The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-31
RELIGION AT HOME. READ!

RELlGlUN AL HUME. kEADI
AN odd number of the Gospel
Teacher, Sunday-school periodical,
published half a century ago in Bos-
ton, has lately fallen under our eye,
and among various articles we find
one entitled Religion at Home"
from the pen of the editor, our now
sainted Rev. JOHN GREENLEAF ADAMS,
which urges duties and considera-
tions that are as vital as the day on
which it was written. Christian
homes and parents alive to their
duties and responsibilities touching
the religious training of their children,
are needed now and always will be
needed, no matter what other instru-
mentalities exist for religious nur-
ture and instruction. The Sunday
school and the Y. G. u, are valua-
BILE auxiliaries of our religious growth,
but they must not be allowed to take
the place of home training. John G.
Adams was always enthusiastic in
behalf of the Sunday-school land the
interests of the young people, but
he saw clearly that parental duty
was not fulfilled without religion in
the home circle, and instruction in
Christian doctrines and duties i'm
parted by the parents. twill do our
readers good to read what the de-
parted saint had to say on this sub
ject over half century ago.
MORE HOME RELIGION.
I'VE want more home religion. We
want more family affairs consecrated to
Christian prayer and praise. IL there
be any delinquency among any people.
this is one with US; the neglect Of cher.
ishing the religion of home in habitual
devotion and instruction there. If there
be any duty we owe to ourselves, our
posterity. our God, it is this of Christian
family devotion.
"No other professedly religious people
on the face of the earth have higher.
stronger reasons, urging them to the OBJ
servance of family devotion than we.
Who have such views of the paternity
of God-of the brotherhood of man-of
the great family ties which bind us to-
gether as one race, and all to the great
God and Father? What other religion
brings God nearer in his gra cious care
in his merciful dispensations? None.
We say all this and much more every
time we intimate the superiority of our
faith-its theoretical perfectness, it's
practical excellency.
Who then should go before US in the
culture of religious affections at home?
Who should be really more religious,
more devotional than we? Upon whose
family affairs should there be brighter
fires of alteration burning? At whose
tables should be sincerer and more EN-.
phatic praises offered? In what home
circles should there be truer, stronger
and more visible religious influences in
word, in example, in every day life going
oni IL we are not among the number
who have our homes consecrated by
prayer, and praise. and religious instruc-
ton, where in Religions name shall we
look for homes where these things are
seen or known? Never-never be il
said or suspected that our homes are
destitute of the blessed influences of
habitual Christian devotion. 1t will be
a shame on us-such a word-such a
suspicion. Let us see that we give no
occasion of offence or dishonor here.
Are our homes places OF religious devo-
ton? Ye who preside over the interests
of these homes, what answer can you
give? Let it be an answer of Gospel
fidelity and duty.
"Then-we need religious instruction
in our homes. This is quite as essential
as devotion. Indeed. they are insepara-
BILE. We need Sabbath -school-a daily
school for religious instruction in every
home. 1t is too common now to depend
for religious instruction mainly on the
Sabbath-school. Good as this institu-
ton may be. it cannot be so blessed and
aided as by the religious influences Of
home. 1t must be thus aided. or it will
be at best but place to keep children
from actual idleness and mischief, and
not school and sanctuary OF Christian
instruction and salvation.
"Parents-here thenis a work for you.
Elder brothers and sisters-all who can
lead the young mind into the ways of re-
ligious duty and lite-do not, we beseech
you, shut your eyes in the face of this