“Whenever you take up the duty that lies nearest you, then God will bless you, and hear your prayers. There are too many doing outside missionary work, while their own households are left destitute of any such efforts,—going to ruin through neglect…. The first missionary work is to see that love, light, and joy come into the home circle.

Let us not be looking for some great temperance or missionary work to do until we have first done the duties at home. Every morning we should think, What kind act can I do today? What tender word can I speak? Kind words at home are blessed sunshine. The husband needs them, the wife needs them, the children need them…. It ought to be the desire of every heart to make as much heaven below as possible.”

The Review and Herald, December 23, 1884.