five minutes afterward they hurt as bad as ever," said a young girl. "Have you changed the style of your shoes?" asked a friend, adding, "You know a corn is merely nature's warning that your shoes do not fit the shape of your feet." “But I've had this corn ever since I was a child,” said the girl. “Then you must have started in with the wrong shape of shoe. Find what will fit your foot, and then use the thought treatment to remove the corn." "That's a good idea, I never thought of it before," was the reply. Of course she never thought of it before, else she wouldn't be suffering with her feet. A young mother handed her cross, fretful baby to its nurse, saying, "I don't know what's the matter with that child! I do wish he would keep quiet, for his crying makes me so nervous I could fly, and my back aches so I can hardly endure it. I've been repeating the words of a thought treatment all morning, but the minute I stop saying it, my back aches worse than ever." “If I was you, ma'am, I'd take off them high heeled shoes of your'n. They throw the spine out of place, and will be the cause of a lot worse things than a backache. It's your feeling bad makes the poor baby cross and troublesome. Take off them shoes, run about the house in your bare feet, then lie down and say over them words, and the good God will take away the pain, and give you and your baby peace; but he won't do it so long as you abuse the body he gave you." The mother had studied anatomy at college, she knew how delicate a member was the spine, and how its injury would affect her whole body. She knew into what an unnatural position high heels threw the body; she knew how the mother's condition regulated that of the nursing child, but she never thought about it. Here was an educated, ignorant mother; and a wise, uneducated nurse. A woman, suffering from a complication of diseases, found in the Silence the key to her troubles in dress reform. She thought the matter over carefully, then she burned her corset stays and hair switch. She made her clothing pretty and becoming, even stylish, but it all hung from her shoulders, and was drawn in at the waist with a soft silken cord or girdle, instead of the stiff rubber or leather belt. Her shoes and hats were comfortable, rather than modish. At first she experienced some discomfort; the muscles of her body, grown flabby through years of unneeded support, and unused strength, refused to work properly. But she breathed long and deep of God's life-giving air, she gave to her body thoughts of strength and power, and as a result she was well. She ceased to have spells of despondency; she lost her apathy and listlessness; she could walk miles and feel invigoration in the exercise; her appetite increased and her digestion grew perfect. Once more she took up her pen, which so long had been idle, and success came with her cheerfulness. Optimism supplanted pessimism, and life became fruitful to herself and others. These blessings were added unto her, not because she was more earnest and sincere in her devotions than others less fortunate, but because she entered the Silence, searching for the cause of her indisposition, rather than for immediate relief. One man gave up his morning bath because it seemed to rob him of his strength; to make his skin parched and dry, and cause it to break out in red spots. Another man thought upon the subject - he knew that the cells of the body are supplied with cil, which not only nourishes, but keeps clean the skin. He knew that the alkali of the soap dissolves and carries away the oil, leaving the pores of the skin open and unprotected from dirt and irritation. He knew that nature, if given the chance, will always renew, though at the expense of the strength of the whole. body. As a result of his thought he enjoyed his morning bath, but discarded the soap, and experience taught him that he was cleaner without the soap than with it; and the money ne saved, bought him a shower bath. Great troubles grow from small causes; domestic storms are usually the result of numerous little storm clouds, gathering force and breaking suddenly, overcharged by some slight deed or trivial speech. Alone in the Silence we can straighten out every crooked way, and bring into harmony every discord, renew our bodies and turn fortune our way. Yes, surely! for no scul earnestly seeking for light was ever denied it; but what waste energy is utilized in making right that which should never have been made wrong! Had we thought, as we should have done, before stirring up this domestic strife, and used the common sense with which we were endowed, we need not have gone back to make up lost ground, but have marched rapidly on toward the "city of our Desires." WOMAN MRS. CHARLES SMITH LEE The relationship that the soul bears to the body is the prototype of the relationship of woman to man. Thus it is that in the family relationship the high office of the wife and mother is to look unto Spirit, and gathering of that hidden manna — that Bread of Life-give to her husband and children that they may eat and live. This sacred responsibility is given to woman through the very nature and quality of her being — intuition which relates her directly to Spirit. Through this open channel, if she be quickened and alive to her powers and possibilities, she receives immediate sense of the supply for the changing needs of every hour. Wisdom descends as the fire upon the altar, to govern and direct the difficult situation; Love to dissolve the sorrow or change the hardened, rebellious will; Joy to brighten discouragement and banish sense of defeat. Understanding and knowledge, peace, benediction and blessing flow as oil from her miraculous cruse. No audible word need be spoken, but the incense of the silent acknowledgment must ever ascend to |