FAMILY DEVOTIONS by J. O. Corliss

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 11, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 19.

FAMILY DEVOTIONS.

By J. O. Corliss

There is no duty enjoined on the Christian which carries in its performance a more potent influence for good than that of family devotion. Not only is the actual participant benefited, but there is a solemnity attending family worship when properly conducted that extends to all who may compose the family circle, causing them to pause and reflect upon the goodness and mercy of God.

Especially is this the case with unconverted children. “All the duties of religion,” says Dr. Dwight, “are eminently solemn and venerable in the eyes of children. But none will so strongly prove the sincerity of the parent; none so powerfully awaken the reverence of the child; none so happily recommend the instruction he receives, as family devotions, particularly those in which petitions for the children occupy a distinguished place.”

We believe it to be the duty of every parent who professes to love God to see that family devotions are kept up. Says the psalmist: “Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice.” The prayers of Cornelius came up before God for a memorial, and God highly favored him for his faithfulness in calling upon him with all his house, by sending a special message telling him what he ought to do. May not God remember us also by our prayers, and send the truth into the hearts of our children and friends?

Especially should the mother pray with and for the children. Next to the divine efficiency, her influence is all-pervading, and most powerful. The characters she traces upon the heart of her child are deep and indelible, as though written with a pen of steel. She may have passed away, yet they remember her prayers. Her influence is still visible to enforce those early lessons, and mold the mind into durable form. “One thing” said a young man converted from infidelity in relating his experience, “I could never get over; that was, the pious example and conversation of my mother. When I had fortified myself against the truth by the aid of Hume, and Voltaire, yet, whenever I thought of my mother, I had the secret conviction which nothing could remove, that there was a reality in religion.”

There is a latent power connected with the devotions at the family altar, which will reveal itself at some time. Though the family may have been broken up, and scattered, yet, as the memories of home throng the mind, the morning and evening prayer circles will be lived over again, and early impressions for good will be revived, which may result in true penitence and reform. Then let every family have its altar of prayer. J. O. CORLISS.