p. 131 | Religion at Home

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 24, 1856

Religion at Home

RELIGION AT HOME.—'Let them learn first,' says Paul, 'to show piety at home.' Religion being in the family, the holiest sanctuary on earth is home. The family altar is more venerable than any altar in a cathedral. The education of the soul for eternity begins by the fireside. The principle of love, which is to be carried through the universe, is first unfolded in the family.—We learn to love God by loving our brothers, and sisters, and mother. That is, we exercise the same feeling which, in an exalted degree, is to be directed to God. So that it is true in a sense more familiar, and yet more comprehensive, than is commonly given to it: 'He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?'