Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-05-18

4
Hope Springs exultant on triumphant wing"
That thus they all shall meet in future days. 4
Burns.
There is no more beautiful scene in the
Christian. pilgrimage on earth than the one
which is so tenderly described in the pre-
ceding verse. ''The gathering together,
morning and evening, of the family circle
to read the holy precepts and precious
promises of the gospel, to sing the praises
of the most High in the sweet songs of Iii
on, to bow down in humble alteration of
His majesty, and pour out with one accord
their heartfelt thanks for His many bles-
sings and seek the consultations of His in
finite grace presents picture which for
beauty, simplicity, and fervor, surpasses
all other forms of worship, and before
which all the pomp and pagentry of the
false religions of earth sinks into insignif-
icance" These daily seasons of humble
devotiOns have a softening influence upon
the hearts of the children which renders
them peculiarly susceptible of religious
impressions, and the lessons of piety and
virtue thus inculcated by the parents will
sink deep into their tender hearts, and the
good seed sown in good soil, will spring up
in after years into fruits of righteousness,
browning their lives with heavenly graces
and christian virtues Prayer is a neces-
sary element in the christian character;
and that parent who does not at stated
times bring his family under its hallOwed
influence is recreant and unfaithful to the
high trust which God has committed to his
care. By an observance of this truly
christian duty, he familiarizes his children
with the precepts and requirements of the
gospel, imbues them with a love of right
eOusness and virtue, and a veneration and
respect for themselves on account of their
christian character, which will make them
strong to resist temptation when they leave
the parental roof to go forth into the world
to battle for themselves. As Daniel in his
captivity, in land Of idOlators, when he
was beset with the snares of his enemies,
he kneelcd down in his chamber with his
windows open toward Jerusalem and pray
ed and gave thanks before his God, so
will they when dangers surround and temp
tatiOns assail, with a vivid recollection of
home and the tamily altar, raise their hearts
to God and be strengthened by his might
and comforted by his spirit. A pious, de-
vOut family, however obscure their lot in
this life, possesses certain dignity of mind
and equanimity 0ftemper founded on their
hope Through Jesus Christi of a blisstul
Immortality beyond the confines of the
tomb that commands the esteem and adj
miration Of those who are far superior to
them in the hOnors and riches Of this world
and have not the moral courage to turn
from these vanities unto the only true and
living God" And why should they not
have the respect even of the princes of the
earth? Although poor in temporal posses.
sions, yet are they rich in faith, and have
great expectations-no less than a cr0lcr
of glory in the Kingdon Of their Redeeme1
and a participation with Jesus Christ il
| all lllltIlldllCC lIdI IL luCOIfuptlbie, ait
, tadeth not away. Family prayer as a mean!
T. of grace draws Us near to Heaven and tn,
= Inexhauatiblc Fountain of purity and low,
1t shuts out ior Inc time all worldly affec
, tions and earthly interests, and opens VI
to our delighted vision the glOries of tn
New Jerusalem. 1t ascends to Heaven, a
. gracious incense, securing Gods loving
n kindness and pardoning mercy. 1t refine
= and elevatcs the affections by directin
I them to things above 1t imparts a spiri
of humility, a dependence and trust in tn
It Saviour as the Foundation and Corner
/ Stone of our salvation. 1t enables us t
= grow in grace and rejoice in knowledg
i OF the Lord. 1t inclines our hearts an
actions to cjrtue, righteousness, and self-dt
e NAL, and clothes the entire life with til
: beauty and excellence of holiness of hear
} without which no man shall see the Lor
> and dwell with him in his heavenly, haI
'e Ply home. May we then, as parents {
d children, so wisely use and enjoy this priv
:. ilege of family devotion that with u
1t "HOpe" may spring, "exultant on triumph
t. ant wings" and we too ''all meet in futul
id days" NJ. A. AMsDEN.
So. Walden, Vt.