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          "Home is the resort
Of love, of joy, of peace and plenty, where
Supporting and supported, polished friends
And dear relations mingle into bliss."

"Nor need we power or splendor--
Wide hall or lordly dome;
The good, the true, the tender
These form the wealth of home."

     THE very word "home" occupies a sacred place in every heart. It is held in reverence and sacred memory alike by all. It was there God first cradled these bodies of flesh; it was there the caresses of a fond mother, and the affections of a kind father were first lavished upon us. Home is the one place in all this world where Christian hearts are sure of each other. It is there where hearts find the focus of mutual confidence; it is there where we tear off the mask of selfish secrecy which the world compels us to wear in self

defense, and find sweet relief by pouring out the unreserved communications of full and confiding hearts; it is the one spot above all others where expressions of tenderness gush forth and find a glad response without any sense of timidity or shame.

     Home!--There is where we received the first and most important school of character; it was there we imbibed many of the great principles of conduct which have made us what we are, either for weal or woe, and which will cease to buoy us tip only as we enter our eternal home, or, if for woe, will never cease to oppress and taunt us while the ceaseless ages of eternity continue to roll away. What a launching place home is!

     There is an old saying, "manners make the man;" and another "mind makes the man;" but truer than all is, "home makes the man." For it its there the intellect is awakened and receives its 'first important discipline and direction; it is there that the heart is first touched by paternal love, and its higher sensibilities and purer emotions are inspired and developed and the character of real manhood or womanhood brought forth. Samuel Smiles has not gone amiss in his statement: "From that source" (the home) "be it pure or

impure, issue principles and maxims that govern society. Law itself is but the reflex of homes. The tiniest bits of opinion sown in the minds of children in private life afterwards issue forth to the world, and become its public opinion; for nations are gathered out of nurseries, and they who hold the leading strings of children may even exercise a greater power than those who wield the reigns of government. It is in the order of nature that domestic life should be preparatory to social, and that the mind and character should be formed in the home. There the individuals who afterward form the society are dealt with in detail, and fashioned one by one. From the family they enter life, and advance from boyhood to citizenship. Thus the home may be regarded as the most influential school of civilization." 0 what sacredness is rapt where such power reigns

     But in this we have simply considered the average home. But how the term "Christian" magnifies the sacredness of home. How exalted the Christian over the average home. How the thought that the Christ of the home above has a place in the hearts of the members of the home on earth, and au altar there, exalts our ideas of that home. Ah! such a home is heaven begun on

earth. It is of such a home and its possibilities we desire to speak in this chapter. In such a home it is presumed that its head or heads are willing "to spend and be spent" in the service of Christ their Lord and head. And hence several things are necessary to bring that home within its true sphere and possibilities:

     The words "home" and "prayer" seem like twins--where the one is we almost intuitively look for the other. Indeed a prayerless home, if at all Christian, can not be otherwise than very defective to say the least. They who have daily prayer in their homes do well; but they who daily read their Bibles and pray over them do better; but best of all is the home where the family gather around the borne altar to hear the word read and taught, and then all--young and old, children and servants--bow around that altar in prayer and devotion. What a scene for angels to witness! What scene can be more lovely on earth; what more like the home above? what more pleasing to God? than that of the Christian home kneeling with one accord around the home altar, to hear and unite in the fervent prayer to their heavenly Father. How

sublime the act of those parents who thus invoke the blessing of God upon their household! Or how grand and commendable the scene of the devoted mother (for too often our homes are headed by pious mothers, but impious fathers) gathering her little ones around her at the bed--side and teaching them the privilege of prayer. 0 what precious seed for those youthful hearts! What a safeguard against all the machinations of Satan! And better still where father and mother--all--gather at a common altar of prayer. It is that which makes home the type of heaven, the dwelling place of God. One has well said, "the home altar is heaven's threshhold." And happy are those children, who,. at that altar, have been consecrated by a father's blessing, baptized by a mother's tears, and raised to a throne of grace by their united prayer, as a free--will offering to God. The home that thus honors God with an altar of devotion may surely claim the blessings of happiness, peace and prosperity. It has taken the first step toward a veritable paradise on earth.

     The benefits of the home altar are great in number and great in their fruits. But let us be content with a brief resumé of them in the language of an eminent Christian writer: "The influence of

family worship is great, silent, irresistable (sic) and permanent. Like the calm, deep stream, it moves on in silent, but overwhelming power. It strikes its root deep into the human heart, and spreads its branches wide over the whole being, like the lily that bears the tempest, and the Alpine flower that leans its cheeks upon the bosom of eternal snows --it is exerted amid the wildest storms of life, and breathes a softening spell in our bosoms, even when a heartless world is paying up the foundations of sympathy and love.

     It affords home security and happiness, removes family friction, and causes all the complicated wheels of the home machinery to move on noiselessly and smoothly. It promotes union and harmony, expunges all selfishness, allays petulent (sic) feelings and turbulent passions, destroys peevishness of temper, and makes home intercourse holy and delightful. It causes the members to reciprocate each other's affections, hushes the voice of recrimination, and exerts a softening and harmonizing influence over each heart. The dew of Hermon falls upon the home where prayer is wont to be made. Its members enjoy the good and the pleasantness of dwelling together in unity. It gives tone and intensity to their affections and

sympathies; it throws a sunshine around their hopes and interests; it increases their happiness and takes away the poignancy of their grief and sorrow. It availeth much, therefore, both for time and for eternity. Its voice has sent many a poor prodigal home to his father's house. Its answer has often been, 'This man was born there.'  *  *  *  *  Human nature is there checked and moulded (sic) by the amiable spirit and lovely character of Jesus. The mind is expanded, the heart softened, sentiments refined, passions subdued, hopes elevated, the world cast into the shade, and heaven realized as the first prize." This is not an ideal picture, but a graphic record of a grand reality.

     Of the nature and importance of home education many Christian families have very inadequate ideas. They seem careful enough about their public school advantages--they are careful enough about the "book culture" for their children. But of that which is of paramount importance--the home, the mind and heart culture--alas for that! But God, foreseeing the danger of this neglect in the house of Israel gave them a strict charge in reference to this home duty. And we can do no

better than to read and ponder it carefully. (Deut. vi. 3-7.) "Hear, therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, 0 Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart; and thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up."

     Here two things are very distinctly stated:

     i. That parents are to comprehend and cherish these truths in their own hearts. As usual, we must first comprehend and experience that which we would impart unto others. Upon this principle our Lord said unto his disciples, "Ye are the light of the world," and then immediately added, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. v. i, 16). Let parents then first cherish the love of God in their

own hearts and comprehend the great truths of God's word, and they will be prepared for the next step.

     2. To teach them diligently to their children. In this passage we have home education in the clearest possible terms. And our heavenly Father wisely foresaw the necessity of home education even for Israel. The reason which God subsequently gave for having given this injunction to Israel was, that they "might not forget the covenant of the Lord their God, and go a-whoring after other gods." And how divinely thoughtful to place such a safeguard about the children of Israel. But if important as a safeguard for them, what of its importance in every Christian home in this time of worldly wisdom and craft.

     By home education we do not mean the mental discipline of a common or high school, or even that of a collegiate course of study. These are all essential to success in life. But no one of them can take the place, of the home. Here the education is of an entirely different nature. The feelings are to be disciplined, the passions restrained, worthy motives are to be inspired, a profound reverence for morality and religion excited, and a sincere love for God, his word and house awak-

ened. All this is comprehended in God's charge to Israel. And this is the nature of the education God would have every Christian home impart to all under the paternal roof. This, I apprehend, constituted at least a part of the discipline of the home of Abraham, of whom we have the angel's testimony as follows: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment" (Gen. xviii. 19). While this patriarch of antiquity could not take up the "law and the prophets," or even the charge by Moses to Israel, and expound them to his household, we have the testimony of the angel of his paternal discipline and its results. He could teach the people the principles and truths of the covenant into which he had entered with God. He could teach them "the way of the Lord," and they kept it, and that was enough.

     But closely related to home education is

     This is also clearly taught in the testimony of the angel just quoted. "For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him," is a plain and decisive testimony. It means

just what it says--home authority. And just as education and authority are necessary in good civil government, so in a well regulated Christian home. We cannot conceive of civilization without education. Neither can we conceive of government without authority. Precisely so in the home. But we would not be misunderstood. Authority does not mean tyranny. God's government is the highest example of authority in existence, for he sits in supreme authority. And yet the motive power of the divine government is love. "God is love." Again we read: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life." And yet we are told in the same chapter: "He that believeth not is condemned already." Here God's love and authority stand in juxtaposition, each bearing an important relation to the other in his kingdom. So likewise in the Christian home. Hence we read in God's word (Prov. xiii. 24): "He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." "What! Punish the child I love so well! O, how can I do that! He will know and do better when he gets older," I hear some one exclaim! But what an idea of

love such people have! God bases chastisement on love. "He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." Because they love the child the true parent would chastise and make it worthy of their love. Hence we read (Prov. xix. 18): "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare his crying." And (xxii. 6): "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." "The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." (Prov. xxix. 15, 17). All these passages mean authority in the home. But the basis of it is love.

     Moreover, God would make us responsible for the exercise of this home authority. Of this we have an example in the house of Eli: "Because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not," severe judgments came upon his house (see 1 Sam., 2d and 3d chaps.). Another illustrious example of this is found in the house of David. How David's heart was bowed with grief over the treachery and death of his son Absalom. And this is the divine plan, the fundamental principle of which we have given in the epistle to the Hebrews xii. 6: "Whom the Lord loveth he

chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Hence we repeat, God's kingdom is one of authority--of chastisement; but all grounded in love. But the Christian home is only God's kingdom in miniature, preparatory for the home above. Hence, the principles and motives of our heavenly Father in his great family in the earth should also become the ruling principles and motives in the individual family--the Christian home..

     But one of the baneful features of the majority of our homes is a misconception of the needs of the child in order to develop the principles of true man-- or woman--hood. This manifests itself in one or more of three ways: either

     1. The heads of the family are wofully ignorant of both the letter and the spirit of God's law; or

     2. They cherish the idea that God has given them children to be a law unto themselves until they shall have come to years of maturity, when at some chosen time, with the lightnings and thunderings of Sinai, God will come in all the majesty and terror of his power and convert them from their own to the way of God. Or, on the other hand, that he will come in all the plentitude of his infinite love and constrain them--almost compel

them--to give their hearts to him. We would cast no reflection upon any of the means of grace and salvation. But surely this is not God's way of populating heaven. For "the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Hence its need of application in the home. But,

     . A still larger class are those who care more about silver and gold, for the worldly coffers of their children, than for a title for them to the treasures in the kingdom of God. They are more concerned about the broad acres and their huts in this world than for mansions in the city of God. They have a greater anxiety about bread for their children's stomachs than about the bread of heaven for their souls. God pity such homes! What these homes need is home education, culture of mind and heart--and home authority.

     But I would, if possible, impress more indelibly upon the reader's mind these thoughts by quoting a paragraph from a paper read before the Chautauqua Assembly of New York, in 1889, by Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller: "It need hardly be said that the ideal home is religious. Its fundamental idea being development, it cannot ignore the spiritual nature, which is a breath to the clay

of all else. Its very authority and sanction are divine, and it shares with the Eternal, his fatherly function of protecting the immature soul that has not yet learned to choose the good and refuse the evil. We shall never properly estimate the importance of fundamental religions work in the home until the Protestant church takes a lesson from the Roman Catholic, and claims every child of Christian parentage as an actual, not possible member--to be watched over and kept in the fold, not lost and then brought back. As well abandon your child to indulge appetites from habits, and establish associations that will plunge him into physical ruin, and then turn him over to the physicians for possible healing and redemption, as miss the chances of laying the foundation stones of character in the home, and trust to some chance revivalist to do by-and-by your work for you."

     The key-note of the above is culture in the home--culture of mind and heart. And in the accomplishment of this education and authority are important factors.

     But with this brief consideration of some of the principal duties of the Christian home let us consider next some of
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     The term possibility comprehends far more perhaps than some may at first suspect. But we use the term for a purpose. The Christian life is represented in God's word as a growth, inciting all our capacities and powers to vigorous action, and, by the careful use of all the means of grace, stimulate new germs and aspirations, and awake dormant ones--and to elicit all the faculties and the strength of the whole man. Hence the divine command "strive to enter in at the straight gate;" and Paul (Phil. iii. 14) "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus;" and (Heb. xii. 1) "let us run with patience the race that is set before us;" and (2 Tim. iv. 7.) "I have fought a good fight."

     The prayerful student of these passages will read far more in them than is usually practiced by many so-called Christian people. And one is frequently impelled to wonder whether of those who are so content to be moved leisurely along by the press of the throng, and some, who instead of running, are content to walk, and even sit and slumber by the way, are not in very great danger of dropping to the rear so far as to lose sight of the company, and of God's highway, and left to their

ease on time slopes before Sinai's heights are reached. Some of them, at least, will be found napping in Bunyan's enchanted ground, and might do well to study the pilgrims' song for such.

     "Wherefore, let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober." (1 Thess. v. 6.)

     God's order in the journey of life is not by leisure walk, but by the rustling march whose speed is limited only by human possibilities. The question is not therefore with how little may I be content, but what is it possible for me to do? Which is the highest round in life's ladder within my grasp? This is the thought gleaned from between the lines of God's word. And with this thought in mind the possibilities of the Christian home begin to magnify in our view. But while we cannot form adequate conceptions of the possibilities of the true Christian home yet a few observations may at least stimulate our conceptions to a

higher standard. Let it be noted therefore that it is possible for every Christian home

     1. To bring its children into a thorough acquaintance with the saving truths of the Bible. We have already endeavored to impress the reader's mind with the untold work to be accomplished in the mental culture, the formation of useful habits and of noble characters. From this we need rise but one step higher, and, with the "law of God" as the great law of life, we add to the culture for the mind the culture of the heart, and we have culture for the whole man, the heart culture lending lustre to that of the mind. For the culture of the divine in man is to the rest of the man what the sun is to the world of nature. Here then we have true culture--a culture which inspires every energy and brightens every hope of man. For the law of God, as the only perfect law, is the only foundation for true culture and right living. It being the divine law applied to the divine image in man, mutual chords are touched, an corresponding sensibilities are awakened. Hence, God's charge to Moses (Dent. vi. 3-7), "Hear, therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it that it may be well with thee.  *  *  *  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all

thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children." God, by means of his word, would thus touch the hearts of his people, and call for the divine image in which they were created. And in that image to rise above the debasing standard of Egyptian life. And neither the roll or centuries nor the change of dispensations have wrought any material change in the "modus operandi" of the divine economy. The divine plan for populating heaven is by instruction and culture from the cradle to the grave. In view of this fact, therefore, comes the injunction with renewed force to all parents, "Train up a child in the way he should go," and to all Christians, "but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." It is culture and growth all the while. But the important time to begin this process is simultaneous with his career in life. Man is born with the germ of every capacity ever developed in him. God creates the perfect child from which to grow the perfect man. Hence the course of development must begin with all parts in a certain measure simultaneously. The reason for this is obvious. For one has well said, "Man's

first impressions are the most lasting." He comes into the world perfectly helpless, and absolutely dependent upon his parents or others for nurture and culture. His very condition inspires confidence in those who care for him. And this is the opportune time for seed sowing and culture. And however crude and meagre this process may at first seem, it is education nevertheless. For this is God's plan. There is a time for sowing and a time for reaping. After the sowing the seed germinates and we have "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." First, the seed planted, then cultivated, then the harvest. Thus God would have us take advantage of these opportunities from the very first. Thus mighty fortresses are reared about the children against the wiles and allurements of the prince of darkness. And let us not forget the fact that baptized children are already members of the Church, and are to be instructed accordingly. They are to be addressed, not as heathen, but as young Christians, and are to be taught and nurtured accordingly. Neither can the obligations of Christian parents be passed over to the Church, but they must be met and discharged by them toward their children in the home. Their children are to be taught the

need of regeneration, but their baptism is to be kept before their minds as the beginning of this work, and then by constant parental culture and nurture they are "brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Children should be early brought to Christ in baptism, and then most carefully and prayerfully taught the way of the Lord, and the results will be assured.

     An anxious mother once asked an eminent clergyman: "Sir, when shall I begin the education of my four--year--old child?" "Madam," he gravely answered, "if you have not already begun, you have lost all those four years." Childhood is God's time--nay, it is our time as well, to apply God's law of life. This law once thoroughly apprehended by the children, will seldom lose its grasp upon them.

     It is well to note just here also that faith is in a measure the fruit of culture. We are told in God's word, that "it is the gift of God." True, but he gives it through his word. Culture the minds and hearts of the lambs of his flock with the word, and the gift of God is realized as one of the fruits. And thus the word becomes the power of God unto salvation. Whether or not, all the children thus nurtured and cultured will become

savingly acquainted with the Christ of those truths is another matter. But suffice it to say, that in any case where a saving faith is not begotten, a more symmetrical life will he developed, better habits will be formed and a more sturdy moral character will be the result. Whether or not all the children become Christians, it is possible to acquaint them with the great fundamental truths of salvation.

     2. It is possible for the Christian home to bar her gates forever against Catholicism and infidelity. These are two potent factors in the conglomerated mass of American citizenship. And the former is the prolific source of the latter. While it is true that there is a mighty current of emigration from foreign lands, the very depths of which are so cloudy and turbid with the "isms" of the "Fatherland'' as to seriously affect the spiritual light and life of our Christian land, and just as seriously affect the standard and dignity of American citizenship. Yet, it is possible for the Christian home and Church, under divine guidance, and provided with the gospel armor (Eph. vi. 10-17) to send forth such a volume of the pure and wholesome waters of eternal life as to thoroughly filter and purify the whole stream, and issue into the great sea of life streams of "pure and nudefiled religion."

     The present strength and future hope of Catholicism is in the instruction of her children. And what is an acknowledged fact in the Catholic must have equal weight in the Christian home and Church. It is an old and trite saying, "knowledge is power." But if this is true of mere intellectual culture, or, if a course of study in ecclesiasticism, and in the traditions of Rome has given Catholicism such strength, then what of a sanctified knowledge? What of the power for good in the true--the mind and heart culture--of the children in the Christian homes of our land? The influence of such a course will be immeasurable, and it is possible for it to form such a wave of pure thought and faith as to sweep before it the apparent strength of the silly things of Rome, and the great folly of infidelity. Their turbid tides may continue to sweep over into our land; but, like the tidal waves of the great seas, only to roll back again purified by their action. And to their utter chagrin they will find a personal application in the lines of Longfellow:

     3. It is possible for every Christian home, by their regular attendance upon all the services of the sanctuary, to direct the feet of their children in the same way, and cause them to form like habits. The influence of example is strangely powerful. As a Christian people we do not fully appreciate, nay, we can not fully understand how example has acquired and continues to wield such untold influence over the minds of the young. But the fact nevertheless remains. One has well said, 'Men are by nature imitators, and all persons are more or less impressed by the speech, the manners, and the very habits of thinking of their companions." "Is example nothing?" asked Burke, and promptly answered, 'It is everything.' Example is the school, of mankind, and they will learn at no other." Burke's grand motto, which he wrote for the tablet of the Marquis of Rockingham is worth repeating: "Remember, resemble, persevere." Unconsciously, but inevitably we generate our thoughts, mould (sic) our habits and season our very lives from what we see and hear. Upon this principle some have leaped to the rash conclusion that "circumstances make the man." Rash and false as this conclusion is, the examples in daily life, the language heard, and

the general influences which are brought to bear on the mind--all of which combined form the circumstances in life--are potent factors in determining man's sphere in life. And this is true in the Christian home as it can be no where else. There, as no where else, the children with unshaken confidence regard the words and acts of parents as "law" and "Gospel." With them, "example is everything." In view of this fact, God has so strongly emphasized in his word the conduct of parents in the presence of the children. And a mistake made by too many parents is that the Sabbath-school is for the children only, and that the church services are for the adults only. Thus a breach is created between the church and Sunday-school, and impressed with these notions too many young people early "graduate" from the Sabbath-school. And I am not sure but that some of the clergy encourage this idea by discouraging the attendance of children at the sanctuary services, and of not giving proper encouragement to the fathers and mothers to attend the Sunday--school. But this is not the divine plan. With God the company is composed of "Men, women and children." "And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women,

and all that could hear with understanding" (Nehemiah viii. 2). "Now when Ezra had prayed and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him a very great congregation of men and women and children," etc. (Ezra x. 1). When our Lord fed the multitude we are told (Matt. xiv. 21) that there were about five thousand, beside "women and children." He also called the little children from the throng and took them up in his arms and blessed them. Then let us, dear readers, no longer err as do others, but let us go with the children to the Sabbath--school and show them by our examples that man never grows too old there to study God's word, and there learn more about the "old, old story of Jesus and his love." And then have them go with us into the church services, and impress upon their minds that they too are a part of God's fold, and are not too young to hear his word preached. The results of such a course of training among the young will be surprisingly wonderful. Having once become habitual attendants of the Sunday-school and church services, they have at least been secured against overt vice or crime, and lead into the highway of good citizenship, if not into the highway of

our God. And the continued droppings from the sacred altar of God will sooner or later find access to their hearts, and the constraining love of Christ will woo the major part of them into his embrace. And what a blessed work for the Christian home this will be! What blessed fruits to gather some of them, perhaps gathered just as they close their records of time to launch away into eternity. The bread cast upon the waters has returned after many days, filled the hearts of men with joy, and caused the courts above to resound with the song of joy and praise by the angels.

     But the possibilities of such a home cannot be thus limited within the home, But, like the light in the darkness, its rays radiate in every possible direction. And the light thus dawning among the children will continue to rise higher and higher, and like the sun to grow in brilliancy and warmth, till it has reached its meridian height among the yet unborn generations, yielding a foretaste of heaven in the earthly home, and cause the nations of the earth to enjoy the glorious fruitage of her untold possibilities. The Lord kindle anew the reader's aspirations, awake to activity his dormant energies and talents, and set the chariot wheels of blessing and joy to rolling down the ages, Amen!

© 2003 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller.