Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-08
EVENING STAR.
VALUE OF THE rAx1Iy INsYrurIoY

Ns
The Rev. William Hosar. ns..or A. the
First Presbyterian Church, Bfsokl VI, date
Dr. Cox So last Sabbath morning nrescbed
on The Value Of the Family Iustftrron = ar
the Importance of elevated piety in the rsmi.
ly relation. 1t was discourse Of more thur
ordinary ability, and was listened to vita
deep interest by very large congregation
HIS text was from Psalm CT: 2, "I win walk
within my house with perfect heart'' =.
After alling attention to the relations of
the family-to the style of its iRfiuences-and
to the fact that God recognized it In a way
that shows His judgment of its vast impor-
tanee--the speaker proceeded to suggest sew
cral inferences One of these, on the Value
Of the Family Institution, appears to be SO
eninsntly truthful, that we give it in his own
words. 1t is not, said he, merely q conve.
nience where. a man has the privilege of regu.
iating mis- own table, and seeking in his own
way, his own comfort. The original idea of
hOms is fading into indistiuctness In the ex-
crtement of life. Men are toiling with cease
less vigil to accumulate means in order 70 pur-
chase home, and enjoy its repose in the
evening of life. They are anticipating but
few iele years in the place they dignity by
name 50 sacred. They have come to tank
leisure, and resources, and eicg ance, the only
component elements Of the place They are
indeed valuable, if not abused But TO secure
W W
in business. They neglect the influences that
are possible only in the home, the objects of
which will soon pass beyond their control
And when comes the time for their retirement
TO the place which they mean shall be a home.
they take to it an o'ertasked brain, q jaded
body, and habits Of tireless industry which
urft them for comfort able leisure AMI per-
sonal Improvement We are sorry the old
idea is eVanishing rF ---s .-
Other some they are, either del udsd By "a lse
philosophy, or captivated by novelty of seDti
ment, or disa6ected by an unhappy domestic
experienco-or slaves Of passion, or worse
stll, seeking by subtle methods to under mine
the divine foundations OF the Church and the
state, and to invoke the reign IL universal
skepticism, who tell Us the institution is a .o-
cial tyranny, and ask US to put il in the sham
bles, and sell its immunities nd lows, and con
straining forces to the highest bidder. They
ask US IL the name of reason ard man, 10
tramPle under foot the sole safeguard Of inno-
eenee and purity-to abrogate the only hal
lowed and redeeming organ z alton in society
to discard its educating and elevatinr innu-
ence-and to give to the accident Of preference
the thrice-slorious and momentous Office. Of
the household Out upon such network of
s)phistry-such mine of irreligion! L do
NOT refer to it here, and to-day, for the reason
that suppose those who sit in the sanctuary
are iHperiled by any such ingrained nom
sense, but for the reason that the advocates of
such theory are active and unscrupulous
and plausible. They use the press, (this is .
free country they form ASSOCIATIONS and
there are muititudes Of young men who may
be ensnared by the deceit. The most effectual
Offset TO tue influence of creed Of such vicious
pTe-emirsncc, is, first, in the culture of the
family affections, under the religious motive:
and, second. such view OF the Divine en-
dOrsemsnt Of the Institution as carrie. the cen.
viction Of its purity and wOrth--such a sense
OF the imprimatur f Jehovah upon it, a.
shall surround il with the safeguard of His
authority, and warn away the man who thinks
to put unholy haads'' TO the holiest thi1xs
But what tongue can tell the value of the
family The destiny CT the future il on its
altar. l. is the birthplace of the most gigan-
tic influences, whose sweep shall be parallel
with the stretch of eternity. There love and
truth and example may live and teach with
wondrous efficiency. There God Himself will
deign to dwell; and when the evening and
morning orisOn shall ascend, He win accent
the sacrifice, ana send down the rich fragrance
of his love to suffuse and imbuc the heart or
the true worshippsr. lie viii guard the place
with His own might, and visit with His own
presence Frcm that place 60 forth the mul-
titudes, beginning race that shall bear them
70 the goal and the vctor's crown-or perish
Ing by the way, none shall be found to heip
them. By all that is hallowed in the affee-
tOns-by all that is precious in the noble and
virtuous in the career of our sons and daugh-
ters-by all that is desirable in Cod i Bless
ing, and by all that is fearful in His frown
and just displeasure-by all that is far-reach
ing and permanent in its influence, l plead
for the just estimate of the family, and its re-
ligious power. / ask that no sOphstries be
permitted 10 obscure It's worth-that what
teachings soever invade its sanetity be ban
ished from our intercourse and our pariors
For 40 price let this institution be offered oil
the altar Of skspticism and hbertinism.