The same may be said of the family altar and prayer. A prayerless family
is an irreligious, godless family. Says Henry, "They who daily pray in
their houses do well; they that not only pray, but read the scriptures, do
better; but they do best of all, who not only pray and read the scriptures,
but sing the praises of God."

Besides, the religion of home implies that we "command our children and
household to keep the way of the Lord,"--that we "bring them up in His
nurture and admonition," and "train them up as He would have them go;" and
that in things pertaining to their spiritual welfare we "go in and out"
before them as their pattern and example, bidding them to "follow us even
as we follow Christ," and living in their midst as "the living epistles of
Christ, known and read" of them all.

Family religion must "show itself by its works" of Christian charity and
benevolence to the poor, the sick and the distressed. We should "lay by" a
certain amount each year of what God bestows, for the support of the church
and the propagation of the gospel. Oh, how little do Christians now give to
these benevolent objects! A penurious, close-fisted, selfish home cannot be
a religious household. Family religion must be reproductive, must return to
God as well as receive from Him. But as these characteristic features of
the Christian home will be considered hereafter, we shall not enlarge upon
them here. Suffice it to say that the mission of home demands family
religion. Its interests cannot be secured without it. Let our homes be
divorced from piety, and they will become selfish, sensual, unsatisfactory,
and unhappy. Piety should always reign in our homes,--not only on the
Sabbath, but during the week; not only in sickness and adversity, but in
health and prosperity. It must, if genuine, inspire and consecrate the
minutest interests and employments of the household. It must appear in