The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-10-25
TIE BIBLE AT HOME.
rY EBERT S. PORTER, D. D.

An eminent physician of Brooklyn one
Q said to the writer that he could almost in
variably tell when he entered house, whethe
: tae bIblo was there as an educator or not
For the reasons on which the conclusions o
the medical observer rested, we need no
stop to conjecture. They are PLAIN, many
and selfdemonStrating. In household
whether rich or poor, accustomed to tina
quiet, daily culture which is derived from tn,
Word of God, there is an atmosphere Of
vital charm quickly felt by all who breathe
it. This is surely fact which asserts it,
presence in all the several grades of society
and testiGes to the operation of common
cause producing like effects, notwithstanding
diversitieS among individuals and families.
The spirit, manner, and department of the
household wherein God is revered will be
distinguished by chastened, refined, and
courteous dignity--by self respecting at
tention to what is due all around to kindred,
friends, or strangers. 1t is impossible to
fail in discerning the difference between a
home over with Christ has thrown the sun
shine of His favor, and one wherein worldli-
ness, fashion, and frivolity may reign. No ad-
vantages of mere literary training, no culture
of art nor of science, no commerce of man
ners in high social life can secure to persona
character so rich grace as may be derived
from daily study and habitua regard of
the Bible. 1t is book Of laws, of precepts,
and of examples whose spirit touches every
element of human nature, enlargeS the un-
derstanding, strengthens reason, enthrones
conscience, purifeS motives, and fills the soul
with affections which delight in whatsoever
is good or beautiful.
Useful and even indispensable to proper
government of the household as the Bible is
known to be, still it is to be feared that for
many reasons it is not studied at home as it
should be. f., Parents think they have not
time to read it to their children. Children
see that<t is neglected by those who affect to
regard it. Religious instruction which should
be part of the home life is thus often left
to the Sunday School, without inquiry as to
what is there taught, and the result is in a
general way, a mournful ignorance of the
sacred Scriptures among those who should
know them like Timothy from their "youth
up" 1t chanced the other day to come
within our knowledge that young gentle
man passed his majority distinguished for
his zeal in the Sunday School, and in a
Christian Association graVely inquired of an
audience he was addressing, if any one would
tell him "whether or not the book of Heze-
kiah came before the Psalms?" He is a
very active, very fussy, quite prominent
member of an evangelical church. How
much can he know of the Bible from personal
reading? With what superficial qualifications
does he assume to teach it? We doubt
whether the instance of pretentious ignor-
ance Just cited stands alone. We have heard
of so many cases of shocking mistakes made
by teachers in Sunday Schools, that we have
come to fear lest the young people of our
day, through neglect of the Bible at home,
and inadequate study in Sunday Schools
may grow up to be nominal Christians and
real heather wOrshipping they know not
what.
The revival which our nation needs is in
the home-life, which shall restore the Word
of God to it's proper place in the knowledge,
affections, and conduct of parents and chill
dren. Our entire educational system, with
all its costly endowmentS and comprehensive
aims must fail in the due development of na-
tional life, unless there can be home cul.
ture resting on the sure oracles. II nnAd
not be said again, but it ought to be remem-
bered that the home-life is the deepest,
strongest, and most lasting in its effects
Its defects may be partially overcome by
public methods of instruction, but the In
grained character is the product of the home
We have nothing here to say against the me-
chsnical and conventional devices to which
the present age is given to secure popular re
spect for Christianity. 1t lis however ques
ton whether lofty eulogieS and impassoned
orstons on the splendor of its branches viii
vitalize, and water, and feed the roots of any
tree. The Agricultural Bureau at Washing
ton may be Servicable in gathering statistics
of labor, but it cannot take the place of th'
: farmers, who master the soils by ploughs an(
{ fertilizers. So, whatever may be thought o
institutions, after all, the original institution
is the family. Itpreceded society, the state
\ the church, and the Sunday School. Whel
9 Napoleon said to Madame Chapone tina
: France wanted mothers" he spake as
D statesman. What the Church in Americ
o wants is home nurture, parental training
g and restoration of the Bible to its rightfu
n place as book for daily reading. The fam
Is lilies that sent heroes into the world to fgh
d the battles of liberty in the old world and
7 the new. clothed them with the armor of Goo