The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-05-06
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
ropio For the Week Beginning May 10.
Comment by Rev. 8. II. Doyle.


Comment by Rev. s. II. Doyle.
ToPIe.-Serving Christ in our homes.-Rom.
xii, 9ls.
The injunetions contained in the pas
sage quoted above are part Of some
particular precepts laid down by the
apostle as following obedience to the
general command not to be conformed
to this world, but to be transformed by
the renewing of our minds that we may
know and do the will of God, which is
perfect. These injunctions apply equal
" to all phases of Christian life-life
in the church, in society, in business and
also to Christian life in the home.
There is no place where Christian Is
put SO strongly to test as in the home.
It is so much easier to give way to the
petty annoyances of life in the home
than when the world is looking upon us,
and there is such tendency to think
it unnecessary to be as kind and cour-
teous to the members Of our homes as to
friends, neighbors or total strangers.
This is mistake. The members OF our
homes are parts of us and of our lives,
and no consideration should cause us to
neglect those actions and attentions
which manifest love and sympathy.
In the passage composing the topical
reference Paul lays down many injunc-
lions which, if put into practice, will be
productive of Christianity in the homo.
1. Love. ''Let love be without dis
stimulation. Love comes first, because
it is the primary grace out Of which the
other graces commended naturally flow.
Love is to be without assimilation
that is, without hypocrisy. 1t is to be
sincere and true, and not to consist Of
words merely. To serve God and Christ
in the home there must be this pure and
sincere love. How much joy and happi-
ness and peace abound when there is
| love at home.
2. Kindness. "Be kindly affectioned,
one to another" (verse 10). The word
here used expresses the affection that
exists between parents and children.
Kindness is love in action. 1t is the
manifestation of love- In many homes
there is love, but it is not manifested.
The husband loves his wife, children
love their parents, but there is an alb
sence of those little nameless deeds of
kindness which speak Of the love in the
heart There should not only be love
in the home; it should be manifested.
| 8. Hope, patience, prayer (verse 12).
These graces seem intwined together,
and if found united in home will
without fail bring joy and blessing to it.
4. Sympathy. Rejoice with them
that do rejoice and weep with them
that weep (verse 15). How lovely is
genuine sympathy in the homel How
much like Christ is the one who feels
the joys and sorrows of his loved ones
as if they were his own
5. Unity of mind BE of the same
mind one toward another" Verse 16).
How essential is unity of mind, one
ness in feeling, interest and object, to
the happiness Of the home.
6. Peace. Nothing so beauties home
life as peace. Nothing SO mars it as
strife, disoord and contention. Let us
study the things which make for peace
in the home.
Bible Readings Gen. vii, l; Mark
tx, so; Rom. xiv, 1419; Cor. i, 10;
Phil. ii, 10; Eph. iv, 81, 3d.; v, 1; Col
iii, 1896; Tim. i, 8; v, a; Titus ii,
10; Heb xiii, /; l. Pet. j, go; iii, 8,
| q. iv 8 O.