Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-07-06
The Gospel for the Home.

The Bible puts forward the family as the
basis of all other social relations and makes |
its welfare essential to the prosperity of the
state and of the church Whatever schemes |
of socialism men have devised, seeking if |
possible some better basis of social union |
than the family, have proved to be deba-
sing in tendency, and temporary in dura-
ton. In like manner that intense individ- |
ualism of our day, which seems to forget |
the family and aim solely at establishing |
the right of man or of woman in their sep |
arateness is not working in the wisest way
for the elevation of the individual. Out
side of the agitation of civil and educa-
tional questions which rise from this effort
to make the unit in society-the person and
not the family there are influences at work
in the church and in distinctively religious
enterprises which tend too much in the
same direction. Men are tempted to ig
more the family and the home as the foun-
dation of christian society and the centre
of christian influence. While we would
not lessen the power Of the pulpit, the sane
tuary, the sabbath school, and the prayer
meeting, but labor earnestly to increase it,
we would emphasize the truth that the Cos
pei is designed prominently for the home.
In fact all the agencies of christian intu-
ence which we have named give their high
est power, only as they affect the character
of the family and by it are enabled to
reach and bless every part Of society. 1t
is home religion and family training which
alone perpetuate the power and multiply
the results of these institutions. The Cos
pei is fitted for the home. Its truths are
those that afford the highest sanctions to
the mutual authority and submission re-
quisite in any happy household. It's law
of love enforced by the example OF Christ
: and finding expression in his divine direc-
, ton, Whosoever will be chief among YOU,
let him be your servant" is the noblest
: principle by which these close relation
ships can be ruled, and the surest way by
e which the home may be made the type Of
i, heaven. Its hope transcending finite things
and fOrbidding sordid and mean aims in
0 life, brings to husband and wife,-tO pa
: rents and children. their truest conceptions
: of the end for which they are placed to-
gether in the world, and of the obligation,
f that rest upon them now.
: The great remedy then tor domestic trou
bic with its bitter and far reaching evils, il
Z found in the gospel. The great reason fo
the increase Of family difficulties even am
{ Ong church gOers and professed christians
e is the failure to apply the gospel in tn,
Il family and the home. The marriage bono
{ needs to be cemented by christian faith
" and love, and patience as well as by natu
/ raj affection, manly honor, and womanl,
/ tenderness and purity. The relation of tn
. parent and the child demands for its prop
'e er maintenance something more than tn
le interest which springs from the fact O
: birth and early dependence. The gospe
Is which recognizes and enfOrces all the du
: ties Of these relationships in the family
II the great means by which the home ma
re be purified and blessed and made foun
y tain Of beneficent influences. But oh, ho'
III many homes even of those who profess
n believe in the gospel, whence its infuenc
III is in greatmeasure, if not altogether exclu
y ded How many families in which rel
IL gion receives no exemplification in the wa
p of christian counsel and instruction, in tn
Ut way of making the home attractive and i
influence for good lasting as eternity, or
ne the way of stimulating those aspiration
u forthe Heavenly home which may strength
ne en- the hearts of young and old, and final
TX bring them to its enjoyment.
sc Reader, what is the gospel doing for vol
ne home? What can you do to make its il
a auence more fully permeate and bless yol
q home life? Believe me, nothing can atOl
wv to your family circle for your neglect, if
III the measure of your influence you do n
T. seek to have the gospel rule your home.