The sun., 1898-11-06
A TRUE HOME.
Bishop Coleman Believes u Religious
Atmosphere is Essential to
Itc HanninasS
Its Happiness.

A religious atmosphere is so essential
to true home that it is strange the
thought of Incorporating small chapel
in every house has not presented itself
before this to the Christian world.
In most American homes room no
larger than bathroom would answer all
requirements. Its sacred character could
be impaired by a colored glass window,
tiny altar, prie dieu and other religious
emblems, in consonance with the views
of individual worshippers.
In England and on the Continent each
royal residence has its chapel, in some
instances dating back centuries, and
many members of the nobility and land
ed gentry have copied the example and
erected within their castle walls or on
their large estates private chapels for the
exclusive use of the members of the
family and the tenantry.
The idea, which dates back to the
medieval ages, has also impressed itself
upon a small percentage of those who
have amassed or inherited wealth, and
there are instances both in this country
and abroad where in the construction of
the modern palatial residence as much
attention has been paid to the chapel as
to the art gallery.
At first thought, it would almost ap-
pear that such suggestion was intended
to interfere with the prerogatives of the
Church by inviting people to worship at
home instead of congregating together in
the larger edifices. On the contrary, the
suggestion of a chapel in every house is
intended to strengthen the love for re-
ligious worship by providing link be-
tween home and church, in which the
teachings of the Sabbath may be digested
throughout the weekdays and contin-
ually suggested by the presence of sacred
symbols.
A practical beginning could be made
in this direction in the many new build
ing operations now going on and being
formulated. Plans could be altered so as
to include small chapel, and it is to be
hoped the day is not far distant when
house seekers will not be satisfied with
any house unless one room, no matter
how small, is specially constructed for
private worship
The Rt. Rev. Leighton Coleman.
Bishop of Delaware, when interviewed
on the above subject said:
''The subject upon which | have been
asked for my opinion is one in regard to
which have always felt much interest
and anxiety. l have always felt this
great interest because the matter is one
of such vital concern to all the families
of the land. 1t has to do with our most
intimate relations with God and with
one another. Family prayer is one of
the three great divisions of prayer-pri-,
vate, family and public. Negligence
concerning it in any one of these parts
is sure to entail great spiritual loss.
"My anxiety arises from belief that
there is widespread neglect of family
worship. In this respect there has been,
l fear, a marked decadence during the
past few years.
"Anythlng, therefore, that will to any
degree conduce to better observance OF
this duty as l esteem it has my warmest
sympathy. 1t is as believing that the
reservation in every home Of an apart
ment or the erection in connection with
every home of chapel where family
worship may be regularly held is dis,
tinct gain in this direction that would
advocate such an arrangement with all
m, heart. ,,.
"HaVlng at my residence at Whining
ton such chapel, can tell all the more
emphatically of the many advantages
belonging to such a building.
'0rhe setting apart of some particular
edifice or portion OF an edifice for this
purpose is a distinct addition to the
spiritual power OF every household and
to the religious education of every men,
ber thereof
II would further recommend that
every one in his or her bedroom have a
particular place where ones private
prayers shall be said when the chapel Is
not SO employed. If, in addition, a
prie dieu-not by any means costly
article of furniture-were set up in every
chamber and used exclusively in ones
devotions much comfort would be found