Taken from a series of short sermons delivered over Radio Station WTMV--St. Louis on Sunday Afternoons--August 4, 1946 to October 27,

1946--by W. Carl Ketcherside

CURRENT SERIES TITLE

"Happy Homes & Happy Living"

Lesson #1

Happy Homes

A few days ago a troubled young man wanted to talk with me about his problems. We arranged an appointment. When he arrived at the

designated place it was very apparent that he was deeply worried. Urged to unburden himself, he told me that his home was in danger of "going

on the rocks." For a good many weeks he and his wife had apparently been unable to agree upon anything. They quarreled every minute they

were in each other's presence. Both had quit going to church, because they felt it was no use. When the young man had finished his

story of tragic discouragements he added, "Someone ought to give a series of talks warning others from making the same kind of hell on earth that we have made. We have virtually ruined each other's hopes, and are about at the end of our matrimonial rope." When I started questioning him as to the reasons for their conduct, I learned why. But that is confidential and personal. I shall not repeat it. My reason for mentioning the case is to tell you that I am taking the suggestion of this troubled young fellow. I am I going to present a series of talks on "Happy Homes and Happy Living.

The value of good homes to this nation cannot be overestimated. It is a trite saying, but true, that the home life of a nation constitutes its

foundation. If that foundation is made up of strong cement, adhesive through storms of all kinds, the nation will prosper. But if the foundation crumbles under the attack of adversity or trial, the nation will be weakened and will be a prey to sinister foreign forces which seek its overthrow.

Imperial Rome was once the "mistress of the world." Powerful, alert and strong, she ruled the earth. But Rome went down underneath the feet

of barbarian hordes which swept across her land. Why? The answer is found in the pages of history. The rich bought up the small farms,

forcing the people to abandon their homes and move into the cities. The land became less fertile, and the once hard-working populace freed

from work became an easy mark for those who sought their ruin. Interested only in amusement and the food doled out to them by a

patronizing government, they lost their love for home and country, and there was no common bond to hold them together. They went down

with dire consequences. One need not be a "calamity-howler" to say that the United States of America is treading upon the same dangerous

ground in these days of peril.

There are too many men who think lightly of the vows which they made to remain true to "one woman" as long as life exists. There are too

many women who forsake their children and lounge around at taverns and cocktail lounges. There are too many parents who regret the fact

that they are tied down by the little lives which have come to bless their homes. They look upon children as a curse to be endured, rather than a blessing to be treasured. The divorce mills are grinding out a grist of broken homes continually. Promises are esteemed only so long

as the promiser thinks them of advantage, and lying has come to be looked upon almost as a virtue if you can secure any personal reward

there-from. And so, we go merrily along the downward road the road that leads to ruin, the road that leads to oblivion.

It is not to be expected that I can do much to stem the tide. But that does not relieve me from the responsibility of doing what I can. And if you who listen in will join hands with me in seeing that these messages are made available to those who may be awakened and aroused to a sense

of our danger, perhaps we can accomplish something toward restoring sanity to an otherwise mad and insane generation.

Happy homes are not the result of accidents. They represent the culmination of good sens an altar and with a bald eagle officiating, they made their mutual vows. The vulture looking at the sweet pure dove,

declared that he would love and cherish her until death parted them.

But one day the dove was frightened to see the vulture busily tearing away at a stinking carcass. She cried out, "Stop! Did you not promise me

you would quit your repulsive habits if I married you?" The vulture in anger retaliated, "Yes, but if you don't like my way you can get out," and in a rage he flew at the dove and with one stroke of his beak and claws knocked the life from her frail body. A flock of robins flying past cried to each other and said, "Look there! that's what comes from a dove marrying a vulture to reform him."

It is better to remain unmarried than to be chained to one who has no interest in the things that you love and reverence. If you have refused to become the wife of a drunkard or declined to marry one who had no control of his temper or who was a petted selfish baby congratulate

yourself. The freedom you have retained is a thousand-fold more to be desired than the shackles of slavery which some women have forged

about their own hearts. Many a bride who has worn orange blossoms might have more appropriately worn a crown of thorns and nettles; many a one might have selected the "Prisoner's Song" as more suited to the event than "I Love You Truly." Instead of a wedding ring, many times a pair of handcuffs would have been more truly indicative of the future.

"Marriage is honorable in all," says the great apostle Paul. We believe that. But the mere purchase of an engagement ring, the securing of a

license, the pledging of vows before a minister, will not guarantee happiness. Look for a companion who will stand by you through "thick and

thin." Why investigate the pedigree of a horse before you purchase it and never investigate the family tree of the man you must live with through the years? Is it good sense to expect a rotten tree to produce good fruit?

It is hard to find the right thing in the wrong place. And the tavern, the theater, the dance hall none of these is the right place to select a

companion. True happiness is based upon a mutual sharing of some great and ennobling ideal. It is the result of some consecration to a high

purpose. And there is no greater purpose or ideal than that which the church holds forth. The happiest homes are those with a religious

foundation. The chances are manifold greater that the acquaintance you make in the church will be more enduring than that which you make

elsewhere. The church is enduring! It stands for enduring principles. Do not forsake it! Let it help you establish and maintain the kind of home

which will spell happiness through the years.

Lesson #2: "Serious Minds" will follow in next mailing.

"Lessons From Yesterday" is compiled by Dwain R. Stoops

If you have comments, please...

...Contact: dstoops@msn.com