Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-02-21
Family Wcrship-Two Method

An article in the VQtchmaa and Reflect
ar, lew weeks since, on family worship, re-
called very distinctly two Incl Tents, which
occurred under my own observation, iIlustra-
ting two methods, very widely different, of
conducting this sacred ordinance.
The first incident was at the house of
farmer the season of harvest, where | was
the guest for night. The family consisted
OF the parents, two sons and two daughters
Before retiring for the evening, a chapter
from the New Testament was read, in which
each one participated. Pertinent remarks
were make by the father, as suggested by
successive verses. This done, hymn books
were distributed, and an appropriate song Of
praise sung accompanied on the mclodcon
by one of his daughters Tho father then
said tina! when Christian friends were stop
ping with them, it was their custom to OBJ
serve evening worship, after their usual
method, and in the morning ask their guest
to lead them in prayer. lie then prayed,
the whole company on their knees before
Cod, and the mother followed ia brief Pc
tition. The whole service was one Of pecu-
liar solemoity and delight. The memory Of
1t Is fragrant and efresnIng 1t transferred
me in thought, TO the days when the couse-
Grated patriarch, as household priest, offer.
ed morning and evening the family sacrifice
and incense on the domestic altar. The in
iluence for good OF such family worship cam
not well be estimated. 1t is worthy the
name-tami y worship. In the morning The
service was similar only the reading was
from the Old Testament, and the audbly
prayer was offered by the guest. | wonder
ei somewhat that farmer, in such a basy
scason, could find so much time for these de-
gOtious. But he rcckonel it The most prof
liable exercise of the day, and could not
think OF neg lectiog or shortening it 1t was
service OF the greatest enjoyment 10 all
ltsupplied them thoughts by which their
minds were fortified and directed during the
day, and kept fresh and vigorous the con-
seriousness OF Gol's presence and care Their
burdens were Zig tened, their sorrows diss-
pated, their delights multiplied, by this CON-
muGion with Christ And it seemed diff
cult to say which enjoyed it most, the pa
rents or their children.
The seco I'd incident. was also at the house
Of farmer in an adjoining neighbo hood,
at later season Of the year. There was no
worship in the evening There seemed to be
no time to bring the sacrifice, to remember
the sins Of The day and the goodness Of God
and to supplicate protection Tor the night
In the morning as soon as tho father had
flushed reakfast, and before the children
had lett the table even while they were eat
ing, he read in hasty and low tone some
portion Of the Bible. II. then knclt in
prayer, while the emily remained sitting in
their chairs, some Of them still at the table.
Christian parent, loos on this picture and
then on that. Itmay not always be conven-
lent to have singing at family worship. 1t
may not always be wise TO be lengthy, or to
occupy much time in explanations Of the
scripture read. But our family devotions
should be and may be fresh, interesting, at.
tractive, and healthy in their influence. We
owe it is our families and to Christ that
home shall be ovely place, and that in the
very centre Of its loneliness shall stand the
domestic altar.-Corr. Watchman and Re
fectOr.