Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-01-28

journed, erected affairs to the Lord, and
calledupon his name, taking special care
to prevent the clandestine practice of idol
airy in their households, walking in the
steps oftheir great pregenitor, and receiv-
ing similar tokens of the divine approba-
ton; of Job, whose constant practice was,
when his sons had Toasted, to send and
sanetify them, offering sacrifices accord
ing to the number of them all l.; ofJoshua
who, with becoming decision OF purpose,
resolved that whatever his eountrymen
might do, he, and his lease, would serve
the Lord and OF David, who returned
from the public WORSHIP of the sanctuary,
to bless his household These instances,
if | mistake not, are enough to show that
famll Y worship aoas maintained by the
saints in those remote ages,-and that the
practice rece1red the appreciation of keav-
en-. But if this be admitted, then it can
not be doubted, that, to act in a similar
manner, is both the duty and privilege of
christians.
In fact every precept, whether found
in the Old or New Testament scriptures,
which inculcates the religious instruction
and training of chiEdren,-seems to imply
an obligation on the part of the parent to
exemplify in his orm conduct, the pie
ty which he would teach to his child
to Ieai the 9ray in daily exercises of hum
bic acknowledgement, thanksgiving and
praise, to the benevolent author of all
good and earnest v to implore the divine
blessing upon his efforts to bring up his
child IN the nurture and admonition of
the Lord.
The obligations of christians to sustain
the worship of God in their families, if
they haze families, may farther be argued
from its fitness. Every consideration by
which the reasonableneSs and propriety
of prayer in general, can be made to ap-
pear, may be urged with equal force, to
show the reasonableness and propriety Of
family prayer, in particular Families,
no less than Individuals are indebted to
God for all the mercies which, as fami-
lies, they have ever received and entire,
ly dependent upon him, for whatever they
hope to receive. 1t is fit that blessings
which have thus been received in COM
mon, and unitedly enjoyed, should draw
forth common and united acknowledges
ment. Especially is it fit, that those who,
according to a wise ordination of heaven,
are indlssolubly associated in veal or in
woe,-Whose souls are linked in chains
offraternal sympathy which distance and
time cannot sever, or drawn together by
the mutual and undying warnings of pa
rental and hlial love,-shou1d be accus-
toned to look up with united hearts and
voices to God, for his guidance and gra-
cious protection. Nothing can be more
rational or consistent, than the regular
and systematic performance of this duty,
from day 20 day,-in which the christian
father, deeply impressed with sense Of
his obligations to God, gathers his family
about him, diligently instructs them out of
the scriptures, and then teaches them to
lift up their young hearts in devotion to
their God and Redeemer. Nothing, on
the other hand, can be more irrational,
and Inconsistent, than the neglect Of this
delightful SERVICE by those who have
open Y assumed the responsibilities of the
christian professor, and thereby proclaim
cd their readiness to submit to the author
ityof Christ, and in all things to be con-
formed to his will. The faithful discharge
ofthis duty, may not indeed, be absolutely
essential to the character of a genuine
disci pie Of Christ The neglect of it, may
not entirely obliterate, Though it mast
greatly OBSCURE the evidences that he is
truly born of God But it may be affirm
ed,-and the truth of the remark, | am
persuaded will commend itselfto the con-
science Of every reader,-that the chris
tan who is charged with the religious
training of one or more immortal beings,
! who are looking up to him as their natur-
al preceptor and exemplar, and receiving
/ from every word and action of his, some
modification of their future character and
destiny,-cannot entertain an adequate
consciousness Of the immense responsible
: tv which rests upon him, without being
led by it to the mercy-seat Let him bt
aware, as he ought to be, of the impor
lance Of faithfulness; let him be Convinc
ed that an error on his part may prove ia
tai to the eternal interests Of his child; O
let him feel in behalf ofthat child, the IN
utterable agony Of solicitude which nom
but a christian parent can feel and h
will not fail to perceive the proPriety o
seeking, in the presence Of those whose ev
erlasting well-being is thus in some sens
suspended upon his fidelity. the graclou
direction of that God who has Invited tn
weak to trust with an implicit reliance up
on his everlasting strength, and who ma
promised to them that lack WISDOM an
ask of him, a liberal supply.
: perceive that | shall not be able to sa,
all had intended, without exceeding tn
l limits had proposed for myself, and pei
haps exhausting the patience OF such reac
ers as prefer short articles: On futur
Occasion. if YOU please, will add fe,