Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-30
Prayerless Homes.

We came to believe in family worship
simultaneously with the experience of re-
ligion both the first and the revived ex-
perience. The minister's prayer that abdes
in our memory often contained the petition
that every house might become house of
prayer" and to our youthful mind, as
doubtless to the majority of listeners, it was
supplication for an object that enters into
the consummation of Christian hope aud
work. The newly erected family altars were
reported as triumphantly as the conversions,
and as evidence of the same. Likewise, the
restoration of family worship to house was
sign of return to the Lord after grievous
backslidings. So the neglect of "prayers
was taken as indicating an unsteady or un-
decided head to the house.
Why should not the duty be so consid-
cred still ? It may be in some places; yet,
according to our observation, the impression
is weakening that family worship belongs
to the class of religious duties that should
be vigorously sustained. 1t is omitted
easily, for trivial causes, and is not readily
resumed. That many Christian homes sus-
tain it we do not deny but that the major
ity do so, we have ample reasons for disbe-
lieving.
1t is easy to distinguish a prayerful from
a prayerless house. There are more Bibles
lying about, and they have different ap-
pearance from those that are unused, or
used only for Sunday purposes. Or, if
number are not required, the one family
Bible" shows the end for which it was
bought, by its wear and its place. 1t is not
scuffed nor back-broken, without evincing
the handling of a reader, neither is it kept on
an unvisited shelf, or on parlor table. 1t
does not require to be hunted when wanted.
The members of the family have different
manners and attitudes toward pious Wis
itor; they have An air of familiarity with re-
ligious things, that is in contrast with the
awkwardness and evasiveness of such as
have not been accustomed to a religious AZ
mosphere.
1t seems to be thought by some that
prayer in their homes is duty to visitors !;
a privilege, it may be, which should be Of
fered them. Such notion contains an i'm
piled confession of superiority to the visitors
piety, and consequent power with God as
also the prayerless habits of the house; it
causes children to feel that supernatural
or magical influence is somewhere exerted
for their benefit, and resides only in stran-
ger; it disparages parental piety. But if a
home is one of prayer the introduction of a
strangers voice is not Objectionable, and his
petition is often attended with good results.
1t is merely supplementary, and should not
be regarded as a substitute. Such service
should be asked for when desired, if in a
religious family Who has charge of the
worship of such family, ii not the "priest
and king" of it ?
When we consider the manifold blessings
attending family worship such as early and
lasting impressions upon children in favor of
religion, the improved personal piety of
those uniting in it, as well as the means
against the backsiding thus employed. the
assurance of divine favor upon the house
hold, ETC., there is sufficient reason for the
endeavor to maintain it, against the many
obstacles that arise, and of which we can
not now speak. We have often wondered
whether parents generally are acquainted
with the imprecation of the inspired prophet
"Pour out thy fury upon the heathen and
upon the families that call not on thy name. y
The CHASING of the prayeress family here
is quite significant. We have always felt a
degree of safety under the roof of pious,
praying family not felt elsewhere The
promise is to such not to others. But
when we are sent 10 bed, and away to our
work or journey, without looking to God fol-
forgiveness and leading, we do not feel the
security against danger and temptation tina,
we have assurance Of by means of the op
posite course. And while church-members
may maintain family prayer as formality
and be hypocritical, we will take our chances
with those who call their families together
morning and evening to pay their VOWS unto
the Lord.-Journai and Messenger.