Jonathan Edwards was a busy pastor, brilliant philosopher, and leader of the Great Awakening that began in the 1730's in New England. He routinely spent 13 hours a day in his study. He also oversaw his household, farm, children, and church. Yet his marriage to Sarah was a beautiful and romantic thing.

When the itinerant evangelist, George Whitefield, stayed for a while in the Edwards' home, he was captivated by the warm and affectionate relationship between Jonathan and Sarah. Even with a house filled with children, Jonathan and Sarah had a romantic bond that could not be broken. Whitefield called the Edwards home a "household of peace" and determined that he would find a wife and marry as soon as possible--and he did.

The marriage between Jonathan and Sarah became the model for their children, their children's children, and on and on for generations. In fact, Edward's lasting legacy may not be his theological and philosophical writings--as important as they are. His real legacy may be the home he and Sarah established, the warm and romantic marriage they enjoyed, and the children they raised. Their marriage became the pattern for their children and children's children. (See THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE: INSIGHTS FROM JONATHAN EDWARDS FOR TODAY, by Josh Moody.)

Do strong marriages and loving families make a difference in society? Consider studies done of the Edwards family contrasted with a contemporary, Max Juke. Juke was a freethinker, possibly an atheist, who believed in free sex and liberation from laws. Juke had numerous children, some of them illegitimate.

Of 1026 descendants of Max Juke, 300 were convicts, 27 were murderers, 190 were prostitutes, and 509 were either alcoholics or drug addicts. One researcher was able to estimate that the Jukes had cost the State of New York almost $1.4 million dollars to house, institutionalize and treat the family of deviants. By contrast, the 929 descendents of Jonathan Edwards included 13 college presidents, 86 college professors, 430 ministers, 314 war veterans, 75 authors, 100 lawyers, 30 judges, 66 physicians, and 80 holders of public office, including three U.S. Senators, seven congressman, mayors of three large cities, governors of three states, a Vice-President of the United States, and a controller of the United States Treasury.

In her book, WHAT CHILDREN LEARN FROM THEIR PARENTS' MARRIAGE, author Judith P. Siegel writes that there "is a certain atmosphere and culture that is created in each family. The ways in which parents speak to each other, touch each other, talk about each other; the tone that accompanies the minutiae of everyday interactions . . . all lead to the beliefs, values, and expectations that family members share. It is the atmosphere and way of conducting everyday living that is imprinted on the child's schema of a couple. When parents value each other, are happy to see each other, and keep each other's needs in focus, their children learn the importance of marital closeness" [pp. 19-20]. Siegel says that "belief in the goodness of marriage is established in childhood and adolescence, and is already formed by young adulthood" [p. 16]. They learn this by watching their parents.

Strong marriages are essential for strong families. Strong families are essential for rearing children of character. People of character are essential for the welfare of a community or nation.

We must train people in the art of building a homefire that burns long and hot and creates a warm and desirable atmosphere in the home.

Alan Day, Senior Pastor