Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-09-27
From the S. G.. Herald.
THE DUTY OF FAMILY PRAYER.

1t is truly to be regretted that the duty of
family prayer, which is so plainly taught in
the word of God, anu the faithful atten-
dance upon which is followed by such hap.
py results, is so frequently neglected by
heads of families, who profess to be living
for the glory of God. 1t is true that there
is no positive command inthe sacred scrip.
lures enforcing this duty; yet there are so
many illusions to it as at once to show
that it is duty, and that its performance
cannot be omitted without shining against
God. "Pour out" says the prophet Jcre.
miah, "thy fury upon the heather that
know thee not, and upon the families that
call not upon thy name." And Solomon
remarks, "The curse of the Lord is in the
house ofthe wicked; but he besseth the
habitation of fthe just"
When the writer's of the Bible. under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit invoke the
the "fury" of God, or pronounce his
"curse" upon families of a certain charac-
ter, we may well suppose that it means
something. We need not seek for a bet.
ter proof Of Gods being displeased with
them and of the fact that the conduct for
which they are thus reproved is grevious
sin in the sight of heaven. Reflect for a
moment upon what is implied by the fury
and curse Of God being poured out upon a
family. 1t does not necessarily imply that
they are doomed to poverty and want, nor
that their habitations are to be consumed,
or their temporal comforts taken from them.
They may live in magnifcence, their hou-
ses may be adorned with the most costly
furniture, and their table spread with the
richest luxury; and yet with all this the
curse of God may be upon them. Nay,
these apparent blessings may prove in the
end to be awful curses. Their very "ta-
bic may become snare, trap, and a
stumbling block, and a recompense unto
them" In their troubles and distresses they
may have neither comfort nor alienation !;
they may have no God to the protection of
whose mercy they can fly. Enjoyments
may be within their reach, yet they have no
relish for them. They may possess health
and strength, and yet be strangers to peace
of mind, and substantial happiness. But
why mention these things! What can be
said to convey to the mind a more terrible
idea of their wretchcd condition than that
the fury and curse of God are upon them /?
We therefore conclude that the neglect of
family prayer is sin, and no professor Of
religion who is the head of a family can in.
dulge this neglect without giving himself
reason to doubt the truth of his piety.
1t is no matter of surprise, that the SER
wants are wicked, and the children grow up
to be sceptics and profigates in those fami.
lies where God is not worshipped. How
can that parent who omits to erecta family
altar, and to offer to God the morning and
evening sacrifice, expect to see it otherwise?
If he be pious man his family do not see
the fruit of his piety :-ifhe make grateful
acknowledgement to God for his domestic
comforts they do not know it: if he ask
God for the blessings of his pardoning
grace to rest upon the members Of his
household they never hear him; and ifhe
be anxious for their salvation, they see MOTH
inc in his conduct which evlnces his con-
cen for them. 1t is therefore very natural
that they should look upon religion as
matter of mere formaliy, the restraints Of
which are some and indeed unneces-
sarv. NJ. S. R.