THE PLACE AND PURPOSE OF FAMILY LIFE. 



CANADA'S PROUD MISSION. 



The closing words of Earl Grey's farewell address to the country, for 

 whose advancement he has laboured with whole-hearted devotion, form a 

 fitting introduction to this subject. " I beseech you," he said, " to educate 

 and bring up your children in the faith that Canada is destined to till a 

 proud and splendid mission in the world." 



But what is the connection, you will ask, between the title at the head 

 of this page " The Place and Purpose of Family Life " and the mission 

 which Earl Grey foretells it is the duty of this vast and beautiful country 

 to fulfil? 



FAMILY LIFE THE BASIS OF NATIONAL SUCCESS. 



The reply to your question shall be given by no less a person than our 

 King. It is not many months ago since he told his people that the stability 

 and progress of our Empire depended entirely upon the character of the 

 homes in which its children are reared. Only, said he. if home life be pure 

 and healthful can prosperity be secured and our great and world-wide respon- 

 sibilities be fulfilled. 



Upon the parents of to-day, upon their methods of bringing up their 

 families, hinges the future of Canada. Now. one purpose of family life is 

 to furnish the country with a high-minded, self-su] (porting, healthy population. 



Our homes may be fitly compared to the lumber or the stones used in 

 the construction of some stately public building. If but one piece of lumber 

 be unsound or but one stone have a flaw, the stability of the whole will be 

 threatened. That which should last for years, serving many useful purposes 

 meanwhile, may from causes so small as these, impossible of detection, 

 collapse even before completion. 



Let me remind you that Canada is composed of thousands of homes, 

 each one of which promotes or threatens its power to " fulfil its proud and 

 splendid mission to the world." 



What is this national mission of which Earl Grey has spoken V Is it 

 to make money quickly by developing the rich resources of the country, so 

 that Canada shall become more rapidly a power in polities and in commerce: 

 or is it to rear up a race of strong, wise, and pure people, who. while working 

 for the advancement of their native land, will raise its national life to the 

 highest level of honour and health? 



The history of the world bears clear witness to the fact that real progress 

 and enduring prosperity existed just in proportion as noble ideals and high 

 standards of conduct were fostered in home life. " It is righteousness that 

 exalteth a nation." 



