This Can Never Be Done Without Family Prayer

Religion brings one of the most obvious and plain appeals which can always be made to the family understanding. It has more that is adapted to the family compact; more that carries forward the tender family sympathies; and more that will consolidate and cement the alliance, than any other subject that can be presented to the little community.-Yet to secure this, it is clear that it must be primary and prominent in the family doings. It must occupy a place that will be obvious and often seen. It must be often presented; and the strength and tenderness of the family emotions must be often brought to bear upon it.

I. I will attempt to show that this can never be done without family prayer. Indeed, it is almost so clear that it does not need to be acknowledged as an argument. The force of the organization the power of all the sympathies in the family cannot be made to bear on it, except by daily acts, in which the whole community will bow with united feelings before the God of grace.

II. I will proceed to remark, that, family worship is one of the most direct and obvious means of meeting the evils to which the family is exposed.

III. I remark, thirdly, that the direct influence of devotion in obtaining the ends of the family organization, may be, and should be incalculably great. I mean the influence in all those great interests which you are endeavoring to secure.

The design of the family organization is well understood- at least all parents have some great ends which they are endeavoring to reach by it. Whatever these ends may be, it will be assumed that they contemplate education, restraint, guidance, defense from danger, preparation for future years. You regard your children as exposed to dangers; subject to passions which demand control; liable to headlong and dangerous propensities, which need, in the earliest years, to be met and restrained.