Family Worship

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1911

THERE is probably no mistress of a household who has not felt uncertain about asking guests to join in family worship. Every one has acquaintances she would not hesitate to ask to the table, but would hesitate to ask to the home altar. Perhaps the reluctance arises from a dissimilarity of creed, and a fear of offense in consequence. But the diversity of the creed is no bar. Prayer has nothing to do with creeds. Prayer is the universal religion, and men of every creed and men of no creed may meet together at the feet of our Heavenly Father. The reluctance arises more likely from that weak shamefacedness which too often prevents sympathy between friends on spiritual subjects. They are afraid to be misunderstood, smiled at, criticized. This latter idea is one which even good and great men have not always met bravely; for when Dr. Fuller once had some guests of great quality and fashion, God-fearing as he was, he omitted his family worship on their account. This act, which he bitterly repented, he designated as “a bold bashfulness, which durst offend God, while it did fear man.” But we should remember, with the grand old preacher, that our guests, though they be ever so high or rich, are yet by all the laws of hospitality below us while they sojourn under our roof; therefore, all who come within our door should also come within our household customs and discipline. If they sit at our table for meat, it is but kind and right that they should also bow at it in prayer. — Ladies’ Home Journal.