The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-29
Home Religion.

"Return to thine own house and show
how great things God hath done unto thee"
the injunction of Jesus to the cured and
thankful demoniac, needs to be repeated in
the ear of multitudes of protesting Chris
tians to-day.
Modern piety is very largely an outdoor
affair. We live in time of conventions,
missiOn-schoOls, camp-meetings, lay preach
ing, and other forms of Christian effort
Our Sabbaths are packed full of-Outside re-
hgious work and church services, leaving
little chance for holy rest and retirement
and the promotion of home piety.
While none too much work is done for
Christ there is danger that with these multi
piled forms of Christian activity home rei.,
gion may be neglected. %
There are, it is to be feared, too many
like " Mr.. TalkatiVe" of Bunyan's "Pilgrim's
Progress" ga saint abroad but devil at
home, or like an old painting, which at lit
tie distance seemed to represent a holy friar
at prayer with clasped hands and an open
book before him, but, on closer inspection,
revealed lemon in his hands and punch
bowl in place of that which seemed book.
We plead, then, for home religion, for
a piety, not ike miitiaman's uniform, to
be worn only on parade, but as working
dress, to be worn at home.
Home is the place where an inconsistent
or wicked life has wrought the greatest harm.
Men are there best known and their exam
pies, if evil, work most destruction.
A child can read parents character be-
fore it knows the alphabet.
Home is the post of greatest RESPONSE
bihty. For no child is so responsible as for
his own.
To great extent it is in the power of the
parent to decide what the future character
of his child shall be.
The child is the canvass upon which the
father and mother paint their own portraits.
"I'll take what father takes, was boys
unconscious testimony to the truth of this
principle.
Parental and family ties form one of the
most potent means God uses in converting
souls.
Home is also the nearest and most prOmis-
ing field of labor.
Nowhere will consistent Christian living
and cody example go so far as there.
Many one can trace his religious life to
a mothers piety and earnest prayers.
One need not 90 abroad for fields of hero
ism and fidelity. There are heroines of the
home, the kitchen, and the wash tub, as well
as heroes of battleGelds. Many Christian
wife and mother has, in the face of OppOsi-
ton, with no sympathy or help from Christ
less and, perhaps, Incorporate husband,
struggled on, year after year, and won her
children for Christ.
And then we must bear in mind that home
life is the best test of Christian character.
Home is the hardest place to play the hypO-
critic.
"Ask my wife if 1 don't live like a Chris
tian, was the we'll put challenge of candi-
date for church membership, as he saw the
brethren were hardly satisfied with his per
sonal experience.
A.goOdly home life is one of the best
proofs of true hope in Christ. Let US
then foster "home religion" Let the family
altar be built and the fire of the daily offer
ing be kindled upon it.
Let our homes be ike the home in Beth
any where Jesus loved to be a guest; still
better like the home above.
Let kindness, gentleness, and fOrbearing
love make home more dear and precious
Make the atmosphere one of prayer and
love- Do not reserve your best looks and
kindest words for strangers, but make home
brighter by Decentralization Weekly.