The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-06
URGES / Revival Of
W0asH|f N THt: HONE
Religion at Home" Is Theme OF Rev
G. w. NJ. Taylor In West End
Methodist Church.
CORRECT ESTIMATE
..Ibe Dye OF Homo Communion VIII
Not Rub on" says Preacher.
Christian FAthers aud Mothers Must
Be Men and Women Of Prayer.

of a very effective sermon preached
in the West End Methodist church by
Rev. G.. NJ W. Taylor pastor. sun
sday morning. That home is the foun-
tain head OF faith was stressed by the
preacher. who urged his congregation
to a revival of worship and COM
munion with Christ at home. In part
Mr. Taylor said:
The scene at the cross gives a
beautiful picture of hometies and the
tender relationships incident thereto.
The three Marys stood by with aching
hearts and tear-dimmed eyes. while
the son Of God pays the awful price.
Then said He to the disciple: Behold
thy mother. And from that hour that
disciple (John) took her unto his own
home.'-(John 1920.
what a home that must have
been, What forbodings and waitings
and prayers and expectations in the
home of this disciple, during the days
following this scene, one can only
imagine Not because the mother Of
Jesus was there. Nor was her pres
ence any more than any other cody.
trusting mother. She had no peculiar
virtue beyond the sanctity of her holy
motherhood. as any other mother may
have. The fact is Significant. however,
he took her to his own home. because
here we see home-ties hallowed and
blessed with a peculiar sense OF the
divine. as John shares his shelter and
bread with Christ's own.
Communion with Christ In the
home Ia the best OF all Worship in
the congregation has its place and in
spiration. The assembly OF the saints
in the sanctuary is not to be forgotten,
nor its spiritual value overlooked,
rxf
worship in the home. Home Is the
fountain head Of our faith. Its life
giving stream flows fresher and clear
er here than anywhere. When home
is hallowed with the presence of God.
there IL no spot that affords sweeter
communion. Men carry with them
the religious coloring the home has.
The dye Of home communion will not
rub off so easy. not even In the rough
iolts OF public life. amid the sneers
and criticisms Of our faith.
Johns home must have been
Well ordered home. home wherein
we fnd divine authority, where the
words OF Jesus were law and gospel,
All that He had said and done was
honored and reverence6. A home
regulated by TIE dictum of Jesus
Here is where so many modern homes
fail A lack Of authority. when will
our Christian parents hang on the
walls OF their homes the literal words
OF Jesus for children and household
to follow"
Then. what examples OF faith and
religious virtue one could have found
in that home OF his loved disciple.
Home example is thing unknown
elsewhere. Your public prayers fall
fiat. unless they are backed hv life
- ri Sunday rntipfar a
discounted at church. unless & stands
on the solid foundation of everye day
religion at home. Children and ser
wants give more correct estimate OF
your religion than mere scauaintances
and passersby What have they seen
in thy house
Home piety We are never nearer
heaven than we are in our homes.
This was Johns best to offer, He took
the mother OF Jesus from the sight of
the awful tragedy of the cross, to his
own home. Happy Is the man, who
finds in his home retreat. when
burdened beneath the awful load OF
sin and sorrow. place made holy
with divine associations, where the
profsne is shut outside. Like the
home of Philip Dodridge whose
mother taught him the command
rnents from the old Dutch tile AROUND
the fireplace, or the home of John
Wesley. where household duties never
usurped the morning prayer and song.
There are some things necessary
for home religion:
Our Christian fathers and mothers
must be men and women of prayer,
Here was erected Gods hrst altar.
Chris. was worshiped il homes before
church edifices were built. The great
need OF the church today. is more
prayer in the home The indifference
to the gospel OF today. In largely due
to the lack OF PRAYER in the home.
Our parents must be men and VIC
men OF faith. You wonder what will
be the exact religious standing of that
son or daughter. The index finger
points to the answer, Look at your
own faith. Has IL shone ont with q
bright. clear light? Have you rung
clear in your convictions or has your
faith been cloudy and dull and un-
certain? A myth. a mere shadow Of
belief. Your boys faith will hardly
he stronger than yours. You mock
at religion. He will do 1t more in
tently than you. Your uncertain
sound may be the seed sown. that will
spring UP In him, harvest OF doub,
ana inndelity."