Family Worship Promoting Domestic Harmony and Love (2)
The household which is subjected to the forming influence of family worship may be expected, more than others, to be a household of peace.
Some notice must here be taken of a painful but common case. Human depravity sometimes breaks forth in discords and alienations and strifes among members of the same brotherhood, and, alas, even within the sacred limits of a Christian house. Harsh tempers, sour looks, moody silence, moroseness, grudges, bitter words, and alienations, mar the beauty of the circle. Hence we find slights, angry rebukes, suspicions, and recriminations. Happy, indeed, is that household over which these black clouds do not sometimes hover. But by what means shall we seek to dispel them, more efficacious than a common devotion? That must be an obstinate ill-will which not only lets the sun go down on its wrath, but carries it to the altar and to the evening sacrifice. It is hard to listen long to the Word of God without hearing the rebuke of all such dispositions. Per-adventure the very portion read may say to the unrelenting one, “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matt. 5:23). At all events, the whole spirit of the exercise breathes such an admonition, and it is most difficult to pray with malice on the heart. Forgiveness comes often to us while we are upon our knees.
Suppose even, what we are reluctant to suppose, that mutual reproaches, perverse separation, and open quarrel, should enter a religious family. To offenders, in such a case, the season of prayer must be an hour of keen rebuke. Avowedly, they are bowed down to pray for one another. The hypocrisy and impiety of so doing, out of a mind of hatred, will stare the sinner in the face and may bring him to repentance. Reconciliation, begun in the heart during moments of devotion, may lead to the restoration of peace.
Sad as is the thought, even husband and wife may be drawn asunder, and may give place to the devil. Shyness, severity, distrust, and unkindness, may spring up between those who have vowed to live together as heirs of the grace of life. But it is hard to believe that such persons, if they possess a spark of grace, can come to the posture and the words of prayer, in which they have been united so many times before in happier days, or can feel themselves encircled by their kneeling little ones, without surrendering the selfish spite, and making a faithful effort to crush the head of the viper. Conjugal tenderness, forbearance and love, are guarded by the exercises of family devotion.
Contrast all this with the condition of a domestic circle subject to the same malign influences, but without these checks and this sacred balm, and you will no longer marvel that where there is no worship, there is room for discord. The stream of unkindly temper runs on. Brooding silence is the best that can be expected. The day closes without reference to God. The griefs of the day are carried over into the morrow. Infant misconceptions and dislikes have full time to grow to stubborn maturity, and all this for want of that religious influence which would be secured by the hour of prayer.
In speaking of family worship as a means of concord, we might dwell on its influence upon absent members of the household. As children grow up, there are few families which do not send forth from their bosom some of the children to distant places. These are not forgotten at the hearth which they have left. Day by day, the venerable father, joined in silent love by the more melting mother, cries to God for him who is afar upon the sea or in foreign lands. These are moments which bring the cherished object full before the mind, and make the absent one seem to be present to the heart. Not to say that such prayers are always answered—they enkindle and maintain the fire of affection. Most unthinking or most base must be the son or daughter who should fail to prize these parental intercessions, or disregard the supplications of the brother or the sister left at home. Often, we are sure, the recollection of the domestic worship comes up before the distant youth, on the high seas or in remote wanderings. Often a secret tear is shed over these privileges of his childhood. In the perpetual fire of family worship, he knows he has a remembrancer in his father’s house.
When, after years of absence, and it may be of sin, the son revisits the home of his childhood, and when, at the close of day, the circle draws around the fireside, and that worship is renewed which he remembers so well — what a torrent of ancient reminiscence pours into the heart! Such associations have their influence even on hardened natures, and they go to prove the blessedness of this familiar institution.
But after all that we may urge, the great and crowning reason why domestic worship promotes harmony is, that it promotes true religion, and religion is love. Its mission is peace on earth and good will to men. Christianity makes the father more a father—the husband more a husband—the son more a son; so that there is not a social tie which does not become more strong and endearing by means of grace. If even enemies are reduced to amity by the gospel, how much greater must be its influence on the ties of blood and affinity! It consecrates every natural relation and exalts human affections by expanding them into eternity. Its daily lessons, constantly recurring in family worship, bear directly on this point: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church. Let the wife see that she reverence her husband. Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord:
Dr. lames W. Alexander (1804–1859)), was the eldest son of the renowned Archibald Alexander.
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Bekijk de hele uitgave van donderdag 1 september 1988
The Banner of Truth | 28 Pagina's
Bekijk de hele uitgave van donderdag 1 september 1988
The Banner of Truth | 28 Pagina's