The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-02-13
From the Belfast Witness.
Family Worship.


of which the Rev. ]. Oswald Dykes, D.
D., was Convener has been issued by
the Presbytery, with direction to the
ministers to read it from the pulpit on
the Lords Day, and with recommends
ton to them, at the same time, to preach
on the subject of family religion:
Dear Brethren,-We are moved bv
our care for the preservation of family
religion amongst us, and for the spiritual
welfare of your households, to address to
you a few words on the duty Of family
worship.
You are not ignorant how very bene-
tlclal this custom of assembling together
the members of each household at the
hallowed hour of morning and evening
prayer has proved to be in the best days
OF our Church Many among you can
doubtless recall with deep thankfulness
those early impressions which were left
upon your own hearts when as children.
you listened to the Word of Life at the
lips of parents now with God, and Joined
with them at the family altar in the
grave sweet melody" Of praise, or in
lowly and fervent supplication. Such
daily acts of devotion to- God in every
Christian home are so manifestly becom-
ing, dutiful, and helpful to family life,
that we cannot note without serious con-
Germ, the increasing hindrances put in the
way of their observance by the business
and social habits of the present day. 1t
becomes every year more and more diff
cult tor any of us to collect our house
holds either for morning or evening wor-
ship with the regularity which is to be
desired. Some fathers have to leave for
their work too early; some return from
it to late Both public meetings and
private social engagements are often pro-
longed to such an advanced hour in the
evening as to interfere with this duty.
In many families the young people leave
home at an earlier age than used to be
the case; and there are even homes in
our communion where the mere physical
overcrowding, with the absence of room
and quiet, seems to forbid the enjoyment
OF such a sacred service.
1t is because we are all aware of these
difficulties that we deem it right to urge
upon all OF you an earnest and prayer
full consideration of your personal duty
IN this important matter. Many of you,
no doubt, do at present secure a fixed
time for its faithful and profitable dis
charge. There are probably others who
might quite easily do so were they sufi-
GENTLY alive to their obligations. In the
case OF not few, however, some effort,
some sacrifice, and some ingenuity are
called for in order to make its observance
at regular intervals practicable. Such
heads OF families would do we'll to strive
so to adapt their housekoA arrangements
as to attain this object, since the benefits
which would accrue from it to the chill
dren, to the domestics, and to the general
tone OF family life, are quite enough to
repay very considerable pains and effort.
In very few instances will it really prove,
on trial, to be out of the question.
Daily prayers are of course to be at
tempted whenever possible. In any case
the exercise ought to be brief. But it is
of consequence that it should be regular
and punctual. When circumstances alb
solutely forbid It's daily observance, either
morning or evening, it is better to have
1t at less frequent intervals (say even
once a week. than not to have it at all.
In the absence Of the natural head of the
house, 1t is much to be desired that the
mother or grown-up son or daughter
should conduct it, wherever practicable.
Ordinarily, it need not include more
than psalm or hymn (when anyone can
lead), a brief lesson from Holy Scripture
will be selected, and short but pointed
prayer, which is better not to be read,
unless that be unavoidable. Musical
praise is specially to be recommended as
part of the exercise where there are
young children. But whatever your own
judgment may prescribe to be in your
case the most judicious method of con-
Quoting worship, the essential points are
that it be hearty and devout, and not too
formal-a real warm utterance to our
Father In Heaven of our common thanks
and common desires in the name Of our
blessed Advocate on high.
So conducted, with humble trust in the
Divine blessing, it serves to sweeten all
the life of home, to unite the family in
love, to guardthe junior members against
the perils of their youth, to support and
comfort those on whom the burden Of
domestic care chiefly rests, and to draw
down on all Of US the favor and protection
of Him who has promised to be a God
unto US and to our children, and has
said, Them that honor Me, I will hon
or.
What Christ is to Us.