The Decline of Family Prayer
It is commonly reported that family prayer is to-day in the homes of church-members the exception, not the rule. It is said that the statistics in this matter, in this or that congregation, if gathered would be appalling. Preachers, in reporting success in the gospel, are seen stating that they prevailed on one or two families to erect a family altar. There have been reports about the lack of religious training in homes—no Lois nor Eunice to gather the boy Timothy nowadays to her side, and instruct him in the sacred writings; no Joshua to confess aloud, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord;" no voice of parents to teach the child the way of God, when either sitting down or rising up. It is now the climax of these adverse facts that not even the simple form of family prayer is observed. Whether these be wholly or only half true, let us face them, and study them, and see where we stand as to this important matter in our households. What have we to learn, what have we to purpose, what have we to do about it?—Sel.