The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-03-29
The Departing Minister breaches
Strong Sermon.
He TALKS OF HOME LIFE
GAS for Ne and My House, We Will
Serve the Lord"
TELLS or FAMILY LIFE AND ITS BEAUTY
Rising Vote of Thanks rendered DR..
Hopkins After He Had Finished
the Sermon.

The First Methodist church was packed
on yesterday morning TO hear DR.. Hopkins
preach his last sermon as pastor. The
subject was. Religion in the Home" and
was a masterpiece of eloquence.
His text was Joshua xxiv:15. LAS for me
and my house we will serve the Lord"
Simple words there" said the preacher.
yet they constitute the keystone of the
last speech to the people which Joshua
loved so well. Family religion has almost
gone out of fashion. and nothing IS so
detrimental to the home. Mere theology
is of little use but home religion VIII be
remembered. The memory of the teach
ings around the fircside VIII abide in all
after life. Joshua was a stateman and
a politician. not such politician rs Is
common today. not one who sought Office
for Offices sake, but the higher order of
politicians, who reached up into the realm
Of lofty statesmanship. He was a warrior,
q great captain who had courage, wisdom
magnetism and strong convictions. lie
was now an old man. but strong and IN
teuectual. These words are the dying
counsel of n much loved leadar. They
suggest religion IN the home
nc nome Is the most sacred place on
earth and nothing IS comparable to 1t All
of you here today have or have had a
home. You may have wan1e~ed a thous-
and miles away. but the tension of the
home IS never loosened. Here all reserve
IS thrown aside and il is the one pace
where there is>1o restraint. 1t is SO sacred
that you may Stay its despoiler without
fear Of the law. If you wish to wake up
the tiger In man. touch mis- hone. How
beautiful the amenities of home. Here the
busy man OF toll finds freedom and rest
Men may not know him, but his baby
child does. The father is the hero of his
child. and who can measure the influence
Of the mother here? Think for mo-
ment. We fathers and mothers. how your
characters are imprcssing the characters
of your children.
Consider the family related to the state
1t is the unit Of the state. Gods order ~
that children should grow up in families
The aspiration of mothers ana fathers for
their children is Gods thought written
IN US
Religion should center in the manage
ment of the home 1t ought to control
the amuscmcnts of the home. ] make no
apology for using the word amusement.
Home ought TO be the sweetest, most at
tractive place in the world IT should
be adorned with all that taste can sug-
Fcst If we are able to provide these thrss
The world understands this, ana the saloon
with It's gilded counters. cut glass and
polished mirrors IS made attractive to en-
trap and seduc@ the uuwary. some homes
are bare that ought not to be bare. Good
books ought to be there. Keep books
out OF your home hat viii rub of the
bloom that comes to the character of
every child well taught How many boys
and girls are poisoned by bad books i'm the
home,
RELIGION should control IN the choice
at least should work. No man is safe who
is not Mt work
Religion should create ana keep alive
the courtcaies Of the home. IN some homes
are dependent ones relatives and friends
who are helpless. Sueh charges are gem
orally blessings to US. like the ark In the
house of Obedcdom.
Religion ought to preside over and
control the crises that come in the history
of families when father dies when sister
marrics. when lifes changes come. rehS-
ion should be there to hallow and bless
After the funeral. when We 80 back and
find that strange stiffness and look mp
through our tears we need the comforts
of our holy religion. No figure in the
Bible is moro comforting than that which
represents the dead and the living IS con-
shutting one family. No father and mother
who valves the happiness OF their chiidren
should look with Indifference upon their
marriage They should commit 20 cod
this great question that lie may oreer
and bless this. tho most sacred relation
of life Marriage makes % man or woman
and how important II Is that religion should
direct and control it.
"Rolieion ought TO preside Mt the birth
of children. Did you ever think of the
solemn character of this event? IN inn
mortal one comes into the world without
It's volition and its destiny IS committed
to the hands Of its parents. Let God be