permanence. It
may be formed by nature or induced by extraneous circumstances. It is a
settled disposition of the mind or body, involving an aptitude for the
performance of certain actions, acquired by custom or frequent repetition.
There are habits of the body, of the mind, of action; physical, mental,
moral and religious habits. All these are included in the term home-habits.

Habit has been considered an "ultimate fact," that is, one of those
qualities of life which are found to exist, and beyond which no
investigation can be made. Habit may be referred to the law of action which
pervades all vital being. Nature demands the repetition of vital action,
and habit arises from this demand and from the manner in which it is
supplied. It is the fruit of the operation of the law of repetition of
action in all life. Hence it is, that habit becomes a part of our very
existence, and that the well-being and happiness of our existence depend so
much upon it.

The facility of action depends upon habit. In proportion as the actions of
life become a habit, they will be easily performed, and performed with
pleasure. The capacity to establish habits is the consequence of the power
given us to promote our own welfare. This capacity is designed to bind us
to that course of action which will accomplish the purposes of our
existence. If rightly used, it is the guardian of our happiness; but if
misused it will be our certain ruin. It will delight and fascinate until it
subjugate our will, and lead us on, as in the case of the drunkard and the
gambler, to infamy and to hell.

Home-habits are easily formed and established. Some kind, either good or
bad, are being established every day. They are often secretly and
unconsciously formed. All the principles and rules of conduct there
introduced become at once the nuclei of future habits. Those increase in
power and supremacy as they are formed. We see this in the use of tobacco
and intoxicating drink. These are, at first, disagreeable, and the victim
has the power of repelling and overcoming them; but soon the habit is
formed, when their use becomes pleasant, and he is made a willing slave to
them.

The same may he said of the habits of industry, of study, of frugality,
yea, of all the moral and religious acts of the Christian. It is easy to
form such habits in children. Evil habits are more easily established,
because we are naturally inclined to all evil; and when once formed, no
parenta