Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-02-11

ed to exert an indirect, but very powerful
and salutary influence upon society IN
general. 1t follows, ofcourse, that what
! ever tends to make men more decided and
exemplary christians, and to bring the ris-
! ing generation more fully under the con-
troll OF christian principle,-must have a
conservative bearing upon society at large, |
proPortioned to the number and influence
OF those specially acted upon. And rea-
Sonlng upon this principle, from points al .
read y established we are authorized to
draw the conclusion, that the preval ence
among christians of d conscientious regu-
lar, and faithful attendance upon family
worship would be highly promotive of
order, good morals, and religion in gener-
al. And facts justify the conclusion.
We have seen that family worship was
ancient ~ practised, and honored with par
ticular tokens of the divine appreciation;
that it is perfectly reasonable and proper
that we, in like manner, should acknowl-
ed ge past favors with thankfulness, and
humbIy ask for future blessings; and that
the custom of doing so, aside from the as
sured expectation that every prayer offer
ed in faith will bring back its answer of.
peace, is calculated to promote the comfort,
to heighten the piety. and advance the best
Interests, both of parents and children, and
finally of those within the sphere Of their
personal influence. Yet in the face of all
these reasons why this duty should be
done, it is possible that some protested
christian who reads these remarks, may
be Inclined on the ground of some plausi-
BILE, but unreaI objection, to hold himself
cXcusable In its omission. Lestthis should
be the case, let me notice some ofthe OBJ
Jectlons not untrequently urged.
Objection lSt. Want of time" But
can 1t be that a christian offers it ?-that
one whose understanding has been enlight-
cned by the spirit Of truth, and who is
aware otthe comparative insignifcance of
earthly pursuits, should be reluctant to re-
deem from them thirty minutes per dag,
to be devoted to the souls momentous in
terestS2 What not thirty m5nutes for
the religious instruction of your children,
who must die,-you know not how soon,
and who must Lre Jorerer! Not hirtv
minutes for communion with God, and
ChrlSt-tor the service of him who devot-
cd h1rty gears to painful and assiduous
} labors tor your benefit2 1t is not the plea
of christian. None but confirmed and
determined ecorldLlng, could urge it with
: out blush. If there We're any diSpOsi
, tom to worship God, the time might easily
; be gained by a trifing increase of dill
! gence from the hours of business; or it
, might be deducted from those of Sleep
} But, in fact, no time is lost BY this SERVICE
t For the habits of method and punctuaItv
e IN O;hCr matters which IS cont acted By a
q regular attendance upon family PRAYER, at
= d fixed and certain hour, is more than
Il equivalent for the few minutes thus appro-
S priated.
!, Object on md Want of ability. -
= This is far more likely to be found rea
E sOnable thanthe other. Cases unqucstion
Il ably mag exist, of christians who do not
Il possess the requisite talents to lead in fam
: lily devotion; and if the director can
5, show that he belongs to these, he ought
e most certainly to be excused. But before
|, any presume to avail themselves ofthe sup
! posed indulgence, let them inquire, def
l. nitely and exactly, what amount of talen
IS requisite, in order to pray, In making
If the estimate it should be remembered tina
e God does not require US to come before
y him with fine display of eloquent words
T. The object is not to play the orator, bu
/! simply and honest y to confess our SINS, t.
acknowledge his goodness, and to impor
Of his grace. The onl y qualification neces
of sary to pray acceptably, is an humble
II penitent and grateful heart; and in add
or ton to this, nothing more is necessary t
tie enable us to pray r0c0lly, and in the pres
O, sence of others, than the power of express
a ing our feelings, Thoughts, and desires, il
e. Ineligible rOrdS. No man, therefore
ii who is possessed of reason and speech, cal
nc with propriety plead the want of ability a
n reason for neg Letting family worship.
p But some may perhaps imagine, tina
y although God has given them the necessa
E. ry talent to perform this service, and al
U.s. though no possible objection can exist 70
It. want of time, yet they are cxcuSabIe, o.
MS account of something pecuIiar Y trying i
to their domestic Circumstances. An unCOr
nd verted wife, a profigate, unduhful, ali
SIX scoffing son, or the occasional presence
y, perhaps of skeptical relative, or frienc
ii may seem to them a sufficient pretext 70
al the total neglect, or at least the temporar
fly suspension of family worship. In rela
lat ton to all cases of this kind, it is enoug
n to say, that the christian ought to entertai
ng far higher regard for the authority
pt- God than for the sinful prejudices of men
ire and to go decidedly and unhesitatingI
he toraoard in the discharge of duty, howeve
ar painful and embarrassing it may be to h
or own feelings, and however it may tent
ng las he is apprehensive,) to sink him
al the estimation of others. But this Wi
eSS Ordinaril,, he found a ooiet1ko FaIthf