Hints to Promote Harmony in a Family

1. We may be quite sure that our will is likely to be crossed in the day, so prepare for it.

2. Everybody in the house has an evil nature as well as ourselves, and therefore we are not to expect too much.

3. To learn the different temper of each individual.

4. To look upon each member of the family as one for whose soul we are bound to watch, as those that must give account.

5. When any good happens to any one, to rejoice at it.

6. When inclined to give an angry answer, to lift up the heart in prayer.

7. If from sickness, pain, or infirmity, we feel irritable, to keep a very strict watch over ourselves.

8. To observe when others are so suffering, and drop a word of kindness and sympathy suited to them.

9. To watch for little opportunities of pleasing, and to put little annoyances out of the way.

10. To take a cheerful view of every thing, and encourage hope.

11. To speak kindly to the servants, and praise them for little things when you can.

12. In all little pleasures which may occur, to put self last.

13. To try for "the soft answer that turneth away wrath."

14. When we have been pained by an unkind word or deed, to ask ourselves, "Have I not often done the same, and been forgiven?

15. In conversation not to exalt ourselves, but bring others forward.

16. To be very gentle with the younger ones, and treat them with respect.

17. Never to judge one another, but attribute a good motive when we can.