The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-19
For the Central Presbvterlan.
The Family Altar.

The Family Altar.
The following statement from the Mar
rative adopted by the last Assembly, is
well calculated to alarm all who truly
love our branch of the Church, and de-
sire its prosperity: With mournful uni
formity the narratives represent great re-
mlssness in the duty of family worship
In no instance do we find such general
faithfulness in the matter of household
religion as to satisfy the Presbytery send
ing its report. 1t is not too much to say
that this state of the Church is ALARMING.
If it were true only of one denomination,
it would concern US as. Presbyterians F.;
but being true, as doubtless it is, of all
branches of the Church, it should give us
deep concern as Christians The Church
universal should awake to the Importance
of correcting this direliction, when we
consider the value of family religion.
The family altar has always been one
of Gods most favored instrumentalities
for the comforting and edifying of His
people and the conversion of their off
spring. Many devout and useful saint
can trace his first and strongest religious
impressions to this source. The reading
of the word, or the reverential and i'm
Fortunate petition has sent an arrow of
conviction to the heart of many thought
less son or daughter and even the cal
lous stranger has sometimes been through
this means lead to seek the love of God
The patriarchs whom God blessed and
honored, builded affairs to the Lord and
called upon His name. The Importance
OF this part OF God S worship is shown by
the frequency of such statements with
reference to Abraham, the friend of God
and father of the faithful. Every time
he changed his residence it is said of him
that he built an altar or called on the
name of the Lord There were only two
exceptions, and how fearful the lesson to
be learned from them. These were the
only occasions on which he left a blot
upon his record. When he was driven
into Egypt by famine we are not told
that he called on the name of the Lord,
but we are told that he doubted God S
readiness to take care of him, and fell
into grievous sin. When he soiourned in
Gerar, it is not said that he builded an
altar to the Lord, but there is an account
of his sinful conduct. Everywhere else
he went, he established the family altar
and nowhere else did he walk unworthy
OF his high calling. If this be a mere CO.
incidence, it is certainly remarkable; and
almost as remarkable as the fact that
where the altar is set up in the family
now, there we find peace, love, and piety
and where 1T is wanting, there we often
find discord, hatred and worldliness.
Christian fathers know these things to
be true, and yet neglect their duty. How
strange They promise when they ded
icate their children to God-solemnly anb
publicly promise-to pray with and fol
them, and then know nothing more OF
this promise till it is read against them
at the bar of God Oh that they would
reflect on Peters words to Ananiae :
Thou has not lied unto men, but unto
God. How can they expect God to bless
their children when they themselves
show so little interest in the salvation Of
their souls.
Christian father, if you have neglected
this duty-a duty to yourself and to your
famil y-consider with what fearful con.
sequences your direliction is fraught
When you stand over the grave Of son
who died without hope in Christ, the ex-
cuses you offer for declining to take up
this cross will afford you little comfort.
and will afford him less. If you have
not the courage, pray for IT, If you have
not the gift of speech, and cannot acquire
it, procure a prayer book; but remember
that God does not hear a man for his
much speaking. If you have not the
time, take II and you will soon see that
fifteen minutes spent in this way is not
time lost. You can find time for it on
the Lords day, if on no other. You had
better lose sleep than for your children
to lose their souls.
w. r. CoPPEDGE.
If we faithfully improve the discove-
ries God gives us Of himself while we are