p. 123 | Family Devotion

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1856

Family Devotion.

Of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it was said on their removal from one place to another "there be builded an altar unto the Lord." Of Abraham, God himself said, "I know that he will command his household after him." Did God overestimate his character? By no means. See how he trains up the youthful Isaac; and how earnestly he prays, "O that Ishmael might live before thee!" Witness also the piety of Eliezer his steward. How earnestly he prays at the well for the guidance and blessing of Almighty God. Whence did this man learn his religion? How comes it to pass that he prays to the only true God? Where, but in Abraham's service?

Isaac, too, showed himself to be a man of prayer and true piety. View him walking in the fields at eventide for meditation and prayer. In later years, when Esau had married two ungodly wives, (this act was "a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebecca,") contrary to all their prayers and instruction. To many professed Christians in our day, this would have been no grief at all, provided the young ladies had each possessed a fortune. It would have been cause for joy. Why is this? Why should a patriarch under that starlight dispensation show more ardent love to God and true concern for his children, than a Christian now, living under the full blaze of Gospel light? Their concern was not to be thought religious but to be religious. The piety they possessed was daily strengthened by their secret prayers and family devotions.

Of Job it is said, "when the days of his sons' feasting were gone about, Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings, according to the number of them all; for Job said, it may be, my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually." A high encomium is this truly. And yet the Holy Ghost has thus been pleased to dignify the character of Job. His religion came not by fits and starts, not like some streams which swell and burst their banks and carry all before them; then sink down so low that the weary traveler can scarcely slake his thirst. The religion of Job was more like the river, deep and wide, which flows noiselessly along, refreshing and fertilizing every region through which it passes, until lost in the mighty ocean. His piety was regular as the rising sun. Thus did Job continually.

Ought the piety of Christians now living to be of a lower grade? Should they neglect to command their households after them? Are they to be less concerned than were these patriarchs? If they needed prayer continually, how much more do we? They honored God in their families; God honored them with his presence and blessing here.

This train of thought has been suggested from the fact that a large number of professed Christians wholly neglect reading the Scriptures and praying in their families. Others attend to this only once in the day. Some, only occasionally; they put it aside for any little business which seems to interfere. Others, again, avoid it when visitors or strangers are present. Is this right? Is this the way to train up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? Who can wonder that so many children of religious parents go astray, and dishonor and disown the religion of their fathers? If these things be done in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry? If the professed disciples of Christ treat this matter lightly, what may we expect from the world! If the salt lose its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?

This duty of constant, regular family devotion is no unmeaning service. Neither is it one we can throw away and take up at pleasure. It is equally binding as public worship. Does the latter increase our knowledge of Christ and his will? So does the former. Does the latter cause our hearts to flow with love to our fellow Christians? So does the former. Does the one bring heaven and its joys to our souls? So does the other remind us of the whole family in heaven and earth.

It is enjoined on Christians "to show piety at home." How can they do it, when there is no altar erected to God in their households, or when the altar is thrown down? The God of Israel commanded his people to follow him fully. Does Christ require less of the Christian? His words are, "Except a man take up his cross daily, and follow me, he cannot be my disciple."—Journal and Messenger.