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The Family Altar

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 14, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 2.

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The Family Altar

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN
NEXT to the secret place of prayer stands that of the season of prayer about the family altar. Surely there can be no more joyful sight for the angels than to behold the father and mother bowed together with their children about the home altar each morning and evening, mingling their petitions in fervent request for one another and for the success of God's work in the earth.
This is family worship. Hence, all should take part. Better let the prayers of father and mother be shortened a little, rather than shut out altogether the prayers of the children. Several short, earnest petitions are much more interesting than one long one. And here it might be mentioned that all should pray loud enough to be heard by those engaged in worship. I remember visiting in one home for several days, where I was unable to hear the prayers of some of the members of the family, because they prayed in such an undertone that it was impossible to catch what they said. This is something that should be avoided. The children should be taught to pray distinctly.
The family altar is the appropriate place for praying one for another. The mention of the names of the children in fervent prayer by father or mother touches a very tender chord, and may be the very band to hold them in some hour of temptation. O, we get so cold, so formal, so far apart, right in the home circle! Why do we do it? Those we love most we often treat more coldly than some distant acquaintance. Often young feet begin to stray right at this point.
A conference worker, on visiting one church, seems to have been touched by a scene at the home of one of the brethren; for in reporting his visit, he writes: “It did my heart much good to hear the prayers of Brother —’s children. There were five, and each one prayed in his own childish way. The angels of heaven are pleased to listen to such prayers. The question came to me. What makes all these children so anxious and willing to take part in family worship?This is accomplished not so much by precept as by example. It seems to me that we lose much by not teaching the children to pray while they are innocent. The youngest of these children is a little over three years of age, and she never forgot to mention Brethren — and —, because she knew they were workers for Jesus.”
About the family altar, victories can be gained that may mean eternal life for the children, and also for the parents, in the kingdom of God. “The father who is the ‘house-band’ of the family, will bind his children to the throne of God by living faith. Distrusting his own strength, he hangs his helpless soul on Jesus, and takes hold of the strength of the Most High. Brethren, pray at home, in your family, night and morning; pray earnestly in your closet; and while engaged in your daily labor, lift up the soul to God in prayer. It was thus that Enoch walked with God.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 616.
No amount of outside piety and labor can take the place of this home service. God grant we shall do this work while it is possible, before the hearts of the children become estranged from their parents. The Spirit of the Lord is waiting to unite in this good work; for just before the end the Lord has promised to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers. Let the fires on the family altar be kept brightly burning every morning and evening.
Takoma Park, D. C.