Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1848-11-23
FAMILY WORSHIP.

ThMlLl WohSt1I.
When we look upon family, when we
contemplate it, as company of human be-
ings passing through mos, solemn and
perilous trial for happiness and heaven,
when we observe there the most intimate
of all relationships, exertng, too, the most
direct and powerful of all moral influences,
when we know that nothing but The true
love Of God and Of one another can make
that family happy, that this alone can make
all duties easy and alleviate all trials, and
smo,h all difficulties, and soften all harsh
and angry thoughts, when we consider
how soon it shall pass away from the earth.
away 10 its everlasting destiny, how soon
and how certainly sickness, separation,
death shall come in the midst Of all il,
earthly joys and hopes,-we ask if nothing
of all this shall be openly and fully recog-
nized in its dwelling. That dwelling itself
is Wondering TO dust, and century or two
hence the passing winds shall bear no
sounds of mirth or grief from all its desc.
late chambers. shall no affairs be set up
there TO the hopes that are immortal, and
no voices be lifted up to the regions ofever.
lasting life 7 Tolls, and temptations, and
cares, and anxietics, and tears are in that
dwelling; shall there be no prayers, no holy
communing with The sacred page, no COM
mon, no united resort to the sources of re.
lief, and comfort and strength Youth is
there taking its deepest impressions, and i,
is going forth 10 struggle with the perils
and SORROWS of life,-lhe youth Of the i'm.
mortal is there, and it is there taking lis
eternal bases, shall not religion be lfted
up before its eyes visiby, as the great hope
of happy life, and of a blessed eternity ?
We do insist, that in some form,
or in some way, religion should be acknowl,
edged in our families more than is usually
done, as the supreme object of life, and the
only guide TO eternity. Circumstance s
never assume their proper character, things
never take their just place in our families,
till religion is thus elevated to its rightful
supremacy among US. Till this is done,
domestic life has no lofty aim; events that
are daily taking placein every family, have
no clear interpreter; success and disap-
pointmen,, sickness and health, are merely
accidents, and fulfil no high or sacred min.
islry. Is it not suitable that religion, Hea.
vens chief agent, and interpreter, and guide,
should stand thus visibIy before US.
What does the ambitious man do for his
child He SETS him tasks, he labours 10
arouse him to emulation, he talks with him
often Edirectly, and feelingly on the
point which he has at heart. Thus let the
pous man act for the great cause of reIi
gion, not doing what is barely set down
for him or what will uppease his conscience
but doing all that he can do or devise in
furtherance Of so precious and momenlous
an interest. His family. his children, the
cherished and beloved, have no such other
interest at stake as this. Honors may thick.
en- upon them, wealth may lavish upon
them its treasures, but the time is hasten.
ing to them when all earthly accumulation
and aggrandizement shall be as nothing in
their eyes: when affection, sickness, death
shall come, and they will thank him more
for one hours timely instruction, for one
word of religious tenderness spoken tc
them in some former and well remembered
hour, than for all the gifts that the fortune
or fame of his house can beslow upon them
o. then, when the eye of affection fxe.
its last, earnest gaze upon one of US, i
will no, be wealth or splendour to which
it shall turn, it will not be The evidences o
worldly prosperity that shall pass befor,
il; il will not be those images which hav,
been sci up in our households to pride, O.
the love of display; but it will be on
prayers, upon which the eye of memor,
shall nger; ii will he the sacred page spread
+ before our family; II will be the seasons o
pious communing together; it will be III,
teaching and The tender voice of parenta
love and authority that guide to heaven
Depey'