Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-07-30
Christ In the Family.

We need him, first, in the sacred trust,
committed 10 us, of one another's happi-
ness. 1t is impossible to overestimate the
proportion of our happiness derived from
domestic relations, as compared to that
which comes from all other earthly sources
united, or The degree to which causes OF
domestic disquiet can neutralize prosperi-
ty, honor, and every external object OF
desire. In our out-of-door life many of us
are able 10 case ourselves in an armor OF
determined purpose, resolute endeavor,
and strenuous industry, which is proof
against petty annoyances. But at home,
this armor is thrown aside; the whole
nervous tissue of the soul, the minute net
work Of sentiment and feeling is laid bare;
every shrinking ii bre of sensibility is ex-
posed without protection, and the slightest
puncture may produce untold agony. Or,
TO vary the figure, these complex, many
stringed Tyres of mind and soul, sense and
eellng, may, out-of doors, be set ajar, and
their discord shall be lost in the wind, or
merged in the tumutuous noises of the
busy world but within close walls every
discordant note falls with painful stroke
on the ear, and its harsh echo vibrates for
hou rs, and gathers strength from reyerber-
alton.
To preserve the home harmony, we need
more than the general goodness, the cardi-
nal virtues, enforced by the natural con-
science and by public opinion We need
that Christ tune each throbbing string Of
each living Tyre. The evangelic virtues
are precisely those which alone eau mako
happy family. There must be, not pride,
but that modest and lowly self-estimate
which shall concede his due and more to
every member of the circle; not self-asser-
ton and obstinate adherence TO ones own
preference in things indifferent, but mu-
tual yielding, sin honor prefering one an
other" not the captious spirit, on the
watch for causes OF offense, but the heart
slow of suspicion and incapable OF imagi-
ming slight or wrong where none is intend
ed not quick resentment, but iorbearanee
and long suffering, in the consciousness
that, in the alterations of temper and feel
| ing to which we all aIe liable, each may
claim Tomorrow the kind construction
that is demanded of him to-day; not the
rough, curt answer, the abrupt utterance,
the ungentle mien, but the meekness and
courtesy, not to be simulated, which are
the spontaneous, everyday garb OF truly
Christ-like soul; not the selfish Incidence,
good -natured though 1t be, which quietly
lets itself be ministered to, and takes as
rightfully lis own the sunny side, the place
of privilege, the Benjamin's portion, but
the spirit of willing and cheerful service,
which claims its unstinted share in the di-
vision of every common burden, and which
never forgets that the Lord Of men and OF
angels came TO minister, not TO be minis
tered unto, and pronounced him the great
est who makes himself the least and the
servant of all.
We all know that these are the elements
of domestic peace and happiness. We who
trust that we have learned enough OF Christ
to be slved from gross sins and great trans
gressons have, most OF us, been ofiener
called 10 pcnilence and self-humillition for
ofIenses under these heads than for all
things else. Now know not how we are
to overcome these infrmities OF temper,
these easily beselting sins, except as We
emulate the beloved family of Bethany
like Martha, serve Christ in the routine Of
domestic care and duty; like Mary, have
our hosen place at his feet, and under the
word-lall of his lips like Lazarus, have
him at our side when we sit at table. We
need TO contemplate his meek and gentle
spirit, his kind and courteous mein, his
self-sacrlfice, his constant thought and care
for those around him, his genial sympathy
alike with joy and with grief till our souls
receive the image we behold, and the low
ing Christ be fully formed within MS.
Thus, and thus only, can the earthly fami-
ly grow into the similitude OF the heavenly,
and the union here be prophetic OF that
which shall make us one In the Fathers
house on high.-ReV. DR.. a. n. Peabody.