No. XVII. FAMILY WORSHIP. "Upon my conduct as a whole decide,- CRABBE. "I HAVE often said that religion appears most beautiful in a domestic garb. When I enter a house dedicated to the great Creator of the wonders around me; when I see there assembled a worshipping congregation; when I behold the state and ceremony of the church, and hear the voice of a professional disciple of the Author of Christianity deliver an elaborate sermon, I am too often more inclined to admire the structure, to gratify sight with the variety of strange faces, and to criticize the matter addressed to me, than to turn the eye of my soul in upon my heart, and apply the doctrines expounded to my own case and disposition. But in joining the morning or evening sacrifice of a domestic and familiar circle, the frailty of my nature is not subjected to the same temptations. Far be it from me to detract from the merit of public meetings, in honour of the Almighty and in propitiation of heaven: we strengthen each other in good intention by frequenting the house of God; it is impossible for an individual to remain unmoved amidst such agitation as the lofty and divine sentiments of Christianity sometimes causes in an assembly of the people; and any one so aroused must depart humanized, improved, and softened. No; I only seek to place my subject in that point of view which I think it well deserves. "You will, I think, agree with me, that it is a lovely sight, and a highly edifying one, to behold the father of a large family, surrounded by those who depend on his wisdom and care, invoking the assistance and blessing of Providence. A valued neighbour of mine, a Presbyterian gentleman, is daily in this estimable practice; and it is my intention to sketch the group around him on one of these occasions; for I am now on such a familiar footing, that I am not excluded from his private devotions. "Before I proceed, however, 1 shall venture to say a few brief words on the utility of regular family worship, and to express my sincere regret at the conviction that it is not so general as it is important and laudable. "When we consider that families are frequently contaminated by the introduction of vice and the indulgence of desire, is not every parent ready to exclaim with the psalmist? "Now to my tent, O God, be near, And make thy servant wise; "Surely a wise father can take no better method of preserving the purity of his wife and children than by daily reminding them of their duty to God and man, and of their frailty and liability to sin. Should any breach of harmony occur in his house, how can he heal it more permanently than by noticing it in his prayer, and soliciting every one to lay an humble head on the pillow of repose, with a heart at peace, and full of charity and love? If a rash expression have dropped from his own lips during the day, has he not a desirable opportunity of acknowledging his weakness, and doing away its effect in the prayer of evening? If misfortune have visited his dwelling, can he not arm his family with fortitude to bear the will of Providence, by an invocation to the Almighty? In short, I know of no earthly aid, by which the governor of a family can so effectually repress disobedience, quiet mental perturbations, convey admonition, deplore sin, and convey instruction, as in prayer. He may animate his domestic seminary with the light of hope, when threatened with the darkness of despair; so that if, to our eternal salvation, family worship were unnecessary, a prudent man would pronounce it indispensably requisite to our happiness and safety on earth. 66 Deeming it inexpedient, by any other arguments, to enforce what I recommend strongly to every parent and master-family worship morn |