Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-08-17
Current Literature.

noH woRsmr; Selections from the Scripture riM
Aedifations Prayer. and Song. for erery day in The
year. by Rer. Joseph p. Thompson, DID. Boston:
Hou0hton. AlHiH & Co. Fire hundred tpentv-eiglt
qaarto pages Nth t1enty-trO WasratioHs.
1t has been truly said that no scene on earth is
more sacred, none more tender and beautiful
than family in the act OF devotion. Secluded
from the outer world, with domestic life Of en-
tire sympathy and unity In wants, desires, affec-
tons, aims, interests and hopes, they together
recognize their dependence upon their Father in
heaven, confess to him their failings and their
needs, seek his favor and guidance, and commit
themselves in all things to his gracious provi-
dence. Together they read his Word for instruc-
ton in duty; for consolation in trial for the
knowledge of that higher life to which they as
pire; for the perfecting Of their love and joy for
the hope of that bessedness, complete and eter-
nal, to which they look forward in their Fathers
house. Together they sing the praise Of him who
brings them under daily obligations to his love
and grace. Yet service which is capable Of so
rich meaning and which should be so full OF
beauty and Of profit to all, is sometimes neglected
altogether, sometimes spasmodically observed,
and too often rendered spiritless and wearisome,
or pIofitess and modifying, by the manner in
which 1t is performed. In very many cases this
is owing not to indifference to religion, nor to
the lack of devotional feeling, but to want OF
thought in providing for the service, or want of
experience or OF confidence in conducting it. 1t
is to encourage family worship by providing facil-
tiles for conducting it with regularity and propri-
ETY., that this book OF Home Worship" has been
prepared, in the hope of rendering this delightful
and useful service more general and uniform.
The plan OF the book is simple. Each page con-
tans complete service, of which there is one for
every morning in the year. and an additional one
for every Sunday evening throughout they By
combining the service to single page that reason
able brevlty Is secured which is so important for
the younger members OF the family and for those
who have little time at their command. Indeed
a few verses OF Scripture, short meditation, and
a brief but comprehensive prayer, are much more
likely to command attention at the time, and re-
membrance through the day, than lengthy pas
sage, with comment and prayer OF corresponding
proportions. Each service consists Of four parts
First selection from the Scripture. Due regard
has been had to variety in selections from the Old
and New Testaments, and these are often brought
together so as to shed light upon one another
Nearly the whole of the New Testament is con-
tained in the book and enough OF the Old to
fairly represent 1t, both in its spirit and in its or
der and such connected narratives as those Of
Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and Moses are continued
without break from day-to-day, Second each
selection Is followed by a meditation, designed to
give spiritual commentary upon the lesson pre-
scented. The results of years of study and travel
In Bible lands are here compressed into brief
sentences, easily read and remembered. Few