The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-12
FAMILY RELIGION.
BY REV. WILLIAM TUCKER, d. d.
Mount Gilead, o.

The family is divine institution.
1t exists by Gods authority and ap-
pointment. Its existence is the natural
result of mans nature and organism.
1t was provided for in the original phys
ical, mental, social, and moral consti-
tuition with which God endowed man.
1t has grown out of mans domestic and
social affections. 1t is the outcome of
the marriage relation which is a holy
relation, sacred to humanity, and of
divine appointment.
1t is Gods method of creating, pre-
serving, educating and saving the race.
1t is the fountain of humanity; the
starting point of the society of the
world. In it we first learn what au-
thority, law, and government mean
1t is the foundation of the state, and
the basis of social order, and domestic
happiness. In it civilization had its
origin and morality and religion were
born. 1t was the first and original polit-
ical and property units. 1t was the first
and earliest form of the Church, and
the State. The Father was the first
priest and the first King. He admin
istered government, offered sacrifice
and conducted worship.
Religion has always been associated
with the family. In Jewish, Chris
tian and pagan religions, the family
has been recognized as a religious Or
ganization and as having a religious
function. This was evidently Gods
purpose in the institution of the family.
1t was originally religious as well as
a domestic, social, political and prop
erty institution. 1t is naturally adapted
to fill religious mission, to give re-
ligious instruction, to offer religious
worship, and to exert religious infu-
ence. For this it should be used to-
day, and as long as it has an existence
among men.
The Church in the house or the home
is Gods plan and method of religious
education, culture, and training as
well as by the larger Church in the
world. The religious life of the family
is just as important as its domestic,
social, moral aud business life. Man
has a religious, as we'll as social
and moral nature. And this should re-
ceive home culture as well as his intel
Iect and affections. Every family sus-
tains relation to God, and this rela-
tion should be recognized and the duties
growing out of it discharged by family
worship and religion.
Every family is watched over and
cared for by God, and should therefore
as a family offer to him gratitude,
thanksgiving and praise. The family
altar should be raised and family wor-
ship established, and prayer, intercess-
ion and giving of thanks be offered by
every family, in every home. Our
children should be taught TO know,
love, worship and obey God, both by
precept and example. The Divine
Father should be recognized as the
spiritual and divine head of the house
hold by all parents and children every
day. Our home and our loved ones
should be dedicated to God in faith,
love and obedience. This would bring
God, religion, and worship really prac-
tically and experimentally into the life
of the family and the home. The di-
vine presence and influence would be
felt, the divine relation would be rec
ognized, the divine claim would be ad-
mitted, the divine law learned and
obeyed, and thanksgiving and praise
offered for all life's blessings, comforts,
and joys. This would brighten home
life, fill the family with sunshine, and
set all its movements to the music of
piety and love.