The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-07-19
[For the BULLETIN.
One in Thirty.
By LANNTAN.

Not long since in one of cur city Sabbath
schools, visitor to one OF the classes was
called upon to catechise the young people.
There were present on this occasion, in the
class referred to, sixty scholars. We were
informed that those present represented about
thirty families connected with the church ny
either mother or father, or probably by both
parents. During the conversation with the
little ones the speaker, assisted by the
teacher, ascertained by inquiry amongst the
children, that only one family, out of all
represented, were accustomed to hold family
prayers, and that one, only, once daily
Think OF it Christian friends! but one ia
thirty families horiag duly, only one prayer
serrice. Can such an exhibit be general
throughout Zion? Let Us have light on this
subject. 1t is too important to be carelessly
dealt with.
II such should be the showing in profess
edIy Christian households the spirituality
of the churches having such members is GER
tainIy seriously threatened The pulpit may
plead, the teacher may teach, and God may
even favor Zion, but when leakage like
this is permitted to exist, it is but question
of time for the church to be drained of It's
real life in Christ, and be left dry and
parched with the whitening blight Of formal
ISM
Let the Waterman on the outer walls Of
the city Of God sound. the alarm. Give no
weak bugle blast-no uncertain souhd-but
ring out, clearly and distinctly, that the
arch enemy of souls is in disguise in the
camp of Israel. He has pulled down, and
is now laying in ruins, the Home Altar, that
sacred, heaven-appointcd shrine. Here is
work to do. The integrity Of Christ's king
dom is imperilled at the very foundation.
How true is it, that mere church religion
alone Is moclery, but home-rcligion with ii
is a union both sweet and divine. Were we
called on to designate the most serious him
drancc to the church in winning souls, and,
after winning, in keeping Thorn steadfast to
the end, we would certainly point to the
neglected and fallen Home Affairs in so
many otherwise lovely Christian house
holds
Those who have immortal spirits com
mitted to their keeping, to be trained for
usefulness here and glory hereafter, should
rejoice to have an opportunity, morn and
eve, TO carry the loved ones in the arms. Of
suppIicating faith to Him that Iovetb to
bless the little ones. How beautiful the
sight-a miniature church organized in the
family. God delights to Iinger around such
a spot, TO plant blessings. We -huddcr At
the fate OF many young converts, who. fresh
with the morning dew Of baptism Of grace.
enter the cold embrace Of home that will
chill their warm religious experience and
wither their first and earliest love of Christ.
Home, to be a true nursery, should be able
to afford spiritual warmth, succor. and COM
fort to the lambs Of the fold. These reouf-
sites can only exist in perfection where the
presence Of the Holy One abides as an in
dwelling power.
Let every home have lis altar. and keen
thereon a lire coal from the skies. YoHr
children viii then pass out into the world
with their lives mcIlowed with the fragrance
Of rightcousncss.