[Is the family altar in danger of falling down in any home which the Review visits? If so, we commend to the heads of such family a serious consideration of the following experience which one of our correspondents sends us for the benefit of our readers. Your neglect may be causing painful effects of which you little dream, and which you will hereafter sorely lament.—Ed.] It was long ago that our family altar was partially broken down. I say partially, for once a day we were gathered to hear some portion of the blessed Book, and kneel with reverence before our Maker, while the voice of prayer ascended from other lips than those of father and mother. But those were sweet seasons. I love in memory to wander back to those calm, sweet hours of prayer. Many times when I have been among strangers, or even among friends where there was no family altar, my heart has turned with a yearning to home, where I knew “the family group were gathered;” and how it would comfort my heart to know that they prayed for me, the absent one. But as time wore on, there came another change. Mother ceased to join in the prayers. At first I felt surprised, but thought perhaps she would do so the next day. But day after day came and went, and still her voice was silent at the hour of prayer. Oh! how I did long to hear her pray, for I wanted to, but if mother did not pray, how could I? No, I must wait for mother, and many times I rose from my knees with tears streaming down my cheeks, went out into the still night, and with clasped hands, and eyes upraised to the silent stars, prayed with all the energies of my being, that mother might again join in the praying. But my petition, whole-souled though it was, did not receive immediate answer. It was not long ere mother was so tired at night that she would retire without waiting for prayers, and soon the children one by one left for their beds, and with anguish of heart I too would go. Sometimes father would read and pray with no one present but me, but after a little, he, too, would retire without prayer, and again the family altar was partially in ruins. Not wholly, for every morning the Holy Book was read, and father's voice was heard in prayer. But that did not satisfy me. I longed and prayed for the evening worship. When the twilight shadows deepened, often the family would all be gathered, and at such times I would linger in the room when I wished to go away by myself and pray, hoping that we should have family prayer, but for a long, long time my yearnings were unsatisfied. Dear mother! little did she know the grief she caused her child by that neglect of duty. But my prayers were at length answered, and in my memories of that home now, I see all kneel around that unimpaired altar, and parents and children unite in prayer and praise. Mothers, draw your lesson from my recital, and be not backward in performing your home duties.