The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-05
HOME, SUNDAY SCHOOL, CHURCH

1t becomes the paramount duty of
the Christian parents of our Church to
avail themselves of the three fold in
strumentality of the Home, the Sum
day school and the Church to secure
instruction for their children in the
principles and practice of our faith.
Two OF these agencies are divinely ap-
pointed, and the third exists as an eff
Gent helper in the good work.
''The family" says Pere Hyacinthe,
sis the first in order of time, and the
first in the order of influence. The
influence of the Christian home is one
of the factors in the growth and pro-
gress of the Christian church. Here
are learned the earliest lessons; and
here are also, consciously and uncon-
sciously learned the most enduring and
salutary lessons. 1t is in the home that
children should first awaken to the idea
that they sustain an organic relation
to the church of God, and be taught
from the very beginning that they be-
long to God and to the Church which
he has instituted in the world through
the Lord Jesus Christ. Even under
the old dispensation this truth of the
primacy of religion was not overlooked.
Religion was first to be received " in
the heart" of the parent, and then
taught diligently" to the child in
the home.
Parents should remember that from
the time that God first sends little
child into their home, that there is an
'saugel in the house." The child needs to
be cared for, nurtured and directed in
the way of religion-the way Of happi-
ness, peace, prosperity. We are to re-
member that Christian instruction is
the chief fundamentally to this end, and
generally it is the case that childhood
will be found to respond beautifully to
every effort that comes from the pa
rental heart. The associations of a
and gentle virtues that belong to it, all
have their influence in molding the
young soul, and making it strong for
all the future. These childhood years
have an untold influence in determin-
ing future destiny; and it is by paren-
tai effort, watchfulness and care, that
the highest results of life and charac-
ter are chiefly attained.
We are assured by all past experience,
that religious example and precept in
our homes will yield blessed harvest
in all after time. We also know that
neglect here in the work of religious in
struction will be fatal in the church, the
Sunday school, and in other depart
ments of human agency.
John Ruskin we'll and earnestly says,
and it is the duty of parents to give
wise heed to his words: 1.-THE whole
principle of youth is one essentially of
formation, ediication and instruction.
There is not an hour of it but is tremh-
ling with destinies not moment of
which, once passed, the appointed work
can ever be done again, or the neglected
blow struck on the cold iron. Take
your vase of Venice glass out of the
furnace, and strew chaff over it in its
transparent heat, and recover that to its
clearness and envied glory when the
North wind has blown upon it; but do
not think to strew chaff over the child
fresh from Gods presence, and to bring
heavenly colors back to him, at least in
this world"
Henry Ward Beecher has also finely
said: ga child rightly brought up will
be like a mellow branch which, broken
off and touching the ground, at once
takes root. Bring up your children so
they will root easily in their own soil
and not forever be grated into your old
trunk and boughs."
1t is for this reason that any view
Of church or Sunday-school instruction
that overlooks the home, is radically
defective. The school is to supplement
the home teaching, and to prepare for
the church responsibilities. But the
home is at once the church and school
of childhood. Here the first lessons are
to be taught and the primary principles
impaired. We cannot fail of our duty |
here and fulfil our duty elsewhere. Our
Christian duties begin in the home.
Whatever we do for our children out
side of its sacred precincts is supple