1853 Advice for Making a Home Happy
"In 1853 the 216 page Skillful Housewife's Book by Mrs. L. G. Abell was published. It included many recipes and directed itself to such other topics as household duties, health care, gardening, birds, and education of children."
I really couldn't find much information about the author.
What I did find is that Mrs. L.G. Abell was thought a very wise, informed, and skillful homemaker.
Here is an excerpt from the book in our Almanac:
"It is not the imposing majesty of a sumptuous mansion, nor the hollow glare of gaudy furniture, nor the obsequious attention of servants, that make the blessedness of a home.
No, it is the steady exercise of those holy charities, that soothes our sorrows, and builds the nest of peace, love, and true enjoyment in our bosoms.
It is a mutual respect and attention, a kind consideration of each others feelings, under all circumstances - a sympathy in our cares, a regard to ur interests, the exercise of a patient and forbearing, and forgiving temper, that makes home the 'only Paradise that has survived the fall'.
And let it never be forgotten, that even a smile or a frown may gild with brightness, or overcast with clouds, the whole horizon that sacred spot - Home."
Wow.
Let's unpack this.
Abell was telling us that a happy home isn't what is inside of it, how expensive it is, or the servants you might have. A happy home is the collective energy that the family puts into the walls of a shelter that make that place a loving home.
The quote "The only Paradise to survive the fall." refers the fall of man in the bible.
The Garden of Eden in Genesis was a Paradise.
It was until Adam and Eve sinned that they were removed from the garden.
Since then, never has any human been in a perfect paradise.
One beautiful thing that survived was the family.
The idea that the love in a family unit is the only thing to survive the fall is a beautiful one.
Imagine just for a moment the situation of Adam and Eve.
Together they went down the path of temptation and sin. Together they were punished. It was just the two of them plunged into chaos. They lost everything but each other.
They learned to lean on each other for compassion, guidance, and love.
They became a family.
They watched two sons grow. They watched one son die. They watched one son go down a sinful path.
They had more children, had grandchildren, and grew old together.
Adam and Eve formed a family in the midst of chaos.
They had to teach their family how to love in the midst of chaos.
This love for each other is the only thing that has survived the fall.
In all of our weakness, anger, uncertainty, and strife we turn to each other for strength, patience, focus, and peace.
Like those before us who we looked up to for comfort in chaos, we now have been disciplined in our life experiences to share and teach those who will come after us.
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You can still purchase this book from Mrs. L. G. Abell
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