Back to the Home

Back to the Home BY JOSEPH E. TAYLOR. "Back to the Farm" has become a slogan, repeated and reiterated by press, pulpit, college and lecture room, as well as by the fireside, and is recognized as a call equally imperative to any issued by military authority. Mother Earth calls for it, and reminds us that the earliest, in fact, the original fiat of the Almighty was, "By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread all the days of thy life." It is recorded that after Eden was shut against Adam, he began at once to till the earth, and his wife, our mother Eve, assisted him in this labor and did not deem it in the least degree degrading or humiliating. The entire physical being of man calls for this return, he being so admirably adapted to the labor which it demands. And further, while we willingly admit that commerce, merchandise and its kindred enterprises honestly conducted, are wholly legitimate, on the other hand, we are compelled to admit the fact that commerce, merchandise and their companions, are wholly dependent upon the products of the earth, and these are only made available by intelligent cultivation. Earth, then, is the only source of supply for all legitimate purposes and uses. Science and art can make no exhibition of its gifts and powers outside of the earth's supply of material. While the portrait-painter may demur somewhat to the above, let me remind him that man himself is essentially of the earth earthy, and his best endeavors are simply copies of the original. But, "Back to the Home" is the subject of our text which we wish now to discuss in a somewhat abbreviated form, at the risk of being considered an antiquated back number. We readily admit that the word Mother — with the exception of the name of Deity — is the most sacred of all the words to be found in the vocabularies of the civilized world, as well as in the unwritten languages of the barbarian. But let it be remembered, Home

BACK TO THE HOME 691 is the abode of her cherished form, in which is exhibited the very acme — aye all there is — of patience, forbearance, endurance, forgiveness, devotion and undying love. The men and women of world-renowned literary merit. whose poetic and prose effusions, also character delineations so true to life, have charmed vast multitudes although gone, are not forgotten. For that which they have left behind is cherish'. 1 as choice memories of their inspirational and philosophical lines, although often expressed in terse sentences but yet containing volumes. Upon the rostrum and other public places, force is often sought to be given to the sentiments uttered by the speaker by quoting from gifted authors at length, not omitting to givefull credit for quotations used where they belong. Why the query and whence the question so often asked as to the birth - place of these celebrities? Where was his or her birthplace, or, in other words, their home? Not satisfied with an oral or written answer, thousands of miles of travel have been made and money unsparingly spent to get opportunity not only to visit the home of the favorite author but to tread the floor of the identical chamber where his birth took place ; and when thus satisfied, a feeling of veneration wells up in the bosom which finds expression in words of endearment akin to love. Following this are inquiries concerning the favored father and mother, upon whom are bestowed— although long since passed away — suitable and appropriate congratulations. I might quote at length from the many speeches made at the late centennial gatherings in honor of the late Charles Dickens, also from the eulogies, both poetical and in prose, that have sounded the praises that we feel are due the immortal Bard of Avon ; as also the descriptions given in such minute detail by many of the thousands of visitors to the lowly village of Stratford in regard to the home, including the surroundings where tlie revered poet and dramatist Shakespeare was born— not forgetting the dismantled house nearby where he died nearly three centuries ago. Where is there a Latter-day Saint but has a feeling akin t»> pride in knowing that the birthplace, the home, of our beloved Prophet and Seer, Joseph Smith, is now marked by a monument erected to preserve the memory of that important event, which will remain intact for several centuries of time; or would even

692 IMPROVEMENT ERA admit that the means expended was other than an expendituremost commendable, and justified l>y our Father, as manifest in his acceptance oi the same? Perhaps in answering the question as to the home where these notables were born, and the great satisfaction felt upon learning the identical spot of its occurrence, and valuing it almost as priceless as historical data, I might be allowed to quote by way of illustration a circumstance ever to be remembered by those who were present upon the occasion which occurred in London, England, in the year 1847, during the tour of the Swedish Nightingale, Jennie Lind. I believe it was in the evening of her second appearance in Her Majesty's Theater which was packed from pit to dome. At the conclusion of her third song, which had the effect of almost raising the entire audience to their feet, an encore was called for, to which she smilingly responded and gave, in her sweetest and most pathetic tones, a song familiar to the people of nearly every nationality — "Home, Sweet Home," but perhaps producing the most intense feeling when rendered in its original English. The tones of her sweet voice, in singing the first verse, produced a hush so profound that, to use a familiar expression, "you might have heard a pin drop," but when the first note of the chorus was sounded, accompanied by the word "Home," and delivered with unrivaled pathos, every soul was , moved to tears ; but when the same note and word was sounded in the chorus of the last verse, the suppressed and pent up feelings gave way to loud sobs and exclamations, requiring the dropping of the curtain, to remain for fully ten minutes to restore an equilibrium in the audience. I only speak the true feelings of those of the past generations when I say that I should take great pleasure in pointing out to members of my family the house — if it still stands — where I was born, although that event happened nearly eightytwo years ago. But, oh ! what a change has taken place in this age of advanced thought, advanced education, as well as advanced scientific acquirements ; and in what are termed our much improved facilities and conveniences. Twenty years from now, ask many of the babes of today : Where were you born? The answer, perchance, might be, "In a rooming house," so mother says, "but I don't know where it is ;"

BACK TO THE HOME or "in a hospital, but that's all I know about it." Consequent 1, two decades hence there will be very few lingering and pleasant memories of the home where «>ur children were born and reared. While 1 recognize that hospital appointments and con veniena's, etc., as well a- many tenement houses, relieve us from much care, anxiety and strenuous labor, -till tin- fad remains that in the broad sense in which we have viewed this question, they are not home. If the Swedish songstress should come back twenty years or more from now. in possession of all the endowed powers oi the part unimpared, her only charm would hi- in her sweet tones of music, for the word home accompanying would tail t<> produce the same effect, or even in calling forth a single tear. The question might be asked by some, what about the birthplace of the Savior? To which I reply, viewing the circumstances a- related, a necessity compelled it. But, perhaps, other reasons more substantial will Ik- made apparent in the future, and although the exact spot where He was born, as now located, might be strongly questioned, yet I can believe the time will come when the identical place will not only be pointed out but remembrances upon a grand scale will be erected there, in commemoration of that more than notable event. For a simple rehearsal of it cannot always be deemed sufficient for the Being who. a> J.>hn saw, would receive the acclamations and honor of -ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands," besides "ever) creature in heaven, earth and sea.'* Surely the place of lli> birth will receive appropriate recognition. The inheritances yet to be given to the faithful will be in perpetuity— unless forfeited — to all the succeeding generations of the same blood, line and lineage. This will certainly be home in very deed. There is, however another phase of this subject, and one of the highest importance to both parent and child. Parental responsibility has been defined in sufficient detail so as not to l>e misunderstood. One of the reasons assigned by the Lord for selecting Abraham as the father of the faithful was "that he will command his children after him. that they shall keep the way of the Lord." No matter to what extent his after generations

694 IMPROVKMKNT KRA might wander from the right faith, the Lord foresaw that he would fulfil every obligation as a father; therefore, he would be relieved of all responsibility for their wrong-doing. The Psalmist said: "Children are an heritage of the Lord." Surely, then, parents should look to such a priceless possession, and see to it that it does not by any neglect of theirs deteriorate or lose in value. We readily grant that bodily requirements as well as ample secular education should be plentifully supplied, but do we not in too many instances make these of paramount importance, to the neglect often of essentials of far greater value ? Although "Intelligence is the Glory of God," yet there is no record of appreciation by our Father of any superior literary attainments as the result of education in our schools of learning, however commendable we may view them to be. Neither are earthly possessions highly esteemed by our Father ; although what are termed riches were in many instances abundantly bestowed on men of unflinching integrity to God's law through special providences ; but these were always considered as secondary. But faithfulness and devotion, as exhibited in the lives, character and conduct of many of the noble sons of the ancient worthies, have received special mention, while the greatest regret and sorrow has been expressed in contemplating the result of a wilful departure from the path of rectitude and righteousness, because of the suffering consequent upon such conduct. According to Enoch's record, the heavens wept in viewing the sufferings that would follow the people in Noah's day because of their iniquities. It is also said that the heavens wept over the "Son of the Morning" — Lucifer — when he was thrust down to earth. Therefore we conclude that the paramount duty of a parent is to instruct his children in the principles of the Gospel, and teach them righteousness, the neglect of which according to the revelation given in November, 1831, makes tnem solely responsible. The anxiety manifested by the leaders of our Church in the creation of auxiliary organizations of many names for the benefit of our young children, as well as for the youth of Zion, is worthy of our earnest support ; but we assert unqualifiedly that every child should come to these gatherings charged with the teachings primarily given by father and mother, for to them belongs the initiation along every line of Gospel information, and