CHAPTER V. THE FRATERNAL RELATION. “A union in partition; Two seeming bodies, but one heart." MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM "They were together night and day Through all their early years - A fellowship of tears." ANON. THE Scriptures are comparatively silent concerning this relation in the family, as if a recognition of its important duties were taken for granted. The tics of nature are reason enough for an indissoluble bond of union between brothers and sisters. Humanity revolts at a disregard of the bond which God has instituted between these kindred hearts. Indeed, the feeling of abhorrence is awakened towards those families among the lower order of animals which live and die in quarrels. It is so unnatural and heartless, that every reflecting mind expresses profound astonishment at the sight. The fact that two individuals are children of the same parents, having kindred blood coursing through their veins, and common interests at stake, is sufficient basis upon which to rest all the fraternal obligations of which wo may speak. There is no sadder sight on earth, than that of brothers and sisters, dwelling together under the same roof, co-heirs by Divine appointment in the joys and sorrows of life, alienated from cach other by reason of domestic feuds. There * Strictly, the Fraternal Relation has reference to brothers only; in this chapter we give it a wider latitude and apply it to sisters also.. is no scene more lovely than that of brothers and sisters devoted each to the others' happiness, and vicing with cach other in the works of mutual attachment. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon his beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garment; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing; even life forever more." Yet, the brotherhood and sisterhood of families present often a singular exhibition of estranged. hearts. These, in common with all the relations of life, share in the sad results of the fall. Every neighborhood can furnish one or more illustrations of the envy, jealousy, malice, strife, one or all, which have made the fraternal relation the occasion of much domestic sorrow. Nay, I have scen brothers and sisters dwelling together in the same town, yet living apart from the ordinary intercourse of relatives, and even so alienated from cach other, as to forego entirely the interchange of friendly visits. more; I have seen them arrayed against each other with a hostility that precluded even a friendly recognition, and allowed no word of salutation on meeting in the street. I have seen the wealthy brother, retired from the cares of a prosperous business, without a family of his own for which to provide, yielding himself up to the servile control of a penurious habit, and leaving an invalid sister to suffer in want, or find relief in the charity of others. I have scen another, a man in the state of "single blessedness,” summing in his possessions some twenty thousand dollars, yet bequeathing all his property, at his death, to his native town, with the exception of a pittance to a suffering sister, for whom a sum ten times as large would have been a scanty provision. I have seen yet another, a brother to whom the Lord had given a competency of this world's goods, endeav oring to make a maiden-sister's portion of the paternal legacy his own, by every possible "hook and crook" of the law. And I have read of another, a famed millionaire, who, among other gifts for the public weal, endowed a college, leaving to a needy brother only just enough to satisfy the demands of the law. Such a lack of natural affection is a foul stain upon human nature, and merits the unqualified censure of mankind. We scarcely find its counterpart among the brutes that perish. Seen thus in manhood, it is decisive evidence of an unbrotherly youth, the legitimate ruit of unkindness and want of affection in early life. He, who in mature years can see a brother or sister suffer when he has the means to relieve, was, doubtless, a tyrannizing, heartless brother in his youth. Had he cultivated a tender and loving spirit in the morning of life toward those of his father's household, he would not have become an alien at heart from the same kindred-circle in age. Among the CAUSES of rupture and unhappiness in the fraternal relation may be found the following. An unforgiving spirit. In the little community of home, forbearance is as necessary as it is anywhere in the wide world. Disparity in respect to natural and acquired endowments, varying tastes and habits, dissimilar temperaments and dispositions, conflicting thoughts and desires, will all be embodied in living acts, to engender strife, unless much is overlooked. Much transpires in almost any company of brothers and sisters to arouse the spirit of retaliation, unless each is forward to forgive. The quick, nervous, peevish brother or sister, who meets every breach of fraternal kindness and good-will with the frown and language of opposition, pursues a policy which is sure to banish peace from the family. The proof is found in every neighborhood. An unforgiving spirit is as prevalent with children as with strangers. Human nature does not always stop to inquire whether the offender is a brother or sister. Hot haste stimulates the mind, and it moves rashly. An overt act is resisted with angry words, and stormy rebuke, if not with blows. Here the warfare begins, and where it ́ends we cannot always tell, until we learn the disposition it cultivates for age. Possibly it may develop into a character as base and criminal as that described in the following verse of Dr. Watts : “Hard names, at first, and threatening words, That are but noisy breath, May grow to clubs, and naked swords, To murder, and to death." An unbridled temper mars the union of brothers and sisters. In childhood and youth this is a very general cause of strife. The views, feelings, or wishes are crossed, and in a moment reason loses its balance, and passion lowers and storms. Peace departs from the entire circle until the tempest of wrath is spent, and often for succeeding hours and days. It is painful to witness the frequent outbursts of wrath which occur among some families of children. Scarcely a day, Sabbath not excepted, passes over their heads without some signal display of uncurbed temper. In conscquence, they live in quarrels, cultivate morose and turbulent dispositions, and never learn from experience the joys of true fraternal love. The memories of many adults will fur nish, from their early lives, numerous illustrations of the disastrous influence of temper upon the intercourse of brothers and sisters. What is commonly called teasing, or tormenting one another for some natural or acquired fault, is another cause of strife in families. A brother is bashful and awkward, and this gives rise to many a fling from a proud affected sister. Or a sister is vain and haughty, and this is the occasion of smart retorts from an unassuming brother. One is dull and stupid, intellectually; another is peevish from constitutional weakness; and another is ungenerous; all of which often elicit biting sarcasm, broad implications, inuendos, and reproofs, to create alienation and perpetuate conflict. Enry sometimes acts a contemptible part. One brother enjoys a more eligible situation than another, because of some peculiar endowments or circumstances. More respon sibility is laid upon him by the father. Perhaps he is in the store or counting-room, while his brother is on the farm, or in the workshop. He may be a student, and his brother a mechanic. Here envy finds abundant occasion to complain, and create discontent. Even a disparity in respect to moral elevation sometimes arouses this malicious propensity. On this account, envy broke the harmony that existed between the first two brothers. Envious Cain slew his brother Abel, and thus took upon his soul the fearful guilt of fratricide. Envy plotted this murder, and received at the hand of God its ill-desert. And it is too often truc, that parental favoritism creates this envious spirit. A brother or sister is petted and indulged beyond the measure meted out to others. Envy, toward such an one, is sure to display its spite. Jacob had his favorite-Joseph. The brothers saw it and envied him his portion. His accumulated sufferings, thrilling almost beyond the tales of fiction, was the fearful result. "O envy! hide thy bosom, hide it deep. A thousand snakes, with black, envenomed mouths, Property inherited has destroyed the peace and harmony existing between brothers and sisters. From the moment the parents are laid in the grave, and the "clods of the valley" close over their remains, there is frequently one perpetual scene of strife and contention among the children about the property. The memory of loving parents is lost amid the hard words, and harder feelings, and thoughts which |